The Egyptian Ring

Syphax was sitting in the tavern. The innkeeper gave Syphax wine. Syphax handed a ring to the innkeeper.

“I have no money,” he said, “because Neptune destroyed my ship.” After receiving the ring, the innkeeper examined it.

“The ring is old,” said Syphax. “An Egyptian slave gave me the ring. The slave found it in the pyramid.” The innkeeper showed the ring to his wife. He gave the ring to his wife because it pleased her.

The next day, the woman was walking when suddenly a thief appeared on the street. He demanded money. The woman, being terrified, gave the thief money. The thief caught sight of the ring. He asked for the ring. The woman handed it over to the thief.

The woman returned to the tavern and found her husband. The innkeeper was watching a fire.

“Oh no! The tavern is burning!” The woman told her husband the whole story.

“The ring is unlucky,” said the innkeeper. “The ring destroyed the tavern.” After the thief took the money and the ring, he saw three enemies. When the enemies saw the money, they began to beat the thief. The thief fled but lost the ring.

Grumio was walking with Poppaea. He found the ring in the street. The cook gave the ring to Poppaea.

“It is an Egyptian ring.”

“Hooray!” she said. “The ring is lucky.”