They therefore glanced at the gold pieces with amazement, and said, "What nice toys they would be to play with!" In return for the gold they gave their services and brought the "nobleman" the produce of their farms.
The old devil was overjoyed as he thought, "Now my enterprise is on a fair road and I will be able to ruin the Fool--as I did his brothers." The fools obtained sufficient gold to distribute among the entire community, the women and young girls of the village wearing much of it as ornaments, while to the children they gave some pieces to play with on the streets.
When they had secured all they wanted they stopped working and the "noblemen" did not get his house more than half finished.

He had neither provisions nor cattle for the year, and ordered the people to bring him both.

He directed them also to go on with the building of the palace and factories.

He promised to pay them liberally in gold for everything they did.

No one responded to his call--only once in awhile a little boy or girl would call to exchange eggs for his gold.
Thus was the "nobleman" deserted, and, having nothing to eat, he went to the village to procure some provisions for his dinner.