He went to one house and offered gold in return for a chicken, but was refused, the owner saying: "We have enough of that already and do not want any more." He next went to a fish-woman to buy some herring, when she, too, refused to accept his gold in return for fish, saying: "I do not wish it, my dear man; I have no children to whom I can give it to play with.

I have three pieces which I keep as curiosities only." He then went to a peasant to buy bread, but he also refused to accept the gold.

"I have no use for it," said he, "unless you wish to give it for Christ's sake; then it will be a different matter, and I will tell my baba [old woman] to cut a piece of bread for you." The old devil was so angry that he ran away from the peasant, spitting and cursing as he went.
Not only did the offer to accept in the name of Christ anger him, but the very mention of the name was like the thrust of a knife in his throat.
The old devil did not succeed in getting any bread, and in his efforts to secure other articles of food he met with the same failure.

The people had all the gold they wanted and what pieces they had they regarded as curiosities.

They said to the old devil: "If you bring us something else in exchange for food, or come to ask for Christ's sake, we will give you all you want." But the old devil had nothing but gold, and was too lazy to work; and being unable to accept anything for Christ's sake, he was greatly enraged.
"What else do you want ?" he said.