You must take one , and I the other ; for the time has come when we must part . ' But the uncle cried , ` No , no , my boy , we will keep together always . ' ` Alas ! that can not be , ' said the boy ; ` so tell me which way you will go . ' ' I will go to the west , ' said the uncle . ` One word before I leave you , ' continued the boy . ` Beware of any man who has red hair and blue eyes . Take no service under him . ' ` All right , ' replied the uncle , and they parted . For three days the man wandered on without any food , till he was very hungry . Then , when he was almost fainting , a stranger met him and said , ` Will you work for me ? ' ` By contract ? ' asked the man . ` Yes , by contract , ' replied the stranger , ` and whichever of us breaks it , shall have a strip of skin taken from his body . ' ` All right , ' replied the man ; ` what shall I have to do ? ' ` Every day you must take the sheep out to pasture , and carry my old mother on your shoulders , taking great care her feet shall never touch the ground . And , besides that , you must catch , every evening , seven singing birds for my seven sons . ' ` That is easily done , ' said the man . Then they went back together , and the stranger said , ` Here are your sheep : and now stoop down , and let my mother climb on your back . ' ` Very good , ' answered Mohammed 's uncle .
The new shepherd did as he was told , and returned in the XXXXX with the old woman on his back , and the seven singing birds in his pocket , which he gave to the seven boys , when they came to meet him .
Mohammed day days evening eyes fainting right service west word