Hardly had he settled himself comfortably in one of the forked branches , when a lion walked up to a spring that burst from a rock close to the tree , and crouching down drank greedily . This was bad enough , but after all , lions do not climb trees , and as long as Fortunatus stayed up on his perch , he was quite safe . But no sooner was the lion out of sight , than his place was taken by a bear , and bears , as Fortunatus knew very well , are tree-climbers . His heart beat fast , and not without reason , for as the bear turned away he looked up and saw Fortunatus ! Now in those days every young man carried a sword slung to his belt , and it was a fashion that came in very handily for Fortunatus . He drew his sword , and when the bear got within a yard of him he made a fierce lunge forward . The bear , wild with pain , tried to spring , but the bough he was standing on broke with his weight , and he fell heavily to the ground . Then Fortunatus descended from his tree -LRB- first taking good care to see no other wild animals were in sight -RRB- and killed him with a single blow . He was just thinking he would light a fire and make a hearty dinner off bear 's flesh , which is not at all bad eating , when he beheld a beautiful lady standing by his side leaning on a wheel , and her eyes hidden by a bandage . ' I am Dame Fortune , ' she said , ` and I have a gift for you . Shall it be wisdom , strength , long life , riches , health , or beauty ? Think well , and tell me what you will have . ' But Fortunatus , who had proved the truth of the proverb that ` It 's ill thinking on an empty stomach , ' answered quickly , ` Good lady , let me have riches in such plenty that I may never again be as hungry as I am now . ' And the lady held out a purse and told him he had only to put his hand into it , and he and his children would always find ten pieces of gold . But when they were dead it would be a magic purse no longer . -LSB- Illustration : THE GIFT-OF-FORTUNE -RSB- At this news Fortunatus was beside himself with joy , and could hardly find words to thank the lady . But she told him that the best thing he could do was to find his way out of the wood , and before bidding him farewell pointed out which path he should take . He walked along it as fast as his weakness would let him , until a welcome light at a little distance showed him that a house was near . It turned out to be an inn , but before entering Fortunatus thought he had better make sure of the truth of what the lady had told him , and took out the purse and looked inside . Sure enough there were the ten pieces of gold , shining brightly .
Then Fortunatus walked boldly up XXXXX the inn , and ordered them to get ready a good supper at once , as he was very hungry , and to bring him the best wine in the house .
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