Music Welcome to Snewscast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us on Snewscast.com and follow us on social media and wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoy our show, please write a surreview on the podcast app. Also, share it with a friend. This episode is brought to you by our Patreon supporters and by White Elephants. We're blessed to receive so many listener requests for particular stories. Thank you to everyone who has done so. We love to know what you think. If you're a Patreon supporter, please message us through your Patreon profile and will prioritize your request to the top of the queue. Tonight, we'll read a story called Fortunatus. It's inspired by a German tale regarding a legendary hero, popular in 15th and 16th century Europe.

Fortunatus is a tale which marks the passing of the feudal world into the more modern,

globalized capitalist world.

The moral of the story is that it is far too easy without wisdom to lose one's fortune,

no matter how it was acquired.

Let's get cozy. Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now take a few deep breaths. Fortu-Natus. In the city of Famagosta, in the island of Cyprus, there lived a very rich gentleman. His name was Theodoros. He married a lady who was the greatest beauty in Cyprus, and she was as rich as himself. She was called Graciana. They both had every pleasure that wealth could buy and lived in the first style. Besides all this, the lady Graciana brought her husband to find little son, who was named Fortunatus, so one would think nothing could have kept the Adoris from being the most happy person in the world. But this was not long the case. For when he had enjoyed all these pleasures for some time, he grew tired of them and began to keep company with young noblemen of the court, with whom he sat up all night drinking and playing cards, so that in a few years he spent all his fortune. He was now very sorry for what he had done, but it was too late, and there was nothing he could do, but to work at some trade to support his wife and child. For all this, the Lady Graciana never found fault with him, but still loved her husband the same as before, saying, dear Theodoreous, to be sure I do not know how to work at any trade. But if I cannot help you in earning money, I will help you to save it. So, Theodoreous sat to work, and though the Lady Crosseana had always been used only to ring her bell for everything that she wanted, she now scoured the catdles and washed the clothes with her hands. They went on in this manner till Fortu-Natus with 16 years of age. When that time came, one day, as they were all sitting at dinner, the Adoris fixed his eyes on his son and sighed deeply. "'What is the matter with you, Father?' said Fortionatus. "'Oh, my child,' said the Adoris. have reasoned enough to be sorry when I think of the noble fortune which I have spent, and that my folly will force you to labor for your living. Father, replied Fortionatus. Do not grieve about it. I have often thought that it was time I should do something for myself, and though I have not been brought up to any trade, yet I hope I can contrive to support myself somehow. When Fortu-Nautis had done his dinner, he took his hat and walked to the sea side, thinking of what he could do, as to be no longer a burden to his parents. Just as he reached the seashore, the Earl of Flanders, who had been to Jerusalem, was embarking on board his ship with all his servants to set sail for Flanders. Janatus now thought he would offer himself to be the Earl's page. When the Earl saw that he was a smart-looking lad and heard the quick replies which he made to his questions, he took him into his service. So at once they all went on board. On their way the ship stopped a short time at the port of Venice, where Fortunatis saw many strange things, which made him wish still more to travel, and taught him much that he did not know before. Soon after this they came to Flanders, and they had not been long on shore before the Earl, his master, was married to the daughter of the Duke of Cleaves. The wedding was kept with all sorts of public feasting and games on horseback, called tilts, which lasted many days. And among the rest, the Earl's Lady gave two jewels as prizes to be played for, each of them the value of a hundred crowns. One of them was won by Fortionautis, and the other by Timothy, a servant of the Duke of Burgundy, who afterwards ran another tilt with Fortunatus, so that the winner was to have both the jewels. So they tilted, and at the fourth course, Fortunatus hoisted Timothy a full spear's length from his horse, and thus one, both the jewels, which pleased the Earl and Countess so much that they praised fortunatus and thought better of him than ever. At this time, also, fortunatus had many rich presents given him by the the lords and ladies of the court. But the high favor shown him made his fellow-servants jealous, and, one, named Robert, who had always pretended a great friendship for Fortunatus, made him believe that for all his seeming kindness, the Earl, in secret, envied him his great skill in tilting. Robert said, too, that he had heard the Earl give private orders to one of his servants to find some way of killing him next day, while they should all be out hunting. Fortuneautus thanked the wicked Robert for what he thought a great kindness, and the next day, at daybreak, he took the swiftest horse in the Earl's stables and left the country. And the Earl heard that Fortu-Nautis had gone away in a hurry, he was much surprised, and asked all his servants what they knew about the matter, but they all denied knowing anything of it, or why he had left them. The Earl then said, Hortunatus was a lad for whom I had a greatest steam. I am sure some of you must have given him on a front. If I discover it, I shall not fail to punish the guilty person.'" In the meantime, Fortuneautis, when he found himself out of the Earl's country, stopped at an inn to refresh himself and began to reckon how much he had about him. He took out all his fine clothes and jewels and could not help putting them on. He then looked at himself in the mirror and thought that to be be sure, he was quite a fine smart fellow.

Next he took out his purse and counted the money that had been given him by the lords and

ladies of the Earl's court. He found that in all he had 500 crowns, so he bought a horse

and took care to send back the one that he had taken from the Earl's stable. He then set off for Kaleh, crossed this channel, landed safely at Dover, and went on to London, where he soon made his way into Gentile Company, and had once the honor to dance with the daughter of a duke at the Lord Mayor's Ball. This sort of life, as anybody may well think, soon made away with his little stock of money. When Fortu-Nautis found that he had not a penny left, he began to think of going back again to France. and soon after went on board a shipbound to Piccadie. He landed in that country, but finding no employment he set off for Brittany. When he lost his way in crossing a wood, and was forced to stay in it all night. The next morning he was little better off, for he could find no path. So we walked about from one part of the wood to another, till it last, on the evening of the second day, he saw a spring, at which he drank very hardly, but still he had nothing to eat, and was ready to die with hunger. When night came on, he heard the growling of wild beasts, so he climbed up a high tree for safety, and he had hardly seated himself in it, before a lion walked fiercely up to the spring to drink. This made him very much afraid. When the lion had gone away, a bear came to drink also, and, as the moon shone very bright, the beast looked up and saw for tunatus, and straight away began to climb the tree to get at him. Fortu-Natus drew his sword and sat quiet till the bear was come within arms length, and then he ran him through the body. This drove the bear so very savage that he made a great spring to get at him. But the bow broke, and down he fell, and lace brawling and howling on the ground. Fortuneautists now looked around on all sides, and as he saw no more wild beasts near, he thought this would be a good time to get rid of the bear at once. So down

he came and killed him at a single blow. Being almost starved for one to food, the poor youth stooped down and was going to eat the bear, but looking round once more to see See if any wild beasts were coming?

He on a sudden, beheld a beautiful lady standing by his side, with a bandage over her eyes, leaning upon a wheel, and looking as if she were going to speak, which she soon did, in these words. No young man that my name is fortune. I have the power to bestow wisdom, strength, riches, health, beauty, and long life. One of these I am willing to grant you, choose for yourself which it shall be.autis was not a moment before he answered. Good lady, I wish to have riches in such plenty that I may never again know what it is to be so hungry as I now find myself. The lady then gave him a purse and told him that in all the countries where he might happen to be, he need only put his hand into the purse as often as he pleased, and he would be sure to find in it ten pieces of gold, that the purse should never fail of yielding the same sum, as long as it was kept by him and his children, but that when he and his children should be dead, then the purse would lose its power. Fortuneautists now did not know what to do with himself for joy, and began to thank the lady very much, but she told him that he had better think of making his way out of the

wood. She then directed him which path to take, and bait him farewell. He walked by the light of the moon, as fast as his weakness and fatigue would let him, till he came near and in. But before he went into it, he thought it would be best to see whether the lady fortune had been as good as her word, so he put his hand into his purse, into his great joy he counted ten gold pieces. nothing to fear. For TNatus walked boldly up to the end, and called for the best supper they could get ready in a minute. Four said he, I must wait till tomorrow before I am very nice. I am so hungry now that almost anything we'll do.autists very soon ate quite enough, and then called for every sort of wine in the house and drank his fill. After supper he began to think what sort of life he should lead. Four, said he to himself, I shall now have money enough for everything I can desire. He slept that night in the very best bed in the house. And the next day he ordered the finest victuels of all kinds. When he rang his bell, all the waiters tried who should run the fastest, to ask him what he pleased to want, and the landlord himself, hearing what a noble guest was come to his house, took care to be standing at the door, to bow to him when he should be passing out. Hautis asked the landlord whether any fine horses could be got near at hand. Also, if he knew of some smart-looking, clever men servants who wanted places, by chance the landlord was able to provide him with both. As he had now got everything he wanted, he set out on the finest horse that was ever seen, with two servants for the nearest town. There he bought some grand suits of clothes, put his two servants into livery's laced with gold, and they went on to Paris. Here he took the best house that was to be had, and lived in great pomp. He invited the nobility and gave grand balls to all the most beautiful ladies of the court. He went to all public places of amusement, and the first lords in the country invited him to their houses. He had lived in this manner for about a year when he began to think of going to Famagosta to visit his parents, whom he had left very poor. But thought fortune-tos, as I am young and have not seen much of the world, I should like to meet with some person of more knowledge than I have, who would make my journey both useful and pleasing to me. Soon after this, he met with an old gentleman called Locke Fitty, who was a native of Scotland, And it left a wife and ten children a great many years ago.

In hope. called Locke Fitty, who was a native of Scotland, and had left a wife and ten children a great many years ago in hopes to better his fortune. But now, owing to many accidents, was poorer than ever, and had not money enough to take him back to his family. When Locke Fiddy found how much fortuneautists wish to

obtain knowledge, he told him many of the strange adventures he had met with, and gave him an account of all the countries he had been in, as well as the customs, dress, and manners of the people. fortune-todd has thought to himself, this is the very man I stand in need of, so at once he made him a good offer, which the old gentleman agreed to, but made the bargain that he might first go and visit his family. Fortuneautists told him that he should, and said he, as I am a little tired of being always in the midst of such noisy pleasures as we find at Paris, I will, with your leave, go with you to Scotland, and see your wife and children." They got out the very next day, and came safe to the house of Loc Fitti, and in all the journey, Fortu-Natus did not once wish to change his kind companion for all the pleasures and grandeur he had left behind. Loc Fitti kissed his wife and children, five of whom were daughters, and the most beautiful creatures that were ever beheld. When they were seated, his wife said to him, Ah, dear Lord, lock-fitty, how happy I am to see you once again. Now, I hope we shall enjoy each other's company for the rest of our lives. What though we are poor, we will be content if you will but promise not to think of leaving us again to get riches only because we have a noble title." Fortune-autists heard this with great surprise. What? Said he, Are you a Lord? Then you shall be a rich Lord too. And that you may not think I lay you under any burden in the fortune I shall give you, I will put it in your power to make me your debtor instead. Give me your youngest daughter, Cassandra, for a wife, and accompany us as far as Famagosta, and take all your family with you, that you may have pleasant company on your way back, when you have rested in that place from your fatigue. Lord Locke Fiddy shed some tears of joy, to think he should at last see his family again, raised to all the honors which it had once enjoyed. He gladly agreed to the marriage of Fortgunadis with his daughter, Cassandra, and then told him the reasons that had forced him to drop his title and live poor at Paris. When Lord Locke Fiddy had ended his story, they agreed that the very next morning the Lady Cassandra should be asked to accept the

hand of Fortunatus, and that, if she should consent, they would sail in a few days for Famagosta. The next morning the offer was made to her, as had been agreed on, and Fortunatus had the pleasure of hearing from the lips of the beautiful Cassandra, that the very first time she cast her eyes on him, she thought him the most handsome gentleman in the world. Everything was soon ready for them to set out on the journey. Forcian, Lord Lockfitty, his lady, and their ten children, then set sail in a large ship. They had a good voyage, and landed safe at the port of Phamagosta. There, however, fortune ought to found, with great grief and self-approach, that his father and mother were both dead. However, as he was an easy tempered gentleman, and had his patrols Cassandra and her whole family to reconcile him to his grief. It did not last very long. The wedding took place almost immediately, so they lived together in Famagosta and in very great style. By the end of the first year, the Lady Cassandra had a little son, who was Christian's Ampeto, and the next year another, who was Christian's and Lucia. For twelve years, Fortunatis lived a very happy life with his wife and children, and his wife's kindred, and as each of her sisters had a fortune given her from the purse of fortuneautis, they soon married very well. But by this time he began to travel again, and he thought, as he was now so much older and wiser than when he was at Paris, he might go by himself. For Lord Locke Fiddy was at this time too old to bear fatigue. After he had, with great trouble, got the consent of the Lady Cassandra, and made her a promise to stay away only two years. He made all things ready for his journey, and taking his Lady into one of his private rooms. He showed her three chests of gold. He told her to keep one of these for herself, and take charge of the other two for their sons, in case any evil should happen to them. He then led her back to the room where the whole family was sitting and braced them all tenderly one by one and set sail with a fair wind for Alexandria. When Fortu-Natus came to this place, he was told it was the custom to make a handsome present to the Sultan, so he sent him a piece of plate that cost 5,000 pounds. The Sultan was so much pleased with this that he ordered a hundred casks of spices to be given to Fortunatus in return. Fortunatus sent these straight to the Lady Cassandra with the most tender letters by the same ship that brought him, which was then going back to Fama-Gosta. Having stated that he wished to travel through his country by land, he obtained from the sultan, such passports and letters as he might stand in need of, to the other princes in those parts. He then bought a camel, hired proper servants, and set off on his travels. You went through Turkey, Persia, and from thence to Carthage. He next went into the country of Prestor Jallon, who rides upon a white elephant, and his kings to wait on him. Fortuneautists made some rich presence to him and went on to Calcutta, and in coming back, he took Jerusalem in the way, and so came again to Alexandria, where he had the good fortune to find the same ship that had brought him, and to learn from the captain that his wife and family were all in perfect health. The first thing he did was to pay a visit to his old friend, the Sultan, to whom he again made a handsome present and was invited to dine at his palace. After dinner, the Sultan said, it must be vastly amusing, Fortunatus, to hear an account of all the places you have seen. Pray favor me with the history of your travels. Fortune honest did as he was desired, and pleased the Sultan very much by telling him the many odd adventures he had met with, and above all, the manner of his first becoming known to the Lord lock Fiddy, and the desire of that Lord to maintain the honors of his family. When he had ended, the Sultan said he was greatly pleased with what he had heard, but that he possessed a more curious thing than any fortune-tice had told him of. He then led him into a room almost filled with jewels, opened a large closet, and took out a cap, which he said was of greater value said was of greater value than all the rest.

For to notice the... and took out a cap, which he said was of greater value than all the rest. Fortu-Nottis thought the Sultan was joking, and told him he had seen many a better cap than that. Ah, said the Sultan, that is because you do not know its value. Whoever puts this cap on his head and wishes to be in any part of the world will find

himself there in a moment. you you