第14章

Ah，yes，saidtheass，Ishouldindeedlikeher，andallatoncehebecamequitemerryandfullofhappiness，forthatwasexactlywhathewaswishingfor。Soagreatandsplendidweddingwasheld。Intheevening，whenthebrideandbridegroomwereledintotheirbed-room，thekingwantedtoknowiftheasswouldbehavewell，andorderedaservanttohidehimselfthere。Whentheywerebothwithin，thebridegroomboltedthedoor，lookedaround，andashebelievedthattheywerequitealone，hesuddenlythrewoffhisass\'sskin，andstoodthereintheformofahandsomeroyalyouth。Now，saidhe，youseewhoIam，andseealsothatIamnotunworthyofyou。Thenthebridewasglad，andkissedhim，andlovedhimdearly。Whenmorningcame，hejumpedup，puthisanimal\'sskinonagain，andnoonecouldhaveguessedwhatkindofaformwashiddenbeneathit。Sooncametheoldking。

Ah，criedhe，sothelittleassisalreadyup。Butsurelyyouaresad，saidhetohisdaughter，thatyouhavenotgotapropermanforyourhusband。Oh，no，dearfather，Ilovehimaswellasifhewerethehandsomestintheworld，andIwillkeephimaslongasIlive。Thekingwassurprised，buttheservantwhohadconcealedhimselfcameandrevealedeverythingtohim。Thekingsaid，thatcannotbetrue。Thenwatchyourselfthenextnight，andyouwillseeitwithyourowneyes，andharkyou，lordking，ifyouweretotakehisskinawayandthrowitinthefire，hewouldbeforcedtoshowhimselfinhistrueshape。Youradviceisgood，saidtheking，andatnightwhentheywereasleep，hestolein，andwhenhegottothebedhesawbythelightofthemoonanoble-lookingyouthlyingthere，andtheskinlaystretchedontheground。Sohetookitaway，andhadagreatfirelightedoutside，andthrewtheskinintoit，andremainedbyithimselfuntilitwasallburnttoashes。Butsincehewasanxioustoknowhowtherobbedmanwouldbehavehimself，hestayedawakethewholenightandwatched。Whentheyouthhadslepthisfill，hegotupbythefirstlightofmorning，andwantedtoputontheass\'sskin，butitwasnottobefound。Atthishewasalarmed，and，fullofgriefandanxiety，said，nowIshallhavetocontrivetoescape。Butwhenhewentout，therestoodtheking，whosaid，myson，whitherawayinsuchhaste。Whathaveyouinmind。Stayhere，youaresuchahandsomeman，youshallnotgoawayfromme。

Iwillnowgiveyouhalfmykingdom，andaftermydeathyoushallhavethewholeofit。ThenIhopethatwhatbeginssowellmayendwell，andIwillstaywithyou，saidtheyouth。Andtheoldmangavehimhalfthekingdom，andinayear\'stime，whenhedied，theyouthhadthewhole，andafterthedeathofhisfatherhehadanotherkingdomaswell，andlivedinallmagnificence。

Amanandhiswifewereoncesittingbythedooroftheirhouse，andtheyhadaroastedchickensetbeforethem，andwereabouttoeatittogether。Thenthemansawthathisagedfatherwascoming，andhastilytookthechickenandhidit，forhewouldnotpermithimtohaveanyofit。Theoldmancame，tookadrink，andwentaway。Nowthesonwantedtoputtheroastedchickenonthetableagain，butwhenhetookitup，ithadbecomeagreattoad，whichjumpedintohisfaceandsatthereandneverwentawayagain，andifanyonewantedtotakeitoff，itlookedvenomouslyathimasifitwouldjumpinhisface，sothatnoonewouldventuretotouchit。Andtheungratefulsonwasforcedtofeedthetoadeveryday，orelseitfeditselfonhisface，andthushewentabouttheworldknowingnorest。

Therewereoncetwobrotherswhobothservedassoldiers，oneofthemwasrich，andtheotherpoor。Thenthepoorone，toescapefromhispoverty，doffedhissoldier\'scoat，andturnedfarmer。

Hedugandhoedhisbitofland，andsoweditwithturnip-seed。

Theseedcameup，andoneturnipgrewtherewhichbecamelargeandstrong，andvisiblygrewbiggerandbigger，andseemedasifitwouldneverstopgrowing，sothatitmighthavebeencalledtheprincessofturnips，forneverwassuchanoneseenbefore，andneverwillsuchanonebeseenagain。

Atlengthitwassoenormousthatbyitselfitfilledawholecart，andtwooxenwererequiredtodrawit，andthefarmerhadnottheleastideawhathewastodowiththeturnip，orwhetheritwouldbeafortunetohimoramisfortune。Atlasthethought，ifyousellit，whatwillyougetforitthatisofanyimportance，andifyoueatityourself，why，thesmallturnipswoulddoyoujustasmuchgood。Itwouldbebettertotakeittotheking，andmakehimapresentofit。

Soheplaceditonacart，harnessedtwooxen，tookittothepalace，andpresentedittotheking。Whatstrangethingisthis，saidtheking。Manywonderfulthingshavecomebeforemyeyes，butneversuchamonsterasthis。Fromwhatseedcanthishavesprung，orareyouafavoriteofgoodfortuneandhavemetwithitbychance。Ah，no，saidthefarmer，nofavoriteamI。Iamapoorsoldier，whobecausehecouldnolongersupporthimselfhunghissoldier\'scoatonanailandtooktofarmingland。Ihaveabrotherwhoisrichandwellknowntoyou，lordking，butI，becauseIhavenothing，amforgottenbyeveryone。

Thenthekingfeltcompassionforhim，andsaid，youshallberaisedfromyourpoverty，andshallhavesuchgiftsfrommethatyoushallbeequaltoyourrichbrother。Thenhebestowedonhimmuchgold，andlands，andmeadows，andherds，andmadehimimmenselyrich，sothatthewealthoftheotherbrothercouldnotbecomparedwithhis。Whentherichbrotherheardwhatthepooronehadgainedforhimselfwithonesingleturnip，heenviedhim，andthoughtineverywayhowhealsocouldcomebyasimilarpieceofluck。Hesetaboutitinamuchmorecunningway，however，andtookgoldandhorsesandcarriedthemtotheking，andmadecertainthekingwouldgivehimamuchlargerpresentinreturn。Ifhisbrotherhadgotsomuchforoneturnip，whatwouldhenotcarryawaywithhiminreturnforsuchbeautifulthingsasthese。Thekingacceptedhispresent，andsaidhehadnothingtogivehiminreturnthatwasmorerareandexcellentthanthegreatturnip。Sotherichmanwasobligedtoputhisbrother\'sturnipinacartandhaveittakentohishome。

There，hedidnotknowonwhomtoventhisrageandanger，untilbadthoughtscametohim，andheresolvedtokillhisbrother。

Hehiredmurderers，whoweretolieinambush，andthenhewenttohisbrotherandsaid，dearbrother，Iknowofahiddentreasure，wewilldigituptogether，anddivideitbetweenus。

Theotheragreedtothis，andaccompaniedhimwithoutsuspicion。

Whiletheywereontheirwaythemurderersfellonhim，boundhim，andwouldhavehangedhimtoatree。Butjustastheyweredoingthis，loudsingingandthesoundofahorse\'sfeetwereheardinthedistance。Onthistheirheartswerefilledwithterror，andtheypushedtheirprisonerhastilyintothesack，hungitonabranch，andtooktoflight。He，however，workedupthereuntilhehadmadeaholeinthesackthroughwhichhecouldputhishead。Themanwhowascomingbywasnootherthanatravelingstudent，ayoungfellowwhorodeonhiswaythroughthewoodjoyouslysinginghissong。Whenhewhowasaloftsawthatsomeonewaspassingbelowhim，hecried，goodday。Youhavecomeataluckymoment。Thestudentlookedroundoneveryside，butdidnotknowwhencethevoicecame。Atlasthesaid，whocallsme。Thenananswercamefromthetopofthetree，raiseyoureyes，hereIsitaloftinthesackofwisdom。InashorttimehaveIlearntgreatthings，comparedwiththisallschoolsareajest，inaveryshorttimeIshallhavelearnteverything，andshalldescendwiserthanallothermen。Iunderstandthestars，andthetracksofthewinds，thesandofthesea，thehealingofillness，andthevirtuesofallherbs，birdsandstones。Ifyouwereoncewithinityouwouldfeelwhatnoblethingsissueforthfromthesackofknowledge。

Thestudent，whenheheardallthis，wasastonished，andsaid，blessedbethehourinwhichIhavefoundyou。MaynotIalsoenterthesackforawhile。Hewhowasaboverepliedasifunwillingly，forashorttimeIwillletyougetintoit，ifyourewardmeandgivemegoodwords，butyoumustwaitanhourlonger，foronethingremainswhichImustlearnbeforeIdoit。

Whenthestudenthadwaitedawhilehebecameimpatient，andbeggedtobeallowedtogetinatonce，histhirstforknowledgewassoverygreat。Sohewhowasabovepretendedatlasttoyield，andsaid，inorderthatImaycomeforthfromthehouseofknowledgeyoumustletitdownbytherope，andthenyoushallenterit。Sothestudentletthesackdown，untiedit，andsethimfree，andthencried，nowdrawmeupatonce，andwasabouttogetintothesack。Halt，saidtheother，thatwon\'tdo，andtookhimbytheheadandputhimupsidedownintothesack，fastenedit，anddrewthediscipleofwisdomupthetreebytherope。Thenheswunghimintheairandsaid，howgoesitwithyou，mydearfellow。Behold，alreadyyoufeelwisdomcoming，andyouaregainingvaluableexperience。Keepperfectlyquietuntilyoubecomewiser。Thereuponhemountedthestudent\'shorseandrodeaway，butinanhour\'stimesentsomeonetoletthestudentoutagain。

AtthetimewhenourLordstillwalkedthisearth，heandSt。

Peterstoppedoneeveningatasmith\'sandreceivedfreequarters。Thenitcametopassthatapoorbeggar，hardpressedbyageandinfirmity，cametothishouseandbeggedalmsofthesmith。St。Peterhadcompassiononhimandsaid，Lordandmaster，ifitpleaseyou，curehistormentsthathemaybeabletowinhisownbread。TheLordsaidkindly，smith，lendmeyourforge，andputonsomecoalsforme，andthenIwillmakethisailingoldmanyoungagain。Thesmithwasquitewilling，andSt。Peterblewthebellows，andwhenthecoalfiresparkleduplargeandhighourLordtookthelittleoldman，pushedhimintheforgeinthemidstofthered-hotfire，sothatheglowedlikearose-bush，andpraisedGodwithaloudvoice。AfterthattheLordwenttothequenchingtub，puttheglowinglittlemanintoitsothatthewaterclosedoverhim，andafterhehadcarefullycooledhim，gavehimhisblessing，whenbeholdthelittlemansprangnimblyout，lookingfresh，straight，healthy，andasifhewerebuttwenty。Thesmith，whohadwatchedeverythingcloselyandattentively，invitedthemalltosupper。He，however，hadanoldhalf-blindcrooked，mother-in-lawwhowenttotheyouth，andwithgreatearnestnessaskedifthefirehadburnthimmuch。Heansweredthathehadneverfeltmorecomfortable，andthathehadsatintheredheatasifhehadbeenincooldew。Theyouth\'swordsechoedintheearsoftheoldwomanallnightlong，andearlynextmorning，whentheLordhadgoneonhiswayagainandhadheartilythankedthesmith，thelatterthoughthemightmakehisoldmother-in-lawyoungagainlikewise，ashehadwatchedeverythingsocarefully，anditlayintheprovinceofhistrade。Sohecalledtoaskherifshe，too，wouldliketogoboundingaboutlikeagirlofeighteen。Shesaid，withallmyheart，astheyouthhascomeoutofitsowell。Sothesmithmadeagreatfire，andthrusttheoldwomanintoit，andshewrithedaboutthiswayandthat，andutteredterriblecriesofmurder。Sitstill。Whyareyouscreamingandjumpingaboutso，criedhe，andashespokeheblewthebellowsagainuntilallherragswereburnt。Theoldwomancriedwithoutceasing，andthesmiththoughttohimself，Ihavenotquitetherightart，andtookheroutandthrewherintothecooling-tub。Thenshescreamedsoloudlythatthesmith\'swifeupstairsandherdaughter-in-lawheardit，andtheybothrandownstairs，andsawtheoldwomanlyinginaheapinthequenching-tub，howlingandscreaming，withherfacewrinkledandshriveledandalloutofshape。Thereuponthetwo，whowerebothwithchild，weresoterrifiedthatthatverynighttwoboyswerebornwhowerenotmadelikemenbutapes，andtheyranintothewoods，andfromthemsprangtheraceofapes。

Acertainkinghadthreesonswhowereallequallydeartohim，andhedidnotknowwhichofthemtoappointashissuccessorafterhisowndeath。Whenthetimecamewhenhewasabouttodie，hesummonedthemtohisbedsideandsaid，dearchildren，IhavebeenthinkingofsomethingwhichIwilldeclareuntoyou，whichsoeverofyouisthelaziestshallhavethekingdom。

Theeldestsaid，then，father，thekingdomismine，forIamsoidlethatifIliedowntorest，andadropfallsinmyeye，IwillnotopenitthatImaysleep。Thesecondsaid，father，thekingdombelongstome，forIamsoidlethatwhenIamsittingbythefirewarmingmyself，Iwouldratherletmyheelbeburntoffthandrawbackmyleg。Thethirdsaid，father，thekingdomismine，forIamsoidlethatifIweregoingtobehanged，andhadtheropealreadyroundmyneck，andanyoneputasharpknifeintomyhandwithwhichImightcuttherope，Iwouldratherletmyselfbehangedthanraisemyhandtotherope。

Whenthefatherheardthat，hesaid，youhavecarrieditthefarthest，andshallbeking。

Therewasonceuponatimeashepherdboywhosefamespreadfarandwidebecauseofthewiseanswerswhichhegavetoeveryquestion。Thekingofthecountryheardofitlikewise，butdidnotbelieveit，andsentfortheboy。Thenhesaidtohim，ifyoucangivemeananswertothreequestionswhichI

willaskyou，Iwilllookonyouasmyownchild，andyoushalldwellwithmeinmyroyalpalace。Theboysaid，whatarethethreequestions。Thekingsaid，thefirstis，howmanydropsofwaterarethereintheocean。Theshepherdboyanswered，lordking，ifyouwillhavealltheriversonearthdammedupsothatnotasingledroprunsfromthemintotheseauntilIhavecountedit，Iwilltellyouhowmanydropsthereareinthesea。

Thekingsaid，thenextquestionis，howmanystarsarethereinthesky。Theshepherdboysaid，givemeagreatsheetofwhitepaper，andthenhemadesomanyfinepointsonitwithapenthattheycouldscarcelybeseen，anditwasallbutimpossibletocountthem，anyonewholookedatthemwouldhavelosthissight。Thenhesaid，thereareasmanystarsintheskyastherearepointsonthepaper。Justcountthem。Butnoonewasabletodoit。

Thekingsaid，thethirdquestionis，howmanysecondsoftimearethereineternity。Thensaidtheshepherdboy，inlowerpomeraniaisthediamondmountain，whichistwomileshigh，twomileswide，andtwomilesdeep。Everyhundredyearsalittlebirdcomesandsharpensitsbeakonit，andwhenthewholemountainiswornawaybythis，thenthefirstsecondofeternitywillbeover。

Thekingsaid，youhaveansweredthethreequestionslikeawiseman，andshallhenceforthdwellwithmeinmyroyalpalace，andIwillregardyouasmyownchild。

Therewasonceuponatimealittlegirlwhosefatherandmotherweredead，andshewassopoorthatshenolongerhadaroomtolivein，orbedtosleepin，andatlastshehadnothingelsebuttheclothesshewaswearingandalittlebitofbreadinherhandwhichsomecharitablesoulhadgivenher。Shewasgoodandpious，however。Andasshewasthusforsakenbyalltheworld，shewentforthintotheopencountry，trustinginthegoodGod。

Thenapoormanmether，whosaid，ah，givemesomethingtoeat，Iamsohungry。Shehandedhimthewholeofherpieceofbread，andsaid，mayGodblessyou，andwentonwards。Thencameachildwhomoanedandsaid，myheadissocold，givemesomethingtocoveritwith。Soshetookoffherhoodandgaveittohim。Andwhenshehadwalkedalittlefarther，shemetanotherchildwhohadnojacketandwasfrozenwithcold。Thenshegaveitherown，andalittlefartherononebeggedforafrock，andshegaveawaythatalso。Atlengthshegotintoaforestandithadalreadybecomedark，andtherecameyetanotherchild，andaskedforashirt，andthegoodlittlegirlthoughttoherself，itisadarknightandnooneseesyou，youcanverywellgiveyourshirtaway，andtookitoff，andgaveawaythatalso。Andasshesostood，andhadnotonesinglethingleft，suddenlysomestarsfromheavenfelldown，andtheywerenothingelsebuthardsmoothpiecesofmoney，andalthoughshehadjustgivenhershirtaway，shehadanewonewhichwasoftheveryfinestlinen。Thensheputthemoneyintoit，andwasrichallthedaysofherlife。

Afatherwasonedaysittingatdinnerwithhiswifeandhischildren，andagoodfriendwhohadcomeonavisitatewiththem。Andastheythussat，anditwasstrikingtwelveo\'clock，thestrangersawthedooropen，andaverypalechilddressedinsnow-whiteclothescamein。Itdidnotlookaround，anditdidnotspeak，butwentstraightintothenextroom。Soonafterwardsitcameback，andwentoutatthedooragaininthesamequietmanner。Onthesecondandonthethirdday，itcamealsoexactlyinthesameway。Atlastthestrangeraskedthefathertowhomthebeautifulchildthatwentintothenextroomeverydayatnoonbelonged。Ihaveneverseenit，saidhe，neitherdidheknowtowhomitcouldbelong。Thenextdaywhenitagaincame，thestrangerpointeditouttothefather，whohoweverdidnotseeit，andthemotherandthechildrenalsoallsawnothing。Atthisthestrangergotup，wenttotheroomdoor，openeditalittle，andpeepedin。Thenhesawthechildsittingontheground，andbusilydiggingandseekingaboutbetweentheboardsofthefloor，butwhenitsawthestranger，itdisappeared。Henowtoldwhathehadseenanddescribedthechildexactly，andthemotherrecognizedit，andsaid，ah，itismydearchildwhodiedamonthago。Theytookuptheboardsandfoundtwofarthingswhichthechildhadoncereceivedfromitsmotherthatitmightgivethemtoapoorman。It，however，hadthought，youcanbuyyourselfabiscuitforthat，andhadkeptthefarthings，andhiddenthemintheopeningsbetweentheboards。Andthereforeithadhadnorestinitsgrave，andhadcomeeverydayatnoontoseekforthesefarthings。Theparentsgavethemoneyatoncetoapoorman，andafterthatthechildwasneverseenagain。

Therewasonceayoungshepherdwhowantedverymuchtomarry，andwasacquaintedwiththreesisterswhowereallequallypretty，sothatitwasdifficultforhimtomakeachoice，andhecouldnotdecidetogivethepreferencetoanyoneofthem。Thenheaskedhismotherforadvice，andshesaid，inviteallthree，andsetsomecheesebeforethem，andwatchhowtheyeatit。Theyouthdidso，thefirstswallowedthecheesewiththerindon，thesecondhastilycuttherindoffthecheese，butshecutitsoquicklythatsheleftmuchgoodcheesewithit，andthrewthatawayalso，thethirdpeeledtherindoffcarefully，andcutneithertoomuchnortoolittle。Theshepherdtoldallthistohismother，whosaid，takethethirdforyourwife。Thishedid，andlivedcontentedlyandhappilywithher。

Asparrowhadfouryoungonesinaswallow\'snest。Whentheywerefledged，somenaughtyboyspulledoutthenest，butfortunatelyallthebirdsgotsafelyawayinthehighwind。Thentheoldbirdwasgrievedthatashissonshadallgoneoutintotheworld，hehadnotfirstwarnedthemofeverykindofdanger，andgiventhemgoodinstructionhowtodealwitheach。

Intheautumnagreatmanysparrowsassembledtogetherinawheatfield，andtheretheoldbirdmethisfourchildrenagain，andfullofjoytookthemhomewithhim。Ah，mydearsons，howIhavebeenworryingaboutyouallthroughthesummer，becauseyougotawayinthewindwithoutmyteaching。Listentomywords，obeyyourfather，andbewellonyourguard。Littlebirdshavetoencountergreatdangers。Andthenheaskedtheeldestwherehehadspentthesummer，andhowhehadsupportedhimself。I

stayedinthegardens，andlookedforcaterpillarsandsmallworms，untilthecherrieswereripe。Ah，myson，saidthefather，tit-bitsarenotbad，butthereisgreatriskaboutthem。Onthataccounttakegreatcareofyourselfhenceforth，andparticularlywhenpeoplearegoingaboutthegardenswhocarrylonggreenpoleswhicharehollowinsideandhavealittleholeatthetop。Yes，father，butwhatifalittlegreenleafisstuckovertheholewithwax，saidtheson。Wherehaveyouseenthat。Inamerchant\'sgarden，saidtheyoungster。Oh，myson，merchantfolksaresmartfolks，saidthefather。Ifyouhavebeenamongthechildrenoftheworld，youhavelearnedworldlycraftinessenough，onlyseethatyouuseitwell，anddonotbetooconfident。

Thenheaskedthenext，wherehaveyoupassedyourtime。Atcourt，saidtheson。Sparrowsandsillylittlebirdsareofnouseinthatplace。Thereonefindsmuchgold，velvet，silk，armor，harnesses，sparrow-hawks，screech-owlsandlanners。Keeptothehorses，stablewheretheywinnowoats，orthresh，andthenfortunemaygiveyouyourdailygrainofcorninpeace。Yes，father，saidtheson，butwhenthestable-boysmaketrapsandfixtheirginsandsnaresinthestraw，manyaoneiscaught。

Wherehaveyouseenthat，saidtheoldbird。Atcourt，amongthestable-boys。Oh，myson，courtboysarebadboys。Ifyouhavebeentocourtandamongthelords，andhaveleftnofeathersthere，youhavelearntafairamount，andwillknowverywellhowtogoabouttheworld，butlookaroundyouandaboveyou，forthewolvesoftendevourthewisestdogs。

Thefatherexaminedthethirdalso，wheredidyouseekyourfortune。Ihavecastmytubandropeonthecart-roadsandhighways，andsometimesmetwithagrainofcornorbarley。Thatisindeeddaintyfare，saidthefather，buttakecarewhatyouareaboutandlookcarefullyaround，especiallywhenyouseeanyonestoopingandabouttopickupastone，forthenyouhavenotmuchtimetowaste。Thatistrue，saidtheson，butwhatifanyoneshouldcarryabitofrock，orore，readybeforehandinhisbreastorpocket。Wherehaveyouseenthat。

Amongtheminers，dearfather。Whentheygetoutofthepit，theygenerallytakelittlebitsoforewiththem。Miningfolksareworkingfolks，andcleverfolks。

Ifyouhavebeenamongmininglads，youhaveseenandlearntsomething，butwhenyougothitherbeware，formanyasparrowhasbeenbroughttoabadendbyaminingboythrowingapieceofcobalt。

Atlengththefathercametotheyoungestson，you，mydearchirpingnestling，werealwaysthesilliestandweakest。Staywithme，theworldhasmanyrough，wickedbirdswhichhavecrookedbeaksandlongclaws，andlieinwaitforpoorlittlebirdsandswallowthem。Keepwiththoseofyourownkind，andpickuplittlespidersandcaterpillarsfromthetrees，orthehouses，andthenyouwilllivelonginpeace。Mydearfather，hewhofeedshimselfwithoutinjurytootherpeoplefareswell，andnosparrow-hawk，eagle，orkitewillhurthimifhecommitshimselfandhislawfulfood，eveningandmorning，faithfullytoGod，whoisthecreatorandpreserverofallforestandvillagebirds，wholikewiseheareththecryandprayeroftheyoungravens，fornosparroworwreneverfallstothegroundexceptbyhiswill。Wherehaveyoulearntthis。Thesonanswered，whenthegreatblastofwindtoremeawayfromyouIcametoachurch，andthereduringthesummerIhavepickedupthefliesandspidersfromthewindows，andheardthisdiscoursepreached。

Thefatherofallsparrowsfedmeallthesummerthrough，andkeptmefromallmisfortuneandfromferociousbirds。Indeed，mydearson，ifyoutakerefugeinthechurchesandhelptoclearawayspidersandbuzzingflies，andchirpuntoGodliketheyoungravens，andcommendyourselftotheeternalcreator，allwillbewellwithyou，andthatevenifthewholeworldwerefullofwildmaliciousbirds。

HewhotoGodcommitshisways，insilencesuffers，waits，andprays，preserveshisfaithandconsciencepure，heisofGod\'sprotectionsure。

Therewasonceapoorwidowwholivedinalonelycottage。Infrontofthecottagewasagardenwhereinstoodtworose-trees，oneofwhichborewhiteandtheotherredroses。Shehadtwochildrenwhowerelikethetworose-trees，andonewascalledsnow-white，andtheotherrose-red。Theywereasgoodandhappy，asbusyandcheerfulasevertwochildrenintheworldwere，onlysnow-whitewasmorequietandgentlethanrose-red。Rose-redlikedbettertorunaboutinthemeadowsandfieldsseekingflowersandcatchingbutterflies，butsnow-whitesatathomewithhermother，andhelpedherwithherhouse-work，orreadtoherwhentherewasnothingtodo。

Thetwochildrenweresofondofoneanotherthattheyalwaysheldeachotherbythehandwhentheywentouttogether，andwhensnow-whitesaid，wewillnotleaveeachother，rose-redanswered，neversolongaswelive，andtheirmotherwouldadd，whatonehasshemustsharewiththeother。

Theyoftenranabouttheforestaloneandgatheredredberries，andnobeastsdidthemanyharm，butcameclosetothemtrustfully。Thelittleharewouldeatacabbage-leafoutoftheirhands，theroegrazedbytheirside，thestagleaptmerrilybythem，andthebirdssatstillupontheboughs，andsangwhatevertheyknew。

Nomishapovertookthem，iftheyhadstayedtoolateintheforest，andnightcameon，theylaidthemselvesdownnearoneanotheruponthemoss，andsleptuntilmorningcame，andtheirmotherknewthisanddidnotworryontheiraccount。

Oncewhentheyhadspentthenightinthewoodandthedawnhadrousedthem，theysawabeautifulchildinashiningwhitedresssittingneartheirbed。Hegotupandlookedquitekindlyatthem，butsaidnothingandwentawayintotheforest。Andwhentheylookedroundtheyfoundthattheyhadbeensleepingquiteclosetoaprecipice，andwouldcertainlyhavefallenintoitinthedarknessiftheyhadgoneonlyafewpacesfurther。

Andtheirmothertoldthemthatitmusthavebeentheangelwhowatchesovergoodchildren。

Snow-whiteandrose-redkepttheirmother\'slittlecottagesoneatthatitwasapleasuretolookinsideit。Inthesummerrose-redtookcareofthehouse，andeverymorninglaidawreathofflowersbyhermother\'sbedbeforesheawoke，inwhichwasarosefromeachtree。Inthewintersnow-whitelitthefireandhungthekettleonthehob。Thekettlewasofbrassandshonelikegold，sobrightlywasitpolished。Intheevening，whenthesnowflakesfell，themothersaid，go，snow-white，andboltthedoor，andthentheysatroundthehearth，andthemothertookherspectaclesandreadaloudoutofalargebook，andthetwogirlslistenedastheysatandspun。Andclosebythemlayalambuponthefloor，andbehindthemuponaperchsatawhitedovewithitsheadhiddenbeneathitswings。

Oneevening，astheywerethussittingcomfortablytogether，someoneknockedatthedoorasifhewishedtobeletin。Themothersaid，quick，rose-red，openthedoor，itmustbeatravelerwhoisseekingshelter。Rose-redwentandpushedbackthebolt，thinkingthatitwasapoorman，butitwasnot。Itwasabearthatstretchedhisbroad，blackheadwithinthedoor。

Rose-redscreamedandsprangback，thelambbleated，thedovefluttered，andsnow-whitehidherselfbehindhermother\'sbed。

Butthebearbegantospeakandsaid，donotbeafraid，Iwilldoyounoharm。Iamhalf-frozen，andonlywanttowarmmyselfalittlebesideyou。

Poorbear，saidthemother，liedownbythefire，onlytakecarethatyoudonotburnyourcoat。Thenshecried，snow-white，rose-red，comeout，thebearwilldoyounoharm，hemeanswell。

Sotheybothcameout，andby-and-bythelambanddovecamenearer，andwerenotafraidofhim。Thebearsaid，here，children，knockthesnowoutofmycoatalittle。Sotheybroughtthebroomandsweptthebear\'shideclean，andhestretchedhimselfbythefireandgrowledcontentedlyandcomfortably。Itwasnotlongbeforetheygrewquiteathome，andplayedtrickswiththeirclumsyguest。Theytuggedhishairwiththeirhands，puttheirfeetuponhisbackandrolledhimabout，ortheytookahazel-switchandbeathim，andwhenhegrowledtheylaughed。Butthebeartookitallingoodpart，onlywhentheyweretooroughhecalledout，leavemealive，children，snow-white，rose-red，willyoubeatyourwooerdead。

Whenitwasbed-time，andtheotherswenttobed，themothersaidtothebear，youcanlietherebythehearth，andthenyouwillbesafefromthecoldandthebadweather。Assoonasdaydawnedthetwochildrenlethimout，andhetrottedacrossthesnowintotheforest。

Henceforththebearcameeveryeveningatthesametime，laidhimselfdownbythehearth，andletthechildrenamusethemselveswithhimasmuchastheyliked。Andtheygotsousedtohimthatthedoorswereneverfasteneduntiltheirblackfriendhadarrived。

Whenspringhadcomeandalloutsidewasgreen，thebearsaidonemorningtosnow-white，nowImustgoaway，andcannotcomebackforthewholesummer。Whereareyougoing，then，dearbear，askedsnow-white。Imustgointotheforestandguardmytreasuresfromthewickeddwarfs。Inthewinter，whentheearthisfrozenhard，theyareobligedtostaybelowandcannotworktheirwaythrough，butnow，whenthesunhasthawedandwarmedtheearth，theybreakthroughit，andcomeouttopryandsteal。Andwhatoncegetsintotheirhands，andintheircaves，doesnoteasilyseedaylightagain。

Snow-whitewasquitesorryathisdeparture，andassheunboltedthedoorforhim，andthebearwashurryingout，hecaughtagainsttheboltandapieceofhishairycoatwastornoff，anditseemedtosnow-whiteasifshehadseengoldshiningthroughit，butshewasnotsureaboutit。Thebearranawayquickly，andwassoonoutofsightbehindthetrees。

Ashorttimeafterwardsthemothersentherchildrenintotheforesttogetfire-wood。Theretheyfoundabigtreewhichlayfelledontheground，andclosebythetrunksomethingwasjumpingbackwardsandforwardsinthegrass，buttheycouldnotmakeoutwhatitwas。Whentheycamenearertheysawadwarfwithanoldwitheredfaceandasnow-whitebeardayardlong。Theendofthebeardwascaughtinacreviceofthetree，andthelittlefellowwasjumpingaboutlikeadogtiedtoarope，anddidnotknowwhattodo。

Heglaredatthegirlswithhisfieryredeyesandcried，whydoyoustandthere。Canyounotcomehereandhelpme。Whatareyouupto，littleman，askedrose-red。Youstupid，pryinggoose，answeredthedwarf。Iwasgoingtosplitthetreetogetalittlewoodforcooking。Thelittlebitoffoodthatwepeoplegetisimmediatelyburntupwithheavylogs。Wedonotswallowsomuchasyoucoarse，greedyfolk。Ihadjustdriventhewedgesafelyin，andeverythingwasgoingasIwished，butthecursedwedgewastoosmoothandsuddenlysprangout，andthetreeclosedsoquicklythatIcouldnotpulloutmybeautifulwhitebeard，sonowitistightinandIcannotgetaway，andthesilly，sleek，milk-facedthingslaugh。Ugh。Howodiousyouare。

Thechildrentriedveryhard，buttheycouldnotpullthebeardout，itwascaughttoofast。Iwillrunandfetchsomeone，saidrose-red。Yousenselessgoose，snarledthedwarf。Whyshouldyoufetchsomeone。Youarealreadytwotoomanyforme。

Canyounotthinkofsomethingbetter。Don\'tbeimpatient，saidsnow-white，Iwillhelpyou，andshepulledherscissorsoutofherpocket，andcutofftheendofthebeard。

Assoonasthedwarffelthimselffreehelaidholdofabagwhichlayamongsttherootsofthetree，andwhichwasfullofgold，andlifteditup，grumblingtohimself，uncouthpeople，tocutoffapieceofmyfinebeard。Badlucktoyou，andthenheswungthebaguponhisback，andwentoffwithoutevenoncelookingatthechildren。

Sometimeafterwardssnow-whiteandrose-redwenttocatchadishoffish。Astheycamenearthebrooktheysawsomethinglikealargegrasshopperjumpingtowardsthewater，asifitweregoingtoleapin。Theyrantoitandfounditwasthedwarf。Whereareyougoing，saidrose-red，yousurelydon\'twanttogointothewater。Iamnotsuchafool，criedthedwarf。Don\'tyouseethattheaccursedfishwantstopullmein。Thelittlemanhadbeensittingtherefishing，andunluckilythewindhadtangleduphisbeardwiththefishing-line。

Amomentlaterabigfishmadeabiteandthefeeblecreaturehadnotstrengthtopullitout。Thefishkepttheupperhandandpulledthedwarftowardshim。Heheldontoallthereedsandrushes，butitwasoflittlegood，forhewasforcedtofollowthemovementsofthefish，andwasinurgentdangerofbeingdraggedintothewater。

Thegirlscamejustintime。Theyheldhimfastandtriedtofreehisbeardfromtheline，butallinvain，beardandlinewereentangledfasttogether。Therewasnothingtodobuttobringoutthescissorsandcutthebeard，wherebyasmallpartofitwaslost。Whenthedwarfsawthathescreamedout，isthatcivil，youtoadstool，todisfigureaman\'sface。Wasitnotenoughtoclipofftheendofmybeard。Nowyouhavecutoffthebestpartofit。Icannotletmyselfbeseenbymypeople。Iwishyouhadbeenmadetorunthesolesoffyourshoes。Thenhetookoutasackofpearlswhichlayintherushes，andwithoutanotherwordhedraggeditawayanddisappearedbehindastone。

Ithappenedthatsoonafterwardsthemothersentthetwochildrentothetowntobuyneedlesandthread，andlacesandribbons。Theroadledthemacrossaheathuponwhichhugepiecesofrocklaystrewnabout。Theretheynoticedalargebirdhoveringintheair，flyingslowlyroundandroundabovethem。Itsanklowerandlower，andatlastsettledneararocknotfaraway。Immediatelytheyheardaloud，piteouscry。Theyranupandsawwithhorrorthattheeaglehadseizedtheiroldacquaintancethedwarf，andwasgoingtocarryhimoff。

Thechildren，fullofpity，atoncetooktightholdofthelittleman，andpulledagainsttheeaglesolongthatatlasthelethisbootygo。Assoonasthedwarfhadrecoveredfromhisfirstfrighthecriedwithhisshrillvoice，couldyounothavedoneitmorecarefully。Youdraggedatmybrowncoatsothatitisalltornandfullofholes，youclumsycreatures。Thenhetookupasackfullofpreciousstones，andslippedawayagainundertherockintohishole。Thegirls，whobythistimewereusedtohisingratitude，wentontheirwayanddidtheirbusinessinthetown。

Astheycrossedtheheathagainontheirwayhometheysurprisedthedwarf，whohademptiedouthisbagofpreciousstonesinacleanspot，andhadnotthoughtthatanyonewouldcometheresolate。Theeveningsunshoneuponthebrilliantstones。

Theyglitteredandsparkledwithallcolorssobeautifullythatthechildrenstoodstillandstaredatthem。Whydoyoustandgapingthere，criedthedwarf，andhisashen-grayfacebecamecopper-redwithrage。Hewasstillcursingwhenaloudgrowlingwasheard，andablackbearcametrottingtowardsthemoutoftheforest。Thedwarfsprangupinafright，buthecouldnotreachhiscave，forthebearwasalreadyclose。Theninthedreadofhishearthecried，dearmr。Bear，spareme，I

willgiveyouallmytreasures，look，thebeautifuljewelslyingthere。Grantmemylife。WhatdoyouwantwithsuchaslenderlittlefellowasI。Youwouldnotfeelmebetweenyourteeth。Come，takethesetwowickedgirls，theyaretendermorselsforyou，fatasyoungquails，formercy\'ssakeeatthem。

Thebeartooknoheedofhiswords，butgavethewickedcreatureasingleblowwithhispaw，andhedidnotmoveagain。

Thegirlshadrunaway，butthebearcalledtothem，snow-whiteandrose-red，donotbeafraid。Wait，Iwillcomewithyou。

Thentheyrecognisedhisvoiceandwaited，andwhenhecameuptothemsuddenlyhisbearskinfelloff，andhestoodthere，ahandsomeman，clothedallingold。Iamaking\'sson，hesaid，andIwasbewitchedbythatwickeddwarf，whohadstolenmytreasures。

IhavehadtorunabouttheforestasasavagebearuntilIwasfreedbyhisdeath。Nowhehasgothiswell-deservedpunishment。

Snow-whitewasmarriedtohim，androse-redtohisbrother，andtheydividedbetweenthemthegreattreasurewhichthedwarfhadgatheredtogetherinhiscave。Theoldmotherlivedpeacefullyandhappilywithherchildrenformanyyears。Shetookthetworose-treeswithher，andtheystoodbeforeherwindow，andeveryyearborethemostbeautifulroses，whiteandred。

Letnooneeversaythatapoortailorcannotdogreatthingsandwinhighhonors。Allthatisneededisthatheshouldgototherightsmithy，andwhatisofmostconsequence，thatheshouldhavegoodluck。Acivil，smarttailor\'sapprenticeoncewentouttraveling，andcameintoagreatforest，and，ashedidnotknowtheway，helosthimself。Nightfellandnothingwasleftforhimtodointhispainfulsolitude，buttoseekabed。Hemightcertainlyhavefoundagoodbedonthesoftmoss，butthefearofwildbeastslethimhavenorestthere，andatlasthemadeuphismindtospendthenightinatree。Hesoughtoutahighoak，climbeduptothetopofit，andthankedGodthathehadhisgoosewithhim，forotherwisethewindwhichblewoverthetopofthetreewouldhavecarriedhimaway。

Afterhehadspentsomehoursinthedarkness，notwithoutfearandtrembling，hesawataveryshortdistancetheglimmerofalight，andashethoughtthatahumanhabitationmightbethere，wherehewouldbebetteroffthanonthebranchesofatree，hegotcarefullydownandwenttowardsthelight。Itguidedhimtoasmallhutthatwaswoventogetherofreedsandrushes。Heknockedboldly，thedooropened，andbythelightwhichcameforthhesawalittlehoaryoldmanwhoworeacoatmadeofbitsofcoloredstuffsewntogether。Whoareyou，andwhatdoyouwant，askedthemaninagrumblingvoice。Iamapoortailor，heanswered，whomnighthassurprisedhereinthewilderness，andIearnestlybegyoutotakemeintoyourhutuntilmorning。Goyourway，repliedtheoldmaninasurlyvoice，Iwillhavenothingtodowithtramps，seekforyourselfashelterelsewhere。Havingsaidthis，hewasabouttoslipintohishutagain，butthetailorheldhimsotightlybythecornerofhiscoat，andpleadedsopiteously，thattheoldman，whowasnotsoill-naturedashewishedtoappear，wasatlastsoftened，andtookhimintothehutwithhimwherehegavehimsomethingtoeat，andthenofferedhimaverygoodbedinacorner。

Thewearytailorneedednorocking，butsleptsweetlytillmorning，buteventhenwouldnothavethoughtofgettingup，ifhehadnotbeenarousedbyagreatnoise。Aviolentsoundofscreamingandroaringforceditswaythroughthethinwallsofthehut。

Thetailor，fullofunwontedcourage，jumpedup，puthisclothesoninhaste，andhurriedout。Thenclosebythehut，hesawagreatblackbullandabeautifulstag，whichwerejustpreparingforaviolentstruggle。Theyrushedateachotherwithsuchextremeragethatthegroundshookwiththeirtrampling，andtheairresoundedwiththeircries。Foralongtimeitwasuncertainwhichofthetwowouldgainthevictory，atlengththestagthrusthishornsintohisadversary\'sbody，whereuponthebullfelltotheearthwithaterrificroar，andwasfinishedoffbyafewstrokesfromthestag。

Thetailor，whohadwatchedthefightwithastonishment，wasstillstandingtheremotionless，whenthestaginfullcareerboundeduptohim，andbeforehecouldescape，caughthimuponhisgreathorns。Hehadnotmuchtimetocollecthisthoughts，foritwentinaswiftraceoverstockandstone，mountainandvalley，woodandmeadow。Heheldwithbothhandstotheendsofthehorns，andresignedhimselftohisfate。Itseemedtohimjustasifhewereflyingaway。Atlengththestagstoppedinfrontofawallofrock，andgentlyletthetailordown。Thetailor，moredeadthanalive，requiredsometimetocometohimself。Whenhehadinsomedegreerecovered，thestag，whichhadremainedstandingbyhim，pusheditshornswithsuchforceagainstadoorintherock，thatitsprangopen。Flamesoffireshotforth，afterwhichfollowedagreatsmoke，whichhidthestagfromhissight。Thetailordidnotknowwhattodo，orwhithertoturn，inordertogetoutofthisdesertandbacktohumanbeingsagain。Whilsthewasstandingthusundecided，avoicesoundedoutoftherock，whichcriedtohim，enterwithoutfear，noevilshallbefallyou。

Hehesitated，butdrivenbyamysteriousforce，heobeyedthevoiceandwentthroughtheiron-doorintoalargespacioushall，whoseceiling，wallsandfloorweremadeofshiningpolishedsquarestones，oneachofwhichwerecarvedsignswhichwereunknowntohim。Helookedateverythingfullofadmiration，andwasonthepointofgoingoutagain，whenheoncemoreheardthevoicewhichsaidtohim，steponthestonewhichliesinthemiddleofthehall，andgreatgoodfortuneawaitsyou。

Hiscouragehadalreadygrownsogreatthatheobeyedtheorder。

Thestonebegantogivewayunderhisfeet，andsankslowlydownintothedepths。Whenitwasoncemorefirm，andthetailorlookedround，hefoundhimselfinahallwhichinsizeresembledtheformer。Here，however，therewasmoretolookatandtoadmire。

Hollowplaceswerecutinthewalls，inwhichstoodvasesoftransparentglassandfilledwithcoloredspiritorwithabluishvapor。Onthefloorofthehalltwogreatglasschestsstoodoppositetoeachother，whichatonceexcitedhiscuriosity。

Whenhewenttooneofthemhesawinsideitahandsomestructurelikeacastlesurroundedbyfarm-buildings，stablesandbarns，andaquantityofothergoodthings。Everythingwassmall，butexceedinglycarefullyanddelicatelymade，andseemedtobecarvedoutbyadexteroushandwiththegreatestprecision。

Hemightnothaveturnedawayhiseyesfromtheconsiderationofthisrarityforsometime，hadnotthevoiceoncemoremadeitselfheard。Itorderedhimtoturnroundandlookattheglasschestwhichwasstandingopposite。Howhisadmirationincreasedwhenhesawthereinamaidenofthegreatestbeauty。Shelayasifasleep，andwaswrappedinherlongfairhairasinapreciousmantle。Hereyeswerecloselyshut，butthebrightnessofhercomplexionandaribbonwhichherbreathingmovedtoandfro，leftnodoubtthatshewasalive。Thetailorwaslookingatthebeautywithbeatingheart，whenshesuddenlyopenedhereyes，andstartedupatthesightofhimwithashockofjoy。Divineprovidence，criedshe，mydeliveranceisathand。Quick，quick，helpmeoutofmyprison。Ifyoupushbacktheboltofthisglasscoffin，thenIshallbefree。

Thetailorobeyedwithoutdelay，andsheimmediatelyraiseduptheglasslid，cameoutandhastenedintothecornerofthehall，whereshecoveredherselfwithalargecloak。Thensheseatedherselfonastone，orderedtheyoungmantocometoher，andaftershehadimprintedafriendlykissonhislips，shesaid，mylong-desireddeliverer，kindheavenhasguidedyoutome，andputanendtomysorrows。Ontheself-samedaywhentheyend，shallyourhappinessbegin。Youarethehusbandchosenformebyheaven，andshallpassyourlifeinunbrokenjoy，lovedbyme，andrichtooverflowingineveryearthlypossession。Seatyourself，andlistentothestoryofmylife。

Iamthedaughterofarichcount。MyparentsdiedwhenIwasstillinmytenderyouth，andrecommendedmeintheirlastwilltomyelderbrother，bywhomIwasbroughtup。Welovedeachothersotenderly，andweresoalikeinourwayofthinkingandourinclinations，thatwebothembracedtheresolutionnevertomarry，buttostaytogethertotheendofourlives。

Inourhousetherewasnolackofcompany。Neighborsandfriendsvisitedusoften，andweshowedthegreatesthospitalitytoeveryone。Soitcametopassoneeveningthatastrangercameridingtoourcastle，and，underpretextofnotbeingabletogetontothenextplace，beggedforshelterforthenight。

Wegrantedhisrequestwithreadycourtesy，andheentertainedusinthemostagreeablemannerduringsupperbyconversationintermingledwithstories。Mybrotherlikedthestrangersomuchthathebeggedhimtospendacoupleofdayswithus，towhich，aftersomehesitation，heconsented。Wedidnotrisefromtableuntillateinthenight，thestrangerwasshowntoaroom，andIhastened，asIwastired，tolaymylimbsinmysoftbed。HardlyhadIfallenofftosleep，whenthesoundoffaintanddelightfulmusicawokeme。AsIcouldnotconceivefromwhenceitcame，Iwantedtosummonmywaiting-maidwhosleptinthenextroom，buttomyastonishmentIfoundthatspeechwastakenawayfrommebyanunknownforce。Ifeltasifanightmarewereweighingdownmybreast，andwasunabletomaketheveryslightestsound。Inthemeantime，bythelightofmynight-lamp，Isawthestrangerentermyroomthroughtwodoorswhichwerefastbolted。Hecametomeandsaid，thatbymagicartswhichwereathiscommand，hehadcausedthelovelymusictosoundinordertoawakenme，andthathenowforcedhiswaythroughallfasteningswiththeintentionofofferinghishandandheart。Mydislikeofhismagicartswassogreat，however，thatIrefusedtoanswerhim。

Heremainedforatimestandingwithoutmoving，apparentlywiththeideaofwaitingforafavorabledecision，butasIcontinuedtokeepsilence，heangrilydeclaredhewouldrevengehimselfandfindmeanstopunishmypride，andlefttheroom。I

passedthenightinthegreatestdisquietude，andfellasleeponlytowardsmorning。WhenIawoke，Ihurriedtomybrother，butdidnotfindhiminhisroom，andtheattendantstoldmethathehadriddenforthwiththestrangertothechaseatdaybreak。

Iatoncesuspectednothinggood。Idressedmyselfquickly，orderedmypalfreytobesaddled，andaccompaniedonlybyoneservant，rodefullgalloptotheforest。Theservantfellwithhishorse，andcouldnotfollowme，forthehorsehadbrokenitsfoot。Ipursuedmywaywithouthalting，andinafewminutesIsawthestrangercomingtowardsmewithabeautifulstagwhichheledbyacord。Iaskedhimwherehehadleftmybrother，andhowhehadcomebythisstag，outofwhosegreateyesIsawtearsflowing。Insteadofansweringme，hebegantolaughloudly。Ifellintoagreatrageatthis，pulledoutapistolanddischargeditatthemonster，buttheballreboundedfromhisbreastandwentintomyhorse\'shead。Ifelltotheground，andthestrangermutteredsomewordswhichdeprivedmeofconsciousness。

WhenIcametomysensesagainIfoundmyselfinthisundergroundcaveinaglasscoffin。Themagicianappearedonceagain，andsaidhehadchangedmybrotherintoastag，mycastlewithallthatbelongedtoit，diminishedinsizebyhisarts，hehadshutupintheotherglasschest，andmypeople，whowereallturnedintosmoke，hehadconfinedinglassbottles。HetoldmethatifIwouldnowcomplywithhiswish，itwouldbeaneasythingforhimtoputeverythingbackinitsformerstate，ashehadnothingtodobutopenthevessels，andeverythingwouldreturnoncemoretoitsnaturalform。IansweredhimaslittleasIhaddonethefirsttime。Hevanishedandleftmeinmyprison，inwhichadeepsleepcameonme。

Amongthevisionswhichpassedbeforemyeyes，themostcomfortingwasthatinwhichayoungmancameandsetmefree，andwhenIopenedmyeyesto-dayIsawyou，andbeheldmydreamfulfilled。Helpmetoaccomplishtheotherthingswhichhappenedinthosevisions。Thefirstisthatwelifttheglasschestinwhichmycastleisenclosed，ontothatbroadstone。

Assoonasthestonewasladen，itbegantoriseuponhighwiththemaidenandtheyoungman，andmountedthroughtheopeningoftheceilingintotheupperhall，fromwhencetheythencouldeasilyreachtheopenair。Herethemaidenopenedthelid，anditwasmarvelloustobeholdhowthecastle，thehouses，andthefarmbuildingswhichwereenclosed，stretchedthemselvesoutandgrewtotheirnaturalsizewiththegreatestrapidity。

Afterthis，themaidenandthetailorreturnedtothecavebeneaththeearth，andhadthevesselswhichwerefilledwithsmokecarriedupbythestone。Themaidenhadscarcelyopenedthebottleswhenthebluesmokerushedoutandchangeditselfintolivingmen，inwhomsherecognizedherservantsandherpeople。

Herjoywasstillmoreincreasedwhenherbrother，whohadkilledthemagicianintheformofthebull，cameoutoftheforesttowardstheminhishumanform，andontheself-samedaythemaiden，inaccordancewithherpromise，gaveherhandatthealtartotheluckytailor。

Harrywaslazy，andalthoughhehadnothingelsetodobutdrivehisgoatdailytopasture，heneverthelessgroanedwhenhewenthomeafterhisday\'sworkwasdone。Itisindeedaheavyburden，saidhe，andawearisomeemploymenttodriveagoatintothefieldthiswayyearafteryear，tilllateintotheautumn。Ifonecouldbutliedownandsleep，butno，onemusthaveone\'seyesopenlestthegoathurtstheyoungtrees，orsqueezesitselfthroughthehedgeintoagarden，orrunsawayaltogether。

Howcanonehaveanyrest，orenjoyone\'slife。Heseatedhimself，collectedhisthoughts，andconsideredhowhecouldsethisshouldersfreefromthisburden。Foralongtimeallthinkingwastonopurpose，butsuddenlyitwasasifscalesfellfromhiseyes。IknowwhatIwilldo，hecried，Iwillmarryfattrinawhohasalsoagoat，andcantakemineoutwithhers，andthenIshallhavenomoreneedtotroublemyself。

Soharrygotup，sethiswearylegsinmotion，andwentrightacrossthestreet，foritwasnofarther，towheretheparentsoffattrinalived，andaskedfortheirindustriousandvirtuousdaughterinmarriage。Theparentsdidnotreflectlong。Birdsofafeather，flocktogether，theythought，andconsented。

Sofattrinabecameharry\'swife，andledoutboththegoats。

Harryhadagoodtimeofit，andhadnoworkthatherequiredtorestfrombuthisownidleness。Hewentoutwithheronlynowandthen，andsaid，ImerelydoitthatImayafterwardsenjoyrestmore，otherwiseonelosesallfeelingforit。

Butfattrinawasnolessidle。Dearharry，saidsheoneday，whyshouldwemakeourlivessotoilsomewhenthereisnoneedforit，andthusruinthebestdaysofouryouth。Woulditnotbebetterforustogivethetwogoatswhichdisturbuseverymorninginoursweetestsleepwiththeirbleating，toourneighbor，andhewillgiveusabeehiveforthem。Wewillputthebeehiveinasunnyplacebehindthehouse，andtroubleourselvesnomoreaboutit。Beesdonotrequiretobetakencareof，ordrivenintothefield。Theyflyoutandfindthewayhomeagainforthemselves，andcollecthoneywithoutgivingtheveryleasttrouble。Youhavespokenlikeasensiblewoman，repliedharry。Wewillcarryoutyourproposalwithoutdelay，andbesidesallthat，honeytastesbetterandnourishesonebetterthangoat\'smilk，anditcanbekeptlongertoo。

Theneighborwillinglygaveabeehiveforthetwogoats。Thebeesflewinandoutfromearlymorningtilllateeveningwithoutevertiring，andfilledthehivewiththemostbeautifulhoney，sothatinautumnharrywasabletotakeawholepitcherfuloutofit。

Theyplacedthejugonaboardwhichwasfixedtothewalloftheirbed-room，andastheywereafraidthatitmightbestolen，orthatthemicemightfindit，trinabroughtinastouthazel-stickandputitbesideherbed，sothatwithoutunnecessarymotionshemightreachitwithherhand，anddriveawaytheuninvitedguests。

Lazyharrydidnotliketoleavehisbedbeforenoon。Hewhorisesearly，saidhe，wasteshissubstance。Onemorningwhenhewasstilllyingamongstthefeathersinbroaddaylight，restingafterhislongsleep，hesaidtohiswife，womenarefondofsweetthings，andyouarealwaystastingthehoneyinprivate。Itwillbebetterforustoexchangeitforagoosewithayounggosling，beforeyoueatupthewholeofit。But，answeredtrina，notbeforewehaveachildtotakecareofthem。

AmItoworrymyselfwiththelittlegeese，andspendallmystrengthonthemtonopurpose。Doyouthink，saidharry，thattheyoungsterwilllookaftergeese。Now-a-dayschildrennolongerobey，theydoaccordingtotheirownfancy，becausetheyconsiderthemselvesclevererthantheirparents，justlikethatladwhowassenttoseekthecowandchasedthreeblackbirds。

Oh，repliedtrina，thisoneshallfarebadlyifhedoesnotdowhatIsay。IwilltakeastickandbelaborhisskinwithmoreblowsthanIcancount。Look，harry，criedsheinherzeal，andseizedthestickwithwhichsheusedtodrivethemiceaway，look，thisisthewayIwillfallonhim。Shereachedherarmouttostrike，butunhappilyhitthehoney-pitcherabovethebed。

Thepitcherstruckagainstthewallandfelldowninshards，andthefinehoneystreamedoutontheground。Thereliethegooseandtheyounggosling，saidharry，andwantnolookingafter。Butitisluckythatthepitcherdidnotfallonmyhead。Wehaveallreasontobesatisfiedwithourlot。Andthenashesawthattherewasstillsomehoneyinoneoftheshardshestretchedouthishandforit，andsaidquitegaily，theremains，mywife，wewillstilleatwithrelish，andwewillrestalittleafterthefrightwehavehad。Whatdoesitmatterifwedogetupalittlelater。

Thedayisalwayslongenough。Yes，answeredtrina，weshallalwaysgettotheendofitatthepropertime。Youknow，thesnailwasonceaskedtoaweddingandsetouttogo，butarrivedatthechristening。Infrontofthehouseitfelloverthefence，andsaid，speeddoesnogood。

Therewasonceuponatimeaking，butwherehereignedandwhathewascalled，Idonotknow。Hehadnoson，butanonlydaughterwhohadalwaysbeenill，andnodoctorhadbeenabletocureher。

Thenitwasforetoldtothekingthathisdaughterwouldfindherhealthbyeatinganapple。Soheorderedittobeproclaimedthroughoutthewholeofhiskingdom，thatwhosoeverbroughthisdaughteranapplewithwhichshecouldfindherhealth，shouldhavehertowife，andbeking。Thisbecameknowntoapeasantwhohadthreesons，andhesaidtotheeldest，gooutintothegardenandtakeabasketfulofthosebeautifulappleswiththeredcheeksandcarrythemtothecourt，perhapstheking\'sdaughterwillbeabletofindherhealthwiththem，andthenyouwillmarryherandbeking。Theladdidso，andsetout。Whenhehadgoneashortwayhemetahoarylittlemanwhoaskedhimwhathehadthereinthebasket，towhichrepliedueleforsowashenamed，frogs，legs。Atthisthelittlemansaid，well，soshallitbe，andremain，andwentaway。Atlengthuelearrivedatthepalace，andmadeitknownthathehadbroughtappleswhichwouldcuretheking\'sdaughterifsheatethem。Thisdelightedthekinghugely，andhecausedueletobebroughtbeforehim，but，alas。Whenheopenedthebasket，insteadofhavingapplesinithehadfrogs，legswhichwerestillkickingabout。Onthisthekinggrewangry，andhadhimdrivenoutofthehouse。Whenhegothomehetoldhisfatherhowithadfaredwithhim。Thenthefathersentthenextson，whowascalledsame，butallwentwithhimjustasithadgonewithuele。Healsometthehoarylittleman，whoaskedwhathehadthereinthebasket。Samesaid，hogs，bristles，andthehoarymansaid，well，soshallitbe，andremain。

Whensamegottotheking\'spalaceandsaidhebroughtappleswithwhichtheking\'sdaughtermightfindherhealth，theydidnotwanttolethimgoin，andsaidthatonefellowhadalreadybeenthere，andhadtreatedthemasiftheywerefools。Same，however，maintainedthathecertainlyhadtheapples，andthattheyoughttolethimgoin。Atlengththeybelievedhim，andledhimtotheking。Butwhenheuncoveredthebasket，hehadbuthogs，bristles。

Thisenragedthekingmostterribly，sohecausedsametobewhippedoutofthehouse。Whenhegothomeherelatedallthathadbefallenhim，whereupontheyoungestboy，whosenamewasHans，butwhowasalwayscalledstupidHans，cameandaskedhisfatherifhemightgowithsomeapples。Oh，saidthefather，youwouldbejusttherightfellowforsuchathing。Ifthecleveronecan\'tmanageit，whatcanyoudo。Theboy，however，insistedandsaid，indeed，father，Iwishtogo。Justgetaway，youstupidfellow，youmustwaittillyouarewiser，saidthefathertothat，andturnedhisback。Hans，however，pulledatthebackofhissmockandsaid，indeed，father，Iwishtogo。Well，then，sofarasIamconcernedyoumaygo，butyouwillsooncomehomeagain，repliedtheoldmaninaspitefulvoice。Theboywastremendouslydelightedandjumpedforjoy。Well，actlikeafool。Yougrowmorestupideveryday，saidthefatheragain。ButHanswasnotdiscouraged，anddidnotletitspoilhispleasure，butasitwasthennight，hethoughthemightaswellwaituntilthemorrow，forhecouldnotgettocourtthatday。Allnightlonghecouldnotsleepinhisbed，andifhediddozeforamoment，hedreamtofbeautifulmaidens，ofpalaces，ofgold，andofsilver，andallkindsofthingsofthatsort。Earlyinthemorning，hewentforthonhisway，anddirectlyafterwardsthelittleshabby-lookingmaninhisicyclothes，cametohimandaskedwhathewascarryinginthebasket。

Hansgavehimtheanswerthathewascarryingappleswithwhichtheking\'sdaughterwastofindherhealth。Then，saidthelittleman，soshalltheybe，andremain。ButatthecourttheywouldnoneofthemletHansgoin，fortheysaidtwohadalreadybeentherewhohadtoldthemthattheywerebringingapples，andoneofthemhadfrogs，legs，andtheotherhogs，bristles。Hans，however，resolutelymaintainedthathemostcertainlyhadnofrogs，legs，butsomeofthemostbeautifulapplesinthewholekingdom。Ashespokesopleasantly，thedoor-keeperthoughthecouldnotbetellingalie，andaskedhimtogoin，andhewasright，forwhenHansuncoveredhisbasketintheking\'spresence，golden-yellowapplescametumblingout。Thekingwasdelighted，andcausedsomeofthemtobetakentohisdaughter，andthenwaitedinanxiousexpectationuntilnewsshouldbebroughttohimoftheeffecttheyhad。Butbeforemuchtimehadpassedby，newswasbroughttohim。Andwhodoyouthinkitwaswhocame。Itwasthedaughterherself。Assoonasshehadeatenofthoseapples，shewascured，andsprangoutofherbed。Thejoythekingfeltcannotbedescribed。ButnowhedidnotwanttogivehisdaughterinmarriagetoHans，andsaidhemustfirstmakehimaboatwhichwouldgoquickerondrylandthanonwater。Hansagreedtothecondition，andwenthome，andrelatedhowithadfaredwithhim。Thenthefathersentueleintotheforesttomakeaboatofthatkind。Heworkeddiligently，andwhistledallthetime。Atmid-day，whenthesunwasatitshighest，camethelittleicymanandaskedwhathewasmaking。

Uelegavehimforanswer，woodenbowlsforthekitchen。Theicymansaid，soitshallbe，andremain。Byeveninguelethoughthehadnowmadetheboat，butwhenhewantedtogetintoit，hehadnothingbutwoodenbowls。Thenextdaysamewentintotheforest，buteverythingwentwithhimjustasithaddonewithuele。OnthethirddaystupidHanswent。Heworkedawaymostindustriously，sothatthewholeforestresoundedwiththeheavyblows，andallthewhilehesangandwhistledrightmerrily。Atmid-day，whenitwasthehottest，thelittlemancameagain，andaskedwhathewasmaking。Aboatwhichwillgoquickerondrylandthanonwater，repliedHans，andwhenIhavefinishedit，Iamtohavetheking\'sdaughterformywife。

Well，saidthelittleman，suchanoneshallitbe，andremain。

Intheevening，whenthesunhadturnedintogold，Hansfinishedhisboat，andallthatwaswantedforit。Hegotintoitandrowedtothepalace。Theboatwentasswiftlyasthewind。Thekingsawitfromafar，butwouldnotgivehisdaughtertoHansyet，andsaidhemustfirsttakeahundredharesouttopasturefromearlymorninguntillateevening，andifoneofthemgotaway，heshouldnothavehisdaughter。Hanswascontentedwiththis，andthenextdaywentwithhisflocktothepasture，andtookgreatcarethatnoneofthemranaway。

Beforemanyhourshadpassedcameaservantfromthepalace，andtoldHansthathemustgiveherahareinstantly，forsomevisitorshadcomeunexpectedly。Hans，however，wasverywellawarewhatthatmeant，andsaidhewouldnotgiveherone。Thekingmightsetsomeharesoupbeforehisguestnextday。Themaid，however，wouldnotaccepthisrefusal，andatlastshebegantoarguewithhim。ThenHanssaidthatiftheking\'sdaughtercameherself，hewouldgiveherafare。Themaidtoldthisinthepalace，andthedaughterdidgoherself。InthemeantimethelittlemancameagaintoHans，andaskedhimwhathewasdoingthere。Hesaidhehadtowatchoverahundredharesandseethatnoneofthemranaway，andthenhemightmarrytheking\'sdaughterandbeking。Good，saidthelittleman，thereisawhistleforyou，andifoneofthemrunsaway，justwhistlewithit，andthenitwillcomebackagain。Whentheking\'sdaughtercame，Hansgaveherahareintoherapron，butwhenshehadgoneaboutahundredstepswithit，hewhistled，andtheharejumpedoutoftheapron，andbeforeshecouldturnroundwasbacktotheflockagain。

Whentheeveningcamethehare-herdwhistledoncemore，andlookedtoseeifallwerethere，andthendrovethemtothepalace。ThekingwonderedhowHanshadbeenabletotakeahundredharestograzewithoutlosinganyofthem，buthestillwouldnotgivehimhisdaughteryet，andsaidhemustnowbringhimafeatherfromthegriffin\'stail。Hanssetoutatonce，andwalkedstraightforwards。Intheeveninghecametoacastle，andthereheaskedforanight\'slodging，foratthattimetherewerenoinns。Thelordofthecastlepromisedhimthatwithmuchpleasure，andaskedwherehewasgoing。Hansanswered，tothegriffin。Oh，tothegriffin。Theytellmeheknowseverything，andIhavelostthekeyofanironmoney-chest。

Soyoumightbesogoodastoaskhimwhereitis。Yes，indeed，saidHans，Iwilldothat。Earlythenextmorninghewentonwards，andonhiswayarrivedatanothercastleinwhichheagainstayedthenight。Whenthepeoplewholivedtherelearntthathewasgoingtothegriffin，theysaidtheyhadinthehouseadaughterwhowasill，andthattheyhadalreadytriedeverymeanstocureher，butnoneofthemhaddoneheranygood，andhemightbesokindastoaskthegriffinwhatwouldmaketheirdaughterhealthyagain。Hanssaidhewouldwillinglydothat，andwentonwards。Thenhecametoalake，andinsteadofaferry-boat，atall，tallmanwastherewhohadtocarryeverybodyacross。ThemanaskedHanswhitherhewasjourneying。Tothegriffin，saidHans。Thenwhenyougettohim，saidtheman，justaskhimwhyIamforcedtocarryeverybodyoverthelake。Yes，indeed，mostcertainlyI\'lldothat，saidHans。Thenthemantookhimuponhisshoulders，andcarriedhimacross。AtlengthHansarrivedatthegriffin\'shouse，butthewifeonlywasathome，andnotthegriffinhimself。Thenthewomanaskedhimwhathewanted。Thereuponhetoldhereverything-thathehadtogetafeatheroutofthegriffin\'stail，andthattherewasacastlewheretheyhadlostthekeyoftheirmoney-chest，andhewastoaskthegriffinwhereitwas-thatinanothercastlethedaughterwasill，andhewastolearnwhatwouldcureher-andthennotfarfromthencetherewasalakeandamanbesideit，whowasforcedtocarrypeopleacrossit，andhewasveryanxioustolearnwhythemanwasobligedtodoit。Thensaidthewoman，lookhere，mygoodfriend，nochristiancanspeaktothegriffin。Hedevoursthemall，butifyoulikeyoucanliedownunderhisbed，andinthenight，whenheisquitefastasleep，youcanreachoutandpullafeatheroutofhistail，andasforthosethingswhichyouaretolearn，Iwillaskaboutthemmyself。Hanswasquitesatisfiedwiththis，andgotunderthebed。Intheevening，thegriffincamehome，andassoonasheenteredtheroom，said，wife，Ismellachristian。Yes，saidthewoman，onewashereto-day，buthewentawayagain。Andonthatthegriffinsaidnomore。

Inthemiddleofthenightwhenthegriffinwassnoringloudly，Hansreachedoutandpluckedafeatherfromhistail。Thegriffinwokeupinstantly，andsaid，wife，Ismellachristian，anditseemstomethatsomebodywaspullingatmytail。Hiswifesaid，youhavecertainlybeendreaming，andItoldyoubeforethatachristianwashereto-day，butthathewentawayagain。Hetoldmeallkindsofthings-thatinonecastletheyhadlostthekeyoftheirmoney-chest，andcouldfinditnowhere。

Oh。Thefools，saidthegriffin。Thekeyliesinthewood-houseunderalogofwoodbehindthedoor。Andthenhesaidthatinanothercastlethedaughterwasill，andtheyknewnoremedythatwouldcureher。Oh。Thefools，saidthegriffin。Underthecellar-stepsatoadhasmadeitsnestofherhair，andifshegotherhairbackshewouldbewell。Andthenhealsosaidthattherewasaplacewheretherewasalakeandamanbesideitwhowasforcedtocarryeverybodyacross。Oh，thefool，saidthegriffin。Ifheonlyputonemandowninthemiddle，hewouldneverhavetocarryanotheracross。Earlythenextmorningthegriffingotupandwentout。ThenHanscameforthfromunderthebed，andhehadabeautifulfeather，andhadheardwhatthegriffinhadsaidaboutthekey，andthedaughter，andtheman。Thegriffin\'swiferepeateditalloncemoretohimthathemightnotforgetit，andthenhewenthomeagain。Firsthecametothemanbythelake，whoaskedhimwhatthegriffinhadsaid，butHansrepliedthathemustfirstcarryhimacross，andthenhewouldtellhim。Sothemancarriedhimacross，andwhenhewasoverHanstoldhimthatallhehadtodowastosetonepersondowninthemiddleofthelake，andthenhewouldneverhavetocarryoveranymore。Themanwashugelydelighted，andtoldHansthatoutofgratitudehewouldtakehimoncemoreacross，andbackagain。ButHanssaidno，hewouldsavehimthetrouble，hewasquitesatisfiedalready，andpursuedhisway。Thenhecametothecastlewherethedaughterwasill。Hetookheronhisshoulders，forshecouldnotwalk，andcarriedherdownthecellar-stepsandpulledoutthetoad\'snestfrombeneaththeloweststepandgaveitintoherhand，andshesprangoffhisshoulderandupthestepsbeforehim，andwasquitecured。Thenwerethefatherandmotherbeyondmeasurerejoiced，andtheygaveHansgiftsofgoldandofsilver，andwhatsoeverelsehewishedfor，thattheygavehim。Andwhenhegottotheothercastlehewentatonceintothewood-house，andfoundthekeyunderthelogofwoodbehindthedoor，andtookittothelordofthecastle。Hewasnotalittlepleased，andgaveHansasarewardmuchofthegoldthatwasinthechest，andallkindsofthingsbesides，suchascows，andsheep，andgoats。WhenHansarrivedbeforetheking，withallthesethings-withthemoney，andthegold，andthesilverandthecows，sheepandgoats，thekingaskedhimhowhehadcomebythem。ThenHanstoldhimthatthegriffingaveeveryonewhatsoeverhewanted。Sothekingthoughthehimselfcouldmakeuseofsuchthings，andsetoutonhiswaytothegriffin，butwhenhegottothelake，ithappenedthathewastheveryfirstwhoarrivedthereafterHans，andthemanputhimdowninthemiddleofitandwentaway，andthekingwasdrowned。Hans，however，marriedthedaughter，andbecameking。

Therewereonceamanandawomanwhohadanonlychild，andlivedquitealoneinasolitaryvalley。Itcametopassthatthemotheroncewentintothewoodtogatherbranchesoffir，andtookwithherlittleHans，whowasjusttwoyearsold。Asitwasspring-time，andthechildtookpleasureinthemany-coloredflowers，shewentstillfurtheronwardswithhimintotheforest。

Suddenlytworobberssprangoutofthethicket，seizedthemotherandchild，andcarriedthemfarawayintotheblackforest，wherenooneevercamefromoneyear\'sendtoanother。Thepoorwomanurgentlybeggedtherobberstosetherandherchildfree，buttheirheartsweremadeofstone，theywouldnotlistentoherprayersandentreaties，anddroveheronfartherbyforce。Aftertheyhadworkedtheirwaythroughbushesandbriarsforabouttwomiles，theycametoarockwheretherewasadoor，atwhichtherobbersknockedanditopenedatonce。Theyhadtogothroughalongdarkpassage，whichburntonthehearth。Onthewallhungswords，sabres，andotherdeadlyweaponswhichgleamedinthelight，andinthemidststoodablacktableatwhichfourotherrobbersweresittinggambling，andthecaptainsatattheheadofit。Assoonashesawthewomanhecameandspoketoher，andtoldhertobeateaseandhavenofear，theywoulddonothingtohurther，butshemustlookafterthehousekeeping，andifshekepteverythinginorder，sheshouldnotfareillwiththem。

Thereupontheygavehersomethingtoeat，andshowedherabedwhereshemightsleepwithherchild。

Thewomanstayedmanyyearswiththerobbers，andHansgrewtallandstrong。Hismothertoldhimstories，andtaughthimtoreadanoldbookoftalesaboutknightswhichshefoundinthecave。WhenHanswasnineyearsold，hemadehimselfastrongcluboutofabranchoffir，hiditbehindthebed，andthenwenttohismotherandsaid，dearmother，praytellmewhoismyfather。Imustandwillknow。Hismotherwassilentandwouldnottellhim，thathemightnotbecomehome-sick。Moreoversheknewthatthegodlessrobberswouldnotlethimgoaway，butitalmostbrokeherheartthatHansshouldnotgotohisfather。

Inthenight，whentherobberscamehomefromtheirrobbingexpedition，Hansbroughtouthisclub，stoodbeforethecaptain，andsaid，Inowwishtoknowwhomyfatheris，andifyoudonottellmeatonceIwillstrikeyoudown。Thenthecaptainlaughed，andgaveHanssuchaboxontheearthatherolledunderthetable。

Hansgotupagain，heldhistongue，andthought，Iwillwaitanotheryearandthentryagain，perhapsIshalldobetterthen。

Whentheyearwasover，hebroughtouthisclubagain，rubbedthedustoffit，lookedatitwell，andsaid，itisastoutstrongclub。Atnighttherobberscamehome，drankonejugofwineafteranother，andtheirheadsbegantobeheavy。ThenHansbroughtouthisclub，placedhimselfbeforethecaptain，andaskedhimwhohisfatherwas。ButthecaptainagaingavehimsuchavigorousboxontheearthatHansrolledunderthetable。However，itwasnotlongbeforehewasupagain，andsobeatthecaptainandtherobberswithhisclub，thattheycouldnolongermoveeithertheirarmsortheirlegs。

Hismotherstoodinacornerfullofadmirationforhisbraveryandstrength。WhenHanshaddonehiswork，hewenttohismother，andsaid，nowIhaveshownmyselftobeinearnest，butnowI

mustalsoknowwhomyfatheris。DearHans，answeredthemother，come，wewillgoandseekhimuntilwefindhim。Shetookfromthecaptainthekeytotheentrance-door，andHansfetchedagreatmeal-sackandpackedintoitgoldandsilver，andwhatsoeverelsehecouldfindthatwasbeautiful，untilitwasfull，andthenhetookitonhisback。Theyleftthecave，buthowHansdidopenhiseyeswhenhecameoutofthedarknessintodaylight，andsawthegreenforest，andtheflowers，andthebirds，andthemorningsuninthesky。Hestoodthereandwonderedateverythingjustasifhewerenotquiterightinthehead。Hismotherlookedforthewayhome，andwhentheyhadwalkedforacoupleofhours，theygotsafelyintotheirlonelyvalleyandtotheirlittlehouse。Thefatherwassittinginthedoorway。HeweptforjoywhenherecognizedhiswifeandheardthatHanswashisson，forhehadlongregardedthembothasdead。ButHans，althoughhewasnottwelveyearsold，wasaheadtallerthanhisfather。Theywentintothelittleroomtogether，butHanshadscarcelyputhissackonthebenchbythestove，thanthewholehousebegantocrack-thebenchbrokedownandthenthefloor，andtheheavysackfellthroughintothecellar。Godsaveus，criedthefather，what\'sthat。Nowyouhavebrokenourlittlehousetopieces。Don\'tletthatturnyourhairgrey，dearfather，answeredHans。There，inthatsack，ismorethaniswantingforanewhouse。ThefatherandHansatoncebegantobuildanewhouse，tobuycattleandland，andtokeepafarm。Hansploughedthefields，andwhenhefollowedtheploughandpusheditintotheground，thebullockshadscarcelyanyneedtodraw。

Thenextspring，Hanssaid，keepallthemoneyandhavemadeformeawalking-stickthatweighsahundred-weight，thatImaygoa-traveling。Whenthestickwasready，helefthisfather\'shouse，wentforth，andcametoadeep，darkforest。Thereheheardsomethingcrunchingandcracking，lookedround，andsawafir-treewhichwaswoundroundlikearopefromthebottomtothetop，andwhenhelookedupwardshesawagreatfellowwhohadlaidholdofthetreeandwastwistingitlikeawillow-wand。

Hullo，criedHans，whatareyoudoingupthere。Thefellowreplied，Igotsomefaggotstogetheryesterdayandamtwistingaropeforthem。ThatiswhatIlike，thoughtHans，hehassomestrength，andhecalledtohim，leavethatalone，andcomewithme。Thefellowcamedown，andhewastallerbyawholeheadthanHans，andHanswasnotlittle。Yournameisnowfir-twister，saidHanstohim。Thereupontheywentfurtherandheardsomethingknockingandhammeringwithsuchforcethatthegroundshookateverystroke。Shortlyafterwardstheycametoamightyrock，beforewhichagiantwasstandingandstrikinggreatpiecesofitawaywithhisfist。WhenHansaskedwhathewasdoing，heanswered，atnight，whenIwanttosleep，bears，wolves，andotherverminofthatkindcome，whichsniffandsnuffleaboutmeandwon\'tletmerest，soIwanttobuildmyselfahouseandlaymyselfinsideit，sothatImayhavesomepeace。Ohindeed，thoughtHans，Icanmakeuseofthisonealso，andsaidtohim，leaveyourhouse-buildingalone，andgowithme。Youshallbecalledrock-splitter。Themanconsented，andtheyallthreeroamedthroughtheforest，andwherevertheywentthewildbeastswereterrified，andranawayfromthem。Intheeveningtheycametoanolddesertedcastle，wentupintoit，andlaidthemselvesdowninthehalltosleep。ThenextmorningHanswentintothegarden。Ithadrunquitewild，andwasfullofthornsandbrambles。Andashewasthuswalkingroundabout，awildboarrushedathim，he，however，gaveitsuchablowwithhisclubthatitfelldirectly。Hetookitonhisshouldersandcarrieditin，andtheyputitonaspit，roastedit，andenjoyedthemselves。

Thentheyarrangedthateachday，inturn，twoshouldgoouthunting，andoneshouldstayathome，andcookninepoundsofmeatforeachofthem。Fir-twisterstayedathomethefirst，andHansandrock-splitterwentouthunting。Whenfir-twisterwasbusycooking，alittleshrivelled-upoldmannikincametohiminthecastle，andaskedforsomemeat。Beoff，yousneakingimp，heanswered，youneednomeat。Buthowastonishedfir-twisterwaswhenthelittleinsignificantdwarfsprangupathim，andbelaboredhimsowithhisfiststhathecouldnotdefendhimself，butfellonthegroundandgaspedforbreath。Thedwarfdidnotgoawayuntilhehadthoroughlyventedhisangeronhim。

Whenthetwootherscamehomefromhunting，fir-twistersaidnothingtothemoftheoldmannikinandoftheblowswhichhehimselfhadreceived，andthought，whentheystayathome，theymayjusttrytheirchancewiththelittlescrubbing-brush，andthemerethoughtofthatgavehimpleasurealready。