第19章

Heavendefendus，criedtheJew，hisliesareasthickasfliesuponthewall。

Butthejudgealsodidnotbelievehistale，andsaid，thisisabaddefence，noJewwoulddothat。Andbecausehehadcommittedrobberyonthepublichighway，hesentencedthegoodservanttobehanged。AshewasbeingledawaytheJewagainscreamedafterhim，youvagabond。Youdogofafiddler。Nowyouaregoingtoreceiveyourwell-earnedreward。Theservantwalkedquietlywiththehangmanuptheladder，butuponthelaststepheturnedroundandsaidtothejudge，grantmejustonerequestbeforeIdie。

Yes，ifyoudonotaskyourlife，saidthejudge。

Idonotaskforlife，answeredtheservant，butasalastfavorletmeplayoncemoreuponmyfiddle。

TheJewraisedagreatcryof，murder。Murder。Forgoodness，sakedonotallowit。Donotallowit。Butthejudgesaid，whyshouldInotlethimhavethisshortpleasure。Ithasbeengrantedtohim，andheshallhaveit。However，hecouldnothaverefusedonaccountofthegiftwhichhadbeenbestowedontheservant。

ThentheJewcried，oh。Woe\'sme。Tieme，tiemefast。Whilethegoodservanttookhisfiddlefromhisneck，andmadeready。

Ashegavethefirstscrape，theyallbegantoquiverandshake，thejudge，hisclerk，andthehangmanandhismen，andthecordfelloutofthehandoftheonewhowasgoingtotietheJewfast。Atthesecondscrapetheyallleapedupandbegantodance，thejudgeandtheJewbeingthebestatjumping。Soonallwhohadgatheredinthemarket-placeoutofcuriosityweredancingwiththem，oldandyoung，fatandlean，onewithanother。Thedogs，likewise，whichhadrunthere，gotupontheirhindlegsandcaperedabout，andthelongerheplayed，thehighersprangthedancers，sothattheyknockedagainsteachother\'sheadsandbegantoshriekterribly。

Atlengththejudgecried，quiteofbreath，Iwillgiveyouyourlifeifyouwillonlystopfiddling。Thegoodservantthereuponhadcompassion，tookhisfiddleandhungitroundhisneckagain，andsteppeddowntheladder。ThenhewentuptotheJew，whowaslyinguponthegroundpantingforbreath，andsaid，yourascal，nowconfess，whenceyougotthemoney，orIwilltakemyfiddleandbegintoplayagain。Istoleit，Istoleit，criedhe，butyouhavehonestlyearnedit。SothejudgehadtheJewtakentothegallowsandhangedasathief。

Acountrymanwasoncegoingouttoploughwithapairofoxen。

Whenhegottothefield，boththeanimals，hornsbegantogrow，andwentongrowing，andwhenhewantedtogohometheyweresobigthattheoxencouldnotgetthroughthegateway。Bygoodluckabutchercamebyjustthen，andhedeliveredthemovertohim，andmadethebargaininthisway，thatheshouldbringthebutcherapeckofrape-seed，andthenthebutcherwastocounthimoutabrabanttalerforeveryseed。Icallthatwellsold。Thepeasantnowwenthome，andcarriedthepeckofrape-seedtohimonhisback。Ontheway，however，helostoneseedoutofthebag。

Thebutcherpaidhimjustlyasagreedon，andifthepeasanthadnotlosttheseed，hewouldhavehadonetalermore。Bythetimehereturned，theseedhadgrownintoatreewhichreacheduptothesky。Thenthoughtthepeasant，asyouhavethechance，youmustjustseewhattheangelsaredoingupthereabove。Soheclimbedup，andsawthattheangelsabovewerethreshingoats，andhelookedon。Whilehewasthuswatchingthem，heobservedthatthetreeonwhichhewasstanding，wasbeginningtototter。

Hepeepeddown，andsawthatsomeonewasjustgoingtocutitdown。IfIweretofalldownfromhenceitwouldbeabadthing，thoughthe，andinhisextremityhedidnotknowhowtosavehimselfbetterthanbytakingthechaffoftheoatswhichlaythereinheaps，andtwistingaropeofit。Helikewisesnatchedahoeandaflailwhichwerelyingaboutinheaven，andlethimselfdownbytherope。Buthecamedownontheearthexactlyinthemiddleofadeep，deephole。Soitwasarealstrokeofluckthathehadbroughtthehoe，forhehoedhimselfaflightofstepswithit，andmountedup，andtooktheflailwithhimasatokenofhistruth，sothatnoonecouldhaveanydoubtofhisstory。

Threearmysurgeonswhothoughttheyknewtheirartperfectlyweretravelingabouttheworld，andtheycametoaninnwheretheywantedtopassthenight。Thehostaskedwhencetheycame，andwhithertheyweregoing。Weareroamingabouttheworldandpractisingourart。Showmejustoncewhatyoucando，saidthehost。Thenthefirstsaidhewouldcutoffhishand，andputitonagainearlynextmorning。Thesecondsaidhewouldtearouthisheart，andreplaceitnextmorning。Thethirdsaidhewouldgougeouthiseyesandhealthemagainnextmorning。Ifyoucandothat，saidtheinnkeeper，youhavelearnteverything。They，however，hadasalve，withwhichtheyrubbedthemselves，whichjoinedpartstogether，andtheyconstantlycarriedwiththemthelittlebottleinwhichitwas。Thentheycutthehand，heartandeyesfromtheirbodiesastheyhadsaidtheywould，andlaidthemalltogetheronaplate，andgaveittotheinnkeeper。

Theinnkeepergaveittoaservant-girlwhowastosetitinthecupboard，andtakegoodcareofit。Secretly，however，thegirlhadalover，whowasasoldier。Whenthereforetheinnkeeper，thethreearmysurgeons，andeveryoneelseinthehousewereasleep，thesoldiercameandwantedsomethingtoeat。Thegirlopenedthecupboardandbroughthimsomefood，andinherloveforgottoshutthecupboard-dooragain。Sheseatedherselfatthetablebyherlover，andtheychattedawaytogether。Whileshesatsocontentedlythere，thinkingofnoillluck，thecatcamecreepingin，foundthecupboardopen，tookthehandandheartandeyesofthethreearmysurgeons，andranoffwiththem。Whenthesoldierhaddoneeating，andthegirlwastakingawaythethingsandgoingtoshutthecupboard，shesawthattheplatewhichtheinnkeeperhadgivenhertotakecareof，wasempty。Thenshesaidinafrighttoherlover，ah，miserablegirl，whatshallI

do。Thehandisgone，theheartandtheeyesaregonetoo，whatwillbecomeofmeinthemorning。Beeasy，saidhe，Iwillhelpyououtofyourtrouble。Thereisathiefhangingoutsideonthegallows，Iwillcutoffhishand。Whichhandwasit。

Therightone。Thenthegirlgavehimasharpknife，andhewentandcutthepoorsinner\'srighthandoff，andbroughtittoher。

Afterthishecaughtthecatandgougeditseyesout，andnownothingbuttheheartwasmissing。Haveyounotbeenslaughtering，andarenotthedeadpigsinthecellar，saidhe。Yes，saidthegirl。That\'sfine，saidthesoldier，andhewentdownandfetchedapig\'sheart。Thegirlplacedalltogetherontheplate，andputitinthecupboard，andwhenafterthisherlovertookleaveofher，shewentquietlytobed。

Inthemorningwhenthethreearmysurgeonsgotup，theytoldthegirlshewastobringthemtheplateonwhichthehand，heart，andeyeswerelying。Thenshebroughtitoutofthecupboard，andthefirstfixedthethief\'shandonandsmeareditwithhissalve，anditpromptlygrewtohisarm。Thesecondtookthecat\'seyesandputtheminhisownhead。Thethirdfixedthepig\'sheartfirmintheplacewherehisownhadbeen，andtheinnkeeperstoodby，admiredtheirskill，andsaidhehadneveryetseensuchathingasthatdone，andwouldsingtheirpraisesandrecommendthemtoeveryone。Thentheypaidtheirbill，andtraveledfurther。

Astheywereontheirway，theonewiththepig\'sheartdidnotstaywiththematall，butwherevertherewasacornerherantoit，androotedaboutinitwithhisnoseaspigsdo。Theotherswantedtoholdhimbackbythetailofhiscoat，butthatdidnogood。Hetorehimselfloose，andranwhereverthedirtwasdeepest。Thesecondalsobehavedverystrangely。Herubbedhiseyes，andsaidtotheothers，comrades，whathashappened。

Thesearenotmyeyes。Idon\'tseeatall。Willoneofyouleadme，sothatIdonotfall。Thenwithdifficultytheytraveledontillevening，whentheyreachedanotherinn。Theywentintothebartogether，andthereatatableinthecornersatarichmancountingmoney。Theonewiththethief\'shandwalkedroundabouthim，madeafewjerkymovementswithhisarm，andatlastwhenthestrangerturnedaway，snatchedatthepileofmoney，andtookahandfulfromit。Oneofthemsawthis，andsaid，comrade，whatareyouabout。Youmustnotsteal，shameonyou。Eh，saidhe，butwhatcanIdo。Myhandtwitches，andIamforcedtosnatchthingswhetherIwillornot。

Afterthis，theylaydowntosleep，andwhiletheywerelyingthereitwassodarkthatnoonecouldseehisownhand。Allatoncetheonewiththecat\'seyesawoke，arousedtheothers，andsaid，brothers，justlookup，doyouseethewhitemicerunningaboutthere。Thetwosatup，butcouldseenothing。Thensaidhe，thingsarenotrightwithus，wehavenotgotbackagainwhatisours。Wemustreturntotheinnkeeper，hehasdeceivedus。Sotheywentbackthenextmorning，andtoldthehosttheyhadnotreceivedwhatwastheirown，thatthefirsthadathief\'shand，thesecondcat\'seyes，andthethirdapig\'sheart。Theinnkeepersaidthatthegirlmustbetoblameforthat，andwasgoingtocallher，butwhenshehadseenthethreecoming，shehadrunoutbythebackdoor，andnotcomeback。

Thenthethreesaidhemustgivethemagreatdealofmoney，ortheywouldsettheredcockonhisroof-Thesymbolofaredcockforfireisofremoteantiquity-Hegavethemwhathehad，andwhateverhecouldraise，andthethreewentawaywithit。Itwasenoughfortherestoftheirlives，buttheywouldratherhavehadtheirownrightfulorgans。

Sevenswabianswereoncetogether。Thefirstwasmasterschulz，thesecond，jackli，thethird，marli，thefourth，jergli，thefifth，michal，thesixth，Hans，theseventh，veitli。Allsevenhadmadeuptheirmindstotravelabouttheworldtoseekadventuresandperformgreatdeeds。Butinorderthattheymightgoinsafetyandwitharmsintheirhands，theythoughtitwouldbeadvisablethattheyshouldhaveonesolitary，butverystrong，andverylongspearmadeforthem。Thisspearallsevenofthemtookintheirhandsatonce。Infrontwalkedtheboldestandbravest，andthatwasmasterschulz。Alltheothersfollowedinarow，andveitliwasthelast。Thenitcametopassonedayinthehaymonth，whentheyhadwalkedalongdistance，andstillhadalongwaytogobeforetheyreachedthevillagewheretheyweretopassthenight，thatastheywereinameadowinthetwilightagreatbeetleorhornetflewbythemfrombehindabush，andhummedinamenacingmanner。Masterschulzwassoterrifiedthatheallbutdroppedthespear，andacoldsweatbrokeoutoverhiswholebody。

Hark，hark，criedhetohiscomrades，goodheavens。Ihearadrum。Jackli，whowasbehindhimholdingthespear，andintowhosenosesomesmellhadrisen，said，somethingismostcertainlygoingon，forIsmellthepowderandthematch。Atthesewordsmasterschulzbegantotaketoflight，andinatricejumpedoverahedge，butashejusthappenedtojumpontotheteethofarakewhichhadbeenleftlyingthereafterthehay-making，thehandleofitstruckagainsthisfaceandgavehimatremendousblow。Odear。Odear，screamedmasterschulz。Takemeprisoner，Isurrender，Isurrender。Theothersixallleaptover，oneonthetopoftheother，crying，ifyousurrender，I

surrendertoo。Ifyousurrender，Isurrendertoo。Atlength，asnoenemywastheretobindandtakethemaway，theysawthattheyhadbeenmistaken，andinorderthatthestorymightnotbeknown，andtheybetreatedasfoolsandridiculed，theyallsworetoeachothertoholdtheirpeaceaboutituntiloneofthemshouldspeakofitbymistake。

Thentheyjourneyedonwards。Theseconddangerwhichtheysurvivedcannotbecomparedwiththefirst。Somedaysafterwards，theirpathledthemthroughafallow-fieldwhereaharewassittingsleepinginthesun。Herearswerestandingstraightup，andhergreatglassyeyeswerewideopen。Allofthemwerealarmedatthesightofthehorriblewildbeast，andtheyconsultedtogetherastowhatitwouldbetheleastdangeroustodo。Foriftheyweretorunaway，theyknewthatthemonsterwouldpursueandswallowthemwhole。Sotheysaid，wemustgothroughagreatanddangerousstruggle。Boldlyventured，ishalfwon，andallsevengraspedthespear，masterschulzinfront，andveitlibehind。Masterschulzwasalwaystryingtokeepthespearback，butveitlihadbecomequitebravewhilebehind，andwantedtodashforwardandcried，strikehome，ineveryswabian\'sname，orelseIwishyoumaybelame。

ButHansknewhowtomeetthis，andsaid，thunderandlightning，it\'sfinetoprate，butfordragon-huntingyouarealwayslate。

Michalcried，nothingismissing，notevenahair，besurethedevilhimselfisthere。

Thenitwasjergli\'sturn，andhesaid，ifitbenothe，it\'satleasthismother，orelsethedevil\'sownstep-brother。

Andnowmarlihadabrightthought，andsaidtoveitli，advance，veitli，advance，advance，andIbehindwillholdthelance。

Veitli，however，didnotobey，andjacklisaid，tisschulz\'splacethefirsttobe，noonedeservesthathonorbuthe。

Thenmasterschulzpluckeduphiscourage，andsaid，gravely，thenletusboldlyadvancetothefight，thusweshallshowourvalorandmight。

Hereupontheyalltogethersetonthedragon。MasterschulzcrossedhimselfandprayedforGod\'sassistance，butasallthiswasofnoavail，andhewasgettingnearerandnearertotheenemy，hescreamed，oho，oho，ho，ho，ho，inthegreatestanguish。Thisawakenedthehare，whichingreatalarmdartedswiftlyaway。Whenmasterschulzsawherthusflyingfromthefieldofbattle，hecriedinhisjoy，quick，veitli，quick，lookthere，lookthere，themonster\'snothingbutahare。

Buttheswabianallieswentinsearchoffurtheradventures，andcametothemoselle，amossy，quiet，deepriver，overwhichtherearefewbridges，andwhichinmanyplacespeoplehavetocrossinboats。Asthesevenswabiansdidnotknowthis，theycalledtoamanwhowasworkingontheoppositesideoftheriver，toknowhowpeoplecontrivedtogetacross。Thedistanceandtheirwayofspeakingmadethemanunabletounderstandwhattheywanted，andhesaid，what，what，inthewaypeoplespeakintheneighborhoodoftreves。Masterschulzthoughthewassaying，wade，wadethroughthewater，andashewasthefirst，begantosetoutandwentintothemoselle。Itwasnotlongbeforehesankinthemudandthedeepwaveswhichdroveagainsthim，buthishatwasblownontheoppositeshorebythewind，andafrogsatdownbesideit，andcroaked，wat，wat，wat。Theothersixontheoppositesideheardthat，andsaid，oho，comrades，masterschulziscallingus。Ifhecanwadeacross，whycannotwe。

Sotheyalljumpedintothewatertogetherinagreathurry，andweredrowned，andthusonefrogtookthelivesofallsixofthem，andnotoneoftheswabianallieseverreachedhomeagain。

Therewereoncethreeapprentices，whohadagreedtokeepalwaystogetherwhiletraveling，andalwaystoworkinthesametown。Atonetime，however，theirmastershadnomoreworktogivethem，sothatatlasttheywereinrags，andhadnothingtoliveon。Thenoneofthemsaid，whatshallwedo。Wecannotstayhereanylonger，wewilltraveloncemore，andifwedonotfindanyworkinthetownwegoto，wewillarrangewiththeinnkeeperthere，thatwearetowriteandtellhimwherewearestaying，sothatwecanalwayshavenewsofeachother，andthenwewillseparate。Andthatseemedbesttotheothersalso。

Theywentforth，andmetonthewayarichly-dressedmanwhoaskedwhotheywere。Weareapprenticeslookingforwork。Uptothistimewehavekepttogether，butifwecannotfindanythingtodowearegoingtoseparate。Thereisnoneedforthat，saidtheman，ifyouwilldowhatItellyou，youshallnotwantforgoldorforwork。Nay，youshallbecomegreatlords，anddriveinyourcarriages。Oneofthemsaid，ifoursoulsandsalvationbenotendangered，wewillcertainlydoit。Theywillnot，repliedtheman，Ihavenoclaimonyou。Oneoftheothers，however，hadlookedathisfeet，andwhenhesawahorse\'sfootandaman\'sfoot，hedidnotwanttohaveanythingtodowithhim。Thenthedevilsaid，beeasy，Ihavenodesignsonyou，butonanothersoul，whichishalfmyownalready，andwhosemeasureshallbutrunfull。Astheywerenowsecure，theyconsented，andthedeviltoldthemwhathewanted。Thefirstwastoanswer，allthreeofus，toeveryquestion。Thesecondwastosay，formoney，andthethird，andquiterighttoo。Theywerealwaystosaythis，oneaftertheother，buttheywerenottosayonewordmore，andiftheydisobeyedthisorder，alltheirmoneywoulddisappearatonce，butsolongastheyobservedit，theirpocketswouldalwaysbefull。Asabeginning，heatoncegavethemasmuchastheycouldcarry，andtoldthemtogotosuchandsuchaninnwhentheygottothetown。Theywenttoit，andtheinnkeepercametomeetthem，andaskediftheywishedforanythingtoeat。Thefirstreplied，allthreeofus。Yes，saidthehost，thatiswhatImean。Thesecondsaid，formoney。

Ofcourse，saidthehost。Thethirdsaid，andquiterighttoo。

Certainlyitisright，saidthehost。

Goodmeatanddrinkwerenowbroughttothem，andtheywerewellwaitedon。Afterthedinnercamethepayment，andtheinnkeepergavethebilltotheonewhosaid，allthreeofus，thesecondsaid，formoney，andthethird，andquiterighttoo。Indeeditisright，saidthehost，allthreepay，andwithoutmoneyI

cangivenothing。They，however，paidevenmorethanhehadasked。Thelodgers，whowerelookingon，said，thesepeoplemustbemad。Yes，indeedtheyare，saidthehost，theyarenotverywise。Sotheystayedsometimeintheinn，andsaidnothingelsebut，allthreeofus，formoney，andandquiterighttoo。Buttheysawandknewallthatwasgoingon。Itsohappenedthatagreatmerchantcamewithalargesumofmoney，andsaid，sirhost，takecareofmymoneyforme，herearethreecrazyapprenticeswhomightstealitfromme。Thehostdidashewasasked。Ashewascarryingthetrunkintohisroom，hefeltthatitwasheavywithgold。Thereuponhegavethethreeapprenticesalodgingbelow，butthemerchantreceivedaseparateapartmentupstairs。Whenitwasmidnight，andthehostthoughtthatallwereasleep，hecamewithhiswife，andtheyhadanaxeandstrucktherichmerchantdead。Andaftertheyhadmurderedhimtheywenttobedagain。Whenitwasdaytherewasagreatoutcry。Themerchantlaydeadinbedbathedinblood。Alltheguestscamerunningout，butthehostsaid，thethreecrazyapprenticeshavedonethis。Thelodgersconfirmedit，andsaid，itcanhavebeennooneelse。Theinnkeeper，however，hadthemcalled，andsaidtothem，haveyoukilledthemerchant。

Allthreeofus，saidthefirst。Formoney，saidthesecond。

Andthethirdadded，andquiterighttoo。Therenow，youhear，saidthehost，theyconfessitthemselves。Theyweretakentoprison，therefore，andweretobetried。Whentheysawthatthingsweregoingsoseriously，theywereafterallafraid，butatnightthedevilcameandsaid，bearitjustonedaylonger，anddonotspurnyourluck，notonehairofyourheadshallbehurt。

Thenextmorningtheywereledtothebar，andthejudgesaid，areyouthemurderers。Allthreeofus。Whydidyoukillthemerchant。Formoney。Youwickedwretches，youhavenohorrorofyoursins。Andquiterighttoo。Theyhaveconfessed，andarestillstubborn，saidthejudge，leadthemtodeathinstantly。Sotheyweretakenout，andthehosthadtogowiththemintothecircle。Whentheyweretakenholdofbytheexecutioner\'smen，andwerejustgoingtobeleduptothescaffoldwherethehangmanwasstandingwithnakedsword，acoachdrawnbyfourchestnuthorsescameupsuddenly，drivingsofastthatfireflashedfromthestones，andsomeonemadesignsfromthewindowwithawhitehandkerchief。Thensaidthehangman，itisapardoncoming，andpardon，pardon，wascalledfromthecarriagealso。

Thenthedevilsteppedoutasaverynoblegentleman，beautifullydressed，andsaid，youthreeareinnocent。Youmaynowspeak，makeknownwhatyouhaveseenandheard。Thensaidtheeldest，wedidnotkillthemerchant，themurdererisstandingthereinthecircle，andhepointedtotheinnkeeper。

Inproofofthis，gointohiscellar，wheremanyotherswhomhehaskilledarestillhanging。Thenthejudgesenttheexecutioner\'smenthither，andtheyfounditwasastheapprenticessaid，andwhentheyhadinformedthejudgeofthis，hecausedtheinnkeepertobeledup，andhisheadwascutoff。

Thensaidthedeviltothethree，nowIhavegotthesoulwhichIwantedtohave，andyouarefree，andhavemoneyfortherestofyourlives。

Inacertainvillagethereoncelivedamanandhiswife，andthewifewassolazythatshewouldneverworkatanything。

Whateverherhusbandgavehertospin，shedidnotgetdone，andwhatshedidspinshedidnotwind，butletitallremainentangledinaheap。Ifthemanscoldedher，shewasalwaysreadywithhertongue，andsaid，well，howshouldIwindit，whenIhavenoreel。Justyougointotheforestandgetmeone。Ifthatisall，saidtheman，thenIwillgointotheforest，andgetsomewoodformakingreels。Thenthewomanwasafraidthatifhehadthewoodhewouldmakeherareelofit，andshewouldhavetowindheryarnoff，andthenbegintospinagain。Shebethoughtherselfalittle，andthenaluckyideaoccurredtoher，andshesecretlyfollowedthemanintotheforest，andwhenhehadclimbedintoatreetochooseandcutthewood，shecreptintothethicketbelowwherehecouldnotseeher，andcried，hewhocutswoodforreelsshalldie，andhewhowinds，shallperish。

Themanlistened，laiddownhisaxeforamoment，andbegantoconsiderwhatthatcouldmean。Well，hesaidatlast，whatcanthathavebeen，myearsmusthavebeensinging，I

won\'talarmmyselffornothing。Soheoncemoreseizedtheaxe，andbegantohew。Thenagaintherecameacryfrombelow，hewhocutswoodforreelsshalldie，andhewhowinds，shallperish。

Hestopped，andfeltafraidandalarmed，andponderedoverthecircumstance。Butwhenafewmomentshadpassed，hetookheartagain，andathirdtimehestretchedouthishandfortheaxe，andbegantocut。Butsomeonecalledoutathirdtime，andsaidloudly，hewhocutswoodforreelsshalldie，andhewhowinds，shallperish。

Thatwasenoughforhim，andallinclinationhaddepartedfromhim，sohehastilydescendedthetree，andsetoutonhiswayhome。Thewomanranasfastasshecouldbybywayssoastogethomefirst。Sowhenheenteredtheparlor，sheputonaninnocentlookasifnothinghadhappened，andsaid，well，haveyoubroughtanicepieceofwoodforreels。No，saidhe，Iseeverywellthatwindingwon\'tdo，andtoldherwhathadhappenedtohimintheforest，andfromthattimeforthleftherinpeaceaboutit。Neverthlessaftersometime，themanagainbegantocomplainofthedisorderinthehouse。Wife，saidhe，itisreallyashamethatthespunyarnshouldliethereallentangled。I\'lltellyouwhat，saidshe，aswestilldon\'tcomebyanyreel，goyouupintotheloft，andI

willstanddownbelow，andwillthrowtheyarnuptoyou，andyouwillthrowitdowntome，andsoweshallgetaskeinafterall。Yes，thatwilldo，saidtheman。Sotheydidthat，andwhenitwasdone，hesaid，theyarnisinskeins，nowitmustbeboiled。Thewomanwasagaindistressed，andsaid，yes，wewillboilitto-morrowmorningearly。Butshewassecretlycontrivinganothertrick。

Earlyinthemorningshegotup，lightedafire，andputthekettleon，onlyinsteadoftheyarn，sheputinalumpoftowandletitboil。Afterthatshewenttothemanwhowasstilllyinginbed，andsaidtohim，Imustjustgoout，youmustgetupandlookaftertheyarnwhichisinthekettleonthefire，butyoumustbeathandatonce，mindthat，forifthecockshouldhappentocrow，andyouarenotattendingtotheyarn，itwillbecometow。Themanwaswillingandtookgoodcarenottoloiter。Hegotupasquicklyashecould，andwentintothekitchen。Butwhenhereachedthekettleandpeepedin，hesaw，tohishorror，nothingbutalumpoftow。Thenthepoormanwasasstillasamouse，thinkinghehadneglectedit，andwastoblame，andinfuturesaidnomoreaboutyarnandspinning。Butyouyourselfmustownthatshewasanodiouswoman。

Apeasanthadafaithfulhorsewhichhadgrownoldandcoulddonomorework，sohismasterwouldnolongergivehimanythingtoeatandsaid，Icancertainlymakenomoreuseofyou，butstillImeanwellbyyou，ifyouproveyourselfstillstrongenoughtobringmealionhere，Iwillmaintainyou，butnowtakeyourselfawayoutofmystable。Andwiththathechasedhimintotheopencountry。Thehorsewassad，andwenttotheforesttoseekalittleprotectiontherefromtheweather。Thenthefoxmethimandsaid，whydoyouhangyourheadso，andgoaboutallalone。Alas，repliedthehorse，avariceandfidelitydonotdwelltogetherinonehouse。MymasterhasforgottenwhatservicesIhaveperformedforhimforsomanyyears，andbecauseIcannolongerploughwell，hewillgivemenomorefood，andhasdrivenmeout。Withoutgivingyouachance，askedthefox。

Thechancewasabadone。Hesaid，ifIwerestillstrongenoughtobringhimalion，hewouldkeepme，buthewellknowsthatIcannotdothat。Thefoxsaid，Iwillhelpyou，justlayyourselfdown，stretchyourselfoutasifyouweredead，anddonotstir。Thehorsedidasthefoxdesired，andthefoxwenttothelion，whohadhisdennotfaroff，andsaid，adeadhorseislyingoutsidethere，justcomewithme，youcanhavearichmeal。Thelionwentwithhim，andwhentheywerebothstandingbythehorsethefoxsaid，afterall，itisnotveryconvenientforyouhere-Itellyouwhat-I

willfastenittoyoubythetail，andthenyoucandragitintoyourcave，anddevouritinpeace。

Thisadvicepleasedthelion，helaydown，andinorderthatthefoxmighttiethehorsefasttohim，hekeptquitequiet。

Butthefoxtiedthelion\'slegstogetherwiththehorse\'stail，andtwistedandfastenedallsowellandsostronglythatnostrengthcouldbreakit。Whenhehadfinishedhiswork，hetappedthehorseontheshoulderandsaid，pull，whitehorse，pull。Thenupsprangthehorseatonce，anddrewthelionawaywithhim。Thelionbegantoroarsothatallthebirdsintheforestflewoutinterror，butthehorselethimroar，anddrewhimanddraggedhimoverthecountrytohismaster\'sdoor。Whenthemastersawthelion，hewasofabettermind，andsaidtothehorse，youshallstaywithmeandfarewell，andhegavehimplentytoeatuntilhedied。

TheLordGodhadcreatedallanimals，andhadchosenoutthewolftobehisdog，buthehadforgottenthegoat。Thenthedevilmadereadyandbegantocreatealso，andcreatedgoatswithfinelongtails。Nowwhentheywenttopasture，theygenerallyremainedcaughtinthehedgesbytheirtails，whereuponthedevilhadtogoanddisentanglethem，withagreatdealoftrouble。Thisenragedhimatlast，andhewentandbitoffthetailofeverygoat，asmaybeseentothisdaybythestump。

Thenheletthemgotopasturealone，butitcametopassthattheLordGodperceivedhowatonetimetheygnawedawayatafruitfultree，atanotherinjuredthenoblevines，ordestroyedothertenderplants。Thisdistressedhim，sothatinhisgoodnessandmercyhesummonedhiswolves，whosoontoreinpiecesthegoatsthatwentthere。Whenthedevilobservedthis，hewentbeforetheLordandsaid，yourcreatureshavedestroyedmine。TheLordanswered，whydidyoucreatethingstodoharm。Thedevilsaid，Iwascompelledtodoit，inasmuchasmythoughtsrunonevil。WhatI

createcanhavenoothernature，andyoumustpaymeheavydamages。

Iwillpayyouassoonastheoakleavesfall，comethen，yourmoneywillthenbereadycountedout。Whentheoak-leaveshadfallen，thedevilcameanddemandedwhatwasduetohim。ButtheLordsaid，inthechurchofconstantinoplestandsatalloaktreewhichstillhasallitsleaves。Withragingandcurses，thedevildeparted，andwenttoseektheoak，wanderedinthewildernessforsixmonthsbeforehefoundit，andwhenhereturned，alltheoakshadinthemeantimecoveredthemselvesagainwithgreenleaves。Thenhehadtoforfeithisindemnity，andinhisrageheputouttheeyesofalltheremaininggoats，andputhisownininstead。

Thisiswhyallgoatshavedevil\'seyes，andtheirtailsbittenoff，andwhyhelikestoassumetheirshape。

Therewasonceasorcererwhowasstandinginthemidstofagreatcrowdofpeopleperforminghiswonders。Hehadacockbroughtin，whichliftedaheavybeamandcarrieditasifitwerelightasafeather。Butagirlwaspresentwhohadjustfoundafour-leavedclover，andhadthusbecomesowisethatnodeceptioncouldstandoutagainsther，andshesawthatthebeamwasnothingbutastraw。Soshecried，youpeople，doyounotseethatitisastrawthatthecockiscarrying，andnobeam。Immediatelytheenchantmentvanished，andthepeoplesawwhatitwas，anddrovethemagicianawayinshameanddisgrace。He，however，fullofinwardanger，said，Iwillsoonrevengemyself。

Aftersometimethegirl\'swedding-daycame，andshewasdeckedout，andwentinagreatprocessionoverthefieldstotheplacewherethechurchwas。Allatonceshecametoastreamwhichwasverymuchswollen，andtherewasnobridgeandnoplanktocrossit。Thenthebridenimblytookherclothesup，andwantedtowadethroughit。Andjustasshewasthusstandinginthewater，aman，anditwasthesorcerer，criedmockinglyclosebesideher，aha。Whereareyoureyesthatyoutakethatforwater。Thenhereyeswereopened，andshesawthatshewasstandingwithherclothesliftedupinthemiddleofafieldthatwasbluewiththeflowersofblueflax。Thenallthepeoplesawitlikewise，andchasedherawaywithridiculeandlaughter。

Therewasonceanoldwoman，butyouhavesurelyseenanoldwomangoa-beggingbeforenow。Thiswomanbeggedlikewise，andwhenshegotanythingshesaid，mayGodrewardyou。Thebeggar-womancametoadoor，andtherebythefireafriendlyrogueofaboywasstandingwarminghimself。Theboysaidkindlytothepooroldwomanasshewasstandingshiveringthusbythedoor，come，oldmother，andwarmyourself。Shecamein，butstoodtoonearthefire，sothatheroldragsbegantoburn，andshewasnotawareofit。Theboystoodandsawthat，butheoughttohaveputtheflamesout。Isitnottruethatheoughttohaveputthemout。Andifhehadnotanywater，thenheshouldhaveweptallthewaterinhisbodyoutofhiseyes，andthatwouldhavesuppliedtwoprettystreamswithwhichtoextinguishthem。

Therewasonceonatimeamaidenwhowaspretty，butidleandnegligent。Whenshehadtospinshewassooutoftemperthatiftherewasalittleknotintheflax，sheatoncepulledoutawholeheapofit，andstreweditaboutonthegroundbesideher。Nowshehadaservantwhowasindustrious，andgatheredtogetherthebitsofflaxwhichwerethrownaway，cleanedthem，spunthemfine，andhadabeautifulgownmadeoutofthemforherself。Ayoungmanhadwooedthelazygirl，andtheweddingwastotakeplace。

Ontheeveofthewedding，theindustriousonewasdancingmerrilyaboutinherprettydress，andthebridesaid，ah，howthatgirldoesjumpabout，dressedinmyhurds。

Thebridegroomheardthat，andaskedthebridewhatshemeantbyit。Thenshetoldhimthatthegirlwaswearingadressmadeoftheflaxwhichshehadthrownaway。Whenthebridegroomheardthat，andsawhowidleshewas，andhowindustriousthepoorgirlwas，hegaveherupandwenttotheother，andchoseherashiswife。

InthetimeofschlauraffenIwentforthandsawromeandthelateranhangingbyasmallsilkenthread，andamanwithoutfeetwhooutranaswifthorse，andakeensharpswordthatcutthroughabridge。Isawayoungasswithasilvernosewhichpursuedtwofleethares，andalime-treethatwasverylarge，onwhichhotcakesweregrowing。Isawaleanoldgoatwhichcarriedaboutahundredcart-loadsoffatonhisbody，andsixtyloadsofsalt。HaveInottoldenoughlies。Isawaploughploughingwithouthorseorcow，andachildofoneyearthrewfourmillstonesfromratisbontotreves，andfromtrevestostrasburg，andahawkswamovertherhine，whichhehadaperfectrighttodo。Iheardsomefishesbegintomakesuchadisturbancewitheachother，thatitresoundedasfarasheaven，andsweethoneyflowedlikewaterfromadeepvalleytothetopofahighmountain，andthesewerestrangethings。

Thereweretwocrowswhichweremowingameadow，andIsawtwognatsbuildingabridge，andtwodovestoreawolftopieces，twochildrenbroughtforthtwokids，andtwofrogsthreshedcorntogether。Isawtwomiceconsecratingabishop，andtwocatsscratchingoutabear\'stongue。Thenasnailcamerunningupandkilledtwofuriouslions。Therestoodabarberandshavedawoman\'sbeardoff，andtwosucking-childrenbadetheirmotherholdhertongue。ThereIsawtwogreyhoundswhichbroughtamilloutofthewater，andabroken-downoldhorsewasbesideit，andsaiditwasright。Andfourhorseswerestandingintheyardthreshingcornwithalltheirmight，andtwogoatswereheatingthestove，andaredcowshotthebreadintotheoven。Thenahencrowed，cock-a-doodle-doo。Thestoryisalltold，cock-a-doodle-doo。

Iwilltellyousomething。Isawtworoastedfowlsflying，theyflewquicklyandhadtheirbreaststurnedtoheavenandtheirbackstohell，andananvilandamill-stoneswamacrosstherhineprettily，slowly，andgently，andafrogsatontheiceatwhitsuntideandateaploughshare。Threefellowswhowantedtocatchahare，wentoncrutchesandstilts，oneofthemwasdeaf，thesecondblind，thethirddumb，andthefourthcouldnotstirastep。Doyouwanttoknowhowitwasdone。First，theblindmansawtheharerunningacrossthefield，thedumbonecalledtothelameone，andthelameoneseizeditbytheneck。

Therewerecertainmenwhowishedtosailondryland，andtheysettheirsailsinthewind，andsailedawayovergreatfields。Thentheysailedoverahighmountain，andtheretheyweremiserablydrowned。Acrabwaschasingaharewhichwasrunningawayatfullspeed，andhighupontherooflayacowwhichhadclimbedupthere。Inthatcountrythefliesareasbigasthegoatsarehere。Openthewindowthattheliesmayflyout。

Threewomenweretransformedintoflowerswhichgrewinthefield，butoneofthemwasallowedtobeinherownhomeatnight。Thenoncewhendaywasdrawingnear，andshewasforcedtogobacktohercompanionsinthefieldandbecomeafloweragain，shesaidtoherhusband，ifyouwillcomethisafternoonandgatherme，Ishallbesetfreeandhenceforthstaywithyou。Andhedidso。Nowthequestionis，howdidherhusbandknowher，fortheflowerswereexactlyalike，andwithoutanydifference。

Answer-asshewasatherhomeduringthenightandnotinthefield，nodewfellonherasitdidontheothers，andbythisherhusbandknewher。

Howfortunateisthemaster，andhowwellallgoesinhishouse，whenhehasawiseservantwholistenstohisordersanddoesnotobeythem，butprefersfollowinghisownwisdom。A

cleverHansofthiskindwasoncesentoutbyhismastertoseekalostcow。Hestayedawayalongtime，andthemasterthought，faithfulHansdoesnotspareanypainsoverhiswork。Butwhenhedidnotcomebackatall，themasterwasafraidlestsomemisfortunehadbefallenhim，andsetouthimselftolookforhim。Hehadtosearchalongtime，butatlasthecaughtsightoftheboyrunningupanddownalargefield。Now，dearHans，saidthemasterwhenhehadgotuptohim，haveyoufoundthecowwhichIsentyoutoseek。No，master，heanswered，Ihavenotfoundthecow，butthenIhavenotlookedforit。Thenwhathaveyoulookedfor，Hans。Threeblackbirds，answeredtheboy。Andwherearethey，askedthemaster。Iseeoneofthem，Iheartheother，andI

amrunningafterthethird，answeredthewiseboy。

Takeexamplebythis，donottroubleyourselvesaboutyourmastersortheirorders，butratherdowhatcomesintoyourheadandpleasesyou，andthenyouwillactjustaswiselyascleverHans。

Onceuponatimeapoorpiouspeasantdied，andarrivedbeforethegateofheaven。Atthesametimeaveryrich，richlordcametherewhoalsowantedtogetintoheaven。Thensaintpetercamewiththekey，andopenedthedoor，andletthegreatmanin，butapparentlydidnotseethepeasant，andshutthedooragain。Andnowthepeasantoutsideheardhowthegreatmanwasreceivedinheavenwithallkindsofrejoicing，andhowtheyweremakingmusic，andsingingwithin。Atlengthallbecamequietagain，andsaintpetercameandopenedthegateofheaven，andletthepeasantin。Thepeasant，however，expectedthattheywouldmakemusicandsingwhenhewentinalso，butallremainedquitequiet。Hewasreceivedwithgreataffection，itistrue，andtheangelscametomeethim，butnoonesang。Thenthepeasantaskedsaintpeterhowitwasthattheydidnotsingforhimastheyhaddonewhentherichmanwentin，andsaidthatitseemedtohimthatthereinheaventhingsweredonewithjustasmuchpartialityasonearth。Thensaidsaintpeter，bynomeans，youarejustasdeartousasanyoneelse，andwillenjoyeveryheavenlydelightthattherichmanenjoys，butpoorfellowslikeyoucometoheaveneveryday，butarichmanlikethisdoesnotcomemorethanonceinahundredyears。

Leanlisawasofaverydifferentwayofthinkingfromlazyharryandfattrina，whoneverletanythingdisturbtheirpeace。Sheslavedawayfrommorningtillevening，andburdenedherhusband，longlaurence，withsomuchworkthathehadheavierweightstocarrythananasswiththreesacks。

Butitwasalltonopurpose，fortheyhadnothingandcametonothing。

Onenightasshelayinbed，andcouldhardlymoveonelimbforweariness，shestilldidnotallowherthoughtstogotosleep。

Shethrustherelbowintoherhusband\'sside，andsaid，listen，lenz，towhatIhavebeenthinking。IfIweretofindoneflorinandonewasgiventome，Iwouldborrowanothertoputtothem，andyoutooshouldgivemeanother，andthenassoonasIhadgotthefourflorinstogether，Iwouldbuyayoungcow。Thispleasedthehusbandrightwell。Itistrue，saidhe，thatIdonotknowwhereIamtogettheflorinwhichyouwantasagiftfromme。But，ifyoucangetthemoneytogether，andcanbuyacowwithit，youwilldowelltocarryoutyourproject。Ishallbeglad，headded，ifthecowhasacalf，andthenIshalloftengetadrinkofmilktorefreshme。Themilkisnotforyou，saidthewoman，wemustletthecalfsuckthatitmaybecomebigandfat，andwemaybeabletosellitwell。Certainly，repliedtheman，butstillwewilltakealittlemilk。Thatwilldonoharm。

Whohastaughtyoutomanagecows，saidthewoman。Whetheritdoesharmornot，Iwillnotallowit，andevenifyouweretostandonyourheadforit，youshouldnothaveadropofthemilk。Doyouthink，becausethereisnosatisfyingyou，longlaurence，thatyouaretoeatupwhatIearnwithsomuchdifficulty。Wife，saidtheman，bequiet，orIwillgiveyouablowonyourmouth。What，criedshe，youthreatenme，youglutton，yourascal，youlazyharry。Shewasjustlayingholdofhishair，butlonglaurencegotup，seizedbothleanlisa\'switheredarmsinonehand，andwiththeotherhepresseddownherheadintothepillow，letherscold，andheldheruntilshefellasleepforveryweariness。Whethershecontinuedtowranglewhensheawokenextmorning，orwhethershewentouttolookfortheflorinwhichshewantedtofind，thatIknownot。

Therewasonceatailor，whowasaquarrelsomefellow，andhiswife，whowasgood，industrious，andpious，nevercouldpleasehim。Whatevershedid，hewasnotsatisfied，butgrumbledandscolded，andknockedheraboutandbeather。Astheauthoritiesatlastheardofit，theyhadhimsummonedandputinprisoninordertomakehimbetter。Hewaskeptforawhileonbreadandwater，andthensetfreeagain。Hewasforced，however，topromisenottobeathiswifeanymore，buttolivewithherinpeace，andsharejoyandsorrowwithher，asmarriedpeopleoughttodo。Allwentonwellforatime，butthenhefellintohisoldwaysandwassurlyandquarrelsome。Andbecausehedarednotbeather，hewouldseizeherbythehairandtearitout。Thewomanescapedfromhim，andsprangoutintotheyard，butheranafterherwithhisyard-measureandscissors，andchasedherabout，andthrewtheyard-measureandscissorsather，andwhateverelsecamehisway。Whenhehitherhelaughed，andwhenhemissedher，hestormedandswore。Thiswentonsolongthattheneighborscametothewife\'sassistance。Thetailorwasagainsummonedbeforethemagistrates，andremindedofhispromise。Deargentlemen，saidhe，Ihavekeptmyword，Ihavenotbeatenher，buthavesharedjoyandsorrowwithher。Howcanthatbe，saidthejudge，asshecontinuestobringsuchheavycomplaintsagainstyou。Ihavenotbeatenher，butjustbecauseshelookedsostrangeIwantedtocombherhairwithmyhand。She，however，gotawayfromme，andleftmequitespitefully。ThenIhurriedafterher，andinordertobringherbacktoherduty，Ithrewatherasawell-meantreminderwhatevercamereadilytohand。Ihavesharedjoyandsorrowwithheralso，forwheneverIhitherIwasfullofjoyandsheofsorrow，andifImissedher，thenshewasjoyful，andI

sorry。Thejudgeswerenotsatisfiedwiththisanswer，butgavehimtherewardhedeserved。

Inoldentimeseverysoundstillhaditsmeaningandsignificance。

Whenthesmith\'shammerresounded，itcried，"Strikeaway，strikeaway。"Whenthecarpenter\'splanegrated，itsaid，"Heregoes，heregoes。"Ifthemillwheelbegantoclack，itsaid，"Help，LordGod，help，LordGod。"Andifthemillerwasacheatandsetthemilla-going，itspokehighgerman，andfirstaskedslowly，"Whoisthere？Whoisthere？"Andthenansweredquickly，"Themiller，themiller。"Andatlastquiteinahurry，"Hestealsbravely，Hestealsbravely，threepecksinabushel。"

Atthistimethebirdsalsohadtheirownlanguagewhicheveryoneunderstood。Nowitonlysoundslikechirping，screeching，andwhistling，andsometimeslikemusicwithoutwords。Itcameintothebirds\'mind，however，thattheywouldnolongerbewithoutaruler，andwouldchooseoneofthemselvestobetheirking。Onealoneamongthem，thegreenplover，wasopposedtothis。Hehadlivedfreeandwoulddiefree，andanxiouslyflyinghitherandthither，hecried，"WhereshallIgo？WhereshallIgo？"Heretiredintoasolitaryandunfrequentedmarsh，andshowedhimselfnomoreamonghisfellows。

Thebirdsnowwishedtodiscussthematter，andonafinemaymorningtheyallgatheredtogetherfromthewoodsandfields，eaglesandchaffinches，owlsandcrows，larksandsparrows，howcanInamethemall。Eventhecuckoocame，andthehoopoe，hisclerk，whoissocalledbecauseheisalwaysheardafewdaysbeforehim，andaverysmallbirdwhichasyethadnoname，mingledwiththeband。Thehen，whichbysomeaccidenthadheardnothingofthewholematter，wasastonishedatthegreatassemblage。What，what，whatisgoingtobedone，shecackled。

Butthecockcalmedhisbelovedhen，andsaid，onlyalotofrichpeople，andtoldherwhattheyhadonhand。Itwasdecidedthattheonewhocouldflythehighestshouldbeking。

Atree-frogwhichwassittingamongthebushes，whenheheardthat，criedawarning，no，no，no，no，becausehethoughtthatmanytearswouldbeshedbecauseofthis。Butthecrowsaid，caw，caw，andthatallwouldpassoffpeaceably。

Itwasnowdeterminedthatonthisfinemorningtheyshouldatoncebegintoascend，sothathereafternooneshouldbeabletosay，Icouldeasilyhaveflownmuchhigher，buttheeveningcameon，andIcoulddonomore。Onagivensignal，therefore，thewholetrooproseupintheair。Thedustascendedfromtheland，andtherewastremendousflutteringandwhirringandbeatingofwings，anditlookedasifablackcloudwasrisingup。Thelittlebirdsweresoonleftbehind。Theycouldgonofarther，andfellbacktotheground。Thelargerbirdsheldoutlonger，butnonecouldequaltheeagle，whomountedsohighthathecouldhavepluckedtheeyesoutofthesun。Andwhenhesawthattheotherscouldnotgetuptohim，hethought，whyshouldyouflystillhigher。Youaretheking，andbegantolethimselfdownagain。Thebirdsbeneathhimatoncecriedtohim，youmustbeourking，noonehasflownsohighasyou。Exceptme，screamedthelittlefellowwithoutaname，whohadcreptintothebreast-feathersoftheeagle。Andashewasnotatalltired，heroseupandmountedsohighthathereachedheavenitself。However，whenhehadgoneasfarasthis，hefoldedhiswingstogether，andcalleddownwithclearandpenetratingvoice，Iamking。Iamking。

You，ourking，criedthebirdsangrily。Youhavemanageditbytrickandcunning。Sotheymadeanothercondition。Heshouldbekingwhocouldgodownlowestintheground。Howthegoosedidflapaboutwithitsbroadbreastwhenitwasoncemoreonland。Howquicklythecockscratchedahole。Theduckcameofftheworstofall，forsheleaptintoaditch，butsprainedherlegs，andwaddledawaytoaneighboringpond，crying，cheating，cheating。Thelittlebirdwithoutaname，however，soughtoutamouse-hole，slippeddownintoit，andcriedoutofitwithhissmallvoice，Iamking。Iamking。

Youourking，criedthebirdsstillmoreangrily。Doyouthinkyourcunningshallprevail。Theydeterminedtokeephimaprisonerintheholeandstarvehimout。Theowlwasplacedassentinelinfrontofit，andwasnottolettherascaloutifshehadanyvalueforherlife。Wheneveningwascomeandallthebirdswerefeelingverytiredaftertheexertionofsomuchflying，theywenttobedwiththeirwivesandchildren。

Theowlaloneremainedstandingbythemouse-hole，gazingsteadfastlyintoitwithhergreateyes。Thenshe，too，grewtiredandthoughttoherself，youmightcertainlyshutoneeye，youwillstillwatchwiththeother，andthelittlevillainshallnotcomeoutofhishole。Sosheshutoneeye，andwiththeotherlookedstraightatthemouse-hole。Thelittlefellowputhisheadoutandpeeped，andwantedtoslipaway，buttheowlcameforwardimmediately，andhedrewhisheadbackagain。Thentheowlopenedtheoneeyeagain，andshuttheother，intendingtoshuttheminturnallthroughthenight。Butwhenshenextshuttheoneeye，sheforgottoopentheother，andassoonasbothhereyeswereshutshefellasleep。Thelittlefellowsoonobservedthat，andslippedaway。

Fromthatdayforth，theowlhasneverdaredtoshowherselfbydaylight，forifshedoestheotherbirdschaseherandpluckherfeathersout。Shefliesoutonlybynight，buthatesandpursuesmicebecausetheymakesuchuglyholes。Thelittlebird，too，isveryunwillingtolethimselfbeseen，becauseheisafraiditwillcosthimhislifeifheiscaught。

Hestealsaboutinthehedges，andwhenheisquitesafe，hesometimescries，Iamking，andforthisreason，theotherbirdscallhiminmockery，kingofthehedges。Noone，however，wassohappyasthelarkatnothavingtoobeythelittleking。Assoonasthesunappears，sheascendshighintheairandcries，ah，howbeautifulthatis。Beautifulthatis。

Beautiful\'beautiful。Ah，howbeautifulthatis。

Thefisheshadforalongtimebeendiscontentedbecausenoorderprevailedintheirkingdom。Noneofthemturnedasidefortheothers，butallswamtotherightortheleftastheyfancied，ordartedbetweenthosewhowantedtostaytogether，orgotintotheirway。Andastrongonegaveaweakoneablowwithitstail，whichdroveitaway，orelseswalloweditupwithoutmoreado。Howdelightfulitwouldbe，saidthey，ifwehadakingwhoenforcedlawandjusticeamongus，andtheymettogethertochoosefortheirrulertheonewhocouldcleavethroughthewatermostquickly，andgivehelptotheweakones。

Theyplacedthemselvesinrankandfilebytheshore，andthepikegavethesignalwithhistail，onwhichtheyallstarted。

Likeanarrow，thepikedartedaway，andwithhimtheherring，thegudgeon，theperch，thecarp，andalltherestofthem。

Eventhesoleswamwiththem，andhopedtowintherace。

Allatonce，thecrywasheard，theherringisfirst，theherringisfirst。Whoisfirst，screamedangrilytheflatenvioussole，whohadbeenleftfarbehind，whoisfirst。Theherring，theherring，wastheanswer。Thenakedherring，criedthejealouscreature，thenakedherring。Sincethattimethesolehasbeenpunishedbyhavingbeengivenamouthononeside。

Wheredoyoulikebesttofeedyourflocks，saidamantoanoldcowherd。Here，sir，wherethegrassisneithertoorichnortoopoor，orelseitisnouse。Whynot，askedtheman。Doyouhearthatmelancholycryfromthemeadowthere，answeredthecowherd，thatisthebittern。Hewasonceacowherd，andsowasthehoopoealso，Iwilltellyouthestory。Thebitternpasturedhisflocksonrichgreenmeadowswhereflowersgrewinabundance，sohiscowsbecamewildandunmanageable。

Thehoopoedrovehiscattleontohighbarrenhills，wherethewindplayswiththesand，andhiscowsbecamethin，andgotnostrength。Whenitwasevening，andthecowherdswantedtodrivetheircowshomewards，thebitterncouldnotgethistogetheragain。Theyweretoohigh-spirited，andranawayfromhim。Hecalled，come，cows，come，butitwasofnouse。Theytooknonoticeofhiscalling。Thehoopoe，however，couldnotevengethiscowsupontheirlegs，sofaintandweakhadtheybecome。Up，up，up，screamedhe，butitwasinvain，theyremainedlyingonthesand。

Thatisthewaywhenonehasnomoderation。Andtothisday，thoughtheyhavenoflocksnowtowatch，thebitterncries，come，cows，come，andthehoopoe，up，up，up。

Twoorthreehundredyearsago，whenpeoplewerefarfrombeingsocraftyandcunningastheyarenowadays，anextraordinaryeventtookplaceinalittletown。Bysomemischanceoneofthegreatowls，calledhornedowls，hadcomefromtheneighboringwoodsintothebarnofoneofthetownsfolkinthenight-time，andwhendaybrokedidnotdaretoventureforthagainfromherretreat，forfearoftheotherbirds，whichraisedaterribleoutcrywheneversheappeared。Inthemorningwhentheman-servantwentintothebarntofetchsomestraw，hewassomightilyalarmedatthesightoftheowlsittingthereinacorner，thatheranawayandannouncedtohismasterthatamonster，thelikeofwhichhehadneverseteyesoninhislife，andwhichcoulddevouramanwithouttheslightestdifficulty，wassittinginthebarn，rollingitseyesaboutinitshead。Iknowyourkind，saidthemaster，youhavecourageenoughtochaseablackbirdaboutthefields，butwhenyouseeahenlyingdead，youhavetogetastickbeforeyougonearit。Imustgoandseeformyselfwhatkindofamonsteritis，addedthemaster，andwentquiteboldlyintothegranaryandlookedroundhim。When，however，hesawwithhisowneyesthestrangegrimcreature，hewasnolessterrifiedthantheservanthadbeen。Withtwoboundshesprangout，rantohisneighbours，andbeggedthemimploringlytolendhimassistanceagainstanunknownanddangerousbeast，orelsethewholetownmightbeindangerifitweretobreaklooseoutofthebarn，whereitwasshutup。A

greatnoiseandclamoraroseinallthestreets，thetownsmencamearmedwithspears，hay-forks，scythes，andaxes，asiftheyweregoingoutagainstanenemy。Finally，thesenatorsappearedwiththeburgomasterattheirhead。Whentheyhaddrawnupinthemarket-place，theymarchedtothebarn，andsurroundeditonallsides。Thereupononeofthemostcourageousofthemsteppedforthandenteredwithhisspearlowered，butcamerunningoutimmediatelyafterwardswithashriekandaspaleasdeath，andcouldnotutterasingleword。Yettwoothersventuredin，buttheyfarednobetter。Atlastonesteppedforth，agreatstrongmanwhowasfamousforhiswarlikedeeds，andsaid，youwillnotdriveawaythemonsterbymerelylookingathim，wemustbeinearnesthere，butIseethatyouhavealltunedintowomen，andnotoneofyoudarestoencountertheanimal。Heorderedthemtogivehimsomearmor，hadaswordandspearbrought，andarmedhimself。Allpraisedhiscourage，thoughmanyfearedforhislife。Thetwobarn-doorswereopened，andtheysawtheowl，whichinthemeantimehadperchedherselfonthemiddleofagreatcross-beam。Hehadaladderbrought，andwhenheraisedit，andmadereadytoclimbup，theyallcriedouttohimthathewastobearhimselfbravely，andcommendedhimtoSt。George，whoslewthedragon。Whenhehadjustgottothetop，andtheowlperceivedthathehaddesignsonher，andwasalsobewilderedbythecrowdandtheshouting，andknewnothowtoescape，sherolledhereyes，ruffledherfeathers，flappedherwings，snappedherbeak，andcried，tuwhit，tuwhoo，inaharshvoice。

Strikehome。Strikehome。Screamedthecrowdoutsidetothevalianthero。AnyonewhowasstandingwhereIamstanding，answeredhe，wouldnotcry，strikehome。Hecertainlydidplanthisfootonerunghigherontheladder，butthenhebegantotremble，andhalf-fainting，wentbackagain。

Andnowtherewasnooneleftwhodaredtoplacehimselfinsuchdanger。Themonster，saidthey，haspoisonedandmortallywoundedtheverystrongestmanamongus，bysnappingathimandjustbreathingonhim。Arewe，too，toriskourlives。Theytookcounselastowhattheyoughttodotopreventthewholetownfrombeingdestroyed。Foralongtimeeverythingseemedtobeofnouse，butatlengththeburgomasterfoundanexpedient。Myopinion，saidhe，isthatweought，outofthecommonpurse，topayforthisbarn，andwhatsoevercorn，straw，orhayitcontains，andthusindemnifytheowner，andthenburndownthewholebuildingandtheterriblebeastwithit。Thusnoonewillhavetoendangerhislife。Thisisnotimeforthinkingofexpense，andstinginesswouldbeillapplied。Allagreedwithhim。Sotheysetfiretothebarnatallfourcorners，andwithittheowlwasmiserablyburnt。Letanyonewhowillnotbelieveit，gothitherandinquireforhimself。

Indaysgonebytherewasalandwherethenightswerealwaysdark，andtheskyspreadoveritlikeablackcloth，fortherethemoonneverrose，andnostarshoneinthegloom。Atthecreationoftheworld，thelightatnighthadbeensufficient。Threeyoungfellowsoncewentoutofthiscountryonatravelingexpedition，andarrivedinanotherkingdom，where，intheeveningwhenthesunhaddisappearedbehindthemountains，ashiningglobewasplacedonanoak-tree，whichshedasoftlightfarandwide。Bymeansofthis，everythingcouldverywellbeseenanddistinguished，eventhoughitwasnotsobrilliantasthesun。Thetravelersstoppedandaskedacountrymanwhowasdrivingpastwithhiscart，whatkindofalightthatwas。Thatisthemoon，answeredhe，ourmayorboughtitforthreetalers，andfastenedittotheoak-tree。Hehastopouroilintoitdaily，andtokeepitclean，sothatitmayalwaysburnclearly。Hereceivesataleraweekfromusfordoingit。

Whenthecountrymanhaddrivenaway，oneofthemsaid，wecouldmakesomeuseofthislamp，wehaveanoak-treeathome，whichisjustasbigasthis，andwecouldhangitonthat。Whatapleasureitwouldbenottohavetofeelaboutatnightinthedarkness。I\'lltellyouwhatwe\'lldo，saidthesecond，wewillfetchacartandhorsesandcarryawaythemoon。Thepeopleheremaybuythemselvesanother。I\'magoodclimber，saidthethird，I

willbringitdown。Thefourthbroughtacartandhorses，andthethirdclimbedthetree，boredaholeinthemoon，passedaropethroughit，andletitdown。Whentheshiningballlayinthecart，theycovereditoverwithacloth，thatnoonemightobservethetheft。Theyconveyeditsafelyintotheirowncountry，andplaceditonahighoak。Oldandyoungrejoiced，whenthenewlampletitslightshineoverthewholeland，andbed-roomsandsitting-roomswerefilledwithit。Thedwarfscameforthfromtheircavesintherocks，andthetinyelvesintheirlittleredcoatsdancedinringsonthemeadows。

Thefourtookcarethatthemoonwasprovidedwithoil，cleanedthewick，andreceivedtheirweeklytaler，buttheybecameoldmen，andwhenoneofthemgrewill，andsawthathewasabouttodie，heappointedthatonequarterofthemoon，should，ashisproperty，belaidinthegravewithhim。Whenhedied，themayorclimbedupthetree，andcutoffaquarterwiththehedge-shears，andthiswasplacedinhiscoffin。Thelightofthemoondecreased，butstillnotvisibly。Whentheseconddied，thesecondquarterwasburiedwithhim，andthelightdiminished。Itgrewweakerstillafterthedeathofthethird，wholikewisetookhispartofitawaywithhim，andwhenthefourthwasbornetohisgrave，theoldstateofdarknessrecommenced，andwheneverthepeoplewentoutatnightwithouttheirlanternstheyknockedtheirheadstogetherincollision。

When，however，thepiecesofthemoonhadunitedthemselvestogetheragainintheworldbelow，wheredarknesshadalwaysprevailed，itcametopassthatthedeadbecamerestlessandawokefromtheirsleep。Theywereastonishedwhentheywereabletoseeagain，themoonlightwasquitesufficientforthem，fortheireyeshadbecomesoweakthattheycouldnothavebornethebrillianceofthesun。Theyroseupandweremerry，andfellintotheirformerwaysofliving。Someofthemwenttotheplayandtodance，othershastenedtothepublic-houses，wheretheyaskedforwine，gotdrunk，brawled，quarreled，andatlasttookupcudgels，andbelaboredeachother。Thenoisebecamegreaterandgreater，andatlastreachedeventoheaven。

St。Peter，whoguardsthegateofheaven，thoughtthelowerworldhadbrokenoutinrevoltandgatheredtogethertheheavenlyhosts，whichwereemployedtodrivebacktheevilonewhenheandhisassociatesstormtheabodeoftheblessed。Asthese，however，didnotcome，hegotonhishorseandrodethroughthegateofheaven，downintotheworldbelow。Therehereducedthedeadtosubjection，badethemliedownintheirgravesagain，tookthemoonawaywithhim，andhungitupinheaven。

WhenGodcreatedtheworldandwasabouttofixthelengthofeachcreature\'slife，theasscameandasked，Lord，howlongshallIlive。Thirtyyears，repliedGod，doesthatcontentyou。Ah，Lord，answeredtheass，thatisalongtime。Thinkofmypainfulexistence。Tocarryheavyburdensfrommorningtonight，todragsacksofcorntothemillthatothersmayeatbread，tobecheeredandrefreshedwithnothingbutblowsandkicks。Relievemeofaportionofthislongtime。ThenGodhadpityonhimandrelievedhimofeighteenyears。Theasswentawaycomforted，andthedogappeared。Howlongwouldyouliketolive，saidGodtohim，thirtyyearsaretoomanyfortheass，butyouwillbesatisfiedwiththat。Lord，answeredthedog，isthatthywill。

ConsiderhowIshallhavetorun，myfeetwillneverholdoutsolong，andwhenIhaveoncelostmyvoiceforbarking，andmyteethforbiting，whatwillbeleftformetodobutrunfromonecornertoanotherandgrowl。Godsawthathewasright，andreleasedhimfromtwelveyearsoflife。Thencamethemonkey。

Youwillcertainlylivethirtyyearswillingly，saidtheLordtohim，youhavenoneedtoworkastheassandthedoghaveto，andwillalwaysenjoyyourself。Ah，Lord，heanswered，itmayseemasifthatwerethecase，butitisquitedifferent。Whenitrainsmillet-porridgeIhavenospoon。Iamalwaystoplaymerrypranks，andmakefaceswhichforcepeopletolaugh，andiftheygivemeanapple，andIbiteintoit，why，itissour。Howoftensadnesshidesitselfbehindmirth。Ishallneverbeabletoholdoutforthirtyyears。Godwasgraciousandtookofften。

Atlastmanappeared，joyous，healthyandvigorous，andbeggedGodtoappointhistimeforhim。Thirtyyearsshallyoulive，saidtheLord。Isthatenoughforyou。Whatashorttime，criedman，whenIhavebuiltmyhouseandmyfireburnsonmyownhearth，whenIhaveplantedtreeswhichblossomandbearfruit，andamjustintendingtoenjoymylife，Iamtodie。OLord，lengthenmytime。Iwilladdtoittheass\'seighteenyears，saidGod。Thatisnotenough，repliedtheman。Youshallalsohavethedog\'stwelveyears。Stilltoolittle。Well，then，saidGod，Iwillgiveyouthemonkey\'stenyearsalso，butmoreyoushallnothave。Themanwentaway，butwasnotsatisfied。

Somanlivesseventyyears。Thefirstthirtyarehishumanyears，whicharesoongone，thenishehealthy，merry，workswithpleasure，andisgladofhislife。Thenfollowtheass\'seighteenyears，whenoneburdenafteranotherislaidonhim，hehastocarrythecornwhichfeedsothers，andblowsandkicksaretherewardofhisfaithfulservices。Thencomesthedog\'stwelveyears，whenheliesinthecorner，andgrowlsandhasnolongeranyteethtobitewith，andwhenthistimeisoverthemonkey\'stenyearsformtheend。Thenmanisweak-headedandfoolish，doessillythings，andbecomesthejestofchildren。

Inancienttimesagiantwasoncetravelingonagreathighway，whensuddenlyanunknownmansprangupbeforehim，andsaid，halt，notonestepfarther。What。Criedthegiant，acreaturewhomIcancrushbetweenmyfingers，wantstoblockmyway。Whoareyouthatyoudaretospeaksoboldly。Iamdeath，answeredtheother。Nooneresistsme，andyoualsomustobeymycommands。

Butthegiantrefused，andbegantostrugglewithdeath。Itwasalong，violentbattle，inwhichatlastthegiantgottheupperhand，andstruckdeathdownwithhisfist，sothathecollapsedbyastone。Thegiantwenthisway，anddeathlaythereconquered，andsoweakthathecouldnotgetupagain。Whatwillbedonenow，saidhe，ifIstaylyinghereinacorner。Noonewilldieintheworld，anditwillgetsofullofpeoplethattheywon\'thaveroomtostandbesideeachother。Inthemeantimeayoungmancamealongtheroad，whowasstrongandhealthy，singingasong，andglancingaroundoneveryside。Whenhesawthehalf-faintingone，hewentcompassionatelytohim，raisedhimup，pouredastrengtheningdraughtoutofhisflaskforhim，andwaitedtillheregainedsomestrength。Doyouknow，saidthestranger，whilsthewasgettingup，whoIam，andwhoitiswhomyouhavehelpedonhislegsagain。No，answeredtheyouth，Idonotknowyou。Iamdeath，saidhe，Isparenoone，andcanmakenoexceptionwithyou-butthatyoumayseethatIamgrateful，IpromiseyouthatIwillnotfallonyouunexpectedly，butwillsendmymessengerstoyoubeforeIcomeandtakeyouaway。Well，saidtheyouth，itissomethinggainedthatIshallknowwhenyoucome，andatanyratebesafefromyouforsolong。Thenhewentonhisway，andwaslight-hearted，andenjoyedhimself，andlivedwithoutthought。Butyouthandhealthdidnotlastlong。Sooncamesicknessesandsorrows，whichtormentedhimbyday，andtookawayhisrestbynight。Die，Ishallnot，saidhetohimself，fordeathwillsendhismessengersbeforethat，butIdowishthesewretcheddaysofsicknesswereover。Assoonashefelthimselfwellagainhebeganoncemoretolivemerrily。Thenonedaysomeonetappedhimontheshoulder。Helookedround，anddeathstoodbehindhim，andsaid，followme，thehourofyourdeparturefromthisworldhascome。What，repliedtheman，willyoubreakyourword。Didyounotpromisemethatyouwouldsendyourmessengerstomebeforecomingyourself。Ihaveseennone。

Silence，answereddeath。HaveInotsentonemessengertoyouafteranother。Didnotfevercomeandsmiteyou，andshakeyou，andcastyoudown。Hasnotdizzinessbewilderedyourhead。Hasnotgouttwitchedyouinallyourlimbs。Didnotyourearssing。

Didnottooth-achebiteintoyourcheeks。Wasitnotdarkbeforeyoureyes。Andbesidesallthat，hasnotmyownbrothersleepremindedyoueverynightofme。Didyounotliebynightasifyouwerealreadydead。Themancouldmakenoanswer，heyieldedtohisfate，andwentawaywithdeath。

Masterpfriemwasashort，thin，butlivelyman，whoneverrestedamoment。Hisface，ofwhichhisturned-upnosewastheonlyprominentfeature，wasmarkedwithsmallpoxandpaleasdeath。Hishairwasgrayandshaggy，hiseyessmall，buttheyglancedperpetuallyaboutonallsides。Hesaweverything，criticizedeverything，kneweverythingbest，andwasalwaysintheright。Whenhewentintothestreets，hemovedhisarmsaboutasifhewererowing，andoncehestruckthepailofagirlsohighintheairthathehimselfwaswettedalloverbythewatershewascarrying。Idiot。Criedhetoher，shakinghimself，couldyounotseethatIwascomingbehindyou。Bytradehewasashoemaker，andwhenheworkedhepulledhisthreadoutwithsuchforcethathedrovehisfistintoeveryonewhodidnotkeepfarenoughoff。Noapprenticestayedmorethanamonthwithhim，forhehadalwayssomefaulttofindwiththeverybestwork。

Atonetimeitwasthatthestitcheswerenoteven，atanotherthatoneshoewastoolong，oroneheelhigherthantheother，ortheleathernotcutlargeenough。Wait，saidhetohisapprentice，Iwillsoonshowyouhowwemakeskinssoft。Andhebroughtastrapandgavehimacoupleoflashesacrosstheback。Hecalledthemallsluggards。Hehimselfdidnotturnmuchworkoutofhishands，forheneversatstillforaquarterofanhour。Ifhiswifegotupveryearlyinthemorningandlightedthefire，hejumpedoutofbed，andranbarefootedintothekitchen，crying，willyouburnmyhousedownforme。Thatisafireonecouldroastanoxby。Doeswoodcostnothing。Iftheservantswerestandingbytheirwash-tubsandlaughing，andtellingeachotherwhattheyknew，hescoldedthem，andsaid，therestandthegeesecackling，andforgettingtheirwork，togossip。Andwhyfreshsoap。Disgracefulextravaganceandshamefulidlenessintothebargain。Theywanttosavetheirhands，andnotrubthethingsproperly。Andouthewouldrunandknockapailfullofsoapandwaterover，sothatthewholekitchenwasflooded。Someonewasbuildinganewhouse，sohehurrriedtothewindowtolookon。There，theyareusingthatredsand-stoneagainthatneverdries，criedhe。Noonewilleverbehealthyinthathouse。Andjustlookhowbadlythefellowsarelayingthestones。Besides，themortarisgoodfornothing。Itoughttohavegravelinit，notsand。Ishalllivetoseethathousetumbledownonthepeoplewhoareinit。

Hesatdown，putacoupleofstitchesin，andthenjumpedupagain，unfastenedhisleather-apron，andcried，Iwilljustgoout，andappealtothosemen\'sconsciences。Hestumbledonthecarpenters。What\'sthis，criedhe，youarenotworkingbytheline。Doyouexpectthebeamstobestraight-onewrongwillputallwrong。Hesnatchedanaxeoutofacarpenter\'shandandwantedtoshowhimhowheoughttocut，butasacartloadedwithclaycameby，hethrewtheaxeaway，andhastenedtothepeasantwhowaswalkingbythesideofit，youarenotinyourrightmind，saidhe，whoyokesyounghorsestoaheavily-ladencart。Thepoorbeastswilldieonthespot。Thepeasantdidnotgivehimananswer，andpfrieminarageranbackintohiswork-shop。Whenhewassettinghimselftoworkagain，theapprenticereachedhimashoe。Well，what\'sthatagain，screamedhe，haven\'tItoldyouyououghtnottocutshoessobroad。Whowouldbuyashoelikethis，whichishardlyanythingelsebutasole。Iinsistonmyordersbeingfollowedexactly。Master，answeredtheapprentice，youmayeasilybequiterightabouttheshoebeingabadone，butitistheonewhichyouyourselfcutout，andyourselfsettoworkat。Whenyoujumpedupawhileago，youknockeditoffthetable，andIhaveonlyjustpickeditup。Anangelfromheaven，however，wouldnevermakeyoubelievethat。

Onenightmasterpfriemdreamedhewasdead，andonhiswaytoheaven。Whenhegotthere，heknockedloudlyatthedoor。I

wonder，saidhetohimself，thattheyhavenoknockeronthedoor，oneknocksone\'sknucklessore。Theapostlepeteropenedthedoor，andwantedtoseewhodemandedadmissionsonoisily。Ah，it\'syoumasterpfriem，saidhe，well，I\'llletyouin，butIwarnyouthatyoumustgiveupthathabitofyours，andfindfaultwithnothingyouseeinheaven，oryoumayfareill。Youmighthavesparedyourwarning，answeredpfriem。Iknowalreadywhatisseemly，andhere，Godbethanked，everythingisperfect，andthereisnothingtoblameasthereisonearth。Sohewentin，andwalkedupanddownthewideexpansesofheaven。Helookedaroundhim，totheleftandtotheright，butsometimesshookhishead，ormutteredsomethingtohimself。Thenhesawtwoangelswhowerecarryingawayabeam。Itwasthebeamwhichsomeonehadhadinhisowneyewhilsthewaslookingforthesplinterintheeyeofanother。Theydidnotcarrythebeamlengthways，however，butobliquely。Didanyoneeverseesuchapieceofstupidity，thoughtmasterpfriem。Buthesaidnothing，andseemedsatisfiedwithit。Itcomestothesamethingafterall，whicheverwaytheycarrythebeam，straightorathwart，iftheyonlygetalongwithit，andtrulyIdonotseethemknockagainstanything。Soonafterthishesawtwoangelswhoweredrawingwateroutofawellintoabucket，butatthesametimeheobservedthatthebucketwasfullofholes，andthatthewaterwasrunningoutofitoneveryside。Theywerewateringtheearthwithrain。Hangit，heexclaimed，buthappilyrecollectedhimself，andthought，perhapsitisonlyapastime。Ifitisanamusement，thenitseemstheycandouselessthingsofthiskind，especiallyhereinheaven，wherepeople，asIhavealreadynoticed，donothingbutidleabout。Hewentfartherandsawacartwhichhadstuckfastinadeephole。It\'snowonder，saidhetothemanwhostoodby，whowouldloadsounreasonably。Whathaveyouthere。Goodwishes，repliedtheman，Icouldnotgetontherightwaywithit，butstillIhavepusheditsafelyuphere，andheretheywon\'tleavemestuck。Infactanangeldidcomeandharnesstwohorsestoit。That\'squiteright，thoughtpfriem，buttwohorseswon\'tgetthatcartout，itmustatleasthavefourtoit。Anotherangelcameandbroughttwomorehorses，shedidnotharnesstheminfrontofit，however，butbehind。Thatwastoomuchformasterpfriem，clumsycreature，heburstout，whatareyoudoingthere。Hasanyoneeversincetheworldbeganseenacartdrawninthatway。Butyou，inyourconceitedarrogance，thinkthatyouknoweverythingbest。Hewasgoingtosaymore，butoneoftheinhabitantsofheavenseizedhimbythethroatandpushedhimforthwithirresistiblestrength。Beneaththegatewaymasterpfriemturnedhisheadroundtotakeonemorelookatthecart，andsawthatitwasbeingraisedintotheairbyfourwingedhorses。

Atthismomentmasterpfriemawoke。Thingsarecertainlyarrangedinheavenotherwisethantheyareonearth，saidhetohimself，andthatexcusesmuch，butwhocanseehorsesharnessedbothbehindandbeforewithpatience。Tobesuretheyhadwingsbutwhocouldknowthat。Itis，beside，greatfollytofixapairofwingstoahorsethathasfourlegstorunwithalready。

ButImustgetup，orelsetheywillmakenothingbutmistakesinmyhouse。Itisaluckythingthough，thatIamnotreallydead。

Atailorandagoldsmithweretravelingtogether，andoneeveningwhenthesunhadsunkbehindthemountains，theyheardthesoundofdistantmusic，whichbecamemoreandmoredistinct。Itsoundedstrange，butsopleasantthattheyforgotalltheirwearinessandsteppedquicklyonwards。Themoonhadalreadyarisenwhentheyreachedahillonwhichtheysawacrowdoflittlemenandwomen，whohadtakeneachother\'shands，andwerewhirlingroundinthedancewiththegreatestpleasureanddelight。

Theysangtoitmostcharmingly，andthatwasthemusicwhichthetravelershadheard。Inthemidstofthemsatanoldmanwhowasrathertallerthantherest。Heworeaparti-coloredcoat，andhishoarybeardhungdownoverhisbreast。Thetworemainedstandingfullofastonishment，andwatchedthedance。Theoldmanmadeasignthattheyshouldenter，andthelittlefolkswillinglyopenedtheircircle。Thegoldsmith，whohadahump，andlikeallhunch-backswasdaringenough，steppedin。Thetailorfeltalittleafraidatfirst，andheldback，butwhenhesawhowmerrilyallwasgoing，hepluckeduphiscourage，andfollowed。Thecircleclosedagaindirectly，andthelittlefolkswentonsinginganddancingwiththewildestleaps。Theoldman，however，tookalargeknifewhichhungtohisgirdle，whettedit，andwhenitwassufficientlysharpened，helookedroundatthestrangers。Theywereterrified，buttheyhadnotmuchtimeforreflection，fortheoldmanseizedthegoldsmithandwiththegreatestspeed，shavedthehairofhisheadcleanoff，andthenthesamethinghappenedtothetailor。Buttheirfearleftthemwhen，afterhehadfinishedhiswork，theoldmanclappedthembothontheshoulderinafriendlymanner，asmuchastosay，theyhadbehavedwelltoletallthatbedonetothemwillingly，andwithoutanystruggle。Hepointedwithhisfingertoaheapofcoalswhichlayatoneside，andsignifiedtothetravelersbyhisgesturesthattheyweretofilltheirpocketswiththem。Bothofthemobeyed，althoughtheydidnotknowofwhatusethecoalswouldbetothem，andthentheywentontheirwaytoseekashelterforthenight。

Whentheyhadgotintothevalley，theclockoftheneighboringmonasterystrucktwelve，andthesongceased。Inamomentallhadvanished，andthehilllayinsolitudeinthemoonlight。

Thetwotravelersfoundaninn，andcoveredthemselvesupontheirstraw-bedswiththeircoats，butintheirwearinessforgottotakethecoalsoutofthembeforedoingso。Aheavyweightontheirlimbsawakenedthemearlierthanusual。Theyfeltinthepockets，andcouldnotbelievetheireyeswhentheysawthattheywerenotfilledwithcoals，butwithpuregold。Happily，too，thehairoftheirheadsandbeardswasthereagainasthickasever。

Theyhadnowbecomerichfolks，butthegoldsmith，who，inaccordancewithhisgreedydisposition，hadfilledhispocketsbetter，wastwiceasrichasthetailor。Agreedyman，evenifhehasmuch，stillwishestohavemore，sothegoldsmithproposedtothetailorthattheyshouldwaitanotherday，andgooutagainintheeveninginordertobringbackstillgreatertreasuresfromtheoldmanonthehill。Thetailorrefused，andsaid，Ihaveenoughandamcontent。NowIshallbeamaster，andmarrymydearobject-

forsohecalledhissweetheart-andIamahappyman。Buthestayedanotherdaytopleasehim。Intheeveningthegoldsmithhungacoupleofbagsoverhisshouldersthathemightbeabletostowawayagreatdeal，andtooktheroadtothehill。Hefound，asonthenightbefore，thelittlefolksattheirsinginganddancing，andtheoldmanagainshavedhimclean，andmadesignstohimtotakesomecoal。Hewasnotslowaboutstuffingasmuchintohisbagsaswouldgo，wentbackquitedelighted，andcoveredhimselfoverwithhiscoat。Evenifthegolddoesweighheavily，saidhe，Iwillgladlybearthat，andatlasthefellasleepwiththesweetanticipationofwakinginthemorninganenormouslyrichman。

Whenheopenedhiseyes，hegotupinhastetoexaminehispockets，buthowamazedhewaswhenhedrewnothingoutofthembutblackcoals，andthathowsoeveroftenheputhishandsinthem。ThegoldIgotthenightbeforeisstillthereforme，thoughthe，andwentandbroughtitout，buthowshockedhewaswhenhesawthatitlikewisehadagainturnedintocoal。Hesmotehisforeheadwithhisdustyblackhand，andthenhefeltthathiswholeheadwasbaldandsmooth，aswasalsotheplacewherehisbeardshouldhavebeen。Buthismisfortuneswerenotyetover。Henowremarkedforthefirsttimethatinadditiontothehumponhisback，asecond，justaslarge，hadgrowninfrontonhisbreast。Thenherecognizedthepunishmentofhisgreediness，andbegantoweepaloud。Thegoodtailor，whowasawakenedbythis，comfortedtheunhappyfellowaswellashecould，andsaid，youhavebeenmycomradeinmytravelingtime。Youshallstaywithmeandshareinmywealth。Hekepthisword，butthepoorgoldsmithwasobligedtocarrythetwohumpsaslongashelived，andtocoverhisbaldheadwithacap。

Acertaintailorwhowasgreatatboastingbutillatdoing，tookitintohisheadtogoabroadforawhile，andlookabouttheworld。Assoonashecouldmanageit，helefthiswork-shop，andwanderedonhisway，overhillanddale，sometimeshither，sometimes，thither，buteveronandon。Onceonhiswayheperceivedinthebluedistanceasteephill，andbehinditatowerreachingtotheclouds，whichroseupoutofawilddarkforest。

Thunderandlightning，criedthetailor，whatisthat，andashewasstronglygoadedbycuriosity，hewentboldlytowardsit。Buthowhedidgazeandgapewhenhecamenearit，forthetowerhadlegs，andleaptinoneboundoverthesteephill，andwasnowstandingasanall-powerfulgiantbeforehim。Whatdoyouwanthere，youtinyfly\'sleg，criedthegiant，withavoiceasifitwerethunderingoneveryside。Thetailorwhimpered，IwantjusttolookaboutandseeifIcanearnabitofbreadformyself，inthisforest。Ifthatiswhatyouareafter，saidthegiant，youmayhaveaplacewithme。Ifitmustbe，whynot。WhatwagesshallIreceive。Youshallhearwhatwagesyoushallhave。Everyyearthreehundredandsixty-fivedays，andwhenitisleap-year，onemoreintothebargain。Doesthatsuityou。Allright，repliedthetailor，andthought，inhisownmind，amanmustcuthiscoataccordingtohiscloth。IwilltrytogetawayasfastasIcan。

Atthisthegiantsaidtohim，go，littleragamuffin，andfetchmeajugofwater。HadInotbetterbringthewellitselfatonce，andthespringtoo，askedtheboaster，andwentwiththepitchertothewater。What，thewellandthespringtoo，growledthegiantinhisbeard，forhewassomewhatofasillydolt，andbegantobeafraid。Thatknaveisnotafool，hehasamandrakeinhisbody。Beonyourguard，oldHans，thisisnoserving-manforyou。Whenthetailorhadbroughtthewater，thegiantbadehimgointotheforest，andcutacoupleofblocksofwoodandbringthemback。Whynotthewholeforest，atonce，withonestroke。Thewholeforest，youngandold，withallthatisthere，bothgnarledandsmooth，andthewellanditsspringtoo，growledthecredulousgiantinhisbeard，andwasstillmoreterrified。Theknavecandomuchmorethanbakeapples，andhasamandrakeinhisbody。Beonyourguard，oldHans，thisisnoserving-manforyou。Whenthetailorhadbroughtthewood，thegiantcommandedhimtoshoottwoorthreewildboarsforsupper。Whynotratherathousandatoneshot，andbringthemallhere，inquiredtheinsolenttailor。What，criedthetimidgiantingreatterror。

Letwellaloneto-night，andliedowntorest。

Thegiantwassoterriblyalarmedthathecouldnotcloseaneyeallnightlongforthinkingwhatwouldbethebestwaytogetridofthisaccursedsorcererofaservant。Timebringscounsel。Nextmorningthegiantandthetailorwenttoamarsh，roundwhichstoodanumberofwillow-trees。Thensaidthegiant，listen，tailor，seatyourselfononeofthewillow-branches。Ilongofallthingstoseeifyouarebigenoughtobenditdown。Allatoncethetailorwassittingonit，holdinghisbreath，andmakinghimselfheavy，soheavythattheboughbentdown。When，however，hewascompelledtodrawbreath，ithurledhim-forunfortunatelyhehadnotputhisgooseinhispocket-sohighintotheairthatheneverwasseenagain，andthistothegreatdelightofthegiant。Ifthetailorhasnotfallendownagain，hemuststillbehoveringaboutintheair。

Amerchanthaddonegoodbusinessatthefair。Hehadsoldhiswares，andlinedhismoney-bagswithgoldandsilver。Thenhewantedtotravelhomewards，andbeinhisownhousebeforenightfall。Sohepackedhistrunkwiththemoneyonhishorse，androdeaway。

Atnoonherestedinatown，andwhenhewantedtogofartherthestable-boybroughtouthishorseandsaid，anailiswanting，sir，intheshoeofitsnearhindfoot。Letitbewanting，answeredthemerchant。TheshoewillcertainlystayonforthesixmilesIhavestilltogo。Iaminahurry。

Intheafternoon，whenheoncemorealightedandhadhishorsefed，thestable-boywentintotheroomtohimandsaid，sir，ashoeismissingfromyourhorse\'snearhindfoot。ShallItakehimtotheblacksmith。Letitbewanting，answeredtheman。

Thehorsecanverywellholdoutforthecoupleofmileswhichremain。Iaminhaste。

Herodeforth，butbeforelongthehorsebegantolimp。Ithadnotlimpedlongbeforeitbegantostumble，andithadnotstumbledlongbeforeitfelldownandbrokeitsleg。Themerchantwasforcedtoleavethehorsewhereitwas，andunbucklethetrunk，takeitonhisback，andgohomeonfoot。Andtherehedidnotarriveuntilquitelateatnight。Andthatcursednail，saidhetohimself，hascausedallthisdisaster。

Themorehastethelessspeed。

Thisstory，mydearyoungfolks，seemstobefalse，butitreallyistrue，formygrandfather，fromwhomIhaveit，usedalways，whenrelatingit，tosay，itmustbetrue，myson，orelsenoonecouldtellittoyou。Thestoryisasfollows。Onesundaymorningaboutharvesttime，justasthebuckwheatwasinbloom，thesunwasshiningbrightlyinheaven，theeastwindwasblowingwarmlyoverthestubble-fields，thelarksweresingingintheair，thebeesbuzzingamongthebuckwheat，thepeopleintheirsundayclotheswereallgoingtochurch，andallcreatureswerehappy，andthehedgehogwashappytoo。

Thehedgehog，however，wasstandingbyhisdoorwithhisarmsakimbo，enjoyingthemorningbreezes，andslowlytrillingalittlesongtohimself，whichwasneitherbetternorworsethanthesongswhichhedgehogsareinthehabitofsingingonablessedsundaymorning。Whilsthewasthussinginghalfaloudtohimself，itsuddenlyoccurredtohimthat，whilehiswifewaswashinganddryingthechildren，hemightverywelltakeawalkintothefield，andseehowhisturnipsweregettingon。Theturnips，infact，wereclosebesidehishouse，andheandhisfamilywereaccustomedtoeatthem，forwhichreasonhelookeduponthemashisown。

Nosoonersaidthandone。Thehedgehogshutthehouse-doorbehindhim，andtookthepathtothefield。Hehadnotgoneveryfarfromhome，andwasjustturningroundthesloe-bushwhichstandsthereoutsidethefield，togoupintotheturnip-field，whenheobservedtheharewhohadgoneoutonbusinessofthesamekind，namely，tovisithiscabbages。Whenthehedgehogcaughtsightofthehare，hebadehimafriendlygoodmorning。Butthehare，whowasinhisownwayadistinguishedgentleman，andfrightfullyhaughty，didnotreturnthehedgehog\'sgreeting，butsaidtohim，assumingatthesametimeaverycontemptuousmanner，howdoyouhappentoberunningabouthereinthefieldsoearlyinthemorning。Iamtakingawalk，saidthehedgehog。Awalk，saidthehare，withasmile。Itseemstomethatyoumightuseyourlegsforabetterpurpose。Thisanswermadethehedgehogfuriouslyangry，forhecanbearanythingbutareferencetoohislegs，justbecausetheyarecrookedbynature。Sonowthehedgehogsaidtothehare，youseemtoimaginethatyoucandomorewithyourlegsthanIwithmine。ThatisjustwhatIdothink，saidthehare。Thatcanbeputtothetest，saidthehedgehog。Iwagerthatifwerunarace，Iwilloutstripyou。Thatisridiculous。Youwithyourshortlegs，saidthehare，butformypartIamwilling，ifyouhavesuchamonstrousfancyforit。Whatshallwewager。A

goldenlouis-d\'orandabottleofbrandy，saidthehedgehog。Done，saidthehare。Shakehandsonit，andthenwemayaswellbeginatonce。Nay，saidthehedgehog，thereisnosuchgreathurry。

Iamstillfasting，Iwillgohomefirst，andhavealittlebreakfast。Inhalf-an-hourIwillbebackagainatthisplace。

Hereuponthehedgehogdeparted，fortheharewasquitesatisfiedwiththis。Onhiswaythehedgehogthoughttohimself，theharereliesonhislonglegs，butIwillcontrivetogetthebetterofhim。Hemaybeagreatman，butheisaverysillyfellow，andheshallpayforwhathehassaid。Sowhenthehedgehogreachedhome，hesaidtohiswife，wife，dressyourselfquickly，youmustgoouttothefieldwithme。Whatisgoingon，then，saidhiswife。Ihavemadeawagerwiththehare，foragoldlouis-d\'orandabottleofbrandy。Iamtorunaracewithhim，andyoumustbepresent。

Goodheavens，husband，thewifenowcried，areyounotrightinyourmind，haveyoucompletelylostyourwits。Whatcanmakeyouwanttorunaracewiththehare。Holdyourtongue，woman，saidthehedgehog，thatismyaffair。Don\'tbegintodiscussthingswhicharemattersformen。Beoff，dressyourself，andcomewithme。Whatcouldthehedgehog\'swifedo。Shewasforcedtoobeyhim，whethershelikeditornot。

Sowhentheyhadsetoutontheirwaytogether，thehedgehogsaidtohiswife，nowpayattentiontowhatIamgoingtosay。

Lookyou，Iwillmakethelongfieldourrace-course。Thehareshallruninonefurrow，andwhentheharearrivesattheendofthefurrowontheothersideofyou，youmustcryouttohim，Iamherealready。

Thentheyreachedthefield，andthehedgehogshowedhiswifeherplace，andthenwalkedupthefield。Whenhereachedthetop，theharewasalreadythere。Shallwestart，saidthehare。Certainly，saidthehedgehog。Thenbothatonce。Sosaying，eachplacedhimselfinhisownfurrow。Theharecounted，once，twice，thrice，andaway，andwentofflikeawhirlwinddownthefield。Thehedgehog，however，onlyranaboutthreepaces，andthenhecroucheddowninthefurrow，andstayedquietlywherehewas。

Whentheharethereforearrivedatfullspeedatthelowerendofthefield，thehedgehog\'swifemethimwiththecry，Iamherealready。Theharewasshockedandwonderednotalittle，hethoughtnootherthanthatitwasthehedgehoghimselfwhowascallingtohim，forthehedgehog\'swifelookedjustlikeherhusband。Thehare，however，thoughttohimself，thathasnotbeendonefairly，andcried，itmustberunagain，letushaveitagain。Andoncemorehewentofflikethewindinastorm，sothatheseemedtofly。Butthehedgehog\'swifestayedquietlyinherplace。Sowhentheharereachedthetopofthefield，thehedgehoghimselfcriedouttohim，Iamherealready。Thehare，however，quitebesidehimselfwithanger，cried，itmustberunagain，wemusthaveitagain。

Allright，answeredthehedgehog，formypartwe\'llrunasoftenasyouchoose。Sothehareranseventy-threetimesmore，andthehedgehogalwaysheldoutagainsthim，andeverytimetheharereachedeitherthetoporthebottom，eitherthehedgehogorhiswifesaid，Iamherealready。

Attheseventy-fourthtime，however，theharecouldnolongerreachtheend。Inthemiddleofthefieldhefelltotheground，bloodstreamedoutofhismouth，andhelaydeadonthespot。Butthehedgehogtookthelouis-d\'orwhichhehadwonandthebottleofbrandy，calledhiswifeoutofthefurrow，andbothwenthometogetheringreatdelight，andiftheyarenotdead，theyarelivingtherestill。

Thisishowithappenedthatthehedgehogmadetheharerunraceswithhimontheheathofbuxtehude-buxtehudeisavillagenearhamburg-tillhedied，andsincethattimenoharehaseverhadanyfancyforrunningraceswithabuxtehudehedgehog。

Themoralofthisstoryis，firstly，thatnoone，howevergreathemaybe，shouldpermithimselftojestatanyonebeneathhim，evenifhebeonlyahedgehog。And，secondly，itteaches，thatwhenamanmarries，heshouldtakeawifeinhisownposition，wholooksjustashehimselflooks。Sowhosoeverisahedgehoglethimseetoitthathiswifeisahedgehogalso，andsoforth。

Therewasonceuponatimeafar-sighted，craftypeasantwhosetricksweremuchtalkedabout。Thebeststory，however，ishowheoncegotholdofthedevil，andmadeafoolofhim。

Thepeasanthadonedaybeenworkinginhisfield，andastwilighthadsetin，wasmakingreadyforthejourneyhome，whenhesawaheapofburningcoalsinthemiddleofhisfield，andwhen，fullofastonishment，hewentuptoit，alittleblackdevilwassittingonthelivecoals。Areyousittinguponatreasure，saidthepeasant。Yes，intruth，repliedthedevil，onatreasurewhichcontainsmoregoldandsilverthanyouhaveeverseeninyourlife。Thetreasureliesinmyfieldandbelongstome，saidthepeasant。Itisyours，answeredthedevil，ifyouwillfortwoyearsgivemeonehalfofeverythingyourfieldproduces。

MoneyIhaveenough，butIhaveadesireforthefruitsoftheearth。Thepeasantagreedtothebargain。Inorder，however，thatnodisputemayariseaboutthedivision，saidhe，everythingthatisabovegroundshallbelongtoyou，andwhatisundertheearthtome。Thedevilwasquitesatisfiedwiththat，butthecunningpeasanthadsownturnips。

Nowwhenthetimeforharvestcame，thedevilappearedandwantedtotakeawayhiscrop。Buthefoundnothingbuttheyellowwitheredleaves，whilethepeasant，fullofdelight，wasdigginguphisturnips。Youhavehadthebestofitforonce，saidthedevil，butthenexttimethatwon\'tdo。Whatgrowsabovegroundshallbeyours，andwhatisunderit，mine。Iamwilling，repliedthepeasant。Butwhenthetimecametosow，hedidnotagainsowturnips，butwheat。Thegrainbecameripe，andthepeasantwentintothefieldandcutthefullstalksdowntotheground。Whenthedevilcame，hefoundnothingbutthestubble，andwentawayinafurydownintoacleftintherocks。Thatisthewaytocheatthedevil，saidthepeasant，andwentandfetchedawaythetreasure。

Georgeonedaysaidtohislittlechickens，comeintotheparlorandenjoyyourselves，andpickupthebread-crumbsonthetable。Yourmistresshasgoneouttopaysomevisits。

Thenthechickenssaid，no，no，wewillnotgo。Ifthemistressgetstoknowit，shewillbeatus。Georgesaid，shewillknownothingaboutit。Socome。Afterall，shenevergivesyouanythinggood。Thenthechickensagainsaid，nay，nay，wemustletitalone。Wemustnotgo。Butgeorgeletthemhavenopeaceuntilatlasttheywent，andgotonthetable，andateupthebread-crumbswithalltheirmight。Butatthatverymomentthemistresscame，andseizedthestickingreathaste，andbeatthemandtreatedthemveryharshly。Andwhentheywereoutsidethehouse，thechickenssaidtogeorge，do，do，do，do，do，yousee。Thengeorgelaughedandsaid，didn\'t，didn\'t，didn\'t，Iexpectit。Sotheyjusthadtorunaway。

Arichfarmerwasonedaystandinginhisyardinspectinghisfieldsandgardens。Thecornwasgrowingupvigorouslyandthefruit-treeswereheavilyladenwithfruit。Thegrainoftheyearbeforestilllayinsuchimmenseheapsintheloftthattherafterscouldhardlybearit。Thenhewentintothestable，wherewerewell-fedoxen，fatcows，andhorsesbrightaslooking-glass。Atlengthhewentbackintohissitting-room，andcastaglanceattheironchestinwhichhismoneylay。

Whilsthewasthusstandingsurveyinghisriches，allatoncetherewasaloudknockclosebyhim。Theknockwasnotatthedoorofhisroom，butatthedoorofhisheart。Itopened，andheheardavoicewhichsaidtohim，haveyoudonegoodtoyourfamilywithit。Haveyouconsideredthenecessitiesofthepoor。Haveyousharedyourbreadwiththehungry。Haveyoubeencontentedwithwhatyouhave，ordidyoualwaysdesiretohavemore。Theheartwasnotslowinanswering，Ihavebeenhardandpitiless，andhavenevershownanykindnesstomyownfamily。Ifabeggarcame，I

turnedawaymyeyesfromhim。IhavenottroubledmyselfaboutGod，buthavethoughtonlyofincreasingmywealth。Ifeverythingwhichtheskycovershadbeenmineown，Ishouldstillnothavehadenough。

Whenhewasawareofthisanswerhewasgreatlyalarmed，hiskneesbegantotremble，andhewasforcedtositdown。

Thentherewasanotherknock，buttheknockwasatthedoorofhisroom。Itwashisneighbor，apoormanwhohadanumberofchildrenwhomhecouldnolongersatisfywithfood。Iknow，thoughtthepoorman，thatmyneighborisrich，butheisashardasheisrich。Idon\'tbelievehewillhelpme，butmychildrenarecryingforbread，soIwillventureit。Hesaidtotherichman，youdonotreadilygiveawayanythingthatisyours，butIstandherelikeonewhofeelsthewaterrisingabovehishead。Mychildrenarestarving，lendmefourmeasuresofcorn。Therichmanlookedathimlong，andthenthefirstsunbeamofmercybegantomeltawayadropoftheiceofgreediness。Iwillnotlendyoufourmeasures，heanswered。Iwillmakeyouapresentofeight，butyoumustfulfilonecondition。WhatamItodo，saidthepoorman。WhenIamdead，youshallwatchforthreenightsbymygrave。Thepeasantwasdisturbedinhismindatthisrequest，butintheneedinwhichhewas，hewouldhaveconsentedtoanything。

Heaccepted，therefore，andcarriedthecornhomewithhim。

Itseemedasiftherichmanhadforeseenwhatwasabouttohappen，forwhenthreedaysweregoneby，hesuddenlydroppeddowndead。

Nooneknewexactlyhowitcametopass，butnoonegrievedforhim。

Whenhewasburied，thepoormanrememberedhispromise。Hewouldwillinglyhavebeenreleasedfromit，buthethought，afterall，heactedkindlybyme。Ihavefedmyhungrychildrenwithhiscorn，andevenifthatwerenotthecase，whereIhaveoncegivenmypromiseImustkeepit。Atnightfallhewentintothechurchyard，andseatedhimselfonthegrave-mound。Everythingwasquiet，onlythemoonappearedabovethegrave，andfrequentlyanowlflewpastandutteredhermelancholycry。Whenthesunrose，thepoormanbetookhimselfinsafetytohishome，andinthesamemannerthesecondnightpassedquietlyby。Ontheeveningofthethirddayhefeltastrangeuneasiness，itseemedtohimthatsomethingwasabouttohappen。Whenhewentouthesaw，bythechurchyard-wall，amanwhomhehadneverseenbefore。Hewasnolongeryoung，hadscarsonhisface，andhiseyeslookedsharplyandeagerlyaround。Hewasentirelycoveredwithanoldcloak，andnothingwasvisiblebuthisgreatriding-boots。Whatareyoulookingforhere，thepeasantasked。Areyounotafraidofthelonelychurchyard。

Iamlookingfornothing，heanswered，andIamafraidofnothing。Iamliketheyoungsterwhowentforthtolearnhowtoshudder，andhadhislaborforhispains，butgottheking\'sdaughtertowifeandgreatwealthwithher，onlyIhaveremainedpoor。Iamnothingbutapaid-offsoldier，andImeantopassthenighthere，becauseIhavenoothershelter。Ifyouarewithoutfear，saidthepeasant，staywithme，andhelpmetowatchthatgravethere。

Tokeepwatchisasoldier\'sbusiness，hereplied，whateverwefallinwithhere，whetheritbegoodorbad，wewillshareitbetweenus。Thepeasantagreedtothis，andtheyseatedthemselvesonthegravetogether。

Allwasquietuntilmidnight，whensuddenlyashrillwhistlingwasheardintheair，andthetwowatchersperceivedtheevilonestandingbodilybeforethem。Beoff，youscoundrels，criedhetothem，themanwholiesinthatgravebelongstome。Iwanttotakehim，andifyoudon\'tgoawayIwillwringyournecks。Sirwiththeredfeather，saidthesoldier，youarenotmycaptain，Ihavenoneedtoobeyyou，andIhavenotyetlearnedwhatfearis。Goaway，weshallstaysittinghere。

Thedevilthoughttohimself，moneyisthebestmeanswithwhichtolayholdofthesetwovagabonds。Sohebegantoplayasoftertune，andaskedquitekindly，iftheywouldnotacceptabagofmoney，andgohomewithit。Thatisworthlisteningto，answeredthesoldier，butonebagofgoldwon\'tserveus。Ifyouwillgiveasmuchaswillgointooneofmyboots，wewillquitthefieldforyouandgoaway。

Ihavenotsomuchasthataboutme，saidthedevil，butIwillfetchit。Intheneighboringtownlivesamoney-changerwhoisagoodfriendofmine，andwillreadilyadvanceittome。Whenthedevilhadvanishedthesoldiertookhisleftbootoff，andsaid，wewillsoonpullthecharcoal-burner\'snoseforhim，justgivemeyourknife，comrade。Hecutthesoleofftheboot，andputitinthehighgrassnearthegraveontheedgeofaholethatwashalfover-grown。Thatwilldo，saidhe。Nowthechimney-sweepmaycome。

Theybothsatdownandwaited，anditwasnotlongbeforethedevilreturnedwithasmallbagofgoldinhishand。Justpouritin，saidthesoldier，raisingupthebootalittle，butthatwon\'tbeenough。

Theblackoneshookoutallthatwasinthebag。Thegoldfellthrough，andthebootremainedempty。Stupiddevil，criedthesoldier，itwon\'tdo。Didn\'tIsaysoatonce。Gobackagain，andbringmore。Thedevilshookhishead，went，andinanhour\'stimecamewithamuchlargerbagunderhisarm。Nowpouritin，criedthesoldier，butIdoubtthebootwillbefull。Thegoldclinkedasitfell，butthebootremainedempty。Thedevillookedinhimselfwithhisburningeyes，andconvincedhimselfofthetruth。Youhaveshamefullybigcalvestoyourlegs，criedhe，andmadeawryface。Didyouthink，repliedthesoldier，thatIhadaclovenfootlikeyou。Sincewhenhaveyoubeensostingy。Seethatyougetmoregoldtogether，orourbargainwillcometonothing。Thewickedonewentoffagain。Thistimehestayedawaylonger，andwhenatlengthheappearedhewaspantingundertheweightofasackwhichlayonhisshoulders。Heemptieditintotheboot，whichwasjustasfarfrombeingfilledasbefore。Hebecamefurious，andwasjustgoingtotearthebootoutofthesoldier\'shands，butatthatmomentthefirstrayoftherisingsunbrokeforthfromthesky，andtheevilspiritfledawaywithloudshrieks。Thepoorsoulwassaved。

Thepeasantwishedtodividethegold，butthesoldiersaid，givewhatfallstomylottothepoor，Iwillcomewithyoutoyourcottage，andtogetherwewillliveinrestandpeaceonwhatremains，aslongasGodispleasedtopermit。

Asoldierwhoisafraidofnothing，troubleshimselfaboutnothing。Oneofthiskindhadreceivedhisdischarge，andashehadlearntnotradeandcouldearnnothing，hetraveledaboutandbeggedalmsofkindpeople。Hehadanoldrain-coatonhisback，andapairofriding-bootsofbuffalo-leatherwhichwerestilllefttohim。Onedayhewaswalkingheknewnotwhere，straightoutintotheopencountry，andatlengthcametoaforest。

Hedidnotknowwherehewas，butsawsittingonthetrunkofatree，whichhadbeencutdown，amanwhowaswelldressedandworeagreenshooting-coat。Thesoldiershookhandswithhim，satdownonthegrassbyhisside，andstretchedouthislegs。Iseeyouhavegoodbootson，whicharewellblacked，saidhetothehuntsman，butifyouhadtotravelaboutasIhave，theywouldnotlastlong。Lookatmine，theyareofbuffalo-leather，andhavebeenwornforalongtime，butinthemIcangothroughthickandthin。Afterawhilethesoldiergotupandsaid，Icanstaynolonger，hungerdrivesmeonwards，but，brotherbrightboots，wheredoesthisroadleadto。Idon\'tknowthatmyself，answeredthehuntsman，Ihavelostmywayintheforest。ThenyouareinthesameplightasI，saidthesoldier。Birdsofafeatherflocktogether，letusremaintogether，andseekourway。Thehuntsmansmiledalittle，andtheywalkedonfurtherandfurther，untilnightfell。Wedonotgetoutoftheforest，saidthesoldier，butthereinthedistanceIseealightshining。Therewemightfindsomethingtoeat。Theyfoundastonehouse，knockedatthedoor，andanoldwomanopenedit。Wearelookingforquartersforthenight，saidthesoldier，andsomeliningforourstomachs，formineisasemptyasanoldknapsack。Youcannotstayhere，answeredtheoldwoman。

Thisisarobbers，house，andyouwoulddowiselytogetawaybeforetheycomehome，oryouwillbelost。Itwon\'tbesobadasthat，answeredthesoldier，Ihavenothadamouthfulfortwodays，andwhetherIammurderedhereordieofhungerintheforestisallthesametome。Ishallcomein。Thehuntsmanwouldnotfollow，butthesoldierdrewhiminwithhimbythesleeve。Come，mydearbrother，weshallnotcometoanendsoquicklyasthat。Theoldwomanhadpityonthemandsaid，creepinherebehindthestove，andiftheyleaveanything，Iwillgiveittoyouontheslywhentheyareasleep。Scarcelyweretheyinthecornerbeforetwelverobberscameburstingin，seatedthemselvesatthetablewhichwasalreadylaid，andvehementlydemandedsomefood。Theoldwomanbroughtinsomegreatdishesofroastmeat，andtherobbersenjoyedthatthoroughly。Whenthesoldiersmelledthefood，hesaidtothehuntsman，Icannotholdoutanylonger，Ishallseatmyselfatthetable，andeatwiththem。Youwillbringustodestruction，saidthehuntsman，andheldhimbackbythearm。Butthesoldierbegantocoughloudly。Whentherobbersheardthat，theythrewawaytheirknivesandforks，leaptup，anddiscoveredthetwowhowerebehindthestove。Aha，gentlemen，areyouinthecorner，criedthey。Whatareyoudoinghere。Haveyoubeensentasspies。Waitawhile，andyoushalllearnhowtoflyonadrybough。Butdobecivil，saidthesoldier，Iamhungry，givemesomethingtoeat，andthenyoucandowhatyoulikewithme。Therobberswereastonished，andthecaptainsaid，Iseethatyouhavenofear。Well，youshallhavesomefood，butafterthatyoumustdie。Weshallsee，saidthesoldier，andseatedhimselfatthetable，andbegantocutawayvaliantlyattheroastmeat。Brotherbrightboots，comeandeat，criedhetothehuntsman。YoumustbeashungryasIam，andcannothavebetterroastmeatathome，butthehuntsmanwouldnoteat。Therobberslookedatthesoldierinastonishment，andsaid，therascalusesnoceremony。Afterawhilehesaid，Ihavehadenoughfood，nowgetmesomethinggoodtodrink。Thechiefoftherobberswasinthemoodtohumorhiminthisalso，andcalledtotheoldwoman，bringabottleoutofthecellar，andminditbeofthebest。Thesoldierdrewthecorkoutwithaloudnoise，andthenwentwiththebottletothehuntsmanandsaid，watchthis，brother，andyoushallseesomethingthatwillsurpriseyou。Iamnowgoingtodrinkthehealthofthewholeclan。Thenhebrandishedthebottleovertheheadsoftherobbers，andcried，longlifetoyouall，butwithyourmouthsopenandyourrighthandsliftedup，andthenhedrankaheartydraught。Scarcelywerethewordssaidthantheyallsatmotionlessasifmadeofstone，andtheirmouthswereopenandtheirrighthandsstretchedupintheair。Thehuntsmansaidtothesoldier，Iseethatyouareacquaintedwithtricksofanotherkind，butnowcomeandletusgohome。Oho，mydearbrother，butthatwouldbemarchingawayfartoosoon。Wehaveconqueredtheenemy，andmustfirsttakethebooty。Thosementherearesittingfast，andareopeningtheirmouthswithastonishment，buttheywillnotbeallowedtomoveuntilIpermitthem。Come，eatanddrink。Theoldwomanhadtobringanotherbottleofthebestwine，andthesoldierwouldnotstiruntilhehadeatenenoughtolastforthreedays。Atlastwhendaycame，hesaid，nowitistimetostrikeourtents，andinorderthatourmarchmaybeashortone，theoldwomanshallshowusthenearestwaytothetown。

Whentheyhadarrivedthere，hewenttohisoldcomrades，andsaid，outintheforestIhavefoundanestfullofgallows，birds，comewithmeandwewilltakeit。Thesoldierledthem，andsaidtothehuntsman，youmustgobackagainwithmetoseehowtheyflutterwhenweseizethembythefeet。Heplacedthemenroundabouttherobbers，andthenhetookthebottle，drankamouthful，brandisheditabovethem，andcried，longlifetoyouall。Instantlytheyallregainedthepowerofmovement，butwerethrowndownandboundhandandfootwithcords。

Thenthesoldierorderedthemtobethrownintoacartasiftheyhadbeensomanysacks，andsaid，nowdrivethemstraighttoprison。Thehuntsman，however，tookoneofthemenasideandgavehimanothercommissionaswell。

Brotherbrightboots，saidthesoldier，wehavesafelyroutedtheenemyandbeenwellfed，nowwewillquietlywalkbehindthemasifwewerestragglers。Whentheyapproachedthetown，thesoldiersawacrowdofpeoplepouringthroughthegateofthetownwhowereraisingloudcriesofjoy，andwavinggreenboughsintheair。Thenhesawthattheentirebody-guardwascomingup。Whatcanthismean，saidhetothehuntsman。

Don\'tyouknow，hereplied，thatthekinghasforalongtimebeenabsentfromhiskingdom，andthattodayheisreturning，andeveryoneisgoingtomeethim。Butwhereistheking，saidthesoldier。Idonotseehim。Hereheis，answeredthehuntsman，Iamtheking，andhaveannouncedmyarrival。

Thenheopenedhishunting-coat，andhisroyalgarmentswerevisible。Thesoldierwasalarmed，andfellonhiskneesandbeggedhimtoforgivehimforhavinginhisignorancetreatedhimasanequal，andspokentohimbysuchaname。Butthekingshookhandswithhim，andsaid，youareabravesoldier，andhavesavedmylife。Youshallneveragainbeinwant，Iwilltakecareofyou。Andifeveryouwouldliketoeatapieceofroastmeat，asgoodasthatintherobber\'shouse，cometotheroyalkitchen。Butifyouwoulddrinkahealth，youmustfirstaskmypermission。