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An honest farmer had once an ass that had been a faithful servant to him a great many years， but was now growing old and every day more and more unfit for work. His master therefore was tired of keeping him and began to think of putting an end to him； but the ass， who saw that some mischief was in the wind， took himself slyly off， and began his journey towards the great city， 'For there，' thought he， 'I may turn musician.'

After he had travelled a little way， he spied a dog lying by the roadside and panting as if he were tired. 'What makes you pant so， my friend？' said the ass. 'Alas！' said the dog， 'my master was going to knock me on the head， because I am old and weak， and can no longer make myself useful to him in hunting； so I ran away； but what can I do to earn my livelihood？' 'Hark ye！' said the ass， 'I am going to the great city to turn musician： suppose you go with me， and try what you can do in the same way？' The dog said he was willing， and they jogged on together.

they had not gone far before they saw a cat sitting in the middle of the road and making a most rueful face. 'Pray， my good lady，' said the ass， 'what's the matter with you？ You look quite out of spirits！' 'Ah， me！' said the cat， 'how can one be in good spirits when one's life is in danger？ Because I am beginning to grow old， and had rather lie at my ease by the fire than run about the house after the mice， my mistress laid hold of me， and was going to drown me； and though I have been lucky enough to get away from her， I do not know what I am to live upon.' 'Oh，' said the ass， 'by all means go with us to the great city； you are a good night singer， and may make your fortune as a musician.' The cat was pleased with the thought， and joined the party.

Soon afterwards， as they were passing by a farmyard， they saw a cock perched upon a gate， and screaming out with all his might and main. 'Bravo！' said the ass； 'upon my word， you make a famous noise； pray what is all this about？' 'Why，' said the cock， 'I was just now saying that we should have fine weather for our washing-day， and yet my mistress and the cook don't thank me for my pains， but threaten to cut off my head tomorrow， and make broth of me for the guests that are coming on Sunday！' 'Heaven forbid！' said the ass， 'come with us Master Chanticleer； it will be better， at any rate， than staying here to have your head cut off！ Besides， who knows？ If we care to sing in tune， we may get up some kind of a concert； so come along with us.' 'With all my heart，' said the cock： so they all four went on jollily together. They could not， however， reach the great city the first day； so when night came on， they went into a wood to sleep. The ass and the dog laid themselves down under a great tree， and the cat climbed up into the branches； while the cock， thinking that the higher he sat the safer he should be， flew up to the very top of the tree， and then， according to his custom， before he went to sleep， looked out on all sides of him to see that everything was well. In doing this， he saw afar off something bright and shining and calling to his companions said， 'There must be a house no great way off， for I see a light.' 'If that be the case，' said the ass， 'we had better change our quarters， for our lodging is not the best in the world！' 'Besides，' added the dog， 'I should not be the worse for a bone or two， or a bit of meat.' So they walked off together towards the spot where Chanticleer had seen the light， and as they drew near it became larger and brighter， till they at last came close to a house in which a gang of robbers lived.

the ass， being the tallest of the company， marched up to the window and peeped in. 'Well， Donkey，' said Chanticleer， 'what do you see？' 'What do I see？' replied the ass. 'Why， I see a table spread with all kinds of good things， and robbers sitting round it making merry.' 'That would be a noble lodging for us，' said the cock. 'Yes，' said the ass， 'if we could only get in'； so they consulted together how they should contrive to get the robbers out； and at last they hit upon a plan. The ass placed himself upright on his hind legs， with his forefeet resting against the window； the dog got upon his back； the cat scrambled up to the dog's shoulders， and the cock flew up and sat upon the cat's head. When all was ready a signal was given， and they began their music. The ass brayed， the dog barked， the cat mewed， and the cock screamed； and then they all broke through the window at once， and came tumbling into the room， amongst the broken glass， with a most hideous clatter！ The robbers， who had been not a little frightened by the opening concert， had now no doubt that some frightful hobgoblin had broken in upon them， and scampered away as fast as they could.

the coast once clear， our travellers soon sat down and dispatched what the robbers had left， with as much eagerness as if they had not expected to eat again for a month. As soon as they had satisfied themselves， they put out the lights， and each once more sought out a resting-place to his own liking. The donkey laid himself down upon a heap of straw in the yard， the dog stretched himself upon a mat behind the door， the cat rolled herself up on the hearth before the warm ashes， and the cock perched upon a beam on the top of the house； and， as they were all rather tired with their journey， they soon fell asleep.

But about midnight， when the robbers saw from afar that the lights were out and that all seemed quiet， they began to think that they had been in too great a hurry to run away； and one of them， who was bolder than the rest， went to see what was going on. Finding everything still， he marched into the kitchen， and groped about till he found a match in order to light a candle； and then， espying the glittering fiery eyes of the cat， he mistook them for live coals， and held the match to them to light it. But the cat， not understanding this joke， sprang at his face， and spat， and scratched at him. This frightened him dreadfully， and away he ran to the back door； but there the dog jumped up and bit him in the leg； and as he was crossing over the yard the ass kicked him； and the cock， who had been awakened by the noise， crowed with all his might. At this the robber ran back as fast as he could to his comrades， and told the captain how a horrid witch had got into the house， and had spat at him and scratched his face with her long bony fingers； how a man with a knife in his hand had hidden himself behind the door， and stabbed him in the leg； how a black monster stood in the yard and struck him with a club， and how the devil had sat upon the top of the house and cried out， 'Throw the rascal up here！' After this the robbers never dared to go back to the house； but the musicians were so pleased with their quarters that they took up their abode there； and there they are， I dare say， at this very day.

 In olden times, when wishing still did some good, there lived a king whose daughters were all beautiful, but the youngest was so beautiful that the sun itself, who, indeed, has seen so much, marveled every time it shone upon her face. In the vicinity of the king's castle there was a large, dark forest, and in this forest, beneath an old linden tree, there was a well. In the heat of the day the princess would go out into the forest and sit on the edge of the cool well. To pass the time she would take a golden ball, throw it into the air, and then catch it. It was her favorite plaything.

Now one day it happened that the princess's golden ball did not fall into her hands, that she held up high, but instead it fell to the ground and rolled right into the water. The princess followed it with her eyes, but the ball disappeared, and the well was so deep that she could not see its bottom. Then she began to cry. She cried louder and louder, and she could not console herself.

As she was thus lamenting, someone called out to her, "What is the matter with you, princess? Your crying would turn a stone to pity."

She looked around to see where the voice was coming from and saw a frog, who had stuck his thick, ugly head out of the water. "Oh, it's you, old water-splasher," she said. "I am crying because my golden ball has fallen into the well."

"Be still and stop crying," answered the frog. I can help you, but what will you give me if I bring back your plaything?"

"Whatever you want, dear frog," she said, "my clothes, my pearls and precious stones, and even the golden crown that I am wearing."

The frog answered, "I do not want your clothes, your pearls and precious stones, nor your golden crown, but if you will love me and accept me as a companion and playmate, and let me sit next to you at your table and eat from your golden plate and drink from your cup and sleep in your bed, if you will promise this to me, then I'll dive down and bring your golden ball back to you."

"Oh, yes," she said, "I promise all of that to you if you will just bring the ball back to me." But she thought, "What is this stupid frog trying to say? He just sits here in the water with his own kind and croaks. He cannot be a companion to a human."

As soon as the frog heard her say "yes" he stuck his head under and dove to the bottom. He paddled back up a short time later with the golden ball in his mouth and threw it onto the grass. The princess was filled with joy when she saw her beautiful plaything once again, picked it up, and ran off.

"Wait, wait," called the frog, "take me along. I cannot run as fast as you." But what did it help him, that he croaked out after her as loudly as he could? She paid no attention to him, but instead hurried home and soon forgot the poor frog, who had to return again to his well.

The next day the princess was sitting at the table with the king and all the people of the court, and was eating from her golden plate when something came creeping up the marble steps: plip, plop, plip, plop. As soon as it reached the top, there came a knock at the door, and a voice called out, "Princess, youngest, open the door for me!"

She ran to see who was outside. She opened the door, and the frog was sitting there. Frightened, she slammed the door shut and returned to the table. The king saw that her heart was pounding and asked, "My child, why are you afraid? Is there a giant outside the door who wants to get you?"

"Oh, no," she answered. "it is a disgusting frog."

"What does the frog want from you?"

"Oh, father dear, yesterday when I was sitting near the well in the forest and playing, my golden ball fell into the water. And because I was crying so much, the frog brought it back, and because he insisted, I promised him that he could be my companion, but I didn't think that he could leave his water. But now he is just outside the door and wants to come in."

Just then there came a second knock at the door, and a voice called out:

Youngest daughter of the king,
Open up the door for me,
Don't you know what yesterday,
You said to me down by the well?
Youngest daughter of the king,
Open up the door for me.

The king said, "What you have promised, you must keep. Go and let the frog in."

She went and opened the door, and the frog hopped in, then followed her up to her chair. He sat there and called out, "Lift me up next to you."

She hesitated, until finally the king commanded her to do it. When the frog was seated next to her he said, "Now push your golden plate closer, so we can eat together."

She did it, but one could see that she did not want to. The frog enjoyed his meal, but for her every bite stuck in her throat. Finally he said, "I have eaten all I want and am tired. Now carry me to your room and make your bed so that we can go to sleep."

The princess began to cry and was afraid of the cold frog and did not dare to even touch him, and yet he was supposed to sleep in her beautiful, clean bed.

The king became angry and said, "You should not despise someone who has helped you in time of need."

She picked him up with two fingers, carried him upstairs, and set him in a corner. As she was lying in bed, he came creeping up to her and said, "I am tired, and I want to sleep as well as you do. Pick me up or I'll tell your father."

With that she became bitterly angry and threw him against the wall with all her might. "Now you will have your peace, you disgusting frog!"

But when he fell down, he was not a frog, but a prince with beautiful friendly eyes. And he was now, according to her father's will, her dear companion and husband. He told her how he had been enchanted by a wicked witch, and that she alone could have rescued him from the well, and that tomorrow they would go together to his kingdom. Then they fell asleep.

The next morning, just as the sun was waking them, a carriage pulled up, drawn by eight horses. They had white ostrich feathers on their heads and were outfitted with chains of gold. At the rear stood the young king's servant, faithful Heinrich. Faithful Heinrich had been so saddened by his master's transformation into a frog that he had had to place three iron bands around his heart to keep it from bursting in grief and sorrow. The carriage was to take the king back to his kingdom. Faithful Heinrich lifted them both inside and took his place at the rear. He was filled with joy over the redemption. After they had gone a short distance, the prince heard a crack from behind, as though something had broken.

He turned around and said, "Heinrich, the carriage is breaking apart."

No, my lord, the carriage it's not,
But one of the bands surrounding my heart,
That suffered such great pain,
When you were sitting in the well,
When you were a frog.

Once again, and then once again the prince heard a cracking sound and thought that the carriage was breaking apart, but it was the bands springing from faithful Heinrich's heart because his master was now redeemed and happy.

 Once upon a time there were a king and a queen. They lived happily together and had twelve children, all boys. One day the king said to his wife, "If our thirteenth child, which you are soon going to bring into the world, is a girl, then the twelve others shall die, so that her wealth may be great, and so that she alone may inherit the kingdom."

Indeed, he had twelve coffins made. They were filled with wood shavings and each was fitted with a coffin pillow. He had them put in a locked room, and gave the key to the queen, ordering her to tell no one about them.

The mother sat and mourned the entire day, until the youngest son -- who was always with her, and who was named Benjamin after the Bible -- said to her, "Dear mother, why are you so sad?"

"Dearest child," she answered, "I cannot tell you."

However, he would not leave her in peace, until she unlocked the room and showed him the coffins, already filled with wood shavings.

Then she said, "My dearest Benjamin, your father had these coffins made for you and your eleven brothers. If I bring a girl into the world, you are all to be killed and buried in them."

As she spoke and cried, her son comforted her, saying, "Don't cry, dear mother. We will take care of ourselves and run away."

Then she said, "Go out into the woods with your eleven brothers. One of you should climb the highest tree that you can find. Keep watch there and look toward the castle tower. If I give birth to a little son, I will raise a white flag. If I give birth to a little daughter, I will raise a red flag, and then you should escape as fast as you can, and may God protect you. I will get up every night and pray for you, in the winter that you may warm yourselves near a fire, and in the summer that you may not suffer from the heat."

After she had blessed her children, they went out into the woods. One after the other of them kept watch, sitting atop the highest oak tree and looking toward the tower. After eleven days had passed, and it was Benjamin's turn, he saw that a flag had been raised. It was not the white one, but instead the red blood-flag, decreeing that they all were to die.

When the boys heard this they became angry and cried out, "Are we to suffer death for the sake of a girl! We swear that we will take revenge. Wherever we find a girl, her red blood shall flow."

Then they went deeper into the woods, and in its middle, where it was darkest, they found a little bewitched house that was empty.

They said, "We will live here. You, Benjamin, you are the youngest and weakest. You shall stay at home and keep house. We others will go and get things to eat."

Thus they went into the woods and shot rabbits, wild deer, birds, and doves, and whatever they could eat. These they brought to Benjamin, and he had to prepare them to satisfy their hunger. They lived together in this little house for ten years, but the time passed quickly for them.

The little daughter that their mother, the queen, had given birth to was now grown up. She had a good heart, a beautiful face, and a golden star on her forehead.

Once on a large washday she saw twelve men's shirts in the laundry and asked her mother, "Whose are these twelve shirts? They are much too small for father."

The queen answered with a heavy heart, "Dear child, they belong to your twelve brothers."

The girl said, "Where are my twelve brothers? I have never even heard of them."

She answered, "Only God knows where they are. They are wandering about in the world."

Then she took the girl, unlocked the room for her, and showed her the twelve coffins with the wood shavings and the coffin pillows.

"These coffins," she said, "were intended for your brothers, but they secretly ran away before you were born," and she told her how everything had happened.

Then the girl said, "Dear mother, don't cry. I will go and look for my brothers."

Then she took the twelve shirts and went forth into the great woods. She walked the entire day, in the evening coming to the bewitched little house.

She went inside and found a young lad, who asked, "Where do you come from, and where are you going?"

He was astounded that she was so beautiful, that she was wearing royal clothing, and that she had a star on her forehead.

"I am a princess and am looking for my twelve brothers. I will walk on as long as the sky is blue, until I find them." She also showed him the twelve shirts that belonged to them.

Benjamin saw that it was his sister, and said, "I am Benjamin, your youngest brother."

She began to cry for joy, and Benjamin did so as well. They kissed and embraced one another with great love.

Then he said, "Dear sister, I must warn you that we have agreed that every girl whom we meet must die."

She said, "I will gladly die, if I can thus redeem my twelve brothers."

"No," he answered, "you shall not die. Sit under this tub until our eleven brothers come, and I will make it right with them."

She did this, and when night fell they came home from the hunt. As they sat at the table eating, they asked, "What is new?"

Benjamin said, "Don't you know anything?"

"No," they answered.

He continued speaking, "You have been in the woods while I stayed at home, but I know more than you do."

"Then tell us," they shouted.

He answered, "If you will promise me that the next girl we meet shall not be killed."

"Yes," they all shouted. "We will show her mercy. Just tell us."

Then he said, "Our sister is here," and lifted up the tub. The princess came forth in her royal clothing and with the golden star on her forehead, so beautiful, delicate, and fine.

They all rejoiced, falling around her neck and kissing her, and they loved her with all their hearts.

Now she stayed at home with Benjamin and helped him with the work. The eleven went into the woods and captured wild game, deer, birds, and doves, so they would have something to eat. Their sister and Benjamin prepared it all. They gathered wood for cooking, herbs for the stew, and put the pot onto the fire so a meal was always ready when the eleven came home. She also kept the house in order, and made up the beds white and clean. The brothers were always satisfied, and they lived happily with her.

One time the two of them had prepared a good meal at home, and so they sat together and ate and drank and were ever so happy. Now there was a little garden next to the bewitched house, and in it there were twelve lilies, the kind that are called "students." Wanting to bring some pleasure to her brothers, she picked the twelve flowers, intending to give one to each of them when they were eating. But in the same instant that she picked the flowers, the twelve brothers were transformed into twelve ravens, and they flew away above the woods. The house and the garden disappeared as well.

Now the poor girl was alone in the wild woods. Looking around, she saw an old women standing next to her.

The old woman said, "My child, what have you done?" Why did you not leave the twelve white flowers standing? Those were your brothers, and now they have been transformed into ravens forever."

The girl said, crying, "Is there no way to redeem them?"

"No," said the old woman, "There is only one way in the world, and it is so difficult that you will never redeem them. You must remain silent for seven whole years, neither speaking nor laughing. If you speak a single word, even if all but one hour of the seven years has passed, then it will all be for nothing, and your brothers will be killed by that one word."

Then the girl said in her heart, "I know for sure that I will redeem my brothers."

She went and found a tall tree and climbed to its top, where she sat and span, without speaking and without laughing.

Now it came to pass that a king was hunting in these woods. He had a large greyhound that ran to the tree where the girl was sitting. It jumped about, yelping and barking up the tree. The king came, saw the beautiful princess with the golden star on her forehead, and was so enchanted by her beauty that he shouted up to her, asking her to become his wife. She gave him no answer, but nodded with her head. Then he himself climbed the tree, carried her down, set her on his horse, and took her home with him.

Their wedding was celebrated with great pomp and joy, but the bride neither spoke nor laughed.

After they had lived a few years happily together, the king's mother, who was a wicked woman, began to slander the young queen, saying to the king, "You have brought home a common beggar woman for yourself. Who knows what kind of godless things she is secretly doing. Even if she is a mute and cannot speak, she could at least laugh. Anyone who does not laugh has an evil conscience."

At first the king did not want to believe this, but the old woman kept it up so long, accusing her of so many wicked things, that the king finally let himself be convinced, and he sentenced her to death.

A great fire was lit in the courtyard, where she was to be burned to death. The king stood upstairs at his window, looking on with crying eyes, for he still loved her dearly. She had already been bound to the stake, and the fire was licking at her clothing with its red tongues, when the last moment of the seven years passed.

A whirring sound was heard in the air, and twelve ravens approached, landing together. As they touched the earth, it was her twelve brothers, whom she had redeemed. They ripped the fire apart, put out the flames, and freed their sister, kissing and embracing her.

Now that she could open her mouth and speak, she told the king why she had remained silent and had never laughed.

The king rejoiced to hear that she was innocent, and they all lived happily together until they died. The wicked stepmother was brought before the court and placed in a barrel filled with boiling oil and poisonous snakes, and she died an evil death.

 Some men are born to good luck： all they do or try to do comes right—— all that falls to them is so much gain——all their geese are swans——all their cards are trumps——toss them which way you will， they will always， like poor puss， alight upon their legs， and only move on so much the faster. The world may very likely not always think of them as they think of themselves， but what care they for the world？ what can it know about the matter？

One of these lucky beings was neighbour Hans. Seven long years he had worked hard for his master. At last he said， 'Master， my time is up； I must go home and see my poor mother once more： so pray pay me my wages and let me go.' And the master said， 'You have been a faithful and good servant， Hans， so your pay shall be handsome.' Then he gave him a lump of silver as big as his head.

Hans took out his pocket-handkerchief， put the piece of silver into it， threw it over his shoulder， and jogged off on his road homewards. As he went lazily on， dragging one foot after another， a man came in sight， trotting gaily along on a capital horse. 'Ah！' said Hans aloud， 'what a fine thing it is to ride on horseback！ There he sits as easy and happy as if he was at home， in the chair by his fireside； he trips against no stones， saves shoe-leather， and gets on he hardly knows how.' Hans did not speak so softly but the horseman heard it all， and said， 'Well， friend， why do you go on foot then？' 'Ah！' said he， 'I have this load to carry： to be sure it is silver， but it is so heavy that I can't hold up my head， and you must know it hurts my shoulder sadly.' 'What do you say of making an exchange？' said the horseman. 'I will give you my horse， and you shall give me the silver； which will save you a great deal of trouble in carrying such a heavy load about with you.' 'With all my heart，' said Hans： 'but as you are so kind to me， I must tell you one thing——you will have a weary task to draw that silver about with you.' However， the horseman got off， took the silver， helped Hans up， gave him the bridle into one hand and the whip into the other， and said， 'When you want to go very fast， smack your lips loudly together， and cry "Jip！"'

Hans was delighted as he sat on the horse， drew himself up， squared his elbows， turned out his toes， cracked his whip， and rode merrily off， one minute whistling a merry tune， and another singing，

'No care and no sorrow， A fig for the morrow！ We'll laugh and be merry， Sing neigh down derry！'

After a time he thought he should like to go a little faster， so he smacked his lips and cried 'Jip！' Away went the horse full gallop； and before Hans knew what he was about， he was thrown off， and lay on his back by the road-side. His horse would have ran off， if a shepherd who was coming by， driving a cow， had not stopped it. Hans soon came to himself， and got upon his legs again， sadly vexed， and said to the shepherd， 'This riding is no joke， when a man has the luck to get upon a beast like this that stumbles and flings him off as if it would break his neck. However， I'm off now once for all： I like your cow now a great deal better than this smart beast that played me this trick， and has spoiled my best coat， you see， in this puddle； which， by the by， smells not very like a nosegay. One can walk along at one's leisure behind that cow——keep good company， and have milk， butter， and cheese， every day， into the bargain. What would I give to have such a prize！' 'Well，' said the shepherd， 'if you are so fond of her， I will change my cow for your horse； I like to do good to my neighbours， even though I lose by it myself.' 'Done！' said Hans， merrily. 'What a noble heart that good man has！' thought he. Then the shepherd jumped upon the horse， wished Hans and the cow good morning， and away he rode.

Hans brushed his coat， wiped his face and hands， rested a while， and then drove off his cow quietly， and thought his bargain a very lucky one. 'If I have only a piece of bread （and I certainly shall always be able to get that）， I can， whenever I like， eat my butter and cheese with it； and when I am thirsty I can milk my cow and drink the milk： and what can I wish for more？' When he came to an inn， he halted， ate up all his bread， and gave away his last penny for a glass of beer. When he had rested himself he set off again， driving his cow towards his mother's village. But the heat grew greater as soon as noon came on， till at last， as he found himself on a wide heath that would take him more than an hour to cross， he began to be so hot and parched that his tongue clave to the roof of his mouth. 'I can find a cure for this，' thought he； 'now I will milk my cow and quench my thirst'： so he tied her to the stump of a tree， and held his leathern cap to milk into； but not a drop was to be had. Who would have thought that this cow， which was to bring him milk and butter and cheese， was all that time utterly dry？ Hans had not thought of looking to that.  

While he was trying his luck in milking， and managing the matter very clumsily， the uneasy beast began to think him very troublesome； and at last gave him such a kick on the head as knocked him down； and there he lay a long while senseless. Luckily a butcher soon came by， driving a pig in a wheelbarrow. 'What is the matter with you， my man？' said the butcher， as he helped him up. Hans told him what had happened， how he was dry， and wanted to milk his cow， but found the cow was dry too. Then the butcher gave him a flask of ale， saying， 'There， drink and refresh yourself； your cow will give you no milk： don't you see she is an old beast， good for nothing but the slaughter-house？' 'Alas， alas！' said Hans， 'who would have thought it？ What a shame to take my horse， and give me only a dry cow！ If I kill her， what will she be good for？ I hate cow-beef； it is not tender enough for me. If it were a pig now ——like that fat gentleman you are driving along at his ease——one could do something with it； it would at any rate make sausages.' 'Well，' said the butcher， 'I don't like to say no， when one is asked to do a kind， neighbourly thing. To please you I will change， and give you my fine fat pig for the cow.' 'Heaven reward you for your kindness and self-denial！' said Hans， as he gave the butcher the cow； and taking the pig off the wheel-barrow， drove it away， holding it by the string that was tied to its leg.

So on he jogged， and all seemed now to go right with him： he had met with some misfortunes， to be sure； but he was now well repaid for all. How could it be otherwise with such a travelling companion as he had at last got？

the next man he met was a countryman carrying a fine white goose. The countryman stopped to ask what was o'clock； this led to further chat； and Hans told him all his luck， how he had so many good bargains， and how all the world went gay and smiling with him. The countryman than began to tell his tale， and said he was going to take the goose to a christening. 'Feel，' said he， 'how heavy it is， and yet it is only eight weeks old. Whoever roasts and eats it will find plenty of fat upon it， it has lived so well！' 'You're right，' said Hans， as he weighed it in his hand； 'but if you talk of fat， my pig is no trifle.' Meantime the countryman began to look grave， and shook his head. 'Hark ye！' said he， 'my worthy friend， you seem a good sort of fellow， so I can't help doing you a kind turn. Your pig may get you into a scrape. In the village I just came from， the squire has had a pig stolen out of his sty. I was dreadfully afraid when I saw you that you had got the squire's pig. If you have， and they catch you， it will be a bad job for you. The least they will do will be to throw you into the horse-pond. Can you swim？'

Poor Hans was sadly frightened. 'Good man，' cried he， 'pray get me out of this scrape. I know nothing of where the pig was either bred or born； but he may have been the squire's for aught I can tell： you know this country better than I do， take my pig and give me the goose.' 'I ought to have something into the bargain，' said the countryman； 'give a fat goose for a pig， indeed！ 'Tis not everyone would do so much for you as that. However， I will not be hard upon you， as you are in trouble.' Then he took the string in his hand， and drove off the pig by a side path； while Hans went on the way homewards free from care. 'After all，' thought he， 'that chap is pretty well taken in. I don't care whose pig it is， but wherever it came from it has been a very good friend to me. I have much the best of the bargain. First there will be a capital roast； then the fat will find me in goose-grease for six months； and then there are all the beautiful white feathers. I will put them into my pillow， and then I am sure I shall sleep soundly without rocking. How happy my mother will be！ Talk of a pig， indeed！ Give me a fine fat goose.'

As he came to the next village， he saw a scissor-grinder with his wheel， working and singing，

'O'er hill and o'er dale So happy I roam， Work light and live well， All the world is my home； Then who so blythe， so merry as I？'

Hans stood looking on for a while， and at last said， 'You must be well off， master grinder！ you seem so happy at your work.' 'Yes，' said the other， 'mine is a golden trade； a good grinder never puts his hand into his pocket without finding money in it——but where did you get that beautiful goose？' 'I did not buy it， I gave a pig for it.' 'And where did you get the pig？' 'I gave a cow for it.' 'And the cow？' 'I gave a horse for it.' 'And the horse？' 'I gave a lump of silver as big as my head for it.' 'And the silver？' 'Oh！ I worked hard for that seven long years.' 'You have thriven well in the world hitherto，' said the grinder， 'now if you could find money in your pocket whenever you put your hand in it， your fortune would be made.' 'Very true： but how is that to be managed？' 'How？ Why， you must turn grinder like myself，' said the other； 'you only want a grindstone； the rest will come of itself. Here is one that is but little the worse for wear： I would not ask more than the value of your goose for it——will you buy？' 'How can you ask？' said Hans； 'I should be the happiest man in the world， if I could have money whenever I put my hand in my pocket： what could I want more？ there's the goose.' 'Now，' said the grinder， as he gave him a common rough stone that lay by his side， 'this is a most capital stone； do but work it well enough， and you can make an old nail cut with it.'

Hans took the stone， and went his way with a light heart： his eyes sparkled for joy， and he said to himself， 'Surely I must have been born in a lucky hour； everything I could want or wish for comes of itself. People are so kind； they seem really to think I do them a favour in letting them make me rich， and giving me good bargains.'

Meantime he began to be tired， and hungry too， for he had given away his last penny in his joy at getting the cow.

At last he could go no farther， for the stone tired him sadly： and he dragged himself to the side of a river， that he might take a drink of water， and rest a while. So he laid the stone carefully by his side on the bank： but， as he stooped down to drink， he forgot it， pushed it a little， and down it rolled， plump into the stream.

For a while he watched it sinking in the deep clear water； then sprang up and danced for joy， and again fell upon his knees and thanked Heaven， with tears in his eyes， for its kindness in taking away his only plague， the ugly heavy stone.

'How happy am I！' cried he； 'nobody was ever so lucky as I.' then up he got with a light heart， free from all his troubles， and walked on till he reached his mother's house， and told her how very easy the road to good luck was.

Once there was a poor woman who had two children . The youngest one had to go into the forest every day to fetch wood . Once when he had gone a very long way to find wood， a child who was 非常 little but very strong came to him and helped him gather the wood and carried it up to his house， but then in the wink of an eye he disappeared . The child told his mother about this， but she did not believe him . Finally the child brought a rose and said that the beautiful child had given it to him and that when the rose was in full blossom he would come again. The mother placed the rose into water. One morning the child did not get up； the mother went to his bed and found him lying there dead. On that same morning the rose came into full blossom. 

This story was actually made up, young ones, but it really is true, for my grandfather, who told it to me, always said whenever he told it, "it must be true, my son, otherwise it couldn't be told." Anyway, this is how the story goes:

It was on a Sunday morning at harvest time, just when the buckwheat was in bloom. The sun was shining bright in the heaven, the morning wind was blowing warmly across the stubble, the larks were singing in the air, the bees were buzzing in the buckwheat, and the people in their Sunday best were on their way to church, and all the creatures were happy, including the hedgehog.

the hedgehog was standing before his door with his arms crossed, humming a little song to himself, neither better nor worse than hedgehogs usually sing on a nice Sunday morning. Singing there to himself, half silently, it suddenly occurred to him that while his wife was washing and drying the children, he could take a little walk into the field and see how his turnips were doing. The turnips were close by his house, and he and his family were accustomed to eating them, so he considered them his own.

No sooner said than done. the hedgehog closed the house door behind him and started down the path to the field. He hadn't gone very far away from his house at all, only as far as the blackthorn bush which stands at the front of the field, near the turnip patch, when he met up with the hare, who had gone out for a similar purpose, namely to examine his cabbage.

When the hedgehog saw the hare, he wished him a friendly good morning. The hare, however, who was in his own way a distinguished gentleman, and terribly arrogant about it, did not answer the hedgehog's greeting, but instead said to the hedgehog, in a terribly sarcastic manner, "How is it that you are running around in the field so early in the morning?"

　　"I'm taking a walk," said the hedgehog.

　　"Taking a walk?" laughed the hare. "I should think that you could better use your legs for other purposes."

This answer made the hedgehog terribly angry, for he could stand anything except remarks about his legs, for by nature they were crooked.

　　"Do you imagine," said the hedgehog to the hare, "that you can accomplish more with your legs?"

　　"I should think so," said the hare.

　　"That would depend on the situation," said the hedgehog. "I bet, if we were to run a race, I'd pass you up."

　　"That is a laugh! You with your crooked legs!" said the hare. "But for all I care, let it be, if you are so eager. What will we wager?"

　　"A gold louis d'or and a bottle of brandy," said the hedgehog.

　　"Accepted," said the hare. "Shake hands, and we can take right off."

　　"No, I'm not in such a hurry," said the hedgehog. "I'm very hungry. First I want to go home and eat a little breakfast. I'll be back here at this spot in a half hour."

the hare was agreeable with this, and the hedgehog left.

On his way home the hedgehog thought to himself, "The hare is relying on his long legs, but I'll still beat him. He may well be a distinguished gentleman, but he's still a fool, and he'll be the one to pay."

Arriving home, he said to his wife, "Wife, get dressed quickly. You've got to go out to the field with me."

　　"What's the matter?" said his wife.

　　"I bet a gold louis d'or and a bottle of brandy with the hare that I could beat him in a race, and you should be there too."

　　"My God, man," the hedgehog's wife began to cry, "are you mad? Have you entirely lost your mind? How can you agree to run a race with the hare?"

　　"Hold your mouth, woman," said the hedgehog. "This is my affair. Don't get mixed up in men's business. Hurry up now, get dressed, and come with me."

What was the hedgehog's wife to do? She had to obey, whether she wanted to or not.

As they walked toward the field together, the hedgehog said to his wife, "Now pay attention to what I tell you. You see, we are going to run the race down the long field. The hare will run in one furrow and I in another one. We'll begin running from up there. All you have to do is to stand here in the furrow, and when the hare approaches from the other side, just call out to him, 'I'm already here.'"

With that they arrived at the field, the hedgehog showed his wife her place, then he went to the top of the field. When he arrived the hare was already there.

　　"Can we start?" said the hare.

　　"Yes, indeed," said the hedgehog. "On your mark!" And each one took his place in his furrow.

the hare counted "One, two, three," and he tore down the field like a windstorm. But the hedgehog ran only about three steps and then ducked down in the furrow and remained there sitting quietly.

When the hare, in full run, arrived at the bottom of the field, the hedgehog's wife called out to him, "I'm already here!"

the hare, startled and bewildered, thought it was the hedgehog himself, for as everyone knows, a hedgehog's wife looks just like her husband.

the hare thought, "Something's not right here." He called out, "Let's run back again!" And he took off again like a windstorm, with his ears flying from his head. But the hedgehog's wife remained quietly in place.

When the hare arrived at the top, the hedgehog called out to him, "I'm already here!"

the hare, beside himself with excitement, shouted, "Let's run back again!"

　　"It's all right with me," answered the hedgehog. "For all I care, as often as you want."

So the hare ran seventy-three more times, and the hedgehog always kept up with him. Each time the hare arrived at the top or the bottom of the field, the hedgehog or his wife said, "I am already here!"

But the hare did not complete the seventy-fourth time. In the middle of the field, with blood flowing from his neck, he fell dead to the ground.

the hedgehog took the gold louis d'or and the bottle of brandy he had won, called his wife from her furrow, and happily they went back home.

And if they have not died, then they are still alive.

Thus it happened that the hedgehog ran the hare to death on the Buxtehude Heath, and since that time no hare has agreed to enter a race with a hedgehog.

the moral of this story is, first, that no one, however distinguished he thinks himself, should make fun of a lesser man, even if this man is a hedgehog. And second, when a man marries, it is recommended that he take a wife from his own class, one who looks just like him. In other words, a hedgehog should always take care that his wife is also a hedgehog, and so forth.