The Vintage Audiobooks Podcast
With episodes from the Sleep Time Edition, you can fall asleep listening to classic stories told in a calm, gentle style that will help you relax from your long, hard day and drift into dreamland.
The Vintage Audiobooks Podcast
Grimm 1 - Cinderella +
Sleep Time brings you classic stories, fairy tales, mythology and other favorites told in a calm, gentle style that helps you relax after your long, hard day and drift into dreamland.
Bob Neufeld is your host and storyteller.
In this episode, fall asleep with five beloved fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm.
0:10 - Intro
2:11 - Cinderella
18:13 - The Traveling Musicians
26:37 - The Golden Goose
36: 28 - Hans In Luck
51:05 - Old Sultan
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Good evening and welcome to Sleep Time, where you can fall asleep listening to classic stories, fairy tales, myths and other favorites told in a calm, gentle manner that will help you relax after your long, hard day and drift into dreamland. I'm Bob Neffeld Tonight. Five fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm Cinderella, the traveling musicians, a golden goose, hans and Luck and Old Salzen. Before we begin, a couple of notes. You probably noticed that this is a brand new podcast, so I am doubly grateful to you for giving us a try. If you like this episode, you can help others with similar interests find us by liking, subscribing, sharing and commenting. It would be an enormous help at this stage for us and very much appreciated If you would like to support with some pocket money, either once or once in a while. You'll find a link to Buy Me a Coffee in the notes below. And finally, please do not listen to this while you are driving or operating machinery. And now it's sleep time. So find your favorite safe place to sleep, get comfortable, relax your whole body, head to toe, take a few long, slow, deep breaths and fall asleep to the Brothers Grimm.
Speaker 1:The wife of a rich man fell sick and when she felt that her end in Junei she called her only daughter to her bedside and said Always be a good girl and I will look down from heaven and watch over you. Soon afterwards she shot her eyes and died. She was buried in the garden and the little girl went every day to her grave and wiped. She was always good and kind to everyone. The snow fell and spread a beautiful white covering over the grave. By the time the spring came and the sun had melted it away again, her father had married another wife. This new wife had two daughters of her own that she brought home with her. They were fair in face but foul at heart, and it was now a sorry time for the poor little girl. What is that good for nothing? What? In our parlor they said there you would eat bread should first earn it away with the kitchen maid. They took away her fine clothes and gave her an old grave rock to put on. I laughed at her and turned her into the kitchen. There she was forced to do hard work, to rise early and before daylight to bring the water, to make the fire, to cook and to wash. Beside that, the sisters plagued her in all sorts of ways and laughed at her In the evening when she was tired. She had no bed to lie down on. She had to lie by the hearth among the ashes, and as this of course made her always dusty and dirty, they called her Cinderella.
Speaker 1:One day the father was going to the fair and asked his wife's daughters what he should bring them. Fine clothes, said the first. Pearls and diamonds, cried the second, now child. He said to his own daughter what will you have? The first twig, dear father, that brushes against your hat when you turn your face to come homewards, she said. He bought for the first two the fine clothes and pearls and diamonds they had asked for. On his way home, as he rode through a green copse, a hazel twig brushed against him and almost pushed off his hat. He broke it off and brought it away, and when he got home he gave it to his daughter. She took it, went to her mother's grave and planted it there. She cried so much that it was watered with her tears, and there it grew and became a fine tree. Three times every day she went to it and cried. Soon a little bird came and built its nest in the tree. It talked with her and watched over her.
Speaker 1:The king of that land announced a great feast which was to last three days. Out of those who came to it, his son was to choose a bride for himself. Cinderella's two sisters were asked to come. So they called her up and said Now comb our hair, brush our shoes and tie our sashes for us. We are going to dance at the king's feast. She did as she was told, but when all was done, she could not help crying, for she would have so liked to have gone with them to the ball At last. She begged her stepmother very hard to let her go. You, cinderella, she said, you, who have nothing to wear, no clothes at all, and who cannot even dance, you want to go to the ball? When Cinderella kept on begging, she said, at last, to get rid of her, I will throw this dishful of peas into the ash heap. If in two hours' time you have picked them all out, you shall go to the feast too.
Speaker 1:She threw the peas down among the ashes, but the little maiden ran out the back door into the garden and cried out Heather, heather, through the sky, turtle, dobs and linens fly, blackbird, thrush and chaff inch gay, heather, heather, haste away, one at all. Come help me quick, haste, ye, haste, ye. Pick, pick, pick. First came two white dobs flying into the kitchen window. Next came two turtle dobs, and after them came all the little birds under heaven, chirping and fluttering in. They flew down into the ashes. The little dobs stooped their heads down and set to work, pick, pick, pick. And then the others began to pick, pick, pick, and among them all they soon picked out all the peas. They put them into a dish, but left the ashes Long before the end of the two hours. The work was quite done and all flew out again at the windows.
Speaker 1:Cinderella brought the dish to her stepmother, overjoyed at the thought that now she would go to the bar. On. Her stepmother said no, no, no, you have no clothes and cannot dance. You shall not go. When Cinderella begged very hard to go, she said oh, if you can, in one hour's time, pick two of those dishes of peas out of the ashes, you shall go too. And thus she thought she should at least get rid of her. So she shook two dishes of peas into the ashes.
Speaker 1:But the little maiden went out into the garden at the back of the house and cried out as before Hither thither through the sky, turtle dobs and linus fly, blackbird, thrush and chaff inch gay, hither, hither, haste away. One and all. Come help me quick, haste, haste, pick, pick, pick. First came two white dobs in at the kitchen window and next came two turtle dobs. After them came all the little birds under heaven, chirping and hopping about. They flew down into the ashes and the little dobs put their heads down and set to work pick, pick, pick. And then the others began pick, pick, pick, and they put all the peas into the dishes and left all the ashes. Before half an hour's time all was done and out. They flew again Hither, took the dishes to her stepmother, rejoicing to think that she would now go to the ball.
Speaker 1:But her stepmother said it is all of no use, you cannot go, you have no clothes and you cannot dance and you would only put us to shame Off. She went with her two daughters to the ball. When all were gone, cinderella went sorrowfully, sat down under the hazel tree and cried out shake, shake, hazel tree, gold and silver over me. Her friend the bird flew out of the tree and brought a gold and silver dress for her and slippers of spangled silk. She put them on and followed her sisters to the feast. She looked so fine and beautiful in her rich clothes, they did not recognize her and thought she must be some foreign princess. They never once thought of Cinderella, taking it for granted that she was at home in the dirt.
Speaker 1:The king's son soon came up to her, took her by the hand and danced with her, and no one else. He never left her side. When anyone else came to ask her to dance, he said this lady is dancing with me. They danced till a late hour of the night. Then she wanted to go home. The king's son said I shall go and escort you to your home. He wanted to see where the beautiful maiden lived. But she slipped away from him and ran off towards home. As the prince followed her, she jumped into the pigeon house and shut the door. He waited till her father came home and told him that the unknown maiden who had been at the feast had hid herself in the pigeon house. But when they broke open the door they found no one within.
Speaker 1:And as they came back into the house, cinderella was lying, as she always did, in her dirty frock by the ashes. Her dim little lamp was burning in the chimney. She had run as quickly as she could, through the pigeon house and onto the hazel tree and had there taken off her beautiful clothes and put them beneath the tree and the bird might carry them away. She had lain down again amid the ashes in her little gray frock.
Speaker 1:The next day, when the feast was again held and her father, mother and sisters were gone, cinderella went to the hazel tree and said Shake, shake, hazel tree, golden silver over me. The bird came and brought a finer dress than the one she had worn the day before. When she came in it to the ball, everyone was in awe of her beauty. The king's son, who was waiting for her, took her by the hand and danced with her. When anyone else asked her to dance, he said as before, this lady is dancing with me.
Speaker 1:When night came, she wanted to go home. The king's son followed her here, as before, that he might see into what house she went. But she sprang away from him all at once into the garden behind her father's house. In this garden stood a fine, large pear tree full of ripe fruit and Cinderella, not knowing where else to hide herself, jumped up into it without being seen. The king's son lost sight of her and could not see where she had gone. He waited till her father came home and said to him the unknown lady who danced with me has slipped away. I think she must have sprung into the pear tree. The father thought to himself Can it be Cinderella? He had an axe brought and they cut down the tree. They found no one in it.
Speaker 1:When they came back into the kitchen, there lay Cinderella among the ashes. She had slipped down on the other side of the tree, carried her beautiful clothes back to the bird at the hazel tree and put on her little gray frock. The third day, when her father and mother and sisters were gone, she went again into the garden and said Shake, shake, hazel tree, gold and silver over me. Her kind friend the bird brought a dress still finer than the former ones and slippers which were all of gold, so that when she came to the feast no one knew what to say. For wonder at her beauty. The king's son danced with nobody but her. When anyone else asked her to dance, she said this lady is my partner, sir. When night came she wanted to go home. The king's son wanted to go with her and said to himself I will not lose her this time. But she again slipped away from him, though in such a hurry that she dropped her left golden slipper upon the stairs.
Speaker 1:The prince took the shoe and went the next day to the king, his father, and said I will take from my wife, the lady this golden slipper fits Both. The sisters were overjoyed to hear it, for they had beautiful feet and had no doubt that they could wear the golden slipper On. The prince arrived at their house, the eldest went first into the room where the slipper was to try it on. Her mother stood by, but her big toe could not go into it. The shoe was altogether much too small for her. The mother gave her a knife and said Never mind, cut it off. When you are a queen, you will not care about toes. You will not want to walk. So the silly girl cut off her big toe, thus squeezed on the shoe and went to the king's son. He took her for his bride, set her beside him on his horse and rode away with her homewards. But on their way home they had to pass by the hazel tree that Cinderella had planted, and on the branch sat a little dove singing.
Speaker 1:Back again, back again. Look to the shoe. The shoe is too small and not made for you, prince. Prince, look again for thy bride, for she is not the true one that sits by thy side. The prince cut down and looked at her foot. He saw by the blood that streamed from it what a trick she had played on him. He turned his horse around and he brought the false bride back to her home and said this is not the right bride. Let the other sister try and put on the slipper. She went into the room and got her foot into the shoe, all but the heel, which was too large. But her mother squeezed it in until blood came and took her to the king's son. He set her as his bride by his side on his horse and rode away with her. But when they came to the hazel tree, the little dove sat there still and sang Back again, back again. Look to the shoe. The shoe is too small and not made for you, prince. Prince, look again for thy bride, for she is not the true one that sits by thy side. He looked down and saw that blood streamed so much from the shoe that her white stockings were quite red. He turned his horse and brought her also back again.
Speaker 1:This is not the true bride, he said to the father have you no other daughters? No, he said, While there is only a little dirty Cinderella here, a child of my first wife, I am sure she cannot be the bride. The prince told him to send her. The stepmother said no, no, she is much too dirty. She will not bear to show herself. However, the prince would have her come. She first washed her face and hands and then went in and curtsy to him. He handed her the golden slipper. She took her clumsy shoe off her left foot and put on the golden slipper. It fit her as if it had been made for her. When he drew near and looked at her face, he recognized her and said this is the right bride. The stepmother and both the sisters were shocked and turned pale with anger as he took Cinderella on his horse and rode away with her. When they came to the hazel tree, the white dove sang Home, home, look at this shoe, princess. The shoe was made for you, prince, prince, take home thy bride, for she is the true one that sits by thy side. When the dove had finished its song, it came flying. It perched upon her right shoulder and went home with her.
Speaker 1:The Traveling Musicians. An honest farmer had a donkey that had been a faithful servant to him a great many years but now was 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 donkey, who saw that submissive was in the wind, took himself slightly off and began his journey towards Bremen. For there, he thought I made to a musician. He had traveled a little way when he spied a dog lying by the roadside, panting as if he were tired. What makes you pants? So, my friend, said the donkey. 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 end my livelihood? Harkey, said the donkey, I am going to Bremen to turn to a musician. Suppose you go with me and try what you can do in the same way. The dog was willing and they jogged on together.
Speaker 1: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 donkey. What's the matter with you, you look quite out of spirits. Oh me, said the cat, how could one be in good spirits when one's life is in danger? Because I am beginning to grow old and I'd rather light my ease by the fire than run about the house. After the mast, 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 donkey, by all means, go with us to Bremen. You are a good night-singer. You'll make a fortune as a musician. The cat was pleased with the thought and joined the party.
Speaker 1:Soon afterwards, as they were passing by a farmyard, they saw a rooster breached upon a gate, screaming out with all his might and pain Bravo, said the donkey, upon my word, do you make a famous noise? Pray, what is all this about, I said the rooster. 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 donkey. Come with us, master Shanta Clear, and we'll 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 might get up some kind of a concert. So come along with us.
Speaker 1:And the old four went on jala-lay 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 donkey and the dog laid themselves down under a great tree. The cat climbed up into the branches, the rooster, thinking that the higher he sat, the safer he would 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. Wow. In doing this, he saw a far-off, something bright and shining, and, calling to his companions, said they must be a house. No great way off, I see a light. If that be the case, said the donkey, we had better change our quarters. 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 who? They walked off together towards the spot where Chanticleer had seen the light. As they drew near, it became larger and brighter, till their last came close to a house in which a gang of robbers lived.
Speaker 1:The donkey, 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 donkey. 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 rooster. Yes, said the donkey, if we could only get in.
Speaker 1:They consulted together how they should contrive to get the robbers out and at last they hit upon a plan. The donkey placed himself upright on his hind legs, with his four feet resting against the window. The dog got upon his back, the cat scrambled up to the dog's shoulders and the rooster flew up and sat upon the cat's head. When all was ready, a signal was given and they began their music. The donkey braided, the dog barked, the cat mewed and the rooster screamed. Then they all broke through the window and came tumbling into the room amongst the broken glass with the most hideous clutter. The robbers, who had been not a little frightened by the opening concert, had now no doubt that some frightful hub-gubbing had broken in upon them. They scampered away as fast as they could. The coast now clear.
Speaker 1: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 war mashes, and the rooster perched upon a beam on the top of the house. 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.
Speaker 1: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 grubbed about till he found a match in order to light a candle. And then, seeing 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 then the dog jumped up and bit him in the leg and as he was crossing over the yard, the donkey kicked him. The rooster, 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 himself 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. The musicians were so pleased with their quarters that they took up their abode there, and they are there, I daresay, to this very day, the Golden Goose.
Speaker 1:There was a man who had three sons, the youngest of whom was called Dumbling. He was despised, mocked and sneered at at every occasion. It happened that the eldest wanted to go into the forest to hew wood and before he went, his mother gave him a beautiful sweet cake and a bottle of wine in order that he might not suffer from hunger or thirst. When he entered the forest, he met a little gray-haired old man who bat him good day and said Do give me a piece of cake out of your pocket and let me have a draft of your wine. I am so hungry and thirsty. But the clever son answered If I give you my cake and wine, I shall have none for myself. Be off with you. And he left the little man standing and went on. But when he began to hew down a tree, it was not long before he made a false stroke. The axe cut him in the arm so that he had to go home and have it bound up. This was the little gray man's doing.
Speaker 1:After this, the second son went into the forest and his mother gave him, like the eldest, a cake and a bottle of wine. The little old gray man met him likewise and asked him for a piece of cake and a drink of wine. But the second son too said, sensibly enough. What I give you will be taken away for myself. Be off. And he left the little man standing and went on.
Speaker 1:His punishment, however, was not delayed. When he had made a few blows at the tree, he struck himself in the leg so that he had to be carried home. Then Dumling said Father, do let me go and cut wood. The father answered your brothers have hurt themselves with it. Leave it alone. You do not understand anything about it. But Dumling begged so long that at last he said oh, just go, then you will get wiser by hurting yourself. His mother gave him a cake made of water and baked in the cinders and with it a bottle of sour beer.
Speaker 1:When he got to the forest, the little old gray man met him likewise and, greeting him, said Give me a piece of your cake and a drink out of your bottle. I am so hungry and thirsty. Dumling answered I only have cinder cake and sour beer. If that pleases you, we will sit down and eat. So they sat down and when Dumling pulled out his cinder cake, it was a fine sweet-cake and the sour beer had become good wine. So they ate and drank, and after that the little man said Since you have a good heart and are willing to divide what you have, I will give you good luck. There stands an old tree. Cut it down and you will find something at the roots. Then the little man took leave of him. Dumling went and cut down the tree and when it fell there was a goose sitting in the roots with feathers of pure gold. He leaped in her op and, taking her with him, went to an inn, or he thought he would stay the night.
Speaker 1:Now the host had three daughters who saw the goose and were curious to know what such a wonderful bird might be and would have liked to have one of its golden feathers. The eldest thought I shall soon find an opportunity of pulling out a feather, and as soon as Dumling had gone out she seized the goose by the wing, but her finger and hand remained sticking fast to it. The second came soon afterwards, thinking of only how she might get a feather for herself, but she had scarcely touched her sister. Then she was held fast At last. The third came with the like intent, and the others screamed out Keep away, for goodness sake, keep away. But she did not understand why she was to keep away. The others were there. She thought I may as well be there too and round to them, but as soon as she had touched her sister, she remained sticking fast to her. So they had to spend the night with the goose.
Speaker 1:The next morning, dumling took the goose under his arm and set out, without troubling himself about the three girls who were hanging on to it. They were obliged to run after him continually, now left, now right, wherever his legs took him. In the middle of the fields, the parson met him, and when he saw the procession he said For shame you, good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? Is that? Seemly At the same time, he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her, he likewise stuck fast and was himself obliged to run behind. Before long, the sexton came by and saw his master, the parson, running behind three girls. He was astonished at this and called out ìAh, your reverence wither away so quickly. Do not forget that we have a christening todayî. And running after him, he took him by the sleeve but was also held fast to it. While the five were trotting thus, one behind the other, two laborers came with their hose from the fields. The parson called out to them and begged that they would set him in the sexton free, but they had scarcely touched the sexton when they were held fast and now there were seven of them running behind dumbling and the goose Soon.
Speaker 1:Afterwards he came to a city, or a king ruled, who had a daughter who was so serious that no one could make her laugh, although he had put forth a decree that goose, whoever should be able to make her laugh, should marry her. When dumbling heard this, he went with his goose and all her chain before the kingís daughter, and as soon as she saw the seven people running on and on on behind the other, she began to laugh quite loudly as if she would never stop. Thereupon dumbling asked to have her for his wife, but the king did not like this on an aw and made all manner of excuses and said he must first produce a man who could drink a cellar full of wine. Dumbling thought of the little grey man who could certainly help him. So he went into the forest and in the same place where he had felled the tree he saw a man sitting who had a very sorrowful face. Dumbling asked him what he was taking to heart so sorely. And he answered ìI have such a great thirst and cannot quench it. Cold water I cannot stand. A barrel of wine I have just emptied, but that to me is like a drop on a hot stone. There I can help youî, said Dumbling. Ìjust come with me and you shall be satisfiedî. He led him to the kingís cellar and the man bent over the huge barrels and drank and drank till his loins hurt, and before the day was out he had emptied all the barrels.
Speaker 1:Then Dumbling asked once more for his bride, but the king was vexed that such an ugly fellow, whom everyone called Dumbling, should take away his daughter, and he made a new condition he must first find a man who could eat a whole mountain of bread. Dumbling did not think long but went straight into the forest where, in the same place, sat a man who was tying up his body with a strap and making an awful face and saying ìI have eaten a whole oven full of rolls, but what good is that when one has such a hunger as Iî, my stomach remains empty and I must tie myself up if I must die of hunger. At this, dumbling was glad and said ìGet up and come with me, you shall eat yourself fullî. He led him to the kingís cellar. He was in the kingís palace where all the flour in the whole kingdom was collected, and from it he caused a huge mountain of bread to be baked. The man from the forest stood before it began to eat, and by the end of one day the whole mountain had vanished. Then Dumbling for the third time asked for his bride, but the king again sought a way out and ordered a ship which could sail on land and on water. As soon as you come sailing back in it, he said ìYou shall have my daughter for wifeî. Dumbling went straight into the forest and there sat the little grey man to whom he had given his cake. When he heard what Dumbling wanted, he said ìSince you have given me to eat and to drink, I will give you the ship, and I do all this because you were once kind to meî. He gave him the ship which could sail on land and on water, and when the king saw that he could no longer prevent him from having his daughter, the wedding was celebrated, and after the kingís death, dumbling inherited his kingdom and lived for a long time contentedly with his wife, hans.
Speaker 1:In Luck, 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 a poor cat, 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 the care they for the world? What can it know about the matter?
Speaker 1:One of these lucky beings was Neyber Hans. Seven long years he had worked hard for his master. At last, he said ìMaster, my time is up. I must go home and see my poor mother once more. So, pray, pay me my wages and let me goî. The master said ìYou have been a faithful and good servant, hans, though your pay shall be handsomeî. He gave him a lump of silver as big as his head.
Speaker 1:Hans took out his pocket-handkerchief, put a piece of silver into it, threw it over his shoulder and jogged off on his road homeward. As he went lazily on, dragging one foot after another, a man came in sight, trotting gaily along a capital horse. Ìahî, said Hans aloud. Ìwhat 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 ìWell, friend, why do you go on foot thenî? Ìohî? He said ìI have this load, Sikari. To be sure it is silver, but it is so heavy that I canít hold up my head and you must know it hurts my shoulder, sadly. Ìwhat do you say of making an exchangeî, said the horseman. Ìi 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. Ìwith all my heartî, said Hans. Ìbut 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 youî.
Speaker 1: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 ìWhen you want to go very fast, smack your lips loudly together and cry ìchipî. Hans was delighted as he sat on his horse, threw himself up, sweared his elbows turned out his toes, cracked his whip and rode merely off one minute whistling a merry tune and another singing. After a time he thought he would like to go a little faster. So he smacked his lips and cried ìchipî. 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 roadside. His horse would have run off if a shepherd who was coming by driving a cow had not stopped it.
Speaker 1:Hans soon came to and got upon his legs again, sadly vexed, and said to the shepherd ìThis 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 am off now once and 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 nose-gay, one can walk along at oneís 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? Ìwellî, said the shepherd, ìif 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 ìDoneî, said Hans merrily. But a noble heart, that good man, asked, thought he. Then the shepherd jumped upon the horse, wished Hans and the cow good morning, and away he rode.
Speaker 1:Hans brushed his coat, wiped his face and hands, rested awhile and then drove off his cow quietly and thought his bargain a very lucky one. Ìif I only have 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. What can I wish for moreî. 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.
Speaker 1:But the heat grew greater as soon as noon came on, till, at last, as he found himself on a wide eath that would take him more than an hour to cross. He began to be so hot and perched that his tongue claved to the roof of his mouth. Ìi can find a cure for thisî. He thought ìNow I will milk my cow and quench my thirstî. So he tied her to the stump of a tree and held his leather cap to milk into it. But not a drop was to be had.
Speaker 1: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 at 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 "'Err, 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 slaughterhouse'.
Speaker 1: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 beef. It is not tender enough for me. Now, if it were a pig, like that fat gentleman you are driving along at his ease, one could do something with that. 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, neighborly thing. It pleases you, I will change. Give you my fine fat pig for the cow. Heaven rewards you for your kindness and self-denial', said Hans as he gave the butcher the cow and, taking the pig off the wheelbarrow, drove it away, holding it by the string that was tied to its leg.
Speaker 1:So on, he jogged, and all seemed now to go right with him. He had met with some misworgens, to be sure, but he was now well repaid for all. How could it be otherwise with such a traveling companion as he had, at last, god'. The next man he met was a countryman carrying a fine white goose. The countryman stopped to ask what was o'clock, just let her further chat, and Hans told him all his luck, how he had so many good bargains and how all the world went gay in smiling with him.
Speaker 1:The countryman then began to tell his tale and said he was going to take the goose to a christening. "'feel' he said 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 waited in his hand. But if you talk of fat, my pig is no triple'.
Speaker 1:Meanwhile the countryman began to look grave and shook his head. "'listen' he said. 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. When the village I just came from, the squire, has had a pig stolen out of his stye, 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' he cried. 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 all. I can tell you know this country better than I do. Take my pig and give me the goose'.
Speaker 1:"'i ought to have something into the bargain', said the countryman. Give a fat goose for a pig. Indeed, it is not everyone would do so much for you as that'. However, I will not be hard upon you as you are in trouble'. 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, he thought 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. Next 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 about pig. Indeed, give me a fine fat goose'.
Speaker 1:As he came to the next village, he saw a scissor grinder with his wheel, working and singing. 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 do 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 driven well in the world hither too', said the grinder.
Speaker 1:"'now, if you could find money in your pocket whenever you put your hand in it, your fortune will 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 a little 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 would 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? Here'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 Too, 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 sparkle 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 ready to think I do them a favour in letting them make me rich and giving me good bargains'.
Speaker 1:Meantime he began to be tired and hungry too, for he had given away his last penny and 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 awhile. 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, he cried. Nobody was ever so lucky as I. He got up with a light heart, free from all his troubles, and walked on till he reached his mother's house. They told her how very easy the road to good luck was.
Speaker 1:Old Sultan, a shepherd, had a faithful dog called Sultan, who was grown very old and had lost all his teeth. One day, when the shepherd and his wife were standing together before the house, the shepherd said I will shoot old Sultan tomorrow morning. He is of no use now. When his wife said Pray, let the poor faithful creature live. He has served us well a great many years. We ought to give him a livelihood for the rest of his days. But what can we do with him, said the shepherd. He has not a tooth in his head. The thieves are not afraid of him. To be sure, he has served us, but then he did it to earn his livelihood. Tomorrow shall be his last day. It all depends on it.
Speaker 1:Poor Sultan, who was lying close to them, heard all that the shepherd and his wife said to one another and was very much frightened to think tomorrow would be his last day. So in the evening he went to his good friend, the wolf, who lived in the wood, and told him all his sorrows and how his master meant to kill him in the morning. Take yourself easy, said the wolf, I'll give you some good advice. Your master, you know, goes out every morning very early with his wife into the field. They take their little child with them and lay it down behind the hedge in the shade while they are at work. Now you lie down close by the child and pretend to be watching it. I will come out of the wood and run away with it. You must run after me as fast as you can. I will let it drop and you carry it back, and they will think you have saved their child and will be so thankful to you that they will take care of you as long as you live. And I'll like this plan very well, and accordingly so it was managed.
Speaker 1:The wolf ran with the child a little while. The shepherd and his wife screamed out, but Sultan soon overtook him and carried the poor little thing back to his master and mistress. The shepherd patted him on the head and said O sultan has saved our child from the wolf. Therefore he shall live and be well taken care of and have plenty to eat. O wife, go home and give him a good dinner and let him have my cushion to sleep on as long as he lives.
Speaker 1:So from this time forward, sultan had all that he could wish for. Soon afterwards the wolf came and wished him joy and said Now, my good fellow, you must tell no tales, but turn your head the other way when I want to taste one of the shepherd's fine fat sheep. No, said the sultan, I will be true to my master. However, the wolf thought he was in joke and came one night to get a dainty morsel. But Sultan had told his master what the wolf meant to do. So he laid wait for him behind the barn door, and when the wolf was busy looking out for a good fat sheep, he had a stout congel laid about his back that combed his locks for him. Finally, the wolf was very angry and called Sultan an old rogue and swore he would have his revenge. So the next morning the wolf sent a boar to challenge Sultan to come into the wood to fight the matter.
Speaker 1:Now Sultan had nobody he could ask to be his second, but the shepherd's old three-legged cat.
Speaker 1:So he took her with him and as the poor thing limped, along with some trouble, she stuck up her tail straight in the air.
Speaker 1:The wolf and the wild boar were first on the ground.
Speaker 1:When they spied their enemies coming and saw the cat's long tail standing straight in the air, they thought she was carrying a sword for Sultan to fight with, and every time she limped they thought she was picking up a stone to throw at them.
Speaker 1:So they said they should not like this way of fighting, and the boar lay down behind a bush and the wolf jumped up into a tree. Sultan and the cat soon came up and looked about and wondered that no one was there. The boar, however, had not quite hidden himself, for his ears stuck out of the bush and when he shook one of them a little, the cat, seeing something move and thinking it was a mouse, sprang upon it and bit and scratched it. So the boar jumped up and grunted and ran away, roaring out. Look up in the tree, there sits the one who is to blame. So they looked up and saw the wolf sitting amongst the branches and they called him a cowardly rascal and would not suffer him to come down till he was heartily ashamed of himself and had promised to be good friends again with old Sultan.
