Household Stories by the Brothers Grimm | Page 7

pocket and tied
up the lump of gold in it, hoisted it on his shoulder, and set off on his
way home. And as he was trudging along, there came in sight a man
riding on a spirited horse, and looking very gay and lively. "Oh!" cried
Hans aloud, "how splendid riding must be! sitting as much at one's ease
as in an arm-chair, stumbling over no stones, saving one's shoes, and
getting on one hardly knows how!"

The horseman heard Hans say this, and called out to him,
"Well Hans, what are you doing on foot?"
"I can't help myself," said Hans, "I have this great lump to carry; to be
sure, it is gold, but then I can't hold my head straight for it, and it hurts
my shoulder."
"I'll tell you what," said the horseman, "we will change; I will give you
my horse, and you shall give me your lump of gold."
"With all my heart," said Hans; "but I warn you, you will find it
heavy." And the horseman got down, took the gold, and, helping Hans
up, he gave the reins into his hand.
"When you want to go fast," said he, "you must click your tongue and
cry 'Gee-up!'"
And Hans, as he sat upon his horse, was glad at heart, and rode off with
merry cheer. After a while he thought he should like to go quicker, so
he began to click with his tongue and to cry "Gee-up!" And the horse
began to trot, and Hans was thrown before he knew what was going to
happen, and there he lay in the ditch by the side of the road. The horse
would have got away but that he was caught by a peasant who was
passing that way and driving a cow before him. And Hans pulled
himself together and got upon his feet, feeling very vexed. "Poor work,
riding," said he, "especially on a jade like this, who starts off and
throws you before you know where you are, going near to break your
neck; never shall I try that game again; now, your cow is something
worth having, one can jog on comfortably after her and have her milk,
butter, and cheese every day, into the bargain. What would I not give to
have such a cow!"
"Well now," said the peasant, "since it will be doing you such a favour,
I don't mind exchanging my cow for your horse."
Hans agreed most joyfully, and the peasant, swinging himself into the
saddle, was soon out of sight.

And Hans went along driving his cow quietly before him, and thinking
all the while of the fine bargain he had made.
"With only a piece of bread I shall have everything I can possibly want,
for I shall always be able to have butter and cheese to it, and if I am
thirsty I have nothing to do but to milk my cow; and what more is there
for heart to wish!"
And when he came to an inn he made a halt, and in the joy of his heart
ate up all the food he had brought with him, dinner and supper and all,
and bought half a glass of beer with his last two farthings. Then on he
went again driving his cow, until he should come to the village where
his mother lived. It was now near the middle of the day, and the sun
grew hotter and hotter, and Hans found himself on a heath which it
would be an hour's journey to cross. And he began to feel very hot, and
so thirsty that his tongue clove to the roof of his mouth.
"Never mind," said Hans; "I can find a remedy. I will milk my cow at
once." And tying her to a dry tree, and taking off his leather cap to
serve for a pail, he began to milk, but not a drop came. And as he set to
work rather awkwardly, the impatient beast gave him such a kick on the
head with his hind foot that he fell to the ground, and for some time
could not think where he was; when luckily there came by a butcher
who was wheeling along a young pig in a wheelbarrow.
"Here's a fine piece of work!" cried he, helping poor Hans on his legs
again. Then Hans related to him all that had happened; and the butcher
handed him his pocket-flask, saying,
"Here, take a drink, and be a man again; of course the cow would give
no milk; she is old and only fit to draw burdens, or to be slaughtered."
"Well, to be sure," said Hans, scratching his head. "Who would have
thought it? of course it is a very handy way of getting