Oldal 35 [35]
HANS IN LUCK. | 1s
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 him¬
self 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