" "Then you acted stupidly, Hans; you
should have looked at her with friendly eyes." "To behave better,
do nothing," thought Hans; and then he went into the stall, and made
sheep's eyes at Grethel.
And after that Grethel became Hans's wife.
* * * * *
PUSS IN BOOTS
Once upon a time there was a miller, who was so poor that at his death
he had nothing to leave to his three children but his mill, his ass,
and his cat. The eldest son took the mill, and the second the ass, so
there was nothing left for poor Jack but to take Puss.
Jack could not help thinking that he had been treated shabbily. "My
brothers will be able to earn an honest livelihood," he sighed, "but
as for me, though Puss may feed himself by catching mice, I shall
certainly die of hunger."
The cat, who had overheard his young master, jumped upon his shoulder,
and, rubbing himself gently against his cheek, began to speak. "Dear
master," said he, "do not grieve. I am not as useless as you think me,
and will undertake to make your fortune for you, if only you will buy
me a pair of boots, and give me that old bag."
Now, Jack had very little money to spare, but, knowing Puss to be a
faithful old friend, he made up his mind to trust him, and so spent
all he possessed upon a smart pair of boots made of buff-colored
leather.
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