At first they were surprised, then excessively delighted. With the
greatest speed they put on and smoothed down the pretty clothes,
singing:
"Now we're dressed so fine and neat,
Why cobble more for others' feet?"
Then they hopped and danced about, and leaped over chairs and tables
and out at the door. Henceforward, they came back no more, but the
shoemaker fared well as long as he lived, and had good luck in all his
undertakings.
* * * * *
HANS IN LUCK
Hans had served his master seven long years; so he said to him:
"Master, my time is out, and my wish is to return home to my mother:
give me, if you please, my reward."
The master answered: "Thou hast truly and faithfully served me; as the
service was, so shall the reward be." And he gave Hans a piece of gold
as big as his head.
Hans pulled out his handkerchief, wrapped up the lump of gold in it,
and, throwing it over his shoulder, made his way home. As he went
on his way, always putting one foot before the other, he met a man
galloping briskly along on a fine horse.
"Ah!" said Hans, quite aloud, "what a capital thing it is to ride!
There you sit as comfortably as in a chair, kicking against no stones,
saving your shoe-leather, and getting to your journey's end almost
without knowing it!"
The horseman, who heard this, pulled up and cried, "Hullo, Hans why do
you trudge on foot?"
"Because I must," answered he; "for I have this big lump to carry
home.
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