An exchange of presents being a
necessary preliminary to closer intercourse, the father told the son
to take the smallest of coins, one farthing, and to buy a sheet of
paper of the cheapest sort. The boy, by bargaining, got two sheets of
paper for the farthing. The father put away one sheet, cut the other
sheet in halves, and on one half drew a picture of a pig's head. This
he put into a large covered basket, as if it were the thing which it
represented--the usual gift sent in token of great respect. The son
took the basket, and after a long journey reached the abode of the
most frugal man in the world.
The master of the house was absent, but his son received the traveler,
learned his errand, and accepted the offering. Having taken from
the basket the picture of the pig's head, he said courteously to his
visitor: "I am sorry that we have nothing in the house that is worthy
to take the place of the pig's head in your basket. I will, however,
signify our friendly reception of it by putting in four oranges for
you to take home with you."
Thereupon the young man, without having any oranges at hand, made the
motions necessary for putting the fruit into the basket. The son of
the most frugal man in the kingdom then took the basket and went to
his father to tell of thrift surpassing his own.
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