_One had better hold on to what he has, than be forever seeking to
exchange it hoping to better his condition._
Hans had worked for seven long years and had not been paid a cent.
So one day he said to his master, “Give me all you owe me, for my
time is up, and I wish to see my mother.”
So his master paid him all in silver. It was a big bag, as large
as a cabbage, and very heavy for Hans to carry; but he tied up the
bag and slung it over his shoulder and then started off home. As he
trudged along a man came by riding a fine horse.
“What a fine horse,” said Hans. “It must be good sport to ride
instead of having to walk. I am quite sore in my feet, and my back
aches.” He then told the man he had silver in his bag, and proposed
to swap the silver for the horse. The man agreed, after seeing the
silver, and Hans rode off quite gaily on the horse. About a mile
down the road the horse began to rear and pitch and Hans fell off
into the briars. As he sat there rubbing his head, a cowherd came
along with a fine cow.
“Say, will you swap your cow for this horse?” called out Hans. “I
cannot ride him, and besides I should like some milk.”
The cowherd took the horse and gave Hans the cow. Hans was now
happy again and drove the cow along until milking time. Then he
stopped to milk her, but she was as dry as a dusty road.
“Oh, me!” said Hans. “What can I do with this cow?”
Just then a man came along with a pig in a wheelbarrow. “What is
that you said?” asked he of Hans. Hans told him he was tired of the
cow and offered to swap it for the pig.
“Good!” said the man. “You take the pig and I will rid you of the
cow.” So Hans took the pig, tied a rope to his leg and went on down
the road. But the pig was hard to drive and Hans had all he could
do to keep him in the road at all.
A peasant came along with a load of geese. Hans saw the big white
birds and his eyes glistened. “Here, take this pig and give me a
goose!” cried he. The man stopped and looked the pig over. Then he
handed Hans a goose and took the pig in the wagon.
By and by, Hans grew tired of the goose, it fluttered and made
so much noise, and beat him in the face with its wings so that
Hans was almost ready to let it go. But just then he met a man
sharpening a scythe with a whetstone.
“What a fine business--and so easy,” cried Hans. “My friend, take
my goose and give me your whetstone.” Again an exchange was made
and Hans took the whetstone and went towards home. It was somewhat
late and Hans was tired and thirsty. He stopped by the side of a
well to get some water. As he looked in, the whetstone slipped out
of his pocket and fell to the very bottom.
“Well, I am in luck, sure enough,” said Hans. “Now, I have nothing
to bother me.” And he went whistling down the road.