Hans in Luck

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Hans. He had worked hard for seven years for his master and decided it was time to go home. "Master," he said, "I have finished my work here. Can you pay me my wages? I want to go back to my mother."

His master, pleased with Hans' good work, replied, "You have been a good worker, Hans. You deserve a great reward." He gave Hans a big lump of gold.

Hans wrapped the gold in a cloth, put it over his shoulder, and started his journey home. As he walked, he saw a rider on a fine horse and thought, "Riding looks so easy and comfortable. No tripping over rocks, no tired feet!"

The rider heard Hans and stopped. "Why don't you ride instead of walking?" he asked.

Hans sighed, "I would love to, but I have this heavy gold to carry. It's valuable, but it's making my journey very hard."

"Why not trade?" the rider offered. "I'll take your gold, and you can have my horse."

Hans was happy and agreed right away. He gave his gold for the horse but soon found riding harder than he thought. Before long, the horse threw him off into a ditch. Luckily, a farmer passing by caught the horse and came to Hans.

Hans, feeling sore, said, "I've had enough of riding. Walking with a cow sounds better; at least it's safer, and you get milk, butter, and cheese."

The farmer saw a chance and offered his cow in exchange for the horse. Hans happily accepted, thinking of all the dairy products he would enjoy.

With the cow, Hans continued home. At an inn, he ate all his bread and drank a glass of beer. Refreshed but now without money, he kept walking. Soon, he was very thirsty under the hot sun.

Hans tried to milk his cow, but she was dry. Frustrated, he got kicked by the cow. Just then, a butcher came by with a young pig in a cart.

The butcher gave Hans a drink and suggested trading the cow for the pig, saying the cow was old and better for plowing. Hans agreed, happy for easier care and the thought of tasty pork.

As Hans walked with his new pig, he met a boy with a goose. They talked, and Hans bragged about his trades. The boy warned Hans that the pig might be stolen and advised him to trade it for the goose to avoid trouble. Hans, worried, quickly agreed.

Now with a goose, Hans felt lucky, thinking of all the delicious meals and a comfy pillow he could make from its feathers. His last trade happened when he met a knife-grinder who convinced him that grinding knives would make him rich. Eager for wealth, Hans traded his goose for a grindstone.

But carrying the heavy stone soon tired him out. Exhausted and hungry, Hans stopped by a stream to rest and drink. By accident, he knocked the grindstone into the water. Relieved of his burden, Hans thanked his lucky stars. Feeling lighter than ever, he continued home, sure he was the luckiest man alive to be free from his heavy load.

Reaching home, Hans was just happy to be back. He learned that sometimes the best riches are those that don't weigh you down.