Hans Married

Once upon a time there was a young farmer named Hans. His uncle wanted to find him a rich wife. So he sat Hans behind the stove and made it very hot. Then he fetched a pot of milk and plenty of white bread, gave Hans a bright, newly-minted coin, and said, "Hans, hold this coin tight, crumble the white bread into the milk, and stay right here. Don't move from this spot until I come back." "Yes," said Hans, "I'll do all that."

The uncle put on an old pair of patched trousers and went to a rich farmer's daughter in the next village. He said, "Won't you marry my nephew Hans? You'll get an honest and sensible man who will suit you." The greedy father asked, "How about his wealth?

Does he have bread to break?" "Dear friend," replied the uncle, "my nephew has a snug spot, a nice bit of money in hand, and plenty of bread. Besides, he has as many patches as I have." As he spoke, he slapped the patches on his trousers.

In that district, small pieces of land were also called patches. "If you will come home with me, you'll see at once that everything is as I've said." The miser didn't want to miss this good opportunity and said, "If that's the case, I have nothing against the marriage."

So the wedding was celebrated. When the young wife went outside to see the bridegroom's property, Hans took off his Sunday coat and put on his patched smock. He said, "I might spoil my good coat." Together they walked. Whenever a boundary line came in sight, or fields and meadows were divided, Hans pointed with his finger and slapped a patch on his smock. He said, "That patch is mine, and that too, my dear. Just look at it." He meant that his wife should not stare at the wide land, but look at his patched garment, which was his own.

"Were you at the wedding?" "Yes, indeed I was there, and in full dress. My headdress was of snow. Then the sun came out, and it melted. My coat was of cobwebs, and I had to pass by some thorns that tore it off me. My shoes were of glass, and I pushed against a stone. They said, 'Klink!' and broke in two."