Grimms' Fairy Tales

Some men are born to good luck: all they do or try to do comes right-all that falls tothem is so much gain-all their geese are swans-all their cards are trumps-toss themwhich way you will, they will always, like poor puss, alight upon their legs, and only moveon so much the faster. The world may very likely not always think of them as they think ofthemselves, but what care they for the world? what can it know about the matter?One of these lucky beings was neighbour Hans. Seven long years he had worked hard forhis master. At last he said, 'Master, my time is up; I must go home and see my poor motheronce more: so pray pay me my wages and let me go.' And the master said, 'You have been afaithful and good servant, Hans, so your pay shall be handsome.' Then he gave him a lumpof silver as big as his head.Hans took out his pocket-handkerchief, put the piece of silver into it, threw it over hisshoulder, and jogged off on his road homewards. As he went lazily on, dragging one footafter another, a man came in sight, trotting gaily along on a capital horse. 'Ah ' said Hansaloud, 'what a fine thing it is to ride on horseback There he sits as easy and happy as if hewas at home, in the chair by his fireside; he trips against no stones, saves shoe-leather, andgets on he hardly knows how.' Hans did not speak so softly but the horseman heard it all, and said, 'Well, friend, why do you go on foot then?' 'Ah ' said he, 'I have this load to carry: to be sure it is silver, but it is so heavy that I can't hold up my head, and you must know ithurts my shoulder sadly.' 'What do you say of making an exchange?' said the horseman. 'Iwill give you my horse, and you shall give me the silver; which will save you a great deal oftrouble in carrying such a heavy load about with you.' 'With all my heart, ' said Hans: 'but asyou are so kind to me, I must tell you one thing-you will have a weary task to draw thatsilver about with you.' However, the horseman got off, took the silver, helped Hans up, gavehim the bridle into one hand and the whip into the other, and said, 'When you want to govery fast, smack your lips loudly together, and cry "Jip