Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie

by The Brothers Grimm

　　"Where is Mother Malcho, then?" "She is in the cow-house, milkingthe cow."

　　"Good-day, Mother Malcho." "Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie." "May I beallowed to have your daughter?" "Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe, BrotherHigh-and-Mighty, Sister Käsetraut, and fair Katrinelje are willing,you can have her." "Where is Brother High-and-Mighty, then?" "He is inthe room chopping some wood." "Good-day, Brother High-and-Mighty." "Manythanks, Pif-paf-poltrie." "May I be allowed to have your sister?" "Oh,yes, if Father Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Sister Käsetraut, and fairKatrinelje are willing, you can have her." "Where is Sister Käsetraut,then?" "She is in the garden cutting cabbages." "Good-day, sisterKäsetraut." "Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie." "May I be allowed to have yoursister?" "Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Brother High-and-Mighty, and fair Katrinelje are willing, you may have her." "Where is fairKatrinelje, then?" "She is in the room counting out her farthings." "Goodday, fair Katrinelje." "Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie." "Wilt thoube my bride?" "Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, BrotherHigh-and-Mighty, and Sister Käsetraut are willing, I am ready."

　　"Fair Katrinelje, how much dowry do hast thou?" "Fourteen farthingsin ready money, three and a half groschen owing to me, half a pound ofdried apples, a handful of fried bread, and a handful of spices.

　　And many other things are mine,

　　Have I not a dowry fine?

　　"Pif-paf-poltrie, what is thy trade? Art thou a tailor?" "Somethingbetter." "A shoemaker?" "Something better." "A husbandman?" "Somethingbetter." "A joiner?" "Something better." "A smith?" "Something better." "Amiller?" "Something better." "Perhaps a broom-maker?" "Yes, that's whatI am, is it not a fine trade?"