Hans Married

by The Brothers Grimm

　　

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There was once upon a time a young peasant named Hans, whose uncle wantedto find him a rich wife. He therefore seated Hans behind the stove, andhad it made very hot. Then he fetched a pot of milk and plenty of whitebread, gave him a bright newly-coined farthing in his hand, and said,"Hans, hold that farthing fast, crumble the white bread into the milk,and stay where you are, and do not stir from that spot till I comeback." "Yes," said Hans, "I will do all that." Then the wooer put on apair of old patched trousers, went to a rich peasant's daughter in thenext village, and said, "Won't you marry my nephew Hans—-you will get anhonest and sensible man who will suit you?" The covetous father asked,"How is it with regard to his means? Has he bread to break?" "Dearfriend," replied the wooer, "my young nephew has a snug berth, a nicebit of money in hand, and plenty of bread to break, besides he has quiteas many patches as I have," (and as he spoke, he slapped the patcheson his trousers, but in that district small pieces of land were calledpatches also.) "If you will give yourself the trouble to go home with me,you shall see at once that all is as I have said." Then the miser didnot want to lose this good opportunity, and said, "If that is the case,I have nothing further to say against the marriage."

　　So the wedding was celebrated on the appointed day, and when the youngwife went out of doors to see the bridegroom's property, Hans took offhis Sunday coat and put on his patched smock-frock and said, "I mightspoil my good coat." Then together they went out and wherever a boundaryline came in sight, or fields and meadows were divided from each other,Hans pointed with his finger and then slapped either a large or a smallpatch on his smock-frock, and said, "That patch is mine, and that too,my dearest, just look at it," meaning thereby that his wife should notstare at the broad land, but look at his garment, which was his own.

　　"Were you indeed at the wedding?" "Yes, indeed I was there, and infull dress. My head-dress was of snow; then the sun came out, and itwas melted. My coat was of cobwebs, and I had to pass by some thornswhich tore it off me, my shoes were of glass, and I pushed against astone and they said, "Klink," and broke in two.

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