The Louse and the Flea

by The Brothers Grimm

　　A louse and a flea kept house together and were brewing beer in anegg-shell. Then the little louse fell in and burnt herself. On thisthe little flea began to scream loudly. Then said the little room-door,"Little flea, why art thou screaming?" "Because the louse has burntherself."

　　Then the little door began to creak. On this a little broom in the cornersaid, "Why art thou creaking, little door?" "Have I not reason to creak?"

　　"The little louse has burnt herself,

　　The little flea is weeping."

　　So the little broom began to sweep frantically. Then a little cart passedby and said, "Why art thou sweeping, little broom?" "Have I not reasonto sweep?"

　　"The little louse has burnt herself,

　　The little flea is weeping,

　　The little door is creaking."

　　So the little cart said, "Then I will run," and began to run wildly. Thensaid the ash-heap by which it ran, "Why art thou running so, littlecart?" "Have I not reason to run?"

　　"The little louse has burnt herself,

　　The little flea is weeping,

　　The little door is creaking,

　　The little broom is sweeping."

　　The ash-heap said, "Then I will burn furiously," and began to burn inclear flames. A little tree stood near the ash-heap and said, "Ash-heap,why art thou burning?" "Have I not reason to burn?"

　　"The little louse has burnt herself,

　　The little flea is weeping,

　　The little door is creaking,

　　The little broom is sweeping,

　　The little cart is running."

　　The little tree said, "Then I will shake myself," and began to shakeherself so that all her leaves fell off; a girl who came up with herwater-pitcher saw that, and said, "Little tree, why art thou shakingthyself?" "Have I not reason to shake myself?"

　　"The little louse has burnt herself,

　　The little flea is weeping,

　　The little door is creaking,

　　The little broom is sweeping,

　　The little cart is running,

　　The little ash-heap is burning."

　　On this the girl said, "Then I will break my little water-pitcher,"and she broke her little water-pitcher. Then said the little spring fromwhich ran the water, "Girl, why art thou breaking thy water-jug?" "HaveI not reason to break my water-jug?"

　　"The little louse has burnt herself,

　　The little flea is weeping,

　　The little door is creaking,

　　The little broom is sweeping,

　　The little cart is running,

　　The little ash-heap is burning,

　　The little tree is shaking itself."

　　"Oh, ho!" said the spring, "then I will begin to flow," and began toflow violently. And in the water everything was drowned, the girl,the little tree, the little ash-heap, the little cart, the broom, thelittle door, the little flea, the little louse, all together.