صفحة 29 من 626

Here is one that is but little the worse for wear: I would not

ask more than the value of your goose for it--will you buy?' 'How

can you ask?' said Hans; 'I should be the happiest man in the

world, if I could have money whenever I put my hand in my pocket:

what could I want more? there's the goose.' 'Now,' said the

grinder, as he gave him a common rough stone that lay by his

side, 'this is a most capital stone; do but work it well enough,

and you can make an old nail cut with it.'

Hans took the stone, and went his way with a light heart: his

eyes sparkled for joy, and he said to himself, 'Surely I must

have been born in a lucky hour; everything I could want or wish

for comes of itself. People are so kind; they seem really to

think I do them a favour in letting them make me rich, and giving

me good bargains.'

Meantime he began to be tired, and hungry too, for he had given

away his last penny in his joy at getting the cow.