Pagina 195 van 626

When people are too well off they always begin to long for

something new. And so it came to pass, that the bird, while out

one day, met a fellow bird, to whom he boastfully expatiated on

the excellence of his household arrangements. But the other bird

sneered at him for being a poor simpleton, who did all the hard

work, while the other two stayed at home and had a good time of

it. For, when the mouse had made the fire and fetched in the

water, she could retire into her little room and rest until it

was time to set the table. The sausage had only to watch the pot

to see that the food was properly cooked, and when it was near

dinner-time, he just threw himself into the broth, or rolled in

and out among the vegetables three or four times, and there they

were, buttered, and salted, and ready to be served.