Pagina 55 van 626

The proposition pleased the two others, and they set out on their

way together. Soon, however, they came to a little brook, and as

there was no bridge or foot-plank, they did not know how they

were to get over it. The straw hit on a good idea, and said: 'I

will lay myself straight across, and then you can walk over on me

as on a bridge.' The straw therefore stretched itself from one

bank to the other, and the coal, who was of an impetuous

disposition, tripped quite boldly on to the newly-built bridge.

But when she had reached the middle, and heard the water rushing

beneath her, she was after all, afraid, and stood still, and

ventured no farther. The straw, however, began to burn, broke in

two pieces, and fell into the stream. The coal slipped after her,

hissed when she got into the water, and breathed her last. The

bean, who had prudently stayed behind on the shore, could not but

laugh at the event, was unable to stop, and laughed so heartily

that she burst.