" "There are asses enough here," said the father, "I would rather
have had a good goat." "Yes," replied the son, "but it is no common ass,
but a gold-ass, when I say 'Bricklebrit,' the good beast opens its mouth
and drops a whole sheetful of gold pieces. Just summon all our relations
hither, and I will make them rich folks." "That suits me well," said the
tailor, "for then I shall have no need to torment myself any longer with
the needle," and ran out himself and called the relations together. As
soon as they were assembled, the miller bade them make way, spread out
his cloth, and brought the ass into the room. "Now watch," said he,
and cried, "Bricklebrit," but no gold pieces fell, and it was clear that
the animal knew nothing of the art, for every ass does not attain such
perfection. Then the poor miller pulled a long face, saw that he was
betrayed, and begged pardon of the relatives, who went home as poor as
they came. There was no help for it, the old man had to betake him to
his needle once more, and the youth hired himself to a miller.
The third brother had apprenticed himself to a turner, and as that is
skilled labour, he was the longest in learning.
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