Then I hurried after her, and in order to bring her back to
her duty, I threw at her as a well-meant admonition whatever came readily
to hand. I have shared joy and sorrow with her also, for whenever I hit
her I was full of joy, and she of sorrow, and if I missed her, then she
was joyful, and I sorry." The judges were not satisfied with this answer,
but gave him the reward he deserved.
171 The Willow-Wren
In former days every sound still had its meaning and application. When
the smith's hammer resounded, it cried, "Strike away! strike away." When
the carpenter's plane grated, it said, "Here goes! here goes." If the
mill wheel began to clack, it said, "Help, Lord God! help, Lord God!" And
if the miller was a cheat and happened to leave the mill, it spoke high
German, and first asked slowly, "Who is there? Who is there?" and then
answered quickly, "The miller! the miller!" and at last quite in a hurry,
"He steals bravely! he steals bravely! three pecks in a bushel."
At this time the birds also had their own language which every one
understood; now it only sounds like chirping, screeching, and whistling,
and to some like music without words.
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