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The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother |
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There was once a rich old man who had two sons, and as his wife
was dead, the elder lived with him, and helped him to look after
his property. For a long time all went well; the young man got up
very early in the morning, and worked hard all day, and at the
end of every week his father counted up the money they had made,
and rubbed his hands with delight, as he saw how big the pile of
gold in the strong iron chest was becoming. 'It will soon be full
now, and I shall have to buy a larger one,' he said to himself,
and so busy was he with the thought of his money, that he did not
notice how bright his son's face had grown, nor how he sometimes
started when he was spoken to, as if his mind was far away.
One day, however, the old man went to the city on business, which
he had not done for three years at least. It was market day, and
he met with many people he knew, and it was getting quite late
when he turned into the inn yard, and bade an ostler saddle his
horse, and bring it round directly. While he was waiting in the
hall, the landlady came up for a gossip, and after a few remarks
about the weather and the vineyards she asked him how he liked
his new daughter-in-law, and whether he had been surprised at the
marriage.
The old man stared as he listened to her. 'Daughter-in-law?
Marriage?' said he. 'I don't know what you are talking about!
I've got no daughter-in-law, and nobody has been married lately,
that I ever heard of.'
Now this was exactly what the landlady, who was very curious,
wanted to find out; but she put on a look of great alarm, and
exclaimed:
'Oh, dear! I hope I have not made mischief. I had no idea--or, of
course, I would not have spoken--but'--and here she stopped and
fumbled with her apron, as if she was greatly embarrassed.
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Fairytales 
