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Read book online ยซHousehold Tales by Jacob Grimm (classic books for 12 year olds .txt) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Jacob Grimm



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when she was in bed he crept to her and said, โ€œI am tired, I want to sleep as well as thou, lift me up or I will tell thy father.โ€

Then she was terribly angry, and took him up and threw him with all her might against the wall. โ€œNow, thou wilt be quiet, odious frog,โ€ said she. But when he fell down he was no frog but a Kingโ€™s son with beautiful kind eyes. He by her fatherโ€™s will was now her dear companion and husband. Then he told her how he had been bewitched by a wicked witch, and how no one could have delivered him from the well but herself, and that tomorrow they would go together into his kingdom. Then they went to sleep, and next morning when the sun awoke them, a carriage came driving up with eight white horses, which had white ostrich feathers on their heads, and were harnessed with golden chains, and behind stood the young Kingโ€™s servant Faithful Henry. Faithful Henry had been so unhappy when his master was changed into a frog, that he had caused three iron bands to be laid round his heart, lest it should burst with grief and sadness. The carriage was to conduct the young King into his Kingdom.

Faithful Henry helped them both in, and placed himself behind again, and was full of joy because of this deliverance. And when they had driven a part of the way the Kingโ€™s son heard a cracking behind him as if something had broken. So he turned round and cried, โ€œHenry, the carriage is breaking.โ€

โ€œNo, master, it is not the carriage. It is a band from my heart, which was put there in my great pain when you were a frog and imprisoned in the well.โ€ Again and once again while they were on their way something cracked, and each time the Kingโ€™s son thought the carriage was breaking; but it was only the bands which were springing from the heart of faithful Henry because his master was set free and was happy.

Cat and Mouse in Partnership

A certain cat had made the acquaintance of a mouse, and had said so much to her about the great love and friendship she felt for her, that at length the mouse agreed that they should live and keep house together. โ€œBut we must make a provision for winter, or else we shall suffer from hunger,โ€ said the cat, โ€œand you, little mouse, cannot venture everywhere, or you will be caught in a trap some day.โ€ The good advice was followed, and a pot of fat was bought, but they did not know where to put it. At length, after much consideration, the cat said, โ€œI know no place where it will be better stored up than in the church, for no one dares take anything away from there. We will set it beneath the altar, and not touch it until we are really in need of it.โ€ So the pot was placed in safety, but it was not long before the cat had a great yearning for it, and said to the mouse, โ€œI want to tell you something, little mouse; my cousin has brought a little son into the world, and has asked me to be godmother; he is white with brown spots, and I am to hold him over the font at the christening. Let me go out today, and you look after the house by yourself.โ€

โ€œYes, yes,โ€ answered the mouse, โ€œby all means go, and if you get anything very good, think of me, I should like a drop of sweet red christening wine too.โ€ All this, however, was untrue; the cat had no cousin, and had not been asked to be godmother. She went straight to the church, stole to the pot of fat, began to lick at it, and licked the top of the fat off. Then she took a walk upon the roofs of the town, looked out for opportunities, and then stretched herself in the sun, and licked her lips whenever she thought of the pot of fat, and not until it was evening did she return home. โ€œWell, here you are again,โ€ said the mouse, โ€œno doubt you have had a merry day.โ€

โ€œAll went off well,โ€ answered the cat.

โ€œWhat name did they give the child?โ€

โ€œTop off!โ€ said the cat quite coolly.

โ€œTop off!โ€ cried the mouse, โ€œthat is a very odd and uncommon name, is it a usual one in your family?โ€

โ€œWhat does it signify,โ€ said the cat, โ€œit is no worse than Crumb-stealer, as your godchildren are called.โ€

Before long the cat was seized by another fit of longing. She said to the mouse, โ€œYou must do me a favour, and once more manage the house for a day alone. I am again asked to be godmother, and, as the child has a white ring round its neck, I cannot refuse.โ€ The good mouse consented, but the cat crept behind the town walls to the church, and devoured half the pot of fat. โ€œNothing ever seems so good as what one keeps to oneself,โ€ said she, and was quite satisfied with her dayโ€™s work.

When she went home the mouse inquired, โ€œAnd what was this child christened?โ€

โ€œHalf-done,โ€ answered the cat.

โ€œHalf-done! What are you saying? I never heard the name in my life, Iโ€™ll wager anything it is not in the calendar!โ€

The catโ€™s mouth soon began to water for some more licking. โ€œAll good things go in threes,โ€ said she, โ€œI am asked to stand godmother again. The child is quite black, only it has white paws, but with that exception, it has not a single white hair on its whole body; this only happens once every few years, you will let me go, wonโ€™t you?โ€

โ€œTop-off! Half-done!โ€ answered the mouse, โ€œthey are such odd names, they make me very thoughtful.โ€

โ€œYou sit at home,โ€ said the cat, โ€œin your dark-grey fur coat and long tail, and are filled with fancies, thatโ€™s because

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