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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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likewise lay in the castle, which were guarded by evil spirits, and these treasures would then be freed, and would make a poor man rich enough. Already many men had gone into the castle, but as yet none had come out again. Then the youth went next morning to the King and said if he were allowed he would watch three nights in the haunted castle.

The King looked at him, and as the youth pleased him, he said, โ€œThou mayest ask for three things to take into the castle with thee, but they must be things without life.โ€

Then he answered, โ€œThen I ask for a fire, a turning lathe, and a cutting-board with the knife.โ€ The King had these things carried into the castle for him during the day. When night was drawing near, the youth went up and made himself a bright fire in one of the rooms, placed the cutting-board and knife beside it, and seated himself by the turning-lathe. โ€œAh, if I could but shudder!โ€ said he, โ€œbut I shall not learn it here either.โ€

Towards midnight he was about to poke his fire, and as he was blowing it, something cried suddenly from one corner, โ€œAu, miau! how cold we are!โ€

โ€œYou simpletons!โ€ cried he, โ€œwhat are you crying about? If you are cold, come and take a seat by the fire and warm yourselves.โ€ And when he had said that, two great black cats came with one tremendous leap and sat down on each side of him, and looked savagely at him with their fiery eyes.

After a short time, when they had warmed themselves, they said, โ€œComrade, shall we have a game at cards?โ€

โ€œWhy not?โ€ he replied, โ€œbut just show me your paws.โ€ Then they stretched out their claws. โ€œOh,โ€ said he, โ€œwhat long nails you have! Wait, I must first cut them for you.โ€ Thereupon he seized them by the throats, put them on the cutting-board and screwed their feet fast. โ€œI have looked at your fingers,โ€ said he, โ€œand my fancy for card-playing has gone,โ€ and he struck them dead and threw them out into the water. But when he had made away with these two, and was about to sit down again by his fire, out from every hole and corner came black cats and black dogs with red-hot chains, and more and more of them came until he could no longer stir, and they yelled horribly, and got on his fire, pulled it to pieces, and tried to put it out. He watched them for a while quietly, but at last when they were going too far, he seized his cutting-knife, and cried, โ€œAway with ye, vermin,โ€ and began to cut them down. Part of them ran away, the others he killed, and threw out into the fishpond. When he came back he fanned the embers of his fire again and warmed himself. And as he thus sat, his eyes would keep open no longer, and he felt a desire to sleep. Then he looked round and saw a great bed in the corner. โ€œThat is the very thing for me,โ€ said he, and got into it. When he was just going to shut his eyes, however, the bed began to move of its own accord, and went over the whole of the castle. โ€œThatโ€™s right,โ€ said he, โ€œbut go faster.โ€ Then the bed rolled on as if six horses were harnessed to it, up and down, over thresholds and steps, but suddenly hop, hop, it turned over upside down, and lay on him like a mountain. But he threw quilts and pillows up in the air, got out and said, โ€œNow anyone who likes, may drive,โ€ and lay down by his fire, and slept till it was day.

In the morning the King came, and when he saw him lying there on the ground, he thought the evil spirits had killed him and he was dead. Then said he, โ€œAfter all it is a pityโ โ€”he is a handsome man.โ€

The youth heard it, got up, and said, โ€œIt has not come to that yet.โ€ Then the King was astonished, but very glad, and asked how he had fared. โ€œVery well indeed,โ€ answered he; โ€œone night is past, the two others will get over likewise.โ€

Then he went to the innkeeper, who opened his eyes very wide, and said, โ€œI never expected to see thee alive again! Hast thou learnt how to shudder yet?โ€

โ€œNo,โ€ said he, โ€œit is all in vain. If someone would but tell me.โ€

The second night he again went up into the old castle, sat down by the fire, and once more began his old song, โ€œIf I could but shudder.โ€ When midnight came, an uproar and noise of tumbling about was heard; at first it was low, but it grew louder and louder. Then it was quiet for awhile, and at length with a loud scream, half a man came down the chimney and fell before him. โ€œHollo!โ€ cried he, โ€œanother half belongs to this. This is too little!โ€ Then the uproar began again, there was a roaring and howling, and the other half fell down likewise. โ€œWait,โ€ said he, โ€œI will just blow up the fire a little for thee.โ€ When he had done that and looked round again, the two pieces were joined together, and a frightful man was sitting in his place. โ€œThat is no part of our bargain,โ€ said the youth, โ€œthe bench is mine.โ€ The man wanted to push him away; the youth, however, would not allow that, but thrust him off with all his strength, and seated himself again in his own place. Then still more men fell down, one after the other; they brought nine dead menโ€™s legs and two skulls, and set them up and played at ninepins with them. The youth also wanted to play and said โ€œHark you, can I join you?โ€

โ€œYes, if thou hast any money.โ€

โ€œMoney enough,โ€ replied he, โ€œbut your balls are not quite round.โ€ Then

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