" The Bremen Town Musicians " & " Old Sultan " - The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

The Bremen Town Musicians

ONCE upon a time a man had an Ass which for many years carried sacks to the mill without tiring. At last, however, its strength was worn out ; it was no longer of any use for work. Accordingly its master began to ponder as to how best to cut down its keep ; but the Ass, seeing there was mischief in the air, ran away and started on the road to Bremen ; there he thought he could become a town-musician.

When he had been travelling a short time, he fell in with a hound, who was lying panting on the road as though he had run himself off his legs.

' Well, what are you panting so for, Growler ? ' said the Ass.

' Ah,' said the Hound, ' just because I am old, and every day I get weaker, and also because I can no longer keep up with the pack, my master wanted to kill me, so I took my departure. But now, how am I to earn my bread ? '

' Do you know what,' said the Ass. ' I am going to Bremen, and shall there become a town-musician ; come with me and take your part in the music. I shall play the lute, and you shall beat the kettle-drum.'

The Hound agreed, and they went on.

A short time after they came upon a Cat, sitting in the road, with a face as long as a wet week.

' Well, what has been crossing you, Whiskers ? ' asked the Ass.

' Who can be cheerful when he is out at elbows ? ' said the Cat. ' I am getting on in years, and my teeth are blunted and I prefer to sit by the stove and purr instead of hunting round after mice. Just because of this my mistress wanted to drown me. I made myself scarce, but now I don't know where to turn.'

' Come with us to Bremen,' said the Ass. ' You are a great hand at serenading, so you can become a town-musician.'

The Cat consented, and joined them.

Next the fugitives passed by a yard where a barn-door fowl was sitting on the door, crowing with all its might.

' You crow so loud you pierce one through and through,' said the Ass. ' What is the matter ? '

' Why! didn't I prophesy fine weather for Lady Day, when Our Lady washes the Christ Child's little garment and wants to dry it ? But, not withstanding this, because Sunday visitors are coming to-morrow, the mistress has no pity, and she has ordered the cook to make me into soup, so I shall have my neck wrung to-night. Now I am crowing with all my might while I have the chance.'

Old Sultan

A PEASANT once had a faithful dog called Sultan, who had grown old and lost all his teeth, and could no longer keep fast hold of his quarry. One day when the peasant was standing in front of his house with his wife, he said : ' To-morrow I intend to shoot old Sultan ; he is no longer any use.'

His wife, who pitied the faithful animal, answered : ' Since he has served us so long and honestly, we might at least keep him and feed him to the end of his days.'

' What nonsense,' said her husband ; ' you are a fool. He has not a tooth left in his head ; thieves are not a bit afraid of him now that they can get away from him. Even if he has served us well, he has been well fed in return.'

The poor dog, who lay near, stretched out in the sun, heard all they said, and was sad at the thought that the next day was to be his last. Now, he had a good friend who was a wolf, and in the evening he slunk off into the wood, and complained to him of the fate which awaited him.

' Listen, comrade,' said the Wolf, ' be of good cheer ; I will help you in your need, for I have thought of a plan. Tomorrow your master and mistress are going hay-making, and they will take their little child with them because there will be nobody left at home. During their work they usually lay it under the hedge in the shade ; you lie down as though to guard it. I will then come out of the wood and steal the child. You must rush quickly after me, as though you wanted to rescue the child. I will let it fall, and you will take it back to its parents again ; they will think that you have saved it, and will be far too thankful to do you any harm. On the contrary, you will come into high favour, and they will never let you want again.'

The plot pleased the dog, and it was carried out just as it was planned. The father cried out when he saw the Wolf run across the field with his child in its mouth ; but when old Sultan brought it back he was overjoyed, stroked him, and said : ' Not a hair of your coat shall be hurt ; you shall have plenty to eat as long as you live.' Then he said to his wife : ' Go home immediately and prepare some broth for old Sultan which he won't need to bite, and bring the pillow out of my bed. I will give it to him to lie upon.'

Henceforward old Sultan was as well off as he could wish. Soon afterwards the Wolf paid him a visit, and rejoiced that all had turned out so well. ' But, comrade,' he said, ' you must shut your eyes. Suppose some fine day I carry off one of your master's fat sheep ? Nowadays it is hard to get one's living.'