Hans and the Light Journey

After seven years of faithful work, Hans received a great lump of silver. He wrapped it in a cloth and set off to visit his mother, who lived beyond the hills.

The silver soon made his shoulder ache. A rider offered his horse in exchange. Hans imagined an easy journey, agreed to the bargain, and climbed carefully into the broad leather saddle.

The horse moved faster than Hans expected. He stopped near a shepherd and decided walking would suit him better. He traded the horse for a calm cow and continued slowly onwards.

At noon Hans hoped the cow would give him milk. The cow was old and gave none. A traveller explained this gently, then offered a little pig in exchange for her.

Hans led the pig along the lane. Another traveller worried that it resembled a missing village pig. To avoid confusion, Hans exchanged it for a white goose that waddled beside him.

In the next village, a tool grinder sang while he worked. Hans liked the song and the useful trade. The grinder offered an old sharpening stone in exchange for the goose.

Hans carried the stone, dreaming of a new skill. Before long, its weight tired his arms. He sat beside a stream and set the heavy stone safely down to rest.

As he reached for water, the stone rolled from the bank and sank. Hans looked after it, then noticed how light his hands felt. He could walk freely once again.

The last hill no longer seemed so steep. Hans hurried along without a bundle, horse, cow, pig, goose or stone. His mother's cottage was waiting among the apple trees below.

His mother welcomed him with a warm embrace. Hans told her every strange bargain. He had lost his silver, but the journey ended with something he had wanted most: coming home.