«Dear children,» said a poor man to his four sons, «I have nothing togive you; you must go out into the wide world and try your luck.Begin by learning some craft or another, and see how you can get on.’So the four brothers took their walking-sticks in their hands, andtheir little bundles on their shoulders, and after bidding theirfather goodbye, went all out at the gate together. When they had goton some way they came to four crossways, each leading to a differentcountry. Then the eldest said, «Here we must part; but this day fouryears we will come back to this spot, and in the meantime each musttry what he can do for himself.»
So each brother went his way; and as the eldest was hastening on a manmet him, and asked him where he was going, and what he wanted. «I amgoing to try my luck in the world, and should like to begin by learningsome art or trade,» answered he. «Then,» said the man, «go with me, andI will teach you to become the cunningest thief that ever was.» «No,’said the other, «that is not an honest calling, and what can one lookto earn by it in the end but the gallows?» «Oh!» said the man, «you neednot fear the gallows; for I will only teach you to steal what will befair game: I meddle with nothing but what no one else can get or careanything about, and where no one can find you out.» So the young managreed to follow his trade, and he soon showed himself so clever, thatnothing could escape him that he had once set his mind upon.
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