A farmer had a faithful and diligent servant, who had worked hard forhim three years, without having been paid any wages. At last it cameinto the man’s head that he would not go on thus without pay anylonger; so he went to his master, and said, «I have worked hard for youa long time, I will trust to you to give me what I deserve to have formy trouble.» The farmer was a sad miser, and knew that his man was verysimple-hearted; so he took out threepence, and gave him for everyyear’s service a penny. The poor fellow thought it was a great deal ofmoney to have, and said to himself, «Why should I work hard, and livehere on bad fare any longer? I can now travel into the wide world, andmake myself merry.» With that he put his money into his purse, and setout, roaming over hill and valley.
As he jogged along over the fields, singing and dancing, a littledwarf met him, and asked him what made him so merry. «Why, what shouldmake me down-hearted?» said he; «I am sound in health and rich inpurse, what should I care for? I have saved up my three years’earnings and have it all safe in my pocket.» «How much may it cometo?» said the little man. «Full threepence,» replied the countryman. «Iwish you would give them to me,» said the other; «I am very poor.’Then the man pitied him, and gave him all he had; and the little dwarfsaid in return, «As you have such a kind honest heart, I will grantyou three wishes—one for every penny; so choose whatever you like.’Then the countryman rejoiced at his good luck, and said, «I like manythings better than money: first, I will have a bow that will bring downeverything I shoot at; secondly, a fiddle that will set everyonedancing that hears me play upon it; and thirdly, I should like thateveryone should grant what I ask.» The dwarf said he should have histhree wishes; so he gave him the bow and fiddle, and went his way.
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