GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES - online book

130 Fairy Stories Adapted & Arranged for young people

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THE WOLF AND THE FOX.                469
441 must see if anyone is coming," replied the cunning animal, "and I advise vou not to eat too much."
The wolf replied, " I am not going away from here till the tub is empty."
At this moment in came the farmer, who had heard the fox jumping about in the cellar. The fox no sooner saw him than with a spring he was through the hole. The wolf made an attempt to follow him; but he had eaten so much, and was so fat that he stuck fast. The farmer on seeing this fetched a cudgel and killed him on the spot. The fox ran home to his den full of joy that he was at last set free from the old glutton's company.
A man who had three sons was very anxious respecting their future career after his own death. He had nothing to leave them but the house in which they lived, and was rather puzzled which to make his heir. He thought, it is true, that he could sell the house, and divide the money between them; but at last he determined to call them together, and talk over the matter. So he said to them, " I think you had better each go out into the world, and learn some trade, and on your return whoever shall bring the greatest masterpiece shall have the house."
The young men were very much pleased with this proposal. The eldest chose the trade of blacksmith; the second of a barber, and the third; determined to become a fencing master. So they appointed a time to meet together again at the house, and set out on their journey.
Fortunately they all fell in with first-rate masters, who taught them the higher branches of their trade. The eldest son was at last appointed to shoe the king's horses, and thought to himself, "After this, I am sure to get the house."
The second son, who was a barber, had first-rate appointments at the houses of noblemen, and thought of the house as already his.
The fencing-master had received many hard knocks, but he clenched his teeth, and did not complain; for he thought to