The Jew in the Thorns
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Once upon a time there was a rich man who had a servant who served him diligently and honestly. Every morning he was the first one out of bed, and at night the last one to go to bed. Whenever there was a difficult job that nobody wanted to do, he was always the first to volunteer. He never complained at any of this, but was contented with everything and always happy.
When his year was over, his master gave him no wages, thinking, “That is the smartest thing to do, for it will save me something. He won’t leave me, but will gladly stay here working for me.”
The servant said nothing, but did his work the second year as he had done before, and when at the end of this year he again received no wages, he still stayed on without complaining. When the third year had passed, the master thought it over, then put his hand into his pocket, but pulled out nothing.
However, this time the servant said, “Master, I have served you honestly for three years. Be so good as to give me what by rights I have coming to me. I would like to be on my way and see something else of the world.”
”Yes, my good servant,” answered the old miser, “you have served me without complaint, and you shall be kindly rewarded.”
With this he put his hand into his pocket, then counted out three hellers one at a time, saying, “There, you have a heller for each year. That is a large and generous reward. Only a few masters would pay you this much.”
The good servant, who understood little about money, put his wealth into his pocket, and thought, “Ah, now that I have a full purse, why should I worry and continue to plague myself with hard work?”
So he set forth, uphill and down, singing and jumping for joy.
Now it came to pass that as he was passing by a thicket a little dwarf stepped out, and called to him, “Where are you headed, Brother Merry? You don’t seem to be burdened down with cares.”
”Why should I be sad?” answered the servant. “I have everything I need. Three years’ wages are jingling in my pocket.
”How much is your treasure?” the dwarf asked him.
”How much? Three hellers in real money, precisely counted.”
”Listen,” said the dwarf, “I am a poor and needy man. Give me your three hellers. I can no longer work, but you are young and can easily earn your bread.”
Now because the servant had a good heart and felt pity for the dwarf, he gave him his three hellers, saying, “In God’s name, I won’t miss them.”
Then the dwarf said, “Because I see that you have a good heart I will grant you three wishes, one for each heller. They shall all be fulfilled.”
”Aha,” said the servant. “You are a miracle worker. Well, then, if it is to be so, first of all I wish for a blowpipe that will hit everything I aim at; second, for a fiddle, that when I play it, anyone who hears it will have to dance; and third, that whenever I ask a favor of anyone, it will be granted.”