Bearskin

Once, there was a young man who enrolled as a soldier, fought with courage, and always stood at the front lines as gunshots flew. Everything was good while the battle was going on, but when peace was declared, he was fired, and the captain told him he was free to go wherever he pleased.

Both of his parents had died, and he had nowhere to live, thus he went to his brothers and asked to stay with them until there was another war.

The brothers, on the other hand, were cold-hearted and answered, "What can we do with you? We don't have any jobs for you. Make sure you go out and earn a living."

The soldier had nothing left but his pistol, so he stepped out into the world, holding it on his shoulder. He arrived at a huge heath with nothing but a circle of trees visible. He sat down beneath them, overwhelmed by despair, and contemplated his fate.

"I have nothing," he thought to himself "The only thing I have learned is fighting in a war, and now since they have made peace, they can no longer use me, so it seems to me that I shall die."

He then heard a rustling sound and turned around to see an unfamiliar stranger standing behind him. He was dressed respectably in his green jacket, yet he had a dreadful horse's foot.

The man said, "I know exactly what you're looking for, you will receive as much wealth and possessions as you can spend with all your might, but first I have to know if you are courageous to ensure that I won't give away my money for nothing"

"How can a soldier and fear exist together?" he replied, "You may put me to the test.

"Very well," the guy said, "take a look behind you."

When the soldier looked back, he saw a big roaring bear coming at him.

The soldier said, "I'll scratch your nose till you lose your urge for growling." He then took aim at the bear and shot it in the nose, the bear fell down dead on the ground.

"I see that you possess plenty of courage," the stranger noted, "but there is another requirement that you have to meet."

"If it doesn't risk my redemption," said the soldier, who was fully aware of who was before him. "Otherwise, I'll have nothing to do with it."

Greenjacket answered "You'll know about that for yourself, you can't wash yourself, brush your mustache and hair, trim your nails, or say the prayer of the Lord for the next seven years. I'll give you a jacket and a mantle to wear throughout this period. You will be mine if you die during these seven years. If you live, you will be free and wealthy for the rest of your life."

The soldier pondered his horrible situation, but because he saw death so many times, he took the risk and signed the deal.

Soon the devil handed the jacket to the soldier and said, "Whenever you put this jacket on and reach into its pocket, you will find some amount of money."

Then he skinned the bear and said, "This is your cloak as well as your bed; you are not permitted to lie in any other bed. Bearskin is the name that will be given to you because of your clothes. The devil left afterward.