Clever Hans
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Hans who went to visit his friend Gretel. When his mother asked him where he was going, he told her he was going to Gretel's house. She reminded him to behave well and he promised that he would. When he arrived at Gretel's house, she greeted him and asked him what he had brought. Hans admitted that he hadn't brought anything and asked if she could give him something instead. Gretel gave Hans a needle as a gift, and Hans said goodbye to her before taking the needle and following a hay-cart home. When he arrived, his mother asked him where he had been and what he had given Gretel. Hans replied that he had taken nothing but had been given a needle by Gretel. His mother scolded him for sticking the needle in the hay-cart, suggesting that he should have put it in his sleeve instead. Hans apologized and promised to do better next time.
Hans goes to visit Gretel and when she asks what he brings, he tells her he wants something given to him. Gretel presents him with a knife as a gift. Hans takes the knife and sticks it in his sleeve before heading home. When he arrives home, his mother asks him where he has been and what he brought for Gretel. Hans says that he took nothing but was given a knife by Gretel. His mother scolds him for not being careful with the knife, suggesting that he should have put it in his pocket instead. Hans apologizes and promises to do better next time.
Hans tells his mother that he is going to visit Gretel, and she advises him to behave well. When he arrives at Gretel's house, she asks him what good thing he has brought with him. Hans replies that he has not brought anything and instead wants something given to him. Gretel presents him with a young goat as a gift, and Hans takes it, ties its legs, and puts it in his pocket. Unfortunately, the goat suffocates on the way home. When he arrives home, his mother asks him where he has been and what he brought back. Hans tells her that he took nothing but was given a goat by Gretel. His mother scolds him for not being careful with the goat, suggesting that he should have put a rope around its neck instead. Hans promises to do better next time.
Hans tells his mother he's going to visit Gretel, and she tells him to behave well. Hans agrees and bids his mother farewell before heading to Gretel's. When he arrives, Gretel asks what he's brought, and he responds that he wants something given to him. Gretel gives him a piece of bacon, and Hans ties it to a rope and drags it behind him. Unfortunately, dogs come and devour the bacon, leaving Hans with an empty rope. When he returns home, his mother asks him where he's been and what he's brought for Gretel. Hans tells her he brought nothing and that Gretel gave him a piece of bacon, but the dogs ate it. His mother scolds him for not carrying the bacon on his head, but Hans promises to do better next time.
Where are you headed, Hans? To Gretel, mother. I will behave well. Goodbye, mother. Goodbye, Hans. Hans arrives at Gretel's place and greets her. Good day, Gretel. Good day, Hans. What do you bring that is good? I have brought nothing but I hope to receive something. Gretel gives Hans a young cow. Farewell, Gretel. Goodbye, Hans. Hans puts the calf on his head, but it kicks him in the face. When he gets home, his mother asks him where he has been and what he has brought for Gretel. Hans says he took nothing, but Gretel gave him a calf. His mother asks where the calf is and he tells her it kicked him in the face. His mother scolds him, saying he should have led the calf and put it in the barn. Hans promises to do better next time.
"Where are you going, Hans?" asked his mother. "To see Gretel," replied Hans. "Remember to behave well," his mother reminded him. "I will," promised Hans before bidding his mother farewell. Upon reaching Gretel, he greeted her warmly and asked if she had anything to give him. "I have nothing to give, but I can come with you," said Gretel.
Hans then led her to the rack and bound her with a rope, leaving her there while he went back to his mother. "Good evening, mother. I've been with Gretel," said Hans. "Did you bring her anything?" asked his mother. "No, she came with me," replied Hans. "Where did you leave her?" his mother inquired. "I tied her up at the rack and left some grass for her," answered Hans. "You should have shown her kindness instead," scolded his mother. "I'll do better next time," promised Hans.
Hans entered the stable and removed the eyes of the calves and sheep. He threw them at Gretel's face, which made her furious. As a result, she broke free from the rope and ran away. After this incident, Hans and Gretel were no longer engaged.
