The Peasant and the Devil
There was once upon a time a far-sighted,
crafty peasant whose tricks were much talked about. The best story, however, is how he
once got hold of the devil, and made a fool of him. The peasant had one day been working
in his field, and as twilight had set in, was making ready for the journey home, when he
saw a heap of burning coals in the middle of his field, and when, full of astonishment, he
went up to it, a little black devil was sitting on the live coals. Are you sitting upon a
treasure, said the peasant. Yes, in truth, replied the devil, on a treasure which contains
more gold and silver than you have ever seen in your life. The treasure lies in my field
and belongs to me, said the peasant. It is yours, answered the devil, if you will for two
years give me one half of everything your field produces. Money I have enough, but I have
a desire for the fruits of the earth. The peasant agreed to the bargain. In order,
however, that no dispute may arise about the division, said he, everything that is above
ground shall belong to you, and what is under the earth to me. The devil was quite
satisfied with that, but the cunning peasant had sown turnips. Now when the time for
harvest came, the devil appeared and wanted to take away his crop. But he found nothing
but the yellow withered leaves, while the peasant, full of delight, was digging up his
turnips. You have had the best of it for once, said the devil, but the next time that
won't do. What grows above ground shall be yours, and what is under it, mine. I am
willing, replied the peasant. But when the time came to sow, he did not again sow turnips,
but wheat. The grain became ripe, and the peasant went into the field and cut the full
stalks down to the ground. When the devil came, he found nothing but the stubble, and went
away in a fury down into a cleft in the rocks. That is the way to cheat the devil, said
the peasant, and went and fetched away the treasure.
--The End-- |
