Classic story

Hans in Luck

A German tale
5 chapters
about 14 min

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Hans has worked faithfully for seven years and finally asks his master for his wages, receiving a large piece of silver. While heading home, he trades the heavy silver for a horse with a cheerful horseman who wants to lighten his load. The ride does not last long, as Hans is thrown from the horse and decides to trade it for a cow with a shepherd. He soon finds the cow difficult to manage and exchanges it for a pig from a passing butcher. His good luck seems to continue until a countryman warns him that the pig might be stolen property, prompting Hans to swap it for a goose out of fear. Next, he trades the goose to a scissor-grinder for what is claimed to be a magical grindstone that produces money. Unfortunately, Hans accidentally drops this heavy stone into a river while stopping for a drink. Unbothered by the loss, he feels relieved and continues on his way with a light heart. He arrives safely at his mother's house, believing he has found the easiest path to good luck.

How it begins

HANS IN LUCK Some men are born to good luck: all they do or try to do comes right--all that falls to them is so much gain--all their geese are swans--all their cards are trumps--toss them which way you will, they will always, like poor puss, alight upon their legs, and only move on so much the faster. The world may very likely not always think of them as they think of themselves, but what care they for the world? what can it know about the matter? One of these lucky beings was neighbour Hans. Seven long years he had worked hard for his master. At last he said, 'Master, my time is up; I must go home and see…

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Hans in Luck

How it begins

Every story, fully told

A voice for every character

The mood of every line

Pictures of every place

Read along

Your AI voice, for any character

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