Classic story

The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Donkey, and the Cudgel in the Sack

A German tale
4 chapters
about 22 min

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An old tailor sends his three sons out into the world after a fibbing goat tricks him, a mistake he soon regrets. Each son travels into the world to learn a trade and earns a magical gift from his master. The eldest joiner receives a wishing-table that instantly creates any meal desired when spoken to. The second miller gets a gold-donkey that drops coins of pure gold upon command. The youngest turner is given a magic cudgel in a sack that protects its owner. All three brothers encounter the same deceitful innkeeper who steals their magical items while they sleep. The first two sons return home empty-handed and ashamed after their gifts fail to work. They discover the innkeeper had swapped their treasures for ordinary imitations. The third brother, however, suspects theft and waits for the thief to make his move. With the help of his magic cudgel, he gets the innkeeper to own up and give back the stolen treasures. With both the table and the ass restored, the youngest son brings them home. He demonstrates their powers to their rejoicing father and all the relatives. The family enjoys a feast and wealth beyond their wildest dreams. The tailor abandons his hard work to live in luxury with his children.

How it begins

The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack There was once upon a time a tailor who had three sons, and only one goat. But as the goat supported the whole of them with her milk, she was obliged to have good food, and to be taken every day to pasture. The sons, therefore, did this, in turn. Once the eldest took her to the churchyard, where the finest herbs were to be found, and let her eat and run about there. At night when it was time to go home he asked, "Goat, hast thou had enough?" The goat answered, "I have eaten so much, Not a leaf more I'll touch, meh! meh!" "Come home, then," said…

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The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Donkey, and the Cudgel in the Sack

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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