1812
GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES
THE BOOTS OF BUFFALO LEATHER
by Jacob Ludwig Grimm and Wilhelm Carl Grimm
Electronically Enhanced Text (c) Copyright 1996, World Library(R)
THE BOOTS OF BUFFALO LEATHER
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A SOLDIER who is afraid of nothing, troubles himself about
nothing. One of this kind had received his discharge, and as he had
learnt no trade and could earn nothing, he traveled about and begged
alms of kind people. He had an old water-proof on his back, and a pair
of riding-boots of buffalo leather which were still left to him.
One day he was walking, he knew not where, straight out into the
open country, and at length came to a forest. He did not know where he
was, but saw sitting on the trunk of a tree, which had been cut
down, a man who was well dressed and wore a green shooting-coat. The
soldier shook hands with him, sat down on the grass by his side, and
stretched out his legs. "I see you have good boots which are well
blacked," said he to the huntsman; "but if you had to travel about
as I have, they would not last long. Look at mine, they are of buffalo
leather, and have been worn for a long time, but in them I can go
through thick and thin." After a while the soldier got up and said, "I
can stay no longer, hunger drives me onwards; but, Brother
Bright-boots, where does this road lead to?" "I don't know that
myself," answered the huntsman, "I have lost my way in the forest."
"Then you are in the same plight as I," said the soldier. "Birds of
a feather flock together; let us remain together and seek our way."
The huntsman smiled a little, and they walked on further and
further, until night fell. "We do not get out of the forest," said the
soldier, "but there in the distance I see a light shining, which
will help us to something to eat."
They found a stone house, knocked at the door, and an old woman
opened it. "We are looking for quarters for the night," said the
soldier, "and some lining for our stomachs, for mine is as empty as an
old knapsack." "You cannot stay here," answered the old woman. "This
is a robber's house, and you would do wisely to get away before they
come home, or you will be lost." "It won't be so bad as that,"
answered the soldier, "I have not had a mouthful for two days, and
whether I am murdered here or die of hunger in the forest is all the
same to me. I shall go in." The huntsman would not follow, but the
soldier drew him in with him by the sleeve. "Come, my dear brother, we
shall not come to an end so quickly as that!" The old woman had pity
on them and said, "Creep in here behind the stove, and if they leave
anything, I will give it to you on the sly when they are asleep."
Scarcely were they in the corner before twelve robbers came bursting
in, seated themselves at the table which was already laid, and
vehemently demanded some food. The old woman brought in some great
dishes of roast meat, and the robbers enjoyed that thoroughly.
When the smell of the food reached the nostrils of the soldier, he
said to the huntsman, "I cannot hold out any longer, I shall seat
myself at the table, and eat with them." "You will bring us to
destruction," said the huntsman, and held him back by the arm. But the
soldier began to cough loudly. When the robbers heard that, they threw
away their knives and forks, leapt up, and discovered the two who were
behind the stove. "Aha, gentlemen, are you in the corner?" cried they,
"what are you doing here? Have you been sent as spies? Wait a while,
and you shall learn how to fly on a dry bough." "But do be civil,"
said the soldier, "I am hungry, give me something to eat, and then you
can do what you like with me."
The robbers were astonished, and the captain said, "I see that you
have no fear. Well, you shall have some food, but after that you
will die." "We shall see," said the soldier, and seated himself at the
table, and began to cut away valiantly at the roast meat. "Brother
Bright-boots, come and eat," cried he to the huntsman. "You must be as
hungry as I am, and cannot have better roast meat at home." But the
huntsman would not eat. The robbers looked at the soldier in
astonishment, and said, "The rascal uses no ceremony."
After a while he said, "I have had enough food, now get me something
good to drink." The captain was in the mood to humor him in this also,
and called to the old woman, "Bring a bottle out of the cellar, and
mind it be of the best." The soldier drew the cork out with a loud
noise, and then went with the bottle to the huntsman and said, "Pay
attention, brother, and you shall see something that will surprise
you. I am now going to drink the health of the whole clan." Then he
brandished the bottle over the heads of the robbers, and cried,
"Long life to you all, but with your mouths open and your right
hands lifted up," and then he drank a hearty draught. Scarcely were
the words said than they all sat motionless as if made of stone, and
their mouths were open and their right hands stretched up in the air.
The huntsman said to the soldier, "I see that you are acquainted
with tricks of another kind, but now come and let us go home." "Oho,
my dear brother, but that would be marching away far too soon; we have
conquered the enemy, and must first take the booty. Those men there
are sitting fast, and are opening their mouths with astonishment,
but they will not be allowed to move until I permit them. Come, eat
and drink." The old woman had to bring another bottle of the best
wine, and the soldier would not stir until he had eaten enough to last
for three days. At last when day came, he said, "Now it is time to
strike our tents, and that our march may be a short one, the old woman
shall show us the nearest way to the town."
When they had arrived there, he went to his old comrades, and
said, "Out in the forest I have found a nest full of gallows' birds,
come with me and we will take it." The soldier led them, and said to
the huntsman, "You must go back again with me to see how they shake
when we seize them by the feet." He placed the men round about the
robbers, and then he took the bottle, drank a mouthful, brandished
it above them, and cried, "Live again." Instantly they all regained
the power of movement, but were thrown down and bound hand and foot
with cords. Then the soldier ordered them to be thrown into a cart
as if they had been so many sacks, and said, "Now drive them
straight to prison." The huntsman, however, took one of the men
aside and gave him another commission besides. "Brother Bright-boots,"
said the soldier, "we have safely routed the enemy and been well
fed, now we will quietly walk behind them as if we were stragglers!"
When they approached the town, the soldier saw a crowd of people
pouring through the gate of the town who were raising loud cries of
joy, and waving green boughs in the air. Then he saw that the entire
body-guard was coming up. "What can this mean?" said he to the
huntsman. "Do you not know," he replied, "that the King has for a long
time been absent from his kingdom, and that today he is returning, and
every one is going to meet him?" "But where is the King?" said the
soldier, "I do not see him." "Here he is," answered the huntsman, "I
am the King, and have announced my arrival." Then he opened his
hunting-coat, and his royal garments were visible.
The soldier was alarmed, and fell on his knees and begged him to
forgive him for having in his ignorance treated him as an equal, and
spoken to him by such a name. But the King shook hands with him, and
said, "You are a brave soldier, and have saved my life. You shall
never again be in want, I will take care of you. And if ever you would
like to eat a piece of roast meat as good as that in the robber's
house, come to the royal kitchen. But if you would drink a health, you
must first ask my permission."
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THE END
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