1812
GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES
THE EAR OF CORN
by Jacob Ludwig Grimm and Wilhelm Carl Grimm
Electronically Enhanced Text (c) Copyright 1996, World Library(R)
THE EAR OF CORN
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IN FORMER TIMES, when God himself still walked the earth, the
fruitfulness of the soil was much greater than it is now; then, the
ears of corn did not bear fifty or sixty, but four or five
hundred-fold. Then the corn grew from the bottom to the very top of
the stalk, and according to the length of the stalk was the length
of the ear. Men however are so made, that when they are too well off
they no longer value the blessings which come from God, but grow
indifferent and careless.
One day a woman was passing by a corn-field when her little child,
who was running beside her, fell into a puddle, and dirtied her frock.
On this the mother tore up a handful of the beautiful ears of corn,
and cleaned the frock with them.
When the Lord, who just then came by, saw that, he was angry, and
said, "Henceforth shall the stalks of corn bear no more ears; men
are no longer worthy of heavenly gifts." The by-standers who heard
this, were terrified, and fell on their knees and prayed that he would
still leave something on the stalks, even if the people were
undeserving of it, for the sake of the innocent birds which would
otherwise have to starve. The Lord, who foresaw their suffering, had
pity on them, and granted the request. So the ears were left as they
now grow.
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THE END
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