1812
GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES
MR. KORBES
by Jacob Ludwig Grimm and Wilhelm Carl Grimm
Electronically Enhanced Text (c) Copyright 1996, World Library(R)
MR. KORBES
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A COCK and a hen once wanted to go on a journey together. So the
cock built a beautiful carriage with four red wheels, and he harnessed
four little mice to it. And the cock and the hen got into it, and were
driven off. Very soon they met a cat, who asked where they were going.
The cock answered,
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"On Mr. Korbes a call to pay,
And that is where we go today!"
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"Take me with you," said the cat.
The cock answered, "Very well, only you must sit well back, and then
you will not fall forward.
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"And pray take care
Of my red wheels there;
And wheels be steady,
And mice be ready
On Mr. Korbes a call to pay,
For that is where we go today!"
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Then there came up a mill-stone, then an egg, then a duck, then a
pin, and lastly a needle, who all got up on the carriage, and were
driven along. But when they came to Mr. Korbes's house he was not at
home. So the mice drew the carriage into the barn, the cock and the
hen flew up and perched on a beam, the cat sat by the fireside, the
duck settled on the water; but the egg wrapped itself in the towel,
the pin stuck itself in the chair cushion, the needle jumped into
the bed among the pillows, and the mill-stone laid itself by the door.
Then Mr. Korbes came home, and went to the hearth to make a fire,
but the cat threw ashes in his eyes. Then he ran quickly into the
kitchen to wash himself, but the duck splashed water in his face. Then
he was going to wipe it with the towel, but the egg broke in it, and
stuck his eyelids together. In order to get a little peace he sat down
in his chair, but the pin ran into him, and, starting up, in his
vexation he threw himself on the bed, but as his head fell on the
pillow, in went the needle, so that he called out with the pain, and
madly rushed out. But when he reached the housedoor the mill-stone
jumped up and struck him dead.
What a bad man Mr. Korbes must have been!
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THE END
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