While he was trying his luck in milking, and managing the matter very clumsily, the uneasy beast began to think him very troublesome; and at last gave him such a kick on the head as knocked him down; and there he lay a long while senseless. Luckily a butcher soon came by, driving a pig in a wheelbarrow.\\u0027What is the matter with you, my man?\\u0027 said the butcher, as he helped him up. Hans told him what had happened, how he was dry, and wanted to milk his cow, but found the cow was dry too. Then the butcher gave him a flask of ale, saying, \\u0027There, drink and refresh yourself; your cow will give you no milk: don\\u0027t you see she is an old beast, good for nothing but the slaughter-house?\\u0027 \\u0027Alas, alas!\\u0027 said Hans, \\u0027who would have thought it? What a shame to take my horse, and give me only a dry cow! If I kill her, what will she be good for? I hate cow-beef; it is not tender enough for me. If it were a pig now—like that fat gentleman you are driving along at his ease—one could do something with it; it would at any rate make sausages.\\u0027 \\u0027Well,\\u0027said the butcher, \\u0027I don\\u0027t like to say no, when one is asked to do a kind, neighbourly thing. To please you I will change, and give you my fine fat pig for the cow.\\u0027\\u0027Heaven reward you for your kindness and self-denial!\\u0027said Hans, as he gave the butcher the cow; and taking the pig off the wheel-barrow, drove it away, holding it by the string that was tied to its leg.
So on he jogged, and all seemed now to go right with him: he had met with some misfortunes, to be sure; but he was now well repaid for all. How could it be otherwise with such a travelling companion as he had at last got?
The next man he met was a countryman carrying a fine white goose. The countryman stopped to ask what was o\\u0027clock; this led to further chat; and Hans told him all his luck, how he had so many good bargains,and how all the world went gay and smiling with him.The countryman then began to tell his tale, and said he was going to take the goose to a christening. \\u0027Feel,\\u0027said he, \\u0027how heavy it is, and yet it is only eight weeks old. Whoever roasts and eats it will find plenty of fat upon it, it has lived so well!\\u0027 \\u0027You\\u0027re right,\\u0027 said Hans, as he weighed it in his hand; \\u0027but if you talk of fat,my pig is no trifle.\\u0027 Meantime the countryman began to look grave, and shook his head. \\u0027Hark ye!\\u0027 said he,\\u0027my worthy friend, you seem a good sort of fellow,so I can\\u0027t help doing you a kind turn. Your pig may get you into a scrape. In the village I just came from,the squire has had a pig stolen out of his sty. I was dreadfully afraid when I saw you that you had got the squire\\u0027s pig. If you have, and they catch you, it will be a bad job for you. The least they will do will be to throw you into the horse-pond. Can you swim?\\u0027
Poor Hans was sadly frightened. \\u0027Good man,\\u0027 cried he, \\u0027pray get me out of this scrape. I know nothing of where the pig was either bred or born; but he may have been the squire\\u0027s for aught I can tell: you know this country better than I do, take my pig and give me the goose.\\u0027 \\u0027I ought to have something into the bargain,\\u0027 said the countryman; \\u0027give a fat goose for a pig, indeed! \\u0027Tis not everyone would do so much for you as that. However, I will not be hard upon you,as you are in trouble.\\u0027 Then he took the string in his hand, and drove off the pig by a side path; while Hans went on the way homewards free from care. \\u0027After all,\\u0027thought he, \\u0027that chap is pretty well taken in. I don\\u0027t care whose pig it is, but wherever it came from it has been a very good friend to me. I have much the best of the bargain. First there will be a capital roast; then the fat will find me in goose-grease for six months; and then there are all the beautiful white feathers. I will put them into my pillow, and then I am sure I shall sleep soundly without rocking. How happy my mother will be! Talk of a pig, indeed! Give me a fine fat goose.