Brick Fairy Tales: Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Hansel and Gretel, and More (58 page)

“I led her by the rope, tied her to the rack, and scattered some grass for her.”

“That was ill done, Hans, thou shouldst have cast friendly eyes on her.”

“Never mind, will do better.”

Hans went into the stable,

cut out all the calves’ and sheeps’ eyes,

and threw them in Grethel’s face.

Then Grethel became angry,

tore herself loose and ran away,

and became the bride of Hans.

Godfather Death

A poor man had twelve children and was forced to work night and day to give them even bread.

When therefore the thirteenth came into the world, he knew not what to do in his trouble,

but ran out into the great highway, and resolved to ask the first person whom he met to be godfather.

The first to meet him was the good God who already knew what filled his heart,