The Little Glass Man, and Other StoriesHauff, Wilhelm
Science
The Little Glass Man, and Other Stories
Hauff, Wilhelm
Children's stories
Not one star was twinkling in the sky to lighten Peter's way as he
sneaked sadly towards his home, but still he could distinctly recognise
a dark form striding by his side, which at length said, 'It is all over
with you, Peter Munk; all your splendour is at an end, and this I could
have foretold you even at the time when you would not listen to me, but
rather ran to the silly glass dwarf. You now see to what you have come
by disregarding my advice. But try your fortune with me this time, I
have compassion on your fate. No one ever yet repented of applying to
me, and if you don't mind the walk to the Tannenbühl, I shall be there
all day to-morrow and you may speak to me, if you will call.' Peter now
very clearly perceived who was speaking to him, but feeling a sensation
of awe, he made no answer and ran towards home.
When, on the Monday morning, he came to his factory, he not only found
his workmen, but also other people whom no one likes to see, viz. the
bailiff and three beadles. The bailiff wished Peter good morning,
asked him how he had slept, and then took from his pocket a long list
of Peter's creditors, saying, with a stern look, 'Can you pay or not?
Be short, for I have no time to lose, and you know it is full three
leagues to the prison.' Peter in despair confessed he had nothing left,
telling the bailiff he might value all the premises, horses and carts.
But while they went about examining and valuing the things, Peter said
to himself, 'Well, it is but a short way to the Tannenbühl, and as the
_little_ man has not helped me, I will now for once try the _big_ man.'
He ran towards the Tannenbühl as fast as if the beadles were at his
heels. On passing the spot where the Little Glass Man had first spoken
to him, he felt as if an invisible hand were stopping him, but he tore
himself away and ran onwards till he came to the boundary which he
had well marked. Scarcely had he, quite out of breath, called 'Dutch
Michel, Mr. Dutch Michel!' when suddenly the gigantic raftsman with his
pole stood before him.
'Have you come then?' said the latter, laughing. 'Were they going
to fleece you and sell you to your creditors? Well, be easy, all
your sorrow comes, as I have always said, from the Little Glass Man,
the Separatist and Pietist. When one gives, one ought to give right
plentifully and not like that skinflint. But come,' he continued,
turning towards the forest, 'follow me to my house, there we'll see
whether we can strike a bargain.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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