Page 43 - The Golden Goose
P. 43
The Simpleton again asked for his bride, but the
king was annoyed that a wretched fellow, called
the Simpleton by everybody, should carry off his
daughter, and so he made new conditions. He was
to produce a man who could eat up a mountain of
bread. The Simpleton did not hesitate long, but
ran quickly off to the forest, and there in the
same place sat a man who had fastened a strap
round his body, making a very piteous face, and
saying, "I have eaten a whole bakehouse full of
rolls, but what is the use of that when one is so
hungry as I am? My stomach feels quite empty,
and I am obliged to strap myself together, that I
may not die of hunger." The Simpleton was quite
glad of this, and said, "Get up quickly, and come
along with me, and you ___
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