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ANS had served his master for seven years, when he one day said to him: ‘Master, my time is up, I want to go home to my mother; please give me my wages.’

His master answered, ‘You have served me well and faithfully, and as the service has been, so shall the wages be’; and he gave him a lump of gold as big as his head.

Hans took out his pocket-handkerchief and tied up the gold in it, and then slung the bundle over his shoulder, and started on his homeward journey.

As he walked along, just dragging one foot after the other, a man on horseback appeared, riding, fresh and gay, along on his spirited horse.

‘Ah!’ said Hans, quite loud as he passed, ‘what a fine thing riding must be. You are as comfortable as if you were in an easy-chair; you don’t stumble over any stones; you save your shoes, and you get over the road you needn’t bother how.’

The horseman, who heard him, stopped and said, ‘Hullo, Hans, why are you on foot?’

‘I can’t help myself,’ said Hans, ‘as I have this bundle to carry home. It is true that it is a lump of gold, but I can hardly hold my head up for it, and it weighs down my shoulder frightfully.’

‘I’ll tell you what,’ said the horseman, ‘we will change. I will give you my horse, and you shall give me your bundle.’

‘With all my heart,’ said Hans; ‘but you will be rarely burdened with it.’

The horseman dismounted, took the gold, and helped Hans