Page:Tales from the Fjeld.djvu/280

258 won't pinch the ox, the ox won't drink up the water, the water won't quench the fire, the fire won't burn the fir, the fir won't fall on the Finn, the Finn won't shoot the bear, the bear won't slay the wolf, the wolf won't tear the fox, the fox won't bite Hairlock, and Hairlock won't come home in good time for tea to-day." "No, that I won't," said the axe; "I'm not going to spoil my edge for that, that I won't."

So the lad told his mother. "Well, then," she said, "go to the smith, and beg him to hammer the axe."

So the lad said to the smith—

"My dear smith! do, smith, hammer the axe, for the axe won't chop the yoke, the yoke won't pinch the ox, the ox won't drink up the water, the water won't quench the fire, the fire won't burn the fir, the fir won't fall on the Finn, the Finn won't shoot the bear, the bear won't slay the wolf, the wolf won't tear the fox, the fox won't bite Hairlock, and Hairlock won't come home in good time for tea to-day."

"No, I won't," said the smith; "I'm not going to burn up my coal and wear out my sledge-hammer for that," he said.

So the lad told his mother.