DANISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES
tell every one what a great man you are, and that is very important."
"I will follow your advice," returned the little tailor, "for now I am determined!"
In the afternoon he set out to win all that he had dreamed of. A short distance from home he met his wife and wealthy Mads, who returned from the market, laughing and talking about the fine day which had been passed so pleasantly. "Let her be glad and happy," thought the good little tailor, as they passed without seeing him; "when I return she will be still more delighted." He walked on, the hopeful and trustful little person he was.
At the fair he met an old invalid soldier who had lost both of his arms in war, for which reason he had no more use for his weapons. The tailor bought his sword. It was rusty and hacked, but one dollar was a low price, and he was satisfied.
He pursued his way, well equipped and hopeful. Every one gave him shelter and food when needed, for the sake of the words which he had sewed on his belt, but when he inquired about dragons and serpents they shook their heads; no such monsters were living in this part of the world. At length he began to doubt the many descriptions which he had read about these beings, and hesitated to believe the frightful havoc which they were said to have made.
Soon he heard, however, that in a country called Franconia there were many of these marvellous
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