Almost before he spoke he found himself to be the sun, and he began joyously to send his fiery rays above, below and everywhere roundabout him.  He scorched the grass of the earth, and burned the faces of its rulers and felt his power unlimited until a little cloud placed itself between him and the earth and threw back his scorching rays.  It still angered him to find something more powerful than himself, and he wished aloud that he might be the cloud.

[Illustration:  Everything rejoiced in A new growth]

Again his wish was granted, and he found himself floating where he wished through the sky.  He ran between the sun and the earth and sheltered the latter so that the grass grew green, the trees leaved out again, and everything rejoiced in a new growth.  Then he sent great floods of rain upon the earth, filled the rivers till they overflowed, swept homes and herds into the sea, and destroyed the works of man in every direction.  But try as he would he could not move one great rock that stood right across his way.  Though he sent waters that roared around its base and pushed hard against it, yet it remained immovable.  Such a failure angered the man-cloud, and again he cried out, “Would that I were a rock, so strong and immovable is it.”

This time, also, his guardian angel interfered, and he found himself a rock that withstood the sun, the wind and the waters.  But then, one day, there came along a rude stonecutter, who with chisel and heavy hammer began to cut the great rock into small, regular building stones.  “What does this mean?” cried the rock.  “Has this man power to cut me in pieces?  Surely I am weaker than he!  Would I were a stonecutter!”

“As thou wishest, so shall it be,” said his guardian angel, and immediately he was again a stonecutter, working hard as before and for small wages, but happy and contented with his lot.

DISCREET HANS

By Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm

Hans’s mother asked, “Whither are you going, Hans?”

“To Grethel’s,” replied he.

“Behave well, Hans.”

“I will take care; good-bye, mother.”

“Good-bye, Hans.”

Hans came to Grethel.  “Good day,” said he.

“Good day,” replied Grethel.  “What treasure do you bring today?”

“I bring nothing.  Have you anything to give?”

Grethel presented Hans with a needle.

“Good-bye,” said he.

“Good-bye, Hans.”

Hans took the needle, stuck it in a load of hay, and walked home behind the wagon.

“Good evening, mother.”

“Good evening, Hans.  Where have you been?”

“To Grethel’s.”

“And what have you given her?”

“Nothing; she has given me something.”

“What has Grethel given you?”

“A needle,” said Hans.

“And where have you put it?”