MURMUR GOOSE-EGG
183
and all, lie put them in his pocket. Before long he had finished his work, and wanted to know what he was to do next. "You have picked up the stones in the field?" said his master. You cannot possibly have finished before you have really begun!" But Murmur Goose-Egg emptied his pockets, and threw the stones on a pile. Then his master saw that he had finished his work, and that one would have to handle such a strong fellow with kid gloves. So he told him to come in and eat. That suited Murmur Goose-Egg, and he ate up everything that was to have supplied the master and his family, and the help, and then he was only half satisfied. He was really a splendid worker but a dangerous
and
small, one
' '
;
eater,
"Such
like
a bottomless
cask, a serving-man could eat
said
the
peasant.
up a poor peasant,
house and ground, before he noticed it," said he. for him, and the best thing to do would be to go to the king's castle.
He had no more work
So Murmur Goose-Egg went to the king, and was and there was enough to eat He was to be the errand-boy, and help the maids fetch wood and water, and do other odd jobs. So he asked what he was to do
at once given a place, and drink in the castle.
first.
For the time being he could chop fire-wood, said So Murmur Goose-Egg began to chop firethey. wood, and hewed to the line in such fashion that the chips fairly flew. Before long he had chopped up all that there was, kindling wood and building wood,