’Well, the fact is,’ said Hans, ‘that I was obliged to. You see the winter was a very
bad time for me, and I really had no money at all to buy bread with. So I first sold the
silver buttons off my Sunday coat, and then I sold my silver chain, and then I sold
my big pipe, and at last I sold my wheelbarrow. But I am going to buy them all back
again now.’
’Hans,’ said the Miller, ‘I will give you my wheelbarrow. It
is not in very good repair; indeed, one side is gone, and there
is something wrong with the wheel-spokes; but in spite of
that I will give it to you. I know it is very generous of me,
and a great many people would think me extremely foolish
for parting with it, but I am not like the rest of the world.
I think that generosity is the essence of friendship, and,
besides, I have got a new wheelbarrow for myself. Yes, you
may set your mind at ease, I will give you my wheelbarrow.’
