THE PROUD MAN’S WISHES.
Now that the proud man had obtained what he wanted, he started home very happy and began to think what he would wish for. As he rode along he let the bridle reins hang loose on the horse’s neck. All at once his horse began to jump and rear upon his hind feet. His master patted him on the neck and said, “Be still, there.” But the horse jumped and reared all the more. At last the master became very angry and said, “I wish you would break your neck.” No sooner had he spoken the words than his horse fell backward, broke his neck, and died. Thus was the first wish of the proud man fulfilled.
But the proud man was very careful not to lose anything, so he took the saddle from the dead horse, threw it on his back, and started home on foot.
“Now,” he thought, “I have two wishes left.” In this way he comforted himself. His road lay through deep sand. It was noon. The sun shone hot and the saddle made his back sore. This made him sigh. He was so warm and uncomfortable. He had not yet made up his mind what to wish. He turned many things over in his mind. “I will manage it,” he thought, “so that there will be nothing more in all the world to wish.”
Many times he thought, “Now I have found it.” But presently it would seem that his wish was too small. Then he began to think of his wife sitting at home in the cool house enjoying herself. This made him out of humor and, without thinking, he said, “I wish that she sat there at home on my saddle, and could not get free from it, instead of its being here on my back!” No sooner said than he felt the saddle disappear and knew that his second wish had been granted.
Then he began to be afraid and he ran toward home as fast as he could. He wanted to get home and sit down in a quiet room and think what he would ask for in his third wish. He wanted to wish something as large as he could. But, as he came to his house and opened the door, there sat his wife on the saddle. She was very red in the face, and very angry, and she shrieked at the top of her voice.
“Be contented,” said her husband. “I am going to wish you all the riches in the world. Just be quiet.” But she answered, “What good would all the riches in the world do me if I have to sit on this saddle always? You have wished me on it and now you must wish me off.” The proud man must now, whether willing or not, use his third wish to get his wife free from the saddle. So he said, “I wish you may get off the saddle.”
When his wife stood again upon her feet she began to scold her foolish husband. “You are very silly and stupid,” she exclaimed; “I could have managed it much better.” Thus the proud man had nothing for his pains but anger, scolding, and a dead horse. His neighbors, however, lived contented and quiet, but happy, till the end of their days.
Suggestions.
1. Tell how the proud man started home. What did the horse do? Tell about the man’s first wish. Tell about the saddle. What put him out of humor? How did he think he would manage his remaining wishes? Tell about his second wish. Why did he hasten home? What did he find there? Tell about his third wish. What did his wife say to him when she regained her liberty? What had he for his pains? How did his neighbors live?
Reproduction.
2. Where have you seen a horse with saddle and bridle on? What is the saddle used for? The reins? How is the saddle fastened on? Do you know the names of some parts of the horse’s harness? I will tell you some. Here is a picture of a horse with harness on. [Show picture.] Tell how horses are used. Which is more useful, a horse or a donkey? In what story did we learn of a donkey? Which do we like better? Do men ride donkeys, too? Tell how we should care for our horses.
3. Was the traveler right when he told the proud man it would be better if he did not wish at all? Why did he fare so badly in his wishes? Why didn’t he wish better things?
Was he as wise as his neighbor?
Was he as happy?
