I’ll give ducats bright to thee!
The old man, overjoyed, spread out three plates under the tree. Then the Cock shook himself, and a shower of golden ducats fell and lay upon the plates in three great heaps. The old man was perfectly happy to have so much money, and from this time forward he let the Cock want for nothing.
His former wife soon heard that he had become enormously rich, and she came to see him.
“Ah, come,” said she to him, “give me a few ducats!”
“Not if I know it! Why would not you give me one little egg, eh? Go back and tell your old Hen to bring you ducats.”
The old woman ran back to her home and commanded her Hen, “Go out into the world and seek your fortune, and bring me home some ducats.”
A shower of golden ducats fell, and lay upon the plates in three great heaps
The Hen went sadly forth, betook herself to the refuse heap and began to scratch in the litter. After long scratching she found a copper heller and a needle. She picked them up, and also stuck a little stone under each of her feathers. Then she flew back to the court-yard and began to cackle:
O, little mother, little mother!