Spread some plates abroad for me,
I’ll give ducats bright to thee!
Filled with joy, the old woman hastened to spread out four plates under the tree. Then the Hen shook herself, and let fall on one plate the worn heller, but only little stones on all the others.
“Is that all?” exclaimed the old woman angrily.
“No, here is something more,” clucked the Hen, and she slung the needle into the old woman’s eye.
Upon this the old woman beat the Hen soundly, and went back to her husband’s house, begged his pardon and made it all up with him. Whenever he wanted an egg she gave him one, and he always gave her a ducat in exchange.
Little boy, if you are good you shall get an egg for nothing!
“I am good, grandmother,” said the little boy. “Will you give me an egg?”
The grandmother laughed. “That is only the way the story ends,” she said. “But it is dinner-time, and if your mother will let you take dinner with me I will give you an egg. Run away and ask her.”