The lad went to the Finn. “My dear Finn, shoot the bear, for the bear won’t slay the wolf, the wolf won’t tear the fox, the fox won’t bite Nanny, and Nanny won’t come home in time. I am so hungry and want my supper.”
“No, I will not,” said the Finn; “I am not going to shoot away my bullets for that.”
So the lad went and told his mother.
“Well, go to the fir,” said his mother, “and ask it to crush the Finn.”
The lad went to the fir-tree. “My dear fir, crush the Finn, for the Finn won’t shoot the bear, the bear won’t slay the wolf, the wolf won’t tear the fox, the fox won’t bite Nanny, and Nanny won’t come home in time. I am so hungry and want my supper.”
“No, I will not,” said the fir; “I am not going to break my boughs for that.”
So the lad went and told his mother.
“Well, go to the fire,” said his mother, “and ask it to burn the fir.”
The lad went to the fire. “My dear fire, burn the fir, for the fir won’t crush the Finn, the Finn won’t shoot the bear, the bear won’t slay the wolf, the wolf won’t tear the fox, the fox won’t bite Nanny, and Nanny won’t come home in time. I am so hungry and want my supper.”
“No, I will not,” said the fire; “I am not going to burn myself out for that.”