"People talk evil of others because they themselves are evil," answered the old man. "But what is to be done?"
The farmer told him all his misfortunes, and Michel said, "Would you like to escape from all your troubles, and to become a rich man all at once?"
"With all my heart!" cried the other.
Old Michel answered, with a smile, "If I were as young and strong as you, and if I had sufficient courage to face the darkness of night, and knew how to hold my tongue, I know what I'd do."
"Only tell me what you know. I will do anything if I can only become rich, for I am weary of my life at present."
Then the old man looked cautiously round on all sides, and then said in a whisper, "Do you know what a Kratt is?"
The farmer was startled, and answered, "I don't know exactly, but I have heard dreadful tales about it."
"I'll tell you," said the old man. "Mark you, it is a creature that anybody can make for himself, but it must be done so secretly that no human eye sees it. Its body is a broomstick, its head a broken jug, its nose a piece of glass, and its arms two reels which have been used by an old crone of a hundred years. All these things are easy to procure. You must set up this creature on three Thursday evenings at a cross-road, and animate it with the words which I will teach you. On the third Thursday the creature will come to life."
"God preserve us from the evil one!" cried the farmer.
"What! you are frightened? Have I told you too much already?"