Sunshine peeked through the window of a tiny, cheerful cottage. Inside lived an old man named Hans and an old woman named Grethe. They didn't have much money, but oh, they had smiles as wide as a summer sky! They loved their little garden, their singing birds, and their warm soup.

Next door, in a HUGE, fancy house, lived Mr. Grumbles. Mr. Grumbles had lots of money, but he always looked like he’d swallowed a lemon. He’d see Hans and Grethe laughing and say, "Hmph! Silly old folks. Money is what matters!" His wife, Mrs. Grumbles, would nod. "Indeed! We have the best things!"

One day, Hans and Grethe were resting under the big, Wise Old Willow tree in their garden. Suddenly, the tree rustled its leaves and whispered, "Listen closely, dear ones. One day, you will live in Mr. Grumbles' big house!"

Hans and Grethe giggled. "Oh, Wise Old Willow, you're telling stories!"

Mr. Grumbles, who was snooping nearby, overheard. "HA!" he boomed. "That creaky old tree is talking nonsense! My magnificent house? For THEM? Never!" He even bought the land their little cottage stood on, just to be difficult, and made them move their tiny house further down the lane. He thought that would stop any silly prophecies.

But things have a funny way of changing. Mr. Grumbles' big ships full of treasures got caught in terrible storms. Poof! Gone. His piles of gold coins seemed to shrink. He became grumpier and grumpier.

Meanwhile, Hans and Grethe kept working in their new, slightly smaller garden. They were still happy, still singing with the birds.

Mr. Grumbles had a daughter named Lily. Unlike her parents, Lily was kind and gentle. She often waved to Hans and Grethe and felt sorry that her father was so mean to them.

One day, a kind and handsome Young Lord Fairweather came to town. He saw Lily and thought she was the sweetest girl he had ever met. Lily liked him too! They became good friends and soon fell in love.

Mr. Grumbles lost so much money that he had to sell his big, fancy house. He was very sad and very cross.

And guess who bought it? Young Lord Fairweather!

Lord Fairweather and Lily decided to get married and live in the big house. Lily said, "Oh, but what about dear Hans and Grethe? They are so kind, and they have so little. My father was not nice to them."

Lord Fairweather smiled. "I have an idea!"

He invited Hans and Grethe to live in a lovely, sunny part of the big house. They could have a wonderful, big garden there, even bigger than their first one! Hans and Grethe were overjoyed.

And so, Hans and Grethe, who were always happy with little, found themselves living comfortably in the grand house, just as the Wise Old Willow had said! Mr. Grumbles, well, he had to live in a much smaller house now, and maybe, just maybe, he started to learn that smiles and kindness were worth more than all the gold in the world.

Everything, you see, found its right place in the end.

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