The day finally came for Hans to go home. He had worked for his master for seven whole years, and now it was time for his reward. "You've been a good worker, Hans," said his master, and gave him a lump of gold as big as Hans's own head!

"Wow!" thought Hans. He put the gold in a cloth and started his journey. But the gold was heavy. "Oof, this is hard work," he panted.

Soon, he saw a man riding a fine, prancing horse. "Hello!" called Hans. "Riding looks much easier than carrying this heavy gold."
"It is!" said the man. "Want to trade your gold for my horse?"
"A horse! That's a wonderful idea!" Hans exclaimed. He gave the man the gold and climbed onto the horse.

But the horse was frisky! It bucked and kicked, and WHOOSH! Hans landed in a ditch. "Ouch!" he said, rubbing his head. "Maybe riding isn't for me."

Just then, a farmer came by, leading a cow. "That's a fine cow," said Hans. "Does she give good milk?"
"The best!" said the farmer. "Milk, cheese, butter – every day!"
"Hmm," thought Hans. "My horse threw me off. But a cow! Fresh milk every day! What a clever trade!" So he swapped the horse for the cow.

Hans walked along happily with his cow, dreaming of creamy milk. But when he tried to milk her, not a drop came out! "Oh dear," said Hans. "She must be an old cow."

A little later, he met a butcher pulling a young pig in a cart. "That's a plump pig!" said Hans.
"He'll make fine sausages!" said the butcher.
"Sausages!" Hans's eyes lit up. "My cow gives no milk. But a pig means sausages and bacon! This is an even better deal!" So, he traded the cow for the pig.

Hans trotted along with his pig. Soon, a boy stopped him. "That's a nice pig," said the boy. "But did you know the butcher you got it from is looking for his *stolen* pig?"
"Stolen?" gasped Hans. "Oh no! I can't keep a stolen pig!"

Just then, a man walked by carrying a big white goose. "That's a heavy goose," said Hans.
"She is," said the man. "But she'll make a fine roast, and her feathers will make soft pillows."
Hans thought quickly. "A stolen pig is trouble. But a goose! I can have roast goose for dinner, and soft feathers for a pillow! Perfect!" He traded the pig for the goose.

The goose was indeed heavy. "My arms are getting tired," Hans puffed. He saw a scissor-grinder working by the road, his wheel spinning merrily. Next to him lay a big, rough stone.
"What's that stone for?" asked Hans.
"It's a grindstone," said the man. "I sharpen knives and scissors on it. It always finds work and makes money."
"Hmm," thought Hans. "This goose is heavy. But with a grindstone, I can sharpen things and always have work! What a useful thing!" So, he traded the heavy goose for the even heavier grindstone.

"Phew, this is the heaviest thing yet!" Hans grumbled, lugging the stone. He was very thirsty and tired. He finally reached a well. He leaned the grindstone on the edge of the well while he bent down to get a drink. But, oh dear! He accidentally nudged the stone, and SPLASH! It tumbled right into the deep well.

Hans watched it disappear. For a moment, he stood still. Then, he started to laugh! "Oh! Well, now I don't have to carry that heavy stone anymore!" he cried. "I am the luckiest person in the world! I have nothing to carry, and I can walk home light and free!"

And so, Hans skipped all the way home to his mother, feeling happier than ever, even though he had nothing left but the clothes on his back. He truly believed he had made a series of very good bargains.

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