Clever Hans (Grimm)
Division into chapters is editorial.
First visit: the needle in the hay-cart
Hans lived with his mother and regularly visited a young woman named Grethel. One day, his mother wished him well as he set off for another visit. When Hans arrived at Grethel's house, she greeted him warmly and asked what good thing he had brought. Hans replied that he brought nothing but wanted something given to him. Grethel kindly presented him with a needle.
Hans takes the needle, sticks it into a hay-cart, and follows the cart home... 'That was ill done, Hans. Thou shouldst have stuck the needle in thy sleeve.'
Second visit: the knife in the sleeve
Hans's mother advised him to behave well on his next visit to Grethel. Following the same pattern, Hans arrived empty-handed and requested a gift. This time, Grethel gave him a knife. Remembering his mother's previous advice about the needle, Hans stuck the knife in his sleeve and returned home.
When his mother asked about the knife's location, Hans proudly showed that he had placed it in his sleeve. However, his mother scolded him again, explaining that he should have put the knife in his pocket instead. Hans accepted the correction with his usual response that he would do better next time.
Third visit: the goat in the pocket
On his third visit, Grethel presented Hans with a young goat. Applying his mother's most recent advice about putting things in his pocket, Hans tied the goat's legs and forced it into his pocket. The poor animal suffocated during the journey home. When Hans's mother discovered what had happened, she was dismayed.
Hans takes the goat, ties its legs, and puts it in his pocket. When he gets home it is suffocated... 'That was ill done, Hans, thou shouldst have put a rope round the goat's neck.'
She explained that he should have put a rope around the goat's neck and led it home properly. Hans promised to remember this advice for his next visit.
Fourth visit: the bacon on a rope
Grethel's next gift was a piece of bacon. Hans carefully tied it to a rope and dragged it behind him as he walked home, following his mother's previous instruction about using rope. Unfortunately, the bacon dragging along the ground attracted hungry dogs, who devoured it completely during his journey.
Hans takes the bacon, ties it to a rope, and drags it away behind him. The dogs come and devour the bacon... 'thou shouldst have carried the bacon on thy head.'
When Hans arrived home with only an empty rope, his mother explained that he should have carried the bacon on his head to keep it safe from animals. Hans accepted this new instruction with his characteristic optimism.
Fifth visit: the calf on his head
For his fifth visit, Grethel gave Hans a calf. Determined to follow his mother's latest advice about carrying things on his head, Hans lifted the heavy calf onto his head. The frightened animal kicked and struggled, striking Hans repeatedly in the face during the difficult journey home.
Hans takes the calf, puts it on his head, and the calf kicks his face... 'That was ill done, Hans, thou shouldst have led the calf, and put it in the stall.'
His mother was horrified to see his battered face and explained that he should have led the calf properly and put it in the stall. Hans promised to do better on his next visit.
Sixth visit: Grethel tied to the rack
On his sixth visit, instead of giving Hans a gift, Grethel announced that she would come with him. Hans, remembering his mother's advice about leading the calf, applied the same method to Grethel. He tied her to a rope, led her to the animal rack, bound her securely, and scattered grass for her as if she were livestock.
Hans takes Grethel, ties her to a rope, leads her to the rack and binds her fast... 'Where hast thou left Grethel?' 'I led her by the rope, tied her to the rack, and scattered some grass for her.'
When Hans returned home and explained where he had left Grethel, his mother was appalled. She told him that he should have cast friendly eyes on her instead of treating her like an animal.
The resolution: friendly eyes and marriage
Hans went to the stable, cut out all the calves' and sheep's eyes, and threw them in Grethel's face, believing this would fulfill his mother's instruction about casting friendly eyes. Grethel became angry, tore herself loose, and ran away. Despite his foolish behavior throughout their courtship, she eventually became Hans's bride.