The Crumbs on the Table (Grimm)
Division into sections is editorial.
The countrymans temptation and the dogs resistance
One day, a countryman approached his little puppies with an enticing proposal. He invited them to come into the parlour where they could enjoy themselves and feast on the breadcrumbs scattered on the table. The timing seemed perfect, as their mistress had gone out to pay some visits, leaving the house unattended.
Come into the parlour and enjoy yourselves, and pick up the breadcrumbs on the table; your mistress has gone out to pay some visits.
The little puppies, however, showed remarkable wisdom and caution in their response. They firmly refused the countryman's invitation, expressing their fear of the consequences. They knew well that if their mistress discovered their transgression, she would beat them severely. Their initial response demonstrated their understanding of the household rules and their respect for authority.
No, no, we will not go. If the mistress gets to know it, she will beat us.
Undeterred by their refusal, the countryman persisted with his persuasion. He dismissed their concerns, assuring them that their mistress would never discover their misdeed. To strengthen his argument, he pointed out that she never gave them anything good anyway, suggesting they deserved this small pleasure. His words were calculated to weaken their resolve and justify the forbidden act.
She will know nothing about it. Do come; after all, she never gives you anything good.
Despite the countryman's persuasive arguments, the little dogs maintained their position of resistance. They repeated their refusal even more emphatically, declaring that they must let the matter alone and absolutely must not go. Their repeated rejection showed their strong moral compass and understanding of right and wrong. However, the countryman proved relentless in his pursuit, giving them no peace whatsoever. His persistent pressure gradually wore down their defenses, and eventually, their resistance crumbled under his constant persuasion.
Nay, nay, we must let it alone; we must not go.
Finally, the little dogs succumbed to the countryman's relentless persuasion and agreed to his proposal.
The dogs give in and face the consequences
Having given in to temptation, the little dogs made their way to the table and began their feast. They ate up the breadcrumbs with tremendous enthusiasm and appetite, consuming every morsel they could find. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the countryman's assurances would prove correct, and they would enjoy their forbidden treat without consequence.
But the countryman let them have no peace until at last they went, and got on the table, and ate up the breadcrumbs with all their might.
However, their worst fears were realized at precisely the wrong moment. Just as they were indulging in their forbidden feast, the mistress returned home unexpectedly. The timing could not have been worse for the guilty puppies. She immediately discovered them in the act of disobedience, and her reaction was swift and severe.
But at that very moment the mistress came, and seized the stick in great haste, and beat them and treated them very hardly.
The punishment was exactly what the puppies had feared from the beginning. The mistress seized a stick in great haste and beat them, treating them very harshly indeed. Their initial instincts had been completely correct, and they now suffered the painful consequences of ignoring their better judgment. After enduring their punishment, the battered and chastened dogs found themselves outside the house.
In their pain and distress, the little dogs confronted the countryman who had led them astray. They reproachfully asked him if he could see what had happened to them, repeating their question with emphasis. The countryman's response revealed his true character - instead of showing remorse or sympathy, he laughed at their misfortune and mockingly asked if they hadn't expected exactly this outcome. His callous reaction demonstrated that he had known all along what would happen, making his earlier persuasion all the more cruel. Faced with his heartless mockery, the poor dogs had no choice but to run away, adding humiliation to their physical pain.