The Poor Man and the Rich Man (Grimm)
Short summary
In olden times, the Lord walked the earth disguised as a common traveler. One evening, he sought lodging at two houses - one rich and beautiful, the other poor and small.
The rich man refused him, claiming his rooms were full. The poor man welcomed the stranger warmly, sharing their humble meal and offering their own bed.
Next morning, the Lord granted the poor couple three wishes. They wished for eternal happiness, health with daily bread, and a new house. When the rich man discovered this, he chased after the Lord and received three wishes too, despite warnings.
Riding home, the rich man's horse misbehaved.
I wish your neck was broken!... down the horse fell on the ground, and there it lay dead... And thus was his first wish fulfilled... I have still two wishes left.
Carrying the saddle home, he accidentally wished his wife stuck on it. His final wish freed her. The rich man gained nothing but lost his horse, while the poor couple lived happily ever after.
Detailed summary
Division into chapters is editorial.
The Lords rejection by the rich man
In ancient times, when the Lord still walked among mortals on earth, he found himself traveling as darkness fell. Tired from his journey and unable to reach an inn, he came upon two houses facing each other on the road. One was large and beautiful, belonging to a wealthy man, while the other was small and poor, home to a humble family.
The Lord decided to seek lodging with the rich man, thinking he would not burden someone with wealth. When he knocked, the rich man opened his window and asked what the stranger wanted. The Lord simply requested a night's shelter, but the wealthy homeowner looked him over from head to foot, judging his common clothes and modest appearance.
No, I cannot take you in, my rooms are full of herbs and seeds; and if I were to lodge everyone who knocked at my door, I might very soon go begging myself.
With these words, the rich man shut his window and left the Lord standing outside in the darkness.
The poor mans generous hospitality
Turning away from the rich man's house, the Lord crossed to the small dwelling and knocked. Almost immediately, the door opened and the poor man welcomed him inside.
Pass the night with me, it is already dark... you cannot go any further tonight... they had not much to offer him, but what they had they would give him with all their hearts.
The poor man's wife greeted the traveler warmly, shaking his hand and telling him to make himself at home.
She put potatoes on the fire and milked their goat so they could have milk with their meal. When the simple table was set, the Lord sat with the couple and enjoyed their coarse food, for there were happy faces around the table. After supper, the wife spoke privately with her husband about giving their bed to the weary traveler.
Hark you, dear husband, let us make up a bed of straw for ourselves tonight, and then the poor traveler can sleep in our bed and have a good rest, for he has been walking.
The husband agreed wholeheartedly and offered their bed to the Lord. Though reluctant to take their comfort, the Lord eventually accepted their generous offer, while the elderly couple slept on straw on the ground.
The Lords blessing and the poor mans three wishes
The next morning, the couple rose before dawn and prepared the best breakfast they could for their guest. When the sun shone through their small window and the Lord prepared to continue his journey, he turned at the door with a special offer.
As you are so kind and good, you may wish three things for yourselves and I will grant them... What else should I wish for but eternal happiness, and... our daily bread.
The poor man wished for eternal happiness, health for as long as they lived, and their daily bread. When he hesitated about a third wish, the Lord suggested a new house to replace their old one. The man gratefully accepted, and the Lord fulfilled all his wishes, transforming their humble dwelling into a beautiful new home before blessing them and departing.
When the sun was high, the rich man awoke and looked out his window. He was astonished to see a clean new house with red tiles and bright windows where the old hut had stood. He sent his wife to investigate this miraculous transformation.
The rich mans pursuit and encounter with the Lord
The poor man explained to the rich man's wife how a traveler had granted them three wishes in return for their hospitality. When she reported this back, her husband was filled with regret.
I could tear myself to pieces! If I had but known that! That traveler came to our house too, and wanted to sleep here, and I sent him away... Quick! get on your horse.
Following his wife's urgent advice, the rich man mounted his horse and galloped after the Lord. When he caught up, he spoke pleasantly and apologetically, claiming he had been looking for his front-door key when the stranger left. The Lord promised to stay with him if he ever returned, then agreed to grant the rich man three wishes as well.
Yes... but it would not be to his advantage, and he had better not wish for anything; but the rich man thought that he could easily ask for something which would add to his happiness.
The rich mans foolish wishes and their consequences
Riding home, the rich man began planning what to wish for. His horse started capering and disturbing his thoughts. Growing impatient, he angrily exclaimed that he wished the horse's neck was broken. Immediately, the horse fell dead, fulfilling his first wish. Being miserly, he cut off the harness and carried it on his back as he walked home in the hot sun.
The saddle hurt his back as he trudged through the sand. Frustrated and thinking of his wife's comfortable life at home, he carelessly made his second wish.
I just wish she was sitting there on this saddle, and could not get off it, instead of my having to drag it along... the saddle disappeared from his back... his second wish had been fulfilled.
When he arrived home, he found his wife stuck on the saddle in the parlor, crying and unable to get off.
She called him a fool and demanded he help her off the saddle, arguing that all the riches in the world would be useless if she remained trapped. Reluctantly, the rich man was forced to use his third and final wish to free his wife from the saddle.
So he got nothing by it but vexation, trouble, abuse, and the loss of his horse; but the poor people lived happily, quietly, and piously until their happy death.