Clever Hans
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Germany
The mother of Hans said, “Whither away, Hans?”
Hans answered, “To Gretel.”
“Behave well, Hans.”
“Oh, I’ll behave well. Good-bye, mother.”
“Good-bye, Hans.”
Hans comes to Gretel, “Good day, Gretel.”
“Good day, Hans. What dost thou bring that is good?”
“I bring nothing, I want to have something given me.” Gretel presents Hans with a needle. Hans says, “Good-bye, Gretel.”
“Good-bye, Hans.”
Hans takes the needle, sticks it into a hay-cart, and follows the cart home.
“Good evening, mother.”
“Good evening, Hans. Where hast thou been?”
“With Gretel.”
“What didst thou take her?”
“Took nothing; had something given me.”
“What did Gretel give thee?”
“Gave me a needle.”
“Where is the needle, Hans?”
“Stuck it in the hay-cart.”
“That was
