is master was well satisfied, but suddenly such a longing for his
father seized upon him that he could bear it no longer. He told his
employer that he was going to see his parents, and his master said:

"Boy, you have worked on my farm seven years, and served me well. Does
the place no longer suit you, or have you been offered higher wages
elsewhere, that you want to leave me?"

"No indeed, master. But I long to go home,--I feel as if I wanted to
see my father again. If you think you still owe me any thing, please
settle my account."

"Well, my boy, one can't keep a servant by force, and you fixed no
rate of wages when you came to me. As a reward for the services you
have rendered, you may choose from my herds two head of horned cattle
and ten smaller ones."

When the boy heard this, he hardly knew what to do with himself in his
delight at the thought of having earned so much by his labor. He went
among the herds and flocks, looking up and down, and wondering which
animals he should choose. He did not want to take the best ones,
because he thought his services were not worth so much. But neither
did he want to select the worst, he could not make up his mind to
that. So he chose from those of medium value. He did the same with the
horned cattle. But in searching his eyes fell upon an ox, which also
gazed longingly at the youth. So he took this ox and a cow.

Now he had no other thought in his mind except to go to his parents,
believing that his step-mother would no longer look askance at him. So
he bade his master good-by and went away. Just think, the ox was
bewitched, but the boy did not know it. He named the animal
Tellerchen.

He reached home. His father died of joy and came to life again when he
saw his son, who had grown tall and handsome, and so sensible too. But
the wicked old step-mother behaved like seven evil demons,--nay, like
the witch she was. The youth staid in his father's house, helped him
work in the fields, drove the cattle to pasture, and made himself very
useful. Whenever he went to the pasture with the cattle his mother
gave him a cake; but it was made of ashes, and he could not eat it.
What was he to do? At noon, instead of having something to eat like
every body else, he sat under the shade of a tree and wept over his
lot, but he could not bring himself to tell his father, lest he should
make trouble between him and his wife. He had no comfort at home, no
companions abroad, and so he grew s