of a tree, and tied up the hare in a fishing net and fastened it on the
edge of a little stream, not troubling himself to think how unpleasant
such a wet spot was likely to be to the hare.

Then he got into his cart and trotted merrily home.

'Wife!' cried he, the moment he got indoors. 'You can't think what a
piece of good luck has come our way.'

'What, what, dear husband? Do tell me all about it at once.'

'No, no, you'll just go off and tell everyone.'

'No, indeed! How can you think such things! For shame! If you like I
will swear never to----'

'Oh, well! if you are really in earnest then, listen.'

And he whispered in her ear: 'I've found a pot full of gold and silver
in the forest! Hush!----'

'And why didn't you bring it back?'

'Because we'll drive there together and bring it carefully back between
us.'

So the man and his wife drove to the forest.

As they were driving along the man said:

'What strange things one hears, wife! I was told only the other day
that fish will now live and thrive in the tree tops and that some wild
animals spend their time in the water. Well! well! times are certainly
changed.'

'Why, you must be crazy, husband! Dear, dear, what nonsense people do
talk sometimes.'

'Nonsense, indeed! Why, just look. Bless my soul, if there isn't a fish,
a real pike I do believe, up in that tree.'

'Gracious!' cried his wife. 'How did a pike get there? It IS a pike--you
needn't attempt to say it's not. Can people have said true----'

But the man only shook his head and shrugged his shoulders and opened
his mouth and gaped as if he really could not believe his own eyes.

'What are you standing staring at there, stupid?' said his wife. 'Climb
up the tree quick and catch the pike, and we'll cook it for dinner.'

The man climbed up the tree and brought down the pike, and they drove
on.

When they got near the stream he drew up.

'What are you staring at again?' asked his wife impatiently. 'Drive on,
can't you?'

'Why, I seem to see something moving in that net I set. I must just go
and see what it is.'

He ran to it, and when he had looked in it he called to his wife:

'Just look! Here is actually a four-footed creature caught in the net. I
do believe it's a hare.'

'Good heavens!' cried his wife. 'How did the hare get into your net? It
IS a hare, so you needn't say it isn't. After all, people must have said
the truth----'

But her husband only shook his head and shrug