Two Estonian Fairy Tales

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On a cold and bleak Christmas Eve there came a poor beggar to a wealthy farmstead and asked for some bread and lodging for the night. He was so tired of his long day’s journey that he could scarcely move.

“God bless you, my good lady, let me warm myself at your hearth, allow me to have a bite,” he begged the mistress of the house.

The rich farmer’s wife, however, was an incredibly close-fisted person who grudged the farm-hands and servants even the food they ate. No wonder she was loath to share her delicious black Christmas pudding with a wretch of a tramp. She flew into a rage and called him a good-for-nothing loafer and idler, and set her dogs at him, driving him out of her yard.

The beggar heaved a sigh and, submissively leaving the rich farm, made for the hut of the poor cotter on the same farm.

“God bless you, my good woman,” he said with a deep bow, “give me shelter for the night, let me warm myself at your hearth, allow me to have a bit of bread off your table... You see, I’m hungry and shivering with cold,“ he said to the cotter’s wife.

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