22 Tyll Ulenspiegel’s Merry Prank (Germany)

When Tyll was in Poland, King Casimir^[1] ruled, and a merry monarch he was. He had two court jester, and when he heard Tyll was in the land he invited him also to his palace.

Now, the king was proud of his jesters and knew a trick or three himself. Often they argued, and Tyll was always ready with a quick answer, particularly when it came to answering the jesters. So one day the king decided to test which was the cleverest of the three.

There was a great gathering of nobles in the court when the king offered twenty gold pieces and a fine new coat to the one of the three who could make the greatest wish. All the court applauded the generosity of their ruler.

“And,”added he, “the wish must be made right now before me and all the court.”

Said the first jester, “I wish the heaven above us were nothing but paper and the sea nothing but ink so that I could write the figures of how much money should be mine.”

Spoke the second, “I want as many towers and castles as there are stars in heaven so that I might keep all the money that my fellow court jesters here would have.”

It was now Tyll’s turn. He opened his mouth and spoke,“I would want the two here to make out their wills, leaving their money to me, and then you, your Majesty, would order them to the gallows right after.”

The king and all his court laughed merrily at this, and Tyll won the coat and the money.

Now you know how a quick and merry answer can bring one fame and fortune.

—M. A. Jagendorf

[1]　King Casimir：可能是卡齊米爾三世（1310—1370），號稱“和平君主”的波蘭國王。