tied. Presently an old cattle driver, with snowy hair, passed by, carrying a
large staff in his hand, with which he drove a large herd of cows and oxen
before him. They stumbled against the sack in which lay Little Claus, and
turned it over. “Oh dear,” sighed Little Claus, “I am very young, yet I am
soon going to heaven.”
“And I, poor fellow,” said the drover, “I who am so old already, cannot
get there.”
“Open the sack,” cried Little Claus; “creep into it instead of me, and you
will soon be there.”
“With all my heart,” replied the drover, opening the sack, from which
sprung Little Claus as quickly as possible. “Will you take care of my
cattle?” said the old man, as he crept into the bag.
“Yes,” said Little Claus, and he tied up the sack, and then walked off with
all the cows and oxen.
When Great Claus came out of church, he took up the sack, and placed it
on his shoulders. It appeared to have become lighter, for the old drover was
not half so heavy as Little Claus.
“How light he seems now,” said he. “Ah, it is because I have been to a
church.” So he walked on to the river, which was deep and broad, and threw
the sack containing the old drover into the water, believing it to be Little
Claus. “There you may lie!” he exclaimed; “you will play me no more
tricks now.” Then he turned to go home, but when he came to a place where
two roads crossed, there was Little Claus driving the cattle. “How is this?”
said Great Claus. “Did I not drown you just now?”
“Yes,” said Little Claus; “you threw me into the river about half an hour
ago.”
“But wherever did you get all these fine beasts?” asked Great Claus.
“These beasts are sea-cattle,” replied Little Claus. “I’ll tell you the whole
story, and thank you for drowning me; I am above you now, I am really
very rich. I was frightened, to be sure, while I lay tied up in the sack, and
