They had
a little clearing up in the wood, and the first year they sowed rye.
"Now we must share the crop as is fair and right," said Reynard.
"If you like to have the root, I'll take the top."
Yes, Bruin was ready to do that; but when they had threshed out the
crop, Reynard got all the corn, but Bruin got nothing but roots and
rubbish. He did not like that at all; but Reynard said that was how
they had agreed to share it.
"This year I have the gain," said Reynard, "next year it will be your
turn. Then you shall have the top, and I shall have to put up with the
root."
But when spring came, and it was time to sow, Reynard asked Bruin what
he thought of turnips.
"Aye, aye!" said Bruin, "that's better food than rye," and so Reynard
thought also. But when harvest time came Reynard got the roots, while
Bruin got the turnip-tops. And then Bruin was so angry with Reynard
that he put an end at once to his partnership with him.
BOOTS AND HIS BROTHERS
Once on a time there was a man who had three sons, Peter, Paul and
Espen. Espen was Boots, of course, because he was the youngest. I can't
say the man had anything except these three sons, for he did not possess
one penny to rub against another; and so he told his sons over and over
again they must go out into the world to seek their fortune, for at home
there was nothing to be expected but to starve to death.
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