Mr. Korbs

Once upon a time there were a rooster and a hen, and they decided to set off together on a journey. The rooster built a wonderful little cart with four red wheels and harnessed four mice to it.

The rooster and the hen got into the little cart and drove off.

Soon they met a cat, who said: "Where are you off to?"

The rooster replied:

"We're off, we're off along the road To Mr. Korbs's house."

"Take me with you," said the cat. The rooster replied: "With pleasure! Only sit at the back of the cart; otherwise, if you sit in front, you might fall off."

And he added:

"Step onto the footboard, And don't dirty the wheels. You wheels, roll along, And you mice, hurry up. Hurry along the road To Mr. Korbs's house."

After the cat, they met a millstone, an egg, a duck, a pin, and finally a needle; and they all got into the same cart and drove off together.

When they arrived at Mr. Korbs's house, he himself was not at home.

The mice drove the cart into the hayloft, the rooster and hen perched on the roost, the cat climbed into the fireplace, the duck climbed onto the pump handle by the well, the egg wrapped itself in a towel, the pin stuck into the chair cushion, the needle jumped onto the bed and buried itself in the headboard, and the millstone perched above the door.

Mr. Korbs arrived home, went to the fireplace and wanted to light a fire, but the cat powdered his whole face with ash.

He ran quickly to the kitchen and wanted to wash himself, but the duck splashed water in his face.

He was about to grab the towel to wipe his face, but the egg rolled out of the towel, broke, and stuck to his eyes.

Exhausted, he wanted to sit down on a chair and rest, when suddenly the pin stuck into his body.

He flew into a rage and rushed to the bed; but as soon as he laid his head on the headboard, the needle pricked him so hard that he cried out and rushed out of the house.

And just as he reached the front door, the millstone fell on his head and killed him dead.

Evidently, Mr. Korbs was a very wicked man!