Prevod

A soldier who fears nothing cares for nothing either. One such soldier had been discharged, and since he had learned no trade and could earn nothing, he wandered about asking kind people for alms. An old weather-cloak hung from his shoulders, and he still had a pair of riding boots made of buffalo leather. One day, paying no heed to roads or paths, he struck out across the fields and at last came to a forest. He did not know where he was, but he saw a well-dressed man in a green hunting coat sitting on a felled tree trunk. The soldier shook his hand, settled down on the grass beside him, and stretched out his legs. “I see you have fine boots on, polished till they shine,” he said to the huntsman, “but if you had to tramp about as I do, they wouldn’t last long. Look at mine: they’re buffalo leather and have seen long service, yet they still carry me through thick and thin.” After a while the soldier got up and said, “I can’t stay any longer; hunger drives me on. But which way do we go, Brother Shiny-Boots?” “I don’t know myself,” answered the huntsman. “I’ve lost my way in the forest.” “Then you’re in the same boat as I am,” said the soldier. “Birds of a feather flock together. Let’s keep each other company and look for the way.” The huntsman smiled a little, and they went on together, farther and farther, until night fell. “We’re not going to get out of this forest,” said the soldier, “but I can see a light glimmering in the distance. There’ll be something to eat there.” They found a stone house, knocked at the door, and an old woman opened it. “We’re looking for a night’s lodging,” said the soldier, “and something to line our stomachs, for mine is as empty as an old knapsack.” “You cannot stay here,” answered the old woman. “This is a robbers’ den, and the wisest thing you can do is leave before they come home, for if they find you, you’re lost.” “It won’t be as bad as all that,” answered the soldier. “I haven’t had a bite for two days, and it’s all the same to me whether I perish here or starve to death in the forest. I’m going in.” The huntsman did not want to follow, but the soldier pulled him along by the sleeve. “Come, dear brother, they won’t wring our necks the moment we step inside.” The old woman took pity on them and said, “Creep behind the stove. If they leave anything over and fall asleep, I’ll slip it to you.” Scarcely had they settled into the corner when twelve robbers came storming in, sat down at the table, which was already laid, and clamoured for their supper. The old woman brought in a large roast, and the robbers ate with relish. When the smell of the food reached the soldier’s nose, he said to the huntsman, “I can’t stand it any longer. I’m going to sit at the table and eat with them.” “You’ll get us killed,” said the huntsman, holding him by the arm. But the soldier began to cough loudly. When the robbers heard it, they threw down their knives and forks, sprang up, and discovered the two men behind the stove. “Aha, gentlemen!” they cried. “So you’re sitting in the corner! What do you want here? Have you been sent to spy on us? Just wait: we’ll teach you to fly from a withered branch.” “Mind your manners,” said the soldier. “I’m hungry. Give me something to eat, and afterwards you can do what you like with me.” The robbers were taken aback, and their leader said, “I see you’re not afraid. Very well, you shall have something to eat, but afterwards you must die.” “We’ll see about that,” said the soldier. He sat down at the table and began to tuck heartily into the roast. “Brother Shiny-Boots, come and eat,” he called to the huntsman. “You must be as hungry as I am, and you couldn’t have a better roast at home.” But the huntsman would not eat. The robbers watched the soldier in amazement and said, “The fellow certainly doesn’t stand on ceremony.” Presently he said, “The food is good enough; now bring us something good to drink.” The leader was in the mood to indulge him in this too, and called to the old woman, “Fetch a bottle from the cellar, and make it the best.” The soldier pulled out the cork with a pop, went over to the huntsman with the bottle, and said, “Watch closely, brother, and you’ll see something to astonish you. Now I’m going to drink a toast to the whole brood.” Then he waved the bottle over the robbers’ heads, cried, “Long life to you all—but mouths open and right hands up!” and took a hearty swig. Scarcely were the words out of his mouth when they all sat motionless, as though turned to stone, their mouths open and their right arms raised. The huntsman said to the soldier, “I see you have other tricks up your sleeve, but now come along and let’s go home.” “Oh no, dear brother, it’s too soon to march off. We’ve defeated the enemy, and first we’ll take the spoils. There they sit, rooted to the spot, their mouths gaping in astonishment, and they can’t stir until I give them leave. Come, eat and drink.” The old woman had to fetch another bottle of the best, and the soldier did not get up until he had eaten enough to last him another three days. At last, when daylight came, he said, “Now it’s time to strike camp, and to keep our march short, the old woman shall show us the quickest way to town.” Once they arrived, he went to his old comrades and said, “I’ve found a nest full of gallows-birds out in the forest. Come along, and we’ll clear it out.” The soldier led the way and said to the huntsman, “You must come back too and see how they flutter when we catch them by the feet.” He stationed the men all around the robbers, then took the bottle, drank a mouthful, waved it over their heads, and cried, “Long life to you all!” At once they could move again, but they were thrown to the ground and bound hand and foot with ropes. Then the soldier had them tossed onto a wagon like sacks and said, “Drive them straight to the prison.” The huntsman, however, took one of the men aside and gave him a further message to deliver.

“Brother Shiny-Boots,” said the soldier, “we’ve taken the enemy by surprise and fed ourselves well. Now let’s bring up the rear and march after them at our leisure.” As they approached the town, the soldier saw a great crowd pouring out through the gate, cheering loudly and waving green branches in the air. Then he saw the entire royal guard advancing towards them.

“What does this mean?” he asked the huntsman in astonishment. “Don’t you know,” he answered, “that the king has been away from his kingdom for a long time? Today he is returning, and everyone is going out to meet him.” “But where is the king?” said the soldier. “I don’t see him.” “Here he is,” answered the huntsman. “I am the king, and I sent word of my arrival.” Then he opened his hunting coat to reveal his royal clothes. The soldier was alarmed, fell on his knees, and begged forgiveness for having unknowingly treated him as an equal and called him by such a name. But the king held out his hand and said, “You are a brave soldier, and you have saved my life. You shall never suffer want again; I will see that you are provided for. And whenever you feel like eating a good piece of roast, as good as the one in the robbers’ den, just come to the royal kitchen. But if you wish to drink a toast, you must first ask my permission.”