Prevod

Once upon a time there was a tailor who was a quarrelsome fellow, and his wife, who was good, hardworking, and devout, could never do anything to please him. Whatever she did, he was dissatisfied, and grumbled, scolded, pulled her hair, and beat her. When the authorities at last heard of it, they summoned him and had him put in prison so that he might mend his ways. He spent some time on bread and water, then was set free again, but had to promise that he would no longer beat his wife, but would live peacefully with her and share her joys and sorrows, as married people ought. For a while all went well, but then he fell back into his old ways and became sullen and quarrelsome. And since he was not allowed to beat her, he tried to seize her by the hair and pull it. His wife slipped away from him and ran out into the yard, but he chased after her with his yardstick and scissors, drove her round and round, and hurled the yardstick and scissors, and whatever else came to hand, after her. Whenever he hit her, he laughed, and whenever he missed, he raged and stormed. He kept this up until the neighbours came to his wife's aid. The tailor was summoned before the authorities again and reminded of his promise. 'Good sirs,' he replied, 'I have kept my promise. I have not beaten her, but have shared joys and sorrows with her.' 'How can that be,' said the judge, 'when she has once again brought such grave complaints against you?' 'I did not beat her. I merely wished to comb her hair with my hand, because she looked so peculiar; but she slipped away from me and wickedly deserted me. So I hurried after her and, to bring her back to her duty, threw whatever happened to be at hand after her as a well-meant reminder. I shared joys and sorrows with her too, for whenever I hit her, it was a joy to me and a sorrow to her; but whenever I missed, it was a joy to her and a sorrow to me.' The judges were not satisfied with this answer, but saw to it that he received his just deserts.