DANISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES
"That is a good wish," replied the fairy, "and so far as I can help you, you shall have it!"
"I further wish," continued he, "that my knapsack may never be worn out, and that all I wish to be placed in it may remain there until I desire to have it out again."
"It is all granted you," returned the fairy, smilingly; "and now I bid you good-bye in good earnest." So they separated, and the soldier pursued his way homeward. As he walked along he could not help stopping from time to time to think how strange it was that he could wish anything into his knapsack.
Towards evening he arrived at a castle, and as he was very hungry he went in and asked the cook for some supper. "I would gladly give you what you ask for," answered she, "but the master of this castle is so covetous that he locks up the pantry, and allows none or us to eat or take more than he gives us." So the soldier was obliged to walk away without even a drink of water. He promised himself, however, to remember the covetous squire.
The next morning he reached a small farm where he knew that his sweetheart was living. The buildings looked neglected and decayed, but the soldier walked briskly in, and found everything as of old, except for the great poverty which was everywhere apparent. The farm belonged to the wealthy squire, and he was not the man to allow any of his tenants to be very comfortable.
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