Hans in Luck

Katrin Lange


Hans in Luck


A fairy tale based on the Brothers Grimm

After seven years away, Hans has had enough and wants to finally return home. He has completed his apprenticeship and turns down all career offers from his boss. He just wants to go back to his village, where the scent of the meadows is familiar to him. The wealthy merchant, who has come to appreciate Hans greatly over the past few years, means well by him and gives him a large lump of gold as a parting gift. The weight of it makes him break a sweat on his journey. On his long way home, Hans makes a few interesting acquaintances. Everyone he meets is in some kind of trouble. Everyone needs something they don’t currently have. Hans enjoys exchanging things and ideas, especially when everyone benefits. And he’s right, because: What good is the most beautiful lump of gold if Hans can’t bring it home? He needs a horse. And soon he has one. But what good is a beautiful horse to him if he has to suffer from hunger and thirst? Hans quickly becomes a master of bartering. On his journey, he encounters all sorts of wise people, and so Hans is quickly tempted by the prospect of relief to shift his interest toward new things.


In the end, he brings home a treasure all his own.

On his journey, Hans doesn’t follow any objective standards of value, but always asks himself the very sensible question: How much do I personally need to be happy?