Household Tales · Chapter
Hans in Luck explained
After seven years of faithful service, Hans receives a lump of gold as his wages and sets off for home.
What happens
After seven years of faithful service, Hans receives a lump of gold as his wages and sets off for home. Along the way, he trades the gold for a horse, then the horse for a cow, the cow for a pig, the pig for a goose, and finally the goose for a grindstone. When the grindstone falls into a well, Hans is overjoyed to be free of his burdens and returns home to his mother lighthearted and content.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Its Downfall
Hans's initial desire for a horse leads to a fall, and his subsequent trades show how each 'improvement' brings new troubles until he is finally freed from all burdens.
Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished
Hans's faithful service is rewarded with gold, and his cheerful, uncomplaining nature ultimately leads him to a happy, carefree homecoming.
Transformation and Redemption
Hans transforms from a burdened laborer carrying a heavy lump of gold to a lighthearted man free of all possessions, finding joy in simplicity.
Characters to notice
- Hänsel
The protagonist who serves his master for seven years and then makes a series of trades on his way home.
- the master
Hans's former master who pays him with a large lump of gold for his faithful service.
- the rich man
The horseman who exchanges his horse for Hans's gold.
- the poor man
The countryman who trades his cow for Hans's horse.
- the servant
The butcher who exchanges a pig for Hans's cow.
- the stranger
The lad who trades a goose for Hans's pig, claiming the pig may be stolen.
Key passages
“Hans had served his master for seven years, so he said to him, 'Master, my time is up; now I should be glad to go back home to my mother; give me my wages.'”
After working for his master for seven years, Hans asked for his wages so he could return to his mother.
Opening of the story establishing Hans's service and his desire to go home.
“The master answered, 'You have served me faithfully and honestly; as the service was so shall the reward be;' and he gave Hans a piece of gold as big as his head.”
The master praised Hans's faithful service and rewarded him with a gold nugget the size of his head.
The master's reward for Hans's seven years of service.
“Hans pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket, wrapped up the lump in it, put it on his shoulder, and set out on the way home.”
Hans wrapped the gold in his handkerchief, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and began his journey home.
Hans's initial burden as he starts his journey.
“When Hans saw them with his own eyes sinking to the bottom, he jumped for joy, and then knelt down, and with tears in his eyes thanked God for having shown him this favour also, and delivered him in so good a way, and without his having any need to reproach himself, from those heavy stones which had been the only things that troubled him.”
Hans rejoiced and thanked God when the grindstone and heavy stone fell into the well, freeing him from his last burden.
Hans's final relief and gratitude when the stones sink into the well.
“With a light heart and free from every burden he now ran on until he was with his mother at home.”
Unburdened and joyful, Hans ran all the way to his mother's house.
Conclusion of the story showing Hans's happy return home.
