He knew he was clever, though. In fact, he knew it a bit too well. Self-confidence is fine, but you see, you shouldn't count too much on your own cleverness. The lad said to himself, "If anyone's to build this boat that goes both on land and on water, why, it has to be me! I'll build it and I'll win the king's daughter. If I don't, no one else around here will!"
He took up his saw, his ax, and his adze; he filled his toolbox with
chisels, gouges, and hammer. Then with a light step he set off for the
king's forest.
On his way over Three Beech Trees Hill he met an old woman like the ones who comb the woods for dead branches. She greeted him.
"Good day, journeyman carpenter!" she cried. "Did you wake up this morning in good spirits?"
Courtesy should have made him stop, since she'd struck up a conversation. But he strode proudly by, filled as he was that morning with self-importance -- he who always seemed to have the world at his fingertips. He only nodded to her.
"Where are you off to?" she asked.
"To look after my business."
"What are you going to do with all your tools?"
"Make me some skittles!"
"Very well then, journeyman, skittles they shall be!"
 |  |
Folktales