’Alas！NowIhavenohorse！’saidLittleKlaus，beginningtocry。Thenheflayedtheskinoffhishorse，driedit，andputitinasack，whichhethrewoverhisshoulder，andwentintothetowntosellit。Hehadalongwaytogo，andhadtopassthroughagreatdarkforest。Adreadfulstormcameon，inwhichhelosthisway，andbeforehecouldgetontotherightroadnightcameon，anditwasimpossibletoreachthetownthatevening。
Rightinfrontofhimwasalargefarm-house。Thewindow-shutterswereclosed，butthelightcamethroughthechinks。’Ishouldverymuchliketobeallowedtospendthenightthere，’thoughtLittleKlaus；andhewentandknockedatthedoor。Thefarmer’swifeopenedit，butwhensheheardwhathewantedshetoldhimtogoaway；herhusbandwasnotathome，andshetookinnostrangers。
’Well，Imustliedownoutside，’saidLittleKlaus；andthefarmer’swifeshutthedoorinhisface。Closebystoodalargehaystack，andbetweenitandthehousealittleout-house，coveredwithaflatthatchedroof。
’Icanliedownthere，’thoughtLittleKlaus，lookingattheroof；’itwillmakeasplendidbed，ifonlythestorkwon’tflydownandbitemylegs。’Foralivestorkwasstandingontheroof，whereithaditsnest。SoLittleKlauscreptupintotheout-house，wherehelaydown，andmadehimselfcomfortableforthenight。Thewoodenshuttersoverthewindowswerenotshutatthetop，andhecouldjustseeintotheroom。
Therestoodalargetable，spreadwithwineandroastmeatandabeautifulfish。Thefarmer’swifeandthesextonsatatthetable，buttherewasnooneelse。Shewasfillinguphisglass，whilehestuckhisforkintothefishwhichwashisfavouritedish。