A certain father had two sons, the elder of whom was smart and sensible, and could do everything, but the younger was stupid and could neither learn nor understand anything, and when people saw him they said, "There's a fellow who will give his father some trouble!" When anything had to be done, it was always the elder who was forced to do it; but if his father bade him fetch anything when it was late, or in the night-time, and the way led through the churchyard, or any other dismal place, he answered "Oh, no, father, I'll not go there, it makes me shudder!" for he was afraid. Or when stories were told by the fire at night which made the flesh creep, the listeners sometimes said "Oh, it makes us shudder!" The younger sat in a corner and listened with the rest of them, and could not imagine what they could mean. "They are always saying 'it makes me shudder, it makes me shudder!' It does not make me shudder," thought he. "That, too, must be an art of which I understand nothing."

Now it came to pass that his father said to him one day "Hearken to me, thou fellow in the corner there, thou art growing tall and strong, and thou too must learn something by which thou canst earn thy living. Look how thy brother works, but thou dost not even earn thy salt." - "Well, father," he replied, "I am quite willing to learn something - indeed, if it could but be managed, I should like to learn how to shudder. I don't understand that at all yet." The elder brother smiled when he heard that, and thought to himself, "Good God, what a blockhead that brother of mine is! He will never be good for anything as long as he lives. He who wants to be a sickle must bend himself betimes." The father sighed, and answered him "thou shalt soon learn what it is to shudder, but thou wilt not earn thy bread by that."

Soon after this the sexton came to the house on a visit, and the father bewailed his trouble, and told him how his younger son was so backward in every respect that he knew nothing and learnt nothing. "Just think," said he, "when I asked him how he was going to earn his bread, he actually wanted to learn to shudder." - "If that be all," replied the sexton, "he can learn that with me. Send him to me, and I will soon polish him." The father was glad to do it, for he thought, "It will train the boy a little." The sexton therefore took him into his house, and he had to ring the bell. After a day or two, the sexton awoke him at midnight, and bade him arise and go up into the church tower and ring the bell. "Thou shalt soon learn what shuddering is," thought he, and secretly went there before him; and when the boy was at the top of the tower and turned round, and was just going to take hold of the bell rope, he saw a white figure standing on the stairs opposite the sounding hole. "Who is there?" cried he, but the figure made no reply, and did not move or stir. "Give an answer," cried the boy, "or take thy self off, thou hast no business here at night." The sexton, however, remained standing motionless that the boy might think he was a ghost. The boy cried a second time, "What do you want here? - speak if thou art an honest fellow, or I will throw thee down the steps!" The sexton thought, "he can't intend to be as bad as his words," uttered no sound and stood as if he were made of stone. Then the boy called to him for the third time, and as that was also to no purpose, he ran against him and pushed the ghost down the stairs, so that it fell down ten steps and remained lying there in a corner. Thereupon he rang the bell, went home, and without saying a word went to bed, and fell asleep. The sexton's wife waited a long time for her husband, but he did not come back. At length she became uneasy, and wakened the boy, and asked, "Dost thou not know where my husband is? He climbed up the tower before thou didst." - "No, I don't know," replied the boy, "but some one was standing by the sounding hole on the other side of the steps, and as he would neither give an answer nor go away, I took him for a scoundrel, and threw him downstairs, just go there and you will see if it was he. I should be sorry if it were." The woman ran away and found her husband, who was lying moaning in the corner, and had broken his leg.

She carried him down, and then with loud screams she hastened to the boy's father. "Your boy," cried she, "has been the cause of a great misfortune! He has thrown my husband down the steps and made him break his leg. Take the good-for-nothing fellow away from our house." The father was terrified, and ran thither and scolded the boy. "What wicked tricks are these?" said he, "the devil must have put this into thy head." - "Father," he replied, "do listen to me. I am quite innocent. He was standing there by night like one who is intending to do some evil. I did not know who it was, and I entreated him three times either to speak or to go away." - "Ah," said the father, "I have nothing but unhappiness with you. Go out of my sight. I will see thee no more." - "Yes, father, right willingly, wait only until it is day. Then will I go forth and learn how to shudder, and then I shall, at any rate, understand one art which will support me." - "Learn what thou wilt," spake the father, "it is all the same to me. Here are fifty thalers for thee. Take these and go into the wide world, and tell no one from whence thou comest, and who is thy father, for I have reason to be ashamed of thee." - "Yes, father, it shall be as you will. If you desire nothing more than that, I can easily keep it in mind."

When day dawned, therefore, the boy put his fifty thalers into his pocket, and went forth on the great highway, and continually said to himself, "If I could but shudder! If I could but shudder!" Then a man approached who heard this conversation which the youth was holding with himself, and when they had walked a little farther to where they could see the gallows, the man said to him, "Look, there is the tree where seven men have married the ropemaker's daughter, and are now learning how to fly. Sit down below it, and wait till night comes, and you will soon learn how to shudder." - "If that is all that is wanted," answered the youth, "it is easily done; but if I learn how to shudder as fast as that, thou shalt have my fifty thalers. Just come back to me early in the morning." Then the youth went to the gallows, sat down below it, and waited till evening came. And as he was cold, he lighted himself a fire, but at midnight the wind blew so sharply that in spite of his fire, he could not get warm. And as the wind knocked the hanged men against each other, and they moved backwards and forwards, he thought to himself "Thou shiverest below by the fire, but how those up above must freeze and suffer!" And as he felt pity for them, he raised the ladder, and climbed up, unbound one of them after the other, and brought down all seven. Then he stirred the fire, blew it, and set them all round it to warm themselves. But they sat there and did not stir, and the fire caught their clothes. So he said, "Take care, or I will hang you up again." The dead men, however, did not hear, but were quite silent, and let their rags go on burning. On this he grew angry, and said, "If you will not take care, I cannot help you, I will not be burnt with you," and he hung them up again each in his turn. Then he sat down by his fire and fell asleep, and the next morning the man came to him and wanted to have the fifty thalers, and said, "Well, dost thou know how to shudder?" - "No," answered he, "how was I to get to know? Those fellows up there did not open their mouths, and were so stupid that they let the few old rags which they had on their bodies get burnt." Then the man saw that he would not get the fifty thalers that day, and went away saying, "One of this kind has never come my way before."

The youth likewise went his way, and once more began to mutter to himself, "Ah, if I could but shudder! Ah, if I could but shudder!" A waggoner who was striding behind him heard that and asked, "Who are you?" - "I don't know," answered the youth. Then the waggoner asked, "From whence comest thou?" - "I know not." - "Who is thy father?" - "That I may not tell thee." - "What is it that thou art always muttering between thy teeth." - "Ah," replied the youth, "I do so wish I could shudder, but no one can teach me how to do it." - "Give up thy foolish chatter," said the waggoner. "Come, go with me, I will see about a place for thee." The youth went with the waggoner, and in the evening they arrived at an inn where they wished to pass the night. Then at the entrance of the room the youth again said quite loudly, "If I could but shudder! If I could but shudder!" The host who heard this, laughed and said, "If that is your desire, there ought to be a good opportunity for you here." - "Ah, be silent," said the hostess, "so many inquisitive persons have already lost their lives, it would be a pity and a shame if such beautiful eyes as these should never see the daylight again." But the youth said, "However difficult it may be, I will learn it and for this purpose indeed have I journeyed forth." He let the host have no rest, until the latter told him, that not far from thence stood a haunted castle where any one could very easily learn what shuddering was, if he would but watch in it for three nights. The King had promised that he who would venture should have his daughter to wife, and she was the most beautiful maiden the sun shone on. Great treasures likewise lay in the castle, which were guarded by evil spirits, and these treasures would then be freed, and would make a poor man rich enough. Already many men had gone into the castle, but as yet none had come out again. Then the youth went next morning to the King and said if he were allowed he would watch three nights in the haunted castle. The King looked at him, and as the youth pleased him, he said, "Thou mayest ask for three things to take into the castle with thee, but they must be things without life." Then he answered, "Then I ask for a fire, a turning lathe, and a cutting-board with the knife."

有位父亲，膝下有两个儿子。 大儿子聪明伶俐，遇事都能应付自如；小儿子呢，却呆头呆脑，啥也不懂，还啥也不学，人们看见他时都异口同声地说："他父亲为他得操多少心哪！"
遇到有什么事儿要办的时候，总得大儿子出面去办；不过，要是天晚了，或者深更半夜的时候，父亲还要他去取什么东西的话，而且要路过墓地，或者其它令人毛骨悚然的地方，他就会回答说："啊，爸爸，我可不去，我害怕！"他是真的害怕。
晚上，一家人围坐在火炉旁讲故事，讲到令人毛发悚立的时候，听故事的人里就会有人说："真可怕呀！"小儿子在这种时候，总是一个人坐在屋角里听他们说话，却怎么也不明白他们说的是什么意思，于是他常常大声地说："他们都说，'我害怕！我害怕！'可我从来不害怕。我想这一定是一种本领，是一种我完全弄不懂的本领。"
有一天，父亲对他说："你就呆在角落里，给我听好了。你已经是一个强壮的小伙子了，也该学点养活自己的本事了。你看你哥哥，多么勤奋好学；你再看看你自己 ，好话都当成了耳边风。 "
"爸爸，你说的没错，"小儿子回答说，"我非常愿意学点本事。要是办得到的话，我很想学会害怕，我还一点儿也不会害怕呢。"
哥哥听了这话，哈哈大笑起来，心想，"我的天哪，我弟弟可真是个傻瓜蛋；他一辈子都没什么指望了。三岁看小，七岁看老嘛。"父亲叹了一口气，对小儿子回答说："我保证，你早晚能学会害怕；不过，靠害怕是养活不了自己的。"
过了不多日子，教堂的执事到他们家来作客，于是父亲向他诉说了自己的心事，抱怨他的小儿子简直傻透了，啥也不会 ，还啥也不学。 他对执事说："您想一想，我问他将来打算靠什么来养活自己，他却说要学会害怕。"
执事听了回答说："如果他想的只是这个的话，那他很快能学会的。让他跟我走好啦，我替你整治他。"
父亲满口答应，心想，"不论怎么说，这小子这回该长进一点啦。"于是，执事就把小儿子带回了家，叫他在教堂敲钟。
几天后的一个深夜，执事把小儿子叫醒，要他起床后到教堂钟楼上去敲钟。 "这回我要教教你什么是害怕。"执事心里想着，随后悄悄地先上了钟楼。 小儿子来到钟楼，转身去抓敲钟的绳子的时候 ，却发现一个白色的人影儿，正对着窗口站在楼梯上。
"那是谁呀？"他大声地问，可是那个影子却不回答，一动不动地站在那儿。
"回话呀！"小伙子扯着嗓子吼道，"要不就给我滚开！深更半夜的你来干啥！"
可是执事呢，仍然一动不动地站在那儿，想叫小伙子以为他是个鬼怪。
小伙子又一次大声吼道："你想在这儿干啥？说呀，你实话实说，不说我就把你扔到楼下去。"
执事心想："他不会那么做"，因此他依然一声不响，一动不动地站在那儿，就像泥塑木雕的一般。
接着小伙子第三次冲他吼叫，可还是没有一点儿用，于是小伙子猛扑过去，一把将鬼怪推下了楼梯。 鬼怪在楼梯上翻滚了十多级，才躺在墙角不动了。 接着小伙子去敲钟，敲完钟回到了他自己的房间后，一言未发，倒头便睡。
执事的太太左等右等却不见丈夫回来，后来她感到很担忧，就叫醒了小伙子，问他："你知不知道我丈夫在哪儿？他在你之前上的钟楼。"
"不知道，"小伙子回答说，"不过，有个人当时对着窗口站在楼梯上。我朝他大吼大叫，他不答话，也不走开，我想那一定是个坏蛋，就一下子把他从楼梯上推了下去。您去看看，就知道是不是您丈夫了。要是的话，我非常抱歉。"
执事的太太急匆匆跑了出去，发现她丈夫正躺在墙角，一边呻吟一边叹息，因为他的一条腿给摔断了。
执事的太太把他背回了家，随后跑去见小伙子的父亲，对着他大喊大叫："你的那个小子闯下了大祸。他把我丈夫从钟楼的楼梯上一把给推了下来，腿都摔断了。把这个废物从我们家领走吧。"
一听这些，父亲惊慌失措，风风火火地跑到执事家，对着儿子破口大骂："你一定是着了魔，竟干出这等混账事来！"
"爸爸，"小伙子申辩说，"一点儿都不怪我呀。您听我说：他深更半夜的站在那里，好像是来干坏事的。我哪里知道那是谁呀！我一连三次大声地告诉他，要么答腔儿，要么走开。"
"唉！"父亲说道，"你只会给我召灾惹祸。你给我走得远远的，别让我再见到你。"
"好吧，爸爸，"小伙子回答说，"可得等到天亮才成。天一亮，我就去学害怕。起码我要学会养活自己的本事。"
"你想学啥就去学吧，"父亲说道，"反正对我都是一回事。给你五十个银币，拿着闯荡世界去吧。记着，跟谁也别说你是从哪儿出去的，你父亲是谁。有你这样一个儿子我脸都丢光了。"
"那好吧，爸爸，我就照您说的去做好啦。"小伙子回答说，"如果您不再提别的要求的话，这事太容易办到啦。"
天亮了，小伙子把那五十个银币装进衣袋里，从家中走出来，上了大路。 他一边走，一边不停地自言自语："我要是会害怕该多好啊！我要是会害怕该多好啊！"
过了不久，有一个人从后面赶了上来，听见了小伙子自言自语时所说的话。 他们一块儿走了一段路程，来到了一个看得见绞架的地方，这个人对小伙子说："你瞧！那边有棵树，树上一共吊着七个强盗。你坐在树下，等到天黑了，你准能学会害怕。"
"如果只要我做这个的话，那太容易啦。"小伙子回答说，"要是我真的这么快就学会了害怕，我这五十个银币就归你啦。明天早晨你再来一趟。"
小伙子说完就朝绞架走去，然后坐在绞架的下面，等着夜幕的降临。 他坐在那里感到很冷，于是就生起了一堆火。 可是夜半风起，寒冷难耐，他虽然烤着火，还是感到很冷。 寒风吹得吊着的死尸荡来荡去，相互碰撞。 他心想，"我坐在火堆旁还感到挺冷的，那几个可怜的家伙吊在那里，该多冷呀。"小伙子的心肠可真好：他搭起梯子，然后爬上去，解开了这些被绞死的强盗身上的绳索，再一个接一个地把他们放下来。 接着他把火拨旺，吹了又吹，使火堆熊熊燃烧起来。 然后他把他们抱过来，围着火堆坐了一圈，让他们暖暖身子。 可是这些家伙坐在那里纹丝不动，甚至火烧着了他们的衣服，他们还是一动也不动。 于是小伙子对他们说："你们在干什么？小心点啊！要不我就把你们再吊上去。"可是这些被绞死的强盗根本听不见他的话，他们仍然一声不吭，让自己的破衣烂衫被火烧着。
小伙子这下子可真生气了，于是就说："你们一点儿都不小心，我可帮不了你们啦，我才不愿意和你们一起让火烧死呢。"说完，他又把他们一个接一个地全都吊了上去。 然后，他在火堆旁坐了下来，不一会儿就睡着了。
第二天清早，那个人来到小伙子面前，想得到他的五十个银币。 他对小伙子说："喂，我想你现在知道什么是害怕了吧？"
"不知道哇，"小伙子回答说，"我怎样才能知道呢？上边吊着的那些可怜的家伙，怎么都不开口，个个是傻瓜，身上就穿那么点儿破破烂烂的衣服，烧着了还不在乎。"
听了这话，那个人心里就明白了，他是怎么也赢不到小伙子的五十个银币了，于是，他就走了，走的时候说道："我活这么大岁数还从来没有见到过这样的人呢。"
小伙子又上了路，路上又开始嘀嘀咕咕地自言自语："我要是会害怕该多好啊！我要是会害怕该多好啊！"
一个从后面赶上来的车夫听见了小伙子的话，就问道：
"你是谁呀？"
"我不知道。"小伙子答道。
车夫接着问道："你打哪儿来呀？"
"我不知道。"
"你父亲是谁？"
"这我可不能告诉你。"
"你一个劲儿地在嘀咕些啥呢？"
"咳，"小伙子回答说，"我想学会害怕，可没谁能教会我。"
"别说蠢话啦，"车夫说道，"跟我走吧。我先给你找个住的地方。"
小伙子跟着车夫上了路，傍晚时分他们来到了一家小旅店，打定主意要在这儿过夜。 他们进屋时，小伙子又高声大嗓门地说了起来："我要是会害怕该多好啊！我要是会害怕该多好啊！"
店主无意中听到了这话，就大声地笑了起来，然后说：
"你要是想这个的话，这里倒是有一个好机会呀。"
"别再说了，"店主的太太说道，"有多少冒失鬼都在那里送了命啊。要是这个小伙子的那双漂亮的眼睛，再也见不到阳光了，那多可惜呀。"
听了店主太太的这番话，小伙子却说："我一定要学会，不管多么艰难，我都不在乎。正是为了这个我才从家里出来闯荡的。"小伙子死缠着店主不放，店主只好告诉他：离小旅店不远，有一座魔宫，谁要想知道害怕是怎么一回事，只要在那里呆三个夜晚就行了。 国王已经许下诺言，谁愿意到魔宫里一试身手，就把公主许配给谁。 那位公主啊，是天底下最最美丽的少女呢。 在魔宫里，藏着大量的金银财宝，由一群恶魔把守着。 谁要是能得到这些金银财宝，就是一个穷光蛋也会成为大富翁的。 不少人冒险进到魔宫里去，可是都是有去无还。
第二天早晨，小伙子去见国王，他对国王说："如果能得到您的允许，我很高兴到魔宫里去守夜三天。"
国王对小伙子上下打量了一番，觉得他挺不错的，就回答说："你可以去，你还可以要三样东西带到魔宫里去，但必须是无生命的东西。"
"那么，"小伙子回答说，"我就要一把火、一个木匠工作台，还要一台带刀的车床。"