There was once upon a time a Queen to whom God had given no children. Every morning she went into the garden and prayed to God in heaven to bestow on her a son or a daughter.

It happened that the cat met the fox in the forest, and as she thought to herself, "He is clever and full of experience, and much esteemed in the world," she spoke to him in a friendly way.

The wolf gave birth to a cub and invited the fox to be godfather.

The wolf had the fox with him, and whatever the wolf wished, that the fox was compelled to do, for he was weaker, and he would gladly have been rid of his master.

Once upon a time the fox was talking to the wolf about the strength of man; how no animal could withstand him, and how all were obliged to employ cunning in order to preserve themselves from him.

There was once a man who understood all kinds of arts; he served in war and behaved well and bravely, but when the war was over he received his dismissal, and three farthings for his expenses on the way. "Stop," he said. "I shall not be content with this."

A father once called his three sons before him, and he gave to the first a cock, to the second a scythe, and to the third a cat.

There was once an old castle in the middle of a large and thick forest, and in it an old woman who was a witch dwelt all alone.

Hans wished to send his son to learn a trade, so he went into the church and prayed to our Lord God to know which would be most advantageous for him. Then the clerk got behind the alter and said, "Thieving. Thieving."

There was once a King's son who was betrothed to a maiden whom he loved very much. And when he was sitting beside her and very happy, news came that his father lay sick and dying, and desired to see him at once again before his end.