Going A-Travelling

In a small village nestled in a peaceful valley, there lived a young man named Johann who had spent all of his twenty years within the same familiar boundaries. Johann was a good-hearted fellow with bright eyes full of curiosity and a restless spirit that yearned for adventure beyond the rolling hills that surrounded his birthplace.

Johann worked as an apprentice to the village blacksmith, Master Heinrich, who was known for his skill with iron and his wise counsel. Every day, Johann would pump the bellows, tend the forge, and watch as Master Heinrich transformed raw metal into useful tools and beautiful objects.

“Master Heinrich,” Johann said one spring morning as he watched his mentor shape a horseshoe, “tell me again about the great cities you visited when you were young.”

Master Heinrich smiled, his weathered hands never pausing in their work. “Ah, Johann, you have that look in your eyes again - the same look I had when I was your age. You’re thinking of going a-travelling, aren’t you?”

Johann’s face flushed with excitement. “Is it so obvious? I’ve learned much from you, Master Heinrich, but I feel there’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered. How can I be content to remain in one place when there are mountains to climb, cities to explore, and people to meet?”

Master Heinrich set down his hammer and looked thoughtfully at his eager apprentice. “Johann, my boy, the desire to see the world is a natural thing for a young man. I, too, once felt the call of distant places and unknown adventures.”

“Then you understand!” Johann exclaimed. “Will you give me your blessing to leave the village and seek my fortune in the wide world?”

The old blacksmith nodded slowly. “I will, but first let me give you some advice, for the world beyond our village can be both wonderful and treacherous. Remember these words: ‘A wise traveler learns from every person he meets, every place he visits, and every experience he encounters - both good and bad.’”

Johann listened respectfully, but his mind was already racing with thoughts of the adventures that awaited him. “I’ll remember your words, Master Heinrich. But surely the world is full of good people, and any difficulties I encounter will be easily overcome by youth and determination!”

Master Heinrich chuckled at Johann’s youthful confidence. “Perhaps, my boy. But take this small pouch of gold coins - not much, but enough to help you get started. And take this as well,” he said, handing Johann a small, well-worn book. “It contains practical wisdom I’ve gathered from my own travels. Read it when you face challenges you don’t understand.”

The next morning, Johann packed his few belongings into a sturdy leather satchel, said farewell to his family and friends, and set out on the road that led away from his village. He felt lighthearted and optimistic, certain that the world would welcome him with open arms.

The first few days of his journey were everything Johann had hoped they would be. He walked through beautiful countryside, slept under the stars, and met friendly fellow travelers who shared their food and stories with him. The weather was pleasant, the roads were safe, and Johann felt as though he had made the right decision in leaving home.

On the fourth day, Johann came to a large city unlike anything he had ever seen. The streets were crowded with people, merchants hawked their wares from colorful stalls, and magnificent buildings rose toward the sky. Johann was overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells of urban life.

“This is magnificent!” Johann said to himself as he wandered through the bustling marketplace. “Master Heinrich never told me that cities were this exciting!”

As Johann explored the city, he noticed a well-dressed gentleman observing him with interest. The man approached with a friendly smile and introduced himself as Herr Mueller, a successful merchant.

“Young man,” Herr Mueller said smoothly, “you have the look of someone new to our fair city. Might I offer you some friendly advice about the best places to stay and dine?”

Johann was delighted to meet such a helpful person. “That’s very kind of you, sir! I’m Johann, and you’re quite right - this is my first time in a city this large.”

Herr Mueller’s smile widened. “Excellent! Come with me, my young friend. I know just the place for a traveler like yourself - comfortable rooms at reasonable prices, and the finest food in the city.”

Johann followed Herr Mueller through winding streets to a large, impressive-looking inn. Everything about the place seemed luxurious - crystal chandeliers, fine carpets, and well-dressed patrons.

“This looks expensive,” Johann said hesitantly. “I have only a modest amount of money for my travels.”

“Nonsense!” Herr Mueller waved dismissively. “For a fine young man like yourself, I’m sure we can arrange special rates. Besides, you only live once - why not enjoy the best while you can?”

Against his better judgment, Johann allowed himself to be persuaded. He took a room at the expensive inn, dined on rich foods, and even bought new clothes that Herr Mueller insisted were necessary for making a good impression in the city.

Within a week, Johann’s money was nearly gone. Worse still, when he tried to find Herr Mueller to ask for advice about finding work, he discovered that no one at the inn had ever heard of such a person.

“Young man,” the innkeeper said sternly when Johann could not pay his bill, “you’ve been living here for a week without sufficient funds. Either pay what you owe immediately, or I’ll have you thrown into debtor’s prison!”

Johann was devastated. He had been so trusting and eager to enjoy himself that he had fallen prey to a confidence trickster. With great shame, he had to give the innkeeper all his remaining money and even his new clothes, leaving him with only his original simple garments and an empty purse.

Humbled and wiser, Johann left the city and continued his journey. For the first time since leaving home, he pulled out Master Heinrich’s book and read:

“A fool and his money are soon parted. Trust freely, but verify carefully. The finest-seeming offer may hide the greatest trap.”

“If only I had read this a week ago,” Johann sighed. “Master Heinrich tried to warn me, but I was too confident in my own judgment.”

Now penniless, Johann had to rely on his wits and the kindness of others. He worked for food and shelter wherever he could - helping farmers with their harvests, assisting merchants in loading their wagons, and doing whatever honest labor he could find.

This period of hardship taught Johann valuable lessons about the dignity of work and the importance of humility. He met many humble, hardworking people who, despite having little material wealth, were generous with what they had and rich in wisdom and kindness.

One evening, Johann stopped at a small cottage where an elderly widow named Frau Bertha lived alone. She was struggling to repair her roof before the winter rains arrived, but she was too frail to do the heavy work herself.

“Good woman,” Johann said respectfully, “I have little money to offer, but I have strong hands and a willing heart. Might I help you with your roof in exchange for a simple meal and a place to sleep?”

Frau Bertha looked at Johann with eyes that seemed to see into his very soul. “Young man, you have an honest face and a polite manner. I would be grateful for your help.”

Johann worked for three days repairing Frau Bertha’s roof, chopping firewood, and fixing other things around her cottage that needed attention. The old woman was an excellent cook and a wonderful storyteller, and in the evenings they would sit by her fire while she shared tales of her youth and the wisdom she had gained through many years of living.

“Johann,” Frau Bertha said on his final evening there, “you’ve shown great kindness to an old woman, and I can see that your travels have already begun to teach you important lessons. Let me give you something to help you on your way.”

She handed Johann a small bag containing enough money for several weeks of modest travel, along with a warm woolen cloak for the approaching winter.

“I cannot accept such generosity,” Johann protested. “You’ve already given me food and shelter.”

“My dear boy,” Frau Bertha smiled, “I have no children of my own, and it brings me joy to help a young person who shows such good character. Besides, I suspect that someday you will pass along similar kindness to someone else who needs it.”

Johann accepted the gifts with deep gratitude and continued his journey with a much wiser perspective on life. He had learned to be cautious without becoming cynical, generous without being foolish, and ambitious without being arrogant.

Over the following months, Johann’s travels took him through many different landscapes and communities. He worked as a stable hand for a kind innkeeper, learned carpentry from a master craftsman, helped shepherds tend their flocks in mountain pastures, and even spent time with a traveling merchant who taught him about trade and commerce.

Each experience added to Johann’s understanding of the world and his place in it. He discovered that happiness came not from wealth or luxury, but from meaningful work, honest relationships, and the satisfaction of helping others.

In a coastal city, Johann met a ship captain who was looking for reliable crew members for a voyage to distant lands. Johann’s months of travel had given him confidence and practical skills, and the captain was impressed by his character and work ethic.

“Young man,” Captain Ernst said, “I can see that you’re not afraid of hard work, and you have an honest way about you. Would you be interested in seeing some of the world from the deck of a ship?”

Johann accepted eagerly, and spent the next six months at sea, learning navigation, seamanship, and experiencing storms and calms, foreign ports and exotic cultures. The voyage taught him about courage, teamwork, and the vast beauty of the natural world.

When the ship returned to port, Johann found that he had earned enough money to continue his travels in comfort, but more importantly, he had gained a deep appreciation for the complexity and wonder of the world beyond his village.

After two full years of traveling, Johann began to feel a pull toward home. He had seen magnificent cities and wild landscapes, met people from many different walks of life, and accumulated experiences that would enrich the rest of his life. But he also realized that true happiness came not just from seeing new places, but from having a community where he belonged and could contribute.

When Johann finally returned to his village, he was no longer the naive young man who had left two years earlier. His face showed the confidence that comes from experience, his hands bore the calluses of honest work, and his eyes held the wisdom that comes from both success and failure.

Master Heinrich greeted him with a broad smile. “Welcome home, Johann! I can see in your face that your travels have been profitable - not just in money, but in wisdom.”

“You were right, Master Heinrich,” Johann replied. “The world taught me many lessons, some pleasant and some painful, but all valuable. I understand now what you meant about learning from every person and every experience.”

Johann established his own smithy in the village, using the skills he had learned during his travels and the money he had earned at sea. But more than that, he became known as someone who could offer good counsel to young people, having learned from both the mistakes and successes of his own journey.

Years later, when other young villagers came to him with dreams of seeing the world, Johann would always encourage them, but he would also share the wisdom he had gained.

“The world is indeed full of wonders,” he would tell them, “but it’s also full of challenges that will test your character and wisdom. Go with an open heart, but also with a cautious mind. Learn from everyone you meet, work honestly wherever you find yourself, and remember that the greatest treasure you can bring home is not gold or jewels, but the wisdom and experience that will make you a better person and a more valuable member of your community.”

And many young people did follow Johann’s example, setting out to see the world and returning with their own stories of adventure and wisdom. The village became known for producing young people who were both worldly and grounded, adventurous and wise.

Johann never regretted his decision to go a-travelling, for it had made him the man he was meant to be. And whenever he looked at the road that led away from the village, he would smile and remember the lessons he had learned about the balance between wandering and belonging, between seeking adventure and finding home.

Moral: The world is the greatest teacher, offering lessons in wisdom, humility, and the true value of home and community to those brave enough to explore it.