Once upon a time, there lived a young man who had reached the age when he wished to marry and start a family. He was a good-hearted, hardworking fellow with a pleasant farm and a comfortable income, making him quite desirable as a husband. However, he faced a problem that many young men of his time encountered: there were several young women in his village who would make suitable wives, and he could not decide which one to choose.

The young man’s name was Wilhelm, and he was known for his practical wisdom and thoughtful nature. He had received proposals from three different families, each offering the hand of their daughter in marriage.

The first was Anna, the baker’s daughter, who was known for her excellent cooking and her cheerful disposition. She could make the finest bread and pastries in the village, and her laughter could brighten even the gloomiest day.

The second was Margarete, the weaver’s daughter, who was famous for her skill with needle and thread. She could create the most beautiful fabrics and garments, and her handiwork was sought after by people from neighboring villages.

The third was Elisabeth, the merchant’s daughter, who was well-educated and could read and write better than most men in the village. She was known for her intelligence and her ability to manage household accounts with precision.

All three young women were kind, beautiful, and would make excellent wives, but Wilhelm could not decide which one would be the best match for him. Each had qualities that he admired, and he found himself equally drawn to all three.

“How can I choose?” Wilhelm asked his wise old grandfather. “All three would make wonderful wives, and I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by making the wrong choice.”

His grandfather stroked his long white beard thoughtfully. “Sometimes, my boy, the best way to make a difficult decision is not to think about it too hard. Let fate and natural reactions guide you.”

“What do you mean, grandfather?” Wilhelm asked.

The old man smiled mysteriously. “I have an idea that might help you see which young woman is truly meant for you. But you must promise to accept whatever the outcome reveals.”

Wilhelm agreed, curious to hear his grandfather’s plan.

“Tomorrow,” his grandfather explained, “invite all three young women and their families to a picnic in the meadow by the big haystack. Tell them you want to get to know them better before making your decision. During the picnic, you will find a way to observe how each one reacts in an unexpected situation.”

The next day, Wilhelm organized the picnic exactly as his grandfather had suggested. All three families came, bringing baskets of food and drinks. The young women wore their finest dresses and were on their best behavior, each hoping to impress Wilhelm.

As they were all enjoying the meal and conversation, Wilhelm’s grandfather quietly whispered to him, “Now, my boy, watch carefully what happens next.”

Suddenly, the old man pointed toward the haystack and shouted, “Look! There’s a field mouse running around the haystack!”

Now, there really was a small field mouse scurrying near the haystack, but it was harmless and quite far from where they were sitting. However, the grandfather’s announcement caused quite a stir among the picnic guests.

Anna, the baker’s daughter, immediately jumped up on her chair and began screaming loudly, “A mouse! A mouse! Someone please catch it! I can’t stand mice!” She continued to shriek and refused to come down until someone assured her the mouse was gone.

Margarete, the weaver’s daughter, also stood up quickly, but instead of screaming, she gathered her skirts carefully around her ankles and looked around nervously. “Oh my,” she said in a worried voice, “I do hope it doesn’t come this way. Mice are such dirty creatures.”

Elisabeth, the merchant’s daughter, looked toward the haystack calmly and observed the small mouse for a moment. Then she turned back to the group and said with a gentle smile, “Oh, look at the little fellow. He’s just looking for food scraps from our picnic. He’s more afraid of us than we are of him.”

Wilhelm watched the three different reactions with great interest. He noticed how each young woman’s true nature was revealed in this unexpected moment.

After the picnic ended and all the families had gone home, Wilhelm sat with his grandfather to discuss what they had observed.

“Well, my boy,” his grandfather asked, “what did you learn from today’s test?”

Wilhelm thought carefully before answering. “I learned that Anna, though sweet and cheerful, becomes very frightened and dramatic when faced with small problems. Margarete is more controlled, but she still sees problems as threats to be avoided. But Elisabeth… she remained calm and even found compassion for a tiny creature that others feared.”

His grandfather nodded approvingly. “And what does this tell you about who would be the best partner for you in life?”

“It tells me that Elisabeth has the kind of steady, kind nature that would make her a wonderful companion through all of life’s challenges,” Wilhelm replied. “She doesn’t panic in unexpected situations, and she has a compassionate heart.”

The very next day, Wilhelm visited Elisabeth’s father to ask for her hand in marriage. The merchant was delighted, as he had noticed Wilhelm’s good character and work ethic.

When Wilhelm proposed to Elisabeth, he told her honestly about the test his grandfather had devised. Instead of being offended, Elisabeth laughed warmly.

“I’m glad your grandfather was so clever,” she said. “It shows that your family values wisdom and thoughtfulness. Those are qualities I admire in a husband.”

Wilhelm and Elisabeth were married in the spring, and their wedding was celebrated by the entire village. Anna and Margarete, though initially disappointed, soon found other suitable husbands who were better matched to their own personalities.

Elisabeth proved to be exactly the kind of wife Wilhelm had hoped for. She remained calm and resourceful during difficult times, showed kindness to all creatures great and small, and brought wisdom and joy to their household.

Years later, when young people in the village asked Wilhelm how he had chosen so well, he would tell them the story of the mouse and the haystack.

“Sometimes,” he would say, “the best way to know someone’s true character is to observe how they react when they are not trying to impress you. A moment of genuine response can reveal more than months of polite conversation.”

And so the tale reminds us that true compatibility comes not from trying to be perfect for someone else, but from being genuinely ourselves and choosing partners who appreciate our authentic nature.