The Jew Among Thorns

Once upon a time, there lived a poor but honest young man named Hans who worked as a servant for a wealthy merchant. Hans was known throughout the village for his diligent work and kind heart, though he possessed little in the way of worldly goods.

For three years, Hans served his master faithfully, working from dawn to dusk without complaint. When his term of service was complete, his master was well pleased with his work.

“Hans,” said the merchant, “you have served me well these three years. As payment for your faithful service, I offer you these three silver coins.”

Hans accepted the modest payment gratefully, though three silver coins seemed little reward for three years of hard labor. As he prepared to leave and seek his fortune in the world, Hans encountered a small, bent old man on the road.

“Good sir,” said the old man, “might you spare a coin for one who has fallen on hard times?”

Without hesitation, Hans gave the old man one of his three precious coins. “Take this with my blessing,” he said kindly.

The old man’s eyes twinkled strangely. “You have a generous heart, young man. For your kindness, I will give you three gifts. First, this bow will never miss its target when you hunt. Second, this violin will make anyone dance who hears its music. Third, whatever you ask of any person while they are dancing to your violin, they must grant.”

Hans accepted the magical gifts with wonder and gratitude. The old man disappeared as mysteriously as he had appeared, leaving Hans to marvel at his good fortune.

As Hans continued on his journey, he came upon a beautiful forest. Feeling hungry, he decided to use his magical bow to hunt for food. True to the old man’s promise, his first shot brought down a fine bird for his dinner.

While Hans was preparing to cook his meal, he heard someone approaching through the forest. Soon, a well-dressed man emerged from the trees - it was a wealthy merchant who was known throughout the region for his sharp business practices and love of money.

“What are you doing in my forest?” demanded the merchant harshly. “This is private land, and you are trespassing!”

“I meant no harm, good sir,” Hans replied politely. “I was merely preparing a simple meal. I can move along if you wish.”

But the merchant’s eyes had fallen upon Hans’s small pouch of remaining silver coins. Greed immediately filled his heart as he devised a plan to rob the poor young man.

“Trespassing is a serious crime,” the merchant said slyly. “However, I might be willing to overlook this offense… for a price. Give me your money, and I’ll allow you to leave unharmed.”

Hans was shocked by this demand. “Sir, I have done nothing wrong. These coins are all I have in the world.”

“Then you should have thought of that before entering my forest,” the merchant replied coldly. “Guards!” he called out, and several rough men emerged from behind the trees. “This young man is a thief who has been stealing from my forest. Take his money and prepare to arrest him.”

Hans realized he had fallen into a trap. The merchant and his men had clearly planned this robbery from the beginning. As the guards advanced toward him, Hans remembered his magical violin.

“Wait!” Hans called out. “Before you take my money, allow me to play one last song on my violin. Surely even a condemned man deserves that much.”

The merchant laughed cruelly. “Play your little tune if you wish. It will not save your coins or your freedom.”

Hans raised his violin and began to play a lively, irresistible melody. Immediately, the magic took effect. The merchant and his guards began to dance uncontrollably, spinning and leaping to the music’s rhythm.

At first, they laughed, thinking this was merely a coincidence. But as Hans continued to play, they found they could not stop dancing, no matter how they tried.

“Stop this music!” gasped the merchant as he spun helplessly.

“First, you must answer my questions truthfully,” Hans replied, continuing to play. “Are you really the owner of this forest?”

“No, no!” the merchant cried as he danced wildly. “The forest belongs to the lord of the manor. I was lying!”

“And did you plan to rob me from the beginning?”

“Yes!” the merchant admitted, unable to stop his frantic dancing. “We saw you counting your coins and decided to take them!”

Hans played on, and the men danced harder and harder. Soon they were dancing among the thorny bushes that grew throughout the forest. The sharp thorns tore at their fine clothes and scratched their skin, but still they could not stop dancing.

“Please!” begged the merchant, his clothes now torn and his face bleeding from the thorns. “I confess everything! We are thieves and liars! Have mercy!”

“Will you promise to give up your dishonest ways and treat poor people fairly?” Hans asked, still playing his violin.

“Yes, yes, anything!” cried the merchant. “Just stop this terrible music!”

Finally, Hans lowered his violin, and the dancing stopped. The merchant and his men collapsed to the ground, exhausted and bloodied from their encounter with the thorns.

“Let this be a lesson to you,” Hans said sternly. “Honesty and kindness are worth more than all the gold in the world. If I hear that you have returned to your thieving ways, my violin and I will find you again.”

The merchant and his men limped away, thoroughly humbled by their experience. True to his word, the merchant reformed his ways and became known for fair dealing rather than trickery.

Hans continued on his journey, and his magical gifts served him well. The bow provided him with food when he was hungry, and the violin protected him from those who would do him harm. He used his powers wisely, helping the honest and punishing the dishonest wherever he traveled.

Years later, Hans became a respected member of society, known for his fairness and his mysterious ability to expose the truth in any situation. He married a kind woman and lived a long, happy life, always remembering the lesson that kindness given freely often returns in unexpected ways.

The magical violin remained with Hans throughout his life, but he used it sparingly and only when faced with serious injustice. He understood that great power requires great responsibility, and he wielded his gifts with wisdom and restraint.

And so Hans’s story became a legend told throughout the land - a reminder that while justice may sometimes seem harsh, it serves to protect the innocent and teach the wicked the error of their ways.

The old man who had given Hans his gifts was never seen again, though some said he was a wise spirit who walked the earth, rewarding kindness and testing the hearts of mortals.

Moral: True justice protects the innocent while teaching wrongdoers the consequences of their actions, but it must always be tempered with wisdom and mercy.