The Jew Among Thorns

There was once a rich man who was promised three wishes from a dwarf with a good heart. One day, the dwarf jumped out of a bush and told the rich man it was was time for him to receive his first wish. To the little man, the rich man said, “Aha! You are one of mine who works wonders! Well, then, if it is to be so, I wish, first, for a fiddle, which when I play on it, shall compel all who hear it to dance.” “That you shall have, and when you are ready for your second wish I will return to you.” said the Dwarf; and from the bush he pulled a fiddle, all ready, as if it had always been there, and said, “Whenever you may play at any time, no man shall be able to stop dancing.”

Soon afterwards he met a Jew, who was standing listening to the song of a bird which was sitting up at the top of a tree. “Good heavens, “ he was exclaiming, “That small creature has such a delightful voice! If I had but a fiddle to sprinkle the air!”

“If that is what you desire,” said the rich man, “then stay quietly in my service;” And he took out his fiddle and began to play. In a moment the Jew’s legs began to move, and to jump into the air, and the more the rich man fiddled the better went the dance. Then the Jew began to dance into the thorn-bushes. But the thorns tore his shabby coat from him, scared away the bird, and pricked and plucked him all over the body. “Oh dear,” cried the Jew, “what do I want with your fiddling? Leave it alone, master; I do not want to dance.”But the rich man did not listen to him, and thought, “Now the thorn-bushes shall treat you the way you ought to be treated;” and he began to play over again, so that the Jew had to jump higher than ever, and scraps of his coat were left hanging on the thorns. “Oh, woe’s me! I will give this master whatsoever he asks if only he takes my purse of gold.” - “If you are so liberal,” said the rich man, “I will stop my music, but this I must say to your credit, that you dance to it so well that it is quite an art;” and he took the purse of gold and went on his way.

The Jew stood still and watched the rich man quietly until he was far off and out of sight, and then he screamed with all his might, “You miserable fiddler! Wait till I catch you! You will be calculated!” And went on brewing himself as fast as he could speak, and he ran into the town to the justice.

“My Lord,” He said, “I have come to make a complaint; see a rascal has robbed me! My little purse, good ducats, each piece better than the last; for God’s sake they were stolen!”

“Who cut thou?” Said the Judge - “Nothing of the sort!” Said the Jew; “it was no sword that he had, but a fiddle at his neck; the wretch easily be known!”

So the Judge found the rich man, and they found too, the purse with the money upon him. As soon as he was taken before the judge he said, “I did not touch the Jew, nor take his money; he gave it to me of his own free will, that I might leave off fiddling because he could not bear my music.” - “Heaven defend us!” Cried the Jew, “his lies are as thick.”

And the Judge did not believe the rich man, but he also did not believe the Jew, so he said, “No Jew would do that, what is your defense?” As the rich man explained himself , the Jew again screamed after him, “You vagabond! You dog of a fiddler! Now you are going to receive your well-earned reward!” The rich man looked quietly at the Judge and said, “Grant me just one request before you trust the Jew.”

“Yes.” said the Judge. “Let me play once more my fiddle.” The Jew raised a great cry, “Murder! Murder! For goodness’ sake do not allow it! Do not allow it!” But the judge said, “Why should I not let him have this pleasure? He shall have it.” Then the Jew cried “Oh! Woe’s me! Run fast, run fast!” While the rich man took the fiddle off his neck, and made ready.

As he gave his song, they all began to quiver and shake, the Judge, his clerk, and all the men, and the purse fell out of the hand of the Jew. Then all raised their legs, and made ready to dance. And finally they all leaped up and began to dance; the judge and the Jew being the best at dancing. Soon all who were in the market place were dancing with them; old and young, fat and lean, one with another. The birds likewise, sung in tune, and the dogs got up on their hind legs and capered about; and the longer he played, the higher sprang the dancers, so that they knocked against each other.

At length the judge cried, quite out of breath, “I grant you earnesty, if only you stop fiddling.” The rich man thereupon had compassion, took his fiddle and hung it round his neck again. Then he went up the Jew, and said, “You’re the rascal, now confess, whence you got the money, or I will take my fiddle play it again.” - “I stole it, I stole it!” Cried he; “but you have honestly earned it.” So the judge had the Jew’s purse of gold given to the rich man in a legal manner.