'Early the next morning the Miller came
down to get the money for his sack of flour, but little Hans was so tired that
he was still in bed.
'"Upon my word," said the
Miller, "you are very lazy. Really, considering that I am going to give
you my wheelbarrow, I think you might work harder. Idleness is a great sin, and
I certainly don't like any of my friends to be idle or sluggish. You must not
mind my speaking quite plainly to you. Of course I should not dream of doing so
if I were not your friend. But what is the good of friendship if one cannot say
exactly what one means? Anybody can say charming things and try to please and
to flatter, but a true friend always says unpleasant things, and does not mind
giving pain. Indeed, if he is a really true friend he prefers it, for he knows
that then he is doing good."
'"I am very sorry," said little
Hans, rubbing his eyes and pulling off his night-cap, "but I was so tired
that I thought I would lie in bed for a little time, and listen to the birds
singing. Do you know that I always work better after hearing the birds
sing?"
'"Well, I am glad of that,"
said the Miller, clapping little Hans on the back, "for I want you to come
up to the mill as soon as you are dressed, and mend my barn-roof for me."
'Poor little Hans was very anxious to go
and work in his garden, for his flowers had not been watered for two days, but
he did not like to refuse the Miller, as he was such a good friend to him.
'"Do you think it would be
unfriendly of me if I said I was busy?" he inquired in a shy and timid
voice.
'"Well, really," answered the
Miller, "I do not think it is much to ask of you, considering that I am
going to give you my wheelbarrow; but of course if you refuse I will go and do
it myself."
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