SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

the story of the 2 wishes

Not too long ago, there lived a Frsian nobleman. His name was Harald Hauke and he lived in, what he called “my castle”, in fact it was an re-enforced farm with a tower. But the tower was a big one, local tales stated, that it was the tallest around. Stories like that, made him proud.

His father, whose great-grandfather laid the first stone of the tower, recently had died and left him as lord of the land, 20 years old and an orphan. His mother died, when given birth to him. He still shivered, when that thought crossed his mind.

It made him a heavy drinker, like most of his local friends.

One of the duties of a local ruler, like Harald Hauke, was to assist his Lord, ruler on a higher level and order, got into trouble or wanted to start a war or raid.

When, on a night in february, the royal messenger arrived, Harald got the order to arm his men and get to the regional capital to be informed about an approaching enemy-force, raiding the country-side in the south. The messenger left immediately.

Haralds men, his private army, consisted of 6 peasants, who all had a horse and some light armor. They were ill-trained and would not stand a chance, against well-trained cavalry. Still they saw there mission as an adventure and followed their master filled with enthusiasm. Harald Hauke rode proudly in front. His harness was shining brightly and his shield was painted red and yellow, the colours of his ancestors. He carried the sword of his father (and his father, etc.) clearly visible on his back.

His shield was gone and he had lost his family sword. The enemy was much too strong and fought a ruthless battle. When heavy, icy rains started to inundate the battlefield, the enemy broke through and their defensive positions were overthrown.

From one moment to another, Haralds fellow-combatants turned around and fled.

Harald was knocked off his horse, that sped away in the darkness. He stripped from his harness and threw it on the ground. It was at this moment, that his precious blade was gone.

Harald Hauke, wearing only his under-garment and bare-footed. Rain blinded his eyes and lightning electrified him. He ran for his life.

After a while, the sounds of the battle faded away, Harald rested for a while. There were no stars to follow, so he made a desperate choise, which way led to his castle, his home.

It took Harald almost two days, before he started to recognise certain characteristics of the landscape. His route took him through a dense forrest. He started running again, following the tiny path almost intuitively. Then it happened.

When he wanted to jump across a tiny stream, he heard a scream. Harald halted and took a better look. On the other side stood a small creature in brown clothes. Harald would have crushed him, if he would have jumped to the other side. The dwarf was not even 3 feet tall.

“Thank you, noble man”, the creature said and bowed, “You saved my life. To thank you, I grant you to wishes.”

Harald could not believe his eyes or ears. Then the dwarf continued. “Say your wish and I will fulfill it here and now.”

Our hero was perplexed and could not think straight. Then he thought of home, his friends and the parties they threw.

“I wish me a bottle, which is always filled with beer”.

A sudden flash and some smoke; right in front of him, floating in the air, appeared a bootle, that seem to glow from the inside.

Harald Hauke looked around and saw that the strange being had disappeared in thin air. Carefully he grapped the shining bottle and put it to his lips. Indeed, the bottle was filled with delicious beer.

It took Harald, yet another day, before he reached his castle. His servants were glad to see him alive and well. Him was told that 3 of his men had returned a day before. The others probably did not survive the battle.

Harald withdrew within the tower, positioned himself in front of the fire-place and took the magical bottle in his hands.

He drank the full bottle. The beer was delicious and the bottle refilled himself constantly. Harald drank the whole night, got quite drunk and fell asleep in his favourite chair.

The first sound he heard the next morning. Was a frantic knocking on the door of the tower.

He had a terrible hangover, his vision was blurred and he stumbled to the door. He unlocked and opened it.

When Harald looked outside, he first saw nothing, when a voice from below said:

“Good morning knight. Remember me? You saved my life and I still owe you one whish. What will it be?

Harald Hauke did not understand completely what the dwarf said. Then he remembered the bottle filled with beer, which had been his first wish.

With a terrible headache and a bit unstable, he bowed and said: “The first beer-bottle works fine, I wish me second one.”