The Bremen Town Musicians – Germany (Original Version)

Once upon a time, there was a farmer who had a donkey that had faithfully carried sacks to the mill for many years. But as the donkey grew older, he became less able to work, and the farmer began to consider getting rid of him. Sensing his master’s intentions, the donkey decided to run away and make his way to Bremen, where he believed he could become a town musician.

As he traveled, the donkey met a dog lying on the road, panting heavily. “Why are you panting so, my friend?” asked the donkey.

“Ah,” said the dog, “I am old and weak, and I can no longer hunt. My master wanted to get rid of me, so I ran away. Now I’m looking for a new life.”

“Come with me to Bremen,” said the donkey. “I am going to become a town musician, and you can join me in the band.”

The dog was pleased with the idea and joined the donkey on his journey.

A little further along the road, they came across a cat sitting by the roadside, looking as miserable as three wet days. “What’s the matter, old whiskers?” asked the donkey.

“How can I be happy when my life is in danger?” replied the cat. “I’m getting old, my teeth are dull, and I’d rather sit by the fire than chase mice. My mistress wanted to drown me, so I ran away.”

“Why don’t you come with us to Bremen?” said the donkey. “We’re going to be musicians, and you can join us.”

The cat thought it over and agreed, and the three animals continued on their way.

As they traveled, they came upon a rooster perched on a gate, crowing with all his might. “Why are you crying out so loudly?” asked the donkey.

“Tomorrow is Sunday, and my mistress is planning to make me into soup for the guests. So I am crowing while I still can,” replied the rooster.

“Come with us to Bremen,” suggested the donkey. “We are going to be musicians, and you can join our band.”

The rooster was delighted to join them, and together, the four animals set off for Bremen.

As night fell, they came across a forest where they decided to rest. The rooster flew to the top of a tree to find a safe place to sleep. From this vantage point, he saw a light shining in the distance and told his companions.

The animals decided to investigate and soon came to a house where robbers were feasting and counting their stolen goods. The donkey came up with a clever plan. Standing on each other’s backs, the four animals began to make a tremendous noise: the donkey brayed, the dog barked, the cat meowed, and the rooster crowed. The cacophony startled the robbers so much that they fled into the forest, thinking the house was haunted.

The animals entered the house, enjoyed the food left behind, and settled in for the night. Each found a comfortable spot: the donkey in the yard, the dog behind the door, the cat by the hearth, and the rooster on a perch.

Later that night, the robbers, seeing the lights were out, returned to the house. The leader sent one of them in to investigate. Entering quietly, the robber tripped over the dog, who bit him. The cat scratched him, the donkey kicked him, and the rooster crowed loudly from his perch. Terrified, the robber ran back to his companions, claiming the house was full of monsters.

The robbers never returned, and the four animals found a new home in the house. Although they never made it to Bremen, they lived happily together, using their newfound freedom and friendship to create a joyful life.

And so, the story of the Bremen Town Musicians became a beloved tale, reminding everyone of the power of friendship and the joy of new beginnings.

The End.