The Duration of Life

by The Brothers Grimm

　　

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When God had created the world and was about to fix the length ofeach creature's life, the ass came and asked, "Lord, how long shallI live?" "Thirty years," replied God; "does that content thee?" "Ah,Lord," answered the ass, "that is a long time. Think of my painfulexistence! To carry heavy burdens from morning to night, to drag sacks ofcorn to the mill, that others may eat bread, to be cheered and refreshedwith nothing but blows and kicks. Relieve me of a portion of this longtime." Then God had pity on him and relieved him of eighteen years. Theass went away comforted, and the dog appeared. "How long wouldst thoulike to live?" said God to him. "Thirty years are too many for the ass,but thou wilt be satisfied with that." "Lord," answered the dog, "is thatthy will? Consider how I shall have to run, my feet will never hold outso long, and when I have once lost my voice for barking, and my teeth forbiting, what will be left for me to do but run from one corner to anotherand growl?" God saw that he was right, and released him from twelve yearsof life. Then came the monkey. "Thou wilt certainly live thirty yearswillingly?" said the Lord to him. "Thou hast no need to work as the assand the dog have to do, and wilt always enjoy thyself." "Ah! Lord,"he answered, "it may seem as if that were the case, but it is quitedifferent. When it rains porridge I have no spoon. I am always to playmerry pranks, and make faces which force people to laugh, and if theygive me an apple, and I bite into it, why it is sour! How often sadnesshides itself behind mirth! I shall never be able to hold out for thirtyyears." God was gracious and took off ten.

　　At last man appeared, joyous, healthy and vigorous, and begged Godto appoint his time for him. "Thirty years shalt thou live," saidthe Lord. "Is that enough for thee?" "What a short time," cried man,"when I have built my house and my fire burns on my own hearth; when Ihave planted trees which blossom and bear fruit, and am just intendingto enjoy my life, I am to die! O Lord, lengthen my time." "I willadd to it the ass's eighteen years," said God. "That is not enough,"replied the man. "Thou shalt also have the dog's twelve years." "Stilltoo little!" "Well, then," said God, "I will give thee the monkey's tenyears also, but more thou shalt not have." The man went away, but wasnot satisfied.

　　So man lives seventy years. The first thirty are his human years,which are soon gone; then is he healthy, merry, works with pleasure,and is glad of his life. Then follow the ass's eighteen years, when oneburden after another is laid on him, he has to carry the corn which feedsothers, and blows and kicks are the reward of his faithful services. Thencome the dog's twelve years, when he lies in the corner, and growls andhas no longer any teeth to bite with, and when this time is over themonkey's ten years form the end. Then man is weak-headed and foolish,does silly things, and becomes the jest of the children.

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