The House Legend
of the
Black Horse
Illustrations by
Elke Holzmann
Books on Demand
A tale you can
Look at
Read aloud
Listen to
Tell to other people
Play with
Think about
Take a break with
Develop further
Remember
In our Jubilee year 2012
we are delighted to publish a fairy tale
for our younger guests that is rich in symbolism.
We hope you will have lots of fun
reading it!
Jakob V. Forstnig
Hotel Trattlerhof
Long, long ago, in the place where the Trattlerhof stands today, there once lived a farmer. He had three sons, and because he loved them all equally, he did not know which of them he should pass his farm on to.
One day he called them all together and told them: “My dear boys, I am getting old and gradually the time is coming when I need to think who should inherit the farm one day. But I do not want to do any of you an injustice, and I cannot think of anything else to do but to set you all a task. Listen well: Whichever one of you brings me a loaf of bread in one year’s time that people will want to eat every day, yet is also so special that it is suitable for Sundays and feast days, shall inherit the farm and become the farmer in my place.” “That will have to be very special bread!” thought the sons. “It won’t be easy to find!” But they were glad to be able to leave home at last and they set off happily. Their father gave each of them a small bag of money to make it easier for them in the beginning. If they couldn’t find work immediately, then at least they wouldn’t go hungry.
At first the brothers walked together, until they came to a spot where the path separated. Ahead were two wide roads, but the third was only a little path. The two older brothers thought themselves very clever, but regarded the youngest, Jakob, as a fool because he was a little shy and was immediately satisfied with everything. “We are going to continue along the roads, and we will soon find ourselves amongst people at last!” said the two oldest. “The path to the left over there is just right for you! Why would