Reading Notes: Czech Folktales Part B
The Soldier and the Devil -A soldier is going home with threepence -He distributes each coin to a different beggar, each one in worse shape than the one before -When he left the forest he was granted three bonns by the Lord for his charity -He chose a pipe always full of tobacco, a purse always full of gold, and a knapsack that he could easily capture anyone in with a few simple words -He went to a mill and asked for lodging, but the only available room they told him was haunted by a devil -The devil appears and plays cards with him -When the devil tries to tear him apart, the soldier captures him in his knapsack -He leaves with it in the morning and asks a blacksmith to give the devil a good beating before he lets him go -He hears of a lady who plays cards and always wins -She is frustrated that she cannot win all the money from the soldier and steals his three magic gifts during the night -He goes along his way, eats half an apple and grows horns, and then eats half a pear...