` Dear little Hans , ' said the Miller , ` would you mind carrying this sack of flour for me to market ? ' '' ` Oh , I am so sorry , ' said Hans , ` but I am really very busy to-day . I have got all my creepers to nail up , and all my flowers to water , and all my grass to roll . ' '' ` Well , really , ' said the Miller , ' I think that , considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow , it is rather unfriendly of you to refuse . ' '' ` Oh , do n't say that , ' cried little Hans , ' I would n't be unfriendly for the whole world ' ; and he ran in for his cap , and trudged off with the big sack on his shoulders . `` It was a very hot day , and the road was terribly dusty , and before Hans had reached the sixth milestone he was so tired that he had to sit down and rest . However , he went on bravely , and as last he reached the market . After he had waited there some time , he sold the sack of flour for a very good price , and then he returned home at once , for he was afraid that if he stopped too late he might meet some robbers on the way . '' ` It has certainly been a hard day , ' said little Hans to himself as he was going to bed , ` but I am glad I did not refuse the Miller , for he is my best friend , and , besides , he is going to give me his wheelbarrow . ' `` Early the next morning the Miller came down to get the money for his sack of flour , but little Hans was so tired that he was still in bed . '' ` Upon my word , ' said the Miller , ` you are very lazy . Really , considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow , I think you might work harder . Idleness is a great sin , and I certainly do n't like any of my friends to be idle or sluggish . You must not mind my speaking quite plainly to you . Of course I should not dream of doing so if I were not your friend . But what is the good of friendship if one can not say exactly what one means ? Anybody can say charming things and try to please and to flatter , but a true friend always says unpleasant things , and does not mind giving pain . Indeed , if he is a really true friend he prefers it , for he knows that then he is doing good . ' '' ' I am very sorry , ' said little Hans , rubbing his eyes and pulling off his night-cap , ` but I was so tired that I thought I would lie in bed for a little time , and listen to the birds singing . Do you know that I always work better after hearing the birds sing ? ' ''
` Well , I am glad of that , ' said the Miller , clapping little XXXXX on the back , ` for I want you to come up to the mill as soon as you are dressed , and mend my barn-roof for me . '
Hans Miller day eyes sack sin sixth things wheelbarrow world