My little boy has fallen off a ladder and hurt himself , and I am going for the Doctor . But he lives so far away , and it is such a bad night , that it has just occurred to me that it would be much better if you went instead of me . You know I am going to give you my wheelbarrow , and so , it is only fair that you should do something for me in return . ' '' ` Certainly , ' cried little Hans , ' I take it quite as a compliment your coming to me , and I will start off at once . But you must lend me your lantern , as the night is so dark that I am afraid I might fall into the ditch . ' '' ' I am very sorry , ' answered the Miller , ` but it is my new lantern , and it would be a great loss to me if anything happened to it . ' '' ` Well , never mind , I will do without it , ' cried little Hans , and he took down his great fur coat , and his warm scarlet cap , and tied a muffler round his throat , and started off . `` What a dreadful storm it was ! The night was so black that little Hans could hardly see , and the wind was so strong that he could scarcely stand . However , he was very courageous , and after he had been walking about three hours , he arrived at the Doctor 's house , and knocked at the door . '' ` Who is there ? ' cried the Doctor , putting his head out of his bedroom window . '' ` Little Hans , Doctor . ' '' ` What do you want , little Hans ? ' '' ` The Miller 's son has fallen from a ladder , and has hurt himself , and the Miller wants you to come at once . ' '' ` All right ! ' said the Doctor ; and he ordered his horse , and his big boots , and his lantern , and came downstairs , and rode off in the direction of the Miller 's house , little Hans trudging behind him . `` But the storm grew worse and worse , and the rain fell in torrents , and little Hans could not see where he was going , or keep up with the horse . At last he lost his way , and wandered off on the moor , which was a very dangerous place , as it was full of deep holes , and there poor little Hans was drowned . His body was found the next day by some goatherds , floating in a great pool of water , and was brought back by them to the cottage .
`` Everybody went to little Hans ' funeral , as he was so popular , and the XXXXX was the chief mourner . ''
Doctor Miller drowned fall goatherds hours moor right storm wheelbarrow