a disbanded soldier had nothing to live on, and did not know how to get on. so he went out into the forest and when he had walked for a short time, he met a little man who was, however, the devil. the little man said to him, "what ails you, you seem so very sorrowful?" then the soldier said, "i am hungry, but have no money." the devil said, "if you will hire yourself to me, and be my serving-man, you shall have enough for all your life. you shall serve me for seven years, and after that you shall again be free. but one thing i must tell you, and that is, you must not wash, comb, or trim yourself, or cut your hair or nails, or wipe the water from your eyes." the soldier said, "all right, if there is no help for it," and went off with the little man, who straightway led him down into hell. then he told him what he had to do.