ABSTRACT
https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315828060/49546f0e-ce84-4e70-9b40-7107f16ee305/content/ufig_t_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>HIS story occurs in Grimm’s Fairy Tales and in its present form is 18th century in date, though it undoubtedly comes down from a long distant past. It is of importance to us here, since it shows how long this ancient tradition survived among the peasantry of Europe, while the prominent part played by the “Hung Boat” is most significant. A merchant, who had lost all his money owing to the shipwreck of two vessels in which he had invested it, was wandering disconsolate through the fields when he met a little, dark man, 1 who offered to give him as much money as ever he required if he would promise that whatever came first to meet him on his return home, and rubbed itself against his knees, should be brought to that spot in twelve years time, 2 The merchant thought, “my dog is the only one who can do that,” and agreed, but when he returned home his little son toddled towards him and caught him by the knees.
