surprised councillors. He spoke truly, for the pot was still
steaming. How amused they all were!

"'What a clever fellow he is,' they said among themselves. 'Surely
we will agree to make the bond with Zurich, if it holds many men like
him.'

"The bond was quickly signed and then, with laughter and good-will,
the councillors gathered around the kettle with spoons and ate every
bit of the oatmeal.

"'It is excellent,' they all cried. And indeed it was still hot
enough to burn the mouths of those who were not careful."

"Good! Good!" cried the children, and they laughed heartily, even
though it was a joke against their own people.

Their father and mother had also listened to the story and enjoyed it
as much as the children.

"Another story, please, dear Uncle Fritz," they begged.

But their father pointed to the clock. "Too late, too late, my
dears," he said. "If you sit up any longer, your mother will have to
call you more than once in the morning. So, away to your beds, every
one of you."