Pekale was a prankster and was known throughout the country for his pranks. A rich landowner also heard about it and said: “I want to find the prankster and have him show me his pranks!”

He got into his carriage and set off.

Meanwhile, Pekale sat at the edge of the forest. He was bored. When he saw the landowner's carriage, he thought: “He's just right for me, I'll play a trick on him.”

He took a stick and sat down in the middle of the road.

The rich landowner stopped the carriage and asked: “What are you doing?”

“I'm Pekale and I'm holding the stick so he can rest?” said the rogue.

“You are Pekale? I was looking for you. Can you show me one of your tricks?”

“That's difficult, sir,” said Pekale. “I left my pranks at home. But if you give me your carriage, I can get it.”

“Fine,” said the rich landowner and got out.

“But who will look after my stick?” asked Pekale.

“I'll do that,” said the rich man, sat down on the road and held the stick while Pekale drove off in the carriage.

The landowner waited and waited, but Pekale did not return.

Towards evening, a man came by and asked: “Sir, what are you doing here in the middle of the road?”

“I'm helping the stick to rest and waiting for Pekale. He's gone home in my carriage to get his tricks.”

The man laughed and said: “You can wait a long time. Pekale has played a real trick on you, you won't see your carriage again.”

Finally the landowner understood that Pekale had played a trick on him, got up and ran home leaning on his stick. He didn't say a word to anyone about what had happened to him. But someone must have told him, perhaps Pekale himself, because in the end everyone knew about it and we now know the story too.

Fassung Djamila Jaenike, nach: V. Gazak, Das Buch aus reinem Silber, Düsseldorf 1984. Übersetzung ins Englische: Lysander Jaenike ©Mutabor Märchenstiftung