Good evening, children. It's Granny Macduff, ready with a story. So make yourselves comfy, and I'll begin.

Once upon a time, there lived seven Swabians, who were always together. They were from Swabia, a part of Germany.

The first of them was Master Schultz.

The second, Jatli.

The third, Loonzi.

The fourth, Jurgli.

The fifth, Hanzi.

The sixth, Spartzi. and the seventh, Veetli.

They decided to travel the world together and do good deeds.

But they needed something to help them fish, something to protect them,

and something to roast their dinner over a fire.

So they made a spear, a very, very long spear.

It was so long that they all had to hold it together.

In front was Schultz and all the rest followed behind in order. So they walked in a line

together all holding the giant spear. It was quite a sight. Now it so happened that in the

month of July they had walked a very long way and had still a very long

way to go before they reached the nearest village. It was dusk when they came to a lovely little

meadow. With the spear in their hands they walked through the tall grass. As they did, a great hornet or beetle or horsefly flew by them from behind a large bush.

It buzzed loudly.

So loud in fact that Schultz was absolutely terrified. He let go of the spear and broke out in a sweat.

Good heavens, he cried.

There is a menace among us.

...