The Little Muddlehead
This is the story of a little man, called the Little Muddlehead, or at least that's what the children in the neighborhood called him. The Little Muddlehead was small and wore a large turban, baggy trousers, and a giant coat, in which at least three muddleheads could fit. He lived alone and didn't talk or interact much with anyone.
The children amused themselves all day at his expense.
— Hey, look what I've got here! — How about we put it in that giant coat of the Little Muddlehead? — Oh, yes! It'll take him all day to find the spider hidden in his coat. He he!
The Meeting with the Farmer
A farmer, who was passing by, heard them.
— Hey, hey, children, don't be mean! — Come on, Dad! It's just the Little Muddlehead. — Speak respectfully about him, alright? You don't know him at all.
— You know him? Tell us everything! — So listen. Once I tell you his story, you'll never think of bothering him again. His name is Hibix. He set out into the world to get rich.
Hibix and Mrs. Fraua Havzi's Cats
One day, hungry and tired, he ventured into a strange castle to shelter for the night. In the garden there were at least 12 cats. When they saw a strange man, they all rushed at him at once.
— I can't believe it! Why on earth didn't you hear the bell? Listen! Who are you? Tell me! — My name is Hibix, madam. I was hoping to find a place to stay for the night. — Come in!
So, the Little Muddlehead went in with the cats and Mrs. Fraua Havzi, where he was offered a wonderful meal.
— Shoo! Go away! Don't you dare disturb my poor, hungry, sweet little kitties! Oh, eat, my poor sweet little kitties! You must be very hungry! — Here, have some more! No creature should eat while another is hungry.
The Magic Gifts
— Why don't you stay here, Hibix, to look after my cats? I want your help.
So, Hibix stayed. For a few days, everything went well, but one day, when Mrs. Fraua Havzi went out...
— Take good care of them! I'll be back in a few hours. Bye-bye, my sweet little kitties! Mwah! — Oh, wait! Stop! Stop!
When Fraua Havzi returned...
— Goodness, what have you done here? — Oh, they, all the cats, they did it, madam! Ha ha! Ha ha! — How dare you? You blame my poor sweet little kitties? I'll turn you into... — No, no, no, please!
— Oh, dear! My sweet little kitties did this? Ah! Well, Hibix, I'm sorry. — I wouldn't want to stay here with these naughty cats anymore. Please give me my money, madam. — Well, certainly. Go to my room and take the staff by the door and the house slippers. — What am I supposed to do with a staff and house slippers?
Wearing the house slippers, you'll be able to fly anywhere in an instant, and the staff will jump three times whenever there's gold or silver buried underground.
— Ha! Be careful how you use these gifts, Hibix, because they can help you a lot, but they can also bring you many troubles.
Hibix, Royal Runner
And with these wonderful gifts, Hibix set off on his way again, but the staff didn't jump even once all that time. Since there was no gold anywhere, Hibix decided to use the slippers to find work. He went to the palace and asked the king to hire him as a running messenger.
— You? Well, the royal runner should be very fast. We'll organize a race between you and the best runners. I will give each of you a message for my guard on the other side of the city. If you're the first to return with the answer, I will name you royal runner. — Certainly!
Thanks to the magic slippers, Hibix returned in an instant. Everyone was amazed. The king named him his royal runner, and in time, the king began to trust and like this strange little man more than his other courtiers. Of course, the other courtiers were bothered by this.
— How can the king like a mere runner so much? — There's something strange about him, I tell you!
The Discovery of Treasure and Betrayal
One day, as Hibix was walking alone in a small forest, his staff suddenly jumped three times in his hand. Eagerly, Hibix dug and found hundreds of pots filled with gold and treasures.
— Hooray! I've found a treasure! Yes, now I'll never have to work another day in my life! Does this mean I'll have to quit working for the king? No. I like the king, and besides, he trusts me greatly. I can't leave him. No.
So, Hibix took a part of the treasure, left the rest hidden, and returned to the palace. He began to share his money with anyone he thought needed help.
— I hope the king will agree to give me a loan so I can get medicine. — Don't worry, my man, here you go. I hope your mother gets well soon. — Thank you! — You, where did he get so much money all of a sudden? — Hmm, he must be stealing! Let's tell the king! There's no way he could have so much money!
The thoughtless king believed the courtiers. He asked them to keep an eye on Hibix. So, the next time Hibix went out to get more of his treasure, the courtiers followed him, and when he dug and returned with a pot of gold, they pounced on him. They took Hibix to the king and lied to him.
— Your Highness, he was hiding the treasure he stole from you! — Ha ha! That's a lie! I wasn't hiding the treasure, I was unearthing it! — What thief unearths treasure? — Don't lie, Hibix! — I thought you trusted me.
Seeing that the king didn't trust him, Hibix told him about the staff and the slippers.
— Hibix, leave the kingdom and never return! — You know I would never do such a thing! — Leave them here and go! Now!
Hibix's Sweet Revenge
Hibix was very upset. He never wanted to see anyone again. So, he built a small hut in the forest. One day, he found a tree laden with ripe figs. He picked one and gobbled it down. As soon as he finished eating, he started to feel strange and, behold, his ears and nose grew big, very big. Hibix was terrified. He didn't know what to do. He wandered through the forest, determined to find a cure.
A day or two later, he found another fig tree. Hungry, he picked a fruit and ate it, terrified of what might happen to him this time. But, to his surprise, his nose and ears shrank
