The Smith and The Devil

Once upon a time there was a smith who had a son six years old-a sturdy and sensible lad. One day the old man was going into the church, and stood in front of a picture of the Last Judgment. And he saw there was a devil painted there so terrible, so black, with horns and tail! "What a fine devil!" he thought. "I will go and paint such a devil for myself in the smithy." So he sent for a painter and told him to paint on the doors of the smithy a devil who should be exactly the same as the one he had seen in the church. This was done.
From this time forward, the old man, whenever he went into the smithy, always looked at the devil and said, "Hail, fellow-countryman!" And soon after he would go up to the forge, light the fire, and set to work. So he went on living for some ten years on most excellent terms with the devil. Then he fell ill and died. His son succeeded him and took over the smithy. But he had no such respect for the devil as his father had had. Whether he went early to the smithy or not, nothing prospered; and, instead of greeting the devil kindly, he went and took his very biggest hammer and knocked the devil three times on his forehead, and then set to work. When a holy feast-day came by, he went into the church and lit a taper in front of the saints; but, as he approached the devil he spat on him. For three whole years this went on; and every day he greeted the unclean spirit with a hammer and spat on him.

[@thegrymwolf6360]

Fantastic!

[@hairyjohnson2597]

Thank you for the content!

[@OblateSpheroid]

Yep, that sounds like an ancient story.

[@djohnsveress6616]

From what I've understood. You can't truly know good if you don't welcome the evil... at least that is my own cent on the tale. It doesn't exactly fell right, but close enough.

[@trialsoflife2220]

I've never heard of a story where the devil was the good guy before. 🤔 This is actually really interesting. Why is a story from way back when show the devil being very helpful?not asking for a soul or anything just being helpful as long as you where nice.

[@rachelr5231]

Have you read a bible? It warns that Satan and his helpers would use kindness to deceive you into worshipping him instead of the true God that created us. 2Co 11:14 - And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2Co 11:15 - Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

[@googlebabi6374]

Thats the devil if u think deeply.they do give u what u want.but u must trade him something.the blacksmith have to stop hitting him n pay respect.(as all the ages devil always demand respect n worship.they dont need other thing).as for the couples,they have to give tribute.first the lady might have died n be replaced with something else.the devils do that really well.thats how evil spread anyway.(one person achieved something by trading with the devil so others will copy it with no real result)

[@kaketron]

It's a Basque tale.

[@anamariedelossantos5960]

That you didn’t experience it.. Lololololololx2million I know I just need to breath and when I do THIS IS GHE BEST DAY EVERRRR

[@rodneynewburn545]

Did religions have a devil 6k yrs ago?

[@Eusye7]

"The trickster" is not evil as in biblical evil. But sort of yes

[@rodneynewburn545]

Where can I look to read the verifiable history documents?

[@Eusye7]

@rodneynewburn545 This tale fx, this tale dates back to before the aryan race. Tricksters, as rumpelstiltskin, are also over 6000 years old.

[@ChrisantaNaidoo-uc4zz]

What is the moral of the story

[@anamariedelossantos5960]

My deejays. Lololololololx2million

[@anamariedelossantos5960]

No mommy I pray today Lololololololx2million seeeing all of you my amends that is awesooooome it’s gone now let it go and please don’t play on it meaning be careful ok I see those everyday Lololololololx2million omg thank god. Lololololololx2million

[@mori_a.Wolfboi]

Me is here for school assignment

[@woodendoors9532]

You story be there for .

[@mori_a.Wolfboi]

@@woodendoors9532 why do you mean?

[@woodendoors9532]

@@mori_a.Wolfboi when school can for

[@mori_a.Wolfboi]

@@woodendoors9532 I have no idea what your talking about. Please elaborate

[@mori_a.Wolfboi]

Are u trying to make fun of me??

[@anamariedelossantos5960]

You never been here right omg you smells good that’s what makes you great and they hit scared of you right wow that is awessoooome, Lololololololx2million sorry mommy and daddy and mama

[@lenneytenney4563]

I miss Russia

[@anamariedelossantos5960]

Kinda what you’re doing that you already did stealing and thinking by dying you can make us morons Lololololololx2million omg you will never have a part of it Lololololololx2million and you fail Lololololololx2million

[@anamariedelossantos5960]

Lololololololx2million I think they are multiplied and love me is not enough Lololololololx2million huh why on earth would I want to do that and us is still not enough Lololololololx2million omg 😱 why do you have to,torture yourself with those morons Lololololololx2million just after something and protecting you Lololololololx2million that you stole Lololololololx2million omg 😱 forget thst

[@anamariedelossantos5960]

You will regret that daddy and mommy and have a brain I will never love 💗 you ever