…A Dane undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, a trip for which he had richly prepared himself with money. As he came to Germany, he heard that a war had broken out in Welschland. As a result, his trip posed the greatest dangers, particularly for those who took meaningful sums of money with them.
As a result, the Dane decided to leave the greatest part of his money in Germany, and so asked for a safe man with whom he could entrust it. He was told of a venerable old man who was known for correctly repaying pilgrims who had entrusted him with their goods. He sought the old man out, gave him the money and departed first to Rome and then to Jerusalem.
On his return trip, he used up totally the small funds he had taken with him and so returned to the city where he had left his money as a beggar. Upon his arrival, he believed that he was finally at the end of his need. But this was not the case, as the old man lied, saying he had never gotten anything from him for safekeeping. The Dane sadly went away, but could resolve to leave the city.
One day as he was out wandering about, he met an old woman gathering stones. She noticed his dejection and asked him for the reason. He told his story; the woman listened sympathetically and then said, “Know, my son, that people call me the help for the needy, since through the grace of God I have often managed to bring about blessings with my advice. So perhaps I’ll have the same luck with you.”
As he declared himself ready to follow anything she advised, she told him that he should pay to have six well-appointed boxes made. When this was done, she filled the boxes with stones and fastened to each two straps so that two men could carry each box with a pole on their shoulders.
When everything was ready, she told the Dane that as soon as the bearers had brought the boxes to the old man’s house that he should boldly enter the house and ask for his money. She hoped his wish would this time bring results.
The trick worked. Hardly was the Dane in the house when the glorious procession came in through the door. The old man, thinking that an immeasurable sum of money was being given him to care for, jumped up as soon as he recognized the Dane, crying out to him, “Welcome, best friend! Why haven’t you already come for your money that lies here ready for you?”
The Dane replied that he was indeed willing to accept it, and the old man paid the entrusted sum to the penny, after which the Dane quickly left. The woman then explained that she had the duty to leave a significant sum by the old man, but as the old man declared most happily his readiness she demanded that he give her a certificate of his receipt of the money. When the old man refused, the woman jumped up as though in great anger and commanded the bearers to take away the boxes.