Muttie loaded the cabbage into cotton sacks and this time put them and the wood on Ferdele’s back. He took the reins and said to Ferdele, “Los meir gayen.” (Yiddish for “Let’s go”) Ferdele refused to move.“Vus is de mare?” (What’s the problem?)
Ferdele lowered his head (because Muttie was …. Ah, you know) and again whispered in Muttie’s ear … “Build a wagon.” Muttie wasn’t sure why he should build a wagon, but he thought, if Ferdele said to do it, it must be a good idea.
Inside went Muttie to see Yossi, the owner. ”If I also deliver beets for you, can I have some wood from your lumberyard?” Yossi agreed. It was a good deal for both of them.
So Muttie began to build a wagon. When he was finished, he attached Ferdele to the front of it and again said to him “los meir gayen.” Ferdele refused to move. Muttie was again puzzled. Ferdele lowered his head (you know why) and whispered “The wagon needs wheels” in Muttie’s ear. Well Muttie couldn’t understand why, but he did have some wood left over so he built four wheels and put them on the wagon. Then he reloaded the wagon with sacks of beets and cabbages, and the wood, attached Ferdele to the front and once more said “Los meir gayen.” Once again Ferdele refused to move. “Vos is de mair yetz.”(What is the matter now?) said Muttie. Ferdele winked, lowered his head (because ….) and whispered, “The wheels have to be round, not square!” So Muttie took off the square wheels, made them round and back they went on the wagon.
He loaded the sacks of beets and cabbage and the wood, attached Ferdele to the front and said, “Los meir gayen.” This time Ferdele winked, smiled at him and began to trot, pulling the wagon.
“Ferdele, wait for me,” shouted Muttie as he ran after the wagon. He had forgotten to get on!
Ferdele slowed to a stop, turned his head toward Muttie, and (of course) winked at him. When they got to the town marketplace, all the merchants were amazed. They had never seen a wagon with round wheels. All their wagons had square ones! Which of course made them impossible to pull.
From that day forward, everyone hired Muttie the Shlepper and Ferdele the little grey horse to deliver their goods.
Muttie and Ferdele lived happily for many, many years and always had plenty to eat. Whenever there was a problem, guess what Ferdele would do? That’s right, he would wink at Muttie, lower his head (you know why!) and whisper in Muttie’s ear.
What’s the lesson we can learn from this story? Next time you stop to rest, and see a horse that winks at you? Buy him. He may lead you to the next great invention!
The End
