The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-02

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 Although Germans love long novels, and although their favorite modern authors write little else, the best things in Ger man prose remain the short stories of such men as Heine Hoffmann, Grimm, Chamisso and Auerbach. No students knowledge of literature is complete with out knowledge of these forms of lftera- ture. They are quite different in idea, construction and type from the short stories of other races and nations ' N Nicea there once lived man whom
 everybody called Little Muk" He A was a most wonderful figure His stature was only four feet His body was tiny and graceful but it had to support a head that was far larger and Wlder than the heads of ordinary human beings. He lived all alone in fine, great house. doing even his own cooking.
 The people of the city would hardly have known whether he were alive or dead. so little did they see of him, as he emerged from his mansion only once every four weeks, had they not watched the smoke from his chimney every day at noon or seen him walk solemnly up and down on his roof at night. On such occasions beholders on the street might have imagined that they saw great head promenading there all alone, since his body was so short that it was hidden by the parapet.
 The lads of the town were overjoyed when the day came for Little Muks periodical appearance on the street. They gathered around the door and waited for him to emerge. When the portal swung open and the great head with the still greater turban peered tmidly forth to be followed by the little body, every fez was thrown into the air and every boy danced around him and yelled.
 Little Muk merely replied with grave nod of his big head and moved maJesti- eally down the street, dragging his huge slippers along the pavement, for they were so enormous they would have fallen from his tiny feet had he essayed to lift them in walking.
 shabby little cloak hung over his shoulders. His legs were incased in flow ing brooches, vastly too wide for his tiny limbs. Around his waist was broad belt through which was thrust dagger that was so long that one could not say whether Muk were fast to the dagger or the dagger were fast to Muk. AS he moved slowly along, the mis- chievous boys would follow, chanting refrain that they had invented for his benefit, and occasionally even pulling his cloak.
 He never paid the least attention either tO hal off until one day the son of the richest man in the city trod on his immense slippers. This tripped him, and the little man fell full length, much to the merriment or the lads. But their laughter ceased when Little Muk, still without saying a word, arose and went straight to the digni- tary's house. He entered and remained there for some time.
 When the door opened again the frightened lads saw him emerge, escort ed with great signs of respect. The rich man held him by the hand and parted from him with many deep bows.
 Scarcely had he gone before his host beckoned to his son. The boy advanced with hanging head. You have insulted the honored Muk' said the father graveIy T shall tell you and your com panions the, history of this man and then you will not laugh at him any more. Before and after my tale, however, you shall be presented with 25 well counted and well placed blows.
 He took the long stem from his pipe, unscrewed the amber mouthpiece and laid it on earnestly.
 When the 25 were fully delivered he called the boys around him and told the story of Little Muk.
 Little Muk's father was distinguished but poor man of the city of Nicea. His name was Mukrah, and he lived almost as quietly and as much alone as his son was living.
 He was ashamed of his son because of his unfortunate shape As he did not wish to expose him to ridicule he would not send the poor lad to school, and thus little Muk grew up in ignorance, and, in addition in perfect innocence Of the ways of the world When he had reached the age of sixteen he was still chlld' ana his father, who was by nature solemn and thoughtful, found new occasion Tor complaint in that fact.
 One day he fell and hurt himself 50 severely that he died soon afterWaros leaving poor Muk quite helpless. The relatives who had lent his father money, drove the boy away. "Go out into the world said they, "and seek for your fortune"
 Little Muk answered that he was en- tirely prepared for a voyage. All ne needed, he declared, was suit of clothes, and he asked the relatives to give him his fathers old garments. They accedeo eraciously to this modest request.
 His father was tall and powerful man. Therefore, the clothes did not ht very well, as you can imagine. But Muk had A ready expedient. He cut off all that were too long and then attired him self in his legacy. Unfortunately he could mt trim down the width of the clothes as he had trimmed the length. This eY- r,ained his remarkable costume, for he uore if ever after The mighty turban, tbe broad sash, the wide breeches the hlue cloak. all these were the relics of his fathr.
 Garbed in these clothes, with his fathers long Damascus dagger thrust through his sash and little stick in his hand. he went through the gates of his native town and forth into the wide world.
 Merrily and untroubled he walked all that day. Having gone forth to seek his