Long ago, there lived two brothers. The older brother was rich and successful, but mean and arrogant. The younger brother was very poor, but kind and generous.
One day, the poor brother and his wife found they had nothing to eat. With no money or goods to sell, and a holiday the next day, they were desperate.
'Where will we get food for the celebration?' the wife asked in tears.
'Go to your brother for help,' she suggested. 'He slaughtered a cow yesterday. Surely he won't grudge us a little meat?'
Reluctantly, the poor man put on his ragged cloak and went to his rich brother's house.
'What do you want?' snapped the rich brother. His wife cried, 'We're busy! Go away!'
'Brother,' pleaded the poor man, 'we have no food for the holiday. Please lend us a little meat.'
'I knew he'd come begging!' shrieked the wife. 'Throw him out!'
'Oh, very well,' grumbled the rich man. 'Take this—and go to Hiysi!' He threw a cow's hoof at his brother.
The poor man thanked him, wrapped the hoof in his tattered cloak, and left. As he walked, he thought, 'My brother didn't give this to me. He told me to take it to Hiysi. So it belongs to Hiysi, not me. I must deliver it.'
Hiysi the Wood-Goblin lived deep in the forest. So the poor man turned toward the dark, gloomy woods. Determined to complete his task, he walked on and on through the trees.