
A modest young farmhand named Hans finds himself before a stern priest, pressured to confess sins he cannot name. The exchange spirals into a puzzling moral debate about secrets, guilt, and the weight of spoken truth, setting a tone that is both witty and probing. As the priest sends Hans on a seemingly simple errand to purchase a crucifix, the story opens a window onto human folly, pride, and the absurdities of social expectation.
Interwoven with this opening are a handful of vivid fables—an eagle sparring with an owl, a lion beset by a tiny mosquito, and a clever hare outwitting a fox—each delivering a concise lesson wrapped in humor and surprising insight. Lessing’s blend of dialogue, allegory, and gentle satire invites listeners to reflect on everyday dilemmas while enjoying the charm of classic storytelling. The collection promises thoughtful entertainment without ever rushing to a conclusion, allowing each tale to linger in the mind.
Language
de
Duration
~42 minutes (40K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-10-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1729–1781
A leading voice of the German Enlightenment, he helped reshape European drama with sharp criticism, lively plays, and a lasting belief in reason and tolerance. His best-known works still feel strikingly modern in the way they argue for intellectual freedom and humane understanding.
View all books
by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing