
In a quiet mountain town of the Odenwald, three eleven‑year‑old classmates—Fritz, Paul and Franz—are bound together like the three‑leaf clover they are nicknamed. Their personalities shine: Fritz’s quick eyes, Paul’s thoughtful calm, and Franz’s sunny cheerfulness. Inspired by the Iliad lessons at school, they adopt the names of legendary Greek heroes—Odysseus, Achilles and Patroclus—to give their play a heroic flair. Together they swear an unbreakable pact to defend each other against any “Trojan” who dares challenge them.
To match their grand imaginations they convert an empty shed into a makeshift armory, hanging pine spears, paper‑clad shields, and bright helmets on its walls. Guard duty rotates, and the boys take their roles seriously, even as a mischievous hog bursts through the door, turning their solemn ceremony into chaotic comedy. The frantic chase with the pig, the clattering of makeshift weapons, and the boys’ good‑natured ribbing capture the blend of youthful bravado and innocent fun that drives the story forward.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (265K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-03-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A Hungarian-born restaurateur and memoirist, he helped shape New York dining with warmth, wit, and old-world flair. His writing brings that same lively spirit to stories about food, exile, and starting over.
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