The story follows a young man named Hans who, after serving his master faithfully for seven years, is rewarded with a lump of gold. As Hans travels home, he trades the gold for a horse, then the horse for a cow, the cow for a pig, the pig for a goose, and finally the goose for a grindstone. Each trade seems advantageous at the time but ultimately leaves him with less than before. Despite ending up with nothing, Hans remains cheerful and content, believing he is rid of all his burdens. The tale concludes with Hans realizing that true happiness and freedom come from within, not from material possessions.
