What Gift the Schildburgers Presented to the Emperor

The residents of the town of Schilda welcomed their distinguished guest and once again began to ponder and deliberate on how to honor the emperor and what gift to present to him. Some suggested giving him a silver or gold cup. Others found this too expensive, and they also considered that the emperor already had an abundance of silver and gold tableware. Those who loved good food advised gifting the emperor with carrots, beets, peas, and other bounties of the earth. But their neighbors took into account that the emperor likely had no need for such goods: after all, he was a guest everywhere, and wherever he went, everyone was obliged to offer him a feast.

Then one Schildbürger spoke up, suggesting that they present the reigning monarch with a large pot of mustard. After all, the emperor often traveled and dined at others' tables, so he would always have a condiment at hand.

This wise advice pleased the town fathers, and they immediately set to work. They brewed fresh mustard in a new glazed pot, dressed up two boys, and sent them, along with the town mayor, to present the gift from the residents of Schilda to the emperor.

Standing before the emperor, the mayor nudged the boys with the mustard forward and, stammering nervously, began: "Most Gracious... Sovereign... Mustard! We humbly beg you to accept this gift from the town of Schilda... the mightiest emperor in this new glazed pot!"

His Majesty the Emperor, hearing such a worthy speech, burst out laughing and even took off his hat—apparently, he had grown warm from such a hearty welcome.

"Put it on, put it on, Sovereign Mustard!" the mayor shouted at the emperor. "Put it on, or you'll catch a chill on your bald head!"

Meanwhile, the boys grew tired of holding the pot of mustard and set it on the floor so carelessly that the pot broke, and all the mustard spilled out.

"Ah, you cursed little devils! Ah, you disobedient brutes! Rogues! Thieves and robbers! Rebels! Traitors! What a pot you've broken! What mustard you've wasted! Its scent could sting your nose from seven miles against the wind, and you've spilled it on the floor! Sovereign Emperor, at least try it!" With these words, the mayor scooped up a handful of mustard and thrust it right under the emperor's nose.

"I can already smell the mustard perfectly well—it has an excellent aroma!" replied the distinguished guest. "And I share your sorrow over the loss, though I gratefully acknowledge your kind intentions and desire to please me."

But the town mayor kept lamenting: "What mustard has been lost—not just any mustard, but imperial mustard! The mightiest!"

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What Gift the Schildburgers Presented to the Emperor

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