Of a cunning and wily mind are the Swabians, and where they come and find not victual, ye may approve it of a certainty that other folk will starve. Yet are they more lovers of the beer jug, and of drinking, than thoughtful of their labour, so comes it likewise that their business lieth but sadly. Now it happened on a time that at Berlin lived a furrier, and he was in Swabia born, and in his art was he most handy, and had much business, and thereto was rich, with a good workshop, by the which he had gained much, as he served those which held lands, and moneys, and houses, and goodly titles. And it came to pass that one winter season a great and noble prince, with all his court, desired to hunt; and they commanded the furrier to prepare for them not a few wolf skins to wear. Of this was Owlglass told, so he gat him unto the furrier, and besought him that he would give unto him work, that he might have money and food. At that time, also, did the master lack people, and was right glad that Owlglass had come unto him; and he spake unto him, and asked him, if that he would make such wolves. And Owlglass answered: “That he was of the land of Saxony, and knew well how to make them.” Then said the furrier unto him: “Truly art thou well come unto me, and I bid thee stay. And touching the reward of thy pains will we agree, and thou shalt abide with me, and have a good time while that thou stayest.” Owlglass answered and said unto the furrier: “Yea, master, I do bethink me that thou art right honest and true; and I crave nothing so much as that ye shall know me for what manner of man I am, when that ye behold my labour. But I work not in fellowship with other men; but ever alone in mine own company.”

Then did the furrier allot unto Owlglass a small chamber wherein he abode; and he received from the furrier the metage of certain furs, and the wolves’ skins. Then took Owlglass the wolves’ skins as they were, and cut them, and made of them a number of wolves; and these he stuffed full of hay, and gat feet made of sticks, and they stood up in manner as if they lived. And when that he had thus cut up all the furs, and made an end of his labours, he cried aloud to his master: “Ho! master, come hither; truly have I ended my labour, and made the wolves.” And the master answered and said: “Yea, my good man, verily have I yet much labour to do! Be thou diligent, and continue as thou art.” Then turned he about to go thence, and he beheld the wolves standing in the chamber, and he lifted up his voice thereat, and cried aloud in great anger: “What is this that thou hast done! Thou bird of unhappy fortune! what evil hast thou wrought unto me? For this will I have thee cast into gaol, and thou shalt suffer therefor.” Then answered Owlglass and said: “Master, call ye that my reward and my thanks. Ye commanded me that I should make wolves, and wolves have I also made. Had ye but said that I should make wolf furs, then had I understood ye, and also have done it with great joy. In the beginning should ye have explained carefully unto one that is a stranger that which ye would have. And, indeed, had it appeared unto me that I should have gained no greater thanks than that which hath been given me, then would I not have wrought thy work in any wise.” Then departed Owlglass from Berlin, and gat him into the city of Leipzig.