Herb man Casimir

High up on a Tyrolean farm lives the herb man Kasimir with his wife Kathi. Kasimir is a quiet but mischievous man. His Kathi often says he is as old and unfathomable as the forest. And she is right. Kasimir has a gray beard. He prefers to wear his knickerbockers, a hat, his „humped basket,“ and a large hiking stick. He adorns his hat with his favorite herbs. He carries the „humped basket“ because he always finds herbs he can use – for ointments, tinctures, juices, tea, soaps, or simply to eat.

One day, Kasimir received a letter. It stated that a certain Konrad from Frankfurt would be coming to him to learn from him. The Tyrolean herb man was a little surprised. He didn't know what he should teach a boy. He only knows about nature. Besides, he's not a teacher. And he doesn't like to talk much either.

On a warm summer day, there was a knock at Kasimir and Kathi's door. A slender boy stood before the door, smiling. So this was Konrad from Frankfurt. He moved into a small room on the farm and then went for a tour of discovery around the house. This was quite a challenge for the city boy. The farm is located on a mountain, and you have to be careful where you step. Konrad looked and looked, but not at the path, but at the mountains. And in his haste to look, he didn't notice that he was already standing in the middle of a nettle field. He screamed and cried terribly: „Ouch, ouch, ouch!“ His legs itched all over, and then he broke out in a rash. Besides, he was all alone – without Mom and Dad. Oh no – and what if he also had to go to the hospital now. Poor Konrad! He had really gotten himself into a mess!

Luckily, Kasimir heard the cries and found the poor boy. He quickly helped him out and said, „Calm down, Konrad, calm down! Don't make such a fuss about the nettles.“ Then the Tyrolean herb gnome turned around and looked for something on the ground. That made Konrad even sadder. Because instead of comforting him, Kasimir turned around and stared at the ground. The herb gnome was looking for plantain. When he had picked it, he squeezed the juice from the plant and rubbed it on the sore spots. „This is a real Indian bandage and helps immediately,“ said Kasimir. Indeed. It wasn't long before the itching lessened. Even the rash began to disappear. Then Kasimir added, „The nettle only hurts if you touch it from above. If you push the leaves from the bottom up, they don't hurt. Remember that.“ Konrad stared at him with wide eyes. Then Kasimir continued, „The herbs work best when you speak a magic spell to them.“ Konrad perked up: „What is it? I want to feel completely well again quickly!“ And then the Tyrolean herb gnome revealed it to him:

The saying was truly calming, and Konrad soon felt no more pain. „That's enough for today,“ said the herb man. „Let's go home. We don't want anything else to happen.“ Konrad was glad to be sitting in the kitchen, only needing to watch Kasimir sort herbs.

„Dinner will be ready soon,“ said Kasimir. Konrad was already very hungry. „What is there?“ he wanted to know. „A salad made of dandelion leaves with yarrow vinegar and daisies for decoration, because you eat with your eyes,“ Kasimir smiled. Well, bravo! The boy would have preferred a burger with fries. Kasimir explained that it was a healthy meal full of bitter substances, which would be particularly important for his body after such a painful day. „Bitter substances?! That doesn't sound good at all,“ complained Konrad. But it was no use. Konrad was brave and ate the salad. And believe it or not – he even liked it. But of course, he couldn't admit that.

Konrad from Frankfurt stayed with Kasimir and Kathi on their Tyrolean farm for four weeks. In the end, he was tanned, had rosy cheeks, toned calves, and carried a backpack – because you never know what you might find along the way.