Once I wanted to go out into the green forest,
My cares came along with me;
In vain did I command them to halt ten times,
They followed me step after step.

But as we were well into the shrubbery,
At once a whispering began;
The birdlets called out:  Ye cares, quickly,
Depart from this green realm!

The grass rose up and detained them,
A gust of wind blew them away,
The trees soughed and beat upon them,
They fled from place to place.

And ran and battered their heads
Upon the rocky crags huge and rough,
They melted in the laughing sunshine,
Drowned in the scented dew.

There you have it! I called out into
The air, freed from their misery;
There you see what threatens you in the forest:
Next time you stay at home!