I’m hungry! Gimme some of that food. Now, gimme more. More, I say. More more more. Shameless? Why, you…. Ow! Stop beating me with that club, you man. Stop it, I say! Stop it! Okay, okay! I’ll go back to my hole.

He’s gone now. Aakk. I’m bored. Why should I have to guard the princess? She’s not going anywhere. The count’s chained her up. He won’t let her go till she speaks. Aack. I’ll starve to death before that happens.

Who’s there? Aakk! Not that man again!

Hungry Dwarf in Strong Hans, Grimms. Illustration by Anne Anderson.