The milkmaid milked the cows of her master and went to the market to sell the milk. She balanced the pot of milk on her head. As she was walking, she made plans about the money she would receive for the milk.

I will buy a hen for the money.

The hen will give me an egg every day. I can make fried eggs for breakfast…

No. I will collect the eggs and the hen will hatch them. I will have a lot of chickens.

I will sell the chickens and will buy the most beautiful dress.

No. I won’t spend my money on a dress. I will buy a goat. The goat will have babies and I sell them.

I will buy a cow for the money. I won’t have a master anymore, the cow will be mine. It will give milk every day. I will sell the milk and save the money. When I have enough money, I will buy a house. I won’t serve anymore.

She was so happy thinking about her new house that she started to jump. Suddenly she stepped on a piece of wood and lost her balance. The pot of milk fell from her head and all the precious milk spilled out.

She sat down and cried.

“I was happy too early”, she said. “Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.”