Hans in Luck: Trading Ties

Hans had been with his master for seven years when the old carpenter told him, “Your talent is too great for this little village. Go to the capital, find yourself, and become a master of the craft. And since you served me this well, I will gift you this suit – anyone who sees a man as finely dressed, will want to hire you.”
Delighted, Hans put on his new clothes – a fine suit indeed, all black, complete with a shirt, frock coat, and pants. He went on his way merrily, dreaming about the big city and the new tasks that awaited him.
But as he wandered into the closest town, he saw a young woman in a flowing forest-green gown. As Hans watched her perform a dance, he could not help but feel jealous. Noticing his saddened gaze, the women asked, “Oh Hans, what ails you so?”
He tried to explain, “I am not quite sure. I just received this new suit, and though I quite liked it at first, it does not seem to fit me the way it is supposed to. I would much prefer a dazzling gown like yours.”
And as was Fortuna’s will, the woman said, “If you want to, I would very much like to trade with you.” Excited by the offer, Hans immediately dressed in the gown and at that moment felt like the most beautiful woman on this earth. She went on, aiming for the city.
Only the next day, Hans felt the corset restricting her. She barely caught her breath anymore and luckily a farmer’s daughter crossed her way. She quickly loosened the strings on Hans’ dress and asked the traveler, “Why, oh why, do you wear a ball gown on the road?”
And Hans again explained, “I thought I would feel more myself in it, but now I know I am not a princess, but just a young girl. Your clothes look much more comfortable.” To Hans’ surprise, the girl, who was wearing a simple blue cotton skirt paired with a purple shirt, offered, “I will trade with you.”
Thus, Hans went on singing a merry song. She skipped along the way and made a good bit of progress toward the capital. But as she neared the town, the clothes began to feel itchy and much less befitting than she had thought.
Hans stopped at a tavern, watching the townspeople in their loose pants as she tried not to scratch her skin bloody. One of them noticed her distress and when Hans told them about her misery, they eyed the fine wool skirt, “I will trade with you.”
When Hans arrived in the capital the following day, the clothes finally felt right. The purple camisole and the yellow pants made Hans feel like themself. Their spirit rose with every step they took, and when they went to the most renowned carpenter to ask for an apprenticeship, the woman immediately took in the confident person who had taken on the journey to find themself.