The stories in the third volume originate from Hesse's 28th to 30th year of life. Only four of these accounts (the Gerbersau stories "Walter Kömpff" and "Youth is Beautiful," as well as the depiction of a "Walking Journey in Autumn" and the narrative fragment "Berthold") were included in his books. The other twelve appeared in the feuilleton section of newspapers and magazines. Among the most significant are the two long-unknown autobiographical Gerbersau stories "In a Small Town" and "Hans Dierlamms Apprenticeship," as well as the cheerful bravura piece "Casanova's Conversion." The autobiographical story "Youth is Beautiful" is the one among Hesse's early tales that the author valued the most.