The Poor Tailor (Eastern Europe)

There was once a poor tailor. Though he had made many coats for many people, he never made one for himself though he wanted one. 

One day he decided to save whatever money he earned so he could buy himself material for a coat. Little by little, and bit by bit, he finally had enough money to buy what he needed to make his coat. He brought the material back to his shop and cut it out very carefully so as not to waste any of it. The thought of having a new coat was so pleasurable he worked on it all through the night. When morning came, he had a new coat to put on. Satisfied with his effort, he wore the coat until it was in tatters. 

One day he looked at the worn-out coat and thought if he was careful, he could cut a jacket from the less worn bits of the coat. And so he did. He wore the jacket until it too was in tatters. 

One day he looked at it and thought if he was very careful he could cut a vest from the jacket. And so he did. 

From the vest came a cap. 

From the cap came two pockets. 

From the pockets came some buttons. 

From the buttons there was just enough material to make a story.