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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Yellow Fairy Book, by Leonora Blanche Alleyne Lang
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: The Yellow Fairy Book
+
+Author: Leonora Blanche Alleyne Lang
+
+Editor: Andrew Lang
+
+Illustrator: Henry Justice Ford
+
+Release Date: March 12, 2009 [eBook #28314]
+[Most recently updated: July 8, 2021]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+Produced by: David Edwards, David T. Jones and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Canada Team
+Revised by Richard Tonsing.
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+YELLOW FAIRY BOOK
+
+
+
+
+WORKS BY ANDREW LANG.
+
+
+     COCK LANE AND COMMON SENSE: a Series of
+     Papers. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ 6_d._ _net_.
+
+     BAN and ARRIÈRE BAN: a Rally of Fugitive
+     Rhymes. Crown 8vo. 5_s._ _net_.
+
+     ST. ANDREWS. With 8 Plates and 24 Illustrations
+     in the Text by T. Hodge. 8vo. 15_s._ _net_.
+
+     HOMER AND THE EPIC. Crown 8vo. 9_s._ _net_.
+
+     CUSTOM AND MYTH: Studies of Early Usage and
+     Belief. With 15 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 3_s._ 6_d._
+
+     BALLADS OF BOOKS. Edited by ANDREW LANG.
+     Fcp. 8vo. 6_s._
+
+     LETTERS TO DEAD AUTHORS. Fcp. 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ _net_.
+
+     BOOKS AND BOOKMEN. With 2 Coloured Plates
+     and 17 Illustrations. Fcp. 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ _net_.
+
+     OLD FRIENDS. Fcp. 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ _net_.
+
+     LETTERS ON LITERATURE. Fcp. 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ _net_.
+
+     GRASS OF PARNASSUS. Fcp. 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ _net_.
+
+     ANGLING SKETCHES. With 20 Illustrations by
+     W. G. Burn-Murdoch. Crown 8vo. 7_s._ 6_d._
+
+     THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK. Edited by ANDREW LANG.
+     With 8 Plates and 130 Illustrations in the Text by
+     H. J. Ford and G. P. Jacomb Hood. Crown 8vo. 6_s._
+
+     THE RED FAIRY BOOK. Edited by ANDREW LANG.
+     With 4 Plates and 96 Illustrations in the Text by H. J. Ford
+     and Lancelot Speed. Crown 8vo. 6_s._
+
+     THE GREEN FAIRY BOOK. Edited by ANDREW LANG.
+     With 11 Plates and 88 Illustrations in the Text by
+     H. J. Ford. Crown 8vo. 6_s._
+
+     THE BLUE POETRY BOOK. Edited by ANDREW LANG.
+     With 12 Plates and 88 Illustrations in the Text by
+     H. J. Ford and Lancelot Speed. Crown 8vo. 6_s._
+
+     SCHOOL EDITION, without Illustrations. Fcp. 8vo.
+     2_s._ 6_d._
+
+     SPECIAL EDITION, printed on Indian paper. With Notes, but
+     without Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 7_s._ 6_d._
+
+     THE TRUE STORY BOOK. Edited by ANDREW LANG.
+     With 8 Plates and 58 Illustrations in the Text by H. J.
+     Ford, Lucien Davis, Lancelot Speed, and L. Bogle. Crown 8vo. 6_s._
+
+
+London: LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO.
+New York: 15 East 16th Street.
+
+
+[Illustration: The Swineherd Takes the Ten Kisses]
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+Yellow Fairy Book
+
+
+EDITED BY
+
+ANDREW LANG
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY H. J. FORD_
+
+LONDON
+LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.
+AND NEW YORK: 15 EAST 16th STREET
+1894
+
+_All rights reserved_
+
+
+
+
+Dedication
+
+TO
+
+JOAN, TODDLES, AND TINY
+
+
+     Books Yellow, Red, and Green and Blue,
+     All true, or just as good as true,
+     And here’s the Yellow Book for _you_!
+
+     Hard is the path from A to Z,
+     And puzzling to a curly head,
+     Yet leads to Books—Green, Blue, and Red
+
+     For every child should understand
+     That letters from the first were planned
+     To guide us into Fairy Land
+
+     So labour at your Alphabet,
+     For by that learning shall you get
+     To lands where Fairies may be met.
+
+     And going where this pathway goes,
+     You too, at last, may find, who knows?
+     The Garden of the Singing Rose.
+
+
+
+
+_PREFACE_
+
+
+The Editor thinks that children will readily forgive him for
+publishing another Fairy Book. We have had the Blue, the Red, the
+Green, and here is the Yellow. If children are pleased, and they are
+so kind as to say that they _are_ pleased, the Editor does not care
+very much for what other people may say. Now, there is one gentleman
+who seems to think that it is not quite right to print so many fairy
+tales, with pictures, and to publish them in red and blue covers. He
+is named Mr. G. Laurence Gomme, and he is president of a learned body
+called the Folk Lore Society. Once a year he makes his address to his
+subjects, of whom the Editor is one, and Mr. Joseph Jacobs (who has
+published many delightful fairy tales with pretty pictures)[1] is
+another. Fancy, then, the dismay of Mr. Jacobs, and of the Editor,
+when they heard their president say that he did not think it very nice
+in them to publish fairy books, above all, red, green, and blue fairy
+books! They said that they did not see any harm in it, and they were
+ready to ‘put themselves on their country,’ and be tried by a jury of
+children. And, indeed, they still see no harm in what they have done;
+nay, like Father William in the poem, they are ready ‘to do it again
+and again.’
+
+[Footnote 1: You may buy them from Mr. Nutt, in the Strand.]
+
+Where is the harm? The truth is that the Folk Lore Society—made up of
+the most clever, learned, and beautiful men and women of the
+country—is fond of studying the history and geography of Fairy Land.
+This is contained in very old tales, such as country people tell, and
+savages:
+
+     ‘Little Sioux and little Crow,
+      Little frosty Eskimo.’
+
+These people are thought to know most about fairyland and its
+inhabitants. But, in the Yellow Fairy Book, and the rest, are many
+tales by persons who are neither savages nor rustics, such as Madame
+D’Aulnoy and Herr Hans Christian Andersen. The Folk Lore Society, or
+its president, say that _their_ tales are not so true as the rest, and
+should not be published with the rest. But _we_ say that all the
+stories which are pleasant to read are quite true enough for us; so
+here they are, with pictures by Mr. Ford, and we do not think that
+either the pictures or the stories are likely to mislead children.
+
+As to whether there are really any fairies or not, that is a difficult
+question. Professor Huxley thinks there are none. The Editor never saw
+any himself, but he knows several people who have seen them—in the
+Highlands—and heard their music. If ever you are in Nether Lochaber,
+go to the Fairy Hill, and you may hear the music yourself, as grown-up
+people have done, but you must go on a fine day. Again, if there are
+really no fairies, why do people believe in them, all over the world?
+The ancient Greeks believed, so did the old Egyptians, and the
+Hindoos, and the Red Indians, and is it likely, if there are no
+fairies, that so many different peoples would have seen and heard
+them? The Rev. Mr. Baring-Gould saw several fairies when he was a boy,
+and was travelling in the land of the Troubadours. For these reasons,
+the Editor thinks that there are certainly fairies, but they never do
+anyone any harm; and, in England, they have been frightened away by
+smoke and schoolmasters. As to Giants, they have died out, but real
+Dwarfs are common in the forests of Africa. Probably a good many
+stories not perfectly true have been told about fairies, but such
+stories have also been told about Napoleon, Claverhouse, Julius Cæsar,
+and Joan of Arc, all of whom certainly existed. A wise child will,
+therefore, remember that, if he grows up and becomes a member of the
+Folk Lore Society, _all_ the tales in this book were not offered to
+him as absolutely truthful, but were printed merely for his
+entertainment. The exact facts he can learn later, or he can leave
+them alone.
+
+There are Russian, German, French, Icelandic, Red Indian, and other
+stories here. They were translated by Miss Cheape, Miss Alma, and Miss
+Thyra Alleyne, Miss Sellar, Mr. Craigie (he did the Icelandic tales),
+Miss Blackley, Mrs. Dent, and Mrs. Lang, but the Red Indian stories
+are copied from English versions published by the Smithsonian Bureau
+of Ethnology, in America. Mr. Ford did the pictures, and it is hoped
+that children will find the book not less pleasing than those which
+have already been submitted to their consideration. The Editor cannot
+say ‘good-bye’ without advising them, as they pursue their studies, to
+read _The Rose and the Ring_, by the late Mr. Thackeray, with pictures
+by the author. This book he thinks quite indispensable in every
+child’s library, and parents should be urged to purchase it at the
+first opportunity, as without it no education is complete.
+
+A. LANG.
+
+
+
+
+_CONTENTS_
+
+
+                                                                  PAGE
+_The Cat and the Mouse in Partnership_                               1
+
+_The Six Swans_                                                      4
+
+_The Dragon of the North_                                            9
+
+_Story of the Emperor’s New Clothes_                                21
+
+_The Golden Crab_                                                   26
+
+_The Iron Stove_                                                    32
+
+_The Dragon and his Grandmother_                                    38
+
+_The Donkey Cabbage_                                                42
+
+_The Little Green Frog_                                             50
+
+_The Seven-headed Serpent_                                          60
+
+_The Grateful Beasts_                                               64
+
+_The Giants and the Herd-boy_                                       75
+
+_The Invisible Prince_                                              78
+
+_The Crow_                                                          92
+
+_How Six Men travelled through the Wide World_                      95
+
+_The Wizard King_                                                  100
+
+_The Nixy_                                                         108
+
+_The Glass Mountain_                                               114
+
+_Alphege, or the Green Monkey_                                     119
+
+_Fairer-than-a-Fairy_                                              126
+
+_The Three Brothers_                                               134
+
+_The Boy and the Wolves, or the Broken Promise_                    138
+
+_The Glass Axe_                                                    141
+
+_The Dead Wife_                                                    149
+
+_In the Land of Souls_                                             152
+
+_The White Duck_                                                   155
+
+_The Witch and her Servants_                                       161
+
+_The Magic Ring_                                                   178
+
+_The Flower Queen’s Daughter_                                      192
+
+_The Flying Ship_                                                  198
+
+_The Snow-daughter and the Fire-son_                               206
+
+_The Story of King Frost_                                          209
+
+_The Death of the Sun-hero_                                        213
+
+_The Witch_                                                        216
+
+_The Hazel-nut Child_                                              222
+
+_The Story of Big Klaus and Little Klaus_                          225
+
+_Prince Ring_                                                      237
+
+_The Swineherd_                                                    249
+
+_How to tell a True Princess_                                      254
+
+_The Blue Mountains_                                               256
+
+_The Tinder-box_                                                   265
+
+_The Witch in the Stone Boat_                                      274
+
+_Thumbelina_                                                       279
+
+_The Nightingale_                                                  291
+
+_Hermod and Hadvor_                                                301
+
+_The Steadfast Tin-soldier_                                        308
+
+_Blockhead-Hans_                                                   313
+
+_A Story about a Darning-needle_                                   319
+
+
+_LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS_
+
+
+_PLATES_
+
+_The Swineherd takes the Ten Kisses_                  _Frontispiece_
+
+_The Six Brothers changed into Swans
+   by their Stepmother_                               _To face page_ 8
+
+_The Witch-maiden sees the Young Man
+   under a Tree_                                          „         12
+
+‘_Here you shall remain chained up until you die_’        „         20
+
+_The Prince throws the Apple to the Princess_             „         30
+
+_The Iron Stove_                                          „         32
+
+‘_Standing in the doorway a charming maiden at whose
+sight his mind seemed to give way_’                       „         58
+
+_The Seven-headed Serpent_                                „         62
+
+_The Mirror of the Present_                               „         84
+
+_Prince Gnome learns the Name of his Rival at the
+   Golden Fountain_                                       „         88
+
+_The Black Girl stops the Witch with a Bit of the Rock_   „        144
+
+_Militza and her Maidens in the Garden_                   „        168
+
+_Iwanich casts the Fish into the Water_                   „        172
+
+‘_In winter, when everything is dead, she must come and
+live with me in my palace underground_’                   „        196
+
+_Simpleton’s Army appears before the King_                „        204
+
+_The Snow Maiden_                                         „        206
+
+‘_Gee-up, my five horses_’                                „        226
+
+_The Swineherd takes the Ten Kisses_                      „        250
+
+_The Irishman arrives at the Blue Mountains_              „        262
+
+_The Witch comes on Board_                                „        274
+
+_Sigurd hews the Chain asunder_                           „        276
+
+_The King finds the Queen of Hetland_                     „        302
+
+
+_WOODCUTS IN TEXT_
+
+                                                                  PAGE
+
+_The Partnership_                                                    1
+
+_At Home in the Church_                                              2
+
+_Protestation_                                                       3
+
+_The Way of the World_                                               3
+
+‘_And then her dress_’                                               7
+
+_The Youth secures the Dragon_                                      17
+
+_The Emperor comes to see his New Clothes_                          24
+
+‘_Let down, let down thy petticoat
+    that lets thy feet be seen_’                                    27
+
+_The Fisherman brings the Crab on the Golden Cushion_               28
+
+‘_Then she reached the three cutting swords, and got on
+    her plough-wheel and rolled over them_’                         35
+
+_The Dragon carries off the Three Soldiers_                         39
+
+_The Fiend defeated_                                                41
+
+_The Maiden obtains the Bird-heart_                                 44
+
+_The Hunter is transformed into a Donkey_                           46
+
+_The Young Man gives the Donkeys to the Miller_                     48
+
+_The Prince looks into the Magic Mirror_                            51
+
+_Prince Saphir Steals the Horse and Harness_                        55
+
+_Ferko healed by Magic Waters_                                      67
+
+_Ferko before the King_                                             68
+
+_Ferko leads the Wolves on_                                         73
+
+_The Herd-boy binds up the Giant’s Foot_                            75
+
+_Rosalie_                                                           82
+
+_In the Labyrinth of Despair_                                       85
+
+_The Evil Spirits drag the Girl to the Cauldron_                    93
+
+_My Enemy is given into my Hands_                                   97
+
+_The Princess and the Eagle in the Flowery Meadow_                 102
+
+_The Wizard King pays a Visit to the Princess_                     105
+
+_The Miller sees the Nixy of the Mill-pond_                        109
+
+_A Wave swept the Spinning-wheel from the Bank_                    112
+
+_The Boy attacked by the Eagle on the Glass Mountain_              116
+
+_The King makes Friends with the Green Monkey_                     121
+
+_The Green Monkey in the Bath_                                     123
+
+_Lagree gives the Two Bottles to Fairer-than-a-Fairy_              127
+
+_Fairer-than-a-Fairy summons the Rainbow_                          130
+
+‘_Then the youth swung his mighty sword in the air,
+    and with one blow cut off the serpent’s head_’                 136
+
+‘_My brother, my brother, I am becoming a wolf!_’                  139
+
+‘_But the waters seized her chariot and sunk it in the
+    lowest depths_’                                                147
+
+_The Indian finds his Wife sitting by the Fire_                    150
+
+_The Witch persuades the Queen to bathe_                           156
+
+_The King catches the White Duck_                                  159
+
+_Iwanich holds fast the Swan_                                      163
+
+_Militza leaves Iwanich in the Tree_                               164
+
+_The Prickly Man with his Attendants_                              168
+
+_Iwanich seizes the Magician by his Beard and dashes
+   him to the Ground_                                              176
+
+_Martin extinguishes the Flames_                                   181
+
+_The Princess summons the twelve Young Men_                        186
+
+_Schurka upsets the Baker_                                         187
+
+_The Mouse steals the Ring from the Princess_                      189
+
+_The Dragons dancing_                                              195
+
+_The Simpleton awakes and sees the Flying Ship_                    199
+
+_The Comrades in the Flying Ship meet the Drinker_                 201
+
+‘_Maiden, are you warm?_’                                          211
+
+_The Sun-hero guards the Apples of the Sun_                        214
+
+‘_Who’s there?_’                                                   217
+
+_The Comb grows into a Forest_                                     220
+
+_The Black King’s Gift_                                            224
+
+_The Farmer thinks he sees the Devil in the Chest_                 229
+
+_The Shoemakers and Tanners drive Big Klaus out of the Town_       231
+
+‘_Open the sack_,’ _said Little Klaus_                             234
+
+_The Woman pushes Prince Ring into the Cask_                       238
+
+_Snati and Prince Ring fight with the Oxen_                        242
+
+_Prince Ring and Snati overthrow the Troll’s Ghost_                246
+
+_A True Princess_                                                  255
+
+_The Princess revives the Irishman_                                258
+
+_The Soldier fills his Knapsack with Money_                        267
+
+_The Dog brings in the Princess_                                   269
+
+‘_He was skipping along so merrily_’                               271
+
+‘“_Croak, croak, croak!_” _was all he could say_’                  280
+
+_Thumbelina rides on the Water-lily Leaf_                          281
+
+_Thumbelina brings Thistle-down for the Swallow_                   285
+
+_Thumbelina has to spin_                                           287
+
+‘_We will call you May blossom_’                                   289
+
+_The Kitchenmaid listens to the Nightingale_                       293
+
+_The Present from the Emperor of Japan_                            295
+
+_The True Nightingale sings to the Emperor_                        299
+
+_Hadvor burns the Lion’s Skin_                                     306
+
+‘_Don’t look at things that aren’t intended for
+    the likes of you_’                                             309
+
+_Down the Drain_                                                   310
+
+_And that was the End_                                             312
+
+‘_Then they oiled the corners of their mouths_’                    314
+
+_Hans fills his Pocket with the Mud_                               315
+
+‘_The reporters giggled,’ &c._                                     317
+
+
+
+
+_THE CAT AND THE MOUSE IN PARTNERSHIP_
+
+
+[Illustration: The Partnership]
+
+A cat had made acquaintance with a mouse, and had spoken so much of
+the great love and friendship she felt for her, that at last the Mouse
+consented to live in the same house with her, and to go shares in the
+housekeeping. ‘But we must provide for the winter or else we shall
+suffer hunger,’ said the Cat. ‘You, little Mouse, cannot venture
+everywhere in case you run at last into a trap.’ This good counsel was
+followed, and a little pot of fat was bought. But they did not know
+where to put it. At length, after long consultation, the Cat said, ‘I
+know of no place where it could be better put than in the church. No
+one will trouble to take it away from there. We will hide it in a
+corner, and we won’t touch it till we are in want.’ So the little pot
+was placed in safety; but it was not long before the Cat had a great
+longing for it, and said to the Mouse, ‘I wanted to tell you, little
+Mouse, that my cousin has a little son, white with brown spots, and
+she wants me to be godmother to it. Let me go out to-day, and do you
+take care of the house alone.’
+
+‘Yes, go certainly,’ replied the Mouse, ‘and when you eat anything
+good, think of me; I should very much like a drop of the red
+christening wine.’
+
+But it was all untrue. The Cat had no cousin, and had not been asked
+to be godmother. She went straight to the church, slunk to the little
+pot of fat, began to lick it, and licked the top off. Then she took a
+walk on the roofs of the town, looked at the view, stretched herself
+out in the sun, and licked her lips whenever she thought of the little
+pot of fat. As soon as it was evening she went home again.
+
+‘Ah, here you are again!’ said the Mouse; ‘you must certainly have had
+an enjoyable day.’
+
+‘It went off very well,’ answered the Cat.
+
+‘What was the child’s name?’ asked the Mouse.
+
+‘Top Off,’ said the Cat drily.
+
+‘Topoff!’ echoed the Mouse, ‘it is indeed a wonderful and curious
+name. Is it in your family?’
+
+‘What is there odd about it?’ said the Cat. ‘It is not worse than
+Breadthief, as your godchild is called.’
+
+[Illustration: AT HOME—IN THE CHURCH]
+
+Not long after this another great longing came over the Cat. She said
+to the Mouse, ‘You must again be kind enough to look after the house
+alone, for I have been asked a second time to stand godmother, and as
+this child has a white ring round its neck, I cannot refuse.’
+
+The kind Mouse agreed, but the Cat slunk under the town wall to the
+church, and ate up half of the pot of fat. ‘Nothing tastes better,’
+said she, ‘than what one eats by oneself,’ and she was very much
+pleased with her day’s work. When she came home the Mouse asked, ‘What
+was this child called?’
+
+‘Half Gone,’ answered the Cat.
+
+‘Halfgone! what a name! I have never heard it in my life. I don’t
+believe it is in the calendar.’
+
+Soon the Cat’s mouth began to water once more after her licking
+business. ‘All good things in threes,’ she said to the Mouse; ‘I have
+again to stand godmother. The child is quite black, and has very white
+paws, but not a single white hair on its body. This only happens once
+in two years, so you will let me go out?’
+
+‘Topoff! Halfgone!’ repeated the Mouse, ‘they are such curious names;
+they make me very thoughtful.’
+
+‘Oh, you sit at home in your dark grey coat and your long tail,’ said
+the Cat, ‘and you get fanciful. That comes of not going out in the
+day.’
+
+The Mouse had a good cleaning out while the Cat was gone, and made the
+house tidy; but the greedy Cat ate the fat every bit up. ‘When it is
+all gone one can be at rest,’ she said to herself, and at night she
+came home sleek and satisfied. The Mouse asked at once after the third
+child’s name.
+
+‘It won’t please you any better,’ said the Cat, ‘he was called Clean
+Gone.’
+
+‘Cleangone!’ repeated the Mouse. ‘I do not believe that name has been
+printed any more than the others. Cleangone! What can it mean?’ She
+shook her head, curled herself up, and went to sleep.
+
+From this time on no one asked the Cat to stand godmother; but when
+the winter came and there was nothing to be got outside, the Mouse
+remembered their provision and said, ‘Come, Cat, we will go to our pot
+of fat which we have stored away; it will taste very good.’
+
+[Illustration: Protestation]
+
+[Illustration: The Way of the World]
+
+‘Yes, indeed,’ answered the Cat; ‘it will taste as good to you as if
+you stretched your thin tongue out of the window.’
+
+They started off, and when they reached it they found the pot in its
+place, but quite empty!
+
+‘Ah,’ said the Mouse, ‘now I know what has happened! It has all come
+out! You are a true friend to me! You have eaten it all when you stood
+godmother; first the top off, then half of it gone, then——’
+
+‘Will you be quiet!’ screamed the Cat. ‘Another word and I will eat
+you up.’
+
+‘Cleangone’ was already on the poor Mouse’s tongue, and scarcely was
+it out than the Cat made a spring at her, seized and swallowed her.
+
+You see that is the way of the world.
+
+
+
+
+_THE SIX SWANS_
+
+
+A King was once hunting in a great wood, and he hunted the game so
+eagerly that none of his courtiers could follow him. When evening came
+on he stood still and looked round him, and he saw that he had quite
+lost himself. He sought a way out, but could find none. Then he saw an
+old woman with a shaking head coming towards him; but she was a witch.
+
+‘Good woman,’ he said to her, ‘can you not show me the way out of the
+wood?’
+
+‘Oh, certainly, Sir King,’ she replied, ‘I can quite well do that, but
+on one condition, which if you do not fulfil you will never get out of
+the wood, and will die of hunger.’
+
+‘What is the condition?’ asked the King.
+
+‘I have a daughter,’ said the old woman, ‘who is so beautiful that she
+has not her equal in the world, and is well fitted to be your wife; if
+you will make her lady-queen I will show you the way out of the wood.’
+
+The King in his anguish of mind consented, and the old woman led him
+to her little house where her daughter was sitting by the fire. She
+received the King as if she were expecting him, and he saw that she
+was certainly very beautiful; but she did not please him, and he could
+not look at her without a secret feeling of horror. As soon as he had
+lifted the maiden on to his horse the old woman showed him the way,
+and the King reached his palace, where the wedding was celebrated.
+
+The King had already been married once, and had by his first wife
+seven children, six boys and one girl, whom he loved more than
+anything in the world. And now, because he was afraid that their
+step-mother might not treat them well and might do them harm, he put
+them in a lonely castle that stood in the middle of a wood. It lay so
+hidden, and the way to it was so hard to find, that he himself could
+not have found it out had not a wise-woman given him a reel of thread
+which possessed a marvellous property: when he threw it before him it
+unwound itself and showed him the way. But the King went so often to
+his dear children that the Queen was offended at his absence. She grew
+curious, and wanted to know what he had to do quite alone in the wood.
+She gave his servants a great deal of money, and they betrayed the
+secret to her, and also told her of the reel which alone could point
+out the way. She had no rest now till she had found out where the King
+guarded the reel, and then she made some little white shirts, and, as
+she had learnt from her witch-mother, sewed an enchantment in each of
+them.
+
+And when the King had ridden off she took the little shirts and went
+into the wood, and the reel showed her the way. The children, who saw
+someone coming in the distance, thought it was their dear father
+coming to them, and sprang to meet him very joyfully. Then she threw
+over each one a little shirt, which when it had touched their bodies
+changed them into swans, and they flew away over the forest. The Queen
+went home quite satisfied, and thought she had got rid of her
+step-children; but the girl had not run to meet her with her brothers,
+and she knew nothing of her.
+
+The next day the King came to visit his children, but he found no one
+but the girl.
+
+‘Where are your brothers?’ asked the King.
+
+‘Alas! dear father,’ she answered, ‘they have gone away and left me
+all alone.’ And she told him that looking out of her little window she
+had seen her brothers flying over the wood in the shape of swans, and
+she showed him the feathers which they had let fall in the yard, and
+which she had collected. The King mourned, but he did not think that
+the Queen had done the wicked deed, and as he was afraid the maiden
+would also be taken from him, he wanted to take her with him. But she
+was afraid of the step-mother, and begged the King to let her stay
+just one night more in the castle in the wood. The poor maiden
+thought, ‘My home is no longer here; I will go and seek my brothers.’
+And when night came she fled away into the forest. She ran all through
+the night and the next day, till she could go no farther for
+weariness. Then she saw a little hut, went in, and found a room with
+six little beds. She was afraid to lie down on one, so she crept under
+one of them, lay on the hard floor, and was going to spend the night
+there. But when the sun had set she heard a noise, and saw six swans
+flying in at the window. They stood on the floor and blew at one
+another, and blew all their feathers off, and their swan-skin came off
+like a shirt. Then the maiden recognised her brothers, and overjoyed
+she crept out from under the bed. Her brothers were not less delighted
+than she to see their little sister again, but their joy did not last
+long.
+
+‘You cannot stay here,’ they said to her. ‘This is a den of robbers;
+if they were to come here and find you they would kill you.’
+
+‘Could you not protect me?’ asked the little sister.
+
+‘No,’ they answered, ‘for we can only lay aside our swan skins for a
+quarter of an hour every evening. For this time we regain our human
+forms, but then we are changed into swans again.’
+
+Then the little sister cried and said, ‘Can you not be freed?’
+
+‘Oh, no,’ they said, ‘the conditions are too hard. You must not speak
+or laugh for six years, and must make in that time six shirts for us
+out of star-flowers. If a single word comes out of your mouth, all
+your labour is vain.’ And when the brothers had said this the quarter
+of an hour came to an end, and they flew away out of the window as
+swans.
+
+But the maiden had determined to free her brothers even if it should
+cost her her life. She left the hut, went into the forest, climbed a
+tree, and spent the night there. The next morning she went out,
+collected star-flowers, and began to sew. She could speak to no one,
+and she had no wish to laugh, so she sat there, looking only at her
+work.
+
+When she had lived there some time, it happened that the King of the
+country was hunting in the forest, and his hunters came to the tree on
+which the maiden sat. They called to her and said ‘Who are you?’
+
+But she gave no answer.
+
+‘Come down to us,’ they said, ‘we will do you no harm.’
+
+But she shook her head silently. As they pressed her further with
+questions, she threw them the golden chain from her neck. But they did
+not leave off, and she threw them her girdle, and when this was no
+use, her garters, and then her dress. The hunts-men would not leave
+her alone, but climbed the tree, lifted the maiden down, and led her
+to the King. The King asked, ‘Who are you? What are you doing up that
+tree?’
+
+But she answered nothing.
+
+[Illustration: ‘And then her dress’]
+
+He asked her in all the languages he knew, but she remained as dumb
+as a fish. Because she was so beautiful, however, the King’s heart was
+touched, and he was seized with a great love for her. He wrapped her
+up in his cloak, placed her before him on his horse, and brought her
+to his castle. There he had her dressed in rich clothes, and her
+beauty shone out as bright as day, but not a word could be drawn from
+her. He set her at table by his side, and her modest ways and
+behaviour pleased him so much that he said, ‘I will marry this maiden
+and none other in the world,’ and after some days he married her. But
+the King had a wicked mother who was displeased with the marriage, and
+said wicked things of the young Queen. ‘Who knows who this girl is?’
+she said; ‘she cannot speak, and is not worthy of a king.’
+
+After a year, when the Queen had her first child, the old mother took
+it away from her. Then she went to the King and said that the Queen
+had killed it. The King would not believe it, and would not allow any
+harm to be done her. But she sat quietly sewing at the shirts and
+troubling herself about nothing. The next time she had a child the
+wicked mother did the same thing, but the King could not make up his
+mind to believe her. He said, ‘She is too sweet and good to do such a
+thing as that. If she were not dumb and could defend herself, her
+innocence would be proved.’ But when the third child was taken away,
+and the Queen was again accused, and could not utter a word in her own
+defence, the King was obliged to give her over to the law, which
+decreed that she must be burnt to death. When the day came on which
+the sentence was to be executed, it was the last day of the six years
+in which she must not speak or laugh, and now she had freed her dear
+brothers from the power of the enchantment. The six shirts were done;
+there was only the left sleeve wanting to the last.
+
+When she was led to the stake, she laid the shirts on her arm, and as
+she stood on the pile and the fire was about to be lighted, she looked
+around her and saw six swans flying through the air. Then she knew
+that her release was at hand and her heart danced for joy. The swans
+fluttered round her, and hovered low so that she could throw the
+shirts over them. When they had touched them the swan-skins fell off,
+and her brothers stood before her living, well and beautiful. Only the
+youngest had a swan’s wing instead of his left arm. They embraced and
+kissed each other, and the Queen went to the King, who was standing by
+in great astonishment, and began to speak to him, saying, ‘Dearest
+husband, now I can speak and tell you openly that I am innocent and
+have been falsely accused.’
+
+She told him of the old woman’s deceit, and how she had taken the
+three children away and hidden them. Then they were fetched, to the
+great joy of the King, and the wicked mother came to no good end.
+
+But the King and the Queen with their six brothers lived many years in
+happiness and peace.
+
+[Illustration: The Six Brothers Changed Into Swans by Their Stepmother.]
+
+
+
+
+_THE DRAGON OF THE NORTH_[2]
+
+
+Very long ago, as old people have told me, there lived a terrible
+monster, who came out of the North, and laid waste whole tracts of
+country, devouring both men and beasts; and this monster was so
+destructive that it was feared that unless help came no living
+creature would be left on the face of the earth. It had a body like an
+ox, and legs like a frog, two short fore-legs, and two long ones
+behind, and besides that it had a tail like a serpent, ten fathoms in
+length. When it moved it jumped like a frog, and with every spring it
+covered half a mile of ground. Fortunately its habit was to remain for
+several years in the same place, and not to move on till the whole
+neighbourhood was eaten up. Nothing could hunt it, because its whole
+body was covered with scales, which were harder than stone or metal;
+its two great eyes shone by night, and even by day, like the brightest
+lamps, and anyone who had the ill luck to look into those eyes became
+as it were bewitched, and was obliged to rush of his own accord into
+the monster’s jaws. In this way the Dragon was able to feed upon both
+men and beasts without the least trouble to itself, as it needed not
+to move from the spot where it was lying. All the neighbouring kings
+had offered rich rewards to anyone who should be able to destroy the
+monster, either by force or enchantment, and many had tried their
+luck, but all had miserably failed. Once a great forest in which the
+Dragon lay had been set on fire; the forest was burnt down, but the
+fire did not do the monster the least harm. However, there was a
+tradition amongst the wise men of the country that the Dragon might be
+overcome by one who possessed King Solomon’s signet-ring, upon which a
+secret writing was engraved. This inscription would enable anyone who
+was wise enough to interpret it to find out how the Dragon could be
+destroyed. Only no one knew where the ring was hidden, nor was there
+any sorcerer or learned man to be found who would be able to explain
+the inscription.
+
+[Footnote 2: ‘Der Norlands Drache,’ from _Esthnische Mährchen_.
+Kreutzwald.]
+
+At last a young man, with a good heart and plenty of courage, set out
+to search for the ring. He took his way towards the sun-rising,
+because he knew that all the wisdom of old time comes from the East.
+After some years he met with a famous Eastern magician, and asked for
+his advice in the matter. The magician answered:
+
+‘Mortal men have but little wisdom, and can give you no help, but the
+birds of the air would be better guides to you if you could learn
+their language. I can help you to understand it if you will stay with
+me a few days.’
+
+The youth thankfully accepted the magician’s offer, and said, ‘I
+cannot now offer you any reward for your kindness, but should my
+undertaking succeed your trouble shall be richly repaid.’
+
+Then the magician brewed a powerful potion out of nine sorts of herbs
+which he had gathered himself all alone by moonlight, and he gave the
+youth nine spoonfuls of it daily for three days, which made him able
+to understand the language of birds.
+
+At parting the magician said to him, ‘If you ever find Solomon’s ring
+and get possession of it, then come back to me, that I may explain the
+inscription on the ring to you, for there is no one else in the world
+who can do this.’
+
+From that time the youth never felt lonely as he walked along; he
+always had company, because he understood the language of birds; and
+in this way he learned many things which mere human knowledge could
+never have taught him. But time went on, and he heard nothing about
+the ring. It happened one evening, when he was hot and tired with
+walking, and had sat down under a tree in a forest to eat his supper,
+that he saw two gaily-plumaged birds, that were strange to him,
+sitting at the top of the tree talking to one another about him. The
+first bird said:
+
+‘I know that wandering fool under the tree there, who has come so far
+without finding what he seeks. He is trying to find King Solomon’s
+lost ring.’
+
+The other bird answered, ‘He will have to seek help from the
+_Witch-maiden_,[3] who will doubtless be able to put him on the right
+track. If she has not got the ring herself, she knows well enough who
+has it.’
+
+[Footnote 3: Höllenmädchen.]
+
+‘But where is he to find the Witch-maiden?’ said the first bird. ‘She
+has no settled dwelling, but is here to-day and gone to-morrow. He
+might as well try to catch the wind.’
+
+The other replied, ‘I do not know, certainly, where she is at present,
+but in three nights from now she will come to the spring to wash her
+face, as she does every month when the moon is full, in order that she
+may never grow old nor wrinkled, but may always keep the bloom of
+youth.’
+
+‘Well,’ said the first bird, ‘the spring is not far from here. Shall
+we go and see how it is she does it?’
+
+‘Willingly, if you like,’ said the other.
+
+The youth immediately resolved to follow the birds to the spring, only
+two things made him uneasy: first, lest he might be asleep when the
+birds went, and secondly, lest he might lose sight of them, since he
+had not wings to carry him along so swiftly. He was too tired to keep
+awake all night, yet his anxiety prevented him from sleeping soundly,
+and when with the earliest dawn he looked up to the tree-top, he was
+glad to see his feathered companions still asleep with their heads
+under their wings. He ate his breakfast, and waited until the birds
+should start, but they did not leave the place all day. They hopped
+about from one tree to another looking for food, all day long until
+the evening, when they went back to their old perch to sleep. The next
+day the same thing happened, but on the third morning one bird said to
+the other, ‘To-day we must go to the spring to see the Witch-maiden
+wash her face.’ They remained on the tree till noon; then they flew
+away and went towards the south. The young man’s heart beat with
+anxiety lest he should lose sight of his guides, but he managed to
+keep the birds in view until they again perched upon a tree. The young
+man ran after them until he was quite exhausted and out of breath, and
+after three short rests the birds at length reached a small open space
+in the forest, on the edge of which they placed themselves on the top
+of a high tree. When the youth had overtaken them, he saw that there
+was a clear spring in the middle of the space. He sat down at the foot
+of the tree upon which the birds were perched, and listened
+attentively to what they were saying to each other.
+
+‘The sun is not down yet,’ said the first bird; ‘we must wait yet
+awhile till the moon rises and the maiden comes to the spring. Do you
+think she will see that young man sitting under the tree?’
+
+‘Nothing is likely to escape her eyes, certainly not a young man,’ said
+the other bird. ‘Will the youth have the sense not to let himself be
+caught in her toils?’
+
+‘We will wait,’ said the first bird, ‘and see how they get on
+together.’
+
+The evening light had quite faded, and the full moon was already
+shining down upon the forest, when the young man heard a slight
+rustling sound. After a few moments there came out of the forest a
+maiden, gliding over the grass so lightly that her feet seemed
+scarcely to touch the ground, and stood beside the spring. The youth
+could not turn away his eyes from the maiden, for he had never in his
+life seen a woman so beautiful. Without seeming to notice anything,
+she went to the spring, looked up to the full moon, then knelt down
+and bathed her face nine times, then looked up to the moon again and
+walked nine times round the well, and as she walked she sang this
+song:
+
+     ‘Full-faced moon with light unshaded,
+      Let my beauty ne’er be faded.
+      Never let my cheek grow pale!
+      While the moon is waning nightly,
+      May the maiden bloom more brightly,
+      May her freshness never fail!’
+
+Then she dried her face with her long hair, and was about to go away,
+when her eye suddenly fell upon the spot where the young man was
+sitting, and she turned towards the tree. The youth rose and stood
+waiting. Then the maiden said, ‘You ought to have a heavy punishment
+because you have presumed to watch my secret doings in the moonlight.
+But I will forgive you this time, because you are a stranger and knew
+no better. But you must tell me truly who you are and how you came to
+this place, where no mortal has ever set foot before.’
+
+The youth answered humbly: ‘Forgive me, beautiful maiden, if I have
+unintentionally offended you. I chanced to come here after long
+wandering, and found a good place to sleep under this tree. At your
+coming I did not know what to do, but stayed where I was, because I
+thought my silent watching could not offend you.’
+
+The maiden answered kindly, ‘Come and spend this night with us. You
+will sleep better on a pillow than on damp moss.’
+
+[Illustration: The Witch-Maiden Sees the Young Man Under a Tree]
+
+The youth hesitated for a little, but presently he heard the birds
+saying from the top of the tree, ‘Go where she calls you, but take
+care to give no blood, or you will sell your soul.’ So the youth went
+with her, and soon they reached a beautiful garden, where stood a
+splendid house, which glittered in the moonlight as if it was all
+built out of gold and silver. When the youth entered he found many
+splendid chambers, each one finer than the last. Hundreds of tapers
+burnt upon golden candlesticks, and shed a light like the brightest
+day. At length they reached a chamber where a table was spread with
+the most costly dishes. At the table were placed two chairs, one of
+silver, the other of gold. The maiden seated herself upon the golden
+chair, and offered the silver one to her companion. They were served
+by maidens dressed in white, whose feet made no sound as they moved
+about, and not a word was spoken during the meal. Afterwards the youth
+and the Witch-maiden conversed pleasantly together, until a woman,
+dressed in red, came in to remind them that it was bedtime. The youth
+was now shown into another room, containing a silken bed with down
+cushions, where he slept delightfully, yet he seemed to hear a voice
+near his bed which repeated to him, ‘Remember to give no blood!’
+
+The next morning the maiden asked him whether he would not like to
+stay with her always in this beautiful place, and as he did not answer
+immediately, she continued: ‘You see how I always remain young and
+beautiful, and I am under no one’s orders, but can do just what I
+like, so that I have never thought of marrying before. But from the
+moment I saw you I took a fancy to you, so if you agree, we might be
+married and might live together like princes, because I have great
+riches.’
+
+The youth could not but be tempted with the beautiful maiden’s offer,
+but he remembered how the birds had called her the witch, and their
+warning always sounded in his ears. Therefore he answered cautiously,
+‘Do not be angry, dear maiden, if I do not decide immediately on this
+important matter. Give me a few days to consider before we come to an
+understanding.’
+
+‘Why not?’ answered the maiden. ‘Take some weeks to consider if you
+like, and take counsel with your own heart.’ And to make the time pass
+pleasantly, she took the youth over every part of her beautiful
+dwelling, and showed him all her splendid treasures. But these
+treasures were all produced by enchantment, for the maiden could make
+anything she wished appear by the help of King Solomon’s signet ring;
+only none of these things remained fixed; they passed away like the
+wind without leaving a trace behind. But the youth did not know this;
+he thought they were all real.
+
+One day the maiden took him into a secret chamber, where a little gold
+box was standing on a silver table. Pointing to the box, she said,
+‘Here is my greatest treasure, whose like is not to be found in the
+whole world. It is a precious gold ring. When you marry me, I will
+give you this ring as a marriage gift, and it will make you the
+happiest of mortal men. But in order that our love may last for ever,
+you must give me for the ring three drops of blood from the little
+finger of your left hand.’
+
+When the youth heard these words a cold shudder ran over him, for he
+remembered that his soul was at stake. He was cunning enough, however,
+to conceal his feelings and to make no direct answer, but he only
+asked the maiden, as if carelessly, what was remarkable about the
+ring?
+
+She answered, ‘No mortal is able entirely to understand the power of
+this ring, because no one thoroughly understands the secret signs
+engraved upon it. But even with my half-knowledge I can work great
+wonders. If I put the ring upon the little finger of my left hand,
+then I can fly like a bird through the air wherever I wish to go. If I
+put it on the third finger of my left hand I am invisible, and I can
+see everything that passes around me, though no one can see me. If I
+put the ring upon the middle finger of my left hand, then neither fire
+nor water nor any sharp weapon can hurt me. If I put it on the
+forefinger of my left hand, then I can with its help produce whatever
+I wish. I can in a single moment build houses or anything I desire.
+Finally, as long as I wear the ring on the thumb of my left hand, that
+hand is so strong that it can break down rocks and walls. Besides
+these, the ring has other secret signs which, as I said, no one can
+understand. No doubt it contains secrets of great importance. The ring
+formerly belonged to King Solomon, the wisest of kings, during whose
+reign the wisest men lived. But it is not known whether this ring was
+ever made by mortal hands: it is supposed that an angel gave it to the
+wise King.’
+
+When the youth heard all this he determined to try and get possession
+of the ring, though he did not quite believe in all its wonderful
+gifts. He wished the maiden would let him have it in his hand, but he
+did not quite like to ask her to do so, and after a while she put it
+back into the box. A few days after they were again speaking of the
+magic ring, and the youth said, ‘I do not think it possible that the
+ring can have all the power you say it has.’
+
+Then the maiden opened the box and took the ring out, and it
+glittered as she held it like the clearest sunbeam. She put it on the
+middle finger of her left hand, and told the youth to take a knife and
+try as hard as he could to cut her with it, for he would not be able
+to hurt her. He was unwilling at first, but the maiden insisted. Then
+he tried, at first only in play, and then seriously, to strike her
+with the knife, but an invisible wall of iron seemed to be between
+them, and the maiden stood before him laughing and unhurt. Then she
+put the ring on her third finger, and in an instant she had vanished
+from his eyes. Presently she was beside him again laughing, and
+holding the ring between her fingers.
+
+‘Do let me try,’ said the youth, ‘whether I can do these wonderful
+things.’
+
+The maiden, suspecting no treachery, gave him the magic ring.
+
+The youth pretended to have forgotten what to do, and asked what
+finger he must put the ring on so that no sharp weapon could hurt him?
+
+‘Oh, the middle finger of your left hand,’ the maiden answered,
+laughing.
+
+She took the knife and tried to strike the youth, and he even tried to
+cut himself with it, but found it impossible. Then he asked the maiden
+to show him how to split stones and rocks with the help of the ring.
+So she led him into a courtyard where stood a great boulder-stone.
+‘Now,’ she said, ‘put the ring upon the thumb of your left hand, and
+you will see how strong that hand has become. The youth did so, and
+found to his astonishment that with a single blow of his fist the
+stone flew into a thousand pieces. Then the youth bethought him that
+he who does not use his luck when he has it is a fool, and that this
+was a chance which once lost might never return. So while they stood
+laughing at the shattered stone he placed the ring, as if in play,
+upon the third finger of his left hand.
+
+‘Now,’ said the maiden, ‘you are invisible to me until you take the
+ring off again.’
+
+But the youth had no mind to do that; on the contrary, he went farther
+off, then put the ring on the little finger of his left hand, and
+soared into the air like a bird.
+
+When the maiden saw him flying away she thought at first that he was
+still in play, and cried, ‘Come back, friend, for now you see I have
+told you the truth.’ But the young man never came back.
+
+Then the maiden saw she was deceived, and bitterly repented that she
+had ever trusted him with the ring.
+
+The young man never halted in his flight until he reached the dwelling
+of the wise magician who had taught him the speech of birds. The
+magician was delighted to find that his search had been successful,
+and at once set to work to interpret the secret signs engraved upon
+the ring, but it took him seven weeks to make them out clearly. Then
+he gave the youth the following instructions how to overcome the
+Dragon of the North: ‘You must have an iron horse cast, which must
+have little wheels under each foot. You must also be armed with a
+spear two fathoms long, which you will be able to wield by means of
+the magic ring upon your left thumb. The spear must be as thick in the
+middle as a large tree, and both its ends must be sharp. In the middle
+of the spear you must have two strong chains ten fathoms in length. As
+soon as the Dragon has made himself fast to the spear, which you must
+thrust through his jaws, you must spring quickly from the iron horse
+and fasten the ends of the chains firmly to the ground with iron
+stakes, so that he cannot get away from them. After two or three days
+the monster’s strength will be so far exhausted that you will be able
+to come near him. Then you can put Solomon’s ring upon your left thumb
+and give him the finishing stroke, but keep the ring on your third
+finger until you have come close to him, so that the monster cannot
+see you, else he might strike you dead with his long tail. But when
+all is done, take care you do not lose the ring, and that no one takes
+it from you by cunning.’
+
+[Illustration: The youth secures the dragon]
+
+The young man thanked the magician for his directions, and promised,
+should they succeed, to reward him. But the magician answered, ‘I have
+profited so much by the wisdom the ring has taught me that I desire no
+other reward.’ Then they parted, and the youth quickly flew home
+through the air. After remaining in his own home for some weeks, he
+heard people say that the terrible Dragon of the North was not far
+off, and might shortly be expected in the country. The King announced
+publicly that he would give his daughter in marriage, as well as a
+large part of his kingdom, to whosoever should free the country from
+the monster. The youth then went to the King and told him that he had
+good hopes of subduing the Dragon, if the King would grant him all he
+desired for the purpose. The King willingly agreed, and the iron
+horse, the great spear, and the chains were all prepared as the youth
+requested. When all was ready, it was found that the iron horse was so
+heavy that a hundred men could not move it from the spot, so the youth
+found there was nothing for it but to move it with his own strength
+by means of the magic ring. The Dragon was now so near that in a
+couple of springs he would be over the frontier. The youth now began
+to consider how he should act, for if he had to push the iron horse
+from behind he could not ride upon it as the sorcerer had said he
+must. But a raven unexpectedly gave him this advice: ‘Ride upon the
+horse, and push the spear against the ground, as if you were pushing
+off a boat from the land.’ The youth did so, and found that in this
+way he could easily move forwards. The Dragon had his monstrous jaws
+wide open, all ready for his expected prey. A few paces nearer, and
+man and horse would have been swallowed up by them! The youth trembled
+with horror, and his blood ran cold, yet he did not lose his courage;
+but, holding the iron spear upright in his hand, he brought it down
+with all his might right through the monster’s lower jaw. Then quick
+as lightning he sprang from his horse before the Dragon had time to
+shut his mouth. A fearful clap like thunder, which could be heard for
+miles around, now warned him that the Dragon’s jaws had closed upon
+the spear. When the youth turned round he saw the point of the spear
+sticking up high above the Dragon’s upper jaw, and knew that the other
+end must be fastened firmly to the ground; but the Dragon had got his
+teeth fixed in the iron horse, which was now useless. The youth now
+hastened to fasten down the chains to the ground by means of the
+enormous iron pegs which he had provided. The death struggle of the
+monster lasted three days and three nights; in his writhing he beat
+his tail so violently against the ground, that at ten miles’ distance
+the earth trembled as if with an earthquake. When he at length lost
+power to move his tail, the youth with the help of the ring took up a
+stone which twenty ordinary men could not have moved, and beat the
+Dragon so hard about the head with it that very soon the monster lay
+lifeless before him.
+
+You can fancy how great was the rejoicing when the news was spread
+abroad that the terrible monster was dead. His conqueror was received
+into the city with as much pomp as if he had been the mightiest of
+kings. The old King did not need to urge his daughter to marry the
+slayer of the Dragon; he found her already willing to bestow her hand
+upon this hero, who had done all alone what whole armies had tried in
+vain to do. In a few days a magnificent wedding was celebrated, at
+which the rejoicings lasted four whole weeks, for all the neighbouring
+kings had met together to thank the man who had freed the world from
+their common enemy. But everyone forgot amid the general joy that they
+ought to have buried the Dragon’s monstrous body, for it began now to
+have such a bad smell that no one could live in the neighbourhood, and
+before long the whole air was poisoned, and a pestilence broke out
+which destroyed many hundreds of people. In this distress, the King’s
+son-in-law resolved to seek help once more from the Eastern magician,
+to whom he at once travelled through the air like a bird by the help
+of the ring. But there is a proverb which says that ill-gotten gains
+never prosper, and the Prince found that the stolen ring brought him
+ill-luck after all. The Witch-maiden had never rested night nor day
+until she had found out where the ring was. As soon as she had
+discovered by means of magical arts that the Prince in the form of a
+bird was on his way to the Eastern magician, she changed herself into
+an eagle and watched in the air until the bird she was waiting for
+came in sight, for she knew him at once by the ring which was hung
+round his neck by a ribbon. Then the eagle pounced upon the bird, and
+the moment she seized him in her talons she tore the ring from his
+neck before the man in bird’s shape had time to prevent her. Then the
+eagle flew down to the earth with her prey, and the two stood face to
+face once more in human form.
+
+‘Now, villain, you are in my power!’ cried the Witch-maiden. ‘I
+favoured you with my love, and you repaid me with treachery and theft.
+You stole my most precious jewel from me, and do you expect to live
+happily as the King’s son-in-law? Now the tables are turned; you are
+in my power, and I will be revenged on you for your crimes.’
+
+‘Forgive me! forgive me!’ cried the Prince; ‘I know too well how
+deeply I have wronged you, and most heartily do I repent it.’
+
+The maiden answered, ‘Your prayers and your repentance come too late,
+and if I were to spare you everyone would think me a fool. You have
+doubly wronged me; first you scorned my love, and then you stole my
+ring, and you must bear the punishment.’
+
+With these words she put the ring upon her left thumb, lifted the
+young man with one hand, and walked away with him under her arm. This
+time she did not take him to a splendid palace, but to a deep cave in
+a rock, where there were chains hanging from the wall. The maiden now
+chained the young man’s hands and feet so that he could not escape;
+then she said in an angry voice, ‘Here you shall remain chained up
+until you die. I will bring you every day enough food to prevent you
+dying of hunger, but you need never hope for freedom any more.’ With
+these words she left him.
+
+The old King and his daughter waited anxiously for many weeks for the
+Prince’s return, but no news of him arrived. The King’s daughter often
+dreamed that her husband was going through some great suffering; she
+therefore begged her father to summon all the enchanters and
+magicians, that they might try to find out where the Prince was and
+how he could be set free. But the magicians, with all their arts,
+could find out nothing, except that he was still living and undergoing
+great suffering; but none could tell where he was to be found. At last
+a celebrated magician from Finland was brought before the King, who
+had found out that the King’s son-in-law was imprisoned in the East,
+not by men, but by some more powerful being. The King now sent
+messengers to the East to look for his son-in-law, and they by good
+luck met with the old magician who had interpreted the signs on King
+Solomon’s ring, and thus was possessed of more wisdom than anyone else
+in the world. The magician soon found out what he wished to know, and
+pointed out the place where the Prince was imprisoned, but said: ‘He
+is kept there by enchantment, and cannot be set free without my help.
+I will therefore go with you myself.’
+
+So they all set out, guided by birds, and after some days came to the
+cave where the unfortunate Prince had been chained up for nearly seven
+years. He recognised the magician immediately, but the old man did not
+know him, he had grown so thin. However, he undid the chains by the
+help of magic, and took care of the Prince until he recovered and
+became strong enough to travel. When he reached home he found that the
+old King had died that morning, so that he was now raised to the
+throne. And now after his long suffering came prosperity, which lasted
+to the end of his life; but he never got back the magic ring, nor has
+it ever again been seen by mortal eyes.
+
+Now, if _you_ had been the Prince, would you not rather have stayed
+with the pretty witch-maiden?
+
+
+[Illustration: ‘Here You Shall Remain Chained Up Until You Die’]
+
+
+
+
+_STORY OF THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES_[4]
+
+
+Many years ago there lived an Emperor who was so fond of new clothes
+that he spent all his money on them in order to be beautifully
+dressed. He did not care about his soldiers, he did not care about the
+theatre; he only liked to go out walking to show off his new clothes.
+He had a coat for every hour of the day; and just as they say of a
+king, ‘He is in the council-chamber,’ they always said here, ‘The
+Emperor is in the wardrobe.’
+
+In the great city in which he lived there was always something going
+on; every day many strangers came there. One day two impostors arrived
+who gave themselves out as weavers, and said that they knew how to
+manufacture the most beautiful cloth imaginable. Not only were the
+texture and pattern uncommonly beautiful, but the clothes which were
+made of the stuff possessed this wonderful property that they were
+invisible to anyone who was not fit for his office, or who was
+unpardonably stupid.
+
+‘Those must indeed be splendid clothes,’ thought the Emperor. ‘If I
+had them on I could find out which men in my kingdom are unfit for the
+offices they hold; I could distinguish the wise from the stupid! Yes,
+this cloth must be woven for me at once.’ And he gave both the
+impostors much money, so that they might begin their work.
+
+They placed two weaving-looms, and began to do as if they were
+working, but they had not the least thing on the looms. They also
+demanded the finest silk and the best gold, which they put in their
+pockets, and worked at the empty looms till late into the night.
+
+[Footnote 4: Andersen.]
+
+‘I should like very much to know how far they have got on with the
+cloth,’ thought the Emperor. But he remembered when he thought about
+it that whoever was stupid or not fit for his office would not be able
+to see it. Now he certainly believed that he had nothing to fear for
+himself, but he wanted first to send somebody else in order to see how
+he stood with regard to his office. Everybody in the whole town knew
+what a wonderful power the cloth had, and they were all curious to see
+how bad or how stupid their neighbour was.
+
+‘I will send my old and honoured minister to the weavers,’ thought the
+Emperor. ‘He can judge best what the cloth is like, for he has
+intellect, and no one understands his office better than he.’
+
+Now the good old minister went into the hall where the two impostors
+sat working at the empty weaving-looms. ‘Dear me!’ thought the old
+minister, opening his eyes wide, ‘I can see nothing!’ But he did not
+say so.
+
+Both the impostors begged him to be so kind as to step closer, and
+asked him if it were not a beautiful texture and lovely colours. They
+pointed to the empty loom, and the poor old minister went forward
+rubbing his eyes; but he could see nothing, for there was nothing
+there.
+
+‘Dear, dear!’ thought he, ‘can I be stupid? I have never thought that,
+and nobody must know it! Can I be not fit for my office? No, I must
+certainly not say that I cannot see the cloth!’
+
+‘Have you nothing to say about it?’ asked one of the men who was
+weaving.
+
+‘Oh, it is lovely, most lovely!’ answered the old minister, looking
+through his spectacles. ‘What a texture! What colours! Yes, I will
+tell the Emperor that it pleases me very much.’
+
+‘Now we are delighted at that,’ said both the weavers, and thereupon
+they named the colours and explained the make of the texture.
+
+The old minister paid great attention, so that he could tell the same
+to the Emperor when he came back to him, which he did.
+
+The impostors now wanted more money, more silk, and more gold to use
+in their weaving. They put it all in their own pockets, and there came
+no threads on the loom, but they went on as they had done before,
+working at the empty loom. The Emperor soon sent another worthy
+statesman to see how the weaving was getting on, and whether the cloth
+would soon be finished. It was the same with him as the first one; he
+looked and looked, but because there was nothing on the empty loom he
+could see nothing.
+
+‘Is it not a beautiful piece of cloth?’ asked the two impostors, and
+they pointed to and described the splendid material which was not
+there.
+
+‘Stupid I am not!’ thought the man, ‘so it must be my good office for
+which I am not fitted. It is strange, certainly, but no one must be
+allowed to notice it.’ And so he praised the cloth which he did not
+see, and expressed to them his delight at the beautiful colours and
+the splendid texture. ‘Yes, it is quite beautiful,’ he said to the
+Emperor.
+
+Everybody in the town was talking of the magnificent cloth.
+
+Now the Emperor wanted to see it himself while it was still on the
+loom. With a great crowd of select followers, amongst whom were both
+the worthy statesmen who had already been there before, he went to the
+cunning impostors, who were now weaving with all their might, but
+without fibre or thread.
+
+‘Is it not splendid!’ said both the old statesmen who had already been
+there. ‘See, your Majesty, what a texture! What colours!’ And then
+they pointed to the empty loom, for they believed that the others
+could see the cloth quite well.
+
+‘What!’ thought the Emperor, ‘I can see nothing! This is indeed
+horrible! Am I stupid? Am I not fit to be Emperor? That were the most
+dreadful thing that could happen to me.’ ‘Oh, it is very beautiful,’ he
+said. ‘It has my gracious approval.’ And then he nodded pleasantly,
+and examined the empty loom, for he would not say that he could see
+nothing.
+
+His whole Court round him looked and looked, and saw no more than the
+others; but they said like the Emperor, ‘Oh! it is beautiful!’ And
+they advised him to wear these new and magnificent clothes for the
+first time at the great procession which was soon to take place.
+‘Splendid! Lovely! Most beautiful!’ went from mouth to mouth; everyone
+seemed delighted over them, and the Emperor gave to the impostors the
+title of Court weavers to the Emperor.
+
+Throughout the whole of the night before the morning on which the
+procession was to take place, the impostors were up and were working
+by the light of over sixteen candles. The people could see that they
+were very busy making the Emperor’s new clothes ready. They pretended
+they were taking the cloth from the loom, cut with huge scissors in
+the air, sewed with needles without thread, and then said at last,
+‘Now the clothes are finished!’
+
+The Emperor came himself with his most distinguished knights, and each
+impostor held up his arm just as if he were holding something, and
+said, ‘See! here are the breeches! Here is the coat! Here the cloak!’
+and so on.
+
+‘Spun clothes are so comfortable that one would imagine one had
+nothing on at all; but that is the beauty of it!’
+
+‘Yes,’ said all the knights, but they could see nothing, for there was
+nothing there.
+
+[Illustration: The Emperor comes to see his new clothes]
+
+‘Will it please your Majesty graciously to take off your clothes,’
+said the impostors, ‘then we will put on the new clothes, here before
+the mirror.’
+
+The Emperor took off all his clothes, and the impostors placed
+themselves before him as if they were putting on each part of his new
+clothes which was ready, and the Emperor turned and bent himself in
+front of the mirror.
+
+‘How beautifully they fit! How well they sit!’ said everybody. ‘What
+material! What colours! It is a gorgeous suit!’
+
+‘They are waiting outside with the canopy which your Majesty is wont
+to have borne over you in the procession,’ announced the Master of the
+Ceremonies.
+
+‘Look, I am ready,’ said the Emperor. ‘Doesn’t it sit well!’ And he
+turned himself again to the mirror to see if his finery was on all
+right.
+
+The chamberlains who were used to carry the train put their hands near
+the floor as if they were lifting up the train; then they did as if
+they were holding something in the air. They would not have it noticed
+that they could see nothing.
+
+So the Emperor went along in the procession under the splendid canopy,
+and all the people in the streets and at the windows said, ‘How
+matchless are the Emperor’s new clothes! That train fastened to his
+dress, how beautifully it hangs!’
+
+No one wished it to be noticed that he could see nothing, for then he
+would have been unfit for his office, or else very stupid. None of the
+Emperor’s clothes had met with such approval as these had.
+
+‘But he has nothing on!’ said a little child at last.
+
+‘Just listen to the innocent child!’ said the father, and each one
+whispered to his neighbour what the child had said.
+
+‘But he has nothing on!’ the whole of the people called out at last.
+
+This struck the Emperor, for it seemed to him as if they were right;
+but he thought to himself, ‘I must go on with the procession now.’ And
+the chamberlains walked along still more uprightly, holding up the
+train which was not there at all.
+
+
+
+
+_THE GOLDEN CRAB_[5]
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a fisherman who had a wife and three
+children. Every morning he used to go out fishing, and whatever fish
+he caught he sold to the King. One day, among the other fishes, he
+caught a golden crab. When he came home he put all the fishes together
+into a great dish, but he kept the Crab separate because it shone so
+beautifully, and placed it upon a high shelf in the cupboard. Now
+while the old woman, his wife, was cleaning the fish, and had tucked
+up her gown so that her feet were visible, she suddenly heard a voice,
+which said:
+
+     ‘Let down, let down thy petticoat
+      That lets thy feet be seen.’
+
+She turned round in surprise, and then she saw the little creature,
+the Golden Crab.
+
+‘What! You can speak, can you, you ridiculous crab?’ she said, for she
+was not quite pleased at the Crab’s remarks. Then she took him up and
+placed him on a dish.
+
+When her husband came home and they sat down to dinner, they presently
+heard the Crab’s little voice saying, ‘Give me some too.’ They were
+all very much surprised, but they gave him something to eat. When the
+old man came to take away the plate which had contained the Crab’s
+dinner, he found it full of gold, and as the same thing happened every
+day he soon became very fond of the Crab.
+
+One day the Crab said to the fisherman’s wife, ‘Go to the King and
+tell him I wish to marry his younger daughter.’
+
+[Footnote 5: ‘Prinz Krebs,’ from _Griechische Mährchen_. Schmidt.]
+
+The old woman went accordingly, and laid the matter before the King,
+who laughed a little at the notion of his daughter marrying a crab,
+but did not decline the proposal altogether, because he was a prudent
+monarch, and knew that the Crab was likely to be a prince in disguise.
+He said, therefore, to the fisherman’s wife, ‘Go, old woman, and tell
+the Crab I will give him my daughter if by to-morrow morning he can
+build a wall in front of my castle much higher than my tower, upon
+which all the flowers of the world must grow and bloom.’
+
+The fisherman’s wife went home and gave this message.
+
+[Illustration: Let down Let Down thy Petticoat That Lets thy Feet be
+Seen]
+
+Then the Crab gave her a golden rod, and said, ‘Go and strike with
+this rod three times upon the ground on the place which the King
+showed you, and to-morrow morning the wall will be there.’
+
+The old woman did so and went away again.
+
+The next morning, when the King awoke, what do you think he saw? The
+wall stood there before his eyes, exactly as he had bespoken it!
+
+Then the old woman went back to the King and said to him, ‘Your
+Majesty’s orders have been fulfilled.’
+
+‘That is all very well,’ said the King, ‘but I cannot give away my
+daughter until there stands in front of my palace a garden in which
+there are three fountains, of which the first must play gold, the
+second diamonds, and the third brilliants.’
+
+[Illustration: The fisherman brings the crab on the golden cushion]
+
+So the old woman had to strike again three times upon the ground with
+the rod, and the next morning the garden was there. The King now gave
+his consent, and the wedding was fixed for the very next day.
+
+Then the Crab said to the old fisherman, ‘Now take this rod; go and
+knock with it on a certain mountain; then a black man[6] will come out
+and ask you what you wish for. Answer him thus: “Your master, the
+King, has sent me to tell you that you must send him his golden
+garment that is like the sun.” Make him give you, besides, the queenly
+robes of gold and precious stones which are like the flowery meadows,
+and bring them both to me. And bring me also the golden cushion.’
+
+[Footnote 6: Ein Mohr.]
+
+The old man went and did his errand. When he had brought the precious
+robes, the Crab put on the golden garment and then crept upon the
+golden cushion, and in this way the fisherman carried him to the
+castle, where the Crab presented the other garment to his bride. Now
+the ceremony took place, and when the married pair were alone together
+the Crab made himself known to his young wife, and told her how he was
+the son of the greatest king in the world, and how he was enchanted,
+so that he became a crab by day and was a man only at night; and he
+could also change himself into an eagle as often as he wished. No
+sooner had he said this than he shook himself, and immediately became
+a handsome youth, but the next morning he was forced to creep back
+again into his crab-shell. And the same thing happened every day. But
+the Princess’s affection for the Crab, and the polite attention with
+which she behaved to him, surprised the royal family very much. They
+suspected some secret, but though they spied and spied, they could not
+discover it. Thus a year passed away, and the Princess had a son, whom
+she called Benjamin. But her mother still thought the whole matter
+very strange. At last she said to the King that he ought to ask his
+daughter whether she would not like to have another husband instead of
+the Crab? But when the daughter was questioned she only answered:
+
+‘I am married to the Crab, and him only will I have.’
+
+Then the King said to her, ‘I will appoint a tournament in your
+honour, and I will invite all the princes in the world to it, and if
+any one of them pleases you, you shall marry him.’
+
+In the evening the Princess told this to the Crab, who said to her,
+‘Take this rod, go to the garden gate and knock with it, then a black
+man will come out and say to you, “Why have you called me, and what do
+you require of me?” Answer him thus: “Your master the King has sent me
+hither to tell you to send him his golden armour and his steed and the
+silver apple.” And bring them to me.’
+
+The Princess did so, and brought him what he desired.
+
+The following evening the Prince dressed himself for the tournament.
+Before he went he said to his wife, ‘Now mind you do not say when you
+see me that I am the Crab. For if you do this evil will come of it.
+Place yourself at the window with your sisters; I will ride by and
+throw you the silver apple. Take it in your hand, but if they ask you
+who I am, say that you do not know.’ So saying, he kissed her,
+repeated his warning once more, and went away.
+
+The Princess went with her sisters to the window and looked on at the
+tournament. Presently her husband rode by and threw the apple up to
+her. She caught it in her hand and went with it to her room, and
+by-and-by her husband came back to her. But her father was much
+surprised that she did not seem to care about any of the Princes; he
+therefore appointed a second tournament.
+
+The Crab then gave his wife the same directions as before, only this
+time the apple which she received from the black man was of gold. But
+before the Prince went to the tournament he said to his wife, ‘Now I
+know you will betray me to-day.’
+
+But she swore to him that she would not tell who he was. He then
+repeated his warning and went away.
+
+In the evening, while the Princess, with her mother and sisters, was
+standing at the window, the Prince suddenly galloped past on his steed
+and threw her the golden apple.
+
+Then her mother flew into a passion, gave her a box on the ear, and
+cried out, ‘Does not even that prince please you, you fool?’
+
+The Princess in her fright exclaimed, ‘That is the Crab himself!’
+
+Her mother was still more angry because she had not been told sooner,
+ran into her daughter’s room where the crab-shell was still lying,
+took it up and threw it into the fire. Then the poor Princess cried
+bitterly, but it was of no use; her husband did not come back.
+
+Now we must leave the Princess and turn to the other persons in the
+story. One day an old man went to a stream to dip in a crust of bread
+which he was going to eat, when a dog came out of the water, snatched
+the bread from his hand, and ran away. The old man ran after him, but
+the dog reached a door, pushed it open, and ran in, the old man
+following him. He did not overtake the dog, but found himself above a
+staircase, which he descended. Then he saw before him a stately
+palace, and, entering, he found in a large hall a table set for twelve
+persons. He hid himself in the hall behind a great picture, that he
+might see what would happen. At noon he heard a great noise, so that
+he trembled with fear. When he took courage to look out from behind
+the picture, he saw twelve eagles flying in. At this sight his fear
+became still greater. The eagles flew to the basin of a fountain that
+was there and bathed themselves, when suddenly they were changed into
+twelve handsome youths. Now they seated themselves at the table, and
+one of them took up a goblet filled with wine, and said, ‘A health to
+my father!’ And another said, ‘A health to my mother!’ and so the
+healths went round. Then one of them said:
+
+     ‘A health to my dearest lady,
+        Long may she live and well!
+      But a curse on the cruel mother
+        That burnt my golden shell!’
+
+[Illustration: The Prince Throws the Apple To the Princess]
+
+And so saying he wept bitterly. Then the youths rose from the table,
+went back to the great stone fountain, turned themselves into eagles
+again, and flew away.
+
+Then the old man went away too, returned to the light of day, and went
+home. Soon after he heard that the Princess was ill, and that the only
+thing that did her good was having stories told to her. He therefore
+went to the royal castle, obtained an audience of the Princess, and
+told her about the strange things he had seen in the underground
+palace. No sooner had he finished than the Princess asked him whether
+he could find the way to that palace.
+
+‘Yes,’ he answered, ‘certainly.’
+
+And now she desired him to guide her thither at once. The old man did
+so, and when they came to the palace he hid her behind the great
+picture and advised her to keep quite still, and he placed himself
+behind the picture also. Presently the eagles came flying in, and
+changed themselves into young men, and in a moment the Princess
+recognised her husband amongst them all, and tried to come out of her
+hiding-place; but the old man held her back. The youths seated
+themselves at the table; and now the Prince said again, while he took
+up the cup of wine:
+
+     ‘A health to my dearest lady,
+        Long may she live and well!
+      But a curse on the cruel mother
+        That burnt my golden shell!’
+
+Then the Princess could restrain herself no longer, but ran forward
+and threw her arms round her husband. And immediately he knew her
+again, and said:
+
+‘Do you remember how I told you that day that you would betray me? Now
+you see that I spoke the truth. But all that bad time is past. Now
+listen to me: I must still remain enchanted for three months. Will you
+stay here with me till that time is over?’
+
+So the Princess stayed with him, and said to the old man, ‘Go back to
+the castle and tell my parents that I am staying here.’
+
+Her parents were very much vexed when the old man came back and told
+them this, but as soon as the three months of the Prince’s enchantment
+were over, he ceased to be an eagle and became once more a man, and
+they returned home together. And then they lived happily, and we who
+hear the story are happier still.
+
+
+
+
+_THE IRON STOVE_[7]
+
+
+Once upon a time when wishes came true there was a king’s son who was
+enchanted by an old witch, so that he was obliged to sit in a large
+iron stove in a wood. There he lived for many years, and no one could
+free him. At last a king’s daughter came into the wood; she had lost
+her way, and could not find her father’s kingdom again. She had been
+wandering round and round for nine days, and she came at last to the
+iron case. A voice came from within and asked her, ‘Where do you come
+from, and where do you want to go?’ She answered, ‘I have lost my way
+to my father’s kingdom, and I shall never get home again.’ Then the
+voice from the iron stove said, ‘I will help you to find your home
+again, and that in a very short time, if you will promise to do what I
+ask you. I am a greater prince than you are a princess, and I will
+marry you.’ Then she grew frightened, and thought, ‘What can a young
+lassie do with an iron stove?’ But as she wanted very much to go home
+to her father, she promised to do what he wished. He said, ‘You must
+come again, and bring a knife with you to scrape a hole in the iron.’
+
+[Footnote 7: Grimm.]
+
+Then he gave her someone for a guide, who walked near her and said
+nothing, but he brought her in two hours to her house. There was great
+joy in the castle when the Princess came back, and the old King fell
+on her neck and kissed her. But she was very much troubled, and said,
+‘Dear father, listen to what has befallen me! I should never have come
+home again out of the great wild wood if I had not come to an iron
+stove, to whom I have had to promise that I will go back to free him
+and marry him!’ The old King was so frightened that he nearly fainted,
+for she was his only daughter. So they consulted together, and
+determined that the miller’s daughter, who was very beautiful, should
+take her place. They took her there, gave her a knife, and said she
+must scrape at the iron stove. She scraped for twenty-four hours, but
+did not make the least impression. When the day broke, a voice called
+from the iron stove, ‘It seems to me that it is day outside.’ Then she
+answered, ‘It seems so to me; I think I hear my father’s mill
+rattling.’
+
+[Illustration: You Are Mine & I Am Thine—The Iron Stove]
+
+‘So you are a miller’s daughter! Then go away at once, and tell the
+King’s daughter to come.’
+
+Then she went away, and told the old King that the thing inside the
+iron stove would not have her, but wanted the Princess. The old King
+was frightened, and his daughter wept. But they had a swineherd’s
+daughter who was even more beautiful than the miller’s daughter, and
+they gave her a piece of gold to go to the iron stove instead of the
+Princess. Then she was taken out, and had to scrape for
+four-and-twenty hours, but she could make no impression. As soon as
+the day broke the voice from the stove called out, ‘It seems to be
+daylight outside.’ Then she answered, ‘It seems so to me too; I think
+I hear my father blowing his horn.’ ‘So you are a swineherd’s
+daughter! Go away at once, and let the King’s daughter come. And say
+to her that what I foretell shall come to pass, and if she does not
+come everything in the kingdom shall fall into ruin, and not one stone
+shall be left upon another.’ When the Princess heard this she began to
+cry, but it was no good; she had to keep her word. She took leave of
+her father, put a knife in her belt, and went to the iron stove in the
+wood. As soon as she reached it she began to scrape, and the iron gave
+way and before two hours had passed she had made a little hole. Then
+she peeped in and saw such a beautiful youth all shining with gold and
+precious stones that she fell in love with him on the spot. So she
+scraped away harder than ever, and made the hole so large that he
+could get out. Then he said, ‘You are mine, and I am thine; you are my
+bride and have set me free!’ He wanted to take her with him to his
+kingdom, but she begged him just to let her go once more to her
+father; and the Prince let her go, but told her not to say more than
+three words to her father, then to come back again. So she went home,
+but alas! she said _more than three words_; and immediately the iron
+stove vanished and went away over a mountain of glass and sharp
+swords. But the Prince was free, and was no longer shut up in it. Then
+she said good-bye to her father, and took a little money with her, and
+went again into the great wood to look for the iron stove; but she
+could not find it. She sought it for nine days, and then her hunger
+became so great that she did not know how she could live any longer.
+And when it was evening she climbed a little tree and wished that the
+night would not come, because she was afraid of the wild beasts. When
+midnight came she saw afar off a little light, and thought, ‘Ah! if
+only I could reach that!’ Then she got down from the tree and went
+towards the light. She came to a little old house with a great deal of
+grass growing round, and stood in front of a little heap of wood. She
+thought, ‘Alas! what am I coming to?’ and peeped through the window;
+but she saw nothing inside except big and little toads, and a table
+beautifully spread with roast meats and wine, and all the dishes and
+drinking-cups were of silver. Then she took heart and knocked. Then a
+fat toad called out:
+
+     ‘Little green toad with leg like crook,
+      Open wide the door, and look
+      Who it was the latch that shook.’
+
+And a little toad came forward and let her in. When she entered they
+all bid her welcome, and made her sit down. They asked her how she
+came there and what she wanted. Then she told everything that had
+happened to her, and how, because she had exceeded her permission only
+to speak three words, the stove had disappeared with the Prince; and
+how she had searched a very long time, and must wander over mountain
+and valley till she found him.
+
+Then the old toad said:
+
+     ‘Little green toad whose leg doth twist,
+      Go to the corner of which you wist,
+      And bring to me the large old kist.’
+
+And the little toad went and brought out a great chest. Then they gave
+her food and drink, and led her to a beautifully made bed of silk and
+samite, on which she lay down and slept soundly. When the day dawned
+she arose, and the old toad gave her three things out of the huge
+chest to take with her. She would have need of them, for she had to
+cross a high glass mountain, three cutting swords, and a great lake.
+When she had passed these she would find her lover again. So she was
+given three large needles, a plough-wheel, and three nuts, which she
+was to take great care of. She set out with these things, and when she
+came to the glass mountain which was so slippery she stuck the three
+needles behind her feet and then in front, and so got over it, and
+when she was on the other side put them carefully away.
+
+Then she reached the three cutting swords, and got on her plough-wheel
+and rolled over them. At last she came to a great lake, and, when she
+had crossed that, arrived at a beautiful castle. She went in and gave
+herself out as a servant, a poor maid who would gladly be engaged. But
+she knew that the Prince whom she had freed from the iron stove in the
+great wood was in the castle. So she was taken on as a kitchenmaid for
+very small wages. Now the Prince was about to marry another princess,
+for he thought she was dead long ago.
+
+[Illustration: ‘Then she reached the three cutting swords, and got on
+her plough-wheel and rolled over them’]
+
+In the evening, when she had washed up and was ready, she felt in her
+pocket and found the three nuts which the old toad had given her. She
+cracked one and was going to eat the kernel, when behold! there was a
+beautiful royal dress inside it! When the bride heard of this, she
+came and begged for the dress, and wanted to buy it, saying that it
+was not a dress for a serving-maid. Then she said she would not sell
+it unless she was granted one favour—namely, to sleep by the Prince’s
+door. The bride granted her this, because the dress was so beautiful
+and she had so few like it. When it was evening she said to her
+bridegroom, ‘That stupid maid wants to sleep by your door.’
+
+‘If you are contented, I am,’ he said. But she gave him a glass of
+wine in which she had poured a sleeping-draught. Then they both went
+to his room, but he slept so soundly that she could not wake him. The
+maid wept all night long, and said, ‘I freed you in the wild wood out
+of the iron stove; I have sought you, and have crossed a glassy
+mountain, three sharp swords, and a great lake before I found you, and
+will you not hear me now?’ The servants outside heard how she cried
+the whole night, and they told their master in the morning.
+
+When she had washed up the next evening she bit the second nut, and
+there was a still more beautiful dress inside. When the bride saw it
+she wanted to buy it also. But the maid did not want money, and asked
+that she should sleep again by the Prince’s door. The bride, however,
+gave him a sleeping-draught, and he slept so soundly that he heard
+nothing. But the kitchenmaid wept the whole night long, and said, ‘I
+have freed you in a wood and from an iron stove; I sought you and have
+crossed a glassy mountain, three sharp swords, and a great lake to
+find you, and now you will not hear me!’ The servants outside heard
+how she cried the whole night, and in the morning they told their
+master. And when she had washed up on the third night she bit the
+third nut, and there was a still more beautiful dress inside that was
+made of pure gold. When the bride saw it she wanted to have it, but
+the maid would only give it her on condition that she should sleep for
+the third time by the Prince’s door. But the Prince took care not to
+drink the sleeping-draught. When she began to weep and to say,
+‘Dearest sweetheart, I freed you in the horrible wild wood, and from
+an iron stove,’ he jumped up and said, ‘You are right. You are mine,
+and I am thine.’ Though it was still night, he got into a carriage
+with her, and they took the false bride’s clothes away, so that she
+could not follow them. When they came to the great lake they rowed
+across, and when they reached the three sharp swords they sat on the
+plough-wheel, and on the glassy mountain they stuck the three needles
+in. So they arrived at last at the little old house, but when they
+stepped inside it turned into a large castle. The toads were all
+freed, and were beautiful King’s children, running about for joy.
+There they were married, and they remained in the castle, which was
+much larger than that of the Princess’s father’s. But because the old
+man did not like being left alone, they went and fetched him. So they
+had two kingdoms and lived in great wealth.
+
+     A mouse has run,
+     My story’s done.
+
+
+
+
+_THE DRAGON AND HIS GRANDMOTHER_
+
+
+There was once a great war, and the King had a great many soldiers,
+but he gave them so little pay that they could not live upon it. Then
+three of them took counsel together and determined to desert.
+
+One of them said to the others, ‘If we are caught, we shall be hanged
+on the gallows; how shall we set about it?’ The other said, ‘Do you
+see that large cornfield there? If we were to hide ourselves in that,
+no one could find us. The army cannot come into it, and to-morrow it
+is to march on.’
+
+They crept into the corn, but the army did not march on, but remained
+encamped close around them. They sat for two days and two nights in
+the corn, and grew so hungry that they nearly died; but if they were
+to venture out, it was certain death.
+
+They said at last, ‘What use was it our deserting? We must perish here
+miserably.’
+
+Whilst they were speaking a fiery dragon came flying through the air.
+It hovered near them, and asked why they were hidden there. They
+answered, ‘We are three soldiers, and have deserted because our pay
+was so small. Now if we remain here we shall die of hunger, and if we
+move out we shall be strung up on the gallows.’ ‘If you will serve me
+for seven years,’ said the dragon, I will lead you through the midst
+of the army so that no one shall catch you.’ ‘We have no choice, and
+must take your offer,’ said they. Then the dragon seized them in his
+claws, took them through the air over the army, and set them down on
+the earth a long way from it.
+
+He gave them a little whip, saying, ‘Whip and slash with this, and as
+much money as you want will jump up before you. You can then live as
+great lords, keep horses, and drive about in carriages. But after
+seven years you are mine.’ Then he put a book before them, which he
+made all three of them sign. ‘I will then give you a riddle,’ he said;
+‘if you guess it, you shall be free and out of my power.’ The dragon
+then flew away, and they journeyed on with their little whip. They had
+as much money as they wanted, wore grand clothes, and made their way
+into the world. Wherever they went they lived in merrymaking and
+splendour, drove about with horses and carriages, ate and drank, but
+did nothing wrong.
+
+[Illustration: The Dragon carries off the three soldiers]
+
+The time passed quickly away, and when the seven years were nearly
+ended two of them grew terribly anxious and frightened, but the third
+made light of it, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, brothers, I wasn’t born
+yesterday; I will guess the riddle.’
+
+They went into a field, sat down, and the two pulled long faces. An
+old woman passed by, and asked them why they were so sad. ‘Alas! what
+have you to do with it? You cannot help us.’ ‘Who knows?’ she
+answered. ‘Only confide your trouble in me.’
+
+Then they told her that they had become the servants of the Dragon for
+seven long years, and how he had given them money as plentifully as
+blackberries; but as they had signed their names they were his, unless
+when the seven years had passed they could guess a riddle. The old
+woman said, ‘If you would help yourselves, one of you must go into the
+wood, and there he will come upon a tumble-down building of rocks
+which looks like a little house. He must go in, and there he will find
+help.’
+
+The two melancholy ones thought, ‘That won’t save us!’ and they
+remained where they were. But the third and merry one jumped up and
+went into the wood till he found the rock hut. In the hut sat a very
+old woman, who was the Dragon’s grandmother. She asked him how he
+came, and what was his business there. He told her all that happened,
+and because she was pleased with him she took compassion on him, and
+said she would help him.
+
+She lifted up a large stone which lay over the cellar, saying, ‘Hide
+yourself there; you can hear all that is spoken in this room. Only sit
+still and don’t stir. When the Dragon comes, I will ask him what the
+riddle is, for he tells me everything; then listen carefully what he
+answers.’
+
+At midnight the Dragon flew in, and asked for his supper. His
+grandmother laid the table, and brought out food and drink till he was
+satisfied, and they ate and drank together. Then in the course of the
+conversation she asked him what he had done in the day, and how many
+souls he had conquered.
+
+‘I haven’t had much luck to-day,’ he said, ‘but I have a tight hold on
+three soldiers.’
+
+‘Indeed! three soldiers!’ said she. ‘Who cannot escape you?’
+
+‘They are mine,’ answered the Dragon scornfully, ‘for I shall only
+give them one riddle which they will never be able to guess.’
+
+‘What sort of a riddle is it?’ she asked.
+
+‘I will tell you this. In the North Sea lies a dead sea-cat—that
+shall be their roast meat; and the rib of a whale—that shall be their
+silver spoon; and the hollow foot of a dead horse—that shall be their
+wineglass.’
+
+When the Dragon had gone to bed, his old grandmother pulled up the
+stone and let out the soldier.
+
+‘Did you pay attention to everything?’
+
+‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘I know enough, and can help myself splendidly.’
+
+Then he went by another way through the window secretly, and in all
+haste back to his comrades. He told them how the Dragon had been
+outwitted by his grandmother, and how he had heard from his own lips
+the answer to the riddle.
+
+Then they were all delighted and in high spirits, took out their whip,
+and cracked so much money that it came jumping up from the ground.
+When the seven years had quite gone, the Fiend came with his book,
+and, pointing at the signatures, said, ‘I will take you underground
+with me; you shall have a meal there. If you can tell me what you will
+get for your roast meat, you shall be free, and shall also keep the
+whip.’
+
+Then said the first soldier, ‘In the North Sea lies a dead sea-cat;
+that shall be the roast meat.’
+
+The Dragon was much annoyed, and hummed and hawed a good deal, and
+asked the second, ‘But what shall be your spoon?’
+
+‘The rib of a whale shall be our silver spoon.’
+
+The Dragon made a face, and growled again three times, ‘Hum, hum,
+hum,’ and said to the third, ‘Do you know what your wineglass shall
+be?’
+
+‘An old horse’s hoof shall be our wineglass.’
+
+Then the Dragon flew away with a loud shriek, and had no more power
+over them. But the three soldiers took the little whip, whipped as
+much money as they wanted, and lived happily to their lives’ end.
+
+[Illustration: The Fiend defeated]
+
+
+
+
+_THE DONKEY CABBAGE_
+
+
+There was once a young Hunter who went boldly into the forest. He had
+a merry and light heart, and as he went whistling along there came an
+ugly old woman, who said to him, ‘Good-day, dear hunter! You are very
+merry and contented, but I suffer hunger and thirst, so give me a
+trifle.’ The Hunter was sorry for the poor old woman, and he felt in
+his pocket and gave her all he could spare. He was going on then, but
+the old woman stopped him and said, ‘Listen, dear hunter, to what I
+say. Because of your kind heart I will make you a present. Go on your
+way, and in a short time you will come to a tree on which sit nine
+birds who have a cloak in their claws and are quarrelling over it.
+Then take aim with your gun and shoot in the middle of them; they will
+let the cloak fall, but one of the birds will be hit and will drop
+down dead. Take the cloak with you; it is a wishing-cloak, and when
+you throw it on your shoulders you have only to wish yourself at a
+certain place, and in the twinkling of an eye you are there. Take the
+heart out of the dead bird and swallow it whole, and early every
+morning when you get up you will find a gold piece under your pillow.’
+
+The Hunter thanked the wise woman, and thought to himself ‘These are
+splendid things she has promised me, if only they come to pass!’ So he
+walked on about a hundred yards, and then he heard above him in the
+branches such a screaming and chirping that he looked up, and there he
+saw a heap of birds tearing a cloth with their beaks and feet,
+shrieking, tugging, and fighting, as if each wanted it for himself.
+‘Well,’ said the Hunter, ‘this is wonderful! It is just as the old
+woman said’; and he took his gun on his shoulder, pulled the trigger,
+and shot into the midst of them, so that their feathers flew about.
+Then the flock took flight with much screaming, but one fell dead, and
+the cloak fluttered down. Then the Hunter did as the old woman had
+told him: he cut open the bird, found its heart, swallowed it, and
+took the cloak home with him. The next morning when he awoke he
+remembered the promise, and wanted to see if it had come true. But
+when he lifted up his pillow, there sparkled the gold piece, and the
+next morning he found another, and so on every time he got up. He
+collected a heap of gold, but at last he thought to himself, ‘What
+good is all my gold to me if I stay at home? I will travel and look a
+bit about me in the world.’ So he took leave of his parents, slung his
+hunting knapsack and his gun round him, and journeyed into the world.
+
+It happened that one day he went through a thick wood, and when he
+came to the end of it there lay in the plain before him a large
+castle. At one of the windows in it stood an old woman with a most
+beautiful maiden by her side, looking out. But the old woman was a
+witch, and she said to the girl, ‘There comes one out of the wood who
+has a wonderful treasure in his body which we must manage to possess
+ourselves of, darling daughter; we have more right to it than he. He
+has a bird’s heart in him, and so every morning there lies a gold
+piece under his pillow.’
+
+She told her how they could get hold of it, and how she was to coax it
+from him, and at last threatened her angrily, saying, ‘And if you do
+not obey me, you shall repent it!’
+
+When the Hunter came nearer he saw the maiden, and said to himself, ‘I
+have travelled so far now that I will rest, and turn into this
+beautiful castle; money I have in plenty.’ But the real reason was
+that he had caught sight of the lovely face.
+
+He went into the house, and was kindly received and hospitably
+entertained. It was not long before he was so much in love with the
+witch-maiden that he thought of nothing else, and only looked in her
+eyes, and whatever she wanted, that he gladly did. Then the old witch
+said, ‘Now we must have the bird-heart; he will not feel when it is
+gone.’ She prepared a drink, and when it was ready she poured it in a
+goblet and gave it to the maiden, who had to hand it to the hunter.
+
+‘Drink to me now, my dearest,’ she said. Then he took the goblet, and
+when he had swallowed the drink the bird-heart came out of his mouth.
+The maiden had to get hold of it secretly and then swallow it herself,
+for the old witch wanted to have it. Thenceforward he found no more
+gold under his pillow, and it lay under the maiden’s; but he was so
+much in love and so much bewitched that he thought of nothing except
+spending all his time with the maiden.
+
+Then the old witch said, ‘We have the bird-heart, but we must also get
+the wishing-cloak from him.’
+
+The maiden answered, ‘We will leave him that; he has already lost his
+wealth!’
+
+The old witch grew angry, and said, ‘Such a cloak is a wonderful
+thing, it is seldom to be had in the world, and have it I must and
+will.’ She beat the maiden, and said that if she did not obey it would
+go ill with her.
+
+[Illustration: The Maiden Obtains the Bird-Heart]
+
+So she did her mother’s bidding, and, standing one day by the window,
+she looked away into the far distance as if she were very sad.
+
+‘Why are you standing there looking so sad?’ asked the Hunter.
+
+‘Alas, my love,’ she replied, ‘over there lies the granite mountain
+where the costly precious stones grow. I have a great longing to go
+there, so that when I think of it I am very sad. For who can fetch
+them? Only the birds who fly; a man, never.’
+
+‘If you have no other trouble,’ said the Hunter, ‘that one I can
+easily remove from your heart.’
+
+So he wrapped her round in his cloak and wished themselves to the
+granite mountain, and in an instant there they were, sitting on it!
+The precious stones sparkled so brightly on all sides that it was a
+pleasure to see them, and they collected the most beautiful and costly
+together. But now the old witch had through her witchcraft caused the
+Hunter’s eyes to become heavy.
+
+He said to the maiden, ‘We will sit down for a little while and rest;
+I am so tired that I can hardly stand on my feet.’
+
+So they sat down, and he laid his head on her lap and fell asleep. As
+soon as he was sound asleep she unfastened the cloak from his
+shoulders, threw it on her own, left the granite and stones, and
+wished herself home again.
+
+But when the Hunter had finished his sleep and awoke, he found that
+his love had betrayed him and left him alone on the wild mountain.
+‘Oh,’ said he, ‘why is faithlessness so great in the world?’ and he
+sat down in sorrow and trouble, not knowing what to do.
+
+But the mountain belonged to fierce and huge giants, who lived on it
+and traded there, and he had not sat long before he saw three of them
+striding towards him. So he lay down as if he had fallen into a deep
+sleep.
+
+The giants came up, and the first pushed him with his foot, and said,
+‘What sort of an earthworm is that?’
+
+The second said, ‘Crush him dead.’
+
+But the third said contemptuously, ‘It is not worth the trouble! Let
+him live; he cannot remain here, and if he goes higher up the mountain
+the clouds will take him and carry him off.’
+
+Talking thus they went away. But the Hunter had listened to their
+talk, and as soon as they had gone he rose and climbed to the summit.
+When he had sat there a little while a cloud swept by, and, seizing
+him, carried him away. It travelled for a time in the sky, and then it
+sank down and hovered over a large vegetable garden surrounded by
+walls, so that he came safely to the ground amidst cabbages and
+vegetables. The Hunter then looked about him, saying, ‘If only I had
+something to eat! I am so hungry, and it will go badly with me in the
+future, for I see here not an apple or pear or fruit of any
+kind—nothing but vegetables everywhere.’ At last he thought, ‘At a
+pinch I can eat a salad; it does not taste particularly nice, but it
+will refresh me.’ So he looked about for a good head and ate it, but
+no sooner had he swallowed a couple of mouthfuls than he felt very
+strange, and found himself wonderfully changed. Four legs began to
+grow on him, a thick head, and two long ears, and he saw with horror
+that he had changed into a donkey. But as he was still very hungry and
+this juicy salad tasted very good to his present nature, he went on
+eating with a still greater appetite. At last he got hold of another
+kind of cabbage, but scarcely had swallowed it when he felt another
+change, and he once more regained his human form.
+
+[Illustration: The hunter is transformed into a donkey]
+
+The Hunter now lay down and slept off his weariness. When he awoke the
+next morning he broke off a head of the bad and a head of the good
+cabbage, thinking, ‘This will help me to regain my own, and to punish
+faithlessness.’ Then he put the heads in his pockets, climbed the
+wall, and started off to seek the castle of his love. When he had
+wandered about for a couple of days he found it quite easily. He then
+browned his face quickly, so that his own mother would not have known
+him, and went into the castle, where he begged for a lodging.
+
+‘I am so tired,’ he said, ‘I can go no farther.’
+
+The witch asked, ‘Countryman, who are you, and what is your business?’
+
+He answered, ‘I am a messenger of the King, and have been sent to seek
+the finest salad that grows under the sun. I have been so lucky as to
+find it, and am bringing it with me; but the heat of the sun is so
+great that the tender cabbage threatens to grow soft, and I do not
+know if I shall be able to bring it any farther.’
+
+When the old witch heard of the fine salad she wanted to eat it, and
+said, ‘Dear countryman, just let me taste the wonderful salad.’
+
+‘Why not?’ he answered; ‘I have brought two heads with me, and will
+give you one.’
+
+So saying, he opened his sack and gave her the bad one. The witch
+suspected no evil, and her mouth watered to taste the new dish, so
+that she went into the kitchen to prepare it herself. When it was
+ready she could not wait till it was served at the table, but she
+immediately took a couple of leaves and put them in her mouth. No
+sooner, however, had she swallowed them than she lost human form, and
+ran into the courtyard in the shape of a donkey.
+
+Now the servant came into the kitchen, and when she saw the salad
+standing there ready cooked she was about to carry it up, but on the
+way, according to her old habit, she tasted it and ate a couple of
+leaves. Immediately the charm worked, and she became a donkey, and ran
+out to join the old witch, and the dish with the salad in it fell to
+the ground. In the meantime, the messenger was sitting with the lovely
+maiden, and as no one came with the salad, and she wanted very much to
+taste it, she said, ‘I don’t know where the salad is.’
+
+Then thought the Hunter, ‘The cabbage must have already begun to
+work.’ And he said, ‘I will go to the kitchen and fetch it myself.’
+
+When he came there he saw the two donkeys running about in the
+courtyard, but the salad was lying on the ground.
+
+‘That’s all right,’ said he; ‘two have had their share!’ And lifting
+the remaining leaves up, he laid them on the dish and brought them to
+the maiden.
+
+‘I am bringing you the delicious food my own self,’ he said, ‘so that
+you need not wait any longer.’
+
+Then she ate, and, as the others had done, she at once lost her human
+form, and ran as a donkey into the yard.
+
+When the Hunter had washed his face, so that the changed ones might
+know him, he went into the yard, saying, ‘Now you shall receive a
+reward for your faithlessness.’
+
+He tied them all three with a rope, and drove them away till he came
+to a mill. He knocked at the window, and the miller put his head out
+and asked what he wanted.
+
+‘I have three tiresome animals,’ he answered, ‘which I don’t want to
+keep any longer. If you will take them, give them food and stabling,
+and do as I tell you with them, I will pay you as much as you want.’
+
+[Illustration: The Young Man Gives the Donkeys to the Miller]
+
+The miller replied, ‘Why not? What shall I do with them?’
+
+Then the Hunter said that to the old donkey, which was the witch,
+three beatings and one meal; to the younger one, which was the
+servant, one beating and three meals; and to the youngest one, which
+was the maiden, no beating and three meals; for he could not find it
+in his heart to let the maiden be beaten.
+
+Then he went back into the castle, and he found there all that he
+wanted. After a couple of days the miller came and said that he must
+tell him that the old donkey which was to have three beatings and only
+one meal had died. ‘The two others,’ he added, ‘are certainly not
+dead, and get their three meals every day, but they are so sad that
+they cannot last much longer.’
+
+Then the Hunter took pity on them, laid aside his anger, and told the
+miller to drive them back again. And when they came he gave them some
+of the good cabbage to eat, so that they became human again. Then the
+beautiful maiden fell on her knees before him, saying, ‘Oh, my
+dearest, forgive me the ill I have done you! My mother compelled me to
+do it; it was against my will, for I love you dearly. Your
+wishing-cloak is hanging in a cupboard, and as for the bird-heart I
+will make a drink and give it back to you.’
+
+But he changed his mind, and said, ‘Keep it; it makes no difference,
+for I will take you to be my own dear true wife.’
+
+And the wedding was celebrated, and they lived happy together till
+death.
+
+
+
+
+_THE LITTLE GREEN FROG_[8]
+
+
+In a part of the world whose name I forget lived once upon a time two
+kings, called Peridor and Diamantino. They were cousins as well as
+neighbours, and both were under the protection of the fairies; though
+it is only fair to say that the fairies did not love them half so well
+as their wives did.
+
+Now it often happens that as princes can generally manage to get their
+own way it is harder for them to be good than it is for common people.
+So it was with Peridor and Diamantino; but of the two, the fairies
+declared that Diamantino was much the worst; indeed, he behaved so
+badly to his wife Aglantino, that the fairies would not allow him to
+live any longer; and he died, leaving behind him a little daughter. As
+she was an only child, of course this little girl was the heiress of
+the kingdom, but, being still only a baby, her mother, the widow of
+Diamantino, was proclaimed regent. The Queen-dowager was wise and
+good, and tried her best to make her people happy. The only thing she
+had to vex her was the absence of her daughter; for the fairies, for
+reasons of their own, determined to bring up the little Princess
+Serpentine among themselves.
+
+As to the other King, he was really fond of his wife, Queen Constance,
+but he often grieved her by his thoughtless ways, and in order to
+punish him for his carelessness, the fairies caused her to die quite
+suddenly. When she was gone the King felt how much he had loved her,
+and his grief was so great (though he never neglected his duties) that
+his subjects called him Peridor the Sorrowful. It seems hardly
+possible that any man should live like Peridor for fifteen years
+plunged in such depth of grief, and most likely he would have died too
+if it had not been for the fairies.
+
+[Footnote 8: Cabinet des Fées.]
+
+The one comfort the poor King had was his son, Prince Saphir, who was
+only three years old at the time of his mother’s death, and great care
+was given to his education. By the time he was fifteen Saphir had
+learnt everything that a prince should know, and he was, besides,
+charming and agreeable.
+
+[Illustration: The prince looks into the magic mirror]
+
+It was about this time that the fairies suddenly took fright lest his
+love for his father should interfere with the plans they had made for
+the young prince. So, to prevent this, they placed in a pretty little
+room of which Saphir was very fond a little mirror in a black frame,
+such as were often brought from Venice. The Prince did not notice for
+some days that there was anything new in the room, but at last he
+perceived it, and went up to look at it more closely. What was his
+surprise to see reflected in the mirror, not his own face, but that of
+a young girl as lovely as the morning! And, better still, every
+movement of the girl, just growing out of childhood, was also
+reflected in the wonderful glass.
+
+As might have been expected, the young Prince lost his heart
+completely to the beautiful image, and it was impossible to get him
+out of the room, so busy was he in watching the lovely unknown.
+Certainly it was very delightful to be able to see her whom he loved
+at any moment he chose, but his spirits sometimes sank when he
+wondered what was to be the end of this adventure.
+
+The magic mirror had been for about a year in the Prince’s possession,
+when one day a new subject of disquiet seized upon him. As usual, he
+was engaged in looking at the girl, when suddenly he thought he saw a
+second mirror reflected in the first, exactly like his own, and with
+the same power. And in this he was perfectly right. The young girl had
+only possessed it for a short time, and neglected all her duties for
+the sake of the mirror. Now it was not difficult for Saphir to guess
+the reason of the change in her, nor why the new mirror was consulted
+so often; but try as he would he could never see the face of the
+person who was reflected in it, for the young girl’s figure always
+came between. All he knew was that the face was that of a man, and
+this was quite enough to make him madly jealous. This was the doing of
+the fairies, and we must suppose that they had their reasons for
+acting as they did.
+
+When these things happened Saphir was about eighteen years old, and
+fifteen years had passed away since the death of his mother. King
+Peridor had grown more and more unhappy as time went on, and at last
+he fell so ill that it seemed as if his days were numbered. He was so
+much beloved by his subjects that this sad news was heard with despair
+by the nation, and more than all by the Prince.
+
+During his whole illness the King never spoke of anything but the
+Queen, his sorrow at having grieved her, and his hope of one day
+seeing her again. All the doctors and all the water-cures in the
+kingdom had been tried, and nothing would do him any good. At last he
+persuaded them to let him lie quietly in his room, where no one came
+to trouble him.
+
+Perhaps the worst pain he had to bear was a sort of weight on his
+chest, which made it very hard for him to breathe. So he commanded his
+servants to leave the windows open in order that he might get more
+air. One day, when he had been left alone for a few minutes, a bird
+with brilliant plumage came and fluttered round the window, and
+finally rested on the sill. His feathers were sky-blue and gold, his
+feet and his beak of such glittering rubies that no one could bear to
+look at them, his eyes made the brightest diamonds look dull, and on
+his head he wore a crown. I cannot tell you what the crown was made
+of, but I am quite certain that it was still more splendid than all
+the rest. As to his voice I can say nothing about that, for the bird
+never sang at all. In fact, he did nothing but gaze steadily at the
+King, and as he gazed, the King felt his strength come back to him. In
+a little while the bird flew into the room, still with his eyes fixed
+on the King, and at every glance the strength of the sick man became
+greater, till he was once more as well as he used to be before the
+Queen died. Filled with joy at his cure, he tried to seize the bird to
+whom he owed it all, but, swifter than a swallow, it managed to avoid
+him. In vain he described the bird to his attendants, who rushed at
+his first call; in vain they sought the wonderful creature both on
+horse and foot, and summoned the fowlers to their aid: the bird could
+nowhere be found. The love the people bore King Peridor was so strong,
+and the reward he promised was so large, that in the twinkling of an
+eye every man, woman, and child had fled into the fields, and the
+towns were quite empty.
+
+All this bustle, however, ended in nothing but confusion, and, what
+was worse, the King soon fell back into the same condition as he was
+in before. Prince Saphir, who loved his father very dearly, was so
+unhappy at this that he persuaded himself that he might succeed where
+the others had failed, and at once prepared himself for a more distant
+search. In spite of the opposition he met with, he rode away, followed
+by his household, trusting to chance to help him. He had formed no
+plan, and there was no reason that he should choose one path more than
+another. His only idea was to make straight for those spots which were
+the favourite haunts of birds. But in vain he examined all the hedges
+and all the thickets; in vain he questioned everyone he met along the
+road. The more he sought the less he found.
+
+At last he came to one of the largest forests in all the world,
+composed entirely of cedars. But in spite of the deep shadows cast by
+the wide-spreading branches of the trees, the grass underneath was
+soft and green, and covered with the rarest flowers. It seemed to
+Saphir that this was exactly the place where the birds would choose to
+live, and he determined not to quit the wood until he had examined it
+from end to end. And he did more. He ordered some nets to be prepared
+and painted of the same colours as the bird’s plumage, thinking that
+we are all easily caught by what is like ourselves. In this he had to
+help him not only the fowlers by profession, but also his attendants,
+who excelled in this art. For a man is not a courtier unless he can do
+everything.
+
+After searching as usual for nearly a whole day Prince Saphir began to
+feel overcome with thirst. He was too tired to go any farther, when
+happily he discovered a little way off a bubbling fountain of the
+clearest water. Being an experienced traveller, he drew from his
+pocket a little cup (without which no one should ever take a journey),
+and was just about to dip it in the water, when a lovely little green
+frog, much prettier than frogs generally are, jumped into the cup. Far
+from admiring its beauty, Saphir shook it impatiently off; but it was
+no good, for quick as lightning the frog jumped back again. Saphir,
+who was raging with thirst, was just about to shake it off anew, when
+the little creature fixed upon him the most beautiful eyes in the
+world, and said, ‘I am a friend of the bird you are seeking, and when
+you have quenched your thirst listen to me.’
+
+So the Prince drank his fill, and then, by the command of the Little
+Green Frog, he lay down on the grass to rest himself.
+
+‘Now,’ she began, ‘be sure you do exactly in every respect what I tell
+you. First you must call together your attendants, and order them to
+remain in a little hamlet close by until you want them. Then go, quite
+alone, down a road that you will find on your right hand, looking
+southwards. This road is planted all the way with cedars of Lebanon;
+and after going down it a long way you will come at last to a
+magnificent castle. And now,’ she went on, ‘attend carefully to what I
+am going to say. Take this tiny grain of sand, and put it into the
+ground as close as you can to the gate of the castle. It has the
+virtue both of opening the gate and also of sending to sleep all the
+inhabitants. Then go at once to the stable, and pay no heed to
+anything except what I tell you. Choose the handsomest of all the
+horses, leap quickly on its back, and come to me as fast as you can.
+Farewell, Prince; I wish you good luck,’ and with these words the
+Little Frog plunged into the water and disappeared.
+
+The Prince, who felt more hopeful than he had done since he left home,
+did precisely as he had been ordered. He left his attendants in the
+hamlet, found the road the frog had described to him, and followed it
+all alone, and at last he arrived at the gate of the castle, which was
+even more splendid than he had expected, for it was built of crystal,
+and all its ornaments were of massive gold. However, he had no
+thoughts to spare for its beauty, and quickly buried his grain of sand
+in the earth. In one instant the gates flew open, and all the dwellers
+inside fell sound asleep. Saphir flew straight to the stable, and
+already had his hand on the finest horse it contained, when his eye
+was caught by a suit of magnificent harness hanging up close by. It
+occurred to him directly that the harness belonged to the horse, and
+without ever thinking of harm (for indeed he who steals a horse can
+hardly be blamed for taking his saddle), he hastily placed it on the
+animal’s back. Suddenly the people in the castle became broad awake,
+and rushed to the stable. They flung themselves on the Prince, seized
+him, and dragged him before their lord; but, luckily for the Prince,
+who could only find very lame excuses for his conduct, the lord of the
+castle took a fancy to his face, and let him depart without further
+questions.
+
+[Illustration: Prince Saphir steals the horse and harness]
+
+Very sad, and very much ashamed of himself poor Saphir crept back to
+the fountain, where the Frog was awaiting him with a good scolding.
+
+‘Whom do you take me for?’ she exclaimed angrily. ‘Do you really
+believe that it was just for the pleasure of talking that I gave you
+the advice you have neglected so abominably?’
+
+But the Prince was so deeply grieved, and apologised so very humbly,
+that after some time the heart of the good little Frog was softened,
+and she gave him another tiny little grain, but instead of being sand
+it was now a grain of gold. She directed him to do just as he had done
+before, with only this difference, that instead of going to the stable
+which had been the ruin of his hopes, he was to enter right into the
+castle itself, and to glide as fast as he could down the passages till
+he came to a room filled with perfume, where he would find a beautiful
+maiden asleep on a bed. He was to wake the maiden instantly and carry
+her off, and to be sure not to pay any heed to whatever resistance she
+might make.
+
+The Prince obeyed the Frog’s orders one by one, and all went well for
+this second time also. The gate opened, the inhabitants fell sound
+asleep, and he walked down the passage till he found the girl on her
+bed, exactly as he had been told he would. He woke her, and begged her
+firmly, but politely, to follow him quickly. After a little persuasion
+the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first
+to put on her dress. This sounded so reasonable and natural that it
+did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
+
+But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace
+suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound. He
+was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster,
+that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have
+gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the
+hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave
+quietly. However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to
+meet the Frog who had been his benefactress. How was he ever to appear
+before her with this tale? Still, after a long struggle with himself,
+he made up his mind that there was nothing else to be done, and that
+he deserved whatever she might say to him. And she said a great deal,
+for she had worked herself into a terrible passion; but the Prince
+humbly implored her pardon, and ventured to point out that it would
+have been very hard to refuse the young lady’s reasonable request.
+‘You must learn to do as you are told,’ was all the Frog would reply.
+
+But poor Saphir was so unhappy, and begged so hard for forgiveness,
+that at last the Frog’s anger gave way, and she held up to him a tiny
+diamond stone. ‘Go back,’ she said, ‘to the castle, and bury this
+little diamond close to the door. But be careful not to return to the
+stable or to the bedroom; they have proved too fatal to you. Walk
+straight to the garden and enter through a portico, into a small green
+wood, in the midst of which is a tree with a trunk of gold and leaves
+of emeralds. Perched on this tree you will see the beautiful bird you
+have been seeking so long. You must cut the branch on which it is
+sitting, and bring it back to me without delay. But I warn you
+solemnly that if you disobey my directions, as you have done twice
+before, you have nothing more to expect either of me or anyone else.’
+
+With these words she jumped into the water, and the Prince, who had
+taken her threats much to heart, took his departure, firmly resolved
+not to deserve them. He found it all just as he had been told: the
+portico, the wood, the magnificent tree, and the beautiful bird, which
+was sleeping soundly on one of the branches. He speedily lopped off
+the branch, and though he noticed a splendid golden cage hanging close
+by, which would have been very useful for the bird to travel in, he
+left it alone, and came back to the fountain, holding his breath and
+walking on tip-toe all the way, for fear lest he should awake his
+prize. But what was his surprise, when instead of finding the fountain
+in the spot where he had left it, he saw in its place a little rustic
+palace built in the best taste, and standing in the doorway a charming
+maiden, at whose sight his mind seemed to give way.
+
+‘What! Madam!’ he cried, hardly knowing what he said. ‘What! Is it
+you?’
+
+The maiden blushed and answered: ‘Ah, my lord, it is long since I
+first beheld your face, but I did not think you had ever seen mine.’
+
+‘Oh, madam,’ replied he, ‘you can never guess the days and the hours I
+have passed lost in admiration of you.’ And after these words they
+each related all the strange things that had happened, and the more
+they talked the more they felt convinced of the truth of the images
+they had seen in their mirrors. After some time spent in the most
+tender conversation, the Prince could not restrain himself from asking
+the lovely unknown by what lucky chance she was wandering in the
+forest; where the fountain had gone; and if she knew anything of the
+Frog to whom he owed all his happiness, and to whom he must give up
+the bird, which, somehow or other, was still sound asleep.
+
+‘Ah, my lord,’ she replied, with rather an awkward air, ‘as to the
+Frog, she stands before you. Let me tell you my story; it is not a
+long one. I know neither my country nor my parents, and the only thing
+I can say for certain is that I am called Serpentine. The fairies, who
+have taken care of me ever since I was born, wished me to be in
+ignorance as to my family, but they have looked after my education,
+and have bestowed on me endless kindness. I have always lived in
+seclusion, and for the last two years I have wished for nothing
+better. I had a mirror’—here shyness and embarrassment choked her
+words—but regaining her self-control, she added, ‘You know that
+fairies insist on being obeyed without questioning. It was they who
+changed the little house you saw before you into the fountain for
+which you are now asking, and, having turned me into a frog, they
+ordered me to say to the first person who came to the fountain exactly
+what I repeated to you. But, my lord, when you stood before me, it was
+agony to my heart, filled as it was with thoughts of you, to appear to
+your eyes under so monstrous a form. However, there was no help for
+it, and, painful as it was, I had to submit. I desired your success
+with all my soul, not only for your own sake, but also for my own,
+because I could not get back my proper shape till you had become
+master of the beautiful bird, though I am quite ignorant as to your
+reason for seeking it.’
+
+On this Saphir explained about the state of his father’s health, and
+all that has been told before.
+
+On hearing this story Serpentine grew very sad, and her lovely eyes
+filled with tears.
+
+‘Ah, my lord,’ she said, ‘you know nothing of me but what you have
+seen in the mirror; and I, who cannot even name my parents, learn that
+you are a king’s son.’
+
+In vain Saphir declared that love made them equal; Serpentine would
+only reply: ‘I love you too much to allow you to marry beneath your
+rank. I shall be very unhappy, of course, but I shall never alter my
+mind. If I do not find from the fairies that my birth is worthy of
+you, then, whatever be my feelings, I will never accept your hand.’
+
+The conversation was at this point, and bid fair to last some time
+longer, when one of the fairies appeared in her ivory car, accompanied
+by a beautiful woman past her early youth. At this moment the bird
+suddenly awakened, and, flying on to Saphir’s shoulder (which it never
+afterwards left), began fondling him as well as a bird can do. The
+fairy told Serpentine that she was quite satisfied with her conduct,
+and made herself very agreeable to Saphir, whom she presented to the
+lady she had brought with her, explaining that the lady was no other
+than his Aunt Aglantine, widow of Diamantino.
+
+[Illustration: ‘Standing in the Doorway a Charming Maiden at Whose
+Sight His Mind Seemed to Give Way’]
+
+Then they all fell into each other’s arms, till the fairy mounted her
+chariot, placed Aglantine by her side, and Saphir and Serpentine on
+the front seat. She also sent a message to the Prince’s attendants
+that they might travel slowly back to the Court of King Peridor, and
+that the beautiful bird had really been found. This matter being
+comfortably arranged, she started off her chariot. But in spite of the
+swiftness with which they flew through the air, the time passed even
+quicker for Saphir and Serpentine, who had so much to think about.
+
+They were still quite confused with the pleasure of seeing each other,
+when the chariot arrived at King Peridor’s palace. He had had himself
+carried to a room on the roof, where his nurses thought that he would
+die at any moment. Directly the chariot drew within sight of the
+castle the beautiful bird took flight, and, making straight for the
+dying King, at once cured him of his sickness. Then she resumed her
+natural shape, and he found that the bird was no other than the Queen
+Constance, whom he had long believed to be dead. Peridor was rejoiced
+to embrace his wife and his son once more, and with the help of the
+fairies began to make preparations for the marriage of Saphir and
+Serpentine, who turned out to be the daughter of Aglantine and
+Diamantino, and as much a princess as he was a prince. The people of
+the kingdom were delighted, and everybody lived happy and contented to
+the end of their lives.
+
+
+
+
+_THE SEVEN-HEADED SERPENT_[9]
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king who determined to take a long
+voyage. He assembled his fleet and all the seamen, and set out. They
+went straight on night and day, until they came to an island which was
+covered with large trees, and under every tree lay a lion. As soon as
+the King had landed his men, the lions all rose up together and tried
+to devour them. After a long battle they managed to overcome the wild
+beasts, but the greater number of the men were killed. Those who
+remained alive now went on through the forest and found on the other
+side of it a beautiful garden, in which all the plants of the world
+flourished together. There were also in the garden three springs: the
+first flowed with silver, the second with gold, and the third with
+pearls. The men unbuckled their knapsacks and filled them with those
+precious things. In the middle of the garden they found a large lake,
+and when they reached the edge of it the Lake began to speak, and said
+to them, ‘What men are you, and what brings you here? Are you come to
+visit our king?’ But they were too much frightened to answer.
+
+Then the Lake said, ‘You do well to be afraid, for it is at your peril
+that you are come hither. Our king, who has seven heads, is now
+asleep, but in a few minutes he will wake up and come to me to take
+his bath! Woe to anyone who meets him in the garden, for it is
+impossible to escape from him. This is what you must do if you wish to
+save your lives. Take off your clothes and spread them on the path
+which leads from here to the castle. The King will then glide over
+something soft, which he likes very much, and he will be so pleased
+with that that he will not devour you. He will give you some
+punishment, but then he will let you go.’
+
+[Footnote 9: ‘Die Siebenköpfige Schlange,’ from Schmidt’s _Griechische
+Mährchen_.]
+
+The men did as the Lake advised them, and waited for a time. At noon
+the earth began to quake, and opened in many places, and out of the
+openings appeared lions, tigers, and other wild beasts, which
+surrounded the castle, and thousands and thousands of beasts came out
+of the castle following their king, the Seven-headed Serpent. The
+Serpent glided over the clothes which were spread for him, came to the
+Lake, and asked it who had strewed those soft things on the path? The
+Lake answered that it had been done by people who had come to do him
+homage. The King commanded that the men should be brought before him.
+They came humbly on their knees, and in a few words told him their
+story. Then he spoke to them with a mighty and terrible voice, and
+said, ‘Because you have dared to come here, I lay upon you the
+punishment. Every year you must bring me from among your people twelve
+youths and twelve maidens, that I may devour them. If you do not do
+this, I will destroy your whole nation.’
+
+Then he desired one of his beasts to show the men the way out of the
+garden, and dismissed them. They then left the island and went back to
+their own country, where they related what had happened to them. Soon
+the time came round when the king of the beasts would expect the
+youths and maidens to be brought to him. The King therefore issued a
+proclamation inviting twelve youths and twelve maidens to offer
+themselves up to save their country; and immediately many young
+people, far more than enough, hastened to do so. A new ship was built,
+and set with black sails, and in it the youths and maidens who were
+appointed for the king of the beasts embarked and set out for his
+country. When they arrived there they went at once to the Lake, and
+this time the lions did not stir, nor did the springs flow, and
+neither did the Lake speak. So they waited then, and it was not long
+before the earth quaked even more terribly than the first time. The
+Seven-headed Serpent came without his train of beasts, saw his prey
+waiting for him, and devoured it at one mouthful. Then the ship’s crew
+returned home, and the same thing happened yearly until many years had
+passed.
+
+Now the King of this unhappy country was growing old, and so was the
+Queen, and they had no children. One day the Queen was sitting at the
+window weeping bitterly because she was childless, and knew that the
+crown would therefore pass to strangers after the King’s death.
+Suddenly a little old woman appeared before her, holding an apple in
+her hand, and said, ‘Why do you weep, my Queen, and what makes you so
+unhappy?’
+
+‘Alas, good mother,’ answered the Queen, ‘I am unhappy because I have
+no children.’
+
+‘Is that what vexes you?’ said the old woman. ‘Listen to me. I am a
+nun from the _Spinning Convent_[10] and my mother when she died left
+me this apple. Whoever eats this apple shall have a child.’
+
+The Queen gave money to the old woman, and bought the apple from her.
+Then she peeled it, ate it, and threw the rind out of the window, and
+it so happened that a mare that was running loose in the court below
+ate up the rind. After a time the Queen had a little boy, and the mare
+also had a male foal. The boy and the foal grew up together and loved
+each other like brothers. In course of time the King died, and so did
+the Queen, and their son, who was now nineteen years old, was left
+alone. One day, when he and his horse were talking together, the Horse
+said to him, ‘Listen to me, for I love you and wish for your good and
+that of the country. If you go on every year sending twelve youths and
+twelve maidens to the King of the Beasts, your country will very soon
+be ruined. Mount upon my back: I will take you to a woman who can
+direct you how to kill the Seven-headed Serpent.’
+
+Then the youth mounted his horse, who carried him far away to a
+mountain which was hollow, for in its side was a great underground
+cavern. In the cavern sat an old woman spinning. This was the cloister
+of the nuns, and the old woman was the Abbess. They all spent their
+time in spinning, and that is why the convent has this name. All round
+the walls of the cavern there were beds cut out of the solid rock,
+upon which the nuns slept, and in the middle a light was burning. It
+was the duty of the nuns to watch the light in turns, that it might
+never go out, and if anyone of them let it go out the others put her
+to death.
+
+As soon as the King’s son saw the old Abbess spinning he threw himself
+at her feet and entreated her to tell him how he could kill the
+Seven-headed Serpent.
+
+[Footnote 10: Convent Gnothi.]
+
+She made the youth rise, embraced him, and said, ‘Know, my son, that
+it is I who sent the nun to your mother and caused you to be born, and
+with you the horse, with whose help you will be able to free the world
+from the monster. I will tell you what you have to do. Load your horse
+with cotton, and go by a secret passage which I will show you, which
+is hidden from the wild beasts, to the Serpent’s palace. You will find
+the King asleep upon his bed, which is all hung round with bells, and
+over his bed you will see a sword hanging. With this sword only it is
+possible to kill the Serpent, because even if its blade breaks a new
+one will grow again for every head the monster has. Thus you will be
+able to cut off all his seven heads. And this you must also do in
+order to deceive the King: you must slip into his bed-chamber very
+softly, and stop up all the bells which are round his bed with cotton.
+Then take down the sword gently, and quickly give the monster a blow
+on his tail with it. This will make him waken up, and if he catches
+sight of you he will seize you. But you must quickly cut off his first
+head, and then wait till the next one comes up. Then strike it off
+also, and so go on till you have cut off all his seven heads.’
+
+[Illustration: The Seven-headed Serpent]
+
+The old Abbess then gave the Prince her blessing, and he set out upon
+his enterprise, arrived at the Serpent’s castle by following the
+secret passage which she had shown him, and by carefully attending to
+all her directions he happily succeeded in killing the monster. As
+soon as the wild beasts heard of their king’s death, they all hastened
+to the castle, but the youth had long since mounted his horse and was
+already far out of their reach. They pursued him as fast as they
+could, but they found it impossible to overtake him, and he reached
+home in safety. Thus he freed his country from this terrible
+oppression.
+
+
+
+
+_THE GRATEFUL BEASTS_[11]
+
+
+There was once upon a time a man and woman who had three fine-looking
+sons, but they were so poor that they had hardly enough food for
+themselves, let alone their children. So the sons determined to set
+out into the world and to try their luck. Before starting their mother
+gave them each a loaf of bread and her blessing, and having taken a
+tender farewell of her and their father the three set forth on their
+travels.
+
+The youngest of the three brothers, whose name was Ferko, was a
+beautiful youth, with a splendid figure, blue eyes, fair hair, and a
+complexion like milk and roses. His two brothers were as jealous of
+him as they could be, for they thought that with his good looks he
+would be sure to be more fortunate than they would ever be.
+
+One day all the three were sitting resting under a tree, for the sun
+was hot and they were tired of walking. Ferko fell fast asleep, but
+the other two remained awake, and the eldest said to the second
+brother, ‘What do you say to doing our brother Ferko some harm? He is
+so beautiful that everyone takes a fancy to him, which is more than
+they do to us. If we could only get him out of the way we might
+succeed better.’
+
+‘I quite agree with you,’ answered the second brother, ‘and my advice
+is to eat up his loaf of bread, and then to refuse to give him a bit
+of ours until he has promised to let us put out his eyes or break his
+legs.’
+
+His eldest brother was delighted with this proposal, and the two
+wicked wretches seized Ferko’s loaf and ate it all up, while the poor
+boy was still asleep.
+
+When he did awake he felt very hungry and turned to eat his bread, but
+his brothers cried out, ‘You ate your loaf in your sleep, you glutton,
+and you may starve as long as you like, but you won’t get a scrap of
+ours.’
+
+[Footnote 11: From the Hungarian. Kletke.]
+
+Ferko was at a loss to understand how he could have eaten in his
+sleep, but he said nothing, and fasted all that day and the next
+night. But on the following morning he was so hungry that he burst
+into tears, and implored his brothers to give him a little bit of
+their bread. Then the cruel creatures laughed, and repeated what they
+had said the day before; but when Ferko continued to beg and beseech
+them, the eldest said at last, ‘If you will let us put out one of your
+eyes and break one of your legs, then we will give you a bit of our
+bread.’
+
+At these words poor Ferko wept more bitterly than before, and bore the
+torments of hunger till the sun was high in the heavens; then he could
+stand it no longer, and he consented to allow his left eye to be put
+out and his left leg to be broken. When this was done he stretched out
+his hand eagerly for the piece of bread, but his brothers gave him
+such a tiny scrap that the starving youth finished it in a moment and
+besought them for a second bit.
+
+But the more Ferko wept and told his brothers that he was dying of
+hunger, the more they laughed and scolded him for his greed. So he
+endured the pangs of starvation all that day, but when night came his
+endurance gave way, and he let his right eye be put out and his right
+leg broken for a second piece of bread.
+
+After his brothers had thus successfully maimed and disfigured him for
+life, they left him groaning on the ground and continued their journey
+without him.
+
+Poor Ferko ate up the scrap of bread they had left him and wept
+bitterly, but no one heard him or came to his help. Night came on, and
+the poor blind youth had no eyes to close, and could only crawl along
+the ground, not knowing in the least where he was going. But when the
+sun was once more high in the heavens, Ferko felt the blazing heat
+scorch him, and sought for some cool shady place to rest his aching
+limbs. He climbed to the top of a hill and lay down in the grass, and
+as he thought under the shadow of a big tree. But it was no tree he
+leant against, but a gallows on which two ravens were seated. The one
+was saying to the other as the weary youth lay down, ‘Is there
+anything the least wonderful or remarkable about this neighbourhood?’
+
+‘I should just think there was,’ replied the other; ‘many things that
+don’t exist anywhere else in the world. There is a lake down there
+below us, and anyone who bathes in it, though he were at death’s door,
+becomes sound and well on the spot, and those who wash their eyes with
+the dew on this hill become as sharp-sighted as the eagle, even if
+they have been blind from their youth.’
+
+‘Well,’ answered the first raven, ‘my eyes are in no want of this
+healing bath, for, Heaven be praised, they are as good as ever they
+were; but my wing has been very feeble and weak ever since it was shot
+by an arrow many years ago, so let us fly at once to the lake that I
+may be restored to health and strength again.’ And so they flew away.
+
+Their words rejoiced Ferko’s heart, and he waited impatiently till
+evening should come and he could rub the precious dew on his sightless
+eyes.
+
+At last it began to grow dusk, and the sun sank behind the mountains;
+gradually it became cooler on the hill, and the grass grew wet with
+dew. Then Ferko buried his face in the ground till his eyes were damp
+with dew-drops, and in a moment he saw clearer than he had ever done
+in his life before. The moon was shining brightly, and lighted him to
+the lake where he could bathe his poor broken legs.
+
+Then Ferko crawled to the edge of the lake and dipped his limbs in the
+water. No sooner had he done so than his legs felt as sound and strong
+as they had been before, and Ferko thanked the kind fate that had led
+him to the hill where he had overheard the ravens’ conversation. He
+filled a bottle with the healing water, and then continued his journey
+in the best of spirits.
+
+He had not gone far before he met a wolf, who was limping
+disconsolately along on three legs, and who on perceiving Ferko began
+to howl dismally.
+
+‘My good friend,’ said the youth, ‘be of good cheer, for I can soon
+heal your leg,’ and with these words he poured some of the precious
+water over the wolf’s paw, and in a minute the animal was springing
+about sound and well on all fours. The grateful creature thanked his
+benefactor warmly, and promised Ferko to do him a good turn if he
+should ever need it.
+
+Ferko continued his way till he came to a ploughed field. Here he
+noticed a little mouse creeping wearily along on its hind paws, for
+its front paws had both been broken in a trap.
+
+Ferko felt so sorry for the little beast that he spoke to it in the
+most friendly manner, and washed its small paws with the healing
+water. In a moment the mouse was sound and whole, and after thanking
+the kind physician it scampered away over the ploughed furrows.
+
+Ferko again proceeded on his journey, but he hadn’t gone far before a
+queen bee flew against him, trailing one wing behind her, which had
+been cruelly torn in two by a big bird. Ferko was no less willing to
+help her than he had been to help the wolf and the mouse, so he poured
+some healing drops over the wounded wing. On the spot the queen bee
+was cured, and turning to Ferko she said, ‘I am most grateful for your
+kindness, and shall reward you some day.’ And with these words she
+flew away humming gaily.
+
+[Illustration: Ferko Healed by Magic Waters]
+
+Then Ferko wandered on for many a long day, and at length reached a
+strange kingdom. Here, he thought to himself, he might as well go
+straight to the palace and offer his services to the King of the
+country, for he had heard that the King’s daughter was as beautiful as
+the day.
+
+So he went to the royal palace, and as he entered the door the first
+people he saw were his two brothers who had so shamefully ill-treated
+him. They had managed to obtain places in the King’s service, and when
+they recognised Ferko with his eyes and legs sound and well they were
+frightened to death, for they feared he would tell the King of their
+conduct, and that they would be hung.
+
+[Illustration: Ferko Before the King]
+
+No sooner had Ferko entered the palace than all eyes were turned on
+the handsome youth, and the King’s daughter herself was lost in
+admiration, for she had never seen anyone so handsome in her life
+before. His brothers noticed this, and envy and jealousy were added to
+their fear, so much so that they determined once more to destroy him.
+They went to the King and told him that Ferko was a wicked magician,
+who had come to the palace with the intention of carrying off the
+Princess.
+
+Then the King had Ferko brought before him, and said, ‘You are accused
+of being a magician who wishes to rob me of my daughter, and I condemn
+you to death; but if you can fulfil three tasks which I shall set you
+to do your life shall be spared, on condition you leave the country;
+but if you cannot perform what I demand you shall be hung on the
+nearest tree.’
+
+And turning to the two wicked brothers he said, ‘Suggest something for
+him to do; no matter how difficult, he must succeed in it or die.’
+
+They did not think long, but replied, ‘Let him build your Majesty in
+one day a more beautiful palace than this, and if he fails in the
+attempt let him be hung.’
+
+The King was pleased with this proposal, and commanded Ferko to set to
+work on the following day. The two brothers were delighted, for they
+thought they had now got rid of Ferko for ever. The poor youth himself
+was heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of
+the King’s domain. As he was wandering disconsolately about the
+meadows round the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to
+death, a little bee flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered
+in his ear, ‘What is troubling you, my kind benefactor? Can I be of
+any help to you? I am the bee whose wing you healed, and would like to
+show my gratitude in some way.’
+
+Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help
+me? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world
+could do, let him be ever such a genius! To-morrow I must build a
+palace more beautiful than the King’s, and it must be finished before
+evening.’
+
+‘Is that all?’ answered the bee, ‘then you may comfort yourself; for
+before the sun goes down to-morrow night a palace shall be built
+unlike any that King has dwelt in before. Just stay here till I come
+again and tell you that it is finished.’ Having said this she flew
+merrily away, and Ferko, reassured by her words, lay down on the grass
+and slept peacefully till the next morning.
+
+Early on the following day the whole town was on its feet, and
+everyone wondered how and where the stranger would build the wonderful
+palace. The Princess alone was silent and sorrowful, and had cried all
+night till her pillow was wet, so much did she take the fate of the
+beautiful youth to heart.
+
+Ferko spent the whole day in the meadows waiting the return of the
+bee. And when evening was come the queen bee flew by, and perching on
+his shoulder she said, ‘The wonderful palace is ready. Be of good
+cheer, and lead the King to the hill just outside the city walls.’ And
+humming gaily she flew away again.
+
+Ferko went at once to the King and told him the palace was finished.
+The whole court went out to see the wonder, and their astonishment was
+great at the sight which met their eyes. A splendid palace reared
+itself on the hill just outside the walls of the city, made of the
+most exquisite flowers that ever grew in mortal garden. The roof was
+all of crimson roses, the windows of lilies, the walls of white
+carnations, the floors of glowing auriculas and violets, the doors of
+gorgeous tulips and narcissi with sunflowers for knockers, and all
+round hyacinths and other sweet-smelling flowers bloomed in masses, so
+that the air was perfumed far and near and enchanted all who were
+present.
+
+This splendid palace had been built by the grateful queen bee, who had
+summoned all the other bees in the kingdom to help her.
+
+The King’s amazement knew no bounds, and the Princess’s eyes beamed
+with delight as she turned them from the wonderful building on the
+delighted Ferko. But the two brothers had grown quite green with envy,
+and only declared the more that Ferko was nothing but a wicked
+magician.
+
+The King, although he had been surprised and astonished at the way his
+commands had been carried out, was very vexed that the stranger should
+escape with his life, and turning to the two brothers he said, ‘He has
+certainly accomplished the first task, with the aid no doubt of his
+diabolical magic; but what shall we give him to do now? Let us make it
+as difficult as possible, and if he fails he shall die.’
+
+Then the eldest brother replied, ‘The corn has all been cut, but it
+has not yet been put into barns; let the knave collect all the grain
+in the kingdom into one big heap before to-morrow night, and if as
+much as a stalk of corn is left let him be put to death.’
+
+The Princess grew white with terror when she heard these words; but
+Ferko felt much more cheerful than he had done the first time, and
+wandered out into the meadows again, wondering how he was to get out
+of the difficulty. But he could think of no way of escape. The sun
+sank to rest and night came on, when a little mouse started out of the
+grass at Ferko’s feet, and said to him, ‘I’m delighted to see you, my
+kind benefactor; but why are you looking so sad? Can I be of any help
+to you, and thus repay your great kindness to me?’
+
+Then Ferko recognised the mouse whose front paws he had healed, and
+replied, ‘Alas! how can you help me in a matter that is beyond any
+human power! Before to-morrow night all the grain in the kingdom has
+to be gathered into one big heap, and if as much as a stalk of corn is
+wanting I must pay for it with my life.’
+
+‘Is that all?’ answered the mouse; ‘that needn’t distress you much.
+Just trust in me, and before the sun sets again you shall hear that
+your task is done.’ And with these words the little creature scampered
+away into the fields.
+
+Ferko, who never doubted that the mouse would be as good as its word,
+lay down comforted on the soft grass and slept soundly till next
+morning. The day passed slowly, and with the evening came the little
+mouse and said, ‘Now there is not a single stalk of corn left in any
+field; they are all collected in one big heap on the hill out there.’
+
+Then Ferko went joyfully to the King and told him that all he demanded
+had been done. And the whole Court went out to see the wonder, and
+were no less astonished than they had been the first time. For in a
+heap higher than the King’s palace lay all the grain of the country,
+and not a single stalk of corn had been left behind in any of the
+fields. And how had all this been done? The little mouse had summoned
+every other mouse in the land to its help, and together they had
+collected all the grain in the kingdom.
+
+The King could not hide his amazement, but at the same time his wrath
+increased, and he was more ready than ever to believe the two
+brothers, who kept on repeating that Ferko was nothing more nor less
+than a wicked magician. Only the beautiful Princess rejoiced over
+Ferko’s success, and looked on him with friendly glances, which the
+youth returned.
+
+The more the cruel King gazed on the wonder before him, the more angry
+he became, for he could not, in the face of his promise, put the
+stranger to death. He turned once more to the two brothers and said,
+‘His diabolical magic has helped him again, but now what third task
+shall we set him to do? No matter how impossible it is, he must do it
+or die.’
+
+The eldest answered quickly, ‘Let him drive all the wolves of the
+kingdom on to this hill before to-morrow night. If he does this he may
+go free; if not he shall be hung as you have said.’
+
+At these words the Princess burst into tears, and when the King saw
+this he ordered her to be shut up in a high tower and carefully
+guarded till the dangerous magician should either have left the
+kingdom or been hung on the nearest tree.
+
+Ferko wandered out into the fields again, and sat down on the stump of
+a tree wondering what he should do next. Suddenly a big wolf ran up to
+him, and standing still said, ‘I’m very glad to see you again, my kind
+benefactor. What are you thinking about all alone by yourself? If I
+can help you in any way only say the word, for I would like to give
+you a proof of my gratitude.’
+
+Ferko at once recognised the wolf whose broken leg he had healed, and
+told him what he had to do the following day if he wished to escape
+with his life. ‘But how in the world,’ he added, ‘am I to collect all
+the wolves of the kingdom on to that hill over there?’
+
+‘If that’s all you want done,’ answered the wolf, ‘you needn’t worry
+yourself. I’ll undertake the task, and you’ll hear from me again
+before sunset to-morrow. Keep your spirits up.’ And with these words
+he trotted quickly away.
+
+Then the youth rejoiced greatly, for now he felt that his life was
+safe; but he grew very sad when he thought of the beautiful Princess,
+and that he would never see her again if he left the country. He lay
+down once more on the grass and soon fell fast asleep.
+
+All the next day he spent wandering about the fields, and toward
+evening the wolf came running to him in a great hurry and said, ‘I
+have collected together all the wolves in the kingdom, and they are
+waiting for you in the wood. Go quickly to the King, and tell him to
+go to the hill that he may see the wonder you have done with his own
+eyes. Then return at once to me and get on my back, and I will help
+you to drive all the wolves together.’
+
+Then Ferko went straight to the palace and told the King that he was
+ready to perform the third task if he would come to the hill and see
+it done. Ferko himself returned to the fields, and mounting on the
+wolf’s back he rode to the wood close by.
+
+Quick as lightning the wolf flew round the wood, and in a minute many
+hundred wolves rose up before him, increasing in number every moment,
+till they could be counted by thousands. He drove them all before him
+on to the hill, where the King and his whole Court and Ferko’s two
+brothers were standing. Only the lovely Princess was not present, for
+she was shut up in her tower weeping bitterly.
+
+The wicked brothers stamped and foamed with rage when they saw the
+failure of their wicked designs. But the King was overcome by a sudden
+terror when he saw the enormous pack of wolves approaching nearer and
+nearer, and calling out to Ferko he said, ‘Enough, enough, we don’t
+want any more.’
+
+[Illustration: Ferko leads the wolves on.]
+
+But the wolf on whose back Ferko sat, said to its rider, ‘Go on! go
+on!’ and at the same moment many more wolves ran up the hill, howling
+horribly and showing their white teeth.
+
+The King in his terror called out, ‘Stop a moment; I will give you
+half my kingdom if you will drive all the wolves away.’ But Ferko
+pretended not to hear, and drove some more thousands before him, so
+that everyone quaked with horror and fear.
+
+Then the King raised his voice again and called out, ‘Stop! you shall
+have my whole kingdom, if you will only drive these wolves back to the
+places they came from.’
+
+But the wolf kept on encouraging Ferko, and said, ‘Go on! go on!’ So
+he led the wolves on, till at last they fell on the King and on the
+wicked brothers, and ate them and the whole Court up in a moment.
+
+Then Ferko went straight to the palace and set the Princess free, and
+on the same day he married her and was crowned King of the country.
+And the wolves all went peacefully back to their own homes, and Ferko
+and his bride lived for many years in peace and happiness together,
+and were much beloved by great and small in the land.
+
+
+
+
+_THE GIANTS AND THE HERD-BOY_[12]
+
+
+[Illustration: The Herd-boy binds up the Giant’s foot.]
+
+There was once upon a time a poor boy who had neither father nor
+mother. In order to gain a living he looked after the sheep of a great
+Lord. Day and night he spent out in the open fields, and only when it
+was very wet and stormy did he take refuge in a little hut on the edge
+of a big forest. Now one night, when he was sitting on the grass
+beside his flocks, he heard not very far from him the sound as of some
+one crying. He rose up and followed the direction of the noise. To his
+dismay and astonishment he found a Giant lying at the entrance of the
+wood; he was about to run off as fast as his legs could carry him,
+when the Giant called out: ‘Don’t be afraid, I won’t harm you. On the
+contrary, I will reward you handsomely if you will bind up my foot. I
+hurt it when I was trying to root up an oak-tree.’ The Herd-boy took
+off his shirt, and bound up the Giant’s wounded foot with it. Then the
+Giant rose up and said, ‘Now come and I will reward you. We are going
+to celebrate a marriage to-day, and I promise you we shall have plenty
+of fun. Come and enjoy yourself, but in order that my brothers mayn’t
+see you, put this band round your waist and then you’ll be invisible.’
+With these words he handed the Herd-boy a belt, and walking on in
+front he led him to a fountain where hundreds of Giants and Giantesses
+were assembled preparing to hold a wedding. They danced and played
+different games till midnight; then one of the Giants tore up a plant
+by its roots, and all the Giants and Giantesses made themselves so
+thin that they disappeared into the earth through the hole made by the
+uprooting of the plant. The wounded Giant remained behind to the last
+and called out, ‘Herd-boy, where are you?’ ‘Here I am, close to you,’
+was the reply. ‘Touch me,’ said the Giant, ‘so that you too may come
+with us under ground.’ The Herd-boy did as he was told, and before he
+could have believed it possible he found himself in a big hall, where
+even the walls were made of pure gold. Then to his astonishment he saw
+that the hall was furnished with the tables and chairs that belonged
+to his master. In a few minutes the company began to eat and drink.
+The banquet was a very gorgeous one, and the poor youth fell to and
+ate and drank lustily. When he had eaten and drunk as much as he could
+he thought to himself, ‘Why shouldn’t I put a loaf of bread in my
+pocket? I shall be glad of it to-morrow.’ So he seized a loaf when no
+one was looking and stowed it away under his tunic. No sooner had he
+done so than the wounded Giant limped up to him and whispered softly,
+‘Herd-boy, where are you?’ ‘Here I am,’ replied the youth. ‘Then hold
+on to me,’ said the Giant, ‘so that I may lead you up above again.’ So
+the Herd-boy held on to the Giant, and in a few moments he found
+himself on the earth once more, but the Giant had vanished. The
+Herd-boy returned to his sheep, and took off the invisible belt which
+he hid carefully in his bag.
+
+[Footnote 12: From the _Bukowniaer_. Von Wliolocki.]
+
+The next morning the lad felt hungry, and thought he would cut off a
+piece of the loaf he had carried away from the Giants’ wedding feast,
+and eat it. But although he tried with all his might, he couldn’t cut
+off the smallest piece. Then in despair he bit the loaf, and what was
+his astonishment when a piece of gold fell out of his mouth and rolled
+at his feet. He bit the bread a second and third time, and each time a
+piece of gold fell out of his mouth; but the bread remained untouched.
+The Herd-boy was very much delighted over his stroke of good fortune,
+and, hiding the magic loaf in his bag, he hurried off to the nearest
+village to buy himself something to eat, and then returned to his
+sheep.
+
+Now the Lord whose sheep the Herd-boy looked after had a very lovely
+daughter, who always smiled and nodded to the youth when she walked
+with her father in his fields. For a long time the Herd-boy had made
+up his mind to prepare a surprise for this beautiful creature on her
+birthday. So when the day approached he put on his invisible belt,
+took a sack of gold pieces with him, and slipping into her room in the
+middle of the night, he placed the bag of gold beside her bed and
+returned to his sheep. The girl’s joy was great, and so was her
+parents’ next day when they found the sack full of gold pieces. The
+Herd-boy was so pleased to think what pleasure he had given that the
+next night he placed another bag of gold beside the girl’s bed. And
+this he continued to do for seven nights, and the girl and her parents
+made up their minds that it must be a good Fairy who brought the gold
+every night. But one night they determined to watch, and see from
+their hiding-place who the bringer of the sack of gold really was.
+
+On the eighth night a fearful storm of wind and rain came on while the
+Herd-boy was on his way to bring the beautiful girl another bag of
+gold. Then for the first time he noticed, just as he reached his
+master’s house, that he had forgotten the belt which made him
+invisible. He didn’t like the idea of going back to his hut in the
+wind and wet, so he just stepped as he was into the girl’s room, laid
+the sack of gold beside her, and was turning to leave the room, when
+his master confronted him and said, ‘You young rogue, so you were
+going to steal the gold that a good Fairy brings every night, were
+you?’ The Herd-boy was so taken aback by his words, that he stood
+trembling before him, and did not dare to explain his presence. Then
+his master spoke. ‘As you have hitherto always behaved well in my
+service I will not send you to prison; but leave your place instantly
+and never let me see your face again.’ So the Herd-boy went back to
+his hut, and taking his loaf and belt with him, he went to the nearest
+town. There he bought himself some fine clothes, and a beautiful coach
+with four horses, hired two servants, and drove back to his master.
+You may imagine how astonished he was to see his Herd-boy returning to
+him in this manner! Then the youth told him of the piece of good luck
+that had befallen him, and asked him for the hand of his beautiful
+daughter. This was readily granted, and the two lived in peace and
+happiness to the end of their lives.
+
+
+
+
+_THE INVISIBLE PRINCE_
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived a Fairy who had power over the earth, the
+sea, fire, and the air; and this Fairy had four sons. The eldest, who
+was quick and lively, with a vivid imagination, she made Lord of Fire,
+which was in her opinion the noblest of all the elements. To the
+second son, whose wisdom and prudence made amends for his being rather
+dull, she gave the government of the earth. The third was wild and
+savage, and of monstrous stature; and the Fairy, his mother, who was
+ashamed of his defects, hoped to hide them by creating him King of the
+Seas. The youngest, who was the slave of his passions and of a very
+uncertain temper, became Prince of the Air.
+
+Being the youngest, he was naturally his mother’s favourite; but this
+did not blind her to his weaknesses, and she foresaw that some day he
+would suffer much pain through falling in love. So she thought the
+best thing she could do was to bring him up with a horror of women;
+and, to her great delight, she saw this dislike only increased as he
+grew older. From his earliest childhood he heard nothing but stories
+of princes who had fallen into all sorts of troubles through love; and
+she drew such terrible pictures of poor little Cupid that the young
+man had no difficulty in believing that he was the root of all evil.
+
+All the time that this wise mother could spare from filling her son
+with hatred for all womenkind she passed in giving him a love of the
+pleasures of the chase, which henceforth became his chief joy. For his
+amusement she had made a new forest, planted with the most splendid
+trees, and turned loose in it every animal that could be found in any
+of the four quarters of the globe. In the midst of this forest she
+built a palace which had not its equal for beauty in the whole world,
+and then she considered that she had done enough to make any prince
+happy.
+
+Now it is all very well to abuse the God of Love, but a man cannot
+struggle against his fate. In his secret heart the Prince got tired of
+his mother’s constant talk on this subject; and when one day she
+quitted the palace to attend to some business, begging him never to go
+beyond the grounds, he at once jumped at the chance of disobeying her.
+
+Left to himself the Prince soon forgot the wise counsels of his
+mother, and feeling very much bored with his own company, he ordered
+some of the spirits of the air to carry him to the court of a
+neighbouring sovereign. This kingdom was situated in the Island of
+Roses, where the climate is so delicious that the grass is always
+green and the flowers always sweet. The waves, instead of beating on
+the rocks, seemed to die gently on the shore; clusters of golden
+bushes covered the land, and the vines were bent low with grapes.
+
+The King of this island had a daughter named Rosalie, who was more
+lovely than any girl in the whole world. No sooner had the eyes of the
+Prince of the Air rested on her than he forgot all the terrible woes
+which had been prophesied to him ever since he was born, for in one
+single moment the plans of years are often upset. He instantly began
+to think how best to make himself happy, and the shortest way that
+occurred to him was to have Rosalie carried off by his attendant
+spirits.
+
+It is easy to imagine the feelings of the King when he found that his
+daughter had vanished. He wept her loss night and day, and his only
+comfort was to talk over it with a young and unknown prince, who had
+just arrived at the Court. Alas! he did not know what a deep interest
+the stranger had in Rosalie, for he too had seen her, and had fallen a
+victim to her charms.
+
+One day the King, more sorrowful than usual, was walking sadly along
+the seashore, when after a long silence the unknown Prince, who was
+his only companion, suddenly spoke. ‘There is no evil without a
+remedy,’ he said to the unhappy father; ‘and if you will promise me
+your daughter in marriage, I will undertake to bring her back to you.’
+
+‘You are trying to soothe me by vain promises,’ answered the King.
+‘Did I not see her caught up into the air, in spite of cries which
+would have softened the heart of any one but the barbarian who has
+robbed me of her? The unfortunate girl is pining away in some unknown
+land, where perhaps no foot of man has ever trod, and I shall see her
+no more. But go, generous stranger; bring back Rosalie if you can, and
+live happy with her ever after in this country, of which I now declare
+you heir.’
+
+Although the stranger’s name and rank were unknown to Rosalie’s
+father, he was really the son of the King of the Golden Isle, which
+had for capital a city that extended from one sea to another. The
+walls, washed by the quiet waters, were covered with gold, which made
+one think of the yellow sands. Above them was a rampart of orange and
+lemon trees, and all the streets were paved with gold.
+
+The King of this beautiful island had one son, for whom a life of
+adventure had been foretold at his birth. This so frightened his
+father and mother that in order to comfort them a Fairy, who happened
+to be present at the time, produced a little pebble which she told
+them to keep for the Prince till he grew up, as by putting it in his
+mouth he would become invisible, as long as he did not try to speak,
+for if he did the stone would lose all its virtue. In this way the
+good fairy hoped that the Prince would be protected against all
+dangers.
+
+No sooner did the Prince begin to grow out of boyhood than he longed
+to see if the other countries of the world were as splendid as the one
+in which he lived. So, under pretence of visiting some small islands
+that belonged to his father, he set out. But a frightful storm drove
+his ship on to unknown shores, where most of his followers were put to
+death by the savages, and the Prince himself only managed to escape by
+making use of his magic pebble. By this means he passed through the
+midst of them unseen, and wandered on till he reached the coast, where
+he re-embarked on board his ship.
+
+The first land he sighted was the Island of Roses, and he went at once
+to the court of the King, Rosalie’s father. The moment his eyes beheld
+the Princess, he fell in love with her like everyone else.
+
+He had already spent several months in this condition when the Prince
+of the Air whirled her away, to the grief and despair of every man on
+the island. But sad though everybody was, the Prince of the Golden
+Isle was perfectly inconsolable, and he passed both days and nights in
+bemoaning his loss.
+
+‘Alas!’ he cried; ‘shall I never see my lovely Princess again? Who
+knows where she may be, and what fairy may have her in his keeping? I
+am only a man, but I am strong in my love, and I will seek the whole
+world through till I find her.’
+
+So saying, he left the court, and made ready for his journey.
+
+He travelled many weary days without hearing a single word of the lost
+Princess, till one morning, as he was walking through a thick forest,
+he suddenly perceived a magnificent palace standing at the end of a
+pine avenue, and his heart bounded to think that he might be gazing on
+Rosalie’s prison. He hastened his steps, and quickly arrived at the
+gate of the palace, which was formed of a single agate. The gate swung
+open to let him through, and he next passed successively three courts,
+surrounded by deep ditches filled with running water, with birds of
+brilliant plumage flying about the banks. Everything around was rare
+and beautiful, but the Prince scarcely raised his eyes to all these
+wonders. He thought only of the Princess and where he should find her,
+but in vain he opened every door and searched in every corner; he
+neither saw Rosalie nor anyone else. At last there was no place left
+for him to search but a little wood, which contained in the centre a
+sort of hall built entirely of orange-trees, with four small rooms
+opening out of the corners. Three of these were empty except for
+statues and wonderful things, but in the fourth the Invisible Prince
+caught sight of Rosalie. His joy at beholding her again was, however,
+somewhat lessened by seeing that the Prince of the Air was kneeling at
+her feet, and pleading his own cause. But it was in vain that he
+implored her to listen; she only shook her head. ‘No,’ was all she
+would say; ‘you snatched me from my father whom I loved, and all the
+splendour in the world can never console me. Go! I can never feel
+anything towards you but hate and contempt.’ With these words she
+turned away and entered her own apartments.
+
+Unknown to herself the Invisible Prince had followed her, but fearing
+to be discovered by the Princess in the presence of others, he made up
+his mind to wait quietly till dark; and employed the long hours in
+writing a poem to the Princess, which he laid on the bed beside her.
+This done, he thought of nothing but how best to deliver Rosalie, and
+he resolved to take advantage of a visit which the Prince of the Air
+paid every year to his mother and brothers in order to strike the
+blow.
+
+One day Rosalie was sitting alone in her room thinking of her troubles
+when she suddenly saw a pen get up from off the desk and begin to
+write all by itself on a sheet of white paper. As she did not know
+that it was guided by an invisible hand she was very much astonished,
+and the moment that the pen had ceased to move she instantly went over
+to the table, where she found some lovely verses, telling her that
+another shared her distresses, whatever they might be, and loved her
+with all his heart; and that he would never rest until he had
+delivered her from the hands of the man she hated. Thus encouraged,
+she told him all her story, and of the arrival of a young stranger in
+her father’s palace, whose looks had so charmed her that since that
+day she had thought of no one else. At these words the Prince could
+contain himself no longer. He took the pebble from his mouth, and
+flung himself at Rosalie’s feet.
+
+[Illustration: The Pen Got Up and Wrote All By Itself—Rosalie]
+
+When they had got over the first rapture of meeting they began to make
+plans to escape from the power of the Prince of the Air. But this did
+not prove easy, for the magic stone would only serve for one person at
+a time, and in order to save Rosalie the Prince of the Golden Isle
+would have to expose himself to the fury of his enemy. But Rosalie
+would not hear of this.
+
+‘No, Prince,’ she said; ‘since you are here this island no longer
+feels a prison. Besides, you are under the protection of a Fairy, who
+always visits your father’s court at this season. Go instantly and
+seek her, and when she is found implore the gift of another stone with
+similar powers. Once you have that, there will be no further
+difficulty in the way of escape.’
+
+The Prince of the Air returned a few days later from his mother’s
+palace, but the Invisible Prince had already set out. He had, however,
+entirely forgotten the road by which he had come, and lost himself for
+so long in the forest, that when at last he reached home the Fairy had
+already left, and, in spite of all his grief, there was nothing for it
+but to wait till the Fairy’s next visit, and allow Rosalie to suffer
+three months longer. This thought drove him to despair, and he had
+almost made up his mind to return to the place of her captivity, when
+one day, as he was strolling along an alley in the woods, he saw a
+huge oak open its trunk, and out of it step two Princes in earnest
+conversation. As our hero had the magic stone in his mouth they
+imagined themselves alone, and did not lower their voices.
+
+‘What!’ said one, ‘are you always going to allow yourself to be
+tormented by a passion which can never end happily, and in your whole
+kingdom can you find nothing else to satisfy you?’
+
+‘What is the use,’ replied the other, ‘of being Prince of the Gnomes,
+and having a mother who is queen over all the four elements, if I
+cannot win the love of the Princess Argentine? From the moment that I
+first saw her, sitting in the forest surrounded by flowers, I have
+never ceased to think of her night and day, and, although I love her,
+I am quite convinced that she will never care for me. You know that I
+have in my palace the cabinets of the years. In the first, great
+mirrors reflect the past; in the second, we contemplate the present;
+in the third, the future can be read. It was here that I fled after I
+had gazed on the Princess Argentine, but instead of love I only saw
+scorn and contempt. Think how great must be my devotion, when, in
+spite of my fate, I still love on!’
+
+Now the Prince of the Golden Isle was enchanted with this
+conversation, for the Princess Argentine was his sister, and he hoped,
+by means of her influence over the Prince of the Gnomes, to obtain
+from his brother the release of Rosalie. So he joyfully returned to
+his father’s palace, where he found his friend the Fairy, who at once
+presented him with a magic pebble like his own. As may be imagined, he
+lost no time in setting out to deliver Rosalie, and travelled so fast
+that he soon arrived at the forest, in the midst of which she lay a
+captive. But though he found the palace he did not find Rosalie. He
+hunted high and low, but there was no sign of her, and his despair was
+so great that he was ready, a thousand times over, to take his own
+life. At last he remembered the conversation of the two Princes about
+the cabinets of the years, and that if he could manage to reach the
+oak-tree, he would be certain to discover what had become of Rosalie.
+Happily, he soon found out the secret of the passage and entered the
+cabinet of the present, where he saw reflected in the mirrors the
+unfortunate Rosalie sitting on the floor weeping bitterly, and
+surrounded with genii, who never left her night or day.
+
+[Illustration: Guarded by the Genii—The Mirror of the Present]
+
+This sight only increased the misery of the Prince, for he did not
+know where the castle was, nor how to set about finding it. However,
+he resolved to seek the whole world through till he came to the right
+place. He began by setting sail in a favourable wind, but his bad luck
+followed him even on the sea. He had scarcely lost sight of the land
+when a violent storm arose, and after several hours of beating about,
+the vessel was driven on to some rocks, on which it dashed itself to
+bits. The Prince was fortunate enough to be able to lay hold of a
+floating spar, and contrived to keep himself afloat; and, after a long
+struggle with the winds and waves, he was cast upon a strange island.
+But what was his surprise, on reaching the shore, to hear sounds of
+the most heartrending distress, mingled with the sweetest songs which
+had ever charmed him! His curiosity was instantly roused, and he
+advanced cautiously till he saw two huge dragons guarding the gate of
+a wood. They were terrible indeed to look upon. Their bodies were
+covered with glittering scales; their curly tails extended far over
+the land; flames darted from their mouths and noses, and their eyes
+would have made the bravest shudder; but as the Prince was invisible
+and they did not see him, he slipped past them into the wood. He found
+himself at once in a labyrinth, and wandered about for a long time
+without meeting anyone; in fact, the only sight he saw was a circle of
+human hands, sticking out of the ground above the wrist, each with a
+bracelet of gold, on which a name was written. The farther he advanced
+in the labyrinth the more curious he became, till he was stopped by
+two corpses lying in the midst of a cypress alley, each with a scarlet
+cord round his neck and a bracelet on his arm on which were engraved
+their own names, and those of two Princesses.
+
+[Illustration: In The Labyrinth of Despair]
+
+The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large
+islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were
+unknown to him. He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once
+proceeded to bury them; but no sooner had he laid them in their
+graves, than their hands started up through the earth and remained
+sticking up like those of their fellows.
+
+The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure,
+when suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose
+face was the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of
+the exact colour of those round the necks of the dead men. A few steps
+further this man came up with another as miserable to the full as he
+himself; they silently embraced, and then without a word passed the
+cords round their throats, and fell dead side by side. In vain the
+Prince rushed to their assistance and strove to undo the cord. He
+could not loosen it; so he buried them like the others and continued
+his path.
+
+He felt, however, that great prudence was necessary, or he himself
+might become the victim of some enchantment; and he was thankful to
+slip past the dragons, and enter a beautiful park, with clear streams
+and sweet flowers, and a crowd of men and maidens. But he could not
+forget the terrible things he had seen, and hoped eagerly for a clue
+to the mystery. Noticing two young people talking together, he drew
+near thinking that he might get some explanation of what puzzled him.
+And so he did.
+
+‘You swear,’ said the Prince, ‘that you will love me till you die, but
+I fear your faithless heart, and I feel that I shall soon have to seek
+the Fairy Despair, ruler of half this island. She carries off the
+lovers who have been cast away by their mistresses, and wish to have
+done with life. She places them in a labyrinth where they are
+condemned to walk for ever, with a bracelet on their arms and a cord
+round their necks, unless they meet another as miserable as
+themselves. Then the cord is pulled and they lie where they fall, till
+they are buried by the first passer-by. Terrible as this death would
+be,’ added the Prince, ‘it would be sweeter than life if I had lost
+your love.’
+
+The sight of all these happy lovers only made the Prince grieve the
+more, and he wandered along the seashore spending his days; but one
+day he was sitting on a rock bewailing his fate, and the impossibility
+of leaving the island, when all in a moment the sea appeared to raise
+itself nearly to the skies, and the caves echoed with hideous screams.
+As he looked a woman rose from the depths of the sea, flying madly
+before a furious giant. The cries she uttered softened the heart of
+the Prince; he took the stone from his mouth, and drawing his sword he
+rushed after the giant, so as to give the lady time to escape. But
+hardly had he come within reach of the enemy, than the giant touched
+him with a ring that he held in his hand, and the Prince remained
+immovable where he stood. The giant then hastily rejoined his prey,
+and, seizing her in his arms, he plunged her into the sea. Then he
+sent some tritons to bind chains about the Prince of the Golden Isle,
+and he too felt himself borne to the depths of the ocean, and without
+the hope of ever again seeing the Princess.
+
+Now the giant whom the invisible had so rashly attacked was the Lord
+of the Sea, and the third son of the Queen of the Elements, and he had
+touched the youth with a magic ring which enabled a mortal to live
+under water. So the Prince of the Golden Isle found, when bound in
+chains by the tritons, he was carried through the homes of strange
+monsters and past immense seaweed forests, till he reached a vast
+sandy space, surrounded by huge rocks. On the tallest of the rocks sat
+the giant as on a throne.
+
+‘Rash mortal,’ said he, when the Prince was dragged before him, ‘you
+have deserved death, but you shall live only to suffer more cruelly.
+Go, and add to the number of those whom it is my pleasure to torture.’
+
+At these words the unhappy Prince found himself tied to a rock; but he
+was not alone in his misfortunes, for all round him were chained
+Princes and Princesses, whom the giant had led captive. Indeed, it was
+his chief delight to create a storm, in order to add to the list of
+his prisoners.
+
+As his hands were fastened, it was impossible for the Prince of the
+Golden Isle to make use of his magic stone, and he passed his nights
+and days dreaming of Rosalie. But at last the time came when the giant
+took it into his head to amuse himself by arranging fights between
+some of his captives. Lots were drawn, and one fell upon our Prince,
+whose chains were immediately loosened. The moment he was set free, he
+snatched up his stone, and became invisible.
+
+The astonishment of the giant at the sudden disappearance of the
+Prince may well be imagined. He ordered all the passages to be
+watched, but it was too late, for the Prince had already glided
+between two rocks. He wandered for a long while through the forests,
+where he met nothing but fearful monsters; he climbed rock after rock,
+steered his way from tree to tree, till at length he arrived at the
+edge of the sea, at the foot of a mountain that he remembered to have
+seen in the cabinet of the present, where Rosalie was held captive.
+
+Filled with joy, he made his way to the top of the mountain which
+pierced the clouds, and there he found a palace. He entered, and in
+the middle of a long gallery he discovered a crystal room, in the
+midst of which sat Rosalie, guarded night and day by genii. There was
+no door anywhere, nor any window. At this sight the Prince became more
+puzzled than ever, for he did not know how he was to warn Rosalie of
+his return. Yet it broke his heart to see her weeping from dawn till
+dark.
+
+One day, as Rosalie was walking up and down her room, she was
+surprised to see that the crystal which served for a wall had grown
+cloudy, as if some one had breathed on it, and, what was more,
+wherever she moved the brightness of the crystal always became
+clouded. This was enough to cause the Princess to suspect that her
+lover had returned. In order to set the Prince of the Air’s mind at
+rest she began by being very gracious to him, so that when she begged
+that her captivity might be a little lightened she should not be
+refused. At first the only favour she asked was to be allowed to walk
+for one hour every day up and down the long gallery. This was granted,
+and the Invisible Prince speedily took the opportunity of handing her
+the stone, which she at once slipped into her mouth. No words can
+paint the fury of her captor at her disappearance. He ordered the
+spirits of the air to fly through all space, and to bring back Rosalie
+wherever she might be. They instantly flew off to obey his commands,
+and spread themselves over the whole earth.
+
+Meantime Rosalie and the Invisible Prince had reached, hand in hand, a
+door of the gallery which led through a terrace into the gardens. In
+silence they glided along, and thought themselves already safe, when a
+furious monster dashed itself by accident against Rosalie and the
+Invisible Prince, and in her fright she let go his hand. No one can
+speak as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the
+spirits were all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be
+recognised; so all they could do was to feel about in the hope that
+their hands might once more meet.
+
+[Illustration: Prince Gnome Learns the Name of His Rival at the Golden
+Fountain]
+
+But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time. The Princess,
+having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the
+edge of a fountain. As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the
+Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I
+dwell, and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my
+tears with its waters.’
+
+These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his
+master. The Prince of the Air, in his turn making himself invisible,
+was led to the fountain, and waited for Rosalie. When she drew near he
+held out his hand, which she grasped eagerly, taking it for that of
+her lover; and, seizing his opportunity, the Prince passed a cord
+round her arms, and throwing off his invisibility cried to his spirits
+to drag her into the lowest pit.
+
+It was at this moment that the Invisible Prince appeared, and at the
+sight of the Prince of the Genii mounting into the air, holding a
+silken cord, he guessed instantly that he was carrying off Rosalie.
+
+He felt so overwhelmed by despair that he thought for an instant of
+putting an end to his life. ‘Can I survive my misfortunes?’ he cried.
+‘I fancied I had come to an end of my troubles, and now they are worse
+than ever. What will become of me? Never can I discover the place
+where this monster will hide Rosalie.’
+
+The unhappy youth had determined to let himself die, and indeed his
+sorrow alone was enough to kill him, when the thought that by means of
+the cabinets of the years he might find out where the Princess was
+imprisoned, gave him a little ray of comfort. So he continued to walk
+on through the forest, and after some hours he arrived at the gate of
+a temple, guarded by two huge lions. Being invisible, he was able to
+enter unharmed. In the middle of the temple was an altar, on which lay
+a book, and behind the altar hung a great curtain. The Prince
+approached the altar and opened the book, which contained the names of
+all the lovers in the world; and in it he read that Rosalie had been
+carried off by the Prince of the Air to an abyss which had no entrance
+except the one that lay by way of the Fountain of Gold.
+
+Now, as the Prince had not the smallest idea where this fountain was
+to be found, it might be thought that he was not much nearer Rosalie
+than before. This was not, however, the view taken by the Prince.
+
+‘Though every step that I take may perhaps lead me further from her,’
+he said to himself, ‘I am still thankful to know that she is alive
+somewhere.’
+
+On leaving the temple the Invisible Prince saw six paths lying before
+him, each of which led through the wood. He was hesitating which to
+choose, when he suddenly beheld two people coming towards him, down
+the track which lay most to his right. They turned out to be the
+Prince Gnome and his friend, and the sudden desire to get some news of
+his sister, Princess Argentine, caused the Invisible Prince to follow
+them and to listen to their conversation.
+
+‘Do you think,’ the Prince Gnome was saying, ‘do you think that I
+would not break my chains if I could? I know that the Princess
+Argentine will never love me, yet each day I feel her dearer still.
+And as if this were not enough, I have the horror of feeling that she
+probably loves another. So I have resolved to put myself out of my
+pain by means of the Golden Fountain. A single drop of its water
+falling on the sand around will trace the name of my rival in her
+heart. I dread the test, and yet this very dread convinces me of my
+misfortune.’
+
+It may be imagined that after listening to these words the Invisible
+Prince followed Prince Gnome like his shadow, and after walking some
+time they arrived at the Golden Fountain. The unhappy lover stooped
+down with a sigh, and dipping his finger in the water let fall a drop
+on the sand. It instantly wrote the name of Prince Flame, his brother.
+The shock of this discovery was so real, that Prince Gnome sank
+fainting into the arms of his friend.
+
+Meanwhile the Invisible Prince was turning over in his mind how he
+could best deliver Rosalie. As, since he had been touched by the
+Giant’s ring, he had the power to live in the water as well as on
+land, he at once dived into the fountain. He perceived in one corner a
+door leading into the mountain, and at the foot of the mountain was a
+high rock on which was fixed an iron ring with a cord attached. The
+Prince promptly guessed that the cord was used to chain the Princess,
+and drew his sword and cut it. In a moment he felt the Princess’s hand
+in his, for she had always kept her magic pebble in her mouth, in
+spite of the prayers and entreaties of the Prince of the Air to make
+herself visible.
+
+So hand in hand the invisible Prince and Rosalie crossed the mountain;
+but as the Princess had no power of living under water, she could not
+pass the Golden Fountain. Speechless and invisible they clung together
+on the brink, trembling at the frightful tempest the Prince of the Air
+had raised in his fury. The storm had already lasted many days when
+tremendous heat began to make itself felt. The lightning flashed, the
+thunder rattled, fire bolts fell from heaven, burning up the forests
+and even the fields of corn. In one instant the very streams were
+dried up, and the Prince, seizing his opportunity, carried the
+Princess over the Golden Fountain.
+
+It took them a long time still to reach the Golden Isle, but at last
+they got there, and we may be quite sure they never wanted to leave it
+any more.
+
+
+
+
+_THE CROW_[13]
+
+
+Once upon a time there were three Princesses who were all three young
+and beautiful; but the youngest, although she was not fairer than the
+other two, was the most loveable of them all.
+
+About half a mile from the palace in which they lived there stood a
+castle, which was uninhabited and almost a ruin, but the garden which
+surrounded it was a mass of blooming flowers, and in this garden the
+youngest Princess used often to walk.
+
+One day when she was pacing to and fro under the lime trees, a black
+crow hopped out of a rose-bush in front of her. The poor beast was all
+torn and bleeding, and the kind little Princess was quite unhappy
+about it. When the crow saw this it turned to her and said:
+
+‘I am not really a black crow, but an enchanted Prince, who has been
+doomed to spend his youth in misery. If you only liked, Princess, you
+could save me. But you would have to say good-bye to all your own
+people, and come and be my constant companion in this ruined castle.
+There is one habitable room in it, in which there is a golden bed;
+there you will have to live all by yourself, and don’t forget that
+whatever you may see or hear in the night you must not scream out, for
+if you give as much as a single cry my sufferings will be doubled.’
+
+The good-natured Princess at once left her home and her family and
+hurried to the ruined castle, and took possession of the room with the
+golden bed.
+
+[Footnote 13: From the Polish. Kletke.]
+
+When night approached she lay down, but though she shut her eyes tight
+sleep would not come. At midnight she heard to her great horror some
+one coming along the passage, and in a minute her door was flung wide
+open and a troop of strange beings entered the room. They at once
+proceeded to light a fire in the huge fire-place; then they placed a
+great cauldron of boiling water on it. When they had done this, they
+approached the bed on which the trembling girl lay, and, screaming and
+yelling all the time, they dragged her towards the cauldron. She
+nearly died with fright, but she never uttered a sound. Then of a
+sudden the cock crew, and all the evil spirits vanished.
+
+At the same moment the crow appeared and hopped all round the room
+with joy. It thanked the Princess most heartily for her goodness, and
+said that its sufferings had already been greatly lessened.
+
+[Illustration: The evil spirits drag the girl to the cauldron]
+
+Now one of the Princess’s elder sisters, who was very inquisitive, had
+found out about everything, and went to pay her youngest sister a
+visit in the ruined castle. She implored her so urgently to let her
+spend the night with her in the golden bed, that at last the
+good-natured little Princess consented. But at midnight, when the odd
+folk appeared, the elder sister screamed with terror, and from this
+time on the youngest Princess insisted always on keeping watch alone.
+
+So she lived in solitude all the day-time, and at night she would have
+been frightened, had she not been so brave; but every day the crow
+came and thanked her for her endurance, and assured her that his
+sufferings were far less than they had been.
+
+And so two years passed away, when one day the crow came to the
+Princess and said: ‘In another year I shall be freed from the spell I
+am under at present, because then the seven years will be over. But
+before I can resume my natural form, and take possession of the
+belongings of my forefathers, you must go out into the world and take
+service as a maidservant.’
+
+The young Princess consented at once, and for a whole year she served
+as a maid; but in spite of her youth and beauty she was very badly
+treated, and suffered many things. One evening, when she was spinning
+flax, and had worked her little white hands weary, she heard a
+rustling beside her and a cry of joy. Then she saw a handsome youth
+standing beside her; who knelt down at her feet and kissed the little
+weary white hands.
+
+‘I am the Prince,’ he said, ‘who you in your goodness, when I was
+wandering about in the shape of a black crow, freed from the most
+awful torments. Come now to my castle with me, and let us live there
+happily together.’
+
+So they went to the castle where they had both endured so much. But
+when they reached it, it was difficult to believe that it was the
+same, for it had all been rebuilt and done up again. And there they
+lived for a hundred years, a hundred years of joy and happiness.
+
+
+
+
+_HOW SIX MEN TRAVELLED THROUGH THE WIDE WORLD_
+
+
+There was once upon a time a man who understood all sorts of arts; he
+served in the war, and bore himself bravely and well; but when the war
+was over, he got his discharge, and set out on his travels with three
+farthings of his pay in his pocket. ‘Wait,’ he said; ‘that does not
+please me; only let me find the right people, and the King shall yet
+give me all the treasures of his kingdom.’ He strode angrily into the
+forest, and there he saw a man standing who had uprooted six trees as
+if they were straws. He said to him, ‘Will you be my servant and
+travel with me?’
+
+‘Yes,’ he answered; ‘but first of all I will take this little bundle
+of sticks home to my mother,’ and he took one of the trees and wound
+it round the other five, raised the bundle on his shoulders and bore
+it off. Then he came back and went with his master, who said, ‘We two
+ought to be able to travel through the wide world!’ And when they had
+gone a little way they came upon a hunter, who was on his knees, his
+gun on his shoulder, aiming at something. The master said to him,
+‘Hunter, what are you aiming at?’
+
+He answered, ‘Two miles from this place sits a fly on a branch of an
+oak; I want to shoot out its left eye.’
+
+‘Oh, go with me,’ said the man; ‘if we three are together we shall
+easily travel through the wide world.’
+
+The hunter agreed and went with him, and they came to seven windmills
+whose sails were going round quite fast, and yet there was not a
+breath of wind, nor was a leaf moving. The man said, ‘I don’t know
+what is turning those windmills; there is not the slightest breeze
+blowing.’ So he walked on with his servants, and when they had gone
+two miles they saw a man sitting on a tree, holding one of his
+nostrils and blowing out of the other.
+
+‘Fellow, what are you puffing at up there?’ asked the man.
+
+He replied, ‘Two miles from this place are standing seven windmills;
+see, I am blowing to drive them round.’
+
+‘Oh, go with me,’ said the man; ‘if we four are together we shall
+easily travel through the wide world.’
+
+So the blower got down and went with him, and after a time they saw a
+man who was standing on one leg, and had unstrapped the other and laid
+it near him. Then said the master, ‘You have made yourself very
+comfortable to rest!’
+
+‘I am a runner,’ answered he; ‘and so that I shall not go too quickly,
+I have unstrapped one leg; when I run with two legs, I go faster than
+a bird flies.’
+
+‘Oh, go with me; if we five are together, we shall easily travel
+through the wide world.’ So he went with him, and, not long
+afterwards, they met a man who wore a little hat, but he had it
+slouched over one ear.
+
+‘Manners, manners!’ said the master to him; ‘don’t hang your hat over
+one ear; you look like a madman!’
+
+‘I dare not,’ said the other, ‘for if I were to put my hat on
+straight, there would come such a frost that the very birds in the sky
+would freeze and fall dead on the earth.’
+
+‘Oh, go with me,’ said the master; ‘if we six are together, we shall
+easily travel through the wide world.’
+
+Now the Six came to a town in which the King had proclaimed that
+whoever should run with his daughter in a race, and win, should become
+her husband; but if he lost, he must lose his head. This was reported
+to the man who declared he would compete, ‘but,’ he said, ‘I shall let
+my servant run for me.’
+
+The King replied, ‘Then both your heads must be staked, and your head
+and his must be guaranteed for the winner.’
+
+When this was agreed upon and settled, the man strapped on the
+runner’s other leg, saying to him, ‘Now be nimble, and see that we
+win!’ It was arranged that whoever should first bring water out of a
+stream a long way off, should be the victor. Then the runner got a
+pitcher, and the King’s daughter another, and they began to run at the
+same time; but in a moment, when the King’s daughter was only just a
+little way off, no spectator could see the runner, and it seemed as if
+the wind had whistled past. In a short time he reached the stream,
+filled his pitcher with water, and turned round again. But, half way
+home, a great drowsiness came over him; he put down his pitcher, lay
+down, and fell asleep. He had, however, put a horse’s skull which was
+lying on the ground, for his pillow, so that he should not be too
+comfortable and might soon wake up.
+
+In the meantime the King’s daughter, who could also run well, as well
+as an ordinary man could, reached the stream, and hastened back with
+her pitcher full of water. When she saw the runner lying there asleep,
+she was delighted, and said, ‘My enemy is given into my hands!’ She
+emptied his pitcher and ran on.
+
+Everything now would have been lost, if by good luck the hunter had
+not been standing on the castle tower and had seen everything with his
+sharp eyes.
+
+[Illustration: My Enemy is Given into My Hands]
+
+‘Ah,’ said he, ‘the King’s daughter shall not overreach us;’ and,
+loading his gun, he shot so cleverly, that he shot away the horse’s
+skull from under the runner’s head, without its hurting him. Then the
+runner awoke, jumped up, and saw that his pitcher was empty and the
+King’s daughter far ahead. But he did not lose courage, and ran back
+to the stream with his pitcher, filled it once more with water, and
+was home ten minutes before the King’s daughter arrived.
+
+‘Look,’ said he, ‘I have only just exercised my legs; that was nothing
+of a run.’
+
+But the King was angry, and his daughter even more so, that she should
+be carried away by a common, discharged soldier. They consulted
+together how they could destroy both him and his companions.
+
+‘Then,’ said the King to her, ‘I have found a way. Don’t be
+frightened; they shall not come home again.’ He said to them, ‘You
+must now make merry together, and eat and drink,’ and he led them into
+a room which had a floor of iron; the doors were also of iron, and the
+windows were barred with iron. In the room was a table spread with
+delicious food. The King said to them, ‘Go in and enjoy yourselves,’
+and as soon as they were inside he had the doors shut and bolted. Then
+he made the cook come, and ordered him to keep up a large fire under
+the room until the iron was red-hot. The cook did so, and the Six
+sitting round the table felt it grow very warm, and they thought this
+was because of their good fare; but when the heat became still greater
+and they wanted to go out, but found the doors and windows fastened,
+then they knew that the King meant them harm and was trying to
+suffocate them.
+
+‘But he shall not succeed,’ cried he of the little hat, ‘I will make a
+frost come which shall make the fire ashamed and die out!’ So he put
+his hat on straight, and at once there came such a frost that all the
+heat disappeared and the food on the dishes began to freeze. When a
+couple of hours had passed, and the King thought they must be quite
+dead from the heat, he had the doors opened and went in himself to
+see.
+
+But when the doors were opened, there stood all Six, alive and well,
+saying they were glad they could come out to warm themselves, for the
+great cold in the room had frozen all the food hard in the dishes.
+Then the King went angrily to the cook, and scolded him, and asked him
+why he had not done what he was told.
+
+But the cook answered, ‘There is heat enough there; see for yourself.’
+Then the King saw a huge fire burning under the iron room, and
+understood that he could do no harm to the Six in this way. The King
+now began again to think how he could free himself from his unwelcome
+guests. He commanded the master to come before him, and said, ‘If you
+will take gold, and give up your right to my daughter, you shall have
+as much as you like.’
+
+‘Oh, yes, your Majesty,’ answered he, ‘give me as much as my servant
+can carry, and I will give up your daughter.’
+
+The King was delighted, and the man said, ‘I will come and fetch it in
+fourteen days.’
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Then he called all the tailors in the kingdom together, and made them
+sit down for fourteen days sewing at a sack. When it was finished, he
+made the strong man who had uprooted the trees take the sack on his
+shoulder and go with him to the King. Then the King said, ‘What a
+powerful fellow that is, carrying that bale of linen as large as a
+house on his shoulder!’ and he was much frightened, and thought ‘What
+a lot of gold he will make away with!’ Then he had a ton of gold
+brought, which sixteen of the strongest men had to carry; but the
+strong man seized it with one hand, put it in the sack, saying, ‘Why
+don’t you bring me more? That scarcely covers the bottom!’ Then the
+King had to send again and again to fetch his treasures, which the
+strong man shoved into the sack, and the sack was only half full.
+
+‘Bring more,’ he cried, ‘these crumbs don’t fill it.’ So seven
+thousand waggons of the gold of the whole kingdom were driven up;
+these the strong man shoved into the sack, oxen and all.
+
+‘I will no longer be particular,’ he said, ‘and will take what comes,
+so that the sack shall be full.’
+
+When everything was put in and there was not yet enough, he said, ‘I
+will make an end of this; it is easy to fasten a sack when it is not
+full.’ Then he threw it on his back and went with his companions.
+
+Now, when the King saw how a single man was carrying away the wealth
+of the whole country he was very angry, and made his cavalry mount and
+pursue the Six, and bring back the strong man with the sack. Two
+regiments soon overtook them, and called to them, ‘You are prisoners!
+lay down the sack of gold or you shall be cut down.’
+
+‘What do you say?’ said the blower, ‘we are prisoners? Before that,
+you shall dance in the air!’ And he held one nostril and blew with the
+other at the two regiments; they were separated and blown away in the
+blue sky over the mountains, one this way, and the other that. A
+sergeant-major cried for mercy, saying he had nine wounds, and was a
+brave fellow, and did not deserve this disgrace. So the blower let him
+off, and he came down without hurt. Then he said to him, ‘Now go home
+to the King, and say that if he sends any more cavalry I will blow
+them all into the air.’
+
+When the King received the message, he said, ‘Let the fellows go; they
+are bewitched.’ Then the Six brought the treasure home, shared it
+among themselves, and lived contentedly till the end of their days.
+
+
+
+
+_THE WIZARD KING_[14]
+
+
+In very ancient times there lived a King, whose power lay not only in
+the vast extent of his dominions, but also in the magic secrets of
+which he was master. After spending the greater part of his early
+youth in pleasure, he met a Princess of such remarkable beauty that he
+at once asked her hand in marriage, and, having obtained it,
+considered himself the happiest of men.
+
+After a year’s time a son was born, worthy in every way of such
+distinguished parents, and much admired by the whole Court. As soon as
+the Queen thought him strong enough for a journey she set out with him
+secretly to visit her Fairy godmother. I said _secretly_, because the
+Fairy had warned the Queen that the King was a magician; and as from
+time immemorial there had been a standing feud between the Fairies and
+the Wizards, he might not have approved of his wife’s visit.
+
+The Fairy godmother, who took the deepest interest in all the Queen’s
+concerns, and who was much pleased with the little Prince, endowed him
+with the power of pleasing everybody from his cradle, as well as with
+a wonderful ease in learning everything which could help to make him a
+perfectly accomplished Prince. Accordingly, to the delight of his
+teachers, he made the most rapid progress in his education, constantly
+surpassing everyone’s expectations. Before he was many years old,
+however, he had the great sorrow of losing his mother, whose last
+words were to advise him never to undertake anything of importance
+without consulting the Fairy under whose protection she had placed
+him.
+
+[Footnote 14: From _Les Fées illustres_.]
+
+The Prince’s grief at the death of his mother was great, but it was
+nothing compared to that of the King, his father, who was quite
+inconsolable for the loss of his dear wife. Neither time nor reason
+seemed to lighten his sorrow, and the sight of all the familiar faces
+and things about him only served to remind him of his loss.
+He therefore resolved to travel for change, and by means of his magic
+art was able to visit every country he came to see under different
+shapes, returning every few weeks to the place where he had left a few
+followers.
+
+Having travelled from land to land in this fashion without finding
+anything to rivet his attention, it occurred to him to take the form
+of an eagle, and in this shape he flew across many countries and
+arrived at length in a new and lovely spot, where the air seemed
+filled with the scent of jessamine and orange flowers with which the
+ground was thickly planted. Attracted by the sweet perfume he flew
+lower, and perceived some large and beautiful gardens filled with the
+rarest flowers, and with fountains throwing up their clear waters into
+the air in a hundred different shapes. A wide stream flowed through
+the garden, and on it floated richly ornamented barges and gondolas
+filled with people dressed in the most elegant manner and covered with
+jewels.
+
+In one of these barges sat the Queen of that country with her only
+daughter, a maiden more beautiful than the Day Star, and attended by
+the ladies of the Court. No more exquisitely lovely mortal was ever
+seen than this Princess, and it needed all an eagle’s strength of
+sight to prevent the King being hopelessly dazzled. He perched on the
+top of a large orange tree, whence he was able to survey the scene and
+to gaze at pleasure on the Princess’s charms.
+
+Now, an eagle with a King’s heart in his breast is apt to be bold, and
+accordingly he instantly made up his mind to carry off the lovely
+damsel, feeling sure that having once seen her he could not live
+without her.
+
+He waited till he saw her in the act of stepping ashore, when,
+suddenly swooping down, he carried her off before her equerry in
+attendance had advanced to offer her his hand. The Princess, on
+finding herself in an eagle’s talons, uttered the most heart-breaking
+shrieks and cries; but her captor, though touched by her distress,
+would not abandon his lovely prey, and continued to fly through the
+air too fast to allow of his saying anything to comfort her.
+
+At length, when he thought they had reached a safe distance, he began
+to lower his flight, and gradually descending to earth, deposited his
+burden in a flowery meadow. He then entreated her pardon for his
+violence, and told her that he was about to carry her to a great
+kingdom over which he ruled, and where he desired she should rule with
+him, adding many tender and consoling expressions.
+
+For some time the Princess remained speechless; but recovering herself
+a little, she burst into a flood of tears. The King, much moved, said,
+‘Adorable Princess, dry your tears. I implore you. My only wish is to
+make you the happiest person in the world.’
+
+‘If you speak truth, my lord,’ replied the Princess, ‘restore to me
+the liberty you have deprived me of. Otherwise I can only look on you
+as my worst enemy.’
+
+[Illustration: The Princess and the eagle in the flowery meadow]
+
+The King retorted that her opposition filled him with despair, but
+that he hoped to carry her to a place where all around would respect
+her, and where every pleasure would surround her. So saying, he seized
+her once more, and in spite of all her cries he rapidly bore her off
+to the neighbourhood of his capital. Here he gently placed her on a
+lawn, and as he did so she saw a magnificent palace spring up at her
+feet. The architecture was imposing, and in the interior the rooms
+were handsome and furnished in the best possible taste.
+
+The Princess, who expected to be quite alone, was pleased at finding
+herself surrounded by a number of pretty girls, all anxious to wait on
+her, whilst a brilliantly-coloured parrot said the most agreeable
+things in the world.
+
+On arriving at this palace the King had resumed his own form, and
+though no longer young, he might well have pleased any other than this
+Princess, who had been so prejudiced against him by his violence that
+she could only regard him with feelings of hatred, which she was at no
+pains to conceal. The King hoped, however, that time might not only
+soften her anger, but accustom her to his sight. He took the
+precaution of surrounding the palace with a dense cloud, and then
+hastened to his Court, where his prolonged absence was causing much
+anxiety.
+
+The Prince and all the courtiers were delighted to see their beloved
+King again, but they had to submit themselves to more frequent
+absences than ever on his part. He made business a pretext for
+shutting himself up in his study, but it was really in order to spend
+the time with the Princess, who remained inflexible.
+
+Not being able to imagine what could be the cause of so much obstinacy
+the King began to fear, lest, in spite of all his precautions, she
+might have heard of the charms of the Prince his son, whose goodness,
+youth and beauty, made him adored at Court. This idea made him
+horribly uneasy, and he resolved to remove the cause of his fears by
+sending the Prince on his travels escorted by a magnificent retinue.
+
+The Prince, after visiting several Courts, arrived at the one where
+the lost Princess was still deeply mourned. The King and Queen
+received him most graciously, and some festivities were revived to do
+him honour.
+
+One day when the Prince was visiting the Queen in her own apartments
+he was much struck by a most beautiful portrait. He eagerly inquired
+whose it was, and the Queen, with many tears, told him it was all that
+was left her of her beloved daughter, who had suddenly been carried
+off, she knew neither where nor how.
+
+The Prince was deeply moved, and vowed that he would search the world
+for the Princess, and take no rest till he had found and restored her
+to her mother’s arms. The Queen assured him of her eternal gratitude,
+and promised, should he succeed, to give him her daughter in marriage,
+together with all the estates she herself owned.
+
+The Prince, far more attracted by the thoughts of possessing the
+Princess than her promised dower, set forth in his quest after taking
+leave of the King and Queen, the latter giving him a miniature of her
+daughter which she was in the habit of wearing. His first act was to
+seek the Fairy under whose protection he had been placed, and he
+implored her to give him all the assistance of her art and counsel in
+this important matter.
+
+After listening attentively to the whole adventure, the Fairy asked
+for time to consult her books. After due consideration she informed
+the Prince that the object of his search was not far distant, but that
+it was too difficult for him to attempt to enter the enchanted palace
+where she was, as the King his father had surrounded it with a thick
+cloud, and that the only expedient she could think of would be to gain
+possession of the Princess’s parrot. This, she added, did not appear
+impossible, as it often flew about to some distance in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+Having told the Prince all this, the Fairy went out in hopes of seeing
+the parrot, and soon returned with the bird in her hand. She promptly
+shut it up in a cage, and, touching the Prince with her wand,
+transformed him into an exactly similar parrot; after which, she
+instructed him how to reach the Princess.
+
+The Prince reached the palace in safety, but was so dazzled at first
+by the Princess’s beauty, which far surpassed his expectations, that
+he was quite dumb for a time. The Princess was surprised and anxious,
+and fearing the parrot, who was her greatest comfort, had fallen ill,
+she took him in her hand and caressed him. This soon reassured the
+Prince, and encouraged him to play his part well, and he began to say
+a thousand agreeable things which charmed the Princess.
+
+Presently the King appeared, and the parrot noticed with joy how much
+he was disliked. As soon as the King left, the Princess retired to her
+dressing-room, the parrot flew after her and overheard her
+lamentations at the continued persecutions of the King, who had
+pressed her to consent to their marriage. The parrot said so many
+clever and tender things to comfort her that she began to doubt
+whether this could indeed be her own parrot.
+
+When he saw her well-disposed towards him, he exclaimed: ‘Madam, I
+have a most important secret to confide to you, and I beg you not to
+be alarmed by what I am about to say. I am here on behalf of the Queen
+your mother, with the object of delivering your Highness; to prove
+which, behold this portrait which she gave me herself.’ So saying he
+drew forth the miniature from under his wing. The Princess’s surprise
+was great, but after what she had seen and heard it was impossible not
+to indulge in hope, for she had recognised the likeness of herself
+which her mother always wore.
+
+[Illustration: The Wizard King pays a visit to the princess]
+
+The parrot, finding she was not much alarmed, told her who he was, all
+that her mother had promised him and the help he had already received
+from a Fairy who had assured him that she would give him means to
+transport the Princess to her mother’s arms.
+
+When he found her listening attentively to him, he implored the
+Princess to allow him to resume his natural shape. She did not speak,
+so he drew a feather from his wing, and she beheld before her a Prince
+of such surpassing beauty that it was impossible not to hope that she
+might owe her liberty to so charming a person.
+
+Meantime the Fairy had prepared a chariot, to which she harnessed two
+powerful eagles; then placing the cage, with the parrot in it, she
+charged the bird to conduct it to the window of the Princess’s
+dressing-room. This was done in a few minutes, and the Princess,
+stepping into the chariot with the Prince, was delighted to find her
+parrot again.
+
+As they rose through the air the Princess remarked a figure mounted on
+an eagle’s back flying in front of the chariot. She was rather
+alarmed, but the Prince reassured her, telling her it was the good
+Fairy to whom she owed so much, and who was now conducting her in
+safety to her mother.
+
+That same morning the King woke suddenly from a troubled sleep. He had
+dreamt that the Princess was being carried off from him, and,
+transforming himself into an eagle, he flew to the palace. When he
+failed to find her he flew into a terrible rage, and hastened home to
+consult his books, by which means he discovered that it was his son
+who had deprived him of this precious treasure. Immediately he took
+the shape of a harpy, and, filled with rage, was determined to devour
+his son, and even the Princess too, if only he could overtake them.
+
+He set out at full speed; but he started too late, and was further
+delayed by a strong wind which the Fairy raised behind the young
+couple so as to baffle any pursuit.
+
+You may imagine the rapture with which the Queen received the daughter
+she had given up for lost, as well as the amiable Prince who had
+rescued her. The Fairy entered with them, and warned the Queen that
+the Wizard King would shortly arrive, infuriated by his loss, and that
+nothing could preserve the Prince and Princess from his rage and magic
+unless they were actually married.
+
+The Queen hastened to inform the King her husband, and the wedding
+took place on the spot.
+
+As the ceremony was completed the Wizard King arrived. His despair at
+being so late bewildered him so entirely that he appeared in his
+natural form and attempted to sprinkle some black liquid over the
+bride and bridegroom, which was intended to kill them, but the Fairy
+stretched out her wand and the liquid dropped on the Magician himself.
+He fell down senseless, and the Princess’s father, deeply offended at
+the cruel revenge which had been attempted, ordered him to be removed
+and locked up in prison.
+
+Now as magicians lose all their power as soon as they are in prison,
+the King felt himself much embarrassed at being thus at the mercy of
+those he had so greatly offended. The Prince implored and obtained his
+father’s pardon, and the prison doors were opened.
+
+No sooner was this done than the Wizard King was seen in the air under
+the form of some unknown bird, exclaiming as he flew off that he would
+never forgive either his son or the Fairy the cruel wrong they had
+done him.
+
+Everyone entreated the Fairy to settle in the kingdom where she now
+was, to which she consented. She built herself a magnificent palace,
+to which she transported her books and fairy secrets, and where she
+enjoyed the sight of the perfect happiness she had helped to bestow on
+the entire royal family.
+
+
+
+
+_THE NIXY_[15]
+
+
+There was once upon a time a miller who was very well off, and had as
+much money and as many goods as he knew what to do with. But sorrow
+comes in the night, and the miller all of a sudden became so poor that
+at last he could hardly call the mill in which he sat his own. He
+wandered about all day full of despair and misery, and when he lay
+down at night he could get no rest, but lay awake all night sunk in
+sorrowful thoughts.
+
+One morning he rose up before dawn and went outside, for he thought
+his heart would be lighter in the open air. As he wandered up and down
+on the banks of the mill-pond he heard a rustling in the water, and
+when he looked near he saw a white woman rising up from the waves.
+
+He realised at once that this could be none other than the nixy of the
+mill-pond, and in his terror he didn’t know if he should fly away or
+remain where he was. While he hesitated the nixy spoke, called him by
+his name, and asked him why he was so sad.
+
+When the miller heard how friendly her tone was, he plucked up heart
+and told her how rich and prosperous he had been all his life up till
+now, when he didn’t know what he was to do for want and misery.
+
+Then the nixy spoke comforting words to him, and promised that she
+would make him richer and more prosperous than he had ever been in his
+life before, if he would give her in return the youngest thing in his
+house.
+
+The miller thought she must mean one of his puppies or kittens, so
+promised the nixy at once what she asked, and returned to his mill
+full of hope. On the threshold he was greeted by a servant with the
+news that his wife had just given birth to a boy.
+
+[Footnote 15: From the German. Kletke.]
+
+The poor miller was much horrified by these tidings, and went in to
+his wife with a heavy heart to tell her and his relations of the fatal
+bargain he had just struck with the nixy. ‘I would gladly give up all
+the good fortune she promised me,’ he said, ‘if I could only save my
+child.’ But no one could think of any advice to give him, beyond
+taking care that the child never went near the mill-pond.
+
+[Illustration: The miller sees the nixy of the mill-pond]
+
+So the boy throve and grew big, and in the meantime all prospered with
+the miller, and in a few years he was richer than he had ever been
+before. But all the same he did not enjoy his good fortune, for he
+could not forget his compact with the nixy, and he knew that sooner or
+later she would demand his fulfilment of it. But year after year went
+by, and the boy grew up and became a great hunter, and the lord of the
+land took him into his service, for he was as smart and bold a hunter
+as you would wish to see. In a short time he married a pretty young
+wife, and lived with her in great peace and happiness.
+
+One day when he was out hunting a hare sprang up at his feet, and ran
+for some way in front of him in the open field. The hunter pursued it
+hotly for some time, and at last shot it dead. Then he proceeded to
+skin it, never noticing that he was close to the mill-pond, which from
+childhood up he had been taught to avoid. He soon finished the
+skinning, and went to the water to wash the blood off his hands. He
+had hardly dipped them in the pond when the nixy rose up in the water,
+and seizing him in her wet arms she dragged him down with her under
+the waves.
+
+When the hunter did not come home in the evening his wife grew very
+anxious, and when his game bag was found close to the mill-pond she
+guessed at once what had befallen him. She was nearly beside herself
+with grief, and roamed round and round the pond calling on her husband
+without ceasing. At last, worn out with sorrow and fatigue, she fell
+asleep and dreamt that she was wandering along a flowery meadow, when
+she came to a hut where she found an old witch, who promised to
+restore her husband to her.
+
+When she awoke next morning she determined to set out and find the
+witch; so she wandered on for many a day, and at last she reached the
+flowery meadow and found the hut where the old witch lived. The poor
+wife told her all that had happened and how she had been told in a
+dream of the witch’s power to help her.
+
+The witch counselled her to go to the pond the first time there was a
+full moon, and to comb her black hair with a golden comb, and then to
+place the comb on the bank. The hunter’s wife gave the witch a
+handsome present, thanked her heartily, and returned home.
+
+Time dragged heavily till the time of the full moon, but it passed at
+last, and as soon as it rose the young wife went to the pond, combed
+her black hair with a golden comb, and when she had finished, placed
+the comb on the bank; then she watched the water impatiently. Soon she
+heard a rushing sound, and a big wave rose suddenly and swept the comb
+off the bank, and a minute after the head of her husband rose from the
+pond and gazed sadly at her. But immediately another wave came, and
+the head sank back into the water without having said a word. The pond
+lay still and motionless, glittering in the moonshine, and the
+hunter’s wife was not a bit better off than she had been before.
+
+In despair she wandered about for days and nights, and at last, worn
+out by fatigue, she sank once more into a deep sleep, and dreamt
+exactly the same dream about the old witch. So next morning she went
+again to the flowery meadow and sought the witch in her hut, and told
+her of her grief. The old woman counselled her to go to the mill-pond
+the next full moon and play upon a golden flute, and then to lay the
+flute on the bank.
+
+As soon as the next moon was full the hunter’s wife went to the
+mill-pond, played on a golden flute, and when she had finished placed
+it on the bank. Then a rushing sound was heard, and a wave swept the
+flute off the bank, and soon the head of the hunter appeared and rose
+up higher and higher till he was half out of the water. Then he gazed
+sadly at his wife and stretched out his arms towards her. But another
+rushing wave arose and dragged him under once more. The hunter’s wife,
+who had stood on the bank full of joy and hope, sank into despair when
+she saw her husband snatched away again before her eyes.
+
+But for her comfort she dreamt the same dream a third time, and betook
+herself once more to the old witch’s hut in the flowery meadow. This
+time the old woman told her to go the next full moon to the mill-pond,
+and to spin there with a golden spinning-wheel, and then to leave the
+spinning-wheel on the bank.
+
+The hunter’s wife did as she was advised, and the first night the moon
+was full she sat and spun with a golden spinning-wheel, and then left
+the wheel on the bank. In a few minutes a rushing sound was heard in
+the waters, and a wave swept the spinning-wheel from the bank.
+Immediately the head of the hunter rose up from the pond, getting
+higher and higher each moment, till at length he stepped on to the
+bank and fell on his wife’s neck.
+
+But the waters of the pond rose up suddenly, overflowed the bank where
+the couple stood, and dragged them under the flood. In her despair the
+young wife called on the old witch to help her, and in a moment the
+hunter was turned into a frog and his wife into a toad. But they were
+not able to remain together, for the water tore them apart, and when
+the flood was over they both resumed their own shapes again, but the
+hunter and the hunter’s wife found themselves each in a strange
+country, and neither knew what had become of the other.
+
+[Illustration: ‘A wave swept the spinning-wheel from the bank’]
+
+The hunter determined to become a shepherd, and his wife too became a
+shepherdess. So they herded their sheep for many years in solitude and
+sadness.
+
+Now it happened once that the shepherd came to the country where the
+shepherdess lived. The neighbourhood pleased him, and he saw that the
+pasture was rich and suitable for his flocks. So he brought his sheep
+there, and herded them as before. The shepherd and shepherdess became
+great friends, but they did not recognise each other in the least.
+
+But one evening when the moon was full they sat together watching
+their flocks, and the shepherd played upon his flute. Then the
+shepherdess thought of that evening when she had sat at the full moon
+by the mill-pond and had played on the golden flute; the recollection
+was too much for her, and she burst into tears. The shepherd asked her
+why she was crying, and left her no peace till she told him all her
+story. Then the scales fell from the shepherd’s eyes, and he
+recognised his wife, and she him. So they returned joyfully to their
+own home, and lived in peace and happiness ever after.
+
+
+
+
+_THE GLASS MOUNTAIN_[16]
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a Glass Mountain at the top of which stood
+a castle made of pure gold, and in front of the castle there grew an
+apple-tree on which there were golden apples.
+
+Anyone who picked an apple gained admittance into the golden castle,
+and there in a silver room sat an enchanted Princess of surpassing
+fairness and beauty. She was as rich too as she was beautiful, for the
+cellars of the castle were full of precious stones, and great chests
+of the finest gold stood round the walls of all the rooms.
+
+Many knights had come from afar to try their luck, but it was in vain
+they attempted to climb the mountain. In spite of having their horses
+shod with sharp nails, no one managed to get more than half-way up,
+and then they all fell back right down to the bottom of the steep
+slippery hill. Sometimes they broke an arm, sometimes a leg, and many
+a brave man had broken his neck even.
+
+The beautiful Princess sat at her window and watched the bold knights
+trying to reach her on their splendid horses. The sight of her always
+gave men fresh courage, and they flocked from the four quarters of the
+globe to attempt the work of rescuing her. But all in vain, and for
+seven years the Princess had sat now and waited for some one to scale
+the Glass Mountain.
+
+A heap of corpses both of riders and horses lay round the mountain,
+and many dying men lay groaning there unable to go any farther with
+their wounded limbs. The whole neighbourhood had the appearance of a
+vast churchyard. In three more days the seven years would be at an
+end, when a knight in golden armour and mounted on a spirited steed
+was seen making his way towards the fatal hill.
+
+[Footnote 16: From the Polish. Kletke.]
+
+Sticking his spurs into his horse he made a rush at the mountain, and
+got up half-way, then he calmly turned his horse’s head and came down
+again without a slip or stumble. The following day he started in the
+same way; the horse trod on the glass as if it had been level earth,
+and sparks of fire flew from its hoofs. All the other knights gazed in
+astonishment, for he had almost gained the summit, and in another
+moment he would have reached the apple-tree; but of a sudden a huge
+eagle rose up and spread its mighty wings, hitting as it did so the
+knight’s horse in the eye. The beast shied, opened its wide nostrils
+and tossed its mane, then rearing high up in the air, its hind feet
+slipped and it fell with its rider down the steep mountain side.
+Nothing was left of either of them except their bones, which rattled
+in the battered golden armour like dry peas in a pod.
+
+And now there was only one more day before the close of the seven
+years. Then there arrived on the scene a mere schoolboy—a merry,
+happy-hearted youth, but at the same time strong and well-grown. He
+saw how many knights had broken their necks in vain, but undaunted he
+approached the steep mountain on foot and began the ascent.
+
+For long he had heard his parents speak of the beautiful Princess who
+sat in the golden castle at the top of the Glass Mountain. He listened
+to all he heard, and determined that he too would try his luck. But
+first he went to the forest and caught a lynx, and cutting off the
+creature’s sharp claws, he fastened them on to his own hands and feet.
+
+Armed with these weapons he boldly started up the Glass Mountain. The
+sun was nearly going down, and the youth had not got more than
+half-way up. He could hardly draw breath he was so worn out, and his
+mouth was parched by thirst. A huge black cloud passed over his head,
+but in vain did he beg and beseech her to let a drop of water fall on
+him. He opened his mouth, but the black cloud sailed past and not as
+much as a drop of dew moistened his dry lips.
+
+His feet were torn and bleeding, and he could only hold on now with
+his hands. Evening closed in, and he strained his eyes to see if he
+could behold the top of the mountain. Then he gazed beneath him, and
+what a sight met his eyes! A yawning abyss, with certain and terrible
+death at the bottom, reeking with half-decayed bodies of horses and
+riders! And this had been the end of all the other brave men who like
+himself had attempted the ascent.
+
+[Illustration: The boy attacked by the eagle on the Glass Mountain]
+
+It was almost pitch dark now, and only the stars lit up the Glass
+Mountain. The poor boy still clung on as if glued to the glass by his
+blood-stained hands. He made no struggle to get higher, for all his
+strength had left him, and seeing no hope he calmly awaited death.
+Then all of a sudden he fell into a deep sleep, and forgetful of his
+dangerous position, he slumbered sweetly. But all the same, although
+he slept, he had stuck his sharp claws so firmly into the glass that
+he was quite safe not to fall.
+
+Now the golden apple-tree was guarded by the eagle which had
+overthrown the golden knight and his horse. Every night it flew round
+the Glass Mountain keeping a careful look-out, and no sooner had the
+moon emerged from the clouds than the bird rose up from the
+apple-tree, and circling round in the air, caught sight of the
+sleeping youth.
+
+Greedy for carrion, and sure that this must be a fresh corpse, the
+bird swooped down upon the boy. But he was awake now, and perceiving
+the eagle, he determined by its help to save himself.
+
+The eagle dug its sharp claws into the tender flesh of the youth, but
+he bore the pain without a sound, and seized the bird’s two feet with
+his hands. The creature in terror lifted him high up into the air and
+began to circle round the tower of the castle. The youth held on
+bravely. He saw the glittering palace, which by the pale rays of the
+moon looked like a dim lamp; and he saw the high windows, and round
+one of them a balcony in which the beautiful Princess sat lost in sad
+thoughts. Then the boy saw that he was close to the apple-tree, and
+drawing a small knife from his belt, he cut off both the eagle’s feet.
+The bird rose up in the air in its agony and vanished into the clouds,
+and the youth fell on to the broad branches of the apple-tree.
+
+Then he drew out the claws of the eagle’s feet that had remained in
+his flesh, and put the peel of one of the golden apples on the wound,
+and in one moment it was healed and well again. He pulled several of
+the beautiful apples and put them in his pocket; then he entered the
+castle. The door was guarded by a great dragon, but as soon as he
+threw an apple at it, the beast vanished.
+
+At the same moment a gate opened, and the youth perceived a courtyard
+full of flowers and beautiful trees, and on a balcony sat the lovely
+enchanted Princess with her retinue.
+
+As soon as she saw the youth, she ran towards him and greeted him as
+her husband and master. She gave him all her treasures, and the youth
+became a rich and mighty ruler. But he never returned to the earth,
+for only the mighty eagle, who had been the guardian of the Princess
+and of the castle, could have carried on his wings the enormous
+treasure down to the world. But as the eagle had lost its feet it
+died, and its body was found in a wood on the Glass Mountain.
+
+    *    *    *    *    *
+
+One day when the youth was strolling about in the palace garden with
+the Princess, his wife, he looked down over the edge of the Glass
+Mountain and saw to his astonishment a great number of people gathered
+there. He blew his silver whistle, and the swallow who acted as
+messenger in the golden castle flew past.
+
+‘Fly down and ask what the matter is,’ he said to the little bird, who
+sped off like lightning and soon returned saying:
+
+‘The blood of the eagle has restored all the people below to life. All
+those who have perished on this mountain are awakening up to-day, as
+it were from a sleep, and are mounting their horses, and the whole
+population are gazing on this unheard-of wonder with joy and
+amazement.’
+
+
+
+
+_ALPHEGE, OR THE GREEN MONKEY_
+
+
+Many years ago there lived a King, who was twice married. His first
+wife, a good and beautiful woman, died at the birth of her little son,
+and the King her husband was so overwhelmed with grief at her loss
+that his only comfort was in the sight of his heir.
+
+When the time for the young Prince’s christening came the King chose
+as godmother a neighbouring Princess, so celebrated for her wisdom and
+goodness that she was commonly called ‘the Good Queen.’ She named the
+baby Alphege, and from that moment took him to her heart.
+
+Time wipes away the greatest griefs, and after two or three years the
+King married again. His second wife was a Princess of undeniable
+beauty, but by no means of so amiable a disposition as the first
+Queen. In due time a second Prince was born, and the Queen was
+devoured with rage at the thought that Prince Alphege came between her
+son and the throne. She took care however to conceal her jealous
+feelings from the King.
+
+At length she could control herself no longer, so she sent a trusty
+servant to her old and faithful friend the Fairy of the Mountain, to
+beg her to devise some means by which she might get rid of her
+stepson.
+
+The Fairy replied that, much as she desired to be agreeable to the
+Queen in every way, it was impossible for her to attempt anything
+against the young Prince, who was under the protection of some greater
+Power than her own.
+
+The ‘Good Queen’ on her side watched carefully over her godson. She
+was obliged to do so from a distance, her own country being a remote
+one, but she was well informed of all that went on and knew all about
+the Queen’s wicked designs. She therefore sent the Prince a large and
+splendid ruby, with injunctions to wear it night and day as it would
+protect him from all attacks, but added that the talisman only
+retained its power as long as the Prince remained within his father’s
+dominions. The Wicked Queen knowing this made every attempt to get the
+Prince out of the country, but her efforts failed, till one day
+accident did what she was unable to accomplish.
+
+The King had an only sister who was deeply attached to him, and who
+was married to the sovereign of a distant country. She had always kept
+up a close correspondence with her brother, and the accounts she heard
+of Prince Alphege made her long to become acquainted with so charming
+a nephew. She entreated the King to allow the Prince to visit her, and
+after some hesitation which was overruled by his wife, he finally
+consented.
+
+Prince Alphege was at this time fourteen years old, and the handsomest
+and most engaging youth imaginable. In his infancy he had been placed
+in the charge of one of the great ladies of the Court, who, according
+to the prevailing custom, acted first as his head nurse and then as
+his governess. When he outgrew her care her husband was appointed as
+his tutor and governor, so that he had never been separated from this
+excellent couple, who loved him as tenderly as they did their only
+daughter Zayda, and were warmly loved by him in return.
+
+When the Prince set forth on his travels it was but natural that this
+devoted couple should accompany him, and accordingly he started with
+them and attended by a numerous retinue.
+
+For some time he travelled through his father’s dominions and all went
+well; but soon after passing the frontier they had to cross a desert
+plain under a burning sun. They were glad to take shelter under a
+group of trees near, and here the Prince complained of burning thirst.
+Luckily a tiny stream ran close by and some water was soon procured,
+but no sooner had he tasted it than he sprang from his carriage and
+disappeared in a moment. In vain did his anxious followers seek for
+him, he was nowhere to be found.
+
+As they were hunting and shouting through the trees a great black
+monkey suddenly appeared on a point of rock and said: ‘Poor sorrowing
+people, you are seeking your Prince in vain. Return to your own
+country and know that he will not be restored to you till you have for
+some time failed to recognise him.’
+
+With these words he vanished, leaving the courtiers sadly perplexed;
+but as all their efforts to find the Prince were useless they had no
+choice but to go home, bringing with them the sad news, which so
+greatly distressed the King that he fell ill and died not long after.
+
+The Queen, whose ambition was boundless, was delighted to see the
+crown on her son’s head and to have the power in her own hands. Her
+hard rule made her very unpopular, and it was commonly believed that
+she had made away with Prince Alphege. Indeed, had the King her son
+not been deservedly beloved a revolution would certainly have arisen.
+
+[Illustration: The King makes friends with the Green Monkey]
+
+Meantime the former governess of the unfortunate Alphege, who had lost
+her husband soon after the King’s death, retired to her own house with
+her daughter, who grew up a lovely and most loveable girl, and both
+continued to mourn the loss of their dear Prince.
+
+The young King was devoted to hunting, and often indulged in his
+favourite pastime, attended by the noblest youths in his kingdom. One
+day, after a long morning’s chase he stopped to rest near a brook in
+the shade of a little wood, where a splendid tent had been prepared
+for him. Whilst at luncheon he suddenly spied a little monkey of the
+brightest green sitting on a tree and gazing so tenderly at him that
+he felt quite moved. He forbade his courtiers to frighten it, and the
+monkey, noticing how much attention was being paid him, sprang from
+bough to bough, and at length gradually approached the King, who
+offered him some food. The monkey took it very daintily and finally
+came to the table. The King took him on his knees, and, delighted with
+his capture, brought him home with him. He would trust no one else
+with its care, and the whole Court soon talked of nothing but the
+pretty green monkey.
+
+One morning, as Prince Alphege’s governess and her daughter were alone
+together, the little monkey sprang in through an open window. He had
+escaped from the palace, and his manners were so gentle and caressing
+that Zayda and her mother soon got over the first fright he had given
+them. He had spent some time with them and quite won their hearts by
+his insinuating ways, when the King discovered where he was and sent
+to fetch him back. But the monkey made such piteous cries, and seemed
+so unhappy when anyone attempted to catch him, that the two ladies
+begged the King to leave him a little longer with them, to which he
+consented.
+
+One evening, as they sat by the fountain in the garden, the little
+monkey kept gazing at Zayda with such sad and loving eyes that she and
+her mother could not think what to make of it, and they were still
+more surprised when they saw big tears rolling down his cheeks.
+
+Next day both mother and daughter were sitting in a jessamine bower in
+the garden, and they began to talk of the green monkey and his strange
+ways. The mother said, ‘My dear child, I can no longer hide my
+feelings from you. I cannot get the thought out of my mind that the
+green monkey is no other than our beloved Prince Alphege, transformed
+in this strange fashion. I know the idea sounds wild, but I cannot get
+it out of my heart, and it leaves me no peace.’
+
+As she spoke she glanced up, and there sat the little monkey, whose
+tears and gestures seemed to confirm her words.
+
+The following night the elder lady dreamt that she saw the Good Queen,
+who said, ‘Do not weep any longer but follow my directions. Go into
+your garden and lift up the little marble slab at the foot of the
+great myrtle tree. You will find beneath it a crystal vase filled with
+a bright green liquid. Take it with you and place the thing which is
+at present most in your thoughts into a bath filled with roses and rub
+it well with the green liquid.’
+
+At these words the sleeper awoke, and lost no time in rising and
+hurrying to the garden, where she found all as the Good Queen had
+described. Then she hastened to rouse her daughter and together they
+prepared the bath, for they would not let their women know what they
+were about. Zayda gathered quantities of roses, and when all was ready
+they put the monkey into a large jasper bath, where the mother rubbed
+him all over with the green liquid.
+
+[Illustration: The Green Monkey in the Bath.]
+
+Their suspense was not long, for suddenly the monkey skin dropped off,
+and there stood Prince Alphege, the handsomest and most charming of
+men. The joy of such a meeting was beyond words. After a time the
+ladies begged the Prince to relate his adventures, and he told them of
+all his sufferings in the desert when he was first transformed. His
+only comfort had been in visits from the Good Queen, who had at length
+put him in the way of meeting his brother.
+
+Several days were spent in these interesting conversations, but at
+length Zayda’s mother began to think of the best means for placing the
+Prince on the throne, which was his by right.
+
+The Queen on her side was feeling very anxious. She had felt sure from
+the first that her son’s pet monkey was no other than Prince Alphege,
+and she longed to put an end to him. Her suspicions were confirmed by
+the Fairy of the Mountain, and she hastened in tears to the King, her
+son.
+
+‘I am informed,’ she cried, ‘that some ill-disposed people have raised
+up an impostor in the hopes of dethroning you. You must at once have
+him put to death.’
+
+The King, who was very brave, assured the Queen that he would soon
+punish the conspirators. He made careful inquiries into the matter,
+and thought it hardly probable that a quiet widow and a young girl
+would think of attempting anything of the nature of a revolution.
+
+He determined to go and see them, and to find out the truth for
+himself; so one night, without saying anything to the Queen or his
+ministers, he set out for the palace where the two ladies lived,
+attended only by a small band of followers.
+
+The two ladies were at the moment deep in conversation with Prince
+Alphege, and hearing a knocking so late at night begged him to keep
+out of sight for a time. What was their surprise when the door was
+opened to see the King and his suite.
+
+‘I know,’ said the King, ‘that you are plotting against my crown and
+person, and I have come to have an explanation with you.’
+
+As she was about to answer Prince Alphege, who had heard all, came
+forward and said, ‘It is from me you must ask an explanation,
+brother.’ He spoke with such grace and dignity that everyone gazed at
+him with mute surprise.
+
+At length the King, recovering from his astonishment at recognising
+the brother who had been lost some years before, exclaimed, ‘Yes, you
+are indeed my brother, and now that I have found you, take the throne
+to which I have no longer a right.’ So saying, he respectfully kissed
+the Prince’s hand.
+
+Alphege threw himself into his arms, and the brothers hastened to the
+royal palace, where in the presence of the entire court he received
+the crown from his brother’s hand. To clear away any possible doubt,
+he showed the ruby which the Good Queen had given him in his
+childhood. As they were gazing at it, it suddenly split with a loud
+noise, and at the same moment the Wicked Queen expired.
+
+King Alphege lost no time in marrying his dear and lovely Zayda, and
+his joy was complete when the Good Queen appeared at his wedding. She
+assured him that the Fairy of the Mountain had henceforth lost all
+power over him, and after spending some time with the young couple,
+and bestowing the most costly presents on them, she retired to her own
+country.
+
+King Alphege insisted on his brother sharing his throne, and they all
+lived to a good old age, universally beloved and admired.
+
+
+
+
+_FAIRER-THAN-A-FAIRY_
+
+
+Once there lived a King who had no children for many years after his
+marriage. At length heaven granted him a daughter of such remarkable
+beauty that he could think of no name so appropriate for her as
+‘Fairer-than-a-Fairy.’
+
+It never occurred to the good-natured monarch that such a name was
+certain to call down the hatred and jealousy of the fairies in a body
+on the child, but this was what happened. No sooner had they heard of
+this presumptuous name than they resolved to gain possession of her
+who bore it, and either to torment her cruelly, or at least to conceal
+her from the eyes of all men.
+
+The eldest of their tribe was entrusted to carry out their revenge.
+This Fairy was named Lagree; she was so old that she only had one eye
+and one tooth left, and even these poor remains she had to keep all
+night in a strengthening liquid. She was also so spiteful that she
+gladly devoted all her time to carrying out all the mean or
+ill-natured tricks of the whole body of fairies.
+
+With her large experience, added to her native spite, she found but
+little difficulty in carrying off Fairer-than-a-Fairy. The poor child,
+who was only seven years old, nearly died of fear on finding herself
+in the power of this hideous creature. However, when after an hour’s
+journey underground she found herself in a splendid palace with lovely
+gardens, she felt a little reassured, and was further cheered when she
+discovered that her pet cat and dog had followed her.
+
+The old Fairy led her to a pretty room which she said should be hers,
+at the same time giving her the strictest orders never to let out the
+fire which was burning brightly in the grate. She then gave two glass
+bottles into the Princess’s charge, desiring her to take the greatest
+care of them, and having enforced her orders with the most awful
+threats in case of disobedience, she vanished, leaving the little girl
+at liberty to explore the palace and grounds and a good deal relieved
+at having only two apparently easy tasks set her.
+
+Several years passed, during which time the Princess grew accustomed
+to her lonely life, obeyed the Fairy’s orders, and by degrees forgot
+all about the court of the King her father.
+
+[Illustration: Lagree Gives the 2 Bottles to Fairer-than-a-Fairy.]
+
+One day, whilst passing near a fountain in the garden, she noticed
+that the sun’s rays fell on the water in such a manner as to produce a
+brilliant rainbow. She stood still to admire it, when, to her great
+surprise, she heard a voice addressing her which seemed to come from
+the centre of its rays. The voice was that of a young man, and its
+sweetness of tone and the agreeable things it uttered, led one to
+infer that its owner must be equally charming; but this had to be a
+mere matter of fancy, for no one was visible.
+
+The beautiful Rainbow informed Fairer-than-a-Fairy that he was young,
+the son of a powerful king, and that the Fairy, Lagree, who owed his
+parents a grudge, had revenged herself by depriving him of his natural
+shape for some years; that she had imprisoned him in the palace, where
+he had found his confinement hard to bear for some time, but now, he
+owned, he no longer sighed for freedom since he had seen and learned
+to love Fairer-than-a-Fairy.
+
+He added many other tender speeches to this declaration, and the
+Princess, to whom such remarks were a new experience, could not help
+feeling pleased and touched by his attentions.
+
+The Prince could only appear or speak under the form of a Rainbow, and
+it was therefore necessary that the sun should shine on water so as to
+enable the rays to form themselves.
+
+Fairer-than-a-Fairy lost no moment in which she could meet her lover,
+and they enjoyed many long and interesting interviews. One day,
+however, their conversation became so absorbing and time passed so
+quickly that the Princess forgot to attend to the fire, and it went
+out. Lagree, on her return, soon found out the neglect, and seemed
+only too pleased to have the opportunity of showing her spite to her
+lovely prisoner. She ordered Fairer-than-a-Fairy to start next day at
+dawn to ask Locrinos for fire with which to relight the one she had
+allowed to go out.
+
+Now this Locrinos was a cruel monster who devoured everyone he came
+across, and especially enjoyed a chance of catching and eating any
+young girls. Our heroine obeyed with great sweetness, and without
+having been able to take leave of her lover she set off to go to
+Locrinos as to certain death. As she was crossing a wood a bird sang
+to her to pick up a shining pebble which she would find in a fountain
+close by, and to use it when needed. She took the bird’s advice, and
+in due time arrived at the house of Locrinos. Luckily she only found
+his wife at home, who was much struck by the Princess’s youth and
+beauty and sweet gentle manners, and still further impressed by the
+present of the shining pebble.
+
+She readily let Fairer-than-a-Fairy have the fire, and in return for
+the stone she gave her another, which, she said, might prove useful
+some day. Then she sent her away without doing her any harm.
+
+Lagree was as much surprised as displeased at the happy result of this
+expedition, and Fairer-than-a-Fairy waited anxiously for an
+opportunity of meeting Prince Rainbow and telling him her adventures.
+She found, however, that he had already been told all about them by a
+Fairy who protected him, and to whom he was related.
+
+The dread of fresh dangers to his beloved Princess made him devise
+some more convenient way of meeting than by the garden fountain, and
+Fairer-than-a-Fairy carried out his plan daily with entire success.
+Every morning she placed a large basin full of water on her
+window-sill, and as soon as the sun’s rays fell on the water the
+Rainbow appeared as clearly as it had ever done in the fountain. By
+this means they were able to meet without losing sight of the fire or
+of the two bottles in which the old Fairy kept her eye and her tooth
+at night, and for some time the lovers enjoyed every hour of sunshine
+together.
+
+One day Prince Rainbow appeared in the depths of woe. He had just
+heard that he was to be banished from this lovely spot, but he had no
+idea where he was to go. The poor young couple were in despair, and
+only parted with the last ray of sunshine, and in hopes of meeting
+next morning. Alas! next day was dark and gloomy, and it was only late
+in the afternoon that the sun broke through the clouds for a few
+minutes.
+
+Fairer-than-a-Fairy eagerly ran to the window, but in her haste she
+upset the basin, and spilt all the water with which she had carefully
+filled it overnight. No other water was at hand except that in the two
+bottles. It was the only chance of seeing her lover before they were
+separated, and she did not hesitate to break the bottle and pour their
+contents into the basin, when the Rainbow appeared at once. Their
+farewells were full of tenderness; the Prince made the most ardent and
+sincere protestations, and promised to neglect nothing which might
+help to deliver his dear Fairer-than-a-Fairy from her captivity, and
+implored her to consent to their marriage as soon as they should both
+be free. The Princess, on her side, vowed to have no other husband,
+and declared herself willing to brave death itself in order to rejoin
+him.
+
+They were not allowed much time for their adieus; the Rainbow
+vanished, and the Princess, resolved to run all risks, started off at
+once, taking nothing with her but her dog, her cat, a sprig of myrtle,
+and the stone which the wife of Locrinos gave her.
+
+When Lagree became aware of her prisoner’s flight she was furious, and
+set off at full speed in pursuit. She overtook her just as the poor
+girl, overcome by fatigue, had lain down to rest in a cave which the
+stone had formed itself into to shelter her. The little dog who was
+watching her mistress promptly flew at Lagree and bit her so severely
+that she stumbled against a corner of the cave and broke off her only
+tooth. Before she had recovered from the pain and rage this caused
+her, the Princess had time to escape, and was some way on her road.
+Fear gave her strength for some time, but at last she could go no
+further, and sank down to rest. As she did so, the sprig of myrtle she
+carried touched the ground, and immediately a green and shady bower
+sprang up round her, in which she hoped to sleep in peace.
+
+[Illustration: Fairer-than-a-Fairy Summons the Rainbow.]
+
+But Lagree had not given up her pursuit, and arrived just as
+Fairer-than-a-Fairy had fallen fast asleep. This time she made sure of
+catching her victim, but the cat spied her out, and, springing from
+one of the boughs of the arbour she flew at Lagree’s face and tore out
+her only eye, thus delivering the Princess for ever from her
+persecutor.
+
+One might have thought that all would now be well, but no sooner had
+Lagree been put to flight than our heroine was overwhelmed with hunger
+and thirst. She felt as though she should certainly expire, and it was
+with some difficulty that she dragged herself as far as a pretty
+little green and white house, which stood at no great distance. Here
+she was received by a beautiful lady dressed in green and white to
+match the house, which apparently belonged to her, and of which she
+seemed the only inhabitant.
+
+She greeted the fainting Princess most kindly, gave her an excellent
+supper, and after a long night’s rest in a delightful bed told her
+that after many troubles she should finally attain her desire.
+
+As the green and white lady took leave of the Princess she gave her a
+nut, desiring her only to open it in the most urgent need.
+
+After a long and tiring journey Fairer-than-a-Fairy was once more
+received in a house, and by a lady exactly like the one she had
+quitted. Here again she received a present with the same injunctions,
+but instead of a nut this lady gave her a golden pomegranate. The
+mournful Princess had to continue her weary way, and after many
+troubles and hardships she again found rest and shelter in a third
+house exactly similar to the two others.
+
+These houses belonged to three sisters, all endowed with fairy gifts,
+and all so alike in mind and person that they wished their houses and
+garments to be equally alike. Their occupation consisted in helping
+those in misfortune, and they were as gentle and benevolent as Lagree
+had been cruel and spiteful.
+
+The third Fairy comforted the poor traveller, begged her not to lose
+heart, and assured her that her troubles should be rewarded. She
+accompanied her advice by the gift of a crystal smelling-bottle,
+with strict orders only to open it in case of urgent need.
+Fairer-than-a-Fairy thanked her warmly, and resumed her way cheered by
+pleasant thoughts.
+
+After a time her road led through a wood, full of soft airs and sweet
+odours, and before she had gone a hundred yards she saw a wonderful
+silver Castle suspended by strong silver chains to four of the largest
+trees. It was so perfectly hung that a gentle breeze rocked it
+sufficiently to send you pleasantly to sleep.
+
+Fairer-than-a-Fairy felt a strong desire to enter this Castle, but
+besides being hung a little above the ground there seemed to be
+neither doors nor windows. She had no doubt (though really I cannot
+think why) that the moment had come in which to use the nut which had
+been given her. She opened it, and out came a diminutive hall porter
+at whose belt hung a tiny chain, at the end of which was a golden key
+half as long as the smallest pin you ever saw.
+
+The Princess climbed up one of the silver chains, holding in her hand
+the little porter who, in spite of his minute size, opened a secret
+door with his golden key and let her in. She entered a magnificent
+room which appeared to occupy the entire Castle, and which was lighted
+by gold and jewelled stars in the ceiling. In the midst of this room
+stood a couch, draped with curtains of all the colours of the rainbow,
+and suspended by golden cords so that it swayed with the Castle in a
+manner which rocked its occupant delightfully to sleep.
+
+On this elegant couch lay Prince Rainbow, looking more beautiful than
+ever, and sunk in profound slumber, in which he had been held ever
+since his disappearance.
+
+Fairer-than-a-Fairy, who now saw him for the first time in his real
+shape, hardly dared to gaze at him, fearing lest his appearance might
+not be in keeping with the voice and language which had won her heart.
+At the same time she could not help feeling rather hurt at the
+apparent indifference with which she was received.
+
+She related all the dangers and difficulties she had gone through, and
+though she repeated the story twenty times in a loud clear voice, the
+Prince slept on and took no heed. She then had recourse to the golden
+pomegranate, and on opening it found that all the seeds were as many
+little violins which flew up in the vaulted roof and at once began
+playing melodiously.
+
+The Prince was not completely roused, but he opened his eyes a little
+and looked all the handsomer.
+
+Impatient at not being recognised, Fairer-than-a-Fairy now drew out
+her third present, and on opening the crystal scent-bottle a little
+syren flew out, who silenced the violins and then sang close to the
+Prince’s ear the story of all his lady love had suffered in her search
+for him. She added some gentle reproaches to her tale, but before she
+had got far he was wide awake, and transported with joy threw himself
+at the Princess’s feet. At the same moment the walls of the room
+expanded and opened out, revealing a golden throne covered with
+jewels. A magnificent Court now began to assemble, and at the same
+time several elegant carriages filled with ladies in magnificent
+dresses drove up. In the first and most splendid of these carriages
+sat Prince Rainbow’s mother. She fondly embraced her son, after which
+she informed him that his father had been dead for some years, that
+the anger of the Fairies was at length appeased, and that he might
+return in peace to reign over his people, who were longing for his
+presence.
+
+The Court received the new King with joyful acclamations which would
+have delighted him at any other time, but all his thoughts were full
+of Fairer-than-a-Fairy. He was just about to present her to his mother
+and the Court, feeling sure that her charms would win all hearts, when
+the three green and white sisters appeared.
+
+They declared the secret of Fairer-than-a-Fairy’s royal birth, and the
+Queen taking the two lovers in her carriage set off with them for the
+capital of the kingdom.
+
+Here they were received with tumultuous joy. The wedding was
+celebrated without delay, and succeeding years diminished neither the
+virtues, beauty, nor the mutual affection of King Rainbow and his
+Queen, Fairer-than-a-Fairy.
+
+
+
+
+_THE THREE BROTHERS_[17]
+
+
+There was once upon a time a witch, who in the shape of a hawk used
+every night to break the windows of a certain village church. In the
+same village there lived three brothers, who were all determined to
+kill the mischievous hawk. But in vain did the two eldest mount guard
+in the church with their guns; as soon as the bird appeared high above
+their heads, sleep overpowered them, and they only awoke to hear the
+windows crashing in.
+
+Then the youngest brother took his turn of guarding the windows, and
+to prevent his being overcome by sleep he placed a lot of thorns under
+his chin, so that if he felt drowsy and nodded his head, they would
+prick him and keep him awake.
+
+The moon was already risen, and it was as light as day, when suddenly
+he heard a fearful noise, and at the same time a terrible desire to
+sleep overpowered him.
+
+His eyelids closed, and his head sank on his shoulders, but the thorns
+ran into him and were so painful that he awoke at once. He saw the
+hawk swooping down upon the church, and in a moment he had seized his
+gun and shot at the bird. The hawk fell heavily under a big stone,
+severely wounded in its right wing. The youth ran to look at it, and
+saw that a huge abyss had opened below the stone. He went at once to
+fetch his brothers, and with their help dragged a lot of pine-wood and
+ropes to the spot. They fastened some of the burning pine-wood to the
+end of the rope, and let it slowly down to the bottom of the abyss. At
+first it was quite dark, and the flaming torch only lit up dirty grey
+stone walls. But the youngest brother determined to explore the abyss,
+and letting himself down by the rope he soon reached the bottom. Here
+he found a lovely meadow full of green trees and exquisite flowers.
+
+[Footnote 17: From the Polish. Kletke.]
+
+In the middle of the meadow stood a huge stone castle, with an iron
+gate leading to it, which was wide open. Everything in the castle
+seemed to be made of copper, and the only inhabitant he could discover
+was a lovely girl, who was combing her golden hair; and he noticed
+that whenever one of her hairs fell on the ground it rang out like
+pure metal. The youth looked at her more closely, and saw that her
+skin was smooth and fair, her blue eyes bright and sparkling, and her
+hair as golden as the sun. He fell in love with her on the spot, and
+kneeling at her feet, he implored her to become his wife.
+
+The lovely girl accepted his proposal gladly; but at the same time she
+warned him that she could never come up to the world above till her
+mother, the old witch, was dead. And she went on to tell him that the
+only way in which the old creature could be killed was with the sword
+that hung up in the castle; but the sword was so heavy that no one
+could lift it.
+
+Then the youth went into a room in the castle where everything was
+made of silver, and here he found another beautiful girl, the sister
+of his bride. She was combing her silver hair, and every hair that
+fell on the ground rang out like pure metal. The second girl handed
+him the sword, but though he tried with all his strength he could not
+lift it. At last a third sister came to him and gave him a drop of
+something to drink, which she said would give him the needful
+strength. He drank one drop, but still he could not lift the sword;
+then he drank a second, and the sword began to move; but only after he
+had drunk a third drop was he able to swing the sword over his head.
+
+Then he hid himself in the castle and awaited the old witch’s arrival.
+At last as it was beginning to grow dark she appeared. She swooped
+down upon a big apple-tree, and after shaking some golden apples from
+it, she pounced down upon the earth. As soon as her feet touched the
+ground she became transformed from a hawk into a woman. This was the
+moment the youth was waiting for, and he swung his mighty sword in the
+air with all his strength and the witch’s head fell off, and her blood
+spurted up on the walls.
+
+Without fear of any further danger, he packed up all the treasures of
+the castle into great chests, and gave his brothers a signal to pull
+them up out of the abyss. First the treasures were attached to the
+rope and then the three lovely girls. And now everything was up above
+and only he himself remained below. But as he was a little suspicious
+of his brothers, he fastened a heavy stone on to the rope and let them
+pull it up. At first they heaved with a will, but when the stone was
+half way up they let it drop suddenly, and it fell to the bottom
+broken into a hundred pieces.
+
+‘So that’s what would have happened to my bones had I trusted myself
+to them,’ said the youth sadly; and he began to cry bitterly, not
+because of the treasures, but because of the lovely girl with her
+swan-like neck and golden hair.
+
+[Illustration: ‘Then the youth swung his mighty sword in the air, and
+with one blow cut off the serpent’s head’]
+
+For a long time he wandered sadly all through the beautiful
+underworld, and one day he met a magician who asked him the cause of
+his tears. The youth told him all that had befallen him, and the
+magician said:
+
+‘Do not grieve, young man! If you will guard the children who are
+hidden in the golden apple-tree, I will bring you at once up to the
+earth. Another magician who lives in this land always eats my children
+up. It is in vain that I have hidden them under the earth and locked
+them into the castle. Now I have hidden them in the apple-tree; hide
+yourself there too, and at midnight you will see my enemy.’
+
+The youth climbed up the tree, and picked some of the beautiful golden
+apples, which he ate for his supper.
+
+At midnight the wind began to rise, and a rustling sound was heard at
+the foot of the tree. The youth looked down and beheld a long thick
+serpent beginning to crawl up the tree. It wound itself round the stem
+and gradually got higher and higher. It stretched its huge head, in
+which the eyes glittered fiercely, among the branches, searching for
+the nest in which the little children lay. They trembled with terror
+when they saw the hideous creature, and hid themselves beneath the
+leaves.
+
+Then the youth swung his mighty sword in the air, and with one blow
+cut off the serpent’s head. He cut up the rest of the body into little
+bits and strewed them to the four winds.
+
+The father of the rescued children was so delighted over the death of
+his enemy that he told the youth to get on his back, and in this way
+he carried him up to the world above.
+
+With what joy did he hurry now to his brothers’ house! He burst into a
+room where they were all assembled, but no one knew who he was. Only
+his bride, who was serving as cook to her sisters, recognised her
+lover at once.
+
+His brothers, who had quite believed he was dead, yielded him up his
+treasures at once, and flew into the woods in terror. But the good
+youth forgave them all they had done, and divided his treasures with
+them. Then he built himself a big castle with golden windows, and
+there he lived happily with his golden-haired wife till the end of
+their lives.
+
+
+
+
+_THE BOY AND THE WOLVES, OR THE BROKEN PROMISE_[18]
+
+
+Once upon a time an Indian hunter built himself a house in the middle
+of a great forest, far away from all his tribe; for his heart was
+gentle and kind, and he was weary of the treachery and cruel deeds of
+those who had been his friends. So he left them, and took his wife and
+three children, and they journeyed on until they found a spot near to
+a clear stream, where they began to cut down trees, and to make ready
+their wigwam. For many years they lived peacefully and happily in this
+sheltered place, never leaving it except to hunt the wild animals,
+which served them both for food and clothes. At last, however, the
+strong man felt sick, and before long he knew he must die.
+
+So he gathered his family round him, and said his last words to them.
+‘You, my wife, the companion of my days, will follow me ere many moons
+have waned to the island of the blest. But for you, O my children,
+whose lives are but newly begun, the wickedness, unkindness, and
+ingratitude from which I fled are before you. Yet I shall go hence in
+peace, my children, if you will promise always to love each other, and
+never to forsake your youngest brother.’
+
+‘Never!’ they replied, holding out their hands. And the hunter died
+content.
+
+Scarcely eight moons had passed when, just as he had said, the wife
+went forth, and followed her husband; but before leaving her children
+she bade the two elder ones think of their promise never to forsake
+the younger, for he was a child, and weak. And while the snow lay
+thick upon the ground, they tended him and cherished him; but when the
+earth showed green again, the heart of the young man stirred within
+him, and he longed to see the wigwams of the village where his
+father’s youth was spent.
+
+[Footnote 18: A North American Indian Story.]
+
+Therefore he opened all his heart to his sister, who answered: ‘My
+brother, I understand your longing for our fellow-men, whom here we
+cannot see. But remember our father’s words. Shall we not seek our own
+pleasures, and forget the little one?’
+
+But he would not listen, and, making no reply, he took his bow and
+arrows and left the hut. The snows fell and melted, yet he never
+returned; and at last the heart of the girl grew cold and hard, and
+her little boy became a burden in her eyes, till one day she spoke
+thus to him: ‘See, there is food for many days to come. Stay here
+within the shelter of the hut. I go to seek our brother, and when I
+have found him I shall return hither.’
+
+[Illustration: ‘My brother, my brother, I am becoming a wolf!’]
+
+But when, after hard journeying, she reached the village where her
+brother dwelt, and saw that he had a wife and was happy, and when she,
+too, was sought by a young brave, then she also forgot the boy alone
+in the forest, and thought only of her husband.
+
+Now as soon as the little boy had eaten all the food which his sister
+had left him, he went out into the woods, and gathered berries and dug
+up roots, and while the sun shone he was contented and had his fill.
+But when the snows began and the wind howled, then his stomach felt
+empty and his limbs cold, and he hid in trees all the night, and only
+crept out to eat what the wolves had left behind. And by-and-by,
+having no other friends, he sought their company, and sat by while
+they devoured their prey, and they grew to know him, and gave him
+food. And without them he would have died in the snow.
+
+But at last the snows melted, and the ice upon the great lake, and as
+the wolves went down to the shore, the boy went after them. And it
+happened one day that his big brother was fishing in his canoe near
+the shore, and he heard the voice of a child singing in the Indian
+tone—
+
+     ‘My brother, my brother!
+      I am becoming a wolf,
+      I am becoming a wolf!’
+
+And when he had so sung he howled as wolves howl. Then the heart of
+the elder sunk, and he hastened towards him, crying, ‘Brother, little
+brother, come to me;’ but he, being half a wolf, only continued his
+song. And the louder the elder called him, ‘Brother, little brother,
+come to me,’ the swifter he fled after his brothers the wolves, and
+the heavier grew his skin, till, with a long howl, he vanished into
+the depths of the forest.
+
+So, with shame and anguish in his soul, the elder brother went back to
+his village, and, with his sister, mourned the little boy and the
+broken promise till the end of his life.
+
+
+
+
+_THE GLASS AXE_[19]
+
+
+There was once upon a time a King and Queen who had everything they
+could possibly wish for in this world except a child. At last, after
+twelve years, the Queen gave birth to a son; but she did not live long
+to enjoy her happiness, for on the following day she died. But before
+her death she called her husband to her and said, ‘Never let the child
+put his feet on the ground, for as soon as he does so he will fall
+into the power of a wicked Fairy, who will do him much harm.’ And
+these were the last words the poor Queen spoke.
+
+The boy throve and grew big, and when he was too heavy for his nurse
+to carry, a chair was made for him on little wheels, in which he could
+wander through the palace gardens without help; at other times he was
+carried about on a litter, and he was always carefully watched and
+guarded for fear he should at any time put his feet to the ground.
+
+But as this sort of life was bad for his health, the doctors ordered
+him horse exercise, and he soon became a first-rate rider, and used to
+go out for long excursions on horseback, accompanied always by his
+father’s stud-groom and a numerous retinue.
+
+Every day he rode through the neighbouring fields and woods, and
+always returned home in the evening safe and well. In this way many
+years passed, and the Prince grew to manhood, and hardly anyone
+remembered the Queen’s warning, though precautions were still taken,
+more from use and wont than for any other reason.
+
+[Footnote 19: From the Hungarian. Kletke.]
+
+One day the Prince and his suite went out for a ride in a wood where
+his father sometimes held a hunt. Their way led through a stream whose
+banks were overgrown with thick brushwood. Just as the horsemen were
+about to ford the river, a hare, startled by the sound of the horses’
+hoofs, started up from the grass and ran towards the thicket. The
+young Prince pursued the little creature, and had almost overtaken it,
+when the girth of his saddle suddenly broke in two and he fell heavily
+to the ground. No sooner had his foot touched the earth than he
+disappeared before the eyes of the horrified courtiers.
+
+They sought for him far and near, but all in vain, and they were
+forced to recognise the power of the evil Fairy, against which the
+Queen had warned them on her death-bed. The old King was much grieved
+when they brought him the news of his son’s disappearance, but as he
+could do nothing to free him from his fate, he gave himself up to an
+old age of grief and loneliness, cherishing at the same time the hope
+that some lucky chance might one day deliver the youth out of the
+hands of his enemy.
+
+Hardly had the Prince touched the ground than he felt himself
+violently seized by an unseen power, and hurried away he knew not
+whither. A whole new world stretched out before him, quite unlike the
+one he had left. A splendid castle surrounded by a huge lake was the
+abode of the Fairy, and the only approach to it was over a bridge of
+clouds. On the other side of the lake high mountains rose up, and dark
+woods stretched along the banks; over all hung a thick mist, and deep
+silence reigned everywhere.
+
+No sooner had the Fairy reached her own domain than she made herself
+visible, and turning to the Prince she told him that unless he obeyed
+all her commands down to the minutest detail he would be severely
+punished. Then she gave him an axe made of glass, and bade him cross
+the bridge of clouds and go into the wood beyond and cut down all the
+trees there before sunset. At the same time she cautioned him with
+many angry words against speaking to a black girl he would most likely
+meet in the wood.
+
+The Prince listened to her words meekly, and when she had finished
+took up the glass axe and set out for the forest. At every step he
+seemed to sink into the clouds, but fear gave wings to his feet, and
+he crossed the lake in safety and set to work at once.
+
+But no sooner had he struck the first blow with his axe than it broke
+into a thousand pieces against the tree. The poor youth was so
+terrified he did not know what to do, for he was in mortal dread of
+the punishment the wicked old Fairy would inflict on him. He wandered
+to and fro in the wood, not knowing where he was going, and at last,
+worn out by fatigue and misery, he sank on the ground and fell fast
+asleep.
+
+He did not know how long he had slept when a sudden sound awoke him,
+and opening his eyes he saw a black girl standing beside him. Mindful
+of the Fairy’s warning he did not dare to address her, but she on her
+part greeted him in the most friendly manner, and asked him at once if
+he were under the power of the wicked Fairy. The Prince nodded his
+head silently in answer.
+
+Then the black girl told him that she too was in the power of the
+Fairy, who had doomed her to wander about in her present guise until
+some youth should take pity on her and bear her in safety to the other
+side of the river which they saw in the distance, and on the other
+side of which the Fairy’s domain and power ended.
+
+The girl’s words so inspired the Prince with confidence that he told
+her all his tale of woe, and ended up by asking her advice as to how
+he was to escape the punishment the Fairy would be sure to inflict on
+him when she discovered that he had not cut down the trees in the wood
+and that he had broken her axe.
+
+‘You must know,’ answered the black girl, ‘that the Fairy in whose
+power we both are is my own mother, but you must not betray this
+secret, for it would cost me my life. If you will only promise to try
+and free me I will stand by you, and will accomplish for you all the
+tasks which my mother sets you.’
+
+The Prince promised joyfully all she asked; then having once more
+warned him not to betray her confidence, she handed him a draught to
+drink which very soon sunk his senses in a deep slumber.
+
+His astonishment was great when he awoke to find the glass axe whole
+and unbroken at his side, and all the trees of the wood lying felled
+around him!
+
+He made all haste across the bridge of clouds, and told the Fairy that
+her commands were obeyed. She was much amazed when she heard that all
+the wood was cut down, and saw the axe unbroken in his hand, and since
+she could not believe that he had done all this by himself, she
+questioned him narrowly if he had seen or spoken to the black girl.
+But the Prince lied manfully, and swore he had never looked up from
+his work for a moment. Seeing she could get nothing more out of him,
+she gave him a little bread and water, and showing him to a small dark
+cupboard she told him he might sleep there.
+
+Morning had hardly dawned when the Fairy awoke the Prince, and giving
+him the glass axe again she told him to cut up all the wood he had
+felled the day before, and to put it in bundles ready for firewood; at
+the same time she warned him once more against approaching or speaking
+a word to the black girl if he met her in the wood.
+
+Although his task was no easier than that of the day before, the youth
+set out much more cheerfully, because he knew he could count on the
+help of the black girl. With quicker and lighter step he crossed the
+bridge of clouds, and hardly had he reached the other side than his
+friend stood before him and greeted him cheerfully. When she heard
+what the Fairy demanded this time, she answered smilingly, ‘Never
+fear,’ and handed him another draught, which very soon caused the
+Prince to sink into a deep sleep.
+
+When he awoke everything was done. All the trees of the wood were cut
+up into firewood and arranged in bundles ready for use.
+
+He returned to the castle as quickly as he could, and told the Fairy
+that her commands were obeyed. She was even more amazed than she had
+been before, and asked him again if he had either seen or spoken to
+the black girl; but the Prince knew better than to betray his word,
+and once more lied freely.
+
+On the following day the Fairy set him a third task to do, even harder
+than the other two. She told him he must build a castle on the other
+side of the lake, made of nothing but gold, silver, and precious
+stones, and unless he could accomplish this within an hour, the most
+frightful doom awaited him.
+
+The Prince heard her words without anxiety, so entirely did he rely on
+the help of his black friend. Full of hope he hurried across the
+bridge, and recognised at once the spot where the castle was to stand,
+for spades, hammers, axes, and every other building implement lay
+scattered on the ground ready for the workman’s hand, but of gold,
+silver, and precious stones there was not a sign. But before the
+Prince had time to feel despondent the black girl beckoned to him in
+the distance from behind a rock, where she had hidden herself for fear
+her mother should catch sight of her. Full of joy the youth hurried
+towards her, and begged her aid and counsel in the new piece of work
+he had been given to do.
+
+[Illustration: The Black Girl Stops the Witch with a Bit of the Rock]
+
+But this time the Fairy had watched the Prince’s movements from her
+window, and she saw him hiding himself behind the rock with her
+daughter. She uttered a piercing shriek so that the mountains
+re-echoed with the sound of it, and the terrified pair had hardly
+dared to look out from their hiding-place when the enraged woman, with
+her dress and hair flying in the wind, hurried over the bridge of
+clouds. The Prince at once gave himself up for lost, but the girl told
+him to be of good courage and to follow her as quickly as he could.
+But before they left their shelter she broke off a little bit of the
+rock, spoke some magic words over it, and threw it in the direction
+her mother was coming from. In a moment a glittering palace arose
+before the eyes of the Fairy which blinded her with its dazzling
+splendour, and with its many doors and passages prevented her for some
+time from finding her way out of it.
+
+In the meantime the black girl hurried on with the Prince, hastening
+to reach the river, where once on the other side they would for ever
+be out of the wicked Fairy’s power. But before they had accomplished
+half the way they heard again the rustle of her garments and her
+muttered curses pursuing them closely.
+
+The Prince was terrified; he dared not look back, and he felt his
+strength giving way. But before he had time to despair the girl
+uttered some more magic words, and immediately she herself was changed
+into a pond, and the Prince into a duck swimming on its surface.
+
+When the Fairy saw this her rage knew no bounds, and she used all her
+magic wits to make the pond disappear; she caused a hill of sand to
+arise at her feet, meaning it to dry up the water at once. But the
+sand hill only drove the pond a little farther away, and its waters
+seemed to increase instead of diminishing. When the old woman saw that
+the powers of her magic were of so little avail, she had recourse to
+cunning. She threw a lot of gold nuts into the pond, hoping in this
+way to catch the duck, but all her efforts were fruitless, for the
+little creature refused to let itself be caught.
+
+Then a new idea struck the wicked old woman, and hiding herself behind
+the rock which had sheltered the fugitives, she waited behind it,
+watching carefully for the moment when the Prince and her daughter
+should resume their natural forms and continue their journey.
+
+She had not to wait long, for as soon as the girl thought her mother
+was safely out of the way, she changed herself and the Prince once
+more into their human shape, and set out cheerfully for the river.
+
+But they had not gone many steps when the wicked Fairy hurried after
+them, a drawn dagger in her hand, and was close upon them, when
+suddenly, instead of the Prince and her daughter, she found herself in
+front of a great stone church, whose entrance was carefully guarded by
+a huge monk.
+
+Breathless with rage and passion, she tried to plunge her dagger into
+the monk’s heart, but it fell shattered in pieces at her feet. In her
+desperation she determined to pull down the church, and thus to
+destroy her two victims for ever. She stamped three times on the
+ground, and the earth trembled, and both the church and the monk began
+to shake. As soon as the Fairy saw this she retreated to some distance
+from the building, so as not to be hurt herself by its fall. But once
+more her scheme was doomed to failure, for hardly had she gone a yard
+from the church than both it and the monk disappeared, and she found
+herself in a wood black as night, and full of wolves and bears and
+wild animals of all sorts and descriptions.
+
+Then her wrath gave place to terror, for she feared every moment to be
+torn in pieces by the beasts who one and all seemed to defy her power.
+She thought it wisest to make her way as best she could out of the
+forest, and then to pursue the fugitives once more and accomplish
+their destruction either by force or cunning.
+
+In the meantime the Prince and the black girl had again assumed their
+natural forms, and were hurrying on as fast as they could to reach the
+river. But when they got there they found that there was no way in
+which they could cross it, and the girl’s magic art seemed no longer
+to have any power. Then turning to the Prince she said, ‘The hour for
+my deliverance has not yet come, but as you promised to do all you
+could to free me, you must do exactly as I bid you now. Take this bow
+and arrow and kill every beast you see with them, and be sure you
+spare no living creature.’
+
+With these words she disappeared, and hardly had she done so than a
+huge wild boar started out of the thicket near and made straight for
+the Prince. But the youth did not lose his presence of mind, and
+drawing his bow he pierced the beast with his arrow right through the
+skull. The creature fell heavily on the ground, and out of its side
+sprang a little hare, which ran like the wind along the river bank.
+The Prince drew his bow once more, and the hare lay dead at his feet;
+but at the same moment a dove rose up in the air, and circled round
+the Prince’s head in the most confiding manner. But mindful of the
+black girl’s commands, he dared not spare the little creature’s life,
+and taking another arrow from his quiver he laid it as dead as the
+boar and the hare. But when he went to look at the body of the bird he
+found instead of the dove a round white egg lying on the ground.
+
+While he was gazing on it and wondering what it could mean, he heard
+the sweeping of wings above him, and looking up he saw a huge vulture
+with open claws swooping down upon him. In a moment he seized the egg
+and flung it at the bird with all his might, and lo and behold!
+instead of the ugly monster the most beautiful girl he had ever seen
+stood before the astonished eyes of the Prince.
+
+[Illustration: ‘But the waters seized her chariot and sunk it in the
+lowest depths’]
+
+But while all this was going on the wicked old Fairy had managed to
+make her way out of the wood, and was now using the last resource in
+her power to overtake her daughter and the Prince. As soon as she was
+in the open again she mounted her chariot, which was drawn by a fiery
+dragon, and flew through the air in it. But just as she got to the
+river she saw the two lovers in each other’s arms swimming through the
+water as easily as two fishes.
+
+Quick as lightning, and forgetful of every danger, she flew down upon
+them. But the waters seized her chariot and sunk it in the lowest
+depths, and the waves bore the wicked old woman down the stream till
+she was caught in some thorn bushes, where she made a good meal for
+all the little fishes that were swimming about.
+
+And so at last the Prince and his lovely Bride were free. They hurried
+as quickly as they could to the old King, who received them with joy
+and gladness. On the following day a most gorgeous wedding feast was
+held, and as far as we know the Prince and his Bride lived happily for
+ever afterwards.
+
+
+
+
+_THE DEAD WIFE_[20]
+
+
+Once upon a time there were a man and his wife who lived in the
+forest, very far from the rest of the tribe. Very often they spent the
+day in hunting together, but after a while the wife found that she had
+so many things to do that she was obliged to stay at home; so he went
+alone, though he found that when his wife was not with him he never
+had any luck. One day, when he was away hunting, the woman fell ill,
+and in a few days she died. Her husband grieved bitterly, and buried
+her in the house where she had passed her life; but as the time went
+on he felt so lonely without her that he made a wooden doll about her
+height and size for company, and dressed it in her clothes. He seated
+it in front of the fire, and tried to think he had his wife back
+again. The next day he went out to hunt, and when he came home the
+first thing he did was to go up to the doll and brush off some of the
+ashes from the fire which had fallen on its face. But he was very busy
+now, for he had to cook and mend, besides getting food, for there was
+no one to help him. And so a whole year passed away.
+
+At the end of that time he came back from hunting one night and found
+some wood by the door and a fire within. The next night there was not
+only wood and fire, but a piece of meat in the kettle, nearly ready
+for eating. He searched all about to see who could have done this, but
+could find no one. The next time he went to hunt he took care not to
+go far, and came in quite early. And while he was still a long way off
+he saw a woman going into the house with wood on her shoulders. So he
+made haste, and opened the door quickly, and instead of the wooden
+doll, his wife sat in front of the fire.
+
+Then she spoke to him and said, ‘The Great Spirit felt sorry for you,
+because you would not be comforted, so he let me come back to you, but
+you must not stretch out your hand to touch me till we have seen the
+rest of our people. If you do, I shall die.’
+
+[Footnote 20: From the Iroquois.]
+
+So the man listened to her words, and the woman dwelt there, and
+brought the wood and kindled the fire, till one day her husband said
+to her, ‘It is now two years since you died. Let us now go back to our
+tribe. Then you will be well, and I can touch you.’
+
+[Illustration: The Indian Finds His Wife Sitting by the Fire.]
+
+And with that he prepared food for the journey, a string of deer’s
+flesh for her to carry, and one for himself; and so they started. Now
+the camp of the tribe was distant six days’ journey, and when they
+were yet one day’s journey off it began to snow, and they felt weary
+and longed for rest. Therefore they made a fire, cooked some food, and
+spread out their skins to sleep.
+
+Then the heart of the man was greatly stirred, and he stretched out
+his arms to his wife, but she waved her hands and said, ‘We have seen
+no one yet; it is too soon.’
+
+But he would not listen to her, and caught her to him, and behold! he
+was clasping the wooden doll. And when he saw it was the doll he
+pushed it from him in his misery and rushed away to the camp, and told
+them all his story. And some doubted, and they went back with him to
+the place where he and his wife had stopped to rest, and there lay the
+doll, and besides, they saw in the snow the steps of two people, and
+the foot of one was like the foot of the doll. And the man grieved
+sore all the days of his life.
+
+
+
+
+_IN THE LAND OF SOULS_[21]
+
+
+Far away, in North America, where the Red Indians dwell, there lived a
+long time ago a beautiful maiden, who was lovelier than any other girl
+in the whole tribe. Many of the young braves sought her in marriage,
+but she would listen to one only—a handsome chief, who had taken her
+fancy some years before. So they were to be married, and great
+rejoicings were made, and the two looked forward to a long life of
+happiness together, when the very night before the wedding feast a
+sudden illness seized the girl, and, without a word to her friends who
+were weeping round her, she passed silently away.
+
+The heart of her lover had been set upon her, and the thought of her
+remained with him night and day. He put aside his bow, and went
+neither to fight nor to hunt, but from sunrise to sunset he sat by the
+place where she was laid, thinking of his happiness that was buried
+there. At last, after many days, a light seemed to come to him out of
+the darkness. He remembered having heard from the old, old people of
+the tribe, that there was a path that led to the Land of Souls—that
+if you sought carefully you could find it.
+
+So the next morning he got up early, and put some food in his pouch
+and slung an extra skin over his shoulders, for he knew not how long
+his journey would take, nor what sort of country he would have to go
+through. Only one thing he knew, that if the path was there, he would
+find it. At first he was puzzled, as there seemed no reason he should
+go in one direction more than another. Then all at once he thought he
+had heard one of the old men say that the Land of Souls lay to the
+south, and so, filled with new hope and courage, he set his face
+southwards. For many, many miles the country looked the same as it did
+round his own home. The forests, the hills, and the rivers all seemed
+exactly like the ones he had left. The only thing that was different
+was the snow, which had lain thick upon the hills and trees when he
+started, but grew less and less the farther he went south, till it
+disappeared altogether. Soon the trees put forth their buds, and
+flowers sprang up under his feet, and instead of thick clouds there
+was blue sky over his head, and everywhere the birds were singing.
+Then he knew that he was in the right road.
+
+[Footnote 21: From the Red Indian.]
+
+The thought that he should soon behold his lost bride made his heart
+beat for joy, and he sped along lightly and swiftly. Now his way led
+through a dark wood, and then over some steep cliffs, and on the top
+of these he found a hut or wigwam. An old man clothed in skins, and
+holding a staff in his hand, stood in the doorway; and he said to the
+young chief who was beginning to tell his story, ‘I was waiting for
+you, wherefore you have come I know. It is but a short while since she
+whom you seek was here. Rest in my hut, as she also rested, and I will
+tell you what you ask, and whither you should go.’
+
+On hearing these words, the young man entered the hut, but his heart
+was too eager within him to suffer him to rest, and when he arose, the
+old man rose too, and stood with him at the door. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘at
+the water which lies far out yonder, and the plains which stretch
+beyond. That is the Land of Souls, but no man enters it without
+leaving his body behind him. So, lay down your body here; your bow and
+arrows, your skin and your dog. They shall be kept for you safely.’
+
+Then he turned away, and the young chief, light as air, seemed hardly
+to touch the ground; and as he flew along the scents grew sweeter and
+the flowers more beautiful, while the animals rubbed their noses
+against him, instead of hiding as he approached, and birds circled
+round him, and fishes lifted up their heads and looked as he went by.
+Very soon he noticed with wonder, that neither rocks nor trees barred
+his path. He passed through them without knowing it, for indeed, they
+were not rocks and trees at all, but only the souls of them; for this
+was the Land of Shadows.
+
+So he went on with winged feet till he came to the shores of a great
+lake, with a lovely island in the middle of it; while on the bank of
+the lake was a canoe of glittering stone, and in the canoe were two
+shining paddles.
+
+The chief jumped straight into the canoe, and seizing the paddles
+pushed off from the shore, when to his joy and wonder he saw following
+him in another canoe exactly like his own the maiden for whose sake he
+had made this long journey. But they could not touch each other, for
+between them rolled great waves, which looked as if they would sink
+the boats, yet never did. And the young man and the maiden shrank with
+fear, for down in the depths of the water they saw the bones of those
+who had died before, and in the waves themselves men and women were
+struggling, and but few passed over. Only the children had no fear,
+and reached the other side in safety. Still, though the chief and the
+young girl quailed in terror at these horrible sights and sounds, no
+harm came to them, for their lives had been free from evil, and the
+Master of Life had said that no evil should happen unto them. So they
+reached unhurt the shore of the Happy Island, and wandered through the
+flowery fields and by the banks of rushing streams, and they knew not
+hunger nor thirst; neither cold nor heat. The air fed them and the sun
+warmed them, and they forgot the dead, for they saw no graves, and the
+young man’s thoughts turned not to wars, neither to the hunting of
+animals. And gladly would these two have walked thus for ever, but in
+the murmur of the wind he heard the Master of Life saying to him,
+‘Return whither you came, for I have work for you to do, and your
+people need you, and for many years you shall rule over them. At the
+gate my messenger awaits you, and you shall take again your body which
+you left behind, and he will show you what you are to do. Listen to
+him, and have patience, and in time to come you shall rejoin her whom
+you must now leave, for she is accepted, and will remain ever young
+and beautiful, as when I called her hence from the Land of Snows.’
+
+
+
+
+_THE WHITE DUCK_
+
+
+Once upon a time a great and powerful King married a lovely Princess.
+No couple were ever so happy; but before their honeymoon was over they
+were forced to part, for the King had to go on a warlike expedition to
+a far country, and leave his young wife alone at home. Bitter were the
+tears she shed, while her husband sought in vain to soothe her with
+words of comfort and counsel, warning her, above all things, never to
+leave the castle, to hold no intercourse with strangers, to beware of
+evil counsellors, and especially to be on her guard against strange
+women. And the Queen promised faithfully to obey her royal lord and
+master in these four matters.
+
+So when the King set out on his expedition she shut herself up with
+her ladies in her own apartments, and spent her time in spinning and
+weaving, and in thinking of her royal husband. Often she was very sad
+and lonely, and it happened that one day while she was seated at the
+window, letting salt tears drop on her work, an old woman, a kind,
+homely-looking old body, stepped up to the window, and, leaning upon
+her crutch, addressed the Queen in friendly, flattering tones, saying:
+
+‘Why are you sad and cast down, fair Queen? You should not mope all
+day in your rooms, but should come out into the green garden, and hear
+the birds sing with joy among the trees, and see the butterflies
+fluttering above the flowers, and hear the bees and insects hum, and
+watch the sunbeams chase the dew-drops through the rose-leaves and in
+the lily-cups. All the brightness outside would help to drive away
+your cares, O Queen.’
+
+[Illustration: The Witch persuades the Queen to bathe]
+
+For long the Queen resisted her coaxing words, remembering the promise
+she had given the King, her husband; but at last she thought to
+herself: After all, what harm would it do if I were to go into the
+garden for a short time and enjoy myself among the trees and flowers,
+and the singing birds and fluttering butterflies and humming insects,
+and look at the dew-drops hiding from the sunbeams in the hearts of
+the roses and lilies, and wander about in the sunshine, instead of
+remaining all day in this room? For she had no idea that the
+kind-looking old woman leaning on her crutch was in reality a wicked
+witch, who envied the Queen her good fortune, and was determined to
+ruin her. And so, in all ignorance, the Queen followed her out into
+the garden and listened to her smooth, flattering words. Now, in the
+middle of the garden there was a pond of water, clear as crystal, and
+the old woman said to the Queen:
+
+‘The day is so warm, and the sun’s rays so scorching, that the water
+in the pond looks very cool and inviting. Would you not like to bathe
+in it, fair Queen?’
+
+‘No, I think not,’ answered the Queen; but the next moment she
+regretted her words, and thought to herself: Why shouldn’t I bathe in
+that cool, fresh water? No harm could come of it. And, so saying, she
+slipped off her robes and stepped into the water. But scarcely had her
+tender feet touched the cool ripples when she felt a great shove on
+her shoulders, and the wicked witch had pushed her into the deep
+water, exclaiming:
+
+‘Swim henceforth, White Duck!’
+
+And the witch herself assumed the form of the Queen, and decked
+herself out in the royal robes, and sat among the Court ladies,
+awaiting the King’s return. And suddenly the tramp of horses’ hoofs
+was heard, and the barking of dogs, and the witch hastened forward to
+meet the royal carriages, and, throwing her arms round the King’s
+neck, kissed him. And in his great joy the King did not know that the
+woman he held in his arms was not his own dear wife, but a wicked
+witch.
+
+In the meantime, outside the palace walls, the poor White Duck swam up
+and down the pond; and near it laid three eggs, out of which there
+came one morning two little fluffy ducklings and a little ugly drake.
+And the White Duck brought the little creatures up, and they paddled
+after her in the pond, and caught gold-fish, and hopped upon the bank
+and waddled about, ruffling their feathers and saying ‘Quack, quack’
+as they strutted about on the green banks of the pond. But their
+mother used to warn them not to stray too far, telling them that a
+wicked witch lived in the castle beyond the garden, adding, ‘She has
+ruined me, and she will do her best to ruin you.’ But the young ones
+did not listen to their mother, and, playing about the garden one day,
+they strayed close up to the castle windows. The witch at once
+recognised them by their smell, and ground her teeth with anger; but
+she hid her feelings, and, pretending to be very kind, she called them
+to her and joked with them, and led them into a beautiful room, where
+she gave them food to eat, and showed them a soft cushion on which
+they might sleep. Then she left them and went down into the palace
+kitchens, where she told the servants to sharpen the knives, and to
+make a great fire ready, and hang a large kettleful of water over it.
+
+In the meantime the two little ducklings had fallen asleep, and the
+little drake lay between them, covered up by their wings, to be kept
+warm under their feathers. But the little drake could not go to sleep,
+and as he lay there wide awake in the night he heard the witch come to
+the door and say:
+
+‘Little ones, are you asleep?’
+
+And the little drake answered for the other two:
+
+     ‘We cannot sleep, we wake and weep,
+      Sharp is the knife, to take our life;
+      The fire is hot, now boils the pot,
+      And so we wake, and lie and quake.’
+
+‘They are not asleep yet,’ muttered the witch to herself; and she
+walked up and down in the passage, and then came back to the door, and
+said:
+
+‘Little ones, are you asleep?’
+
+And again the little drake answered for his sisters:
+
+     ‘We cannot sleep, we wake and weep,
+      Sharp is the knife, to take our life;
+      The fire is hot, now boils the pot,
+      And so we wake, and lie and quake.’
+
+‘Just the same answer,’ muttered the witch; ‘I think I’ll go in and
+see.’ So she opened the door gently, and seeing the two little
+ducklings sound asleep, she there and then killed them.
+
+The next morning the White Duck wandered round the pond in a
+distracted manner, looking for her little ones; she called and she
+searched, but could find no trace of them. And in her heart she had a
+foreboding that evil had befallen them, and she fluttered up out of
+the water and flew to the palace. And there, laid out on the marble
+floor of the court, dead and stone cold, were her three children. The
+White Duck threw herself upon them, and, covering up their little
+bodies with her wings, she cried:
+
+     ‘Quack, quack—my little loves!
+      Quack, quack—my turtle-doves!
+      I brought you up with grief and pain,
+      And now before my eyes you’re slain.
+      I gave you always of the best;
+      I kept you warm in my soft nest.
+      I loved and watched you day and night—
+      You were my joy, my one delight.’
+
+[Illustration: The King catches the White Duck]
+
+The King heard the sad complaint of the White Duck, and called to the
+witch: ‘Wife, what a wonder is this? Listen to that White Duck.’
+
+But the witch answered, ‘My dear husband, what do you mean? There is
+nothing wonderful in a duck’s quacking. Here, servants! Chase that
+duck out of the courtyard.’ But though the servants chased and
+chevied, they could not get rid of the duck; for she circled round and
+round, and always came back to the spot where her children lay,
+crying:
+
+     ‘Quack, quack—my little loves!
+      Quack, quack—my turtle-doves!
+      The wicked witch your lives did take—
+      The wicked witch, the cunning snake.
+      First she stole my King away,
+      Then my children did she slay.
+      Changed me, from a happy wife,
+      To a duck for all my life.
+      Would I were the Queen again;
+      Would that you had ne’er been slain.’
+
+And as the King heard her words he began to suspect that he had been
+deceived, and he called out to the servants, ‘Catch that duck, and
+bring it here.’ But, though they ran to and fro, the duck always fled
+past them, and would not let herself be caught. So the King himself
+stepped down amongst them, and instantly the duck fluttered down into
+his hands. And as he stroked her wings she was changed into a
+beautiful woman, and he recognised his dear wife. And she told him
+that a bottle would be found in her nest in the garden, containing
+some drops from the spring of healing. And it was brought to her; and
+the ducklings and little drake were sprinkled with the water, and from
+the little dead bodies three lovely children arose. And the King and
+Queen were overjoyed when they saw their children, and they all lived
+happily together in the beautiful palace. But the wicked witch was
+taken by the King’s command, and she came to no good end.
+
+
+
+
+_THE WITCH AND HER SERVANTS_[22]
+
+
+A long time ago there lived a King who had three sons; the eldest was
+called Szabo, the second Warza, and the youngest Iwanich.
+
+One beautiful spring morning the King was walking through his gardens
+with these three sons, gazing with admiration at the various
+fruit-trees, some of which were a mass of blossom, whilst others were
+bowed to the ground laden with rich fruit. During their wanderings
+they came unperceived on a piece of waste land where three splendid
+trees grew. The King looked on them for a moment, and then, shaking
+his head sadly, he passed on in silence.
+
+The sons, who could not understand why he did this, asked him the
+reason of his dejection, and the King told them as follows:
+
+‘These three trees, which I cannot see without sorrow, were planted by
+me on this spot when I was a youth of twenty. A celebrated magician,
+who had given the seed to my father, promised him that they would grow
+into the three finest trees the world had ever seen. My father did not
+live to see his words come true; but on his death-bed he bade me
+transplant them here, and to look after them with the greatest care,
+which I accordingly did. At last, after the lapse of five long years,
+I noticed some blossoms on the branches, and a few days later the most
+exquisite fruit my eyes had ever seen.
+
+‘I gave my head-gardener the strictest orders to watch the trees
+carefully, for the magician had warned my father that if one unripe
+fruit were plucked from the tree, all the rest would become rotten at
+once. When it was quite ripe the fruit would become a golden yellow.
+
+‘Every day I gazed on the lovely fruit, which became gradually more
+and more tempting-looking, and it was all I could do not to break the
+magician’s commands.
+
+[Footnote 22: From the Russian. Kletke.]
+
+‘One night I dreamt that the fruit was perfectly ripe; I ate some of
+it, and it was more delicious than anything I had ever tasted in real
+life. As soon as I awoke I sent for the gardener and asked him if the
+fruit on the three trees had not ripened in the night to perfection.
+
+‘But instead of replying, the gardener threw himself at my feet and
+swore that he was innocent. He said that he had watched by the trees
+all night, but in spite of it, and as if by magic, the beautiful trees
+had been robbed of all their fruit.
+
+‘Grieved as I was over the theft, I did not punish the gardener, of
+whose fidelity I was well assured, but I determined to pluck off all
+the fruit in the following year before it was ripe, as I had not much
+belief in the magician’s warning.
+
+‘I carried out my intention, and had all the fruit picked off the
+tree, but when I tasted one of the apples it was bitter and
+unpleasant, and the next morning the rest of the fruit had all rotted
+away.
+
+‘After this I had the beautiful fruit of these trees carefully guarded
+by my most faithful servants; but every year, on this very night, the
+fruit was plucked and stolen by an invisible hand, and next morning
+not a single apple remained on the trees. For some time past I have
+given up even having the trees watched.’
+
+When the King had finished his story, Szabo, his eldest son, said to
+him: ‘Forgive me, father, if I say I think you are mistaken. I am sure
+there are many men in your kingdom who could protect these trees from
+the cunning arts of a thieving magician; I myself, who as your eldest
+son claim the first right to do so, will mount guard over the fruit
+this very night.’
+
+The King consented, and as soon as evening drew on Szabo climbed up on
+to one of the trees, determined to protect the fruit even if it cost
+him his life. So he kept watch half the night; but a little after
+midnight he was overcome by an irresistible drowsiness, and fell fast
+asleep. He did not awake till it was bright daylight, and all the
+fruit on the trees had vanished.
+
+The following year Warza, the second brother, tried his luck, but with
+the same result. Then it came to the turn of the third and youngest
+son.
+
+Iwanich was not the least discouraged by the failure of his elder
+brothers, though they were both much older and stronger than he was,
+and when night came climbed up the tree as they had done. The moon had
+risen, and with her soft light lit up the whole neighbourhood, so that
+the observant Prince could distinguish the smallest object distinctly.
+
+[Illustration: Iwanich Holds Fast the Swan.]
+
+At midnight a gentle west wind shook the tree, and at the same moment
+a snow-white swan-like bird sank down gently on his breast. The Prince
+hastily seized the bird’s wings in his hands, when, lo! to his
+astonishment he found he was holding in his arms not a bird but the
+most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
+
+‘You need not fear Militza,’ said the beautiful girl, looking at the
+Prince with friendly eyes. ‘An evil magician has not robbed you of
+your fruit, but he stole the seed from my mother, and thereby caused
+her death. When she was dying she bade me take the fruit, which you
+have no right to possess, from the trees every year as soon as it was
+ripe. This I would have done to-night too, if you had not seized me
+with such force, and so broken the spell I was under.’
+
+[Illustration: Militza Leaves Iwanich in the Tree]
+
+Iwanich, who had been prepared to meet a terrible magician and not a
+lovely girl, fell desperately in love with her. They spent the rest of
+the night in pleasant conversation, and when Militza wished to go away
+he begged her not to leave him.
+
+‘I would gladly stay with you longer,’ said Militza, ‘but a wicked
+witch once cut off a lock of my hair when I was asleep, which has put
+me in her power, and if morning were still to find me here she would
+do me some harm, and you, too, perhaps.’
+
+Having said these words, she drew a sparkling diamond ring from her
+finger, which she handed to the Prince, saying: ‘Keep this ring in
+memory of Militza, and think of her sometimes if you never see her
+again. But if your love is really true, come and find me in my own
+kingdom. I may not show you the way there, but this ring will guide
+you.
+
+‘If you have love and courage enough to undertake this journey,
+whenever you come to a cross-road always look at this diamond before
+you settle which way you are going to take. If it sparkles as brightly
+as ever go straight on, but if its lustre is dimmed choose another
+path.’
+
+Then Militza bent over the Prince and kissed him on his forehead, and
+before he had time to say a word she vanished through the branches of
+the tree in a little white cloud.
+
+Morning broke, and the Prince, still full of the wonderful apparition,
+left his perch and returned to the palace like one in a dream, without
+even knowing if the fruit had been taken or not; for his whole mind
+was absorbed by thoughts of Militza and how he was to find her.
+
+As soon as the head-gardener saw the Prince going towards the palace
+he ran to the trees, and when he saw them laden with ripe fruit he
+hastened to tell the King the joyful news. The King was beside himself
+for joy, and hurried at once to the garden and made the gardener pick
+him some of the fruit. He tasted it, and found the apple quite as
+luscious as it had been in his dream. He went at once to his son
+Iwanich, and after embracing him tenderly and heaping praises on him,
+he asked him how he had succeeded in protecting the costly fruit from
+the power of the magician.
+
+This question placed Iwanich in a dilemma. But as he did not want the
+real story to be known, he said that about midnight a huge wasp had
+flown through the branches, and buzzed incessantly round him. He had
+warded it off with his sword, and at dawn, when he was becoming quite
+worn out, the wasp had vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
+
+The King, who never doubted the truth of this tale, bade his son go to
+rest at once and recover from the fatigues of the night; but he
+himself went and ordered many feasts to be held in honour of the
+preservation of the wonderful fruit.
+
+The whole capital was in a stir, and everyone shared in the King’s
+joy; the Prince alone took no part in the festivities.
+
+While the King was at a banquet, Iwanich took some purses of gold, and
+mounting the quickest horse in the royal stable, he sped off like the
+wind without a single soul being any the wiser.
+
+It was only on the next day that they missed him; the King was very
+distressed at his disappearance, and sent search-parties all over the
+kingdom to look for him, but in vain; and after six months they gave
+him up as dead, and in another six months they had forgotten all about
+him. But in the meantime the Prince, with the help of his ring, had
+had a most successful journey, and no evil had befallen him.
+
+At the end of three months he came to the entrance of a huge forest,
+which looked as if it had never been trodden by human foot before, and
+which seemed to stretch out indefinitely. The Prince was about to
+enter the wood by a little path he had discovered, when he heard a
+voice shouting to him: ‘Hold, youth! Whither are you going?’
+
+Iwanich turned round, and saw a tall, gaunt-looking man, clad in
+miserable rags, leaning on a crooked staff and seated at the foot of
+an oak tree, which was so much the same colour as himself that it was
+little wonder the Prince had ridden past the tree without noticing
+him.
+
+‘Where else should I be going,’ he said, ‘than through the wood?’
+
+‘Through the wood?’ said the old man in amazement. ‘It’s easily seen
+that you have heard nothing of this forest, that you rush so blindly
+to meet your doom. Well, listen to me before you ride any further; let
+me tell you that this wood hides in its depths a countless number of
+the fiercest tigers, hyenas, wolves, bears, and snakes, and all sorts
+of other monsters. If I were to cut you and your horse up into tiny
+morsels and throw them to the beasts, there wouldn’t be one bit for
+each hundred of them. Take my advice, therefore, and if you wish to
+save your life follow some other path.’
+
+The Prince was rather taken aback by the old man’s words, and
+considered for a minute what he should do; then looking at his ring,
+and perceiving that it sparkled as brightly as ever, he called out:
+‘If this wood held even more terrible things than it does, I cannot
+help myself, for I must go through it.’
+
+Here he spurred his horse and rode on; but the old beggar screamed so
+loudly after him that the Prince turned round and rode back to the oak
+tree.
+
+‘I am really sorry for you,’ said the beggar, ‘but if you are quite
+determined to brave the dangers of the forest, let me at least give
+you a piece of advice which will help you against these monsters.
+
+‘Take this bagful of bread-crumbs and this live hare. I will make you
+a present of them both, as I am anxious to save your life; but you
+must leave your horse behind you, for it would stumble over the fallen
+trees or get entangled in the briers and thorns. When you have gone
+about a hundred yards into the wood the wild beasts will surround you.
+Then you must instantly seize your bag, and scatter the bread-crumbs
+among them. They will rush to eat them up greedily, and when you have
+scattered the last crumb you must lose no time in throwing the hare to
+them; as soon as the hare feels itself on the ground it will run away
+as quickly as possible, and the wild beasts will turn to pursue it. In
+this way you will be able to get through the wood unhurt.’
+
+Iwanich thanked the old man for his counsel, dismounted from his
+horse, and, taking the bag and the hare in his arms, he entered the
+forest. He had hardly lost sight of his gaunt grey friend when he
+heard growls and snarls in the thicket close to him, and before he had
+time to think he found himself surrounded by the most dreadful-looking
+creatures. On one side he saw the glittering eye of a cruel tiger, on
+the other the gleaming teeth of a great she-wolf; here a huge bear
+growled fiercely, and there a horrible snake coiled itself in the
+grass at his feet.
+
+But Iwanich did not forget the old man’s advice, and quickly put his
+hand into the bag and took out as many bread-crumbs as he could hold
+in his hand at a time. He threw them to the beasts, but soon the bag
+grew lighter and lighter, and the Prince began to feel a little
+frightened. And now the last crumb was gone, and the hungry beasts
+thronged round him, greedy for fresh prey. Then he seized the hare and
+threw it to them.
+
+No sooner did the little creature feel itself on the ground than it
+lay back its ears and flew through the wood like an arrow from a bow,
+closely pursued by the wild beasts, and the Prince was left alone. He
+looked at his ring, and when he saw that it sparkled as brightly as
+ever he went straight on through the forest.
+
+He hadn’t gone very far when he saw a most extraordinary looking man
+coming towards him. He was not more than three feet high, his legs
+were quite crooked, and all his body was covered with prickles like a
+hedgehog. Two lions walked with him, fastened to his side by the two
+ends of his long beard.
+
+He stopped the Prince and asked him in a harsh voice: ‘Are you the man
+who has just fed my body-guard?’
+
+Iwanich was so startled that he could hardly reply, but the little man
+continued: ‘I am most grateful to you for your kindness; what can I
+give you as a reward?’
+
+‘All I ask,’ replied Iwanich, ‘is, that I should be allowed to go
+through this wood in safety.’
+
+‘Most certainly,’ answered the little man; ‘and for greater security I
+will give you one of my lions as a protector. But when you leave this
+wood and come near a palace which does not belong to my domain, let
+the lion go, in order that he may not fall into the hands of an enemy
+and be killed.’
+
+[Illustration: The Prickly Man with His Attendants]
+
+With these words he loosened the lion from his beard and bade the
+beast guard the youth carefully.
+
+With this new protector Iwanich wandered on through the forest, and
+though he came upon a great many more wolves, hyenas, leopards, and
+other wild beasts, they always kept at a respectful distance when they
+saw what sort of an escort the Prince had with him.
+
+[Illustration: Militza & her Maidens in the Garden]
+
+Iwanich hurried through the wood as quickly as his legs would carry
+him, but, nevertheless, hour after hour went by and not a trace of a
+green field or a human habitation met his eyes. At length, towards
+evening, the mass of trees grew more transparent, and through the
+interlaced branches a wide plain was visible.
+
+At the exit of the wood the lion stood still, and the Prince took
+leave of him, having first thanked him warmly for his kind protection.
+It had become quite dark, and Iwanich was forced to wait for daylight
+before continuing his journey.
+
+He made himself a bed of grass and leaves, lit a fire of dry branches,
+and slept soundly till the next morning.
+
+Then he got up and walked towards a beautiful white palace which he
+saw gleaming in the distance. In about an hour he reached the
+building, and opening the door he walked in.
+
+After wandering through many marble halls, he came to a huge staircase
+made of porphyry, leading down to a lovely garden.
+
+The Prince burst into a shout of joy when he suddenly perceived
+Militza in the centre of a group of girls who were weaving wreaths of
+flowers with which to deck their mistress.
+
+As soon as Militza saw the Prince she ran up to him and embraced him
+tenderly; and after he had told her all his adventures, they went into
+the palace, where a sumptuous meal awaited them. Then the Princess
+called her court together, and introduced Iwanich to them as her
+future husband.
+
+Preparations were at once made for the wedding, which was held soon
+after with great pomp and magnificence.
+
+Three months of great happiness followed, when Militza received one
+day an invitation to visit her mother’s sister.
+
+Although the Princess was very unhappy at leaving her husband, she did
+not like to refuse the invitation, and, promising to return in seven
+days at the latest, she took a tender farewell of the Prince, and
+said: ‘Before I go I will hand you over all the keys of the castle. Go
+everywhere and do anything you like; only one thing I beg and beseech
+you, do not open the little iron door in the north tower, which is
+closed with seven locks and seven bolts; for if you do, we shall both
+suffer for it.’
+
+Iwanich promised what she asked, and Militza departed, repeating her
+promise to return in seven days.
+
+When the Prince found himself alone he began to be tormented by pangs
+of curiosity as to what the room in the tower contained. For two days
+he resisted the temptation to go and look, but on the third he could
+stand it no longer, and taking a torch in his hand he hurried to the
+tower, and unfastened one lock after the other of the little iron door
+until it burst open.
+
+What an unexpected sight met his gaze! The Prince perceived a small
+room black with smoke, lit up feebly by a fire from which issued long
+blue flames. Over the fire hung a huge cauldron full of boiling pitch,
+and fastened into the cauldron by iron chains stood a wretched man
+screaming with agony.
+
+Iwanich was much horrified at the sight before him, and asked the man
+what terrible crime he had committed to be punished in this dreadful
+fashion.
+
+‘I will tell you everything,’ said the man in the cauldron; ‘but first
+relieve my torments a little, I implore you.’
+
+‘And how can I do that?’ asked the Prince.
+
+‘With a little water,’ replied the man; ‘only sprinkle a few drops
+over me and I shall feel better.’
+
+The Prince, moved by pity, without thinking what he was doing, ran to
+the courtyard of the castle, and filled a jug with water, which he
+poured over the man in the cauldron.
+
+In a moment a most fearful crash was heard, as if all the pillars of
+the palace were giving way, and the palace itself, with towers and
+doors, windows and the cauldron, whirled round the bewildered Prince’s
+head. This continued for a few minutes, and then everything vanished
+into thin air, and Iwanich found himself suddenly alone upon a
+desolate heath covered with rocks and stones.
+
+The Prince, who now realised what his heedlessness had done, cursed
+too late his spirit of curiosity. In his despair he wandered on over
+the heath, never looking where he put his feet, and full of sorrowful
+thoughts. At last he saw a light in the distance, which came from a
+miserable-looking little hut.
+
+The owner of it was none other than the kind-hearted gaunt grey beggar
+who had given the Prince the bag of bread-crumbs and the hare. Without
+recognising Iwanich, he opened the door when he knocked and gave him
+shelter for the night.
+
+On the following morning the Prince asked his host if he could get him
+any work to do, as he was quite unknown in the neighbourhood, and had
+not enough money to take him home.
+
+‘My son,’ replied the old man, ‘all this country round here is
+uninhabited; I myself have to wander to distant villages for my
+living, and even then I do not very often find enough to satisfy my
+hunger. But if you would like to take service with the old witch
+Corva, go straight up the little stream which flows below my hut for
+about three hours, and you will come to a sand-hill on the left-hand
+side; that is where she lives.’
+
+Iwanich thanked the gaunt grey beggar for his information, and went on
+his way.
+
+After walking for about three hours the Prince came upon a
+dreary-looking grey stone wall; this was the back of the building and
+did not attract him; but when he came upon the front of the house he
+found it even less inviting, for the old witch had surrounded her
+dwelling with a fence of spikes, on every one of which a man’s skull
+was stuck. In this horrible enclosure stood a small black house, which
+had only two grated windows, all covered with cobwebs, and a battered
+iron door.
+
+The Prince knocked, and a rasping woman’s voice told him to enter.
+
+Iwanich opened the door, and found himself in a smoke-begrimed
+kitchen, in the presence of a hideous old woman who was warming her
+skinny hands at a fire. The Prince offered to become her servant, and
+the old hag told him she was badly in want of one, and he seemed to be
+just the person to suit her.
+
+When Iwanich asked what his work, and how much his wages would be, the
+witch bade him follow her, and led the way through a narrow damp
+passage into a vault, which served as a stable. Here he perceived two
+pitch-black horses in a stall.
+
+‘You see before you,’ said the old woman, ‘a mare and her foal; you
+have nothing to do but to lead them out to the fields every day, and
+to see that neither of them runs away from you. If you look after them
+both for a whole year I will give you anything you like to ask; but
+if, on the other hand, you let either of the animals escape you, your
+last hour is come, and your head shall be stuck on the last spike of
+my fence. The other spikes, as you see, are already adorned, and the
+skulls are all those of different servants I have had who have failed
+to do what I demanded.’
+
+Iwanich, who thought he could not be much worse off than he was
+already, agreed to the witch’s proposal.
+
+At daybreak next morning he drove his horses to the field, and brought
+them back in the evening without their ever having attempted to break
+away from him. The witch stood at her door and received him kindly,
+and set a good meal before him.
+
+So it continued for some time, and all went well with the Prince.
+Early every morning he led the horses out to the fields, and brought
+them home safe and sound in the evening.
+
+One day, while he was watching the horses, he came to the banks of a
+river, and saw a big fish, which through some mischance had been cast
+on the land, struggling hard to get back into the water.
+
+Iwanich, who felt sorry for the poor creature, seized it in his arms
+and flung it into the stream. But no sooner did the fish find itself
+in the water again, than, to the Prince’s amazement, it swam up to the
+bank and said:
+
+‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
+
+‘I desire nothing,’ answered the Prince. ‘I am quite content to have
+been able to be of some service to you.’
+
+‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from
+my body, and keep it carefully. If you should ever need my help, throw
+it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
+
+Iwanich bowed, loosened a scale from the body of the grateful beast,
+put it carefully away, and returned home.
+
+A short time after this, when he was going early one morning to the
+usual grazing place with his horses, he noticed a flock of birds
+assembled together making a great noise and flying wildly backwards
+and forwards.
+
+Full of curiosity, Iwanich hurried up to the spot, and saw that a
+large number of ravens had attacked an eagle, and although the eagle
+was big and powerful and was making a brave fight, it was overpowered
+at last by numbers, and had to give in.
+
+But the Prince, who was sorry for the poor bird, seized the branch of
+a tree and hit out at the ravens with it; terrified at this unexpected
+onslaught they flew away, leaving many of their number dead or wounded
+on the battlefield.
+
+As soon as the eagle saw itself free from its tormentors it plucked a
+feather from its wing, and, handing it to the Prince, said: ‘Here, my
+kind benefactor, take this feather as a proof of my gratitude; should
+you ever be in need of my help blow this feather into the air, and I
+will help you as much as is in my power.’
+
+Iwanich thanked the bird, and placing the feather beside the scale he
+drove the horses home.
+
+Another day he had wandered farther than usual, and came close to a
+farmyard; the place pleased the Prince, and as there was plenty of
+good grass for the horses he determined to spend the day there. Just
+as he was sitting down under a tree he heard a cry close to him, and
+saw a fox which had been caught in a trap placed there by the farmer.
+
+[Illustration: IWANICH CASTS THE FISH INTO THE WATER]
+
+In vain did the poor beast try to free itself; then the good-natured
+Prince came once more to the rescue, and let the fox out of the trap.
+
+The fox thanked him heartily, tore two hairs out of his bushy tail,
+and said: ‘Should you ever stand in need of my help throw these two
+hairs into the fire, and in a moment I shall be at your side ready to
+obey you.’
+
+Iwanich put the fox’s hairs with the scale and the feather, and as it
+was getting dark he hastened home with his horses.
+
+In the meantime his service was drawing near to an end, and in three
+more days the year was up, and he would be able to get his reward and
+leave the witch.
+
+On the first evening of these last three days, when he came home and
+was eating his supper, he noticed the old woman stealing into the
+stables.
+
+The Prince followed her secretly to see what she was going to do. He
+crouched down in the doorway and heard the wicked witch telling the
+horses to wait next morning till Iwanich was asleep, and then to go
+and hide themselves in the river, and to stay there till she told them
+to return; and if they didn’t do as she told them the old woman
+threatened to beat them till they bled.
+
+When Iwanich heard all this he went back to his room, determined that
+nothing should induce him to fall asleep next day. On the following
+morning he led the mare and foal to the fields as usual, but bound a
+cord round them both which he kept in his hand.
+
+But after a few hours, by the magic arts of the old witch, he was
+overpowered by sleep, and the mare and foal escaped and did as they
+had been told to do. The Prince did not awake till late in the
+evening; and when he did, he found, to his horror, that the horses had
+disappeared. Filled with despair, he cursed the moment when he had
+entered the service of the cruel witch, and already he saw his head
+sticking up on the sharp spike beside the others.
+
+Then he suddenly remembered the fish’s scale, which, with the eagle’s
+feather and the fox’s hairs, he always carried about with him. He drew
+the scale from his pocket, and hurrying to the river he threw it in.
+In a minute the grateful fish swam towards the bank on which Iwanich
+was standing, and said: ‘What do you command, my friend and
+benefactor?’
+
+The Prince replied: ‘I had to look after a mare and foal, and they
+have run away from me and have hidden themselves in the river; if you
+wish to save my life drive them back to the land.’
+
+‘Wait a moment,’ answered the fish, ‘and I and my friends will soon
+drive them out of the water.’ With these words the creature
+disappeared into the depths of the stream.
+
+Almost immediately a rushing hissing sound was heard in the waters,
+the waves dashed against the banks, the foam was tossed into the air,
+and the two horses leapt suddenly on to the dry land, trembling and
+shaking with fear.
+
+Iwanich sprang at once on to the mare’s back, seized the foal by its
+bridle, and hastened home in the highest spirits.
+
+When the witch saw the Prince bringing the horses home she could
+hardly conceal her wrath, and as soon as she had placed Iwanich’s
+supper before him she stole away again to the stables. The Prince
+followed her, and heard her scolding the beasts harshly for not having
+hidden themselves better. She bade them wait next morning till Iwanich
+was asleep and then to hide themselves in the clouds, and to remain
+there till she called. If they did not do as she told them she would
+beat them till they bled.
+
+The next morning, after Iwanich had led his horses to the fields, he
+fell once more into a magic sleep. The horses at once ran away and hid
+themselves in the clouds, which hung down from the mountains in soft
+billowy masses.
+
+When the Prince awoke and found that both the mare and the foal had
+disappeared, he bethought him at once of the eagle, and taking the
+feather out of his pocket he blew it into the air.
+
+In a moment the bird swooped down beside him and asked: ‘What do you
+wish me to do?’
+
+‘My mare and foal,’ replied the Prince, ‘have run away from me, and
+have hidden themselves in the clouds; if you wish to save my life,
+restore both animals to me.’
+
+‘Wait a minute,’ answered the eagle; ‘with the help of my friends I
+will soon drive them back to you.’
+
+With these words the bird flew up into the air and disappeared among
+the clouds.
+
+Almost directly Iwanich saw his two horses being driven towards him by
+a host of eagles of all sizes. He caught the mare and foal, and having
+thanked the eagle he drove them cheerfully home again.
+
+The old witch was more disgusted than ever when she saw him appearing,
+and having set his supper before him she stole into the stables, and
+Iwanich heard her abusing the horses for not having hidden themselves
+better in the clouds. Then she bade them hide themselves next morning,
+as soon as Iwanich was asleep, in the King’s hen-house, which stood on
+a lonely part of the heath, and to remain there till she called. If
+they failed to do as she told them she would certainly beat them this
+time till they bled.
+
+On the following morning the Prince drove his horses as usual to the
+fields. After he had been overpowered by sleep, as on the former days,
+the mare and foal ran away and hid themselves in the royal hen-house.
+
+When the Prince awoke and found the horses gone he determined to
+appeal to the fox; so, lighting a fire, he threw the two hairs into
+it, and in a few moments the fox stood beside him and asked: ‘In what
+way can I serve you?’
+
+‘I wish to know,’ replied Iwanich, ‘where the King’s hen-house is.’
+
+‘Hardly an hour’s walk from here,’ answered the fox, and offered to
+show the Prince the way to it.
+
+While they were walking along the fox asked him what he wanted to do
+at the royal hen-house. The Prince told him of the misfortune that had
+befallen him, and of the necessity of recovering the mare and foal.
+
+‘That is no easy matter,’ replied the fox. ‘But wait a moment. I have
+an idea. Stand at the door of the hen-house, and wait there for your
+horses. In the meantime I will slip in among the hens through a hole
+in the wall and give them a good chase, so that the noise they make
+will arouse the royal henwives, and they will come to see what is the
+matter. When they see the horses they will at once imagine them to be
+the cause of the disturbance, and will drive them out. Then you must
+lay hands on the mare and foal and catch them.
+
+All turned out exactly as the sly fox had foreseen. The Prince swung
+himself on the mare, seized the foal by its bridle, and hurried home.
+
+While he was riding over the heath in the highest of spirits the mare
+suddenly said to her rider: ‘You are the first person who has ever
+succeeded in outwitting the old witch Corva, and now you may ask what
+reward you like for your service. If you promise never to betray me I
+will give you a piece of advice which you will do well to follow.’
+
+The Prince promised never to betray her confidence, and the mare
+continued: ‘Ask nothing else as a reward than my foal, for it has not
+its like in the world, and is not to be bought for love or money; for
+it can go from one end of the earth to another in a few minutes. Of
+course the cunning Corva will do her best to dissuade you from taking
+the foal, and will tell you that it is both idle and sickly; but do
+not believe her, and stick to your point.’
+
+[Illustration: Iwanich seizes the Magician by his beard and dashes him
+to the ground]
+
+Iwanich longed to possess such an animal, and promised the mare to
+follow her advice.
+
+This time Corva received him in the most friendly manner, and set a
+sumptuous repast before him. As soon as he had finished she asked him
+what reward he demanded for his year’s service.
+
+‘Nothing more nor less,’ replied the Prince, ‘than the foal of your
+mare.’
+
+The witch pretended to be much astonished at his request, and said
+that he deserved something much better than the foal, for the beast
+was lazy and nervous, blind in one eye, and, in short, was quite
+worthless.
+
+But the Prince knew what he wanted, and when the old witch saw that he
+had made up his mind to have the foal, she said, ‘I am obliged to keep
+my promise and to hand you over the foal; and as I know who you are
+and what you want, I will tell you in what way the animal will be
+useful to you. The man in the cauldron of boiling pitch, whom you set
+free, is a mighty magician; through your curiosity and thoughtlessness
+Militza came into his power, and he has transported her and her castle
+and belongings into a distant country.
+
+‘You are the only person who can kill him; and in consequence he fears
+you to such an extent that he has set spies to watch you, and they
+report your movements to him daily.
+
+‘When you have reached him, beware of speaking a single word to him,
+or you will fall into the power of his friends. Seize him at once by
+the beard and dash him to the ground.’
+
+Iwanich thanked the old witch, mounted his foal, put spurs to its
+sides, and they flew like lightning through the air.
+
+Already it was growing dark, when Iwanich perceived some figures in
+the distance; they soon came up to them, and then the Prince saw that
+it was the magician and his friends who were driving through the air
+in a carriage drawn by owls.
+
+When the magician found himself face to face with Iwanich, without
+hope of escape, he turned to him with false friendliness and said:
+‘Thrice my kind benefactor!’
+
+But the Prince, without saying a word, seized him at once by his beard
+and dashed him to the ground. At the same moment the foal sprang on
+the top of the magician and kicked and stamped on him with his hoofs
+till he died.
+
+Then Iwanich found himself once more in the palace of his bride, and
+Militza herself flew into his arms.
+
+From this time forward they lived in undisturbed peace and happiness
+till the end of their lives.
+
+
+
+
+_THE MAGIC RING_
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived an old couple who had one son called
+Martin. Now when the old man’s time had come, he stretched himself out
+on his bed and died. Though all his life long he had toiled and
+moiled, he only left his widow and son two hundred florins. The old
+woman determined to put by the money for a rainy day; but alas! the
+rainy day was close at hand, for their meal was all consumed, and who
+is prepared to face starvation with two hundred florins at their
+disposal? So the old woman counted out a hundred of her florins, and
+giving them to Martin, told him to go into the town and lay in a store
+of meal for a year.
+
+So Martin started off for the town. When he reached the meat-market he
+found the whole place in turmoil, and a great noise of angry voices
+and barking of dogs. Mixing in the crowd, he noticed a stag-hound
+which the butchers had caught and tied to a post, and which was being
+flogged in a merciless manner. Overcome with pity, Martin spoke to the
+butchers, saying:
+
+‘Friends, why are you beating the poor dog so cruelly?’
+
+‘We have every right to beat him,’ they replied; ‘he has just devoured
+a newly-killed pig.’
+
+‘Leave off beating him,’ said Martin, ‘and sell him to me instead.’
+
+‘If you choose to buy him,’ answered the butchers derisively; ‘but for
+such a treasure we won’t take a penny less than a hundred florins.’
+
+‘A hundred!’ exclaimed Martin. ‘Well, so be it, if you will not take
+less;’ and, taking the money out of his pocket, he handed it over in
+exchange for the dog, whose name was Schurka.
+
+When Martin got home, his mother met him with the question:
+
+‘Well, what have you bought?’
+
+‘Schurka, the dog,’ replied Martin, pointing to his new possession.
+Whereupon his mother became very angry, and abused him roundly. He
+ought to be ashamed of himself, when there was scarcely a handful of
+meal in the house, to have spent the money on a useless brute like
+that. On the following day she sent him back to the town, saying,
+‘Here, take our last hundred florins, and buy provisions with them. I
+have just emptied the last grains of meal out of the chest, and baked
+a bannock; but it won’t last over to-morrow.’
+
+Just as Martin was entering the town he met a rough-looking peasant
+who was dragging a cat after him by a string which was fastened round
+the poor beast’s neck.
+
+‘Stop,’ cried Martin; ‘where are you dragging that poor cat?’
+
+‘I mean to drown him,’ was the answer.
+
+‘What harm has the poor beast done?’ said Martin.
+
+‘It has just killed a goose,’ replied the peasant.
+
+‘Don’t drown him, sell him to me instead,’ begged Martin.
+
+‘Not for a hundred florins,’ was the answer.
+
+‘Surely for a hundred florins you’ll sell it?’ said Martin. ‘See! here
+is the money;’ and, so saying, he handed him the hundred florins,
+which the peasant pocketed, and Martin took possession of the cat,
+which was called Waska.
+
+When he reached his home his mother greeted him with the question:
+
+‘Well, what have you brought back?’
+
+‘I have brought this cat, Waska,’ answered Martin.
+
+‘And what besides?’
+
+‘I had no money over to buy anything else with,’ replied Martin.
+
+‘You useless ne’er-do-weel!’ exclaimed his mother in a great passion.
+‘Leave the house at once, and go and beg your bread among strangers;’
+and as Martin did not dare to contradict her, he called Schurka and
+Waska and started off with them to the nearest village in search of
+work. On the way he met a rich peasant, who asked him where he was
+going.
+
+‘I want to get work as a day labourer,’ he answered.
+
+‘Come along with me, then. But I must tell you I engage my labourers
+without wages. If you serve me faithfully for a year, I promise you it
+shall be for your advantage.’
+
+So Martin consented, and for a year he worked diligently, and served
+his master faithfully, not sparing himself in any way. When the day of
+reckoning had come the peasant led him into a barn, and pointing to
+two full sacks, said: ‘Take whichever of these you choose.’
+
+Martin examined the contents of the sacks, and seeing that one was
+full of silver and the other of sand, he said to himself:
+
+‘There must be some trick about this; I had better take the sand.’ And
+throwing the sack over his shoulders he started out into the world, in
+search of fresh work. On and on he walked, and at last he reached a
+great gloomy wood. In the middle of the wood he came upon a meadow,
+where a fire was burning, and in the midst of the fire, surrounded by
+flames, was a lovely damsel, more beautiful than anything that Martin
+had ever seen, and when she saw him she called to him:
+
+‘Martin, if you would win happiness, save my life. Extinguish the
+flames with the sand that you earned in payment of your faithful
+service.’
+
+‘Truly,’ thought Martin to himself, ‘it would be more sensible to save
+a fellow-being’s life with this sand than to drag it about on one’s
+back, seeing what a weight it is.’ And forthwith he lowered the sack
+from his shoulders and emptied its contents on the flames, and
+instantly the fire was extinguished; but at the same moment lo! and
+behold the lovely damsel turned into a Serpent, and, darting upon him,
+coiled itself round his neck, and whispered lovingly in his ear:
+
+‘Do not be afraid of me, Martin; I love you, and will go with you
+through the world. But first you must follow me boldly into my
+Father’s Kingdom, underneath the earth; and when we get there,
+remember this—he will offer you gold and silver, and dazzling gems,
+but do not touch them. Ask him, instead, for the ring which he wears
+on his little finger, for in that ring lies a magic power; you have
+only to throw it from one hand to the other, and at once twelve young
+men will appear, who will do your bidding, no matter how difficult, in
+a single night.’
+
+So they started on their way, and after much wandering they reached a
+spot where a great rock rose straight up in the middle of the road.
+Instantly the Serpent uncoiled itself from his neck, and, as it
+touched the damp earth, it resumed the shape of the lovely damsel.
+Pointing to the rock, she showed him an opening just big enough for a
+man to wriggle through. Passing into it, they entered a long
+underground passage, which led out on to a wide field, above which
+spread a blue sky. In the middle of the field stood a magnificent
+castle, built out of porphyry, with a roof of gold and with glittering
+battlements. And his beautiful guide told him that this was the palace
+in which her father lived and reigned over his kingdom in the
+Under-world.
+
+[Illustration: Martin extinguishes the flames]
+
+Together they entered the palace, and were received by the King with
+great kindness. Turning to his daughter, he said:
+
+‘My child, I had almost given up the hope of ever seeing you again.
+Where have you been all these years?’
+
+‘My father,’ she replied, ‘I owe my life to this youth, who saved me
+from a terrible death.’
+
+Upon which the King turned to Martin with a gracious smile, saying: ‘I
+will reward your courage by granting you whatever your heart desires.
+Take as much gold, silver, and precious stones as you choose.’
+
+‘I thank you, mighty King, for your gracious offer,’ answered Martin,
+‘but I do not covet either gold, silver, or precious stones; yet if
+you will grant me a favour, give me, I beg, the ring from off the
+little finger of your royal hand. Every time my eye falls on it I
+shall think of your gracious Majesty, and when I marry I shall present
+it to my bride.’
+
+So the King took the ring from his finger and gave it to Martin,
+saying: ‘Take it, good youth; but with it I make one condition—you
+are never to confide to anyone that this is a magic ring. If you do,
+you will straightway bring misfortune on yourself.’
+
+Martin took the ring, and, having thanked the King, he set out on the
+same road by which he had come down into the Under-world. When he had
+regained the upper air he started for his old home, and having found
+his mother still living in the old house where he had left her, they
+settled down together very happily. So uneventful was their life that
+it almost seemed as if it would go on in this way always, without let
+or hindrance. But one day it suddenly came into his mind that he would
+like to get married, and, moreover, that he would choose a very grand
+wife—a King’s daughter, in short. But as he did not trust himself as
+a wooer, he determined to send his old mother on the mission.
+
+‘You must go to the King,’ he said to her, ‘and demand the hand of his
+lovely daughter in marriage for me.’
+
+‘What are you thinking of, my son?’ answered the old woman, aghast at
+the idea. ‘Why cannot you marry someone in your own rank? That would
+be far more fitting than to send a poor old woman like me a-wooing to
+the King’s Court for the hand of a Princess. Why, it is as much as our
+heads are worth. Neither my life nor yours would be worth anything if
+I went on such a fool’s errand.’
+
+‘Never fear, little mother,’ answered Martin. ‘Trust me; all will be
+well. But see that you do not come back without an answer of some
+kind.’
+
+And so, obedient to her son’s behest, the old woman hobbled off to the
+palace, and, without being hindered, reached the courtyard, and began
+to mount the flight of steps leading to the royal presence chamber. At
+the head of the landing rows of courtiers were collected in
+magnificent attire, who stared at the queer old figure, and called to
+her, and explained to her, with every kind of sign, that it was
+strictly forbidden to mount those steps. But their stern words and
+forbidding gestures made no impression whatever on the old woman, and
+she resolutely continued to climb the stairs, bent on carrying out her
+son’s orders. Upon this some of the courtiers seized her by the arms,
+and held her back by sheer force, at which she set up such a yell that
+the King himself heard it, and stepped out on to the balcony to see
+what was the matter. When he beheld the old woman flinging her arms
+wildly about, and heard her scream that she would not leave the place
+till she had laid her case before the King, he ordered that she should
+be brought into his presence. And forthwith she was conducted into the
+golden presence chamber, where, leaning back amongst cushions of royal
+purple, the King sat, surrounded by his counsellors and courtiers.
+Courtesying low, the old woman stood silent before him. ‘Well, my good
+old dame, what can I do for you?’ asked the King.
+
+‘I have come,’ replied Martin’s mother—‘and your Majesty must not be
+angry with me—I have come a-wooing.’
+
+‘Is the woman out of her mind?’ said the King, with an angry frown.
+
+But Martin’s mother answered boldly: ‘If the King will only listen
+patiently to me, and give me a straightforward answer, he will see
+that I am not out of my mind. You, O King, have a lovely daughter to
+give in marriage. I have a son—a wooer—as clever a youth and as good
+a son-in-law as you will find in your whole kingdom. There is nothing
+that he cannot do. Now tell me, O King, plump and plain, will you give
+your daughter to my son as wife?’ The King listened to the end of the
+old woman’s strange request, but every moment his face grew blacker,
+and his features sterner; till all at once he thought to himself, ‘Is
+it worth while that I, the King, should be angry with this poor old
+fool?’ And all the courtiers and counsellors were amazed when they saw
+the hard lines round his mouth and the frown on his brow grow smooth,
+and heard the mild but mocking tones in which he answered the old
+woman, saying:
+
+‘If your son is as wonderfully clever as you say, and if there is
+nothing in the world that he cannot do, let him build a magnificent
+castle, just opposite my palace windows, in four and twenty hours. The
+palace must be joined together by a bridge of pure crystal. On each
+side of the bridge there must be growing trees, having golden and
+silver apples, and with birds of Paradise among the branches. At the
+right of the bridge there must be a church, with five golden cupolas;
+in this church your son shall be wedded to my daughter, and we will
+keep the wedding festivities in the new castle. But if he fails to
+execute this my royal command, then, as a just but mild monarch, I
+shall give orders that you and he are taken, and first dipped in tar
+and then in feathers, and you shall be executed in the market-place
+for the entertainment of my courtiers.’
+
+And a smile played round the King’s lips as he finished speaking, and
+his courtiers and counsellors shook with laughter when they thought of
+the old woman’s folly, and praised the King’s wise device, and said to
+each other, ‘What a joke it will be when we see the pair of them
+tarred and feathered! The son is just as able to grow a beard on the
+palm of his hand as to execute such a task in twenty-four hours.’
+
+Now the poor old woman was mortally afraid and, in a trembling voice
+she asked:
+
+‘Is that really your royal will, O King? Must I take this order to my
+poor son?’
+
+‘Yes, old dame; such is my command. If your son carries out my order,
+he shall be rewarded with my daughter; but if he fails, away to the
+tar-barrel and the stake with you both!’
+
+On her way home the poor old woman shed bitter tears, and when she saw
+Martin she told him what the King had said, and sobbed out:
+
+‘Didn’t I tell you, my son, that you should marry someone of your own
+rank? It would have been better for us this day if you had. As I told
+you, my going to Court has been as much as our lives are worth, and
+now we will both be tarred and feathered, and burnt in the public
+market-place. It is terrible!’ and she moaned and cried.
+
+‘Never fear, little mother,’ answered Martin; ‘trust me, and you will
+see all will be well. You may go to sleep with a quiet mind.’
+
+And, stepping to the front of the hut, Martin threw his ring from the
+palm of one hand into the other, upon which twelve youths instantly
+appeared, and demanded what he wanted them to do. Then he told them
+the King’s commands, and they answered that by next morning all should
+be accomplished exactly as the King had ordered.
+
+Next morning when the King awoke, and looked out of his window, to his
+amazement he beheld a magnificent castle, just opposite his own
+palace, and joined to it a bridge of pure crystal.
+
+At each side of the bridge trees were growing, from whose branches
+hung golden and silver apples, among which birds of Paradise perched.
+At the right, gleaming in the sun, were the five golden cupolas of a
+splendid church, whose bells rang out, as if they would summon people
+from all corners of the earth to come and behold the wonder. Now,
+though the King would much rather have seen his future son-in-law
+tarred, feathered, and burnt at the stake, he remembered his royal
+oath, and had to make the best of a bad business. So he took heart of
+grace, and made Martin a Duke, and gave his daughter a rich dowry, and
+prepared the grandest wedding-feast that had ever been seen, so that
+to this day the old people in the country still talk of it.
+
+After the wedding Martin and his royal bride went to dwell in the
+magnificent new palace, and here Martin lived in the greatest comfort
+and luxury, such luxury as he had never imagined. But though he was as
+happy as the day was long, and as merry as a grig, the King’s daughter
+fretted all day, thinking of the indignity that had been done her in
+making her marry Martin, the poor widow’s son, instead of a rich young
+Prince from a foreign country. So unhappy was she that she spent all
+her time wondering how she should get rid of her undesirable husband.
+And first she determined to learn the secret of his power, and, with
+flattering, caressing words, she tried to coax him to tell her how he
+was so clever that there was nothing in the world that he could not
+do. At first he would tell her nothing; but once, when he was in a
+yielding mood, she approached him with a winning smile on her lovely
+face, and, speaking flattering words to him, she gave him a potion to
+drink, with a sweet, strong taste. And when he had drunk it Martin’s
+lips were unsealed, and he told her that all his power lay in the
+magic ring that he wore on his finger, and he described to her how to
+use it, and, still speaking, he fell into a deep sleep. And when she
+saw that the potion had worked, and that he was sound asleep, the
+Princess took the magic ring from his finger, and, going into the
+courtyard, she threw it from the palm of one hand into the other. On
+the instant the twelve youths appeared, and asked her what she
+commanded them to do. Then she told them that by the next morning they
+were to do away with the castle, and the bridge, and the church, and
+put in their stead the humble hut in which Martin used to live with
+his mother, and that while he slept her husband was to be carried to
+his old lowly room; and that they were to bear her away to the utmost
+ends of the earth, where an old King lived who would make her welcome
+in his palace, and surround her with the state that befitted a royal
+Princess.
+
+[Illustration: The Princess Summons the Twelve Young Men.]
+
+‘You shall be obeyed,’ answered the twelve youths at the same moment.
+And lo and behold! the following morning, when the King awoke and
+looked out of his window he beheld to his amazement that the palace,
+bridge, church, and trees had all vanished, and there was nothing in
+their place but a bare, miserable-looking hut.
+
+Immediately the King sent for his son-in-law, and commanded him to
+explain what had happened. But Martin looked at his royal
+father-in-law, and answered never a word. Then the King was very
+angry, and, calling a council together, he charged Martin with having
+been guilty of witchcraft, and of having deceived the King, and having
+made away with the Princess; and he was condemned to imprisonment in a
+high stone tower, with neither meat nor drink, till he should die of
+starvation.
+
+Then, in the hour of his dire necessity, his old friends Schurka (the
+dog) and Waska (the cat) remembered how Martin had once saved them
+from a cruel death; and they took counsel together as to how they
+should help him. And Schurka growled, and was of opinion that he would
+like to tear everyone in pieces; but Waska purred meditatively, and
+scratched the back of her ear with a velvet paw, and remained lost in
+thought. At the end of a few minutes she had made up her mind, and,
+turning to Schurka, said: ‘Let us go together into the town, and the
+moment we meet a baker you must make a rush between his legs and upset
+the tray from off his head; I will lay hold of the rolls, and will
+carry them off to our master.’ No sooner said than done. Together the
+two faithful creatures trotted off into the town, and very soon they
+met a baker bearing a tray on his head, and looking round on all
+sides, while he cried:
+
+     ‘Fresh rolls, sweet cake,
+        Fancy bread of every kind.
+      Come and buy, come and take,
+        Sure you’ll find it to your mind.’
+
+[Illustration: Schurka upsets the baker]
+
+At that moment Schurka made a rush between his legs—the baker
+stumbled, the tray was upset, the rolls fell to the ground, and, while
+the man angrily pursued Schurka, Waska managed to drag the rolls out
+of sight behind a bush. And when a moment later Schurka joined her,
+they set off at full tilt to the stone tower where Martin was a
+prisoner, taking the rolls with them. Waska, being very agile, climbed
+up by the outside to the grated window, and called in an anxious
+voice:
+
+‘Are you alive, master?’
+
+‘Scarcely alive—almost starved to death,’ answered Martin in a weak
+voice. ‘I little thought it would come to this, that I should die of
+hunger.’
+
+‘Never fear, dear master. Schurka and I will look after you,’ said
+Waska. And in another moment she had climbed down and brought him back
+a roll, and then another, and another, till she had brought him the
+whole tray-load. Upon which she said: ‘Dear master, Schurka and I are
+going off to a distant kingdom at the utmost ends of the earth to
+fetch you back your magic ring. You must be careful that the rolls
+last till our return.’
+
+And Waska took leave of her beloved master, and set off with Schurka
+on their journey. On and on they travelled, looking always to right
+and left for traces of the Princess, following up every track, making
+inquiries of every cat and dog they met, listening to the talk of
+every wayfarer they passed; and at last they heard that the kingdom at
+the utmost ends of the earth where the twelve youths had borne the
+Princess was not very far off. And at last one day they reached that
+distant kingdom, and, going at once to the palace, they began to make
+friends with all the dogs and cats in the place, and to question them
+about the Princess and the magic ring; but no one could tell them much
+about either. Now one day it chanced that Waska had gone down to the
+palace cellar to hunt for mice and rats, and seeing an especially fat,
+well-fed mouse, she pounced upon it, buried her claws in its soft fur,
+and was just going to gobble it up, when she was stopped by the
+pleading tones of the little creature, saying, ‘If you will only spare
+my life I may be of great service to you. I will do everything in my
+power for you; for I am the King of the Mice, and if I perish the
+whole race will die out.’
+
+‘So be it,’ said Waska. ‘I will spare your life; but in return you
+must do something for me. In this castle there lives a Princess, the
+wicked wife of my dear master. She has stolen away his magic ring. You
+must get it away from her at whatever cost; do you hear? Till you have
+done this I won’t take my claws out of your fur.’
+
+[Illustration: The Mouse Steals the Ring from the Princess]
+
+‘Good!’ replied the mouse; ‘I will do what you ask.’ And, so saying,
+he summoned all the mice in his kingdom together. A countless number
+of mice, small and big, brown and grey, assembled, and formed a circle
+round their king, who was a prisoner under Waska’s claws. Turning to
+them he said: ‘Dear and faithful subjects, who ever among you will
+steal the magic ring from the strange Princess will release me from a
+cruel death; and I shall honour him above all the other mice in the
+kingdom.’
+
+Instantly a tiny mouse stepped forward and said: ‘I often creep about
+the Princess’s bedroom at night, and I have noticed that she has a
+ring which she treasures as the apple of her eye. All day she wears it
+on her finger, and at night she keeps it in her mouth. I will
+undertake, sire, to steal away the ring for you.’
+
+And the tiny mouse tripped away into the bedroom of the Princess, and
+waited for nightfall; then, when the Princess had fallen asleep, it
+crept up on to her bed, and gnawed a hole in the pillow, through which
+it dragged one by one little down feathers, and threw them under the
+Princess’s nose. And the fluff flew into the Princess’s nose, and into
+her mouth, and starting up she sneezed and coughed, and the ring fell
+out of her mouth on to the coverlet. In a flash the tiny mouse had
+seized it, and brought it to Waska as a ransom for the King of the
+Mice. Thereupon Waska and Schurka started off, and travelled night and
+day till they reached the stone tower where Martin was imprisoned; and
+the cat climbed up the window, and called out to him:
+
+‘Martin, dear master, are you still alive?’
+
+‘Ah! Waska, my faithful little cat, is that you?’ replied a weak
+voice. ‘I am dying of hunger. For three days I have not tasted food.’
+
+‘Be of good heart, dear master,’ replied Waska; ‘from this day forth
+you will know nothing but happiness and prosperity. If this were a
+moment to trouble you with riddles, I would make you guess what
+Schurka and I have brought you back. Only think, we have got you your
+ring!’
+
+At these words Martin’s joy knew no bounds, and he stroked her fondly,
+and she rubbed up against him and purred happily, while below Schurka
+bounded in the air, and barked joyfully. Then Martin took the ring,
+and threw it from one hand into the other, and instantly the twelve
+youths appeared and asked what they were to do.
+
+‘Fetch me first something to eat and drink, as quickly as possible;
+and after that bring musicians hither, and let us have music all day
+long.’
+
+Now when the people in the town and palace heard music coming from the
+tower they were filled with amazement, and came to the King with the
+news that witchcraft must be going on in Martin’s Tower, for, instead
+of dying of starvation, he was seemingly making merry to the sound of
+music, and to the clatter of plates, and glass, and knives and forks;
+and the music was so enchantingly sweet that all the passers-by stood
+still to listen to it. On this the King sent at once a messenger to
+the Starvation Tower, and he was so astonished with what he saw that
+he remained rooted to the spot. Then the King sent his chief
+counsellors, and they too were transfixed with wonder. At last the
+King came himself, and he likewise was spellbound by the beauty of the
+music.
+
+Then Martin summoned the twelve youths, spoke to them, saying, ‘Build
+up my castle again, and join it to the King’s Palace with a crystal
+bridge; do not forget the trees with the golden and silver apples, and
+with the birds of Paradise in the branches; and put back the church
+with the five cupolas, and let the bells ring out, summoning the
+people from the four corners of the kingdom. And one thing more: bring
+back my faithless wife, and lead her into the women’s chamber.’
+
+And it was all done as he commanded, and, leaving the Starvation
+Tower, he took the King, his father-in-law, by the arm, and led him
+into the new palace, where the Princess sat in fear and trembling,
+awaiting her death. And Martin spoke to the King, saying, ‘King and
+royal father, I have suffered much at the hands of your daughter. What
+punishment shall be dealt to her?’
+
+Then the mild King answered: ‘Beloved Prince and son-in-law, if you
+love me, let your anger be turned to grace—forgive my daughter, and
+restore her to your heart and favour.’
+
+And Martin’s heart was softened and he forgave his wife, and they
+lived happily together ever after. And his old mother came and lived
+with him, and he never parted with Schurka and Waska; and I need
+hardly tell you that he never again let the ring out of his
+possession.
+
+
+
+
+_THE FLOWER QUEEN’S DAUGHTER_[23]
+
+
+A young Prince was riding one day through a meadow that stretched for
+miles in front of him, when he came to a deep open ditch. He was
+turning aside to avoid it, when he heard the sound of someone crying
+in the ditch. He dismounted from his horse, and stepped along in the
+direction the sound came from. To his astonishment he found an old
+woman, who begged him to help her out of the ditch. The Prince bent
+down and lifted her out of her living grave, asking her at the same
+time how she had managed to get there.
+
+‘My son,’ answered the old woman, ‘I am a very poor woman, and soon
+after midnight I set out for the neighbouring town in order to sell my
+eggs in the market on the following morning; but I lost my way in the
+dark, and fell into this deep ditch, where I might have remained for
+ever but for your kindness.’
+
+Then the Prince said to her, ‘You can hardly walk; I will put you on
+my horse and lead you home. Where do you live?’
+
+‘Over there, at the edge of the forest in the little hut you see in
+the distance,’ replied the old woman.
+
+The Prince lifted her on to his horse, and soon they reached the hut,
+where the old woman got down, and turning to the Prince said, ‘Just
+wait a moment, and I will give you something.’ And she disappeared
+into her hut, but returned very soon and said, ‘You are a mighty
+Prince, but at the same time you have a kind heart, which deserves to
+be rewarded. Would you like to have the most beautiful woman in the
+world for your wife?’
+
+‘Most certainly I would,’ replied the Prince.
+
+[Footnote 23: From the _Bukowinaer_. Von Wliolocki.]
+
+So the old woman continued, ‘The most beautiful woman in the whole
+world is the daughter of the Queen of the Flowers, who has been
+captured by a dragon. If you wish to marry her, you must first set her
+free, and this I will help you to do. I will give you this little
+bell: if you ring it once, the King of the Eagles will appear; if you
+ring it twice, the King of the Foxes will come to you; and if you ring
+it three times, you will see the King of the Fishes by your side.
+These will help you if you are in any difficulty. Now farewell, and
+heaven prosper your undertaking.’ She handed him the little bell, and
+there disappeared hut and all, as though the earth had swallowed her
+up.
+
+Then it dawned on the Prince that he had been speaking to a good
+fairy, and putting the little bell carefully in his pocket, he rode
+home and told his father that he meant to set the daughter of the
+Flower Queen free, and intended setting out on the following day into
+the wide world in search of the maid.
+
+So the next morning the Prince mounted his fine horse and left his
+home. He had roamed round the world for a whole year, and his horse
+had died of exhaustion, while he himself had suffered much from want
+and misery, but still he had come on no trace of her he was in search
+of. At last one day he came to a hut, in front of which sat a very old
+man. The Prince asked him, ‘Do you not know where the Dragon lives who
+keeps the daughter of the Flower Queen prisoner?’
+
+‘No, I do not,’ answered the old man. ‘But if you go straight along
+this road for a year, you will reach a hut where my father lives, and
+possibly he may be able to tell you.’
+
+The Prince thanked him for his information, and continued his journey
+for a whole year along the same road, and at the end of it came to the
+little hut, where he found a very old man. He asked him the same
+question, and the old man answered, ‘No, I do not know where the
+Dragon lives. But go straight along this road for another year, and
+you will come to a hut in which my father lives. I know he can tell
+you.’
+
+And so the Prince wandered on for another year, always on the same
+road, and at last reached the hut where he found the third old man. He
+put the same question to him as he had put to his son and grandson;
+but this time the old man answered, ‘The Dragon lives up there on the
+mountain, and he has just begun his year of sleep. For one whole year
+he is always awake, and the next he sleeps. But if you wish to see the
+Flower Queen’s daughter go up the second mountain: the Dragon’s old
+mother lives there, and she has a ball every night, to which the
+Flower Queen’s daughter goes regularly.’
+
+So the Prince went up the second mountain, where he found a castle all
+made of gold with diamond windows. He opened the big gate leading into
+the courtyard, and was just going to walk in, when seven dragons
+rushed on him and asked him what he wanted?
+
+The Prince replied, ‘I have heard so much of the beauty and kindness
+of the Dragon’s Mother, and would like to enter her service.’
+
+This flattering speech pleased the dragons, and the eldest of them
+said, ‘Well, you may come with me, and I will take you to the Mother
+Dragon.’
+
+They entered the castle and walked through twelve splendid halls, all
+made of gold and diamonds. In the twelfth room they found the Mother
+Dragon seated on a diamond throne. She was the ugliest woman under the
+sun, and, added to it all, she had three heads. Her appearance was a
+great shock to the Prince, and so was her voice, which was like the
+croaking of many ravens. She asked him, ‘Why have you come here?’
+
+The Prince answered at once, ‘I have heard so much of your beauty and
+kindness, that I would very much like to enter your service.’
+
+‘Very well,’ said the Mother Dragon; ‘but if you wish to enter my
+service, you must first lead my mare out to the meadow and look after
+her for three days; but if you don’t bring her home safely every
+evening, we will eat you up.’
+
+The Prince undertook the task and led the mare out to the meadow. But
+no sooner had they reached the grass than she vanished. The Prince
+sought for her in vain, and at last in despair sat down on a big stone
+and contemplated his sad fate. As he sat thus lost in thought, he
+noticed an eagle flying over his head. Then he suddenly bethought him
+of his little bell, and taking it out of his pocket he rang it once.
+In a moment he heard a rustling sound in the air beside him, and the
+King of the Eagles sank at his feet.
+
+‘I know what you want of me,’ the bird said. ‘You are looking for the
+Mother Dragon’s mare who is galloping about among the clouds. I will
+summon all the eagles of the air together, and order them to catch the
+mare and bring her to you.’ And with these words the King of the
+Eagles flew away. Towards evening the Prince heard a mighty rushing
+sound in the air, and when he looked up he saw thousands of eagles
+driving the mare before them. They sank at his feet on to the ground
+and gave the mare over to him. Then the Prince rode home to the old
+Mother Dragon, who was full of wonder when she saw him, and said, ‘You
+have succeeded to-day in looking after my mare, and as a reward you
+shall come to my ball to-night.’ She gave him at the same time a cloak
+made of copper, and led him to a big room where several young
+he-dragons and she-dragons were dancing together. Here, too, was the
+Flower Queen’s beautiful daughter. Her dress was woven out of the most
+lovely flowers in the world, and her complexion was like lilies and
+roses. As the Prince was dancing with her he managed to whisper in her
+ear, ‘I have come to set you free!’
+
+[Illustration: The Dragons Dancing.]
+
+Then the beautiful girl said to him, ‘If you succeed in bringing the
+mare back safely the third day, ask the Mother Dragon to give you a
+foal of the mare as a reward.’
+
+The ball came to an end at midnight, and early next morning the Prince
+again led the Mother Dragon’s mare out into the meadow. But again she
+vanished before his eyes. Then he took out his little bell and rang it
+twice.
+
+In a moment the King of the Foxes stood before him and said: ‘I know
+already what you want, and will summon all the foxes of the world
+together to find the mare who has hidden herself in a hill.’
+
+With these words the King of the Foxes disappeared, and in the evening
+many thousand foxes brought the mare to the Prince.
+
+Then he rode home to the Mother Dragon, from whom he received this
+time a cloak made of silver, and again she led him to the ball-room.
+
+The Flower Queen’s daughter was delighted to see him safe and sound,
+and when they were dancing together she whispered in his ear: ‘If you
+succeed again to-morrow, wait for me with the foal in the meadow.
+After the ball we will fly away together.’
+
+On the third day the Prince led the mare to the meadow again; but once
+more she vanished before his eyes. Then the Prince took out his little
+bell and rang it three times.
+
+In a moment the King of the Fishes appeared, and said to him: ‘I know
+quite well what you want me to do, and I will summon all the fishes of
+the sea together, and tell them to bring you back the mare, who is
+hiding herself in a river.’
+
+Towards evening the mare was returned to him, and when he led her home
+to the Mother Dragon she said to him:
+
+‘You are a brave youth, and I will make you my body-servant. But what
+shall I give you as a reward to begin with?’
+
+The Prince begged for a foal of the mare, which the Mother Dragon at
+once gave him, and over and above, a cloak made of gold, for she had
+fallen in love with him because he had praised her beauty.
+
+[Illustration: The Flower Queen’s Daughter.
+
+In Winter When Everything is Dead She Must Come and Live With Me In My
+Palace Underground.]
+
+So in the evening he appeared at the ball in his golden cloak; but
+before the entertainment was over he slipped away, and went straight
+to the stables, where he mounted his foal and rode out into the meadow
+to wait for the Flower Queen’s daughter. Towards midnight the
+beautiful girl appeared, and placing her in front of him on his horse,
+the Prince and she flew like the wind till they reached the Flower
+Queen’s dwelling. But the dragons had noticed their flight, and woke
+their brother out of his year’s sleep. He flew into a terrible rage
+when he heard what had happened, and determined to lay siege to the
+Flower Queen’s palace; but the Queen caused a forest of flowers as
+high as the sky to grow up round her dwelling, through which no one
+could force a way.
+
+When the Flower Queen heard that her daughter wanted to marry the
+Prince, she said to him: ‘I will give my consent to your marriage
+gladly, but my daughter can only stay with you in summer. In winter,
+when everything is dead and the ground covered with snow, she must
+come and live with me in my palace underground.’ The Prince consented
+to this, and led his beautiful bride home, where the wedding was held
+with great pomp and magnificence. The young couple lived happily
+together till winter came, when the Flower Queen’s daughter departed
+and went home to her mother. In summer she returned to her husband,
+and their life of joy and happiness began again, and lasted till the
+approach of winter, when the Flower Queen’s daughter went back again
+to her mother. This coming and going continued all her life long, and
+in spite of it they always lived happily together.
+
+
+
+
+_THE FLYING SHIP_[24]
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived an old couple who had three sons; the two
+elder were clever, but the third was a regular dunce. The clever sons
+were very fond of their mother, gave her good clothes, and always
+spoke pleasantly to her; but the youngest was always getting in her
+way, and she had no patience with him. Now, one day it was announced
+in the village that the King had issued a decree, offering his
+daughter, the Princess, in marriage to whoever should build a ship
+that could fly. Immediately the two elder brothers determined to try
+their luck, and asked their parents’ blessing. So the old mother
+smartened up their clothes, and gave them a store of provisions for
+their journey, not forgetting to add a bottle of brandy. When they had
+gone the poor Simpleton began to tease his mother to smarten him up
+and let him start off.
+
+‘What would become of a dolt like you?’ she answered. ‘Why, you would
+be eaten up by wolves.’
+
+But the foolish youth kept repeating, ‘I will go, I will go, I will
+go!’
+
+Seeing that she could do nothing with him, the mother gave him a crust
+of bread and a bottle of water, and took no further heed of him.
+
+So the Simpleton set off on his way. When he had gone a short distance
+he met a little old manikin. They greeted one another, and the manikin
+asked him where he was going.
+
+‘I am off to the King’s Court,’ he answered. ‘He has promised to give
+his daughter to whoever can make a flying ship.’
+
+‘And can you make such a ship?’
+
+‘Not I.’
+
+‘Then why in the world are you going?’
+
+‘Can’t tell,’ replied the Simpleton.
+
+[Footnote 24: From the Russian.]
+
+‘Well, if that is the case,’ said the manikin, ‘sit down beside me; we
+can rest for a little and have something to eat. Give me what you have
+got in your satchel.’
+
+Now, the poor Simpleton was ashamed to show what was in it. However,
+he thought it best not to make a fuss, so he opened the satchel, and
+could scarcely believe his own eyes, for, instead of the hard crust,
+he saw two beautiful fresh rolls and some cold meat. He shared them
+with the manikin, who licked his lips and said:
+
+‘Now, go into that wood, and stop in front of the first tree, bow
+three times, and then strike the tree with your axe, fall on your
+knees on the ground, with your face on the earth, and remain there
+till you are raised up. You will then find a ship at your side, step
+into it and fly to the King’s Palace. If you meet anyone on the way,
+take him with you.’
+
+[Illustration: The Simpleton Awakes & Sees the Flying Ship]
+
+The Simpleton thanked the manikin very kindly, bade him farewell, and
+went into the road. When he got to the first tree he stopped in front
+of it, did everything just as he had been told, and, kneeling on the
+ground with his face to the earth, fell asleep. After a little time he
+was aroused; he awoke and, rubbing his eyes, saw a ready-made ship at
+his side, and at once got into it. And the ship rose and rose, and in
+another minute was flying through the air, when the Simpleton, who was
+on the look-out, cast his eyes down to the earth and saw a man beneath
+him on the road, who was kneeling with his ear upon the damp ground.
+
+‘Hallo!’ he called out, ‘what are you doing down there?’
+
+‘I am listening to what is going on in the world,’ replied the man.
+
+‘Come with me in my ship,’ said the Simpleton.
+
+So the man was only too glad, and got in beside him; and the ship
+flew, and flew, and flew through the air, till again from his outlook
+the Simpleton saw a man on the road below, who was hopping on one leg,
+while his other leg was tied up behind his ear. So he hailed him,
+calling out:
+
+‘Hallo! what are you doing, hopping on one leg?’
+
+‘I can’t help it,’ replied the man. ‘I walk so fast that unless I tied
+up one leg I should be at the end of the earth in a bound.’
+
+‘Come with us on my ship,’ he answered; and the man made no
+objections, but joined them; and the ship flew on, and on, and on,
+till suddenly the Simpleton, looking down on the road below, beheld a
+man aiming with a gun into the distance.
+
+‘Hallo!’ he shouted to him, ‘what are you aiming at? As far as eye can
+see, there is no bird in sight.’
+
+‘What would be the good of my taking a near shot?’ replied the man; ‘I
+can hit beast or bird at a hundred miles’ distance. That is the kind
+of shot I enjoy.’
+
+‘Come into the ship with us,’ answered the Simpleton; and the man was
+only too glad to join them, and he got in; and the ship flew on,
+farther and farther, till again the Simpleton from his outlook saw a
+man on the road below, carrying on his back a basket full of bread.
+And he waved to him, calling out:
+
+‘Hallo! where are you going?’
+
+‘To fetch bread for my breakfast.’
+
+‘Bread? Why, you have got a whole basket-load of it on your back.’
+
+‘That’s nothing,’ answered the man; ‘I should finish that in one
+mouthful.’
+
+‘Come along with us in my ship, then.’
+
+And so the glutton joined the party, and the ship mounted again into
+the air, and flew up and onward, till the Simpleton from his outlook
+saw a man walking by the shore of a great lake, and evidently looking
+for something.
+
+‘Hallo!’ he cried to him, ‘what are you seeking?’
+
+‘I want water to drink, I’m so thirsty,’ replied the man.
+
+‘Well, there’s a whole lake in front of you; why don’t you drink some
+of that?’
+
+‘Do you call that enough?’ answered the other. ‘Why, I should drink it
+up in one gulp.’
+
+‘Well, come with us in the ship.’
+
+[Illustration: The comrades in the flying ship meet the drinker]
+
+And so the mighty drinker was added to the company; and the ship flew
+farther, and even farther, till again the Simpleton looked out, and
+this time he saw a man dragging a bundle of wood, walking through the
+forest beneath them.
+
+‘Hallo!’ he shouted to him, ‘why are you carrying wood through a
+forest?’
+
+‘This is not common wood,’ answered the other.
+
+‘What sort of wood is it, then?’ said the Simpleton.
+
+‘If you throw it upon the ground,’ said the man, ‘it will be changed
+into an army of soldiers.’
+
+‘Come into the ship with us, then.’
+
+And so he too joined them; and away the ship flew on, and on, and on,
+and once more the Simpleton looked out, and this time he saw a man
+carrying straw upon his back.
+
+‘Hallo! Where are you carrying that straw to?’
+
+‘To the village,’ said the man.
+
+‘Do you mean to say there is no straw in the village?’
+
+‘Ah! but this is quite a peculiar straw. If you strew it about even in
+the hottest summer the air at once becomes cold, and snow falls, and
+the people freeze.’
+
+Then the Simpleton asked him also to join them.
+
+At last the ship, with its strange crew, arrived at the King’s Court.
+The King was having his dinner, but he at once despatched one of his
+courtiers to find out what the huge, strange new bird could be that
+had come flying through the air. The courtier peeped into the ship,
+and, seeing what it was, instantly went back to the King and told him
+that it was a flying ship, and that it was manned by a few peasants.
+
+Then the King remembered his royal oath; but he made up his mind that
+he would never consent to let the Princess marry a poor peasant. So he
+thought and thought, and then said to himself:
+
+‘I will give him some impossible tasks to perform; that will be the
+best way of getting rid of him.’ And he there and then decided to
+despatch one of his courtiers to the Simpleton, with the command that
+he was to fetch the King the healing water from the world’s end before
+he had finished his dinner.
+
+But while the King was still instructing the courtier exactly what he
+was to say, the first man of the ship’s company, the one with the
+miraculous power of hearing, had overheard the King’s words, and
+hastily reported them to the poor Simpleton.
+
+‘Alas, alas!’ he cried; ‘what am I to do now? It would take me quite a
+year, possibly my whole life, to find the water.’
+
+‘Never fear,’ said his fleet-footed comrade, ‘I will fetch what the
+King wants.’
+
+Just then the courtier arrived, bearing the King’s command.
+
+‘Tell his Majesty,’ said the Simpleton, ‘that his orders shall be
+obeyed;’ and forthwith the swift runner unbound the foot that was
+strung up behind his ear and started off, and in less than no time had
+reached the world’s end and drawn the healing water from the well.
+
+‘Dear me,’ he thought to himself, ‘that’s rather tiring! I’ll just
+rest for a few minutes; it will be some little time yet before the
+King has got to dessert.’ So he threw himself down on the grass, and,
+as the sun was very dazzling, he closed his eyes, and in a few seconds
+had fallen sound asleep.
+
+In the meantime all the ship’s crew were anxiously awaiting him; the
+King’s dinner would soon be finished, and their comrade had not yet
+returned. So the man with the marvellous quick hearing lay down, and,
+putting his ear to the ground, listened.
+
+‘That’s a nice sort of fellow!’ he suddenly exclaimed. ‘He’s lying on
+the ground, snoring hard!’
+
+At this the marksman seized his gun, took aim, and fired in the
+direction of the world’s end, in order to awaken the sluggard. And a
+moment later the swift runner reappeared, and, stepping on board the
+ship, handed the healing water to the Simpleton. So while the King was
+still sitting at table finishing his dinner news was brought to him
+that his orders had been obeyed to the letter.
+
+What was to be done now? The King determined to think of a still more
+impossible task. So he told another courtier to go to the Simpleton
+with the command that he and his comrades were instantly to eat up
+twelve oxen and twelve tons of bread. Once more the sharp-eared
+comrade overheard the King’s words while he was still talking to the
+courtier, and reported them to the Simpleton.
+
+‘Alas, alas!’ he sighed; ‘what in the world shall I do? Why, it would
+take us a year, possibly our whole lives, to eat up twelve oxen and
+twelve tons of bread.’
+
+‘Never fear,’ said the glutton. ‘It will scarcely be enough for me,
+I’m so hungry.’
+
+So when the courtier arrived with the royal message he was told to
+take back word to the King that his orders should be obeyed. Then
+twelve roasted oxen and twelve tons of bread were brought alongside of
+the ship, and at one sitting the glutton had devoured it all.
+
+‘I call that a small meal,’ he said. ‘I wish they’d brought me some
+more.’
+
+Next, the King ordered that forty casks of wine, containing forty
+gallons each, were to be drunk up on the spot by the Simpleton and his
+party. When these words were overheard by the sharp-eared comrade and
+repeated to the Simpleton, he was in despair.
+
+‘Alas, alas!’ he exclaimed; ‘what is to be done? It would take us a
+year, possibly our whole lives, to drink so much.’
+
+‘Never fear,’ said his thirsty comrade. ‘I’ll drink it all up at a
+gulp, see if I don’t.’ And sure enough, when the forty casks of wine
+containing forty gallons each were brought alongside of the ship, they
+disappeared down the thirsty comrade’s throat in no time; and when
+they were empty he remarked:
+
+‘Why, I’m still thirsty. I should have been glad of two more casks.’
+
+Then the King took counsel with himself and sent an order to the
+Simpleton that he was to have a bath, in a bath-room at the royal
+palace, and after that the betrothal should take place. Now the
+bath-room was built of iron, and the King gave orders that it was to
+be heated to such a pitch that it would suffocate the Simpleton. And
+so when the poor silly youth entered the room, he discovered that the
+iron walls were red hot. But, fortunately, his comrade with the straw
+on his back had entered behind him, and when the door was shut upon
+them he scattered the straw about, and suddenly the red-hot walls
+cooled down, and it became so very cold that the Simpleton could
+scarcely bear to take a bath, and all the water in the room froze. So
+the Simpleton climbed up upon the stove, and, wrapping himself up in
+the bath blankets, lay there the whole night. And in the morning when
+they opened the door there he lay sound and safe, singing cheerfully
+to himself.
+
+Now when this strange tale was told to the King he became quite sad,
+not knowing what he should do to get rid of so undesirable a
+son-in-law, when suddenly a brilliant idea occurred to him.
+
+‘Tell the rascal to raise me an army, now at this instant!’ he
+exclaimed to one of his courtiers. ‘Inform him at once of this, my
+royal will.’ And to himself he added, ‘I think I shall do for him this
+time.’
+
+As on former occasions, the quick-eared comrade had overheard the
+King’s command and repeated it to the Simpleton.
+
+‘Alas, alas!’ he groaned; ‘now I am quite done for.’
+
+‘Not at all,’ replied one of his comrades (the one who had dragged the
+bundle of wood through the forest). ‘Have you quite forgotten me?’
+
+In the meantime the courtier, who had run all the way from the palace,
+reached the ship panting and breathless, and delivered the King’s
+message.
+
+[Illustration: Simpleton’s Army Appears Before the King]
+
+‘Good!’ remarked the Simpleton. ‘I will raise an army for the King,’
+and he drew himself up. ‘But if, after that, the King refuses to
+accept me as his son-in-law, I will wage war against him, and carry
+the Princess off by force.’
+
+During the night the Simpleton and his comrade went together into a
+big field, not forgetting to take the bundle of wood with them, which
+the man spread out in all directions—and in a moment a mighty army
+stood upon the spot, regiment on regiment of foot and horse soldiers;
+the bugles sounded and the drums beat, the chargers neighed, and their
+riders put their lances in rest, and the soldiers presented arms.
+
+In the morning when the King awoke he was startled by these warlike
+sounds, the bugles and the drums, and the clatter of the horses, and
+the shouts of the soldiers. And, stepping to the window, he saw the
+lances gleam in the sunlight and the armour and weapons glitter. And
+the proud monarch said to himself, ‘I am powerless in comparison with
+this man.’ So he sent him royal robes and costly jewels, and commanded
+him to come to the palace to be married to the Princess. And his
+son-in-law put on the royal robes, and he looked so grand and stately
+that it was impossible to recognise the poor Simpleton, so changed was
+he; and the Princess fell in love with him as soon as ever she saw
+him.
+
+Never before had so grand a wedding been seen, and there was so much
+food and wine that even the glutton and the thirsty comrade had enough
+to eat and drink.
+
+
+
+
+_THE SNOW-DAUGHTER AND THE FIRE-SON_[25]
+
+
+There was once upon a time a man and his wife, and they had no
+children, which was a great grief to them. One winter’s day, when the
+sun was shining brightly, the couple were standing outside their
+cottage, and the woman was looking at all the little icicles which
+hung from the roof. She sighed, and turning to her husband said, ‘I
+wish I had as many children as there are icicles hanging there.’
+‘Nothing would please me more either,’ replied her husband. Then a
+tiny icicle detached itself from the roof, and dropped into the
+woman’s mouth, who swallowed it with a smile, and said, ‘Perhaps I
+shall give birth to a snow child now!’ Her husband laughed at his
+wife’s strange idea, and they went back into the house.
+
+But after a short time the woman gave birth to a little girl, who was
+as white as snow and as cold as ice. If they brought the child
+anywhere near the fire, it screamed loudly till they put it back into
+some cool place. The little maid throve wonderfully, and in a few
+months she could run about and speak. But she was not altogether easy
+to bring up, and gave her parents much trouble and anxiety, for all
+summer she insisted on spending in the cellar, and in the winter she
+would sleep outside in the snow, and the colder it was the happier she
+seemed to be. Her father and mother called her simply ‘Our
+Snow-daughter,’ and this name stuck to her all her life.
+
+[Footnote 25: From the _Bukowinaer Tales and Legends_. Von Wliolocki.]
+
+One day her parents sat by the fire, talking over the extraordinary
+behaviour of their daughter, who was disporting herself in the
+snowstorm that raged outside. The woman sighed deeply and said, ‘I
+wish I had given birth to a Fire-son!’ As she said these words, a
+spark from the big wood fire flew into the woman’s lap, and she said
+with a laugh, ‘Now perhaps I shall give birth to a Fire-son!’ The man
+laughed at his wife’s words, and thought it was a good joke. But he
+ceased to think it a joke when his wife shortly afterwards gave birth
+to a boy, who screamed lustily till he was put quite close to the
+fire, and who nearly yelled himself into a fit if the Snow-daughter
+came anywhere near him. The Snow-daughter herself avoided him as much
+as she could, and always crept into a corner as far away from him as
+possible. The parents called the boy simply ‘Our Fire-son,’ a name
+which stuck to him all his life. They had a great deal of trouble and
+worry with him too; but he throve and grew very quickly, and before he
+was a year old he could run about and talk. He was as red as fire, and
+as hot to touch, and he always sat on the hearth quite close to the
+fire, and complained of the cold; if his sister were in the room he
+almost crept into the flames, while the girl on her part always
+complained of the great heat if her brother were anywhere near. In
+summer the boy always lay out in the sun, while the girl hid herself
+in the cellar: so it happened that the brother and sister came very
+little into contact with each other—in fact, they carefully avoided
+it.
+
+[Illustration: The Snow Maiden]
+
+Just as the girl grew up into a beautiful woman, her father and mother
+both died one after the other. Then the Fire-son, who had grown up in
+the meantime into a fine, strong young man, said to his sister, ‘I am
+going out into the world, for what is the use of remaining on here?’
+
+‘I shall go with you,’ she answered, ‘for, except you, I have no one
+in the world, and I have a feeling that if we set out together we
+shall be lucky.’
+
+The Fire-son said, ‘I love you with all my heart, but at the same time
+I always freeze if you are near me, and you nearly die of heat if I
+approach you! How shall we travel about together without being odious
+the one to the other?’
+
+‘Don’t worry about that,’ replied the girl, ‘for I’ve thought it all
+over, and have settled on a plan which will make us each able to bear
+with the other! See, I have had a fur cloak made for each of us, and
+if we put them on I shall not feel the heat so much nor you the cold.’
+So they put on the fur cloaks, and set out cheerfully on their way,
+and for the first time in their lives quite happy in each other’s
+company.
+
+For a long time the Fire-son and the Snow-daughter wandered through
+the world, and when at the beginning of winter they came to a big wood
+they determined to stay there till spring. The Fire-son built himself
+a hut where he always kept up a huge fire, while his sister with very
+few clothes on stayed outside night and day. Now it happened one day
+that the King of the land held a hunt in this wood, and saw the
+Snow-daughter wandering about in the open air. He wondered very much
+who the beautiful girl clad in such garments could be, and he stopped
+and spoke to her. He soon learnt that she could not stand heat, and
+that her brother could not endure cold. The King was so charmed by the
+Snow-daughter, that he asked her to be his wife. The girl consented,
+and the wedding was held with much state. The King had a huge house of
+ice made for his wife underground, so that even in summer it did not
+melt. But for his brother-in-law he had a house built with huge ovens
+all round it, that were kept heated all day and night. The Fire-son
+was delighted, but the perpetual heat in which he lived made his body
+so hot, that it was dangerous to go too close to him.
+
+One day the King gave a great feast, and asked his brother-in-law
+among the other guests. The Fire-son did not appear till everyone had
+assembled, and when he did, everyone fled outside to the open air, so
+intense was the heat he gave forth. Then the King was very angry and
+said, ‘If I had known what a lot of trouble you would have been, I
+would never have taken you into my house.’ Then the Fire-son replied
+with a laugh, ‘Don’t be angry, dear brother! I love heat and my sister
+loves cold—come here and let me embrace you, and then I’ll go home at
+once.’ And before the King had time to reply, the Fire-son seized him
+in a tight embrace. The King screamed aloud in agony, and when his
+wife, the Snow-daughter, who had taken refuge from her brother in the
+next room, hurried to him, the King lay dead on the ground burnt to a
+cinder. When the Snow-daughter saw this she turned on her brother and
+flew at him. Then a fight began, the like of which had never been seen
+on earth. When the people, attracted by the noise, hurried to the
+spot, they saw the Snow-daughter melting into water and the Fire-son
+burn to a cinder. And so ended the unhappy brother and sister.
+
+
+
+
+_THE STORY OF KING FROST_[26]
+
+
+There was once upon a time a peasant-woman who had a daughter and a
+step-daughter. The daughter had her own way in everything, and
+whatever she did was right in her mother’s eyes; but the poor
+step-daughter had a hard time. Let her do what she would, she was
+always blamed, and got small thanks for all the trouble she took;
+nothing was right, everything wrong; and yet, if the truth were known,
+the girl was worth her weight in gold—she was so unselfish and
+good-hearted. But her step-mother did not like her, and the poor
+girl’s days were spent in weeping; for it was impossible to live
+peacefully with the woman. The wicked shrew was determined to get rid
+of the girl by fair means or foul, and kept saying to her father:
+‘Send her away, old man; send her away—anywhere so that my eyes
+shan’t be plagued any longer by the sight of her, or my ears tormented
+by the sound of her voice. Send her out into the fields, and let the
+cutting frost do for her.’
+
+In vain did the poor old father weep and implore her pity; she was
+firm, and he dared not gainsay her. So he placed his daughter in a
+sledge, not even daring to give her a horse-cloth to keep herself warm
+with, and drove her out on to the bare, open fields, where he kissed
+her and left her, driving home as fast as he could, that he might not
+witness her miserable death.
+
+Deserted by her father, the poor girl sat down under a fir-tree at the
+edge of the forest and began to weep silently. Suddenly she heard a
+faint sound: it was King Frost springing from tree to tree, and
+cracking his fingers as he went. At length he reached the fir-tree
+beneath which she was sitting, and with a crisp crackling sound he
+alighted beside her, and looked at her lovely face.
+
+‘Well, maiden,’ he snapped out, ‘do you know who I am? I am King
+Frost, king of the red-noses.’
+
+[Footnote 26: From the Russian.]
+
+‘All hail to you, great King!’ answered the girl, in a gentle,
+trembling voice. ‘Have you come to take me?’
+
+‘Are you warm, maiden?’ he replied.
+
+‘Quite warm, King Frost,’ she answered, though she shivered as she
+spoke.
+
+Then King Frost stooped down, and bent over the girl, and the
+crackling sound grew louder, and the air seemed to be full of knives
+and darts; and again he asked:
+
+‘Maiden, are you warm? Are you warm, you beautiful girl?’
+
+And though her breath was almost frozen on her lips, she whispered
+gently, ‘Quite warm, King Frost.’
+
+Then King Frost gnashed his teeth, and cracked his fingers, and his
+eyes sparkled, and the crackling, crisp sound was louder than ever,
+and for the last time he asked her:
+
+‘Maiden, are you still warm? Are you still warm, little love?’
+
+And the poor girl was so stiff and numb that she could just gasp,
+‘Still warm, O King!’
+
+Now her gentle, courteous words and her uncomplaining ways touched
+King Frost, and he had pity on her, and he wrapped her up in furs, and
+covered her with blankets, and he fetched a great box, in which were
+beautiful jewels and a rich robe embroidered in gold and silver. And
+she put it on, and looked more lovely than ever, and King Frost
+stepped with her into his sledge, with six white horses.
+
+In the meantime the wicked step-mother was waiting at home for news of
+the girl’s death, and preparing pancakes for the funeral feast. And
+she said to her husband: ‘Old man, you had better go out into the
+fields and find your daughter’s body and bury her.’ Just as the old
+man was leaving the house the little dog under the table began to
+bark, saying:
+
+     ‘_Your_ daughter shall live to be your delight;
+      _Her_ daughter shall die this very night.’
+
+‘Hold your tongue, you foolish beast!’ scolded the woman. ‘There’s a
+pancake for you, but you must say:
+
+     “_Her_ daughter shall have much silver and gold;
+      _His_ daughter is frozen quite stiff and cold.”’
+
+But the doggie ate up the pancake and barked, saying:
+
+     ‘His daughter shall wear a crown on her head;
+      Her daughter shall die unwooed, unwed.’
+
+Then the old woman tried to coax the doggie with more pancakes and to
+terrify it with blows, but he barked on, always repeating the same
+words. And suddenly the door creaked and flew open, and a great heavy
+chest was pushed in, and behind it came the step-daughter, radiant and
+beautiful, in a dress all glittering with silver and gold. For a
+moment the step-mother’s eyes were dazzled. Then she called to her
+husband: ‘Old man, yoke the horses at once into the sledge, and take
+my daughter to the same field and leave her on the same spot exactly;’
+and so the old man took the girl and left her beneath the same tree
+where he had parted from his daughter. In a few minutes King Frost
+came past, and, looking at the girl, he said:
+
+[Illustration: “Maiden are you Warm?”]
+
+‘Are you warm, maiden?’
+
+‘What a blind old fool you must be to ask such a question!’ she
+answered angrily. ‘Can’t you see that my hands and feet are nearly
+frozen?’
+
+Then King Frost sprang to and fro in front of her, questioning her,
+and getting only rude, rough words in reply, till at last he got very
+angry, and cracked his fingers, and gnashed his teeth, and froze her
+to death.
+
+But in the hut her mother was waiting for her return, and as she grew
+impatient she said to her husband: ‘Get out the horses, old man, to go
+and fetch her home; but see that you are careful not to upset the
+sledge and lose the chest.’
+
+But the doggie beneath the table began to bark, saying:
+
+     ‘Your daughter is frozen quite stiff and cold,
+      And shall never have a chest full of gold.’
+
+‘Don’t tell such wicked lies!’ scolded the woman. ‘There’s a cake for
+you; now say:
+
+     “_Her_ daughter shall marry a mighty King.”’
+
+At that moment the door flew open, and she rushed out to meet her
+daughter, and as she took her frozen body in her arms she too was
+chilled to death.
+
+
+
+
+_THE DEATH OF THE SUN-HERO_[27]
+
+
+Many, many thousand years ago there lived a mighty King whom heaven
+had blessed with a clever and beautiful son. When he was only ten
+years old the boy was cleverer than all the King’s counsellors put
+together, and when he was twenty he was the greatest hero in the whole
+kingdom. His father could not make enough of his son, and always had
+him clothed in golden garments which shone and sparkled like the sun;
+and his mother gave him a white horse, which never slept, and which
+flew like the wind. All the people in the land loved him dearly, and
+called him the Sun-Hero, for they did not think his like existed under
+the sun. Now it happened one night that both his parents had the same
+extraordinary dream. They dreamt that a girl all dressed in red had
+come to them and said: ‘If you wish that your son should really become
+the Sun-Hero in deed and not only in name, let him go out into the
+world and search for the Tree of the Sun, and when he has found it,
+let him pluck a golden apple from it and bring it home.’
+
+When the King and Queen had each related their dreams to the other,
+they were much amazed that they should both have dreamt exactly the
+same about their son, and the King said to his wife, ‘This is clearly
+a sign from heaven that we should send our son out into the world in
+order that he may come home the great Sun-Hero, as the Red Girl said,
+not only in name but in deed.’
+
+The Queen consented with many tears, and the King at once bade his son
+set forth in search of the Tree of the Sun, from which he was to pluck
+a golden apple. The Prince was delighted at the prospect, and set out
+on his travels that very day.
+
+[Footnote 27: From the _Bukowinaer Tales and Legends_. Von Wliolocki.]
+
+For a long time he wandered all through the world, and it was not till
+the ninety-ninth day after he started that he found an old man who was
+able to tell him where the Tree of the Sun grew. He followed his
+directions, and rode on his way, and after another ninety-nine days he
+arrived at a golden castle, which stood in the middle of a vast
+wilderness. He knocked at the door, which was opened noiselessly and
+by invisible hands. Finding no one about, the Prince rode on, and came
+to a great meadow, where the Sun-Tree grew. When he reached the tree
+he put out his hand to pick a golden apple; but all of a sudden the
+tree grew higher, so that he could not reach its fruit. Then he heard
+some one behind him laughing. Turning round, he saw the girl in red
+walking towards him, who addressed him in these words:
+
+‘Do you really imagine, brave son of the earth, that you can pluck an
+apple so easily from the Tree of the Sun? Before you can do that, you
+have a difficult task before you. You must guard the tree for nine
+days and nine nights from the ravages of two wild black wolves, who
+will try to harm it. Do you think you can undertake this?’
+
+[Illustration: The Sun-hero Guards the Apples of the Sun]
+
+‘Yes,’ answered the Sun-Hero, ‘I will guard the Tree of the Sun nine
+days and nine nights.’
+
+Then the girl continued: ‘Remember, though, if you do not succeed the
+Sun will kill you. Now begin your watch.’
+
+With these words the Red Girl went back into the golden castle. She
+had hardly left him when the two black wolves appeared: but the
+Sun-Hero beat them off with his sword, and they retired, only,
+however, to reappear in a very short time. The Sun-Hero chased them
+away once more, but he had hardly sat down to rest when the two black
+wolves were on the scene again. This went on for seven days and
+nights, when the white horse, who had never done such a thing before,
+turned to the Sun-Hero and said in a human voice: ‘Listen to what I am
+going to say. A Fairy gave me to your mother in order that I might be
+of service to you; so let me tell you, that if you go to sleep and let
+the wolves harm the tree, the Sun will surely kill you. The Fairy,
+foreseeing this, put everyone in the world under a spell, which
+prevents their obeying the Sun’s command to take your life. But all
+the same, she has forgotten one person, who will certainly kill you if
+you fall asleep and let the wolves damage the tree. So watch and keep
+the wolves away.’
+
+Then the Sun-Hero strove with all his might and kept the black wolves
+at bay, and conquered his desire to sleep; but on the eighth night his
+strength failed him, and he fell fast asleep. When he awoke a woman in
+black stood beside him, who said: ‘You have fulfilled your task very
+badly, for you have let the two black wolves damage the Tree of the
+Sun. I am the mother of the Sun, and I command you to ride away from
+here at once, and I pronounce sentence of death upon you, for you
+proudly let yourself be called the Sun-Hero without having done
+anything to deserve the name.’
+
+The youth mounted his horse sadly, and rode home. The people all
+thronged round him on his return, anxious to hear his adventures, but
+he told them nothing, and only to his mother did he confide what had
+befallen him. But the old Queen laughed, and said to her son: ‘Don’t
+worry, my child; you see, the Fairy has protected you so far, and the
+Sun has found no one to kill you. So cheer up and be happy.’
+
+After a time the Prince forgot all about his adventure, and married a
+beautiful Princess, with whom he lived very happily for some time. But
+one day when he was out hunting he felt very thirsty, and coming to a
+stream he stooped down to drink from it, and this caused his death,
+for a crab came swimming up, and with its claws tore out his tongue.
+He was carried home in a dying condition, and as he lay on his
+death-bed the black woman appeared and said: ‘So the Sun has, after
+all, found someone, who was not under the Fairy’s spell, who has
+caused your death. And a similar fate will overtake everyone under the
+Sun who wrongfully assumes a title to which he has no right.’
+
+
+
+
+_THE WITCH_[28]
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a peasant whose wife died, leaving him with
+two children—twins—a boy and a girl. For some years the poor man
+lived on alone with the children, caring for them as best he could;
+but everything in the house seemed to go wrong without a woman to look
+after it, and at last he made up his mind to marry again, feeling that
+a wife would bring peace and order to his household and take care of
+his motherless children. So he married, and in the following years
+several children were born to him; but peace and order did not come to
+the household. For the step-mother was very cruel to the twins, and
+beat them, and half-starved them, and constantly drove them out of the
+house; for her one idea was to get them out of the way. All day she
+thought of nothing but how she should get rid of them; and at last an
+evil idea came into her head, and she determined to send them out into
+the great gloomy wood where a wicked witch lived. And so one morning
+she spoke to them, saying:
+
+‘You have been such good children that I am going to send you to visit
+my granny, who lives in a dear little hut in the wood. You will have
+to wait upon her and serve her, but you will be well rewarded, for she
+will give you the best of everything.’
+
+So the children left the house together; and the little sister, who
+was very wise for her years, said to the brother:
+
+‘We will first go and see our own dear grandmother, and tell her where
+our step-mother is sending us.’
+
+[Footnote 28: From the Russian.]
+
+And when the grandmother heard where they were going, she cried and
+said:
+
+‘You poor motherless children! How I pity you; and yet I can do
+nothing to help you! Your step-mother is not sending you to her
+granny, but to a wicked witch who lives in that great gloomy wood. Now
+listen to me, children. You must be civil and kind to everyone, and
+never say a cross word to anyone, and never touch a crumb belonging to
+anyone else. Who knows if, after all, help may not be sent to you?’
+
+And she gave her grandchildren a bottle of milk and a piece of ham and
+a loaf of bread, and they set out for the great gloomy wood. When they
+reached it they saw in front of them, in the thickest of the trees, a
+queer little hut, and when they looked into it, there lay the witch,
+with her head on the threshold of the door, with one foot in one
+corner and the other in the other corner, and her knees cocked up,
+almost touching the ceiling.
+
+‘Who’s there?’ she snarled, in an awful voice, when she saw the
+children.
+
+[Illustration: Who’s There?]
+
+And they answered civilly, though they were so terrified that they hid
+behind one another, and said:
+
+‘Good-morning, granny; our step-mother has sent us to wait upon you,
+and serve you.’
+
+‘See that you do it well, then,’ growled the witch. ‘If I am pleased
+with you, I’ll reward you; but if I am not, I’ll put you in a pan and
+fry you in the oven—that’s what I’ll do with you, my pretty dears!
+You have been gently reared, but you’ll find my work hard enough. See
+if you don’t.’
+
+And, so saying, she set the girl down to spin yarn, and she gave the
+boy a sieve in which to carry water from the well, and she herself
+went out into the wood. Now, as the girl was sitting at her distaff,
+weeping bitterly because she could not spin, she heard the sound of
+hundreds of little feet, and from every hole and corner in the hut
+mice came pattering along the floor, squeaking and saying:
+
+     ‘Little girl, why are your eyes so red?
+      If you want help, then give us some bread.’
+
+And the girl gave them the bread that her grandmother had given her.
+Then the mice told her that the witch had a cat, and the cat was very
+fond of ham; if she would give the cat her ham, it would show her the
+way out of the wood, and in the meantime they would spin the yarn for
+her. So the girl set out to look for the cat, and, as she was hunting
+about, she met her brother, in great trouble because he could not
+carry water from the well in a sieve, as it came pouring out as fast
+as he put it in. And as she was trying to comfort him they heard a
+rustling of wings, and a flight of wrens alighted on the ground beside
+them. And the wrens said:
+
+     ‘Give us some crumbs, then you need not grieve.
+      For you’ll find that water will stay in the sieve.’
+
+Then the twins crumbled their bread on the ground, and the wrens
+pecked it, and chirruped and chirped. And when they had eaten the last
+crumb they told the boy to fill up the holes of the sieve with clay,
+and then to draw water from the well. So he did what they said, and
+carried the sieve full of water into the hut without spilling a drop.
+When they entered the hut the cat was curled up on the floor. So they
+stroked her, and fed her with ham, and said to her:
+
+‘Pussy, grey pussy, tell us how we are to get away from the witch?’
+
+Then the cat thanked them for the ham, and gave them a
+pocket-handkerchief and a comb, and told them that when the witch
+pursued them, as she certainly would, all they had to do was to throw
+the handkerchief on the ground and run as fast as they could. As soon
+as the handkerchief touched the ground a deep, broad river would
+spring up, which would hinder the witch’s progress. If she managed to
+get across it, they must throw the comb behind them and run for their
+lives, for where the comb fell a dense forest would start up, which
+would delay the witch so long that they would be able to get safely
+away.
+
+The cat had scarcely finished speaking when the witch returned to see
+if the children had fulfilled their tasks.
+
+‘Well, you have done well enough for to-day,’ she grumbled; ‘but
+to-morrow you’ll have something more difficult to do, and if you don’t
+do it well, you pampered brats, straight into the oven you go.’
+
+Half-dead with fright, and trembling in every limb, the poor children
+lay down to sleep on a heap of straw in the corner of the hut; but
+they dared not close their eyes, and scarcely ventured to breathe. In
+the morning the witch gave the girl two pieces of linen to weave
+before night, and the boy a pile of wood to cut into chips. Then the
+witch left them to their tasks, and went out into the wood. As soon as
+she had gone out of sight the children took the comb and the
+handkerchief, and, taking one another by the hand, they started and
+ran, and ran, and ran. And first they met the watch-dog, who was going
+to leap on them and tear them to pieces; but they threw the remains of
+their bread to him, and he ate them and wagged his tail. Then they
+were hindered by the birch-trees, whose branches almost put their eyes
+out. But the little sister tied the twigs together with a piece of
+ribbon, and they got past safely, and, after running through the wood,
+came out on to the open fields.
+
+In the meantime in the hut the cat was busy weaving the linen and
+tangling the threads as it wove. And the witch returned to see how the
+children were getting on; and she crept up to the window, and
+whispered:
+
+‘Are you weaving, my little dear?’
+
+‘Yes, granny, I am weaving,’ answered the cat.
+
+When the witch saw that the children had escaped her, she was furious,
+and, hitting the cat with a porringer, she said: ‘Why did you let the
+children leave the hut? Why did you not scratch their eyes out?’
+
+But the cat curled up its tail and put its back up, and answered: ‘I
+have served you all these years and you never even threw me a bone,
+but the dear children gave me their own piece of ham.’
+
+Then the witch was furious with the watch-dog and with the
+birch-trees, because they had let the children pass. But the dog
+answered:
+
+‘I have served you all these years and you never gave me so much as a
+hard crust, but the dear children gave me their own loaf of bread.’
+
+And the birch rustled its leaves, and said: ‘I have served you longer
+than I can say, and you never tied a bit of twine even round my
+branches; and the dear children bound them up with their brightest
+ribbons.’
+
+So the witch saw there was no help to be got from her old servants,
+and that the best thing she could do was to mount on her broom and set
+off in pursuit of the children. And as the children ran they heard the
+sound of the broom sweeping the ground close behind them, so instantly
+they threw the handkerchief down over their shoulder, and in a moment
+a deep, broad river flowed behind them.
+
+[Illustration: The comb grows into a forest]
+
+When the witch came up to it, it took her a long time before she found
+a place which she could ford over on her broom-stick; but at last she
+got across, and continued the chase faster than before. And as the
+children ran they heard a sound, and the little sister put her ear to
+the ground, and heard the broom sweeping the earth close behind them;
+so, quick as thought, she threw the comb down on the ground, and in an
+instant, as the cat had said, a dense forest sprung up, in which the
+roots and branches were so closely intertwined, that it was impossible
+to force a way through it. So when the witch came up to it on her
+broom she found that there was nothing for it but to turn round and go
+back to her hut.
+
+But the twins ran straight on till they reached their own home. Then
+they told their father all that they had suffered, and he was so angry
+with their step-mother that he drove her out of the house, and never
+let her return; but he and the children lived happily together; and he
+took care of them himself, and never let a stranger come near them.
+
+
+
+
+_THE HAZEL-NUT CHILD_[29]
+
+
+There was once upon a time a couple who had no children, and they
+prayed Heaven every day to send them a child, though it were no bigger
+than a hazel-nut. At last Heaven heard their prayer and sent them a
+child exactly the size of a hazel-nut, and it never grew an inch. The
+parents were very devoted to the little creature, and nursed and
+tended it carefully. Their tiny son too was as clever as he could be,
+and so sharp and sensible that all the neighbours marvelled over the
+wise things he said and did.
+
+When the Hazel-nut child was fifteen years old, and was sitting one
+day in an egg-shell on the table beside his mother, she turned to him
+and said, ‘You are now fifteen years old, and nothing can be done with
+you. What do you intend to be?’
+
+‘A messenger,’ answered the Hazel-nut child.
+
+Then his mother burst out laughing and said, ‘What an idea! You a
+messenger! Why, your little feet would take an hour to go the distance
+an ordinary person could do in a minute!’
+
+But the Hazel-nut child replied, ‘Nevertheless I mean to be a
+messenger! Just send me a message and you’ll see that I shall be back
+in next to no time.’
+
+[Footnote 29: From the _Bukowniaer_. Von Wliolocki.]
+
+So his mother said, ‘Very well, go to your aunt in the neighbouring
+village, and fetch me a comb.’ The Hazel-nut child jumped quickly out
+of the egg-shell and ran out into the street. Here he found a man on
+horseback who was just setting out for the neighbouring village. He
+crept up the horse’s leg, sat down under the saddle, and then began to
+pinch the horse and to prick it with a pin. The horse plunged and
+reared and then set off at a hard gallop, which it continued in spite
+of its rider’s efforts to stop it. When they reached the village, the
+Hazel-nut child left off pricking the horse, and the poor tired
+creature pursued its way at a snail’s pace. The Hazel-nut child took
+advantage of this, and crept down the horse’s leg; then he ran to his
+aunt and asked her for a comb. On the way home he met another rider,
+and did the return journey in exactly the same way. When he handed his
+mother the comb that his aunt had given him, she was much amazed and
+asked him, ‘But how did you manage to get back so quickly?’
+
+‘Ah! mother,’ he replied, ‘you see I was quite right when I said I
+knew a messenger was the profession for me.’
+
+His father too possessed a horse which he often used to take out into
+the fields to graze. One day he took the Hazel-nut child with him. At
+midday the father turned to his small son and said, ‘Stay here and
+look after the horse. I must go home and give your mother a message,
+but I shall be back soon.’
+
+When his father had gone, a robber passed by and saw the horse grazing
+without any one watching it, for of course he could not see the
+Hazel-nut child hidden in the grass. So he mounted the horse and rode
+away. But the Hazel-nut child, who was the most active little
+creature, climbed up the horse’s tail and began to bite it on the
+back, enraging the creature to such an extent that it paid no
+attention to the direction the robber tried to make it go in, but
+galloped straight home. The father was much astonished when he saw a
+stranger riding his horse, but the Hazel-nut child climbed down
+quickly and told him all that had happened, and his father had the
+robber arrested at once and put into prison.
+
+One autumn when the Hazel-nut child was twenty years old he said to
+his parents: ‘Farewell, my dear father and mother. I am going to set
+out into the world, and as soon as I have become rich I will return
+home to you.’
+
+The parents laughed at the little man’s words, but did not believe him
+for a moment. In the evening the Hazel-nut child crept on to the roof,
+where some storks had built their nest. The storks were fast asleep,
+and he climbed on to the back of the father-stork and bound a silk
+cord round the joint of one of its wings, then he crept among its soft
+downy feathers and fell asleep.
+
+The next morning the storks flew towards the south, for winter was
+approaching. The Hazel-nut child flew through the air on the stork’s
+back, and when he wanted to rest he bound his silk cord on to the
+joint of the bird’s other wing, so that it could not fly any farther.
+In this way he reached the country of the black people, where the
+storks took up their abode close to the capital. When the people saw
+the Hazel-nut child they were much astonished, and took him with the
+stork to the King of the country. The King was delighted with the
+little creature and kept him always beside him, and he soon grew so
+fond of the little man that he gave him a diamond four times as big as
+himself. The Hazel-nut child fastened the diamond firmly under the
+stork’s neck with a ribbon, and when he saw that the other storks were
+getting ready for their northern flight, he untied the silk cord from
+his stork’s wings, and away they went, getting nearer home every
+minute. At length the Hazel-nut child came to his native village; then
+he undid the ribbon from the stork’s neck and the diamond fell to the
+ground; he covered it first with sand and stones, and then ran to get
+his parents, so that they might carry the treasure home, for he
+himself was not able to lift the great diamond.
+
+[Illustration: The Black King’s Gift.]
+
+So the Hazel-nut child and his parents lived in happiness and
+prosperity after this till they died.
+
+
+
+
+_THE STORY OF BIG KLAUS AND LITTLE KLAUS_
+
+
+In a certain village there lived two people who had both the same
+name. Both were called Klaus, but one owned four horses and the other
+only one. In order to distinguish the one from the other, the one who
+had four horses was called Big Klaus, and the one who had only one
+horse, Little Klaus. Now you shall hear what befell them both, for
+this is a true story.
+
+The whole week through Little Klaus had to plough for Big Klaus, and
+lend him his one horse; then Big Klaus lent him his four horses, but
+only once a week, and that was on Sunday. Hurrah! how loudly Little
+Klaus cracked his whip over all the five horses! for they were indeed
+as good as his on this one day. The sun shone brightly, and all the
+bells in the church-towers were pealing; the people were dressed in
+their best clothes, and were going to church, with their hymn-books
+under their arms, to hear the minister preach. They saw Little Klaus
+ploughing with the five horses; but he was so happy that he kept on
+cracking his whip, and calling out ‘Gee-up, my five horses!’
+
+‘You mustn’t say that,’ said Big Klaus. ‘Only one horse is yours.’
+
+But as soon as someone else was going by Little Klaus forgot that he
+must not say it, and called out ‘Gee-up, my five horses!’
+
+‘Now you had better stop that,’ said Big Klaus, ‘for if you say it
+once more I will give your horse such a crack on the head that it will
+drop down dead on the spot!’
+
+‘I really won’t say it again!’ said Little Klaus. But as soon as more
+people passed by, and nodded him good-morning, he became so happy in
+thinking how well it looked to have five horses ploughing his field
+that, cracking his whip, he called out ‘Gee-up, my five horses!’
+
+‘I’ll see to your horses!’ said Big Klaus; and, seizing an iron bar,
+he struck Little Klaus’ one horse such a blow on the head that it fell
+down and died on the spot.
+
+‘Alas! Now I have no horse!’ said Little Klaus, beginning to cry. Then
+he flayed the skin off his horse, dried it, and put it in a sack,
+which he threw over his shoulder, and went into the town to sell it.
+He had a long way to go, and had to pass through a great dark forest.
+A dreadful storm came on, in which he lost his way, and before he
+could get on to the right road night came on, and it was impossible to
+reach the town that evening.
+
+Right in front of him was a large farm-house. The window-shutters were
+closed, but the light came through the chinks. ‘I should very much
+like to be allowed to spend the night there,’ thought Little Klaus;
+and he went and knocked at the door. The farmer’s wife opened it, but
+when she heard what he wanted she told him to go away; her husband was
+not at home, and she took in no strangers.
+
+‘Well, I must lie down outside,’ said Little Klaus; and the farmer’s
+wife shut the door in his face. Close by stood a large hay-stack, and
+between it and the house a little out-house, covered with a flat
+thatched roof.
+
+‘I can lie down there,’ thought Little Klaus, looking at the roof; ‘it
+will make a splendid bed, if only the stork won’t fly down and bite my
+legs.’ For a live stork was standing on the roof, where it had its
+nest. So Little Klaus crept up into the out-house, where he lay down,
+and made himself comfortable for the night. The wooden shutters over
+the windows were not shut at the top, and he could just see into the
+room.
+
+There stood a large table, spread with wine and roast meat and a
+beautiful fish. The farmer’s wife and the sexton sat at the table, but
+there was no one else. She was filling up his glass, while he stuck
+his fork into the fish which was his favourite dish.
+
+‘If one could only get some of that!’ thought Little Klaus, stretching
+his head towards the window. Ah, what delicious cakes he saw standing
+there! It _was_ a feast!
+
+Then he heard someone riding along the road towards the house. It was
+the farmer coming home. He was a very worthy man; but he had one great
+peculiarity—namely, that he could not bear to see a sexton. If he saw
+one he was made quite mad. That was why the sexton had gone to say
+good-day to the farmer’s wife when he knew that her husband was not at
+home, and the good woman therefore put in front of him the best food
+she had. But when they heard the farmer coming they were frightened,
+and the farmer’s wife begged the sexton to creep into a great empty
+chest. He did so, as he knew the poor man could not bear to see a
+sexton. The wife hastily hid all the beautiful food and the wine in
+her oven; for if her husband had seen it, he would have been sure to
+ask what it all meant.
+
+[Illustration: “Gee-up my Five Horses!” “I’ll See to Your Horses”]
+
+‘Oh, dear! oh, dear!’ groaned Little Klaus up in the shed, when he saw
+the good food disappearing.
+
+‘Is anybody up there?’ asked the farmer, catching sight of Little
+Klaus. ‘Why are you lying there? Come with me into the house.’
+
+Then Little Klaus told him how he had lost his way, and begged to be
+allowed to spend the night there.
+
+‘Yes, certainly,’ said the farmer; ‘but we must first have something
+to eat!’
+
+The wife received them both very kindly, spread a long table, and gave
+them a large plate of porridge. The farmer was hungry, and ate with a
+good appetite; but Little Klaus could not help thinking of the
+delicious dishes of fish and roast meats and cakes which he knew were
+in the oven. Under the table at his feet he had laid the sack with the
+horse-skin in it, for, as we know, he was going to the town to sell
+it. The porridge did not taste good to him, so he trod upon his sack,
+and the dry skin in the sack squeaked loudly.
+
+‘Hush!’ said Little Klaus to his sack, at the same time treading on it
+again so that it squeaked even louder than before.
+
+‘Hullo! what have you got in your sack?’ asked the farmer.
+
+‘Oh, it is a wizard!’ said Little Klaus. ‘He says we should not eat
+porridge, for he has conjured the whole oven full of roast meats and
+fish and cakes.’
+
+‘Goodness me!’ said the farmer; and opening the oven he saw all the
+delicious, tempting dishes his wife had hidden there, but which he now
+believed the wizard in the sack had conjured up for them. The wife
+could say nothing, but she put the food at once on the table, and they
+ate the fish, the roast meat, and the cakes. Little Klaus now trod
+again on his sack, so that the skin squeaked.
+
+‘What does he say now?’ asked the farmer.
+
+‘He says,’ replied Little Klaus, ‘that he has also conjured up for us
+three bottles of wine; they are standing in the corner by the oven!’
+
+The wife had to fetch the wine which she had hidden, and the farmer
+drank and grew very merry. He would very much like to have had such a
+wizard as Little Klaus had in the sack.
+
+‘Can he conjure up the Devil?’ asked the farmer. ‘I should like to see
+him very much, for I feel just now in very good spirits!’
+
+‘Yes,’ said Little Klaus; ‘my wizard can do everything that I ask.
+Isn’t that true?’ he asked, treading on the sack so that it squeaked.
+‘Do you hear? He says “Yes;” but that the Devil looks so ugly that we
+should not like to see him.’
+
+‘Oh! I’m not at all afraid. What does he look like?’
+
+‘He will show himself in the shape of a sexton!’
+
+‘I say!’ said the farmer, ‘he must be ugly! You must know that I can’t
+bear to look at a sexton! But it doesn’t matter. I know that it is the
+Devil, and I sha’n’t mind! I feel up to it now. But he must not come
+too near me!’
+
+‘I must ask my wizard,’ said Little Klaus, treading on the sack and
+putting his ear to it.
+
+‘What does he say?’
+
+‘He says you can open the chest in the corner there, and you will see
+the Devil squatting inside it; but you must hold the lid so that he
+shall not escape.’
+
+‘Will you help me to hold him?’ begged the farmer, going towards the
+chest where his wife had hidden the real sexton, who was sitting
+inside in a terrible fright. The farmer opened the lid a little way,
+and saw him inside.
+
+‘Ugh!’ he shrieked, springing back. ‘Yes, now I have seen him; he
+looked just like our sexton. Oh, it was horrid!’
+
+So he had to drink again, and they drank till far on into the night.
+
+‘You _must_ sell me the wizard,’ said the farmer. ‘Ask anything you
+like! I will pay you down a bushelful of money on the spot.’
+
+‘No, I really can’t,’ said Little Klaus. ‘Just think how many things I
+can get from this wizard!’
+
+‘Ah! I should like to have him so much!’ said the farmer, begging very
+hard.
+
+‘Well!’ said Little Klaus at last, ‘as you have been so good as to
+give me shelter to-night, I will sell him. You shall have the wizard
+for a bushel of money, but I must have full measure.’
+
+‘That you shall,’ said the farmer. ‘But you must take the chest with
+you. I won’t keep it another hour in the house. Who knows that _he_
+isn’t in there still?’
+
+Little Klaus gave the farmer his sack with the dry skin, and got
+instead a good bushelful of money. The farmer also gave him a
+wheelbarrow to carry away his money and the chest. ‘Farewell,’ said
+Little Klaus; and away he went with his money and the big chest,
+wherein sat the sexton.
+
+[Illustration: The Farmer Thinks He Sees the Devil in the Chest]
+
+On the other side of the wood was a large deep river. The water flowed
+so rapidly that you could scarcely swim against the stream. A great
+new bridge had been built over it, on the middle of which Little Klaus
+stopped, and said aloud so that the sexton might hear:
+
+‘Now, what am I to do with this stupid chest? It is as heavy as if it
+were filled with stones! I shall only be tired, dragging it along; I
+will throw it into the river. If it swims home to me, well and good;
+and if it doesn’t, it’s no matter.’
+
+Then he took the chest with one hand and lifted it up a little, as if
+he were going to throw it into the water.
+
+‘No, don’t do that!’ called out the sexton in the chest. ‘Let me get
+out first!’
+
+‘Oh, oh!’ said Little Klaus, pretending that he was afraid. ‘He is
+still in there! I must throw him quickly into the water to drown him!’
+
+‘Oh! no, no!’ cried the sexton. ‘I will give you a whole bushelful of
+money if you will let me go!’
+
+‘Ah, that’s quite another thing!’ said Little Klaus, opening the
+chest. The sexton crept out very quickly, pushed the empty chest into
+the water and went to his house, where he gave Little Klaus a bushel
+of money. One he had had already from the farmer, and now he had his
+wheelbarrow full of money.
+
+‘Well, I have got a good price for the horse!’ said he to himself when
+he shook all his money out in a heap in his room. ‘This will put Big
+Klaus in a rage when he hears how rich I have become through my one
+horse; but I won’t tell him just yet!’
+
+So he sent a boy to Big Klaus to borrow a bushel measure from him.
+
+‘Now what can he want with it?’ thought Big Klaus; and he smeared some
+tar at the bottom, so that of whatever was measured a little should
+remain in it. And this is just what happened; for when he got his
+measure back, three new silver five-shilling pieces were sticking to
+it.
+
+‘What does this mean?’ said Big Klaus, and he ran off at once to
+Little Klaus.
+
+‘Where did you get so much money from?’
+
+‘Oh, that was from my horse-skin. I sold it yesterday evening.’
+
+‘That’s certainly a good price!’ said Big Klaus; and running home in
+great haste, he took an axe, knocked all his four horses on the head,
+skinned them, and went into the town.
+
+‘Skins! skins! Who will buy skins?’ he cried through the streets.
+
+All the shoemakers and tanners came running to ask him what he wanted
+for them. ‘A bushel of money for each,’ said Big Klaus.
+
+‘Are you mad?’ they all exclaimed. ‘Do you think we have money by the
+bushel?’
+
+‘Skins! skins! Who will buy skins?’ he cried again, and to all who
+asked him what they cost, he answered, ‘A bushel of money.’
+
+‘He is making game of us,’ they said; and the shoemakers seized their
+yard measures and the tanners their leather aprons and they gave Big
+Klaus a good beating. ‘Skins! skins!’ they cried mockingly; yes, we
+will tan _your_ skin for you! Out of the town with him!’ they shouted;
+and Big Klaus had to hurry off as quickly as he could, if he wanted to
+save his life.
+
+‘Aha!’ said he when he came home, ‘Little Klaus shall pay dearly for
+this. I will kill him!’
+
+[Illustration: The shoemakers and tanners drive Big Klaus out of the
+town]
+
+Little Klaus’ grandmother had just died. Though she had been very
+unkind to him, he was very much distressed, and he took the dead woman
+and laid her in his warm bed to try if he could not bring her back to
+life. There she lay the whole night, while he sat in the corner and
+slept on a chair, which he had often done before. And in the night as
+he sat there the door opened, and Big Klaus came in with his axe. He
+knew quite well where Little Klaus’s bed stood, and going up to it he
+struck the grandmother on the head just where he thought Little Klaus
+would be. ‘There!’ said he. ‘Now you won’t get the best of me again!’
+And he went home.
+
+‘What a very wicked man!’ thought Little Klaus. ‘He was going to kill
+me! It was a good thing for my grandmother that she was dead already,
+or else he would have killed her!’
+
+Then he dressed his grandmother in her Sunday clothes, borrowed a
+horse from his neighbour, harnessed the cart to it, sat his
+grandmother on the back seat so that she could not fall out when he
+drove, and away they went. When the sun rose they were in front of a
+large inn. Little Klaus got down, and went in to get something to
+drink. The host was very rich. He was a very worthy but hot-tempered
+man.
+
+‘Good morning!’ said he to Little Klaus. ‘You are early on the road.’
+
+‘Yes,’ said Little Klaus. ‘I am going to the town with my grandmother.
+She is sitting outside in the cart; I cannot bring her in. Will you
+not give her a glass of mead? But you will have to speak loud, for she
+is very hard of hearing.’
+
+‘Oh yes, certainly I will!’ said the host; and, pouring out a large
+glass of mead, he took it out to the dead grandmother, who was sitting
+upright in the cart.
+
+‘Here is a glass of mead from your son,’ said the host. But the dead
+woman did not answer a word, and sat still. ‘Don’t you hear?’ cried
+the host as loud as he could. ‘Here is a glass of mead from your son!’
+
+Then he shouted the same thing again, and yet again, but she never
+moved in her place; and at last he grew angry, threw the glass in her
+face, so that she fell back into the cart, for she was not tied in her
+place.
+
+‘Hullo!’ cried Little Klaus, running out of the door, and seizing the
+host by the throat. ‘You have killed my grandmother! Look! there is a
+great hole in her forehead!’
+
+‘Oh, what a misfortune!’ cried the host, wringing his hands. ‘It all
+comes from my hot temper! Dear Little Klaus! I will give you a bushel
+of money, and will bury your grandmother as if she were my own; only
+don’t tell about it, or I shall have my head cut off, and that would
+be very uncomfortable.’
+
+So Little Klaus got a bushel of money, and the host buried his
+grandmother as if she had been his own.
+
+Now when Little Klaus again reached home with so much money he sent
+his boy to Big Klaus to borrow his bushel measure.
+
+‘What’s this?’ said Big Klaus. ‘Didn’t I kill him? I must see to this
+myself!’
+
+So he went himself to Little Klaus with the measure.
+
+‘Well, now, where did you get all this money?’ asked he, opening his
+eyes at the heap.
+
+‘You killed my grandmother—not me,’ said Little Klaus. ‘I sold her,
+and got a bushel of money for her.’
+
+‘That is indeed a good price!’ said Big Klaus; and, hurrying home, he
+took an axe and killed his grandmother, laid her in the cart, and
+drove off to the apothecary’s, and asked whether he wanted to buy a
+dead body.
+
+‘Who is it, and how did you get it?’ asked the apothecary.
+
+‘It is my grandmother,’ said Big Klaus. ‘I killed her in order to get
+a bushel of money.’
+
+‘You are mad!’ said the apothecary. ‘Don’t mention such things, or you
+will lose your head!’ And he began to tell him what a dreadful thing
+he had done, and what a wicked man he was, and that he ought to be
+punished; till Big Klaus was so frightened that he jumped into the
+cart and drove home as hard as he could. The apothecary and all the
+people thought he must be mad, so they let him go.
+
+‘You shall pay for this!’ said Big Klaus as he drove home. ‘You shall
+pay for this dearly, Little Klaus!’
+
+So as soon as he got home he took the largest sack he could find, and
+went to Little Klaus and said: ‘You have fooled me again! First I
+killed my horses, then my grandmother! It is all your fault; but you
+sha’n’t do it again!’ And he seized Little Klaus, pushed him in the
+sack, threw it over his shoulder, crying out ‘Now I am going to drown
+you!’
+
+He had to go a long way before he came to the river, and Little Klaus
+was not very light. The road passed by the church; the organ was
+sounding, and the people were singing most beautifully. Big Klaus put
+down the sack with Little Klaus in it by the church-door, and thought
+that he might as well go in and hear a psalm before going on farther.
+Little Klaus could not get out, and everybody was in church; so he
+went in.
+
+‘Oh, dear! oh, dear!’ groaned Little Klaus in the sack, twisting and
+turning himself. But he could not undo the string.
+
+There came by an old, old shepherd, with snow-white hair and a long
+staff in his hand. He was driving a herd of cows and oxen. These
+pushed against the sack so that it was overturned.
+
+‘Alas!’ moaned Little Klaus, ‘I am so young and yet I must die!’
+
+‘And I, poor man,’ said the cattle-driver, ‘I am so old and yet I
+cannot die!’
+
+‘Open the sack,’ called out Little Klaus; ‘creep in here instead of
+me, and you will die in a moment!’
+
+‘I will gladly do that,’ said the cattle-driver; and he opened the
+sack, and Little Klaus struggled out at once.
+
+[Illustration: “Open the Sack” Said Little Klaus.]
+
+‘You will take care of the cattle, won’t you?’ asked the old man,
+creeping into the sack, which Little Klaus fastened up and then went
+on with the cows and oxen. Soon after Big Klaus came out of the
+church, and taking up the sack on his shoulders it seemed to him as if
+it had become lighter; for the old cattle-driver was not half as heavy
+as Little Klaus.
+
+‘How easy he is to carry now! That must be because I heard part of the
+service.’
+
+So he went to the river, which was deep and broad, threw in the sack
+with the old driver, and called after it, for he thought Little Klaus
+was inside:
+
+‘Down you go! You won’t mock me any more now!’
+
+Then he went home; but when he came to the cross-roads, there he met
+Little Klaus, who was driving his cattle.
+
+‘What’s this?’ said Big Klaus. ‘Haven’t I drowned you?’
+
+‘Yes,’ replied Little Klaus; ‘you threw me into the river a good
+half-hour ago!’
+
+‘But how did you get those splendid cattle?’ asked Big Klaus.
+
+‘They are sea-cattle!’ said Little Klaus. ‘I will tell you the whole
+story, and I thank you for having drowned me, because now I am on dry
+land and really rich! How frightened I was when I was in the sack! How
+the wind whistled in my ears as you threw me from the bridge into the
+cold water! I sank at once to the bottom; but I did not hurt myself,
+for underneath was growing the most beautiful soft grass. I fell on
+this, and immediately the sack opened; the loveliest maiden in
+snow-white garments, with a green garland round her wet hair, took me
+by the hand, and said, “Are you Little Klaus? Here are some cattle for
+you to begin with, and a mile farther down the road there is another
+herd, which I will give you as a present!” Now I saw that the river
+was a great high-road for the sea-people. Along it they travel
+underneath from the sea to the land till the river ends. It was so
+beautiful, full of flowers and fresh grass; the fishes which were
+swimming in the water shot past my ears as the birds do here in the
+air. What lovely people there were, and what fine cattle were grazing
+in the ditches and dykes!’
+
+‘But why did you come up to us again?’ asked Big Klaus. ‘I should not
+have done so, if it is so beautiful down below!’
+
+‘Oh!’ said Little Klaus, ‘that was just so politic of me. You heard
+what I told you, that the sea-maiden said to me a mile farther along
+the road—and by the road she meant the river, for she can go by no
+other way—there was another herd of cattle waiting for me. But I know
+what windings the river makes, now here, now there, so that it is a
+long way round. Therefore it makes it much shorter if one comes on the
+land and drives across the field to the river. Thus I have spared
+myself quite half a mile, and have come much quicker to my
+sea-cattle!’
+
+‘Oh, you’re a lucky fellow!’ said Big Klaus. ‘Do you think I should
+also get some cattle if I went to the bottom of the river?’
+
+‘Oh, yes! I think so,’ said Little Klaus. ‘But I can’t carry you in a
+sack to the river; you are too heavy for me! If you like to go there
+yourself and then creep into the sack, I will throw you in with the
+greatest of pleasure.’
+
+‘Thank you,’ said Big Klaus; ‘but if I don’t get any sea-cattle when I
+come there, you will have a good hiding, mind!’
+
+‘Oh, no! Don’t be so hard on me!’ Then they went to the river. When
+the cattle, which were thirsty, caught sight of the water, they ran as
+quickly as they could to drink.
+
+‘Look how they are running!’ said Little Klaus. ‘They want to go to
+the bottom again!’
+
+‘Yes; but help me first,’ said Big Klaus, ‘or else you shall have a
+beating!’
+
+And so he crept into the large sack, which was lying on the back of
+one of the oxen. ‘Put a stone in, for I am afraid I may not reach the
+bottom,’ said Big Klaus.
+
+‘It goes all right!’ said Little Klaus; but still he laid a big stone
+in the sack, fastened it up tight, and then pushed it in. Plump! there
+was Big Klaus in the water, and he sank like lead to the bottom.
+
+‘I doubt if he will find any cattle!’ said Little Klaus as he drove
+his own home.
+
+
+
+
+_PRINCE RING_[30]
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a King and his Queen in their kingdom. They
+had one daughter, who was called Ingiborg, and one son, whose name was
+Ring. He was less fond of adventures than men of rank usually were in
+those days, and was not famous for strength or feats of arms. When he
+was twelve years old, one fine winter day he rode into the forest
+along with his men to enjoy himself. They went on a long way, until
+they caught sight of a hind with a gold ring on its horns. The Prince
+was eager to catch it, if possible, so they gave chase and rode on
+without stopping until all the horses began to founder beneath them.
+At last the Prince’s horse gave way too, and then there came over them
+a darkness so black that they could no longer see the hind. By this
+time they were far away from any house, and thought it was high time
+to be making their way home again, but they found they had got lost
+now. At first they all kept together, but soon each began to think
+that he knew the right way best; so they separated, and all went in
+different directions.
+
+[Footnote 30: From the Icelandic.]
+
+The Prince, too, had got lost like the rest, and wandered on for a
+time until he came to a little clearing in the forest not far from the
+sea, where he saw a woman sitting on a chair and a big barrel standing
+beside her. The Prince went up to her and saluted her politely, and
+she received him very graciously. He looked down into the barrel then,
+and saw lying at the bottom an unusually beautiful gold ring, which
+pleased him so much that he could not take his eyes off it. The woman
+saw this, and said that he might have it if he would take the trouble
+to get it; for which the Prince thanked her, and said it was at least
+worth trying. So he leaned over into the barrel, which did not seem
+very deep, and thought he would easily reach the ring; but the more he
+stretched down after it the deeper grew the barrel. As he was thus
+bending down into it the woman suddenly rose up and pushed him in head
+first, saying that now he could take up his quarters there. Then she
+fixed the top on the barrel and threw it out into the sea.
+
+[Illustration: The Woman Pushes Prince Ring into the Cask]
+
+The Prince thought himself in a bad plight now, as he felt the barrel
+floating out from the land and tossing about on the waves. How many
+days he spent thus he could not tell, but at last he felt that the
+barrel was knocking against rocks, at which he was a little cheered,
+thinking it was probably land and not merely a reef in the sea. Being
+something of a swimmer, he at last made up his mind to kick the bottom
+out of the barrel, and having done so he was able to get on shore, for
+the rocks by the sea were smooth and level; but overhead there were
+high cliffs. It seemed difficult to get up these, but he went along
+the foot of them for a little, till at last he tried to climb up,
+which at last he did.
+
+Having got to the top, he looked round about him and saw that he was
+on an island, which was covered with forest, with apples growing, and
+altogether pleasant as far as the land was concerned. After he had
+been there several days, he one day heard a great noise in the forest,
+which made him terribly afraid, so that he ran to hide himself among
+the trees. Then he saw a Giant approaching, dragging a sledge loaded
+with wood, and making straight for him, so that he could see nothing
+for it but to lie down just where he was. When the Giant came across
+him, he stood still and looked at the Prince for a little; then he
+took him up in his arms and carried him home to his house, and was
+exceedingly kind to him. He gave him to his wife, saying he had found
+this child in the wood, and she could have it to help her in the
+house. The old woman was greatly pleased, and began to fondle the
+Prince with the utmost delight. He stayed there with them, and was
+very willing and obedient to them in everything, while they grew
+kinder to him every day.
+
+One day the Giant took him round and showed him all his rooms except
+the parlour; this made the Prince curious to have a look into it,
+thinking there must be some very rare treasure there. So one day, when
+the Giant had gone into the forest, he tried to get into the parlour,
+and managed to get the door open half-way. Then he saw that some
+living creature moved inside and ran along the floor towards him and
+said something, which made him so frightened that he sprang back from
+the door and shut it again. As soon as the fright began to pass off he
+tried it again, for he thought it would be interesting to hear what it
+said; but things went just as before with him. He then got angry with
+himself, and, summoning up all his courage, tried it a third time, and
+opened the door of the room and stood firm. Then he saw that it was a
+big Dog, which spoke to him and said:
+
+‘Choose me, Prince Ring.’
+
+The Prince went away rather afraid, thinking with himself that it was
+no great treasure after all; but all the same what it had said to him
+stuck in his mind.
+
+It is not said how long the Prince stayed with the Giant, but one day
+the latter came to him and said he would now take him over to the
+mainland out of the island, for he himself had no long time to live.
+He also thanked him for his good service, and told him to choose some
+one of his possessions, for he would get whatever he wanted. Ring
+thanked him heartily, and said there was no need to pay him for his
+services, they were so little worth; but if he did wish to give him
+anything he would choose what was in the parlour. The Giant was taken
+by surprise, and said:
+
+‘There, you chose my old woman’s right hand; but I must not break my
+word.’
+
+Upon this he went to get the Dog, which came running with signs of
+great delight; but the Prince was so much afraid of it that it was all
+he could do to keep from showing his alarm.
+
+After this the Giant accompanied him down to the sea, where he saw a
+stone boat which was just big enough to hold the two of them and the
+Dog. On reaching the mainland the Giant took a friendly farewell of
+Ring, and told him he might take possession of all that was in the
+island after he and his wife died, which would happen within two weeks
+from that time. The Prince thanked him for this and for all his other
+kindnesses, and the Giant returned home, while Ring went up some
+distance from the sea; but he did not know what land he had come to,
+and was afraid to speak to the Dog. After he had walked on in silence
+for a time the Dog spoke to him and said:
+
+‘You don’t seem to have much curiosity, seeing you never ask my name.’
+
+The Prince then forced himself to ask, ‘What is your name?’
+
+‘You had best call me Snati-Snati,’ said the Dog. ‘Now we are coming
+to a King’s seat, and you must ask the King to keep us all winter, and
+to give you a little room for both of us.’
+
+The Prince now began to be less afraid of the Dog. They came to the
+King and asked him to keep them all the winter, to which he agreed.
+When the King’s men saw the Dog they began to laugh at it, and make as
+if they would tease it; but when the Prince saw this he advised them
+not to do it, or they might have the worst of it. They replied that
+they didn’t care a bit what he thought.
+
+After Ring had been with the King for some days the latter began to
+think there was a great deal in him, and esteemed him more than the
+others. The King, however, had a counsellor called Red, who became
+very jealous when he saw how much the King esteemed Ring; and one day
+he talked to him, and said he could not understand why he had so good
+an opinion of this stranger, who had not yet shown himself superior to
+other men in anything. The King replied that it was only a short time
+since he had come there. Red then asked him to send them both to cut
+down wood next morning, and see which of them could do most work.
+Snati-Snati heard this and told it to Ring, advising him to ask the
+King for two axes, so that he might have one in reserve if the first
+one got broken. Next morning the King asked Ring and Red to go and cut
+down trees for him, and both agreed. Ring got the two axes, and each
+went his own way; but when the Prince had got out into the wood Snati
+took one of the axes and began to hew along with him. In the evening
+the King came to look over their day’s work, as Red had proposed, and
+found that Ring’s wood-heap was more than twice as big.
+
+‘I suspected,’ said the King, ‘that Ring was not quite useless; never
+have I seen such a day’s work.’
+
+Ring was now in far greater esteem with the King than before, and Red
+was all the more discontented. One day he came to the King and said,
+‘If Ring is such a mighty man, I think you might ask him to kill the
+wild oxen in the wood here, and flay them the same day, and bring you
+the horns and the hides in the evening.’
+
+‘Don’t you think that a desperate errand?’ said the King, ‘seeing they
+are so dangerous, and no one has ever yet ventured to go against
+them?’
+
+Red answered that he had only one life to lose, and it would be
+interesting to see how brave he was; besides, the King would have good
+reason to ennoble him if he overcame them. The King at last allowed
+himself, though rather unwillingly, to be won over by Red’s
+persistency, and one day asked Ring to go and kill the oxen that were
+in the wood for him, and bring their horns and hides to him in the
+evening. Not knowing how dangerous the oxen were, Ring was quite
+ready, and went off at once, to the great delight of Red, who was now
+sure of his death.
+
+As soon as Ring came in sight of the oxen they came bellowing to meet
+him; one of them was tremendously big, the other rather less. Ring
+grew terribly afraid.
+
+‘How do you like them?’ asked Snati.
+
+‘Not well at all,’ said the Prince.
+
+‘We can do nothing else,’ said Snati, ‘than attack them, if it is to
+go well; you will go against the little one, and I shall take the
+other.’
+
+With this Snati leapt at the big one, and was not long in bringing him
+down. Meanwhile the Prince went against the other with fear and
+trembling, and by the time Snati came to help him the ox had nearly
+got him under, but Snati was not slow in helping his master to kill
+it.
+
+[Illustration: Snati and Prince Ring Fight With the Oxen]
+
+Each of them then began to flay their own ox, but Ring was only half
+through by the time Snati had finished his. In the evening, after they
+had finished this task, the Prince thought himself unfit to carry all
+the horns and both the hides, so Snati told him to lay them all on his
+back until they got to the Palace gate. The Prince agreed, and laid
+everything on the Dog except the skin of the smaller ox, which he
+staggered along with himself. At the Palace gate he left everything
+lying, went before the King, and asked him to come that length with
+him, and there handed over to him the hides and horns of the oxen. The
+King was greatly surprised at his valour, and said he knew no one like
+him, and thanked him heartily for what he had done.
+
+After this the King set Ring next to himself, and all esteemed him
+highly, and held him to be a great hero; nor could Red any longer say
+anything against him, though he grew still more determined to destroy
+him. One day a good idea came into his head. He came to the King and
+said he had something to say to him.
+
+‘What is that?’ said the King.
+
+Red said that he had just remembered the gold cloak, gold chess-board,
+and bright gold piece that the King had lost about a year before.
+
+‘Don’t remind me of them!’ said the King.
+
+Red, however, went on to say that, since Ring was such a mighty man
+that he could do everything, it had occurred to him to advise the King
+to ask him to search for these treasures, and come back with them
+before Christmas; in return the King should promise him his daughter.
+
+The King replied that he thought it altogether unbecoming to propose
+such a thing to Ring, seeing that he could not tell him where the
+things were; but Red pretended not to hear the King’s excuses, and
+went on talking about it until the King gave in to him. One day, a
+month or so before Christmas, the King spoke to Ring, saying that he
+wished to ask a great favour of him.
+
+‘What is that?’ said Ring.
+
+‘It is this,’ said the King: ‘that you find for me my gold cloak, my
+gold chess-board, and my bright gold piece, that were stolen from me
+about a year ago. If you can bring them to me before Christmas I will
+give you my daughter in marriage.’
+
+‘Where am I to look for them, then?’ said Ring.
+
+‘That you must find out for yourself,’ said the King; ‘I don’t know.’
+
+Ring now left the King, and was very silent, for he saw he was in a
+great difficulty: but, on the other hand, he thought it was excellent
+to have such a chance of winning the King’s daughter. Snati noticed
+that his master was at a loss, and said to him that he should not
+disregard what the King had asked him to do; but he would have to act
+upon his advice, otherwise he would get into great difficulties. The
+Prince assented to this, and began to prepare for the journey.
+
+After he had taken leave of the King, and was setting out on the
+search, Snati said to him, ‘Now you must first of all go about the
+neighbourhood, and gather as much salt as ever you can.’ The Prince
+did so, and gathered so much salt that he could hardly carry it; but
+Snati said, ‘Throw it on my back,’ which he accordingly did, and the
+Dog then ran on before the Prince, until they came to the foot of a
+steep cliff.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+‘We must go up here,’ said Snati.
+
+‘I don’t think that will be child’s play,’ said the Prince.
+
+‘Hold fast by my tail,’ said Snati; and in this way he pulled Ring up
+on the lowest shelf of the rock. The Prince began to get giddy, but up
+went Snati on to the second shelf. Ring was nearly swooning by this
+time, but Snati made a third effort and reached the top of the cliff,
+where the Prince fell down in a faint. After a little, however, he
+recovered again, and they went a short distance along a level plain,
+until they came to a cave. This was on Christmas Eve. They went up
+above the cave, and found a window in it, through which they looked,
+and saw four trolls lying asleep beside the fire, over which a large
+porridge-pot was hanging.
+
+‘Now you must empty all the salt into the porridge-pot,’ said Snati.
+
+Ring did so, and soon the trolls wakened up. The old hag, who was the
+most frightful of them all, went first to taste the porridge.
+
+‘How comes this?’ she said; ‘the porridge is salt! I got the milk by
+witchcraft yesterday out of four kingdoms, and now it is salt!’
+
+All the others then came to taste the porridge, and thought it nice,
+but after they had finished it the old hag grew so thirsty that she
+could stand it no longer, and asked her daughter to go out and bring
+her some water from the river that ran near by.
+
+‘I won’t go,’ said she, ‘unless you lend me your bright gold piece.’
+
+‘Though I should die you shan’t have that,’ said the hag.
+
+‘Die, then,’ said the girl.
+
+‘Well, then, take it, you brat,’ said the old hag, ‘and be off with
+you, and make haste with the water.’
+
+The girl took the gold and ran out with it, and it was so bright that
+it shone all over the plain. As soon as she came to the river she lay
+down to take a drink of the water, but meanwhile the two of them had
+got down off the roof and thrust her, head first, into the river.
+
+The old hag began now to long for the water, and said that the girl
+would be running about with the gold piece all over the plain, so she
+asked her son to go and get her a drop of water.
+
+‘I won’t go,’ said he, ‘unless I get the gold cloak.’
+
+‘Though I should die you shan’t have that,’ said the hag.
+
+‘Die, then,’ said the son.
+
+‘Well, then, take it,’ said the old hag, ‘and be off with you, but you
+must make haste with the water.’
+
+He put on the cloak, and when he came outside it shone so bright that
+he could see to go with it. On reaching the river he went to take a
+drink like his sister, but at that moment Ring and Snati sprang upon
+him, took the cloak from him, and threw him into the river.
+
+The old hag could stand the thirst no longer, and asked her husband to
+go for a drink for her; the brats, she said, were of course running
+about and playing themselves, just as she had expected they would,
+little wretches that they were.
+
+‘I won’t go,’ said the old troll, ‘unless you lend me the gold
+chess-board.’
+
+‘Though I should die you shan’t have that,’ said the hag.
+
+‘I think you may just as well do that,’ said he, ‘since you won’t
+grant me such a little favour.’
+
+‘Take it, then, you utter disgrace!’ said the old hag, ‘since you are
+just like these two brats.’
+
+[Illustration: Prince Ring & Snati Overthrow the Troll’s Ghost]
+
+The old troll now went out with the gold chess-board, and down to the
+river, and was about to take a drink, when Ring and Snati came upon
+him, took the chess-board from him, and threw him into the river.
+Before they had got back again, however, and up on top of the cave,
+they saw the poor old fellow’s ghost come marching up from the river.
+Snati immediately sprang upon him, and Ring assisted in the attack,
+and after a hard struggle they mastered him a second time. When they
+got back again to the window, they saw that the old hag was moving
+towards the door.
+
+‘Now we must go in at once,’ said Snati, ‘and try to master her there,
+for if she once gets out we shall have no chance with her. She is the
+worst witch that ever lived, and no iron can cut her. One of us must
+pour boiling porridge out of the pot on her, and the other punch her
+with red-hot iron.’
+
+In they went then, and no sooner did the hag see them than she said,
+‘So you have come, Prince Ring; you must have seen to my husband and
+children.’
+
+Snati saw that she was about to attack them, and sprang at her with a
+red-hot iron from the fire, while Ring kept pouring boiling porridge
+on her without stopping, and in this way they at last got her killed.
+Then they burned the old troll and her to ashes, and explored the
+cave, where they found plenty of gold and treasures. The most valuable
+of these they carried with them as far as the cliff, and left them
+there. Then they hastened home to the King with his three treasures,
+where they arrived late on Christmas night, and Ring handed them over
+to him.
+
+The King was beside himself with joy, and was astonished at how clever
+a man Ring was in all kinds of feats, so that he esteemed him still
+more highly than before, and betrothed his daughter to him; and the
+feast for this was to last all through Christmastide. Ring thanked the
+King courteously for this and all his other kindnesses, and as soon as
+he had finished eating and drinking in the hall went off to sleep in
+his own room. Snati, however, asked permission to sleep in the
+Prince’s bed for that night, while the Prince should sleep where the
+Dog usually lay. Ring said he was welcome to do so, and that he
+deserved more from him than that came to. So Snati went up into the
+Prince’s bed, but after a time he came back, and told Ring he could go
+there himself now, but to take care not to meddle with anything that
+was in the bed.
+
+Now the story comes back to Red, who came into the hall and showed the
+King his right arm wanting the hand, and said that now he could see
+what kind of a man his intended son-in-law was, for he had done this
+to him without any cause whatever. The King became very angry, and
+said he would soon find out the truth about it, and if Ring had cut
+off his hand without good cause he should be hanged; but if it was
+otherwise, then Red should die. So the King sent for Ring and asked
+him for what reason he had done this. Snati, however, had just told
+Ring what had happened during the night, and in reply he asked the
+King to go with him and he would show him something. The King went
+with him to his sleeping-room, and saw lying on the bed a man’s hand
+holding a sword.
+
+‘This hand,’ said Ring, ‘came over the partition during the night, and
+was about to run me through in my bed, if I had not defended myself.’
+
+The King answered that in that case he could not blame him for
+protecting his own life, and that Red was well worthy of death. So Red
+was hanged, and Ring married the King’s daughter.
+
+The first night that they went to bed together Snati asked Ring to
+allow him to lie at their feet, and this Ring allowed him to do.
+During the night he heard a howling and outcry beside them, struck a
+light in a hurry and saw an ugly dog’s skin lying near him, and a
+beautiful Prince in the bed. Ring instantly took the skin and burned
+it, and then shook the Prince, who was lying unconscious, until he
+woke up. The bridegroom then asked his name; he replied that he was
+called Ring, and was a King’s son. In his youth he had lost his
+mother, and in her place his father had married a witch, who had laid
+a spell on him that he should turn into a dog, and never be released
+from the spell unless a Prince of the same name as himself allowed him
+to sleep at his feet the first night after his marriage. He added
+further, ‘As soon as she knew that you were my namesake she tried to
+get you destroyed, so that you might not free me from the spell. She
+was the hind that you and your companions chased; she was the woman
+that you found in the clearing with the barrel, and the old hag that
+we just now killed in the cave.’
+
+After the feasting was over the two namesakes, along with other men,
+went to the cliff and brought all the treasure home to the Palace.
+Then they went to the island and removed all that was valuable from
+it. Ring gave to his namesake, whom he had freed from the spell, his
+sister Ingiborg and his father’s kingdom to look after, but he himself
+stayed with his father-in-law the King, and had half the kingdom while
+he lived and the whole of it after his death.
+
+
+
+
+_THE SWINEHERD_
+
+
+There was once a poor Prince. He possessed a kingdom which, though
+small, was yet large enough for him to marry on, and married he wished
+to be.
+
+Now it was certainly a little audacious of him to venture to say to
+the Emperor’s daughter, ‘Will you marry me?’ But he did venture to say
+so, for his name was known far and wide. There were hundreds of
+princesses who would gladly have said ‘Yes,’ but would she say the
+same?
+
+Well, we shall see.
+
+On the grave of the Prince’s father grew a rose-tree, a very beautiful
+rose-tree. It only bloomed every five years, and then bore but a
+single rose, but oh, such a rose! Its scent was so sweet that when you
+smelt it you forgot all your cares and troubles. And he had also a
+nightingale which could sing as if all the beautiful melodies in the
+world were shut up in its little throat. This rose and this
+nightingale the Princess was to have, and so they were both put into
+silver caskets and sent to her.
+
+The Emperor had them brought to him in the great hall, where the
+Princess was playing ‘Here comes a duke a-riding’ with her
+ladies-in-waiting. And when she caught sight of the big caskets which
+contained the presents, she clapped her hands for joy.
+
+‘If only it were a little pussy-cat!’ she said. But the rose-tree with
+the beautiful rose came out.
+
+‘But how prettily it is made!’ said all the ladies-in-waiting.
+
+‘It is more than pretty,’ said the Emperor, ‘it is charming!’
+
+But the Princess felt it, and then she almost began to cry.
+
+‘Ugh! Papa,’ she said, ‘it is not artificial, it is _real!_’
+
+‘Ugh!’ said all the ladies-in-waiting, ‘it is real!’
+
+‘Let us see first what is in the other casket before we begin to be
+angry,’ thought the Emperor, and there came out the nightingale. It
+sang so beautifully that one could scarcely utter a cross word against
+it.
+
+‘_Superbe! charmant!_’ said the ladies-in-waiting, for they all
+chattered French, each one worse than the other.
+
+‘How much the bird reminds me of the musical snuff-box of the late
+Empress!’ said an old courtier. ‘Ah, yes, it is the same tone, the
+same execution!’
+
+‘Yes,’ said the Emperor; and then he wept like a little child.
+
+‘I hope that this, at least, is not real?’ asked the Princess.
+
+‘Yes, it is a real bird,’ said those who had brought it.
+
+‘Then let the bird fly away,’ said the Princess; and she would not on
+any account allow the Prince to come.
+
+But he was nothing daunted. He painted his face brown and black, drew
+his cap well over his face, and knocked at the door. ‘Good-day,
+Emperor,’ he said. ‘Can I get a place here as servant in the castle?’
+
+‘Yes,’ said the Emperor, ‘but there are so many who ask for a place
+that I don’t know whether there will be one for you; but, still, I
+will think of you. Stay, it has just occurred to me that I want
+someone to look after the swine, for I have so very many of them.’
+
+And the Prince got the situation of Imperial Swineherd. He had a
+wretched little room close to the pigsties; here he had to stay, but
+the whole day he sat working, and when evening was come he had made a
+pretty little pot. All round it were little bells, and when the pot
+boiled they jingled most beautifully and played the old tune—
+
+      ‘Where is Augustus dear?
+       Alas! he’s not here, here, here!’
+
+But the most wonderful thing was, that when one held one’s finger in
+the steam of the pot, then at once one could smell what dinner was
+ready in any fire-place in the town. That was indeed something quite
+different from the rose.
+
+Now the Princess came walking past with all her ladies-in-waiting, and
+when she heard the tune she stood still and her face beamed with joy,
+for she also could play ‘Where is Augustus dear?’
+
+It was the only tune she knew, but that she could play with one
+finger.
+
+[Illustration: The Swineherd Takes the Ten Kisses]
+
+‘Why, that is what I play!’ she said. ‘He must be a most accomplished
+Swineherd! Listen! Go down and ask him what the instrument costs.’
+
+And one of the ladies-in-waiting had to go down; but she put on wooden
+clogs. ‘What will you take for the pot?’ asked the lady-in-waiting.
+
+‘I will have ten kisses from the Princess,’ answered the Swineherd.
+
+‘Heaven forbid!’ said the lady-in-waiting.
+
+‘Yes, I will sell it for nothing less,’ replied the Swineherd.
+
+‘Well, what does he say?’ asked the Princess.
+
+‘I really hardly like to tell you,’ answered the lady-in-waiting.
+
+‘Oh, then you can whisper it to me.’
+
+‘He is disobliging!’ said the Princess, and went away. But she had
+only gone a few steps when the bells rang out so prettily—
+
+     ‘Where is Augustus dear?
+      Alas! he’s not here, here, here.’
+
+‘Listen!’ said the Princess. ‘Ask him whether he will take ten kisses
+from my ladies-in-waiting.’
+
+‘No, thank you,’ said the Swineherd. ‘Ten kisses from the Princess, or
+else I keep my pot.’
+
+‘That is very tiresome!’ said the Princess. ‘But you must put
+yourselves in front of me, so that no one can see.’
+
+And the ladies-in-waiting placed themselves in front and then spread
+out their dresses; so the Swineherd got his ten kisses, and she got
+the pot.
+
+What happiness that was! The whole night and the whole day the pot was
+made to boil; there was not a fire-place in the whole town where they
+did not know what was being cooked, whether it was at the chancellor’s
+or at the shoemaker’s.
+
+The ladies-in-waiting danced and clapped their hands.
+
+‘We know who is going to have soup and pancakes; we know who is going
+to have porridge and sausages—isn’t it interesting?’
+
+‘Yes, very interesting!’ said the first lady-in-waiting.
+
+‘But don’t say anything about it, for I am the Emperor’s daughter.’
+
+‘Oh, no, of course we won’t!’ said everyone.
+
+The Swineherd—that is to say, the Prince (though they did not know he
+was anything but a true Swineherd)—let no day pass without making
+something, and one day he made a rattle which, when it was turned
+round, played all the waltzes, galops, and polkas which had ever been
+known since the world began.
+
+‘But that is _superbe!_’ said the Princess as she passed by. ‘I have
+never heard a more beautiful composition. Listen! Go down and ask him
+what this instrument costs; but I won’t kiss him again.’
+
+‘He wants a hundred kisses from the Princess,’ said the
+lady-in-waiting who had gone down to ask him.
+
+‘I believe he is mad!’ said the Princess, and then she went on; but
+she had only gone a few steps when she stopped.
+
+‘One ought to encourage art,’ she said. ‘I am the Emperor’s daughter!
+Tell him he shall have, as before, ten kisses; the rest he can take
+from my ladies-in-waiting.’
+
+‘But we don’t at all like being kissed by him,’ said the
+ladies-in-waiting.
+
+‘That’s nonsense,’ said the Princess; ‘and if I can kiss him, you can
+too. Besides, remember that I give you board and lodging.’
+
+So the ladies-in-waiting had to go down to him again.
+
+‘A hundred kisses from the Princess,’ said he, ‘or each keeps his
+own.’
+
+‘Put yourselves in front of us,’ she said then; and so all the
+ladies-in-waiting put themselves in front, and he began to kiss the
+Princess.
+
+‘What can that commotion be by the pigsties?’ asked the Emperor, who
+was standing on the balcony. He rubbed his eyes and put on his
+spectacles. ‘Why those are the ladies-in-waiting playing their games;
+I must go down to them.’
+
+So he took off his shoes, which were shoes though he had trodden them
+down into slippers. What a hurry he was in, to be sure!
+
+As soon as he came into the yard he walked very softly, and the
+ladies-in-waiting were so busy counting the kisses and seeing fair
+play that they never noticed the Emperor. He stood on tip-toe.
+
+‘What is that?’ he said, when he saw the kissing; and then he threw
+one of his slippers at their heads just as the Swineherd was taking
+his eighty-sixth kiss.
+
+‘Be off with you!’ said the Emperor, for he was very angry. And the
+Princess and the Swineherd were driven out of the empire.
+
+Then she stood still and wept; the Swineherd was scolding, and the
+rain was streaming down.
+
+‘Alas, what an unhappy creature I am!’ sobbed the Princess. ‘If only I
+had taken the beautiful Prince! Alas, how unfortunate I am!’
+
+And the Swineherd went behind a tree, washed the black and brown off
+his face, threw away his old clothes, and then stepped forward in his
+splendid dress, looking so beautiful that the Princess was obliged to
+courtesy.
+
+‘I now come to this. I despise you!’ he said. ‘You would have nothing
+to do with a noble Prince; you did not understand the rose or the
+nightingale, but you could kiss the Swineherd for the sake of a toy.
+This is what you get for it!’ And he went into his kingdom and shut
+the door in her face, and she had to stay outside singing—
+
+     ‘Where’s my Augustus dear?
+      Alas! he’s not here, here, here!’
+
+
+
+
+_HOW TO TELL A TRUE PRINCESS_
+
+
+There was once upon a time a Prince who wanted to marry a Princess,
+but she must be a true Princess. So he travelled through the whole
+world to find one, but there was always something against each. There
+were plenty of Princesses, but he could not find out if they were true
+Princesses. In every case there was some little defect, which showed
+the genuine article was not yet found. So he came home again in very
+low spirits, for he had wanted very much to have a true Princess. One
+night there was a dreadful storm; it thundered and lightened and the
+rain streamed down in torrents. It was fearful! There was a knocking
+heard at the Palace gate, and the old King went to open it.
+
+There stood a Princess outside the gate; but oh, in what a sad plight
+she was from the rain and the storm! The water was running down from
+her hair and her dress into the points of her shoes and out at the
+heels again. And yet she said she was a true Princess!
+
+‘Well, we shall soon find that!’ thought the old Queen. But she said
+nothing, and went into the sleeping-room, took off all the
+bed-clothes, and laid a pea on the bottom of the bed. Then she put
+twenty mattresses on top of the pea, and twenty eider-down quilts on
+the top of the mattresses. And this was the bed in which the Princess
+was to sleep.
+
+The next morning she was asked how she had slept.
+
+‘Oh, very badly!’ said the Princess. ‘I scarcely closed my eyes all
+night! I am sure I don’t know what was in the bed. I laid on something
+so hard that my whole body is black and blue. It is dreadful!’
+
+Now they perceived that she was a true Princess, because she had felt
+the pea through the twenty mattresses and the twenty eider-down
+quilts.
+
+No one but a true Princess could be so sensitive.
+
+So the Prince married her, for now he knew that at last he had got
+hold of a true Princess. And the pea was put into the Royal Museum,
+where it is still to be seen if no one has stolen it. Now this is a
+true story.
+
+[Illustration: A True Princess]
+
+
+
+
+_THE BLUE MOUNTAINS_
+
+
+There were once a Scotsman and an Englishman and an Irishman serving
+in the army together, who took it into their heads to run away on the
+first opportunity they could get. The chance came and they took it.
+They went on travelling for two days through a great forest, without
+food or drink, and without coming across a single house, and every
+night they had to climb up into the trees through fear of the wild
+beasts that were in the wood. On the second morning the Scotsman saw
+from the top of his tree a great castle far away. He said to himself
+that he would certainly die if he stayed in the forest without
+anything to eat but the roots of grass, which would not keep him alive
+very long. As soon, then, as he got down out of the tree he set off
+towards the castle, without so much as telling his companions that he
+had seen it at all; perhaps the hunger and want they had suffered had
+changed their nature so much that the one did not care what became of
+the other if he could save himself. He travelled on most of the day,
+so that it was quite late when he reached the castle, and to his great
+disappointment found nothing but closed doors and no smoke rising from
+the chimneys. He thought there was nothing for it but to die after
+all, and had lain down beside the wall, when he heard a window being
+opened high above him. At this he looked up, and saw the most
+beautiful woman he had ever set eyes on.
+
+‘Oh, it is Fortune that has sent you to me,’ he said.
+
+‘It is indeed,’ said she. ‘What are you in need of, or what has sent
+you here?’
+
+‘Necessity,’ said he. ‘I am dying for want of food and drink.’
+
+‘Come inside, then,’ she said; ‘there is plenty of both here.’
+
+Accordingly he went in to where she was, and she opened a large room
+for him, where he saw a number of men lying asleep. She then set food
+before him, and after that showed him to the room where the others
+were. He lay down on one of the beds and fell sound asleep. And now we
+must go back to the two that he left behind him in the wood.
+
+When nightfall and the time of the wild beasts came upon these, the
+Englishman happened to climb up into the very same tree on which the
+Scotsman was when he got a sight of the castle; and as soon as the day
+began to dawn and the Englishman looked to the four quarters of
+heaven, what did he see but the castle too! Off he went without saying
+a word to the Irishman, and everything happened to him just as it had
+done to the Scotsman.
+
+The poor Irishman was now left all alone, and did not know where the
+others had gone to, so he just stayed where he was, very sad and
+miserable. When night came he climbed up into the same tree as the
+Englishman had been on the night before. As soon as day came he also
+saw the castle, and set out towards it; but when he reached it he
+could see no signs of fire or living being about it. Before long,
+however, he heard the window opened above his head, looked up, and
+beheld the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He asked if she
+would give him food and drink, and she answered kindly and heartily
+that she would, if he would only come inside. This he did very
+willingly, and she set before him food and drink that he had never
+seen the like of before. In the room there was a bed, with diamond
+rings hanging at every loop of the curtains, and everything that was
+in the room besides astonished him so much that he actually forgot
+that he was hungry. When she saw that he was not eating at all, she
+asked him what he wanted yet, to which he replied that he would
+neither eat nor drink until he knew who she was, or where she came
+from, or who had put her there.
+
+‘I shall tell you that,’ said she. ‘I am an enchanted Princess, and my
+father has promised that the man who releases me from the spell shall
+have the third of his kingdom while he is alive, and the whole of it
+after he is dead, and marry me as well. If ever I saw a man who looked
+likely to do this, you are the one. I have been here for sixteen years
+now, and no one who ever came to the castle has asked me who I was,
+except yourself. Every other man that has come, so long as I have been
+here, lies asleep in the big room down there.’
+
+‘Tell me, then,’ said the Irishman, ‘what is the spell that has been
+laid on you, and how you can be freed from it.’
+
+‘There is a little room there,’ said the Princess, ‘and if I could get
+a man to stay in it from ten o’clock till midnight for three nights on
+end I should be freed from the spell.’
+
+‘I am the man for you, then,’ said he; ‘I will take on hand to do it.’
+
+Thereupon she brought him a pipe and tobacco, and he went into the
+room; but before long he heard a hammering and knocking on the outside
+of the door, and was told to open it.
+
+[Illustration: The Princess Revives the Irishman]
+
+‘I won’t,’ he said.
+
+The next moment the door came flying in, and those outside along with
+it. They knocked him down, and kicked him, and knelt on his body till
+it came to midnight; but as soon as the cock crew they all
+disappeared. The Irishman was little more than alive by this time. As
+soon as daylight appeared the Princess came, and found him lying full
+length on the floor, unable to speak a word. She took a bottle, rubbed
+him from head to foot with something from it, and thereupon he was as
+sound as ever; but after what he had got that night he was very
+unwilling to try it a second time. The Princess, however, entreated
+him to stay, saying that the next night would not be so bad, and in
+the end he gave in and stayed.
+
+When it was getting near midnight he heard them ordering him to open
+the door, and there were three of them for every one that there had
+been the previous evening. He did not make the slightest movement to
+go out to them or to open the door, but before long they broke it up,
+and were in on top of him. They laid hold of him, and kept throwing
+him between them up to the ceiling, or jumping above him, until the
+cock crew, when they all disappeared. When day came the Princess went
+to the room to see if he was still alive, and taking the bottle put it
+to his nostrils, which soon brought him to himself. The first thing he
+said then was that he was a fool to go on getting himself killed for
+anyone he ever saw, and was determined to be off and stay there no
+longer. When the Princess learned his intention she entreated him to
+stay, reminding him that another night would free her from the spell.
+‘Besides,’ she said, ‘if there is a single spark of life in you when
+the day comes, the stuff that is in this bottle will make you as sound
+as ever you were.’
+
+With all this the Irishman decided to stay; but that night there were
+three at him for every one that was there the two nights before, and
+it looked very unlikely that he would be alive in the morning after
+all that he got. When morning dawned, and the Princess came to see if
+he was still alive, she found him lying on the floor as if dead. She
+tried to see if there was breath in him, but could not quite make it
+out. Then she put her hand on his pulse, and found a faint movement in
+it. Accordingly she poured what was in the bottle on him, and before
+long he rose up on his feet, and was as well as ever he was. So that
+business was finished, and the Princess was freed from the spell.
+
+The Princess then told the Irishman that she must go away for the
+present, but would return for him in a few days in a carriage drawn by
+four grey horses. He told her to ‘be aisy,’ and not speak like that to
+him. ‘I have paid dear for you for the last three nights,’ he said,
+‘if I have to part with you now;’ but in the twinkling of an eye she
+had disappeared. He did not know what to do with himself when he saw
+that she was gone, but before she went she had given him a little rod,
+with which he could, when he pleased, waken the men who had been
+sleeping there, some of them for sixteen years.
+
+After being thus left alone, he went in and stretched himself on three
+chairs that were in the room, when what does he see coming in at the
+door but a little fair-haired lad.
+
+‘Where did you come from, my lad?’ said the Irishman.
+
+‘I came to make ready your food for you,’ said he.
+
+‘Who told you to do that?’ said the Irishman.
+
+‘My mistress,’ answered the lad—‘the Princess that was under the
+spell and is now free.’
+
+By this the Irishman knew that she had sent the lad to wait on him.
+The lad also told him that his mistress wished him to be ready next
+morning at nine o’clock, when she would come for him with the
+carriage, as she had promised. He was greatly pleased at this, and
+next morning, when the time was drawing near, went out into the
+garden; but the little fair-haired lad took a big pin out of his
+pocket, and stuck it into the back of the Irishman’s coat without his
+noticing it, whereupon he fell sound asleep.
+
+Before long the Princess came with the carriage and four horses, and
+asked the lad whether his master was awake. He said that he wasn’t.
+‘It is bad for him,’ said she, ‘when the night is not long enough for
+him to sleep. Tell him that if he doesn’t meet me at this time
+to-morrow it is not likely that he will ever see me again all his
+life.’
+
+As soon as she was gone the fair-haired lad took the pin out of his
+master’s coat, who instantly awoke. The first word he said to the lad
+was, ‘Have you seen her?’
+
+‘Yes,’ said he, ‘and she bade me tell you that if you don’t meet her
+at nine o’clock to-morrow you will never see her again.’
+
+He was very sorry when he heard this, and could not understand why the
+sleep should have fallen upon him just when she was coming. He
+decided, however, to go early to bed that night, in order to rise in
+time next morning, and so he did. When it was getting near nine
+o’clock he went out to the garden to wait till she came, and the
+fair-haired lad along with him; but as soon as the lad got the chance
+he stuck the pin into his master’s coat again and he fell asleep as
+before. Precisely at nine o’clock came the Princess in the carriage
+with four horses, and asked the lad if his master had got up yet; but
+he said ‘No, he was asleep, just as he was the day before.’ ‘Dear!
+dear!’ said the Princess, ‘I am sorry for him. Was the sleep he had
+last night not enough for him? Tell him that he will never see me here
+again; and here is a sword that you will give him in my name, and my
+blessing along with it.’
+
+With this she went off, and as soon as she had gone the lad took the
+pin out of his master’s coat. He awoke instantly, and the first word
+he said was, ‘Have you seen her?’ The lad said that he had, and there
+was the sword she had left for him. The Irishman was ready to kill the
+lad out of sheer vexation, but when he gave a glance over his shoulder
+not a trace of the fair-haired lad was left.
+
+Being thus left all alone, he thought of going into the room where all
+the men were lying asleep, and there among the rest he found his two
+comrades who had deserted along with him. Then he remembered what the
+Princess had told him—that he had only to touch them with the rod she
+had given him and they would all awake; and the first he touched were
+his own comrades. They started to their feet at once, and he gave them
+as much silver and gold as they could carry when they went away. There
+was plenty to do before he got all the others wakened, for the two
+doors of the castle were crowded with them all the day long.
+
+The loss of the Princess, however, kept rankling in his mind day and
+night, till finally he thought he would go about the world to see if
+he could find anyone to give him news of her. So he took the best
+horse in the stable and set out. Three years he spent travelling
+through forests and wildernesses, but could find no one able to tell
+him anything of the Princess. At last he fell into so great despair
+that he thought he would put an end to his own life, and for this
+purpose laid hold of the sword that she had given him by the hands of
+the fair-haired lad; but on drawing it from its sheath he noticed that
+there was some writing on one side of the blade. He looked at this,
+and read there, ‘You will find me in the Blue Mountains.’ This made
+him take heart again, and he gave up the idea of killing himself,
+thinking that he would go on in hope of meeting some one who could
+tell him where the Blue Mountains were. After he had gone a long way
+without thinking where he was going, he saw at last a light far away,
+and made straight for it. On reaching it he found it came from a
+little house, and as soon as the man inside heard the noise of the
+horse’s feet he came out to see who was there. Seeing a stranger on
+horseback, he asked what brought him there and where he was going.
+
+‘I have lived here,’ said he, ‘for three hundred years, and all that
+time I have not seen a single human being but yourself.’
+
+‘I have been going about for the last three years,’ said the Irishman,
+‘to see if I could find anyone who can tell me where the Blue
+Mountains are.’
+
+‘Come in,’ said the old man, ‘and stay with me all night. I have a
+book which contains the history of the world, which I shall go through
+to-night, and if there is such a place as the Blue Mountains in it we
+shall find it out.’
+
+The Irishman stayed there all night, and as soon as morning came rose
+to go. The old man said he had not gone to sleep all night for going
+through the book, but there was not a word about the Blue Mountains in
+it. ‘But I’ll tell you what,’ he said, ‘if there is such a place on
+earth at all, I have a brother who lives nine hundred miles from here,
+and he is sure to know where they are, if anyone in this world does.’
+The Irishman answered that he could never go these nine hundred miles,
+for his horse was giving in already. ‘That doesn’t matter,’ said the
+old man; ‘I can do better than that. I have only to blow my whistle
+and you will be at my brother’s house before nightfall.’
+
+So he blew the whistle, and the Irishman did not know where on earth
+he was until he found himself at the other old man’s door, who also
+told him that it was three hundred years since he had seen anyone, and
+asked him where he was going.
+
+‘I am going to see if I can find anyone that can tell me where the
+Blue Mountains are,’ he said.
+
+‘If you will stay with me to-night,’ said the old man, ‘I have a book
+of the history of the world, and I shall know where they are before
+daylight, if there is such a place in it at all.’
+
+He stayed there all night, but there was not a word in the book about
+the Blue Mountains. Seeing that he was rather cast down, the old man
+told him that he had a brother nine hundred miles away, and that if
+information could be got about them from anyone it would be from him;
+‘and I will enable you,’ he said, ‘to reach the place where he lives
+before night.’ So he blew his whistle, and the Irishman landed at the
+brother’s house before nightfall. When the old man saw him he said he
+had not seen a single man for three hundred years, and was very much
+surprised to see anyone come to him now.
+
+[Illustration: The Irishman Arrives at the Blue Mountains]
+
+‘Where are you going to?’ he said.
+
+‘I am going about asking for the Blue Mountains,’ said the Irishman.
+
+‘The Blue Mountains?’ said the old man.
+
+‘Yes,’ said the Irishman.
+
+‘I never heard the name before; but if they do exist I shall find them
+out. I am master of all the birds in the world, and have only to blow
+my whistle and every one will come to me. I shall then ask each of
+them to tell where it came from, and if there is any way of finding
+out the Blue Mountains that is it.’
+
+So he blew his whistle, and when he blew it then all the birds of the
+world began to gather. The old man questioned each of them as to where
+they had come from, but there was not one of them that had come from
+the Blue Mountains. After he had run over them all, however, he missed
+a big Eagle that was wanting, and wondered that it had not come. Soon
+afterwards he saw something big coming towards him, darkening the sky.
+It kept coming nearer and growing bigger, and what was this after all
+but the Eagle? When she arrived the old man scolded her, and asked
+what had kept her so long behind.
+
+‘I couldn’t help it,’ she said; ‘I had more than twenty times further
+to come than any bird that has come here to-day.’
+
+‘Where have you come from, then?’ said the old man.
+
+‘From the Blue Mountains,’ said she.
+
+‘Indeed!’ said the old man; ‘and what are they doing there?’
+
+‘They are making ready this very day,’ said the Eagle, ‘for the
+marriage of the daughter of the King of the Blue Mountains. For three
+years now she has refused to marry anyone whatsoever, until she should
+give up all hope of the coming of the man who released her from the
+spell. Now she can wait no longer, for three years is the time that
+she agreed with her father to remain without marrying.’
+
+The Irishman knew that it was for himself she had been waiting so
+long, but he was unable to make any better of it, for he had no hope
+of reaching the Blue Mountains all his life. The old man noticed how
+sad he grew, and asked the Eagle what she would take for carrying this
+man on her back to the Blue Mountains.
+
+‘I must have threescore cattle killed,’ said she, ‘and cut up into
+quarters, and every time I look over my shoulder he must throw one of
+them into my mouth.’
+
+As soon as the Irishman and the old man heard her demand they went out
+hunting, and before evening they had killed threescore cattle. They
+made quarters of them, as the Eagle told them, and then the old man
+asked her to lie down, till they would get it all heaped up on her
+back. First of all, though, they had to get a ladder of fourteen
+steps, to enable them to get on to the Eagle’s back, and there they
+piled up the meat as well as they could. Then the old man told the
+Irishman to mount, and to remember to throw a quarter of beef to her
+every time she looked round. He went up, and the old man gave the
+Eagle the word to be off, which she instantly obeyed; and every time
+she turned her head the Irishman threw a quarter of beef into her
+mouth.
+
+As they came near the borders of the kingdom of the Blue Mountains,
+however, the beef was done, and, when the Eagle looked over her
+shoulder, what was the Irishman at but throwing the stone between her
+tail and her neck! At this she turned a complete somersault, and threw
+the Irishman off into the sea, where he fell into the bay that was
+right in front of the King’s Palace. Fortunately the points of his
+toes just touched the bottom, and he managed to get ashore.
+
+When he went up into the town all the streets were gleaming with
+light, and the wedding of the Princess was just about to begin. He
+went into the first house he came to, and this happened to be the
+house of the King’s hen-wife. He asked the old woman what was causing
+all the noise and light in the town.
+
+‘The Princess,’ said she, ‘is going to be married to-night against her
+will, for she has been expecting every day that the man who freed her
+from the spell would come.’
+
+‘There is a guinea for you,’ said he; ‘go and bring her here.’
+
+The old woman went, and soon returned along with the Princess. She and
+the Irishman recognised each other, and were married, and had a great
+wedding that lasted for a year and a day.
+
+
+
+
+_THE TINDER-BOX_
+
+
+A Soldier came marching along the high road—left, right! left, right!
+He had his knapsack on his back and a sword by his side, for he had
+been to the wars and was now returning home.
+
+An old Witch met him on the road. She was very ugly to look at: her
+under-lip hung down to her breast.
+
+‘Good evening, Soldier!’ she said. ‘What a fine sword and knapsack you
+have! You are something like a soldier! You ought to have as much
+money as you would like to carry!’
+
+‘Thank you, old Witch,’ said the Soldier.
+
+‘Do you see that great tree there?’ said the Witch, pointing to a tree
+beside them. ‘It is hollow within. You must climb up to the top, and
+then you will see a hole through which you can let yourself down into
+the tree. I will tie a rope round your waist, so that I may be able to
+pull you up again when you call.’
+
+‘What shall I do down there?’ asked the Soldier.
+
+‘Get money!’ answered the Witch. ‘Listen! When you reach the bottom of
+the tree you will find yourself in a large hall; it is light there,
+for there are more than three hundred lamps burning. Then you will see
+three doors, which you can open—the keys are in the locks. If you go
+into the first room, you will see a great chest in the middle of the
+floor with a dog sitting upon it; he has eyes as large as saucers, but
+you needn’t trouble about him. I will give you my blue-check apron,
+which you must spread out on the floor, and then go back quickly and
+fetch the dog and set him upon it; open the chest and take as much
+money as you like. It is copper there. If you would rather have
+silver, you must go into the next room, where there is a dog with eyes
+as large as mill-wheels. But don’t take any notice of him; just set
+him upon my apron, and help yourself to the money. If you prefer gold,
+you can get that too, if you go into the third room, and as much as
+you like to carry. But the dog that guards the chest there has eyes as
+large as the Round Tower at Copenhagen! He is a savage dog, I can tell
+you; but you needn’t be afraid of him either. Only, put him on my
+apron and he won’t touch you, and you can take out of the chest as
+much gold as you like!’
+
+‘Come, this is not bad!’ said the Soldier. ‘But what am I to give you,
+old Witch; for surely you are not going to do this for nothing?’
+
+‘Yes, I am!’ replied the Witch. ‘Not a single farthing will I take!
+For me you shall bring nothing but an old tinder-box which my
+grandmother forgot last time she was down there.’
+
+‘Well, tie the rope round my waist!’ said the Soldier.
+
+‘Here it is,’ said the Witch, ‘and here is my blue-check apron.’
+
+Then the Soldier climbed up the tree, let himself down through the
+hole, and found himself standing, as the Witch had said, underground
+in the large hall, where the three hundred lamps were burning.
+
+Well, he opened the first door. Ugh! there sat the dog with eyes as
+big as saucers glaring at him.
+
+‘You are a fine fellow!’ said the Soldier, and put him on the Witch’s
+apron, took as much copper as his pockets could hold; then he shut the
+chest, put the dog on it again, and went into the second room. Sure
+enough there sat the dog with eyes as large as mill-wheels.
+
+‘You had better not look at me so hard!’ said the Soldier. ‘Your eyes
+will come out of their sockets!’
+
+And then he set the dog on the apron. When he saw all the silver in
+the chest, he threw away the copper he had taken, and filled his
+pockets and knapsack with nothing but silver.
+
+Then he went into the third room. Horrors! the dog there had two eyes,
+each as large as the Round Tower at Copenhagen, spinning round in his
+head like wheels.
+
+‘Good evening!’ said the Soldier and saluted, for he had never seen a
+dog like this before. But when he had examined him more closely, he
+thought to himself: ‘Now then, I’ve had enough of this!’ and put him
+down on the floor, and opened the chest. Heavens! what a heap of gold
+there was! With all that he could buy up the whole town, and all the
+sugar pigs, all the tin soldiers, whips and rocking-horses in the
+whole world. Now he threw away all the silver with which he had filled
+his pockets and knapsack, and filled them with gold instead—yes, all
+his pockets, his knapsack, cap and boots even, so that he could hardly
+walk. Now he was rich indeed. He put the dog back upon the chest, shut
+the door, and then called up through the tree:
+
+‘Now pull me up again, old Witch!’
+
+‘Have you got the tinder-box also?’ asked the Witch.
+
+‘Botheration!’ said the Soldier, ‘I had clean forgotten it!’ And then
+he went back and fetched it.
+
+The Witch pulled him up, and there he stood again on the high road,
+with pockets, knapsack, cap and boots filled with gold.
+
+[Illustration: The Soldier Fills his Knapsack with Money]
+
+‘What do you want to do with the tinder-box?’ asked the Soldier.
+
+‘That doesn’t matter to you,’ replied the Witch. ‘You have got your
+money, give me my tinder-box.’
+
+‘We’ll see!’ said the Soldier. ‘Tell me at once what you want to do
+with it, or I will draw my sword, and cut off your head!’
+
+‘No!’ screamed the Witch.
+
+The Soldier immediately cut off her head. That was the end of her! But
+he tied up all his gold in her apron, slung it like a bundle over his
+shoulder, put the tinder-box in his pocket, and set out towards the
+town.
+
+It was a splendid town! He turned into the finest inn, ordered the
+best chamber and his favourite dinner; for now that he had so much
+money he was really rich.
+
+It certainly occurred to the servant who had to clean his boots that
+they were astonishingly old boots for such a rich lord. But that was
+because he had not yet bought new ones; next day he appeared in
+respectable boots and fine clothes. Now, instead of a common soldier
+he had become a noble lord, and the people told him about all the
+grand doings of the town and the King, and what a beautiful Princess
+his daughter was.
+
+‘How can one get to see her?’ asked the Soldier.
+
+‘She is never to be seen at all!’ they told him; ‘she lives in a great
+copper castle, surrounded by many walls and towers! No one except the
+King may go in or out, for it is prophesied that she will marry a
+common soldier, and the King cannot submit to that.’
+
+‘I should very much like to see her,’ thought the Soldier; but he
+could not get permission.
+
+Now he lived very gaily, went to the theatre, drove in the King’s
+garden, and gave the poor a great deal of money, which was very nice
+of him; he had experienced in former times how hard it is not to have
+a farthing in the world. Now he was rich, wore fine clothes, and made
+many friends, who all said that he was an excellent man, a real
+nobleman. And the Soldier liked that. But as he was always spending
+money, and never made any more, at last the day came when he had
+nothing left but two shillings, and he had to leave the beautiful
+rooms in which he had been living, and go into a little attic under
+the roof, and clean his own boots, and mend them with a
+darning-needle. None of his friends came to visit him there, for there
+were too many stairs to climb.
+
+It was a dark evening, and he could not even buy a light. But all at
+once it flashed across him that there was a little end of tinder in
+the tinder-box, which he had taken from the hollow tree into which the
+Witch had helped him down. He found the box with the tinder in it; but
+just as he was kindling a light, and had struck a spark out of the
+tinder-box, the door burst open, and the dog with eyes as large as
+saucers, which he had seen down in the tree, stood before him and
+said:
+
+‘What does my lord command?’
+
+‘What’s the meaning of this?’ exclaimed the Soldier. ‘This is a pretty
+kind of tinder-box, if I can get whatever I want like this. Get me
+money!’ he cried to the dog, and hey, presto! he was off and back
+again, holding a great purse full of money in his mouth.
+
+Now the Soldier knew what a capital tinder-box this was. If he rubbed
+once, the dog that sat on the chest of copper appeared; if he rubbed
+twice, there came the dog that watched over the silver chest; and if
+he rubbed three times, the one that guarded the gold appeared. Now,
+the Soldier went down again to his beautiful rooms, and appeared once
+more in splendid clothes. All his friends immediately recognised him
+again, and paid him great court.
+
+One day he thought to himself: ‘It is very strange that no one can get
+to see the Princess. They all say she is very pretty, but what’s the
+use of that if she has to sit for ever in the great copper castle with
+all the towers? Can I not manage to see her somehow? Where is my
+tinder-box?’ and so he struck a spark, and, presto! there came the dog
+with eyes as large as saucers.
+
+[Illustration: The Dog Brings in The Princess]
+
+‘It is the middle of the night, I know,’ said the Soldier; ‘but I
+should very much like to see the Princess for a moment.’
+
+The dog was already outside the door, and before the Soldier could
+look round, in he came with the Princess. She was lying asleep on the
+dog’s back, and was so beautiful that anyone could see she was a real
+Princess. The Soldier really could not refrain from kissing her—he
+was such a thorough Soldier. Then the dog ran back with the Princess.
+But when it was morning, and the King and Queen were drinking tea, the
+Princess said that the night before she had had such a strange dream
+about a dog and a Soldier: she had ridden on the dog’s back, and the
+Soldier had kissed her.
+
+‘That is certainly a fine story,’ said the Queen. But the next night
+one of the ladies-in-waiting was to watch at the Princess’s bed, to
+see if it was only a dream, or if it had actually happened.
+
+The Soldier had an overpowering longing to see the Princess again, and
+so the dog came in the middle of the night and fetched her, running as
+fast as he could. But the lady-in-waiting slipped on indiarubber shoes
+and followed them. When she saw them disappear into a large house, she
+thought to herself: ‘Now I know where it is;’ and made a great cross
+on the door with a piece of chalk. Then she went home and lay down,
+and the dog came back also, with the Princess. But when he saw that a
+cross had been made on the door of the house where the Soldier lived,
+he took a piece of chalk also, and made crosses on all the doors in
+the town; and that was very clever, for now the lady-in-waiting could
+not find the right house, as there were crosses on all the doors.
+
+Early next morning the King, Queen, ladies-in-waiting, and officers
+came out to see where the Princess had been.
+
+‘There it is!’ said the King, when he saw the first door with a cross
+on it.
+
+‘No, there it is, my dear!’ said the Queen, when she likewise saw a
+door with a cross.
+
+‘But here is one, and there is another!’ they all exclaimed; wherever
+they looked there was a cross on the door. Then they realised that the
+sign would not help them at all.
+
+But the Queen was an extremely clever woman, who could do a great deal
+more than just drive in a coach. She took her great golden scissors,
+cut up a piece of silk, and made a pretty little bag of it. This she
+filled with the finest buckwheat grains, and tied it round the
+Princess’ neck; this done, she cut a little hole in the bag, so that
+the grains would strew the whole road wherever the Princess went.
+
+In the night the dog came again, took the Princess on his back and ran
+away with her to the Soldier, who was very much in love with her, and
+would have liked to have been a Prince, so that he might have had her
+for his wife.
+
+The dog did not notice how the grains were strewn right from the
+castle to the Soldier’s window, where he ran up the wall with the
+Princess.
+
+In the morning the King and the Queen saw plainly where their daughter
+had been, and they took the Soldier and put him into prison.
+
+[Illustration: ‘He was skipping along so merrily’]
+
+There he sat. Oh, how dark and dull it was there! And they told him:
+‘To-morrow you are to be hanged.’ Hearing that did not exactly cheer
+him, and he had left his tinder-box in the inn.
+
+Next morning he could see through the iron grating in front of his
+little window how the people were hurrying out of the town to see him
+hanged. He heard the drums and saw the soldiers marching; all the
+people were running to and fro. Just below his window was a
+shoemaker’s apprentice, with leather apron and shoes; he was skipping
+along so merrily that one of his shoes flew off and fell against the
+wall, just where the Soldier was sitting peeping through the iron
+grating.
+
+‘Oh, shoemaker’s boy, you needn’t be in such a hurry!’ said the
+Soldier to him. ‘There’s nothing going on till I arrive. But if you
+will run back to the house where I lived, and fetch me my tinder-box,
+I will give you four shillings. But you must put your best foot
+foremost.’
+
+The shoemaker’s boy was very willing to earn four shillings, and
+fetched the tinder-box, gave it to the Soldier, and—yes—now you
+shall hear.
+
+Outside the town a great scaffold had been erected, and all round were
+standing the soldiers, and hundreds of thousands of people. The King
+and Queen were sitting on a magnificent throne opposite the judges and
+the whole council.
+
+The Soldier was already standing on the top of the ladder; but when
+they wanted to put the rope round his neck, he said that the
+fulfilment of one innocent request was always granted to a poor
+criminal before he underwent his punishment. He would so much like to
+smoke a small pipe of tobacco; it would be his last pipe in this
+world.
+
+The King could not refuse him this, and so he took out his tinder-box,
+and rubbed it once, twice, three times. And lo, and behold! there
+stood all three dogs—the one with eyes as large as saucers, the
+second with eyes as large as mill-wheels, and the third with eyes each
+as large as the Round Tower of Copenhagen.
+
+‘Help me now, so that I may not be hanged!’ cried the Soldier. And
+thereupon the dogs fell upon the judges and the whole council, seized
+some by the legs, others by the nose, and threw them so high into the
+air that they fell and were smashed into pieces.
+
+‘I won’t stand this!’ said the King; but the largest dog seized him
+too, and the Queen as well, and threw them up after the others. This
+frightened the soldiers, and all the people cried: ‘Good Soldier, you
+shall be our King, and marry the beautiful Princess!’
+
+Then they put the Soldier into the King’s coach, and the three dogs
+danced in front, crying ‘Hurrah!’ And the boys whistled and the
+soldiers presented arms.
+
+The Princess came out of the copper castle, and became Queen; and that
+pleased her very much.
+
+The wedding festivities lasted for eight days, and the dogs sat at
+table and made eyes at everyone.
+
+
+
+
+_THE WITCH IN THE STONE BOAT_[31]
+
+
+There were once a King and a Queen, and they had a son called Sigurd,
+who was very strong and active, and good-looking. When the King came
+to be bowed down with the weight of years he spoke to his son, and
+said that now it was time for him to look out for a fitting match for
+himself, for he did not know how long he might last now, and he would
+like to see him married before he died.
+
+Sigurd was not averse to this, and asked his father where he thought
+it best to look for a wife. The King answered that in a certain
+country there was a King who had a beautiful daughter, and he thought
+it would be most desirable if Sigurd could get her. So the two parted,
+and Sigurd prepared for the journey, and went to where his father had
+directed him.
+
+He came to the King and asked his daughter’s hand, which he readily
+granted him, but only on the condition that he should remain there as
+long as he could, for the King himself was not strong and not very
+able to govern his kingdom. Sigurd accepted this condition, but added
+that he would have to get leave to go home again to his own country
+when he heard news of his father’s death. After that Sigurd married
+the Princess, and helped his father-in-law to govern the kingdom. He
+and the Princess loved each other dearly, and after a year a son came
+to them, who was two years old when word came to Sigurd that his
+father was dead. Sigurd now prepared to return home with his wife and
+child, and went on board ship to go by sea.
+
+[Footnote 31: From the Icelandic.]
+
+[Illustration: The Witch Comes on Board]
+
+They had sailed for several days, when the breeze suddenly fell, and
+there came a dead calm, at a time when they needed only one day’s
+voyage to reach home. Sigurd and his Queen were one day on deck, when
+most of the others on the ship had fallen asleep. There they sat and
+talked for a while, and had their little son along with them. After a
+time Sigurd became so heavy with sleep that he could no longer keep
+awake, so he went below and lay down, leaving the Queen alone on the
+deck, playing with her son.
+
+A good while after Sigurd had gone below the Queen saw something black
+on the sea, which seemed to be coming nearer. As it approached she
+could make out that it was a boat, and could see the figure of someone
+sitting in it and rowing it. At last the boat came alongside the ship,
+and now the Queen saw that it was a stone boat, out of which there
+came up on board the ship a fearfully ugly Witch. The Queen was more
+frightened than words can describe, and could neither speak a word nor
+move from the place so as to awaken the King or the sailors. The Witch
+came right up to the Queen, took the child from her and laid it on the
+deck; then she took the Queen, and stripped her of all her fine
+clothes, which she proceeded to put on herself, and looked then like a
+human being. Last of all she took the Queen, put her into the boat,
+and said—
+
+‘This spell I lay upon you, that you slacken not your course until you
+come to my brother in the Under-world.’
+
+The Queen sat stunned and motionless, but the boat at once shot away
+from the ship with her, and before long she was out of sight.
+
+When the boat could no longer be seen the child began to cry, and
+though the Witch tried to quiet it she could not manage it; so she
+went below to where the King was sleeping with the child on her arm,
+and awakened him, scolding him for leaving them alone on deck, while
+he and all the crew were asleep. It was great carelessness of him, she
+said, to leave no one to watch the ship with her.
+
+Sigurd was greatly surprised to hear his Queen scold him so much, for
+she had never said an angry word to him before; but he thought it was
+quite excusable in this case, and tried to quiet the child along with
+her, but it was no use. Then he went and wakened the sailors, and bade
+them hoist the sails, for a breeze had sprung up and was blowing
+straight towards the harbour.
+
+They soon reached the land which Sigurd was to rule over, and found
+all the people sorrowful for the old King’s death, but they became
+glad when they got Sigurd back to the Court, and made him King over
+them.
+
+The King’s son, however, hardly ever stopped crying from the time he
+had been taken from his mother on the deck of the ship, although he
+had always been such a good child before, so that at last the King had
+to get a nurse for him—one of the maids of the Court. As soon as the
+child got into her charge he stopped crying, and behaved well as
+before.
+
+After the sea-voyage it seemed to the King that the Queen had altered
+very much in many ways, and not for the better. He thought her much
+more haughty and stubborn and difficult to deal with than she used to
+be. Before long others began to notice this as well as the King. In
+the Court there were two young fellows, one of eighteen years old, the
+other of nineteen, who were very fond of playing chess, and often sat
+long inside playing at it. Their room was next the Queen’s, and often
+during the day they heard the Queen talking.
+
+One day they paid more attention than usual when they heard her talk,
+and put their ears close to a crack in the wall between the rooms, and
+heard the Queen say quite plainly, ‘When I yawn a little, then I am a
+nice little maiden; when I yawn half-way, then I am half a troll; and
+when I yawn fully, then I am a troll altogether.’
+
+As she said this she yawned tremendously, and in a moment had put on
+the appearance of a fearfully ugly troll. Then there came up through
+the floor of the room a three-headed Giant with a trough full of meat,
+who saluted her as his sister and set down the trough before her. She
+began to eat out of it, and never stopped till she had finished it.
+The young fellows saw all this going on, but did not hear the two of
+them say anything to each other. They were astonished though at how
+greedily the Queen devoured the meat, and how much she ate of it, and
+were no longer surprised that she took so little when she sat at table
+with the King. As soon as she had finished it the Giant disappeared
+with the trough by the same way as he had come, and the Queen returned
+to her human shape.
+
+Now we must go back to the King’s son after he had been put in charge
+of the nurse. One evening, after she had lit a candle and was holding
+the child, several planks sprang up in the floor of the room, and out
+at the opening came a beautiful woman dressed in white, with an iron
+belt round her waist, to which was fastened an iron chain that went
+down into the ground. The woman came up to the nurse, took the child
+from her, and pressed it to her breast; then she gave it back to the
+nurse and returned by the same way as she had come, and the floor
+closed over her again. Although the woman had not spoken a single word
+to her, the nurse was very much frightened, but told no one about it.
+
+[Illustration: Sigurd Hews the Chain Asunder.]
+
+Next evening the same thing happened again, just as before, but as the
+woman was going away she said in a sad tone, ‘Two are gone, and one
+only is left,’ and then disappeared as before. The nurse was still
+more frightened when she heard the woman say this, and thought that
+perhaps some danger was hanging over the child, though she had no
+ill-opinion of the unknown woman, who, indeed, had behaved towards the
+child as if it were her own. The most mysterious thing was the woman
+saying ‘and only one is left;’ but the nurse guessed that this must
+mean that only one day was left, since she had come for two days
+already.
+
+At last the nurse made up her mind to go to the King, and told him the
+whole story, and asked him to be present in person next day about the
+time when the woman usually came. The King promised to do so, and came
+to the nurse’s room a little before the time, and sat down on a chair
+with his drawn sword in his hand. Soon after the planks in the floor
+sprang up as before, and the woman came up, dressed in white, with the
+iron belt and chain. The King saw at once that it was his own Queen,
+and immediately hewed asunder the iron chain that was fastened to the
+belt. This was followed by such noises and crashings down in the earth
+that all the King’s Palace shook, so that no one expected anything
+else than to see every bit of it shaken to pieces. At last, however,
+the noises and shaking stopped, and they began to come to themselves
+again.
+
+The King and Queen embraced each other, and she told him the whole
+story—how the Witch came to the ship when they were all asleep and
+sent her off in the boat. After she had gone so far that she could not
+see the ship, she sailed on through darkness until she landed beside a
+three-headed Giant. The Giant wished her to marry him, but she
+refused; whereupon he shut her up by herself, and told her she would
+never get free until she consented. After a time she began to plan how
+to get her freedom, and at last told him that she would consent if he
+would allow her to visit her son on earth three days on end. This he
+agreed to, but put on her this iron belt and chain, the other end of
+which he fastened round his own waist, and the great noises that were
+heard when the King cut the chain must have been caused by the Giant’s
+falling down the underground passage when the chain gave way so
+suddenly. The Giant’s dwelling, indeed, was right under the Palace,
+and the terrible shakings must have been caused by him in his
+death-throes.
+
+The King now understood how the Queen he had had for some time past
+had been so ill-tempered. He at once had a sack drawn over her head
+and made her be stoned to death, and after that torn in pieces by
+untamed horses. The two young fellows also told now what they had
+heard and seen in the Queen’s room, for before this they had been
+afraid to say anything about it, on account of the Queen’s power.
+
+The real Queen was now restored to all her dignity, and was beloved by
+all. The nurse was married to a nobleman, and the King and Queen gave
+her splendid presents.
+
+
+
+
+_THUMBELINA_
+
+
+There was once a woman who wanted to have quite a tiny, little child,
+but she did not know where to get one from. So one day she went to an
+old Witch and said to her: ‘I should so much like to have a tiny,
+little child; can you tell me where I can get one?’
+
+‘Oh, we have just got one ready!’ said the Witch. ‘Here is a
+barley-corn for you, but it’s not the kind the farmer sows in his
+field, or feeds the cocks and hens with, I can tell you. Put it in a
+flower-pot, and then you will see something happen.’
+
+‘Oh, thank you!’ said the woman, and gave the Witch a shilling, for
+that was what it cost. Then she went home and planted the barley-corn;
+immediately there grew out of it a large and beautiful flower, which
+looked like a tulip, but the petals were tightly closed as if it were
+still only a bud.
+
+‘What a beautiful flower!’ exclaimed the woman, and she kissed the red
+and yellow petals; but as she kissed them the flower burst open. It
+was a real tulip, such as one can see any day; but in the middle of
+the blossom, on the green velvety petals, sat a little girl, quite
+tiny, trim, and pretty. She was scarcely half a thumb in height; so
+they called her Thumbelina. An elegant polished walnut-shell served
+Thumbelina as a cradle, the blue petals of a violet were her mattress,
+and a rose-leaf her coverlid. There she lay at night, but in the
+day-time she used to play about on the table; here the woman had put a
+bowl, surrounded by a ring of flowers, with their stalks in water, in
+the middle of which floated a great tulip petal, and on this
+Thumbelina sat, and sailed from one side of the bowl to the other,
+rowing herself with two white horse-hairs for oars. It was such a
+pretty sight! She could sing, too, with a voice more soft and sweet
+than had ever been heard before.
+
+One night, when she was lying in her pretty little bed, an old toad
+crept in through a broken pane in the window. She was very ugly,
+clumsy, and clammy; she hopped on to the table where Thumbelina lay
+asleep under the red rose-leaf.
+
+‘This would make a beautiful wife for my son,’ said the toad, taking
+up the walnut-shell, with Thumbelina inside, and hopping with it
+through the window into the garden.
+
+There flowed a great wide stream, with slippery and marshy banks; here
+the toad lived with her son. Ugh! how ugly and clammy he was, just
+like his mother! ‘Croak, croak, croak!’ was all he could say when he
+saw the pretty little girl in the walnut-shell.
+
+[Illustration: CROAK CROAK CROAK Was All He Could Say.]
+
+‘Don’t talk so loud, or you’ll wake her,’ said the old toad. ‘She
+might escape us even now; she is as light as a feather. We will put
+her at once on a broad water-lily leaf in the stream. That will be
+quite an island for her; she is so small and light. She can’t run away
+from us there, whilst we are preparing the guest-chamber under the
+marsh where she shall live.’
+
+Outside in the brook grew many water-lilies, with broad green leaves,
+which looked as if they were swimming about on the water. The leaf
+farthest away was the largest, and to this the old toad swam with
+Thumbelina in her walnut-shell.
+
+The tiny Thumbelina woke up very early in the morning, and when she
+saw where she was she began to cry bitterly; for on every side of the
+great green leaf was water, and she could not get to the land.
+
+The old toad was down under the marsh, decorating her room with rushes
+and yellow marigold leaves, to make it very grand for her new
+daughter-in-law; then she swam out with her ugly son to the leaf where
+Thumbelina lay. She wanted to fetch the pretty cradle to put it into
+her room before Thumbelina herself came there. The old toad bowed low
+in the water before her, and said: ‘Here is my son; you shall marry
+him, and live in great magnificence down under the marsh.’
+
+[Illustration: Thumbelina Rides on the Waterlily-leaf]
+
+‘Croak, croak, croak!’ was all that the son could say. Then they took
+the neat little cradle and swam away with it; but Thumbelina sat alone
+on the great green leaf and wept, for she did not want to live with
+the clammy toad, or marry her ugly son. The little fishes swimming
+about under the water had seen the toad quite plainly, and heard what
+she had said; so they put up their heads to see the little girl. When
+they saw her, they thought her so pretty that they were very sorry she
+should go down with the ugly toad to live. No; that must not happen.
+They assembled in the water round the green stalk which supported the
+leaf on which she was sitting and nibbled the stem in two. Away
+floated the leaf down the stream, bearing Thumbelina far beyond the
+reach of the toad.
+
+On she sailed past several towns, and the little birds sitting in the
+bushes saw her, and sang, ‘What a pretty little girl!’ The leaf
+floated farther and farther away; thus Thumbelina left her native
+land.
+
+A beautiful little white butterfly fluttered above her, and at last
+settled on the leaf. Thumbelina pleased him, and she, too, was
+delighted, for now the toads could not reach her, and it was so
+beautiful where she was travelling; the sun shone on the water and
+made it sparkle like the brightest silver. She took off her sash, and
+tied one end round the butterfly; the other end she fastened to the
+leaf, so that now it glided along with her faster than ever.
+
+A great cockchafer came flying past; he caught sight of Thumbelina,
+and in a moment had put his arms round her slender waist, and had
+flown off with her to a tree. The green leaf floated away down the
+stream, and the butterfly with it, for he was fastened to the leaf and
+could not get loose from it. Oh, dear! how terrified poor little
+Thumbelina was when the cockchafer flew off with her to the tree! But
+she was especially distressed on the beautiful white butterfly’s
+account, as she had tied him fast, so that if he could not get away he
+must starve to death. But the cockchafer did not trouble himself about
+that; he sat down with her on a large green leaf, gave her the honey
+out of the flowers to eat, and told her that she was very pretty,
+although she wasn’t in the least like a cockchafer. Later on, all the
+other cockchafers who lived in the same tree came to pay calls; they
+examined Thumbelina closely, and remarked, ‘Why, she has only two
+legs! How very miserable!’
+
+‘She has no feelers!’ cried another.
+
+‘How ugly she is!’ said all the lady chafers—and yet Thumbelina was
+really very pretty.
+
+The cockchafer who had stolen her knew this very well; but when he
+heard all the ladies saying she was ugly, he began to think so too,
+and would not keep her; she might go wherever she liked. So he flew
+down from the tree with her and put her on a daisy. There she sat and
+wept, because she was so ugly that the cockchafer would have nothing
+to do with her; and yet she was the most beautiful creature
+imaginable, so soft and delicate, like the loveliest rose-leaf.
+
+The whole summer poor little Thumbelina lived alone in the great wood.
+She plaited a bed for herself of blades of grass, and hung it up under
+a clover-leaf, so that she was protected from the rain; she gathered
+honey from the flowers for food, and drank the dew on the leaves every
+morning. Thus the summer and autumn passed, but then came winter—the
+long, cold winter. All the birds who had sung so sweetly about her had
+flown away; the trees shed their leaves, the flowers died; the great
+clover-leaf under which she had lived curled up, and nothing remained
+of it but the withered stalk. She was terribly cold, for her clothes
+were ragged, and she herself was so small and thin. Poor little
+Thumbelina! she would surely be frozen to death. It began to snow, and
+every snow-flake that fell on her was to her as a whole shovelful
+thrown on one of us, for we are so big, and she was only an inch high.
+She wrapt herself round in a dead leaf, but it was torn in the middle
+and gave her no warmth; she was trembling with cold.
+
+Just outside the wood where she was now living lay a great cornfield.
+But the corn had been gone a long time; only the dry, bare stubble was
+left standing in the frozen ground. This made a forest for her to
+wander about in. All at once she came across the door of a
+field-mouse, who had a little hole under a corn-stalk. There the mouse
+lived warm and snug, with a store-room full of corn, a splendid
+kitchen and dining-room. Poor little Thumbelina went up to the door
+and begged for a little piece of barley, for she had not had anything
+to eat for the last two days.
+
+‘Poor little creature!’ said the field-mouse, for she was a
+kind-hearted old thing at the bottom. ‘Come into my warm room and have
+some dinner with me.’
+
+As Thumbelina pleased her, she said: ‘As far as I am concerned you may
+spend the winter with me; but you must keep my room clean and tidy,
+and tell me stories, for I like that very much.’
+
+And Thumbelina did all that the kind old field-mouse asked, and did it
+remarkably well too.
+
+‘Now I am expecting a visitor,’ said the field-mouse; ‘my neighbour
+comes to call on me once a week. He is in better circumstances than I
+am, has great, big rooms, and wears a fine black-velvet coat. If you
+could only marry him, you would be well provided for. But he is blind.
+You must tell him all the prettiest stories you know.’
+
+But Thumbelina did not trouble her head about him, for he was only a
+mole. He came and paid them a visit in his black-velvet coat.
+
+‘He is so rich and so accomplished,’ the field-mouse told her. ‘His
+house is twenty times larger than mine; he possesses great knowledge,
+but he cannot bear the sun and the beautiful flowers, and speaks
+slightingly of them, for he has never seen them.’
+
+Thumbelina had to sing to him, so she sang ‘Lady-bird, lady-bird, fly
+away home!’ and other songs so prettily that the mole fell in love
+with her; but he did not say anything, he was a very cautious man. A
+short time before he had dug a long passage through the ground from
+his own house to that of his neighbour; in this he gave the
+field-mouse and Thumbelina permission to walk as often as they liked.
+But he begged them not to be afraid of the dead bird that lay in the
+passage: it was a real bird with beak and feathers, and must have died
+a little time ago, and now laid buried just where he had made his
+tunnel. The mole took a piece of rotten wood in his mouth, for that
+glows like fire in the dark, and went in front, lighting them through
+the long dark passage. When they came to the place where the dead bird
+lay, the mole put his broad nose against the ceiling and pushed a hole
+through, so that the daylight could shine down. In the middle of the
+path lay a dead swallow, his pretty wings pressed close to his sides,
+his claws and head drawn under his feathers; the poor bird had
+evidently died of cold. Thumbelina was very sorry, for she was very
+fond of all little birds; they had sung and twittered so beautifully
+to her all through the summer. But the mole kicked him with his bandy
+legs and said:
+
+‘Now he can’t sing any more! It must be very miserable to be a little
+bird! I’m thankful that none of my little children are; birds always
+starve in winter.’
+
+‘Yes, you speak like a sensible man,’ said the field-mouse. ‘What has
+a bird, in spite of all his singing, in the winter-time? He must
+starve and freeze, and that must be very pleasant for him, I must
+say!’
+
+Thumbelina did not say anything; but when the other two had passed on
+she bent down to the bird, brushed aside the feathers from his head,
+and kissed his closed eyes gently. ‘Perhaps it was he that sang to me
+so prettily in the summer,’ she thought. ‘How much pleasure he did
+give me, dear little bird!’
+
+The mole closed up the hole again which let in the light, and then
+escorted the ladies home. But Thumbelina could not sleep that night;
+so she got out of bed, and plaited a great big blanket of straw, and
+carried it off, and spread it over the dead bird, and piled upon it
+thistle-down as soft as cotton-wool, which she had found in the
+field-mouse’s room, so that the poor little thing should lie warmly
+buried.
+
+‘Farewell, pretty little bird!’ she said. ‘Farewell, and thank you for
+your beautiful songs in the summer, when the trees were green, and the
+sun shone down warmly on us!’ Then she laid her head against the
+bird’s heart. But the bird was not dead: he had been frozen, but now
+that she had warmed him, he was coming to life again.
+
+In autumn the swallows fly away to foreign lands; but there are some
+who are late in starting, and then they get so cold that they drop
+down as if dead, and the snow comes and covers them over.
+
+[Illustration: Thumbelina Brings Thistle-down for the Swallow]
+
+Thumbelina trembled, she was so frightened; for the bird was very
+large in comparison with herself—only an inch high. But she took
+courage, piled up the down more closely over the poor swallow, fetched
+her own coverlid and laid it over his head.
+
+Next night she crept out again to him. There he was alive, but very
+weak; he could only open his eyes for a moment and look at Thumbelina,
+who was standing in front of him with a piece of rotten wood in her
+hand, for she had no other lantern.
+
+‘Thank you, pretty little child!’ said the swallow to her. ‘I am so
+beautifully warm! Soon I shall regain my strength, and then I shall be
+able to fly out again into the warm sunshine.’
+
+‘Oh!’ she said, ‘it is very cold outside; it is snowing and freezing!
+stay in your warm bed; I will take care of you!’
+
+Then she brought him water in a petal, which he drank, after which he
+related to her how he had torn one of his wings on a bramble, so that
+he could not fly as fast as the other swallows, who had flown far away
+to warmer lands. So at last he had dropped down exhausted, and then he
+could remember no more. The whole winter he remained down there, and
+Thumbelina looked after him and nursed him tenderly. Neither the mole
+nor the field-mouse learnt anything of this, for they could not bear
+the poor swallow.
+
+When the spring came, and the sun warmed the earth again, the swallow
+said farewell to Thumbelina, who opened the hole in the roof for him
+which the mole had made. The sun shone brightly down upon her, and the
+swallow asked her if she would go with him; she could sit upon his
+back. Thumbelina wanted very much to fly far away into the green wood,
+but she knew that the old field-mouse would be sad if she ran away.
+‘No, I mustn’t come!’ she said.
+
+‘Farewell, dear good little girl!’ said the swallow, and flew off into
+the sunshine. Thumbelina gazed after him with the tears standing in
+her eyes, for she was very fond of the swallow.
+
+‘Tweet, tweet!’ sang the bird, and flew into the green wood.
+Thumbelina was very unhappy. She was not allowed to go out into the
+warm sunshine. The corn which had been sowed in the field over the
+field-mouse’s home grew up high into the air, and made a thick forest
+for the poor little girl, who was only an inch high.
+
+‘Now you are to be a bride, Thumbelina!’ said the field-mouse, ‘for
+our neighbour has proposed for you! What a piece of fortune for a poor
+child like you! Now you must set to work at your linen for your dowry,
+for nothing must be lacking if you are to become the wife of our
+neighbour, the mole!’
+
+Thumbelina had to spin all day long, and every evening the mole
+visited her, and told her that when the summer was over the sun would
+not shine so hot; now it was burning the earth as hard as a stone.
+Yes, when the summer had passed, they would keep the wedding.
+
+But she was not at all pleased about it, for she did not like the
+stupid mole. Every morning when the sun was rising, and every evening
+when it was setting, she would steal out of the house-door, and when
+the breeze parted the ears of corn so that she could see the blue sky
+through them, she thought how bright and beautiful it must be outside,
+and longed to see her dear swallow again. But he never came; no doubt
+he had flown away far into the great green wood.
+
+By the autumn Thumbelina had finished the dowry.
+
+‘In four weeks you will be married!’ said the field-mouse; ‘don’t be
+obstinate, or I shall bite you with my sharp white teeth! You will get
+a fine husband! The King himself has not such a velvet coat. His
+store-room and cellar are full, and you should be thankful for that.’
+
+[Illustration: Thumbelina Has to Spin]
+
+Well, the wedding-day arrived. The mole had come to fetch Thumbelina
+to live with him deep down under the ground, never to come out into
+the warm sun again, for that was what he didn’t like. The poor little
+girl was very sad; for now she must say good-bye to the beautiful sun.
+
+‘Farewell, bright sun!’ she cried, stretching out her arms towards it,
+and taking another step outside the house; for now the corn had been
+reaped, and only the dry stubble was left standing. ‘Farewell,
+farewell!’ she said, and put her arms round a little red flower that
+grew there. ‘Give my love to the dear swallow when you see him!’
+
+‘Tweet, tweet!’ sounded in her ear all at once. She looked up. There
+was the swallow flying past! As soon as he saw Thumbelina, he was very
+glad. She told him how unwilling she was to marry the ugly mole, as
+then she had to live underground where the sun never shone, and she
+could not help bursting into tears.
+
+‘The cold winter is coming now,’ said the swallow. ‘I must fly away to
+warmer lands: will you come with me? You can sit on my back, and we
+will fly far away from the ugly mole and his dark house, over the
+mountains, to the warm countries where the sun shines more brightly
+than here, where it is always summer, and there are always beautiful
+flowers. Do come with me, dear little Thumbelina, who saved my life
+when I lay frozen in the dark tunnel!’
+
+‘Yes, I will go with you,’ said Thumbelina, and got on the swallow’s
+back, with her feet on one of his outstretched wings. Up he flew into
+the air, over woods and seas, over the great mountains where the snow
+is always lying. And if she was cold she crept under his warm
+feathers, only keeping her little head out to admire all the beautiful
+things in the world beneath. At last they came to warm lands; there
+the sun was brighter, the sky seemed twice as high, and in the hedges
+hung the finest green and purple grapes; in the woods grew oranges and
+lemons: the air was scented with myrtle and mint, and on the roads
+were pretty little children running about and playing with great
+gorgeous butterflies. But the swallow flew on farther, and it became
+more and more beautiful. Under the most splendid green trees beside a
+blue lake stood a glittering white marble castle. Vines hung about the
+high pillars; there were many swallows’ nests, and in one of these
+lived the swallow who was carrying Thumbelina.
+
+‘Here is my house!’ said he. ‘But it won’t do for you to live with me;
+I am not tidy enough to please you. Find a home for yourself in one of
+the lovely flowers that grow down there; now I will set you down, and
+you can do whatever you like.’
+
+‘That will be splendid!’ said she, clapping her little hands.
+
+There lay a great white marble column which had fallen to the ground
+and broken into three pieces, but between these grew the most
+beautiful white flowers. The swallow flew down with Thumbelina, and
+set her upon one of the broad leaves. But there, to her astonishment,
+she found a tiny little man sitting in the middle of the flower, as
+white and transparent as if he were made of glass; he had the
+prettiest golden crown on his head, and the most beautiful wings on
+his shoulders; he himself was no bigger than Thumbelina. He was the
+spirit of the flower. In each blossom there dwelt a tiny man or woman;
+but this one was the King over the others.
+
+‘How handsome he is!’ whispered Thumbelina to the swallow.
+
+[Illustration: We Will Call You May Blossom]
+
+The little Prince was very much frightened at the swallow, for in
+comparison with one so tiny as himself he seemed a giant. But when he
+saw Thumbelina, he was delighted, for she was the most beautiful girl
+he had ever seen. So he took his golden crown from off his head and
+put it on hers, asking her her name, and if she would be his wife, and
+then she would be Queen of all the flowers. Yes! he was a different
+kind of husband to the son of the toad and the mole with the
+black-velvet coat. So she said ‘Yes’ to the noble Prince. And out of
+each flower came a lady and gentleman, each so tiny and pretty that it
+was a pleasure to see them. Each brought Thumbelina a present, but the
+best of all was a beautiful pair of wings which were fastened on to
+her back, and now she too could fly from flower to flower. They all
+wished her joy, and the swallow sat above in his nest and sang the
+wedding march, and that he did as well as he could; but he was sad,
+because he was very fond of Thumbelina and did not want to be
+separated from her.
+
+‘You shall not be called Thumbelina!’ said the spirit of the flower to
+her; ‘that is an ugly name, and you are much too pretty for that. We
+will call you May Blossom.’
+
+‘Farewell, farewell!’ said the little swallow with a heavy heart, and
+flew away to farther lands, far, far away, right back to Denmark.
+There he had a little nest above a window, where his wife lived, who
+can tell fairy-stories. ‘Tweet, tweet!’ he sang to her. And that is
+the way we learnt the whole story.
+
+
+
+
+_THE NIGHTINGALE_
+
+
+In China, as I daresay you know, the Emperor is a Chinaman, and all
+his courtiers are also Chinamen. The story I am going to tell you
+happened many years ago, but it is worth while for you to listen to
+it, before it is forgotten.
+
+The Emperor’s Palace was the most splendid in the world, all made of
+priceless porcelain, but so brittle and delicate that you had to take
+great care how you touched it. In the garden were the most beautiful
+flowers, and on the loveliest of them were tied silver bells which
+tinkled, so that if you passed you could not help looking at the
+flowers. Everything in the Emperor’s garden was admirably arranged
+with a view to effect; and the garden was so large that even the
+gardener himself did not know where it ended. If you ever got beyond
+it, you came to a stately forest with great trees and deep lakes in
+it. The forest sloped down to the sea, which was a clear blue. Large
+ships could sail under the boughs of the trees, and in these trees
+there lived a Nightingale. She sang so beautifully that even the poor
+fisherman who had so much to do stood and listened when he came at
+night to cast his nets. ‘How beautiful it is!’ he said; but he had to
+attend to his work, and forgot about the bird. But when she sang the
+next night and the fisherman came there again, he said the same thing,
+‘How beautiful it is!’
+
+From all the countries round came travellers to the Emperor’s town,
+who were astonished at the Palace and the garden. But when they heard
+the Nightingale they all said, ‘This is the finest thing after all!’
+
+The travellers told all about it when they went home, and learned
+scholars wrote many books upon the town, the Palace, and the garden.
+But they did not forget the Nightingale; she was praised the most, and
+all the poets composed splendid verses on the Nightingale in the
+forest by the deep sea.
+
+The books were circulated throughout the world, and some of them
+reached the Emperor. He sat in his golden chair, and read and read. He
+nodded his head every moment, for he liked reading the brilliant
+accounts of the town, the Palace, and the garden. ‘But the Nightingale
+is better than all,’ he saw written.
+
+‘What is that?’ said the Emperor. ‘I don’t know anything about the
+Nightingale! Is there such a bird in my empire, and so near as in my
+garden? I have never heard it! Fancy reading for the first time about
+it in a book!’
+
+And he called his First Lord to him. He was so proud that if anyone of
+lower rank than his own ventured to speak to him or ask him anything,
+he would say nothing but ‘P!’ and that does not mean anything.
+
+‘Here is a most remarkable bird which is called a Nightingale!’ said
+the Emperor. ‘They say it is the most glorious thing in my kingdom.
+Why has no one ever said anything to me about it?’
+
+‘I have never before heard it mentioned!’ said the First Lord. ‘I will
+look for it and find it!’
+
+But where was it to be found? The First Lord ran up and down stairs,
+through the halls and corridors; but none of those he met had ever
+heard of the Nightingale. And the First Lord ran again to the Emperor,
+and told him that it must be an invention on the part of those who had
+written the books.
+
+‘Your Imperial Majesty cannot really believe all that is written!
+There are some inventions called the Black Art!’
+
+‘But the book in which I read this,’ said the Emperor, ‘is sent me by
+His Great Majesty the Emperor of Japan; so it cannot be untrue, and I
+will hear the Nightingale! She must be here this evening! She has my
+gracious permission to appear, and if she does not, the whole Court
+shall be trampled under foot after supper!’
+
+‘Tsing pe!’ said the First Lord; and he ran up and down stairs,
+through the halls and corridors, and half the Court ran with him, for
+they did not want to be trampled under foot. Everyone was asking after
+the wonderful Nightingale which all the world knew of, except those at
+Court.
+
+At last they met a poor little girl in the kitchen, who said, ‘Oh! I
+know the Nightingale well. How she sings! I have permission to carry
+the scraps over from the Court meals to my poor sick mother, and when
+I am going home at night, tired and weary, and rest for a little in
+the wood, then I hear the Nightingale singing! It brings tears to my
+eyes, and I feel as if my mother were kissing me!’
+
+[Illustration: The Kitchenmaid Listens to the Nightingale]
+
+‘Little kitchenmaid!’ said the First Lord, ‘I will give you a place in
+the kitchen, and you shall have leave to see the Emperor at dinner, if
+you can lead us to the Nightingale, for she is invited to come to
+Court this evening.’
+
+And so they all went into the wood where the Nightingale was wont to
+sing, and half the Court went too.
+
+When they were on the way there they heard a cow mooing.
+
+‘Oh!’ said the Courtiers, ‘now we have found her! What a wonderful
+power for such a small beast to have! I am sure we have heard her
+before!’
+
+‘No; that is a cow mooing!’ said the little kitchenmaid. ‘We are still
+a long way off!’
+
+Then the frogs began to croak in the marsh. ‘Splendid!’ said the
+Chinese chaplain. ‘Now we hear her; it sounds like a little
+church-bell!’
+
+‘No, no; those are frogs!’ said the little kitchenmaid. ‘But I think
+we shall soon hear her now!’
+
+Then the Nightingale began to sing.
+
+‘There she is!’ cried the little girl. ‘Listen! She is sitting there!’
+And she pointed to a little dark-grey bird up in the branches.
+
+‘Is it possible!’ said the First Lord. ‘I should never have thought
+it! How ordinary she looks! She must surely have lost her feathers
+because she sees so many distinguished men round her!’
+
+‘Little Nightingale,’ called out the little kitchenmaid, ‘our Gracious
+Emperor wants you to sing before him!’
+
+‘With the greatest of pleasure!’ said the Nightingale; and she sang so
+gloriously that it was a pleasure to listen.
+
+‘It sounds like glass bells!’ said the First Lord. ‘And look how her
+little throat works! It is wonderful that we have never heard her
+before! She will be a great success at Court.’
+
+‘Shall I sing once more for the Emperor?’ asked the Nightingale,
+thinking that the Emperor was there.
+
+‘My esteemed little Nightingale,’ said the First Lord, ‘I have the
+great pleasure to invite you to Court this evening, where His Gracious
+Imperial Highness will be enchanted with your charming song!’
+
+‘It sounds best in the green wood,’ said the Nightingale; but still,
+she came gladly when she heard that the Emperor wished it. At the
+Palace everything was splendidly prepared. The porcelain walls and
+floors glittered in the light of many thousand gold lamps; the most
+gorgeous flowers which tinkled out well were placed in the corridors.
+There was such a hurrying and draught that all the bells jingled so
+much that one could not hear oneself speak. In the centre of the great
+hall where the Emperor sat was a golden perch, on which the
+Nightingale sat. The whole Court was there, and the little kitchenmaid
+was allowed to stand behind the door, now that she was a Court-cook.
+Everyone was dressed in his best, and everyone was looking towards the
+little grey bird to whom the Emperor nodded.
+
+[Illustration: The Present from the Emperor of Japan]
+
+The Nightingale sang so gloriously that the tears came into the
+Emperor’s eyes and ran down his cheeks. Then the Nightingale sang even
+more beautifully; it went straight to all hearts. The Emperor was so
+delighted that he said she should wear his gold slipper round her
+neck. But the Nightingale thanked him, and said she had had enough
+reward already. ‘I have seen tears in the Emperor’s eyes—that is a
+great reward. An Emperor’s tears have such power!’ Then she sang again
+with her gloriously sweet voice.
+
+‘That is the most charming coquetry I have ever seen!’ said all the
+ladies round. And they all took to holding water in their mouths that
+they might gurgle whenever anyone spoke to them. Then they thought
+themselves nightingales. Yes, the lackeys and chambermaids announced
+that they were pleased; which means a great deal, for they are the
+most difficult people of all to satisfy. In short, the Nightingale was
+a real success.
+
+She had to stay at Court now; she had her own cage, and permission to
+walk out twice in the day and once at night.
+
+She was given twelve servants, who each held a silken string which was
+fastened round her leg. There was little pleasure in flying about like
+this.
+
+The whole town was talking about the wonderful bird, and when two
+people met each other one would say ‘Nightin,’ and the other ‘Gale,’
+and then they would both sigh and understand one another. Yes, and
+eleven grocer’s children were called after her, but not one of them
+could sing a note.
+
+One day the Emperor received a large parcel on which was written ‘The
+Nightingale.’
+
+‘Here is another new book about our famous bird!’ said the Emperor.
+
+But it was not a book, but a little mechanical toy, which lay in a
+box—an artificial nightingale which was like the real one, only that
+it was set all over with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. When it was
+wound up, it could sing the piece the real bird sang, and moved its
+tail up and down, and glittered with silver and gold. Round its neck
+was a little collar on which was written, ‘The Nightingale of the
+Emperor of Japan is nothing compared to that of the Emperor of China.’
+
+‘This is magnificent!’ they all said, and the man who had brought the
+clockwork bird received on the spot the title of ‘Bringer of the
+Imperial First Nightingale.’
+
+‘Now they must sing together; what a duet we shall have!’
+
+And so they sang together, but their voices did not blend, for the
+real Nightingale sang in her way and the clockwork bird sang waltzes.
+
+‘It is not its fault!’ said the bandmaster; ‘it keeps very good time
+and is quite after my style!’
+
+Then the artificial bird had to sing alone. It gave just as much
+pleasure as the real one, and then it was so much prettier to look at;
+it sparkled like bracelets and necklaces. Three-and-thirty times it
+sang the same piece without being tired. People would like to have
+heard it again, but the Emperor thought that the living Nightingale
+should sing now—but where was she? No one had noticed that she had
+flown out of the open window away to her green woods.
+
+‘What _shall_ we do!’ said the Emperor.
+
+And all the Court scolded, and said that the Nightingale was very
+ungrateful. ‘But we have still the best bird!’ they said and the
+artificial bird had to sing again, and that was the thirty-fourth time
+they had heard the same piece. But they did not yet know it by heart;
+it was much too difficult. And the bandmaster praised the bird
+tremendously; yes, he assured them it was better than a real
+nightingale, not only because of its beautiful plumage and diamonds,
+but inside as well. ‘For see, my Lords and Ladies and your Imperial
+Majesty, with the real Nightingale one can never tell what will come
+out, but all is known about the artificial bird! You can explain it,
+you can open it and show people where the waltzes lie, how they go,
+and how one follows the other!’
+
+‘That’s just what we think!’ said everyone; and the bandmaster
+received permission to show the bird to the people the next Sunday.
+They should hear it sing, commanded the Emperor. And they heard it,
+and they were as pleased as if they had been intoxicated with tea,
+after the Chinese fashion, and they all said ‘Oh!’ and held up their
+forefingers and nodded time. But the poor fishermen who had heard the
+real Nightingale said: ‘This one sings well enough, the tunes glide
+out; but there is something wanting—I don’t know what!’
+
+The real Nightingale was banished from the kingdom.
+
+The artificial bird was put on silken cushions by the Emperor’s bed,
+all the presents which it received, gold and precious stones, lay
+round it, and it was given the title of Imperial Night-singer, First
+from the left. For the Emperor counted that side as the more
+distinguished, being the side on which the heart is; the Emperor’s
+heart is also on the left.
+
+And the bandmaster wrote a work of twenty-five volumes about the
+artificial bird. It was so learned, long, and so full of the hardest
+Chinese words that everyone said they had read it and understood it;
+for once they had been very stupid about a book, and had been trampled
+under foot in consequence. So a whole year passed. The Emperor, the
+Court, and all the Chinese knew every note of the artificial bird’s
+song by heart. But they liked it all the better for this; they could
+even sing with it, and they did. The street boys sang ‘Tra-la-la-la-la,’
+and the Emperor sang too sometimes. It was indeed delightful.
+
+But one evening, when the artificial bird was singing its best, and
+the Emperor lay in bed listening to it, something in the bird went
+crack. Something snapped! Whir-r-r! all the wheels ran down and then
+the music ceased. The Emperor sprang up, and had his physician
+summoned, but what could _he_ do! Then the clockmaker came, and, after
+a great deal of talking and examining, he put the bird somewhat in
+order, but he said that it must be very seldom used as the works were
+nearly worn out, and it was impossible to put in new ones. Here was a
+calamity! Only once a year was the artificial bird allowed to sing,
+and even that was almost too much for it. But then the bandmaster made
+a little speech full of hard words, saying that it was just as good as
+before. And so, of course, it _was_ just as good as before. So five
+years passed, and then a great sorrow came to the nation. The Chinese
+look upon their Emperor as everything, and now he was ill, and not
+likely to live it was said.
+
+Already a new Emperor had been chosen, and the people stood outside in
+the street and asked the First Lord how the old Emperor was. ‘P!’ said
+he, and shook his head.
+
+Cold and pale lay the Emperor in his splendid great bed; the whole
+Court believed him dead, and one after the other left him to pay their
+respects to the new Emperor. Everywhere in the halls and corridors
+cloth was laid down so that no footstep could be heard, and everything
+was still—very, very still. And nothing came to break the silence.
+
+The Emperor longed for something to come and relieve the monotony of
+this deathlike stillness. If only someone would speak to him! If only
+someone would sing to him. Music would carry his thoughts away, and
+would break the spell lying on him. The moon was streaming in at the
+open window; but that, too, was silent, quite silent.
+
+‘Music! music!’ cried the Emperor. ‘You little bright golden bird,
+sing! do sing! I gave you gold and jewels; I have hung my gold slipper
+round your neck with my own hand—sing! do sing!’ But the bird was
+silent. There was no one to wind it up, and so it could not sing. And
+all was silent, so terribly silent!
+
+All at once there came in at the window the most glorious burst of
+song. It was the little living Nightingale, who, sitting outside on a
+bough, had heard the need of her Emperor and had come to sing to him
+of comfort and hope. And as she sang the blood flowed quicker and
+quicker in the Emperor’s weak limbs, and life began to return.
+
+‘Thank you, thank you!’ said the Emperor. ‘You divine little bird! I
+know you. I chased you from my kingdom, and you have given me life
+again! How can I reward you?’
+
+‘You have done that already!’ said the Nightingale. ‘I brought tears
+to your eyes the first time I sang. I shall never forget that. They
+are jewels that rejoice a singer’s heart. But now sleep and get strong
+again; I will sing you a lullaby.’ And the Emperor fell into a deep,
+calm sleep as she sang.
+
+[Illustration: The true Nightingale sings to the Emperor]
+
+The sun was shining through the window when he awoke, strong and well.
+None of his servants had come back yet, for they thought he was dead.
+But the Nightingale sat and sang to him.
+
+‘You must always stay with me!’ said the Emperor. ‘You shall sing
+whenever you like, and I will break the artificial bird into a
+thousand pieces.’
+
+‘Don’t do that!’ said the Nightingale. ‘He did his work as long as he
+could. Keep him as you have done! I cannot build my nest in the Palace
+and live here; but let me come whenever I like. I will sit in the
+evening on the bough outside the window, and I will sing you something
+that will make you feel happy and grateful. I will sing of joy, and of
+sorrow; I will sing of the evil and the good which lies hidden from
+you. The little singing-bird flies all around, to the poor fisherman’s
+hut, to the farmer’s cottage, to all those who are far away from you
+and your Court. I love your heart more than your crown, though that
+has about it a brightness as of something holy. Now I will sing to you
+again; but you must promise me one thing——’
+
+‘Anything!’ said the Emperor, standing up in his Imperial robes, which
+he had himself put on, and fastening on his sword richly embossed with
+gold.
+
+‘One thing I beg of you! Don’t tell anyone that you have a little bird
+who tells you everything. It will be much better not to!’ Then the
+Nightingale flew away.
+
+The servants came in to look at their dead Emperor.
+
+The Emperor said, ‘Good-morning!’
+
+
+
+
+_HERMOD AND HADVOR_[32]
+
+
+Once upon a time there were a King and a Queen who had an only
+daughter, called Hadvor, who was fair and beautiful, and being an only
+child, was heir to the kingdom. The King and Queen had also a foster
+son, named Hermod, who was just about the same age as Hadvor, and was
+good-looking, as well as clever at most things. Hermod and Hadvor
+often played together while they were children, and liked each other
+so much that while they were still young they secretly plighted their
+troth to each other.
+
+As time went on the Queen fell sick, and suspecting that it was her
+last illness, sent for the King to come to her. When he came she told
+him that she had no long time to live, and therefore wished to ask one
+thing of him, which was, that if he married another wife he should
+promise to take no other one than the Queen of Hetland the Good. The
+King gave the promise, and thereafter the Queen died.
+
+Time went past, and the King, growing tired of living alone, fitted
+out his ship and sailed out to sea. As he sailed there came upon him
+so thick a mist that he altogether lost his bearings, but after long
+trouble he found land. There he laid his ship to, and went on shore
+all alone. After walking for some time he came to a forest, into which
+he went a little way and stopped. Then he heard sweet music from a
+harp, and went in the direction of the sound until he came to a
+clearing, and there he saw three women, one of whom sat on a golden
+chair, and was beautifully and grandly dressed; she held a harp in her
+hands, and was very sorrowful. The second was also finely dressed, but
+younger in appearance, and also sat on a chair, but it was not so
+grand as the first one’s. The third stood beside them, and was very
+pretty to look at; she had a green cloak over her other clothes, and
+it was easy to see that she was maid to the other two.
+
+[Footnote 32: From the Icelandic.]
+
+After the King had looked at them for a little he went forward and
+saluted them. The one that sat on the golden chair asked him who he
+was and where he was going; and he told her all the story—how he was
+a king, and had lost his queen, and was now on his way to Hetland the
+Good, to ask the Queen of that country in marriage. She answered that
+fortune had contrived this wonderfully, for pirates had plundered
+Hetland and killed the King, and she had fled from the land in terror,
+and had come hither after great trouble, and she was the very person
+he was looking for, and the others were her daughter and maid. The
+King immediately asked her hand; she gladly received his proposal and
+accepted him at once. Thereafter they all set out, and made their way
+to the ship; and after that nothing is told of their voyage until the
+King reached his own country. There he made a great feast, and
+celebrated his marriage with this woman; and after that things are
+quiet for a time.
+
+Hermod and Hadvor took but little notice of the Queen and her
+daughter, but, on the other hand, Hadvor and the Queen’s maid, whose
+name was Olof, were very friendly, and Olof came often to visit Hadvor
+in her castle. Before long the King went out to war, and no sooner was
+he away than the Queen came to talk with Hermod, and said that she
+wanted him to marry her daughter. Hermod told her straight and plain
+that he would not do so, at which the Queen grew terribly angry, and
+said that in that case neither should he have Hadvor, for she would
+now lay this spell on him, that he should go to a desert island and
+there be a lion by day and a man by night. He should also think always
+of Hadvor, which would cause him all the more sorrow, and from this
+spell he should never be freed until Hadvor burned the lion’s skin,
+and that would not happen very soon.
+
+As soon as the Queen had finished her speech Hermod replied that he
+also laid a spell on her, and that was, that as soon as he was freed
+from her enchantments she should become a rat and her daughter a
+mouse, and fight with each other in the hall until he killed them with
+his sword.
+
+After this Hermod disappeared, and no one knew what had become of him;
+the Queen caused search to be made for him, but he could nowhere be
+found. One time, when Olof was in the castle beside Hadvor, she asked
+the Princess if she knew where Hermod had gone to. At this Hadvor
+became very sad, and said that she did not.
+
+‘I shall tell you then,’ said Olof, ‘for I know all about it.
+
+[Illustration: The King Finds the Queen of Hetland]
+
+Hermod has disappeared through the wicked devices of the Queen, for
+she is a witch, and so is her daughter, though they have put on these
+beautiful forms. Because Hermod would not fall in with the Queen’s
+plans, and marry her daughter, she has laid a spell on him, to go on
+an island and be a lion by day and a man by night, and never be freed
+from this until you burn the lion’s skin. Besides,’ said Olof, ‘she
+has looked out a match for you; she has a brother in the Under-world,
+a three-headed Giant, whom she means to turn into a beautiful prince
+and get him married to you. This is no new thing for the Queen; she
+took me away from my parents’ house and compelled me to serve her; but
+she has never done me any harm, for the green cloak I wear protects me
+against all mischief.’
+
+Hadvor now became still sadder than before at the thought of the
+marriage destined for her, and entreated Olof to think of some plan to
+save her.
+
+‘I think,’ said Olof, ‘that your wooer will come up through the floor
+of the castle to you, and so you must be prepared when you hear the
+noise of his coming and the floor begins to open, and have at hand
+blazing pitch, and pour plenty of it into the opening. That will prove
+too much for him.’
+
+About this time the King came home from his expedition, and thought it
+a great blow that no one knew what had become of Hermod; but the Queen
+consoled him as best she could, and after a time the King thought less
+about his disappearance.
+
+Hadvor remained in her castle, and had made preparations to receive
+her wooer when he came. One night, not long after, a loud noise and
+rumbling was heard under the castle. Hadvor at once guessed what it
+was, and told her maids to be ready to help her. The noise and
+thundering grew louder and louder, until the floor began to open,
+whereupon Hadvor made them take the cauldron of pitch and pour plenty
+of it into the opening. With that the noises grew fainter and fainter,
+till at last they ceased altogether.
+
+Next morning the Queen rose early, and went out to the Palace gate,
+and there she found her brother the Giant lying dead. She went up to
+him and said, ‘I pronounce this spell, that you become a beautiful
+prince, and that Hadvor shall be unable to say anything against the
+charges that I shall bring against her.’
+
+The body of the dead Giant now became that of a beautiful prince, and
+the Queen went in again.
+
+‘I don’t think,’ said she to the King, ‘that your daughter is as good
+as she is said to be. My brother came and asked her hand, and she has
+had him put to death. I have just found his dead body lying at the
+Palace gate.’
+
+The King went along with the Queen to see the body, and thought it all
+very strange; so beautiful a youth, he said, would have been a worthy
+match for Hadvor, and he would readily have agreed to their marriage.
+The Queen asked leave to decide what Hadvor’s punishment should be,
+which the King was very willing to allow, so as to escape from
+punishing his own daughter. The Queen’s decision was that the King
+should make a big grave-mound for her brother, and put Hadvor into it
+beside him.
+
+Olof knew all the plans of the Queen, and went to tell the Princess
+what had been done, whereupon Hadvor earnestly entreated her to tell
+her what to do.
+
+‘First and foremost,’ said Olof, ‘you must get a wide cloak to wear
+over your other clothes, when you are put into the mound. The Giant’s
+ghost will walk after you are both left together in there, and he will
+have two dogs along with him. He will ask you to cut pieces out of his
+legs to give to the dogs, but that you must not promise to do unless
+he tells you where Hermod has gone to, and tells you how to find him.
+He will then let you stand on his shoulders, so as to get out of the
+mound; but he means to cheat you all the same, and will catch you by
+the cloak to pull you back again; but you must take care to have the
+cloak loose on your shoulders, so that he will only get hold of that.’
+
+The mound was all ready now, and the Giant laid in it, and into it
+Hadvor also had to go without being allowed to make any defence. After
+they were both left there everything happened just as Olof had said.
+The prince became a Giant again, and asked Hadvor to cut the pieces
+out of his legs for the dogs; but she refused until he told her that
+Hermod was in a desert island, which she could not reach unless she
+took the skin off the soles of his feet and made shoes out of that;
+with these shoes she could travel both on land and sea. This Hadvor
+now did, and the Giant then let her get up on his shoulders to get out
+of the mound. As she sprang out he caught hold of her cloak; but she
+had taken care to let it lie loose on her shoulders, and so escaped.
+
+She now made her way down to the sea, to where she knew there was the
+shortest distance over to the island in which Hermod was. This strait
+she easily crossed, for the shoes kept her up. On reaching the island
+she found a sandy beach all along by the sea, and high cliffs above.
+Nor could she see any way to get up these, and so, being both sad at
+heart and tired with the long journey, she lay down and fell asleep.
+As she slept she dreamed that a tall woman came to her and said, ‘I
+know that you are Princess Hadvor, and are searching for Hermod. He is
+on this island; but it will be hard for you to get to him if you have
+no one to help you, for you cannot climb the cliffs by your own
+strength. I have therefore let down a rope, by which you will be able
+to climb up; and as the island is so large that you might not find
+Hermod’s dwelling-place so easily, I lay down this clew beside you.
+You need only hold the end of the thread, and the clew will run on
+before and show you the way. I also lay this belt beside you, to put
+on when you awaken; it will keep you from growing faint with hunger.’
+
+The woman now disappeared, and Hadvor woke, and saw that all her dream
+had been true. The rope hung down from the cliff, and the clew and
+belt lay beside her. The belt she put on, the rope enabled her to
+climb up the cliff, and the clew led her on till she came to the mouth
+of a cave, which was not very big. She went into the cave, and saw
+there a low couch, under which she crept and lay down.
+
+When evening came she heard the noise of footsteps outside, and became
+aware that the lion had come to the mouth of the cave, and shook
+itself there, after which she heard a man coming towards the couch.
+She was sure this was Hermod, because she heard him speaking to
+himself about his own condition, and calling to mind Hadvor and other
+things in the old days. Hadvor made no sign, but waited till he had
+fallen asleep, and then crept out and burned the lion’s skin, which he
+had left outside. Then she went back into the cave and wakened Hermod,
+and they had a most joyful meeting.
+
+In the morning they talked over their plans, and were most at a loss
+to know how to get out of the island. Hadvor told Hermod her dream,
+and said she suspected there was some one in the island who would be
+able to help them. Hermod said he knew of a Witch there, who was very
+ready to help anyone, and that the only plan was to go to her. So they
+went to the Witch’s cave, and found her there with her fifteen young
+sons, and asked her to help them to get to the mainland.
+
+‘There are other things easier than that,’ said she, ‘for the Giant
+that was buried will be waiting for you, and will attack you on the
+way, as he has turned himself into a big whale. I shall lend you a
+boat, however, and if you meet the whale and think your lives are in
+danger, then you can name me by name.’
+
+[Illustration: Hadvor Burns the Lion’s Skin.]
+
+They thanked her greatly for her help and advice, and set out from the
+island, but on the way they saw a huge fish coming towards them, with
+great splashing and dashing of waves. They were sure of what it was,
+and thought they had as good reason as ever they would have to call on
+the Witch, and so they did. The next minute they saw coming after them
+another huge whale, followed by fifteen smaller ones. All of these
+swam past the boat and went on to meet the whale. There was a fierce
+battle then, and the sea became so stormy that it was not very easy to
+keep the boat from being filled by the waves. After this fight had
+gone on for some time, they saw that the sea was dyed with blood; the
+big whale and the fifteen smaller ones disappeared, and they got to
+land safe and sound.
+
+Now the story goes back to the King’s hall, where strange things had
+happened in the meantime. The Queen and her daughter had disappeared,
+but a rat and a mouse were always fighting with each other there. Ever
+so many people had tried to drive them away, but no one could manage
+it. Thus some time went on, while the King was almost beside himself
+with sorrow and care for the loss of his Queen, and because these
+monsters destroyed all mirth in the hall.
+
+One evening, however, while they all sat dull and down-hearted, in
+came Hermod with a sword by his side, and saluted the King, who
+received him with the greatest joy, as if he had come back from the
+dead. Before Hermod sat down, however, he went to where the rat and
+the mouse were fighting, and cut them in two with his sword. All were
+astonished then by seeing two witches lying dead on the floor of the
+hall.
+
+Hermod now told the whole story to the King, who was very glad to be
+rid of such vile creatures. Next he asked for the hand of Hadvor,
+which the King readily gave him, and being now an old man, gave the
+kingdom to him as well; and so Hermod became King.
+
+Olof married a good-looking nobleman, and that is the end of the
+story.
+
+
+
+
+_THE STEADFAST TIN-SOLDIER_
+
+
+There were once upon a time five-and-twenty tin-soldiers—all
+brothers, as they were made out of the same old tin spoon. Their
+uniform was red and blue, and they shouldered their guns and looked
+straight in front of them. The first words that they heard in this
+world, when the lid of the box in which they lay was taken off, were:
+‘Hurrah, tin-soldiers!’ This was exclaimed by a little boy, clapping
+his hands; they had been given to him because it was his birthday, and
+now he began setting them out on the table. Each soldier was exactly
+like the other in shape, except just one, who had been made last when
+the tin had run short; but there he stood as firmly on his one leg as
+the others did on two, and he is the one that became famous.
+
+There were many other playthings on the table on which they were being
+set out, but the nicest of all was a pretty little castle made of
+cardboard, with windows through which you could see into the rooms. In
+front of the castle stood some little trees surrounding a tiny mirror
+which looked like a lake. Wax swans were floating about and reflecting
+themselves in it. That was all very pretty; but the most beautiful
+thing was a little lady, who stood in the open doorway. She was cut
+out of paper, but she had on a dress of the finest muslin, with a
+scarf of narrow blue ribbon round her shoulders, fastened in the
+middle with a glittering rose made of gold paper, which was as large
+as her head. The little lady was stretching out both her arms, for she
+was a Dancer, and was lifting up one leg so high in the air that the
+Tin-soldier couldn’t find it anywhere, and thought that she, too, had
+only one leg.
+
+‘That’s the wife for me!’ he thought; ‘but she is so grand, and lives
+in a castle, whilst I have only a box with four-and-twenty others.
+This is no place for her! But I must make her acquaintance.’ Then he
+stretched himself out behind a snuff-box that lay on the table; from
+thence he could watch the dainty little lady, who continued to stand
+on one leg without losing her balance.
+
+When the night came all the other tin-soldiers went into their box,
+and the people of the house went to bed. Then the toys began to play
+at visiting, dancing, and fighting. The tin-soldiers rattled in their
+box, for they wanted to be out too, but they could not raise the lid.
+The nut-crackers played at leap-frog, and the slate-pencil ran about
+the slate; there was such a noise that the canary woke up and began to
+talk to them, in poetry too! The only two who did not stir from their
+places were the Tin-soldier and the little Dancer. She remained on
+tip-toe, with both arms outstretched; he stood steadfastly on his one
+leg, never moving his eyes from her face.
+
+[Illustration: Don’t Look at Things That Aren’t Intended for the Likes
+of You!]
+
+The clock struck twelve, and crack! off flew the lid of the snuff-box;
+but there was no snuff inside, only a little black imp—that was the
+beauty of it.
+
+‘Hullo, Tin-soldier!’ said the imp. ‘Don’t look at things that aren’t
+intended for the likes of you!’
+
+But the Tin-soldier took no notice, and seemed not to hear.
+
+‘Very well, wait till to-morrow!’ said the imp.
+
+When it was morning, and the children had got up, the Tin-soldier was
+put in the window; and whether it was the wind or the little black
+imp, I don’t know, but all at once the window flew open and out fell
+the little Tin-soldier, head over heels, from the third-storey window!
+That was a terrible fall, I can tell you! He landed on his head with
+his leg in the air, his gun being wedged between two paving-stones.
+
+The nursery-maid and the little boy came down at once to look for him,
+but, though they were so near him that they almost trod on him, they
+did not notice him. If the Tin-soldier had only called out ‘Here I
+am!’ they must have found him; but he did not think it fitting for him
+to cry out, because he had on his uniform.
+
+Soon it began to drizzle; then the drops came faster, and there was a
+regular down-pour. When it was over, two little street boys came
+along.
+
+‘Just look!’ cried one. ‘Here is a Tin-soldier! He shall sail up and
+down in a boat!’
+
+[Illustration: Down the Drain]
+
+So they made a little boat out of newspaper, put the Tin-soldier in
+it, and made him sail up and down the gutter; both the boys ran along
+beside him, clapping their hands. What great waves there were in the
+gutter, and what a swift current! The paper-boat tossed up and down,
+and in the middle of the stream it went so quick that the Tin-soldier
+trembled; but he remained steadfast, showed no emotion, looked
+straight in front of him, shouldering his gun. All at once the boat
+passed under a long tunnel that was as dark as his box had been.
+
+‘Where can I be coming now?’ he wondered. ‘Oh, dear! This is the black
+imp’s fault! Ah, if only the little lady were sitting beside me in the
+boat, it might be twice as dark for all I should care!’
+
+Suddenly there came along a great water-rat that lived in the tunnel.
+
+‘Have you a passport?’ asked the rat. ‘Out with your passport!’
+
+But the Tin-soldier was silent, and grasped his gun more firmly.
+
+The boat sped on, and the rat behind it. Ugh! how he showed his teeth,
+as he cried to the chips of wood and straw: ‘Hold him, hold him! he
+has not paid the toll! He has not shown his passport!’
+
+But the current became swifter and stronger. The Tin-soldier could
+already see daylight where the tunnel ended; but in his ears there
+sounded a roaring enough to frighten any brave man. Only think! at the
+end of the tunnel the gutter discharged itself into a great canal;
+that would be just as dangerous for him as it would be for us to go
+down a waterfall.
+
+Now he was so near to it that he could not hold on any longer. On went
+the boat, the poor Tin-soldier keeping himself as stiff as he could:
+no one should say of him afterwards that he had flinched. The boat
+whirled three, four times round, and became filled to the brim with
+water: it began to sink! The Tin-soldier was standing up to his neck
+in water, and deeper and deeper sank the boat, and softer and softer
+grew the paper; now the water was over his head. He was thinking of
+the pretty little Dancer, whose face he should never see again, and
+there sounded in his ears, over and over again:
+
+     ‘Forward, forward, soldier bold!
+      Death’s before thee, grim and cold!’
+
+The paper came in two, and the soldier fell—but at that moment he was
+swallowed by a great fish.
+
+Oh! how dark it was inside, even darker than in the tunnel, and it was
+really very close quarters! But there the steadfast little Tin-soldier
+lay full length, shouldering his gun.
+
+Up and down swam the fish, then he made the most dreadful contortions,
+and became suddenly quite still. Then it was as if a flash of
+lightning had passed through him; the daylight streamed in, and a
+voice exclaimed, ‘Why, here is the little Tin-soldier!’ The fish had
+been caught, taken to market, sold, and brought into the kitchen,
+where the cook had cut it open with a great knife. She took up the
+soldier between her finger and thumb, and carried him into the room,
+where everyone wanted to see the hero who had been found inside a
+fish; but the Tin-soldier was not at all proud. They put him on the
+table, and—no, but what strange things do happen in this world!—the
+Tin-soldier was in the same room in which he had been before! He saw
+the same children, and the same toys on the table; and there was the
+same grand castle with the pretty little Dancer. She was still
+standing on one leg with the other high in the air; she too was
+steadfast. That touched the Tin-soldier, he was nearly going to shed
+tin-tears; but that would not have been fitting for a soldier. He
+looked at her, but she said nothing.
+
+All at once one of the little boys took up the Tin-soldier, and threw
+him into the stove, giving no reasons; but doubtless the little black
+imp in the snuff-box was at the bottom of this too.
+
+There the Tin-soldier lay, and felt a heat that was truly terrible;
+but whether he was suffering from actual fire, or from the ardour of
+his passion, he did not know. All his colour had disappeared; whether
+this had happened on his travels or whether it was the result of
+trouble, who can say? He looked at the little lady, she looked at him,
+and he felt that he was melting; but he remained steadfast, with his
+gun at his shoulder. Suddenly a door opened, the draught caught up the
+little Dancer, and off she flew like a sylph to the Tin-soldier in the
+stove, burst into flames—and that was the end of her! Then the
+Tin-soldier melted down into a little lump, and when next morning the
+maid was taking out the ashes, she found him in the shape of a heart.
+There was nothing left of the little Dancer but her gilt rose, burnt
+as black as a cinder.
+
+[Illustration: And That Was the End]
+
+
+
+
+_BLOCKHEAD-HANS_
+
+
+Far away in the country lay an old manor-house where lived an old
+squire who had two sons. They thought themselves so clever, that if
+they had known only half of what they did know, it would have been
+quite enough. They both wanted to marry the King’s daughter, for she
+had proclaimed that she would have for her husband the man who knew
+best how to choose his words.
+
+Both prepared for the wooing a whole week, which was the longest time
+allowed them; but, after all, it was quite long enough, for they both
+had preparatory knowledge, and everyone knows how useful that is. One
+knew the whole Latin dictionary and also three years’ issue of the
+daily paper of the town off by heart, so that he could repeat it all
+backwards or forwards as you pleased. The other had worked at the laws
+of corporation, and knew by heart what every member of the corporation
+ought to know, so that he thought he could quite well speak on State
+matters and give his opinion. He understood, besides this, how to
+embroider braces with roses and other flowers, and scrolls, for he was
+very ready with his fingers.
+
+‘I shall win the king’s daughter!’ they both cried.
+
+Their old father gave each of them a fine horse; the one who knew the
+dictionary and the daily paper by heart had a black horse, while the
+other who was so clever at corporation law had a milk-white one. Then
+they oiled the corners of their mouths so that they might be able to
+speak more fluently. All the servants stood in the courtyard and saw
+them mount their steeds, and here by chance came the third brother;
+for the squire had three sons, but nobody counted him with his
+brothers, for he was not so learned as they were, and he was generally
+called ‘Blockhead-Hans.’
+
+‘Oh, oh!’ said Blockhead-Hans. ‘Where are you off to? You are in your
+Sunday-best clothes!’
+
+‘We are going to Court, to woo the Princess! Don’t you know what is
+known throughout all the country side?’ And they told him all about
+it.
+
+‘Hurrah! I’ll go too!’ cried Blockhead-Hans; and the brothers laughed
+at him and rode off.
+
+‘Dear father!’ cried Blockhead-Hans, ‘I must have a horse too. What a
+desire for marriage has seized me! If she will have me, she _will_
+have me, and if she won’t have me, I will have her.’
+
+‘Stop that nonsense!’ said the old man. ‘I will not give you a horse.
+_You_ can’t speak; _you_ don’t know how to choose your words. Your
+brothers! Ah! they are very different lads!’
+
+[Illustration: Then They Oiled the Corners of Their Mouths]
+
+‘Well,’ said Blockhead-Hans, ‘if I can’t have a horse, I will take the
+goat which is mine; he can carry me!’
+
+And he did so. He sat astride on the goat, struck his heels into its
+side, and went rattling down the high-road like a hurricane.
+
+Hoppetty hop! what a ride! ‘Here I come!’ shouted Blockhead-Hans,
+singing so that the echoes were roused far and near. But his brothers
+were riding slowly in front. They were not speaking, but they were
+thinking over all the good things they were going to say, for
+everything had to be thought out.
+
+‘Hullo!’ bawled Blockhead-Hans, ‘here I am! Just look what I found on
+the road!’—and he showed them a dead crow which he had picked up.
+
+‘Blockhead!’ said his brothers, ‘what are you going to do with it?’
+
+‘With the crow? I shall give it to the Princess!’
+
+‘Do so, certainly!’ they said, laughing loudly and riding on.
+
+‘Slap! bang! here I am again! Look what I have just found! You don’t
+find such things every day on the road!’
+
+[Illustration: Hans Fills his Pocket with the Mud]
+
+And the brothers turned round to see what in the world he could have
+found.
+
+‘Blockhead!’ said they, ‘that is an old wooden shoe without the top!
+Are you going to send that, too, to the Princess?’
+
+‘Of course I shall!’ returned Blockhead-Hans; and the brothers laughed
+and rode on a good way.
+
+‘Slap! bang! here I am!’ cried Blockhead-Hans; ‘better and better—it
+is really famous!’
+
+‘What have you found now?’ asked the brothers.
+
+‘Oh,’ said Blockhead-Hans, ‘it is really too good! How pleased the
+Princess will be!’
+
+‘Why!’ said the brothers, ‘this is pure mud, straight from the ditch.’
+
+‘Of course it is!’ said Blockhead-Hans, ‘and it is the best kind! Look
+how it runs through one’s fingers!’ and, so saying, he filled his
+pocket with the mud.
+
+But the brothers rode on so fast that dust and sparks flew all around,
+and they reached the gate of the town a good hour before
+Blockhead-Hans. Here came the suitors numbered according to their
+arrival, and they were ranged in rows, six in each row, and they were
+so tightly packed that they could not move their arms. This was a very
+good thing, for otherwise they would have torn each other in pieces,
+merely because the one was in front of the other.
+
+All the country people were standing round the King’s throne, and were
+crowded together in thick masses almost out of the windows to see the
+Princess receive the suitors; and as each one came into the room all
+his fine phrases went out like a candle!
+
+‘It doesn’t matter!’ said the Princess. ‘Away! out with him!’
+
+At last she came to the row in which the brother who knew the
+dictionary by heart was, but he did not know it any longer; he had
+quite forgotten it in the rank and file. And the floor creaked, and
+the ceiling was all made of glass mirrors, so that he saw himself
+standing on his head, and by each window were standing three reporters
+and an editor; and each of them was writing down what was said, to
+publish it in the paper that came out and was sold at the street
+corners for a penny. It was fearful, and they had made up the fire so
+hot that it was grilling.
+
+‘It is hot in here, isn’t it!’ said the suitor.
+
+‘Of course it is! My father is roasting young chickens to-day!’ said
+the Princess.
+
+‘Ahem!’ There he stood like an idiot. He was not prepared for such a
+speech; he did not know what to say, although he wanted to say
+something witty. ‘Ahem!’
+
+‘It doesn’t matter!’ said the Princess. ‘Take him out!’ and out he had
+to go.
+
+Now the other brother entered.
+
+‘How hot it is!’ he said.
+
+‘Of course! We are roasting young chickens to-day!’ remarked the
+Princess.
+
+‘How do you—um!’ he said, and the reporters wrote down. ‘How do
+you—um.’
+
+‘It doesn’t matter!’ said the Princess. ‘Take him out!’
+
+Now Blockhead-Hans came in; he rode his goat right into the hall.
+
+‘I say! How roasting hot it is here!’ said he.
+
+‘Of course! I am roasting young chickens to-day!’ said the Princess.
+
+‘That’s good!’ replied Blockhead-Hans; ‘then can I roast a crow with
+them?’
+
+‘With the greatest of pleasure!’ said the Princess; ‘but have you
+anything you can roast them in? for I have neither pot nor saucepan.’
+
+[Illustration: The Reporters giggled & each
+dropped a blot of ink on the floor
+
+Then I will give the Editor the best! said Blockhead-Hans
+
+That was neatly done! said the Princess]
+
+‘Oh, rather!’ said Blockhead-Hans. ‘Here is a cooking implement with
+tin rings,’ and he drew out the old wooden shoe, and laid the crow in
+it.
+
+‘That is quite a meal!’ said the Princess; ‘but where shall we get the
+soup from?’
+
+‘I’ve got that in my pocket!’ said Blockhead-Hans. ‘I have so much
+that I can quite well throw some away!’ and he poured some mud out of
+his pocket.
+
+‘I like you!’ said the Princess. ‘You can answer, and you can speak,
+and I will marry you; but do you know that every word which we are
+saying and have said has been taken down and will be in the paper
+to-morrow? By each window do you see there are standing three
+reporters and an old editor, and this old editor is the worst, for he
+doesn’t understand anything!’ but she only said this to tease
+Blockhead-Hans. And the reporters giggled, and each dropped a blot of
+ink on the floor.
+
+‘Ah! are those the great people?’ said Blockhead-Hans. ‘Then I will
+give the editor the best!’ So saying, he turned his pockets inside
+out, and threw the mud right in his face.
+
+‘That was neatly done!’ said the Princess. ‘I couldn’t have done it;
+but I will soon learn how to!’
+
+Blockhead-Hans became King, got a wife and a crown, and sat on the
+throne; and this we have still damp from the newspaper of the editor
+and the reporters—and they are not to be believed for a moment.
+
+
+
+
+_A STORY ABOUT A DARNING-NEEDLE_
+
+
+There was once a Darning-needle who thought herself so fine that she
+believed she was an embroidery-needle. ‘Take great care to hold me
+tight!’ said the Darning-needle to the Fingers who were holding her.
+‘Don’t let me fall! If I once fall on the ground I shall never be
+found again, I am so fine!’
+
+‘It is all right!’ said the Fingers, seizing her round the waist.
+
+‘Look, I am coming with my train!’ said the Darning-needle as she drew
+a long thread after her; but there was no knot at the end of the
+thread.
+
+The Fingers were using the needle on the cook’s shoe. The upper
+leather was unstitched and had to be sewn together.
+
+‘This is common work!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I shall never get
+through it. I am breaking! I am breaking!’ And in fact she did break.
+‘Didn’t I tell you so!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I am too fine!’
+
+‘Now she is good for nothing!’ said the Fingers; but they had to hold
+her tight while the cook dropped some sealing-wax on the needle and
+stuck it in the front of her dress.
+
+‘Now I am a breast-pin!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I always knew I
+should be promoted. When one is something, one will become something!’
+And she laughed to herself; you can never see when a Darning-needle is
+laughing. Then she sat up as proudly as if she were in a State coach,
+and looked all round her.
+
+‘May I be allowed to ask if you are gold?’ she said to her neighbour,
+the Pin. ‘You have a very nice appearance, and a peculiar head; but it
+is too small! You must take pains to make it grow, for it is not
+everyone who has a head of sealing-wax.’ And so saying the
+Darning-needle raised herself up so proudly that she fell out of the
+dress, right into the sink which the cook was rinsing out.
+
+‘Now I am off on my travels!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I do hope I
+sha’n’t get lost!’ She did indeed get lost.
+
+‘I am too fine for this world!’ said she as she lay in the gutter;
+‘but I know who I am, and that is always a little satisfaction!’
+
+And the Darning-needle kept her proud bearing and did not lose her
+good-temper.
+
+All kinds of things swam over her—shavings, bits of straw, and scraps
+of old newspapers.
+
+‘Just look how they sail along!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘They don’t
+know what is underneath them! Here I am sticking fast! There goes a
+shaving thinking of nothing in the world but of itself, a mere chip!
+There goes a straw—well, how it does twist and twirl, to be sure!
+Don’t think so much about yourself, or you will be knocked against a
+stone. There floats a bit of newspaper. What is written on it is long
+ago forgotten, and yet how proud it is! I am sitting patient and
+quiet. I know who I am, and that is enough for me!’
+
+One day something thick lay near her which glittered so brightly that
+the Darning-needle thought it must be a diamond. But it was a bit of
+bottle-glass, and because it sparkled the Darning-needle spoke to it,
+and gave herself out as a breast-pin.
+
+‘No doubt you are a diamond?’
+
+‘Yes, something of that kind!’ And each believed that the other was
+something very costly; and they both said how very proud the world
+must be of them.
+
+‘I have come from a lady’s work-box,’ said Darning-needle, ‘and this
+lady was a cook; she had five fingers on each hand; anything so proud
+as these fingers I have never seen! And yet they were only there to
+take me out of the work-box and to put me back again!’
+
+‘Were they of noble birth, then?’ asked the bit of bottle-glass.
+
+‘Of noble birth!’ said the Darning-needle; ‘no indeed, but proud! They
+were five brothers, all called “Fingers.” They held themselves proudly
+one against the other, although they were of different sizes. The
+outside one, the Thumb, was short and fat; he was outside the rank,
+and had only one bend in his back, and could only make one bow; but he
+said that if he were cut off from a man that he was no longer any use
+as a soldier. Dip-into-everything, the second finger, dipped into
+sweet things as well as sour things, pointed to the sun and the moon,
+and guided the pen when they wrote. Longman, the third, looked at the
+others over his shoulder. Goldband, the fourth, had a gold sash round
+his waist; and little Playman did nothing at all, and was the more
+proud. There was too much ostentation, and so I came away.’
+
+‘And now we are sitting and shining here!’ said the bit of
+bottle-glass.
+
+At that moment more water came into the gutter; it streamed over the
+edges and washed the bit of bottle-glass away.
+
+‘Ah! now he has been promoted!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I remain
+here; I am too fine. But that is my pride, which is a sign of
+respectability!’ And she sat there very proudly, thinking lofty
+thoughts.
+
+‘I really believe I must have been born a sunbeam, I am so fine! It
+seems to me as if the sunbeams were always looking under the water for
+me. Ah, I am so fine that my own mother cannot find me! If I had my
+old eye which broke off, I believe I could weep; but I can’t—it is
+not fine to weep!’
+
+One day two street-urchins were playing and wading in the gutter,
+picking up old nails, pennies, and such things. It was rather dirty
+work, but it was a great delight to them.
+
+‘Oh, oh!’ cried out one, as he pricked himself with the
+Darning-needle; ‘he is a fine fellow though!’
+
+‘I am not a fellow; I am a young lady!’ said the Darning-needle; but
+no one heard. The sealing-wax had gone, and she had become quite
+black; but black makes one look very slim, and so she thought she was
+even finer than before.
+
+‘Here comes an egg-shell sailing along!’ said the boys, and they stuck
+the Darning-needle into the egg-shell.
+
+‘The walls white and I black—what a pretty contrast it makes!’ said
+the Darning-needle. ‘Now I can be seen to advantage! If only I am not
+sea-sick! I should give myself up for lost!’
+
+But she was not sea-sick, and did not give herself up.
+
+‘It is a good thing to be steeled against sea-sickness; here one has
+indeed an advantage over man! Now my qualms are over. The finer one is
+the more one can bear.’
+
+‘Crack!’ said the egg-shell as a wagon-wheel went over it.
+
+‘Oh! how it presses!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I shall indeed be
+sea-sick now. I am breaking!’ But she did not break, although the
+wagon-wheel went over her; she lay there at full length, and there she
+may lie.
+
+
+_Spottiswoode & Co. Printers, New-street Square, London_
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber’s Notes:
+
+
+Certain spelling and grammar of the period has been left unchanged for
+authenticity. Errors in punctuation have been corrected without
+comment.
+
+1. page 132—corrected typo ‘Fairy-than-a-Fairy’ to ‘Fairer-than-a-Fairy’
+
+2. page 133—same typo
+
+3. page 279—corrected typo ‘pedal’ to ‘petal’
+
+4. page 288—corrected typo ‘besides’ to ‘beside’
+
+5. page 314—corrected typo ‘to’ to ‘too’
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK ***
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