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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/3454-0.txt b/3454-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..026dc1b --- /dev/null +++ b/3454-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11022 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lilac Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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 + + +Title: The Lilac Fairy Book + +Author: Andrew Lang + +Release Date: October, 2002 [EBook #3454] +Last Updated: December 16, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by J.C. Byers, L.M. Shaffer and David Widger + + + + + +THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK + +Edited by Andrew Lang + + + +Preface + + + +‘What cases are you engaged in at present?’ ‘Are you stopping many teeth +just now?’ ‘What people have you converted lately?’ Do ladies put these +questions to the men--lawyers, dentists, clergymen, and so forth--who +happen to sit next them at dinner parties? + +I do not know whether ladies thus indicate their interest in the +occupations of their casual neighbours at the hospitable board. But if +they do not know me, or do not know me well, they generally ask ‘Are +you writing anything now?’ (as if they should ask a painter ‘Are you +painting anything now?’ or a lawyer ‘Have you any cases at present?’). +Sometimes they are more definite and inquire ‘What are you writing now?’ +as if I must be writing something--which, indeed, is the case, though +I dislike being reminded of it. It is an awkward question, because the +fair being does not care a bawbee what I am writing; nor would she +be much enlightened if I replied ‘Madam, I am engaged on a treatise +intended to prove that Normal is prior to Conceptional Totemism’--though +that answer would be as true in fact as obscure in significance. The +best plan seems to be to answer that I have entirely abandoned mere +literature, and am contemplating a book on ‘The Causes of Early Blight +in the Potato,’ a melancholy circumstance which threatens to deprive us +of our chief esculent root. The inquirer would never be undeceived. +One nymph who, like the rest, could not keep off the horrid topic of my +occupation, said ‘You never write anything but fairy books, do you?’ A +French gentleman, too, an educationist and expert in portraits of Queen +Mary, once sent me a newspaper article in which he had written that I +was exclusively devoted to the composition of fairy books, and nothing +else. He then came to England, visited me, and found that I knew rather +more about portraits of Queen Mary than he did. + +In truth I never did write any fairy books in my life, except ‘Prince +Prigio,’ ‘Prince Ricardo,’ and ‘Tales from a Fairy Court’--that of the +aforesaid Prigio. I take this opportunity of recommending these fairy +books--poor things, but my own--to parents and guardians who may never +have heard of them. They are rich in romantic adventure, and the Princes +always marry the right Princesses and live happy ever afterwards; +while the wicked witches, stepmothers, tutors and governesses are never +cruelly punished, but retire to the country on ample pensions. I hate +cruelty: I never put a wicked stepmother in a barrel and send her +tobogganing down a hill. It is true that Prince Ricardo did kill the +Yellow Dwarf; but that was in fair fight, sword in hand, and the dwarf, +peace to his ashes! died in harness. + +The object of these confessions is not only that of advertising my own +fairy books (which are not ‘out of print’; if your bookseller says so, +the truth is not in him), but of giving credit where credit is due. +The fairy books have been almost wholly the work of Mrs. Lang, who +has translated and adapted them from the French, German, Portuguese, +Italian, Spanish, Catalan, and other languages. + +My part has been that of Adam, according to Mark Twain, in the Garden +of Eden. Eve worked, Adam superintended. I also superintend. I find out +where the stories are, and advise, and, in short, superintend. I do not +write the stories out of my own head. The reputation of having written +all the fairy books (an European reputation in nurseries and the United +States of America) is ‘the burden of an honour unto which I was not +born.’ It weighs upon and is killing me, as the general fash of being +the wife of the Lord of Burleigh, Burleigh House by Stamford Town, was +too much for the village maiden espoused by that peer. + +Nobody really wrote most of the stories. People told them in all parts +of the world long before Egyptian hieroglyphics or Cretan signs or +Cyprian syllabaries, or alphabets were invented. They are older than +reading and writing, and arose like wild flowers before men had any +education to quarrel over. The grannies told them to the grandchildren, +and when the grandchildren became grannies they repeated the same old +tales to the new generation. Homer knew the stories and made up the +‘Odyssey’ out of half a dozen of them. All the history of Greece till +about 800 B.C. is a string of the fairy tales, all about Theseus and +Heracles and Oedipus and Minos and Perseus is a Cabinet des Fes, a +collection of fairy tales. Shakespeare took them and put bits of +them into ‘King Lear’ and other plays; he could not have made them up +himself, great as he was. Let ladies and gentlemen think of this when +they sit down to write fairy tales, and have them nicely typed, and send +them to Messrs. Longman & Co. to be published. They think that to +write a new fairy tale is easy work. They are mistaken: the thing is +impossible. Nobody can write a new fairy tale; you can only mix up and +dress up the old, old stories, and put the characters into new dresses, +as Miss Thackeray did so well in ‘Five Old Friends.’ If any big girl +of fourteen reads this preface, let her insist on being presented with +‘Five Old Friends.’ + +But the three hundred and sixty-five authors who try to write new fairy +tales are very tiresome. They always begin with a little boy or girl who +goes out and meets the fairies of polyanthuses and gardenias and apple +blossoms: ‘Flowers and fruits, and other winged things.’ These fairies +try to be funny, and fail; or they try to preach, and succeed. Real +fairies never preach or talk slang. At the end, the little boy or girl +wakes up and finds that he has been dreaming. + +Such are the new fairy stories. May we be preserved from all the sort of +them! + +Our stories are almost all old, some from Ireland, before that island +was as celebrated for her wrongs as for her verdure; some from Asia, +made, I dare say, before the Aryan invasion; some from Moydart, +Knoydart, Morar and Ardnamurchan, where the sea streams run like great +clear rivers and the saw-edged hills are blue, and men remember Prince +Charlie. Some are from Portugal, where the golden fruits grow in the +Garden of the Hesperides; and some are from wild Wales, and were told at +Arthur’s Court; and others come from the firesides of the kinsmen of +the Welsh, the Bretons. There are also modern tales by a learned +Scandinavian named Topelius. + +All the stories were translated or adapted by Mrs. Lang, except ‘The +Jogi’s Punishment’ and ‘Moti,’ done by Major Campbell out of the Pushtoo +language; ‘How Brave Walter hunted Wolves,’ which, with ‘Little Lasse’ +and ‘The Raspberry Worm,’ was done from Topelius by Miss Harding; and +‘The Sea King’s Gift,’ by Miss Christie, from the same author. + +It has been suggested to the Editor that children and parents and +guardians would like ‘The Grey True Ghost-Story Book.’ He knows that the +children would like it well, and he would gladly give it to them; but +about the taste of fond anxious mothers and kind aunts he is not quite +so certain. Before he was twelve the Editor knew true ghost stories +enough to fill a volume. They were a pure joy till bedtime, but then, +and later, were not wholly a source of unmixed pleasure. At that time +the Editor was not afraid of the dark, for he thought, ‘If a ghost is +here, we can’t see him.’ But when older and better informed persons said +that ghosts brought their own light with them (which is too true), then +one’s emotions were such as parents do not desire the young to endure. +For this reason ‘The Grey True Ghost-Story Book’ is never likely to be +illustrated by Mr. Ford. + + + +Contents + + The Shifty Lad + The False Prince and the True + The Jogi’s Punishment + The Heart of a Monkey + The Fairy Nurse + A Lost Paradise + How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves + The Ring of the Waterfalls + A French Puck + The Three Crowns + The Story of a Very Bad Boy + The Brown Bear of Norway + Little Lasse + ‘Moti’ + The Enchanted Deer + A Fish Story + The Wonderful Tune + The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother + The One-Handed Girl + The Bones of Djulung + The Sea Ring’s Gift + The Raspberry Worm + The Stones of Plouhinec + The Castle of Kerglas + The Battle of the Birds + The Lady of the Fountain + The Four Gifts + The Groac’h of the Isle of Lok + The Escape of the Mouse + The Believing. Husbands + The Hoodie-Crow + The Brownie of the Lake + The Winning of Olwen + + + + +The Shifty Lad + + + +In the land of Erin there dwelt long ago a widow who had an only son. +He was a clever boy, so she saved up enough money to send him to school, +and, as soon as he was old enough, to apprentice him to any trade that +he would choose. But when the time came, he said he would not be bound +to any trade, and that he meant to be a thief. + +Now his mother was very sorrowful when she heard of this, but she knew +quite well that if she tried to stop his having his own way he would +only grow more determined to get it. So all the answer she made was that +the end of thieves was hanging at the bridge of Dublin, and then she +left him alone, hoping that when he was older he might become more +sensible. + +One day she was going to church to hear a sermon from a great preacher, +and she begged the Shifty Lad, as the neighbours called him from the +tricks he played, to come with her. But he only laughed and declared +that he did not like sermons, adding: + +‘However, I will promise you this, that the first trade you hear named +after you come out from church shall be my trade for the rest of my +life.’ + +These words gave a little comfort to the poor woman, and her heart was +lighter than before as she bade him farewell. + +When the Shifty Lad thought that the hour had nearly come for the sermon +to be over, he hid himself in some bushes in a little path that led +straight to his mother’s house, and, as she passed along, thinking of +all the good things she had heard, a voice shouted close to her ear +‘Robbery! Robbery! Robbery!’ The suddenness of it made her jump. The +naughty boy had managed to change his voice, so that she did not know +it for his, and he had concealed himself so well that, though she peered +about all round her, she could see no one. As soon as she had turned +the corner the Shifty Lad came out, and by running very fast through +the wood he contrived to reach home before his mother, who found him +stretched out comfortably before the fire. + +‘Well, have you got any news to tell me?’ asked he. + +‘No, nothing; for I left the church at once, and did not stop to speak +to anyone.’ + +‘Oh, then no one has mentioned a trade to you?’ he said in tones of +disappointment. + +‘Ye--es,’ she replied slowly. ‘At least, as I walked down the path a +voice cried out “Robbery! Robbery! Robbery!” but that was all.’ + +‘And quite enough too,’ answered the boy. ‘What did I tell you? That is +going to be my trade.’ + +‘Then your end will be hanging at the bridge of Dublin,’ said she. But +there was no sleep for her that night, for she lay in the dark thinking +about her son. + +‘If he is to be a thief at all, he had better be a good one. And who is +there that can teach him?’ the mother asked herself. But an idea came +to her, and she arose early, before the sun was up, and set off for the +home of the Black Rogue, or Gallows Bird, who was such a wonderful thief +that, though all had been robbed by him, no one could catch him. + +‘Good-morning to you,’ said the woman as she reached the place where the +Black Gallows Bird lived when he was not away on his business. ‘My son +has a fancy to learn your trade. Will you be kind enough to teach him?’ + +‘If he is clever, I don’t mind trying,’ answered the Black Gallows Bird; +‘and, of course, if ANY one can turn him into a first-rate thief, it +is I. But if he is stupid, it is of no use at all; I can’t bear stupid +people.’ + +‘No, he isn’t stupid,’ said the woman with a sigh. ‘So to-night, after +dark, I will send him to you.’ + +The Shifty Lad jumped for joy when his mother told him where she had +been. + +‘I will become the best thief in all Erin!’ he cried, and paid no heed +when his mother shook her head and murmured something about ‘the bridge +of Dublin.’ + +Every evening after dark the Shifty Lad went to the home of the Black +Gallows Bird, and many were the new tricks he learned. By-and-by he was +allowed to go out with the Bird and watch him at work, and at last there +came a day when his master though that he had grown clever enough to +help in a big robbery. + +‘There is a rich farmer up there on the hill, who has just sold all his +fat cattle for much money and has bought some lean ones which will cost +him little. Now it happens that, while he has received the money for the +fat cattle, he has not yet paid the price of the thin ones, which he has +in the cowhouse. To-morrow he will go to the market with the money in +his hand, so to-night we must get at the chest. When all is quiet we +will hide in the loft.’ + +There was no moon, and it was the night of Hallowe’en, and everyone +was burning nuts and catching apples in a tub of water with their hands +tied, and playing all sorts of other games, till the Shifty Lad grew +quite tired of waiting for them to get to bed. The Black Gallows Bird, +who was more accustomed to the business, tucked himself up on the hay +and went to sleep, telling the boy to wake him when the merry-makers had +departed. But the Shifty Lad, who could keep still no longer, crept down +to the cowshed and loosened the heads of the cattle which were tied, and +they began to kick each other and bellow, and made such a noise that the +company in the farmhouse ran out to tie them up again. Then the Shifty +Lad entered the room and picked up a big handful of nuts, and returned +to the loft, where the Black Rogue was still sleeping. At first the +Shifty Lad shut his eyes too, but very soon he sat up, and taking a big +needle and thread from his pocket, he sewed the hem of the Black Gallows +Bird’s coat to a heavy piece of bullock’s hide that was hanging at his +back. + +By this time the cattle were all tied up again, but as the people could +not find their nuts they sat round the fire and began to tell stories. + +‘I will crack a nut,’ said the Shifty Lad. + +‘You shall not,’ cried the Black Gallows Bird; ‘they will hear you.’ + +‘I don’t care,’ answered the Shifty Lad. ‘I never spend Hallowe’en yet +without cracking a nut’; and he cracked one. + +‘Some one is cracking nuts up there,’ said one of the merry-makers in +the farmhouse. ‘Come quickly, and we will see who it is.’ + +He spoke loudly, and the Black Gallows Bird heard, and ran out of the +loft, dragging the big leather hide after him which the Shifty Lad had +sewed to his coat. + +‘He is stealing my hide!’ shouted the farmer, and they all darted after +him; but he was too swift for them, and at last he managed to tear the +hide from his coat, and then he flew like a hare till he reached his old +hiding-place. But all this took a long time, and meanwhile the Shifty +Lad got down from the loft, and searched the house till he found the +chest with the gold and silver in it, concealed behind a load of straw +and covered with loaves of bread and a great cheese. The Shifty Lad +slung the money bags round his shoulders and took the bread and the +cheese under his arm, then set out quietly for the Black Rogue’s house. + +‘Here you are at last, you villain!’ cried his master in great wrath. +‘But I will be revenged on you.’ + +‘It is all right,’ replied the Shifty Lad calmly. ‘I have brought what +you wanted’; and he laid the things he was carrying down on the ground. + +‘Ah! you are the better thief,’ said the Black Rogue’s wife; and the +Black Rogue added: + +‘Yes, it is you who are the clever boy’; and they divided the spoil and +the Black Gallows Bird had one half and the Shifty Lad the other half. + +A few weeks after that the Black Gallows Bird had news of a wedding that +was to be held near the town; and the bridegroom had many friends and +everybody sent him a present. Now a rich farmer who lived up near the +moor thought that nothing was so useful to a young couple when they +first began to keep house as a fine fat sheep, so he bade his shepherd +go off to the mountain where the flock were feeding, and bring him +back the best he could find. And the shepherd chose out the largest and +fattest of the sheep and the one with the whitest fleece; then he tied +its feet together and put it across his shoulder, for he had a long way +to go. + +That day, the Shifty Lad happened to be wandering over the moor, when he +saw the man with the sheep on his shoulder walking along the road which +led past the Black Rogue’s house. The sheep was heavy and the man was +in no hurry, so he came slowly and the boy knew that he himself could +easily get back to his master before the shepherd was even in sight. + +‘I will wager,’ he cried, as he pushed quickly through the bushes which +hid the cabin--‘I will wager that I will steal the sheep from the man +that is coming before he passes here.’ + +‘Will you indeed?’ said the Gallows Bird. ‘I will wager you a hundred +silver pieces that you can do nothing of the sort.’ + +‘Well, I will try it, anyway,’ replied the boy, and disappeared in the +bushes. He ran fast till he entered a wood through which the shepherd +must go, and then he stopped, and taking off one of his shoes smeared it +with mud and set it in the path. When this was done he slipped behind a +rock and waited. + +Very soon the man came up, and seeing the shoe lying there, he stooped +and looked at it. + +‘It is a good shoe,’ he said to himself, ‘but very dirty. Still, if I +had the fellow, I would be at the trouble of cleaning it’; so he threw +the shoe down again and went on. + +The Shifty Lad smiled as he heard him, and, picking up the shoe, he +crept round by a short way and laid the other shoe on the path. A few +minutes after the shepherd arrived, and beheld the second shoe lying on +the path. + +‘Why, that is the fellow of the dirty shoe!’ he exclaimed when he saw +it. ‘I will go back and pick up the other one, and then I shall have a +pair of good shoes,’ and he put the sheep on the grass and returned to +fetch the shoe. Then the Shifty Lad put on his shoes, and, picking up +the sheep, carried it home. And the Black Rogue paid him the hundred +marks of his wager. + +When the shepherd reached the farmhouse that night he told his tale to +his master, who scolded him for being stupid and careless, and bade him +go the next day to the mountain and fetch him a kid, and he would send +that as a wedding gift. But the Shifty Lad was on the look-out, and hid +himself in the wood, and the moment the man drew near with the kid on +his shoulders began to bleat like a sheep, and no one, not even the +sheep’s own mother, could have told the difference. + +‘Why, it must have got its feet loose, and have strayed after all,’ +thought the man; and he put the kid on the grass and hurried off in the +direction of the bleating. Then the boy ran back and picked up the kid, +and took it to the Black Gallows Bird. + +The shepherd could hardly believe his eyes when he returned from seeking +the sheep and found that the kid had vanished. He was afraid to go home +and tell the same tale that he had told yesterday; so he searched the +wood through and through till night was nearly come. Then he felt that +there was no help for it, and he must go home and confess to his master. + +Of course, the farmer was very angry at this second misfortune; but this +time he told him to drive one of the big bulls from the mountain, and +warned him that if he lost THAT he would lose his place also. Again the +Shifty Lad, who was on the watch, perceived him pass by, and when he saw +the man returning with the great bull he cried to the Black Rogue: + +‘Be quick and come into the wood, and we will try to get the bull also.’ + +‘But how can we do that?’ asked the Black Rogue. + +‘Oh, quite easily! You hide yourself out there and baa like a sheep, and +I will go in the other direction and bleat like a kid. It will be all +right, I assure you.’ + +The shepherd was walking slowly, driving the bull before him, when he +suddenly heard a loud baa amongst the bushes far away on one side of the +path, and a feeble bleat answering it from the other side. + +‘Why, it must be the sheep and the kid that I lost,’ said he. ‘Yes, +surely it must’; and tying the bull hastily to a tree, he went off +after the sheep and the kid, and searched the wood till he was tired. Of +course by the time he came back the two thieves had driven the bull home +and killed him for meat, so the man was obliged to go to his master and +confess that he had been tricked again. + +After this the Black Rogue and the Shifty Lad grew bolder and bolder, +and stole great quantities of cattle and sold them and grew quite rich. +One day they were returning from the market with a large sum of money in +their pockets when they passed a gallows erected on the top of a hill. + +‘Let us stop and look at that gallows,’ exclaimed the Shifty Lad. ‘I +have never seen one so close before. Yet some say that it is the end of +all thieves.’ + +There was no one in sight, and they carefully examined every part of it. + +‘I wonder how it feels to be hanged,’ said the Shifty Lad. ‘I should +like to know, in case they ever catch me. I’ll try first, and then you +can do so.’ + +As he spoke he fastened the loose cord about his neck, and when it was +quite secure he told the Black Rogue to take the other end of the rope +and draw him up from the ground. + +‘When I am tired of it I will shake my legs, and then you must let me +down,’ said he. + +The Black Rogue drew up the rope, but in half a minute the Shifty Lad’s +legs began to shake, and he quickly let it down again. + +‘You can’t imagine what a funny feeling hanging gives you,’ murmured +the Shifty Lad, who looked rather purple in the face and spoke in an odd +voice. ‘I don’t think you have every tried it, or you wouldn’t have let +me go up first. Why, it is the pleasantest thing I have ever done. I was +shaking my legs from sheer delight, and if you had been there you would +have shaken your legs too.’ + +‘Well, let me try, if it is so nice,’ answered the Black Rogue. ‘But be +sure you tie the knot securely, for I don’t want to fall down and break +my neck.’ + +‘Oh, I will see to that!’ replied the Shifty Lad. ‘When you are tired, +just whistle, and I’ll let you down.’ + +So the Black Rogue was drawn up, and as soon as he was as high as the +rope would allow him to go the Shifty Lad called to him: + +‘Don’t forest to whistle when you want to come down; but if you are +enjoying yourself as I did, shake your legs.’ + +And in a moment the Black Rogue’s legs began to shake and to kick, and +the Shifty Lad stood below, watching him and laughing heartily. + +‘Oh, how funny you are! If you could only see yourself! Oh, you ARE +funny! But when you have had enough, whistle and you shall be let down’; +and he rocked again with laughter. + +But no whistle came, and soon the legs ceased to shake and to kick, for +the Black Gallows Bird was dead, as the Shifty Lad intended he should +be. + +Then he went home to the Black Rogue’s wife, and told her that her +husband was dead, and that he was ready to marry her if she liked. But +the woman had been fond of the Black Rogue, thief though he was, and she +shrank from the Shifty Lad in horror, and set the people after him, +and he had to fly to another part of the country where none knew of his +doings. + +Perhaps if the Shifty Lad’s mother knew anything of this, she may have +thought that by this time her son might be tired of stealing, and ready +to try some honest trade. But in reality he loved the tricks and danger, +and life would have seemed very dull without them. So he went on just as +before, and made friends whom he taught to be as wicked as himself, till +they took to robbing the king’s storehouses, and by the advice of the +Wise Man the king sent out soldiers to catch the band of thieves. + +For a long while they tried in vain to lay hands on them. The Shifty Lad +was too clever for them all, and if they laid traps he laid better ones. +At last one night he stole upon some soldiers while they were asleep in +a barn and killed them, and persuaded the villagers that if THEY did not +kill the other soldiers before morning they would certainly be killed +themselves. Thus it happened that when the sun rose not a single soldier +was alive in the village. + +Of course this news soon reached the king’s ears, and he was very angry, +and summoned the Wise Man to take counsel with him. And this was the +counsel of the Wise Man--that he should invite all the people in the +countryside to a ball, and among them the bold and impudent thief would +be sure to come, and would be sure to ask the king’s daughter to dance +with him. + +‘Your counsel is good,’ said the king, who made his feast and prepared +for his ball; and all the people of the countryside were present, and +the Shifty Lad came with them. + +When everyone had eaten and drunk as much as they wanted they went into +the ballroom. There was a great throng, and while they were pressing +through the doorway the Wise Man, who had a bottle of black ointment +hidden in his robes, placed a tiny dot on the cheek of the Shifty Lad +near his ear. The Shifty Lad felt nothing, but as he approached the +king’s daughter to ask her to be his partner he caught sight of the +black dot in a silver mirror. Instantly he guessed who had put it +there and why, but he said nothing, and danced so beautifully that the +princess was quite delighted with him. At the end of the dance he bowed +low to his partner and left her, to mingle with the crowd that was +filling the doorway. As he passed the Wise Man he contrived not only to +steal the bottle but to place two black dots on his face, and one on the +faces of twenty other men. Then he slipped the bottle back in the Wise +Man’s robe. + +By-and-by he went up to the king’s daughter again, and begged for the +honour of another dance. She consented, and while he was stooping to +tie the ribbons on his shoe she took out from her pocket another bottle, +which the Wizard had given her, and put a black dot on his cheek. But +she was not as skilful as the Wise Man, and the Shifty Lad felt the +touch of her fingers; so as soon as the dance was over he contrived to +place a second black dot on the faces of the twenty men and two more on +the Wizard, after which he slipped the bottle into her pocket. + +At length the ball came to an end, and then the king ordered all the +doors to be shut, and search made for a man with two black dots on his +cheek. The chamberlain went among the guests, and soon found such a man, +but just as he was going to arrest him and bring him before the king his +eye fell on another with the same mark, and another, and another, till +he had counted twenty--besides the Wise Man--on whose face were found +spots. + +Not knowing what to do, the chamberlain hurried back with his tale +to the king, who immediately sent for the Wise Man, and then for his +daughter. + +‘The thief must have stolen your bottle,’ said the king to the Wizard. + +‘No, my lord, it is here,’ answered the Wise Man, holding it out. + +‘Then he must have got yours,’ he cried, turning to his daughter. + +‘Indeed, father, it is safe in my pocket,’ replied she, taking it out as +she spoke; and they all three looked at each other and remained silent. + +‘Well,’ said the king at last, ‘the man who has done this is cleverer +than most men, and if he will make himself known to me he shall marry +the princess and govern half my kingdom while I am alive, and the whole +of it when I am dead. Go and announce this in the ballroom,’ he added to +an attendant, ‘and bring the fellow hither.’ + +So the attendant went into the ballroom and did as the king had bidden +him, when, to his surprise, not one man, but twenty, stepped forward, +all with black dots on their faces. + +‘I am the person you want,’ they all exclaimed at once, and the +attendant, as much bewildered as the chamberlain had been, desired them +to follow him into the king’s presence. + +But the question was too difficult for the king to decide, so he called +together his council. For hours they talked, but to no purpose, and in +the end they hit upon a plan which they might just as well have thought +of at the beginning. + +And this was the plan. A child was to be brought to the palace, and next +the king’s daughter would give her an apple. Then the child was to take +the apple and be led into a room where the twenty men with the black +dots were sitting in a ring. And to whomsoever the child gave the apple, +that man should marry the king’s daughter. + +‘Of course,’ said the king, ‘it may not be the right man, after all, but +then again it MAY be. Anyhow, it is the best we can do.’ + +The princess herself led the child into the room where the twenty men +were now seated. She stood in the centre of the ring for a moment, +looking at one man after another, and then held out the apple to the +Shifty Lad, who was twisting a shaving of wood round his finger, and had +the mouthpiece of a bagpipe hanging from his neck. + +‘You ought not to have anything which the others have not got,’ said +the chamberlain, who had accompanied the princess; and he bade the +child stand outside for a minute, while he took away the shaving and the +mouthpiece, and made the Shifty Lad change his place. Then he called the +child in, but the little girl knew him again, and went straight up to +him with the apple. + +‘This is the man whom the child has twice chosen,’ said the chamberlain, +signing to the Shifty Lad to kneel before the king. ‘It was all quite +fair; we tried it twice over.’ In this way the Shifty Lad won the king’s +daughter, and they were married the next day. + +A few days later the bride and bridegroom were taking a walk together, +and the path led down to the river, and over the river was a bridge. + +‘And what bridge may this be?’ asked the Shifty Lad; and the princess +told him that this was the bridge of Dublin. + +‘Is it indeed?’ cried he. ‘Well, now, many is the time that my mother +has said, when I played her a trick, that my end would be that I should +hang on the bridge of Dublin.’ + +‘Oh, if you want to fulfil her prophecies,’ laughed the princess, ‘you +have only to let me tie my handkerchief round your ankle, and I will +hold you as you hang over the wall of the bridge.’ + +‘That would be fine fun,’ said he; ‘but you are not strong enough to +hold me up.’ + +‘Oh, yes, I am,’ said the princess; ‘just try.’ So at last he let her +bind the handkerchief round his ankle and hang him over the wall, and +they both laughed and jested at the strength of the princess. + +‘Now pull me up again,’ called he; but as he spoke a great cry arose +that the palace was burning. The princess turned round with a start, and +let go her handkerchief, and the Shifty Lad fell, and struck his head on +a stone, and died in an instant. + +So his mother’s prophecy had come true, after all. + +West Highland Tales. + + + + +The False Prince and the True + + +The king had just awakened from his midday sleep, for it was summer, and +everyone rose early and rested from twelve to three, as they do in hot +countries. He had dressed himself in cool white clothes, and was passing +through the hall on his way to the council chamber, when a number of +young nobles suddenly appeared before him, and one amongst them stepped +forward and spoke. + +‘Sire, this morning we were all playing tennis in the court, the prince +and this gentleman with the rest, when there broke out some dispute +about the game. The prince lost his temper, and said many insulting +things to the other, who was playing against him, till at length the +gentleman whom you see there struck him violently in the face, so that +the blood ran from his mouth and nose. We were all so horrified at the +sight, that we should most likely have killed the man then and there, +for daring to lay hands on the prince, had not his grandfather the duke +stepped between and commanded us to lay the affair before you.’ + +The king had listened attentively to the story, and when it was ended he +said: + +‘I suppose the prince had no arms with him, or else he would have used +them?’ + +‘Yes, sire, he had arms; he always carries a dagger in his belt. But +when he saw the blood pouring from his face, he went to a corner of the +court and began to cry, which was the strangest thing of all.’ + +On hearing this the king walked to the window and stood for a few +minutes with his back to the room, where the company of young men +remained silent. Then he came back, his face white and stern. + +‘I tell you,’ he said, ‘and it is the solemn truth, that I would rather +you had told me that the prince was dead, though he is my only son, than +know that he would suffer such an injury without attempting to avenge +it. As for the gentleman who struck him, he will be brought before my +judges, and will plead his own cause, but I hardly think he can escape +death, after having assaulted the heir to the crown.’ + +The young man raised his head as if to reply, but the king would not +listen, and commanded his guards to put him under arrest, adding, +however, that if the prisoner wished to visit any part of the city, he +was at liberty to do so properly guarded, and in fifteen days he would +be brought to trial before the highest judges in the land. + +The young man left the king’s presence, surrounded by soldiers, and +accompanied by many of his friends, for he was a great favourite. By +their advice he spent the fourteen days that remained to him going about +to seek counsel from wise men of all sorts, as to how he might escape +death, but no one could help him, for none could find any excuse for the +blow he had given to the prince. + +The fourteenth night had come, and in despair the prisoner went out to +take his last walk through the city. He wandered on hardly knowing +where he went, and his face was so white and desperate that none of his +companions dared speak to him. The sad little procession had passed some +hours in this manner, when, near the gate of a monastery, an old woman +appeared round a corner, and suddenly stood before the young man. She +was bent almost double, and was so wizened and wrinkled that she looked +at least ninety; only her eyes were bright and quick as those of a girl. + +‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I know all that has happened to you, and how you are +seeking if in any wise you can save your life. But there is none that +can answer that question save only I myself, if you will promise to do +all I ask.’ + +At her words the prisoner felt as if a load had all at once been rolled +off him. + +‘Oh, save me, and I will do anything!’ he cried. ‘It is so hard to leave +the world and go out into the darkness.’ + +‘You will not need to do that,’ answered the old woman, ‘you have only +got to marry me, and you will soon be free.’ + +‘Marry you?’ exclaimed he, ‘but--but--I am not yet twenty, and you +--why, you must be a hundred at least! Oh, no, it is quite impossible.’ + +He spoke without thinking, but the flash of anger which darted from her +eyes made him feel uncomfortable. However, all she said was: + +‘As you like; since you reject me, let the crows have you,’ and hurried +away down the street. + +Left to himself, the full horror of his coming death rushed upon the +young man, and he understood that he had thrown away his sole chance of +life. Well, if he must, he must, he said to himself, and began to run as +fast as he could after the old crone, who by this time could scarcely be +seen, even in the moonlight. Who would have believed a woman past ninety +could walk with such speed? It seemed more like flying! But at length, +breathless and exhausted, he reached her side, and gasped out: + +‘Madam, pardon me for my hasty words just now; I was wrong, and will +thankfully accept the offer you made me.’ + +‘Ah, I thought you would come to your senses,’ answered she, in rather +an odd voice. ‘We have no time to lose--follow me at once,’ and they +went on silently and swiftly till they stopped at the door of a small +house in which the priest lived. Before him the old woman bade the +prisoner swear that she should be his wife, and this he did in the +presence of witnesses. Then, begging the priest and the guards to leave +them alone for a little, she told the young man what he was to do, when +the next morning he was brought before the king and the judges. + +The hall was full to overflowing when the prisoner entered it, and all +marvelled at the brightness of his face. The king inquired if he had any +excuse to plead for the high treason he had committed by striking the +heir to the throne, and, if so, to be quick in setting it forth. With a +low bow the youth made answer in a clear voice: + +‘O my lord and gracious king, and you, nobles and wise men of the land, +I leave my cause without fear in your hands, knowing that you will +listen and judge rightly, and that you will suffer me to speak to the +end, before you give judgment. + +‘For four years, you, O king, had been married to the queen and yet had +no children, which grieved you greatly. The queen saw this, and likewise +that your love was going from her, and thought night and day of some +plan that might put an end to this evil. At length, when you were +away fighting in distant countries, she decided what she would do, and +adopted in secret the baby of a poor quarryman, sending a messenger to +tell you that you had a son. No one suspected the truth except a priest +to whom the queen confessed the truth, and in a few weeks she fell ill +and died, leaving the baby to be brought up as became a prince. And now, +if your highness will permit me, I will speak of myself.’ + +‘What you have already told me,’ answered the king, ‘is so strange that +I cannot imagine what more there is to tell, but go on with your story.’ + +‘One day, shortly after the death of the queen,’ continued the young +man, ‘your highness was hunting, and outstripped all your attendants +while chasing the deer. You were in a part of the country which you did +not know, so seeing an orchard all pink and white with apple-blossoms, +and a girl tossing a ball in one corner, you went up to her to ask your +way. But when she turned to answer you, you were so struck with her +beauty that all else fled from your mind. Again and again you rode back +to see her, and at length persuaded her to marry you. She only thought +you a poor knight, and agreed that as you wished it, the marriage should +be kept secret. + +‘After the ceremony you gave her three rings and a charm with a cross +on it, and then put her in a cottage in the forest, thinking to hide the +matter securely. + +‘For some months you visited the cottage every week; but a rebellion +broke out in a distant part of the kingdom, and called for your +presence. When next you rode up to the cottage, it was empty, and none +could inform you whither your bride had gone. That, sire, I can now +tell you,’ and the young man paused and looked at the king, who +coloured deeply. ‘She went back to her father the old duke, once your +chamberlain, and the cross on her breast revealed at once who you were. +Fierce was his anger when he heard his daughter’s tale, and he vowed +that he would hide her safely from you, till the day when you would +claim her publicly as your queen. + +‘By and bye I was born, and was brought up by my grandfather in one of +his great houses. Here are the rings you gave to my mother, and here is +the cross, and these will prove if I am your son or not.’ + +As he spoke the young man laid the jewels at the feet of the king, and +the nobles and the judges pressed round to examine them. The king alone +did not move from his seat, for he had forgotten the hall of justice and +all about him, and saw only the apple-orchard, as it was twenty years +ago, and the beautiful girl playing at ball. A sudden silence round him +made him look up, and he found the eyes of the assembly fixed on him. + +‘It is true; it is he who is my son, and not the other,’ he said with +an effort, ‘and let every man present swear to acknowledge him as king, +after my death.’ + +Therefore one by one they all knelt before him and took the oath, and +a message was sent to the false prince, forbidding him ever again to +appear at court, though a handsome pension was granted him. + +At last the ceremony was over, and the king, signing to his newly found +son to follow him, rose and went into another room. + +‘Tell me how you knew all that,’ he said, throwing himself into a carved +chair filled with crimson cushions, and the prince told of his meeting +with the old woman who had brought him the jewels from his mother, and +how he had sworn before a priest to marry her, though he did not want to +do it, on account of the difference in their ages, and besides, he would +rather receive a bride chosen by the king himself. But the king frowned, +and answered sharply: + +‘You swore to marry her if she saved your life, and, come what may, +you must fulfil your promise.’ Then, striking a silver shield that hung +close by, he said to the equerry who appeared immediately: + +‘Go and seek the priest who lives near the door of the prison, and ask +him where you can find the old woman who visited him last night; and +when you have found her, bring her to the palace.’ + +It took some time to discover the whereabouts of the old woman, but at +length it was accomplished, and when she arrived at the palace with the +equerry, she was received with royal honours, as became the bride of +the prince. The guards looked at each other with astonished eyes, as the +wizened creature, bowed with age, passed between their lines; but they +were more amazed still at the lightness of her step as she skipped up +the steps to the great door before which the king was standing, with the +prince at his side. If they both felt a shock at the appearance of the +aged lady they did not show it, and the king, with a grave bow, took her +band, and led her to the chapel, where a bishop was waiting to perform +the marriage ceremony. + +For the next few weeks little was seen of the prince, who spent all his +days in hunting, and trying to forget the old wife at home. As for the +princess, no one troubled himself about her, and she passed the days +alone in her apartments, for she had absolutely declined the services of +the ladies-in-waiting whom the king had appointed for her. + +One night the prince returned after a longer chase than usual, and he +was so tired that he went up straight to bed. Suddenly he was awakened +by a strange noise in the room, and suspecting that a robber might have +stolen in, he jumped out of bed, and seized his sword, which lay ready +to his hand. Then he perceived that the noise proceeded from the next +room, which belonged to the princess, and was lighted by a burning +torch. Creeping softly to the door, he peeped through it, and beheld +her lying quietly, with a crown of gold and pearls upon her head, her +wrinkles all gone, and her face, which was whiter than the snow, as +fresh as that of a girl of fourteen. Could that really be his wife--that +beautiful, beautiful creature? + +The prince was still gazing in surprise when the lady opened her eyes +and smiled at him. + +‘Yes, I really am your wife,’ she said, as if she had guessed his +thoughts, ‘and the enchantment is ended. Now I must tell you who I am, +and what befell to cause me to take the shape of an old woman. + +‘The king of Granada is my father, and I was born in the palace which +overlooks the plain of the Vega. I was only a few months old when a +wicked fairy, who had a spite against my parents, cast a spell over +me, bending my back and wrinkling my skin till I looked as if I was a +hundred years old, and making me such an object of disgust to everyone, +that at length the king ordered my nurse to take my away from the +palace. She was the only person who cared about me, and we lived +together in this city on a small pension allowed me by the king. + +‘When I was about three an old man arrived at our house, and begged my +nurse to let him come in and rest, as he could walk no longer. She saw +that he was very ill, so put him to bed and took such care of him that +by and bye he was as strong as ever. In gratitude for her goodness to +him, he told her that he was a wizard and could give her anything she +chose to ask for, except life or death, so she answered that what she +longed for most in the world was that my wrinkled skin should disappear, +and that I should regain the beauty with which I was born. To this he +replied that as my misfortune resulted from a spell, this was rather +difficult, but he would do his best, and at any rate he could promise +that before my fifteenth birthday I should be freed from the enchantment +if I could get a man who would swear to marry me as I was. + +‘As you may suppose, this was not easy, as my ugliness was such that +no one would look at me a second time. My nurse and I were almost in +despair, as my fifteenth birthday was drawing near, and I had never so +much as spoken to a man. At last we received a visit from the wizard, +who told us what had happened at court, and your story, bidding me to +put myself in your way when you had lost all hope, and offer to save you +if you would consent to marry me. + +‘That is my history, and now you must beg the king to send messengers at +once to Granada, to inform my father of our marriage, and I think,’ she +added with a smile, ‘that he will not refuse us his blessing.’ + +Adapted from the Portuguese. + + + + +The Jogi’s Punishment + + +Once upon a time there came to the ancient city of Rahmatabad a +jogi[FN#1: A Hindu holy man.] of holy appearance, who took up his abode +under a tree outside the city, where he would sit for days at a time +fasting from food and drink, motionless except for the fingers that +turned restlessly his string of beads. The fame of such holiness as this +soon spread, and daily the citizens would flock to see him, eager to +get his blessing, to watch his devotions, or to hear his teaching, if +he were in the mood to speak. Very soon the rajah himself heard of the +jogi, and began regularly to visit him to seek his counsel and to ask +his prayers that a son might be vouchsafed to him. Days passed by, and +at last the rajah became so possessed with the thought of the holy man +that he determined if possible to get him all to himself. So he built in +the neighbourhood a little shrine, with a room or two added to it, and a +small courtyard closely walled up; and, when all was ready, besought the +jogi to occupy it, and to receive no other visitors except himself and +his queen and such pupils as the jogi might choose, who would hand down +his teaching. To this the jogi consented; and thus he lived for some +time upon the king’s bounty, whilst the fame of his godliness grew day +by day. + +Now, although the rajah of Rahmatabad had no son, he possessed a +daughter, who as she grew up became the most beautiful creature that eye +ever rested upon. Her father had long before betrothed her to the son of +the neighbouring rajah of Dilaram, but as yet she had not been married +to him, and lived the quiet life proper to a maiden of her beauty and +position. The princess had of course heard of the holy man and of his +miracles and his fasting, and she was filled with curiosity to see and +to speak to him; but this was difficult, since she was not allowed to go +out except into the palace grounds, and then was always closely guarded. +However, at length she found an opportunity, and made her way one +evening alone to the hermit’s shrine. + +Unhappily, the hermit was not really as holy as he seemed; for no sooner +did he see the princess than he fell in love with her wonderful beauty, +and began to plot in his heart how he could win her for his wife. But +the maiden was not only beautiful, she was also shrewd; and as soon as +she read in the glance of the jogi the love that filled his soul, she +sprang to her feet, and, gathering her veil about her, ran from the +place as fast as she could. The jogi tried to follow, but he was no +match for her; so, beside himself with rage at finding that he could not +overtake her, he flung at her a lance, which wounded her in the leg. The +brave princess stooped for a second to pluck the lance out of the wound, +and then ran on until she found herself safe at home again. There she +bathed and bound up the wound secretly, and told no one how naughty she +had been, for she knew that her father would punish her severely. + +Next day, when the king went to visit the jogi, the holy man would +neither speak to nor look at him. + +‘What is the matter?’ asked the king. ‘Won’t you speak to me to-day?’ + +‘I have nothing to say that you would care to hear,’ answered the jogi. + +‘Why?’ said the king. ‘Surely you know that I value all that you say, +whatever it may be.’ + +But still the jogi sat with his face turned away, and the more the king +pressed him the more silent and mysterious he became. At last, after +much persuasion, he said: + +‘Let me tell you, then, that there is in this city a creature which, +if you do not put an end to it, will kill every single person in the +place.’ + +The king, who was easily frightened, grew pale. + +‘What?’ he gasped--‘what is this dreadful thing? How am I to know it +and to catch it? Only counsel me and help me, and I will do all that you +advise.’ + +‘Ah!’ replied the jogi, ‘it is indeed dreadful. It is in the shape of a +beautiful girl, but it is really an evil spirit. Last evening it came to +visit me, and when I looked upon it its beauty faded into hideousness, +its teeth became horrible fangs, its eyes glared like coals of fire, +great claws sprang from its slender fingers, and were I not what I am it +might have consumed me.’ + +The king could hardly speak from alarm, but at last he said: + +‘How am I to distinguish this awful thing when I see it?’ + +‘Search,’ said the jogi, ‘for a lovely girl with a lance wound in her +leg, and when she is found secure her safely and come and tell me, and I +will advise you what to do next.’ + +Away hurried the king, and soon set all his soldiers scouring the +country for a girl with a lance wound in her left. For two days the +search went on, and then it was somehow discovered that the only person +with a lance wound in the leg was the princess herself. The king, +greatly agitated, went off to tell the jogi, and to assure him that +there must be some mistake. But of course the jogi was prepared for +this, and had his answer ready. + +‘She is not really your daughter, who was stolen away at her birth, but +an evil spirit that has taken her form,’ said he solemnly. ‘You can do +what you like, but if you don’t take my advice she will kill you all.’ +And so solemn he appeared, and so unshaken in his confidence, that the +king’s wisdom was blinded, and he declared that he would do whatever the +jogi advised, and believe whatever he said. So the jogi directed him to +send him secretly two carpenters; and when they arrived he set them to +make a great chest, so cunningly jointed and put together that neither +air nor water could penetrate it. There and then the chest was made, +and, when it was ready, the jogi bade the king to bring the princess +by night; and they two thrust the poor little maiden into the chest and +fastened it down with long nails, and between them carried it to the +river and pushed it out into the stream. + +As soon as the jogi got back from this deed he called two of his pupils, +and pretended that it had been revealed to him that there should be +found floating on the river a chest with something of great price within +it; and he bade them go and watch for it at such a place far down the +stream, and when the chest came slowly along, bobbing and turning in the +tide, they were to seize it and secretly and swiftly bring it to him, +for he was now determined to put the princess to death himself. The +pupils set off at once, wondering at the strangeness of their errand, +and still more at the holiness of the jogi to whom such secrets were +revealed. + +It happened that, as the next morning was dawning, the gallant young +prince of Dilaram was hunting by the banks of the river, with a great +following of wazirs, attendants, and huntsmen, and as he rode he saw +floating on the river a large chest, which came slowly along, bobbing +and turning in the tide. Raising himself in his saddle, he gave an +order, and half a dozen men plunged into the water and drew the chest +out on to the river bank, where every one crowded around to see what +it could contain. The prince was certainly not the least curious among +them; but he was a cautious young man, and, as he prepared to open the +chest himself, he bade all but a few stand back, and these few to draw +their swords, so as to be prepared in case the chest should hold some +evil beast, or djinn, or giant. When all were ready and expectant, the +prince with his dagger forced open the lid and flung it back, and there +lay, living and breathing, the most lovely maiden he had ever seen in +his life. + +Although she was half stifled from her confinement in the chest, the +princess speedily revived, and, when she was able to sit up, the prince +began to question her as to who she was and how she came to be shut +up in the chest and set afloat upon the water; and she, blushing and +trembling to find herself in the presence of so many strangers, told him +that she was the princess of Rahmatabad, and that she had been put into +the chest by her own father. When he on his part told her that he +was the prince of Dilaram, the astonishment of the young people was +unbounded to find that they, who had been betrothed without ever having +seen one another, should have actually met for the first time in such +strange circumstances. In fact, the prince was so moved by her beauty +and modest ways that he called up his wazirs and demanded to be married +at once to this lovely lady who had so completely won his heart. And +married they were then and there upon the river bank, and went home to +the prince’s palace, where, when the story was told, they were welcomed +by the old rajah, the prince’s father, and the remainder of the day was +given over to feasting and rejoicing. But when the banquet was over, the +bride told her husband that now, on the threshold of their married +life, she had more to relate of her adventures than he had given her +the opportunity to tell as yet; and then, without hiding anything, she +informed him of all that happened to her from the time she had stolen +out to visit the wicked jogi. + +In the morning the prince called his chief wazir and ordered him to shut +up in the chest in which the princess had been found a great monkey that +lived chained up in the palace, and to take the chest back to the river +and set it afloat once more and watch what became of it. So the monkey +was caught and put into the chest, and some of the prince’s servants +took it down to the river and pushed it off into the water. Then they +followed secretly a long way off to see what became of it. + +Meanwhile the jogi’s two pupils watched and watched for the chest until +they were nearly tired of watching, and were beginning to wonder whether +the jogi was right after all, when on the second day they spied the +great chest coming floating on the river, slowly bobbing and turning in +the tide; and instantly a great joy and exultation seized them, for they +thought that here indeed was further proof of the wonderful wisdom of +their master. With some difficulty they secured the chest, and carried +it back as swiftly and secretly as possible to the jogi’s house. As soon +as they brought in the chest, the jogi, who had been getting very cross +and impatient, told them to put it down, and to go outside whilst he +opened the magic chest. + +‘And even if you hear cries and sounds, however alarming, you must on +no account enter,’ said the jogi, walking over to a closet where lay the +silken cord that was to strangle the princess. + +And the two pupils did as they were told, and went outside and shut +close all the doors. Presently they heard a great outcry within and the +jogi’s voice crying aloud for help; but they dared not enter, for had +they not been told that whatever the noise, they must not come in? So +they sat outside, waiting and wondering; and at last all grew still +and quiet, and remained so for such a long time that they determined +to enter and see if all was well. No sooner had they opened the door +leading into the courtyard than they were nearly upset by a huge monkey +that came leaping straight to the doorway and escaped past them into +the open fields. Then they stepped into the room, and there they saw the +jogi’s body lying torn to pieces on the threshold of his dwelling! + +Very soon the story spread, as stories will, and reached the ears of the +princess and her husband, and when she knew that her enemy was dead she +made her peace with her father. + +From Major Campbell, Feroshepore. + + + + +The Heart of a Monkey + + +A long time ago a little town made up of a collection of low huts stood +in a tiny green valley at the foot of a cliff. Of course the people had +taken great care to build their houses out of reach of the highest tide +which might be driven on shore by a west wind, but on the very edge of +the town there had sprung up a tree so large that half its boughs hung +over the huts and the other half over the deep sea right under the +cliff, where sharks loved to come and splash in the clear water. The +branches of the tree itself were laden with fruit, and every day at +sunrise a big grey monkey might have been seen sitting in the topmost +branches having his breakfast, and chattering to himself with delight. + +After he had eaten all the fruit on the town side of the tree the monkey +swung himself along the branches to the part which hung over the water. +While he was looking out for a nice shady place where he might perch +comfortably he noticed a shark watching him from below with greedy eyes. + +‘Can I do anything for you, my friend?’ asked the monkey politely. + +‘Oh! if you only would thrown me down some of those delicious things, +I should be so grateful,’ answered the shark. ‘After you have lived on +fish for fifty years you begin to feel you would like a change. And I am +so very, very tired of the taste of salt.’ + +‘Well, I don’t like salt myself,’ said the monkey; ‘so if you will open +your mouth I will throw this beautiful juicy kuyu into it,’ and, as he +spoke, he pulled one off the branch just over his head. But it was not +so easy to hit the shark’s mouth as he supposed, even when the creature +had turned on his back, and the first kuyu only struck one of his teeth +and rolled into the water. However, the second time the monkey had +better luck, and the fruit fell right in. + +‘Ah, how good!’ cried the shark. ‘Send me another, please.’ And the +monkey grew tired of picking the kuyu long before the shark was tired of +eating them. + +‘It is getting late, and I must be going home to my children,’ he said, +at length, ‘but if you are here at the same time to-morrow I will give +you another treat.’ + +‘Thank you, thank you,’ said the shark, showing all his great ugly teeth +as he grinned with delight; ‘you can’t guess how happy you have made +me,’ and he swam away into the shadow, hoping to sleep away the time +till the monkey came again. + +For weeks the monkey and the shark breakfasted together, and it was +a wonder that the tree had any fruit left for them. They became fast +friends, and told each other about their homes and their children, and +how to teach them all they ought to know. By and bye the monkey became +rather discontented with his green house in a grove of palms beyond the +town, and longed to see the strange things under the sea which he had +heard of from the shark. The shark perceived this very clearly, and +described greater marvels, and the monkey as he listened grew more and +more gloomy. + +Matters were in this state when one day the shark said: ‘I really hardly +know how to thank you for all your kindness to me during these weeks. +Here I have nothing of my own to offer you, but if you would only +consent to come home with me, how gladly would I give you anything that +might happen to take your fancy.’ + +‘I should like nothing better,’ cried the monkey, his teeth chattering, +as they always did when he was pleased. ‘But how could I get there? Not +by water. Ugh! It makes me ill to think of it!’ + +‘Oh! don’t let that trouble you,’ replied the shark, ‘you have only to +sit on my back and I will undertake that not a drop of water shall touch +you.’ + +So it was arranged, and directly after breakfast next morning the shark +swam close up under the tree and the monkey dropped neatly on his back, +without even a splash. After a few minutes--for at first he felt a +little frightened at his strange position--the monkey began to enjoy +himself vastly, and asked the shark a thousand questions about the fish +and the sea-weeds and the oddly-shaped things that floated past them, +and as the shark always gave him some sort of answer, the monkey never +guessed that many of the objects they saw were as new to his guide as to +himself. + +The sun had risen and set six times when the shark suddenly said, ‘My +friend, we have now performed half our journey, and it is time that I +should tell you something.’ + +‘What is it?’ asked the monkey. ‘Nothing unpleasant, I hope, for you +sound rather grave?’ + +‘Oh, no! Nothing at all. It is only that shortly before we left I heard +that the sultan of my country is very ill, and that the only thing to +cure him is a monkey’s heart.’ + +‘Poor man, I am very sorry for him,’ replied the monkey; ‘but you were +unwise not to tell me till we had started.’ + +‘What do you mean?’ asked the shark; but the monkey, who now understood +the whole plot, did not answer at once, for he was considering what he +should say. + +‘Why are you so silent?’ inquired the shark again. + +‘I was thinking what a pity it was you did not tell me while I was still +on land, and then I would have brought my heart with me.’ + +‘Your heart! Why isn’t your heart here?’ said the shark, with a puzzled +expression. + +‘Oh, no! Of course not. Is it possible you don’t know that when we +leave home we always hang up our hearts on trees, to prevent their being +troublesome? However, perhaps you won’t believe that, and will just +think I have invented it because I am afraid, so let us go on to your +country as fast as we can, and when we arrive you can look for my heart, +and if you find it you can kill me.’ + +The monkey spoke in such a calm, indifferent way that the shark was +quite deceived, and began to wish he had not been in such a hurry. + +‘But there is no use going on if your heart is not with you,’ he said at +last. ‘We had better turn back to the town, and then you can fetch it.’ + +Of course, this was just what the monkey wanted, but he was careful not +to seem too pleased. + +‘Well, I don’t know,’ he remarked carelessly, ‘it is such a long way; +but you may be right.’ + +‘I am sure I am,’ answered the shark, ‘and I will swim as quickly as +I can,’ and so he did, and in three days they caught sight of the kuyu +tree hanging over the water. + +With a sigh of relief the monkey caught hold of the nearest branch and +swung himself up. + +‘Wait for me here,’ he called out to the shark. ‘I am so hungry I must +have a little breakfast, and then I will go and look for my heart,’ and +he went further and further into the branches so that the shark could +not see him. Then he curled himself up and went to sleep. + +‘Are you there?’ cried the shark, who was soon tired of swimming about +under the cliff, and was in haste to be gone. + +The monkey awoke with a start, but did not answer. + +‘Are you there?’ called the shark again, louder than before, and in a +very cross voice. + +‘Oh, yes. I am here,’ replied the monkey; ‘but I wish you had not +wakened me up. I was having such a nice nap.’ + +‘Have you got it?’ asked the shark. ‘It is time we were going.’ + +‘Going where?’ inquired the monkey. + +‘Why, to my country, of course, with your heart. You CAN’T have +forgotten!’ + +‘My dear friend,’ answered the monkey, with a chuckle, ‘I think you must +be going a little mad. Do you take me for a washerman’s donkey?’ + +‘Don’t talk nonsense,’ exclaimed the shark, who did not like being +laughed at. ‘What do you mean about a washerman’s donkey? And I wish you +would be quick, or we may be too late to save the sultan.’ + +‘Did you really never hear of the washerman’s donkey?’ asked the monkey, +who was enjoying himself immensely. ‘Why, he is the beast who has no +heart. And as I am not feeling very well, and am afraid to start while +the sun is so high lest I should get a sunstroke, if you like, I will +come a little nearer and tell you his story.’ + +‘Very well,’ said the shark sulkily, ‘if you won’t come, I suppose I may +as well listen to that as do nothing.’ + +So the monkey began. + +‘A washerman once lived in the great forest on the other side of the +town, and he had a donkey to keep him company and to carry him wherever +he wanted to go. For a time they got on very well, but by and bye the +donkey grew lazy and ungrateful for her master’s kindness, and ran away +several miles into the heart of the forest, where she did nothing but +eat and eat and eat, till she grew so fat she could hardly move. + +‘One day as she was tasting quite a new kind of grass and wondering if +it was as good as what she had had for dinner the day before, a hare +happened to pass by. + +‘“Well, that is a fat creature,” thought she, and turned out of her path +to tell the news to a lion who was a friend of hers. Now the lion had +been very ill, and was not strong enough to go hunting for himself, and +when the hare came and told him that a very fat donkey was to be found +only a few hundred yards off, tears of disappointment and weakness +filled his eyes. + +‘“What is the good of telling me that?” he asked, in a weepy voice; “you +know I cannot even walk as far as that palm.” + +‘“Never mind,” answered the hare briskly. “If you can’t go to your +dinner your dinner shall come to you,” and nodding a farewell to the +lion she went back to the donkey. + +‘“Good morning,” said she, bowing politely to the donkey, who lifted her +head in surprise. “Excuse my interrupting you, but I have come on very +important business.” + +‘“Indeed,” answered the donkey, “it is most kind of you to take the +trouble. May I inquire what the business is?” + +‘“Certainly,” replied the hare. “It is my friend the lion who has heard +so much of your charms and good qualities that he has sent me to beg +that you will give him your paw in marriage. He regrets deeply that he +is unable to make the request in person, but he has been ill and is too +weak to move.” + +‘“Poor fellow! How sad!” said the donkey. “But you must tell him that +I feel honoured by his proposal, and will gladly consent to be Queen of +the Beasts.” + +‘“Will you not come and tell him so yourself?” asked the hare. + +‘Side by side they went down the road which led to the lion’s house. It +took a long while, for the donkey was so fat with eating she could only +walk very slowly, and the hare, who could have run the distance in about +five minutes, was obliged to creep along till she almost dropped with +fatigue at not being able to go at her own pace. When at last they +arrived the lion was sitting up at the entrance, looking very pale and +thin. The donkey suddenly grew shy and hung her head, but the lion put +on his best manners and invited both his visitors to come in and make +themselves comfortable. + +‘Very soon the hare got up and said, “Well, as I have another engagement +I will leave you to make acquaintance with your future husband,” and +winking at the lion she bounded away. + +‘The donkey expected that as soon as they were left alone the lion would +begin to speak of their marriage, and where they should live, but as +he said nothing she looked up. To her surprise and terror she saw him +crouching in the corner, his eyes glaring with a red light, and with a +loud roar he sprang towards her. But in that moment the donkey had had +time to prepare herself, and jumping on one side dealt the lion such a +hard kick that he shrieked with the pain. Again and again he struck at +her with his claws, but the donkey could bite too, as well as the lion, +who was very weak after his illness, and at last a well-planted kick +knocked him right over, and he rolled on the floor, groaning with pain. +The donkey did not wait for him to get up, but ran away as fast as she +could and was lost in the forest. + +‘Now the hare, who knew quite well what would happen, had not gone to do +her business, but hid herself in some bushes behind the cave, where she +could hear quite clearly the sounds of the battle. When all was quiet +again she crept gently out, and stole round the corner. + +‘“Well, lion, have you killed her?” asked she, running swiftly up the +path. + +‘“Killed her, indeed!” answered the lion sulkily, “it is she who has +nearly killed me. I never knew a donkey could kick like that, though I +took care she should carry away the marks of my claws.” + +‘“Dear me! Fancy such a great fat creature being able to fight!” cried +the hare. “But don’t vex yourself. Just lie still, and your wounds +will soon heal,” and she bade her friend, good bye, and returned to her +family. + +‘Two or three weeks passed, and only bare places on the donkey’s back +showed where the lion’s claws had been, while, on his side, the lion +had recovered from his illness and was now as strong as ever. He was +beginning to think that it was almost time for him to begin hunting +again, when one morning a rustle was heard in the creepers outside, and +the hare’s head peeped through. + +‘“Ah! there is no need to ask how you are,” she said. “Still you mustn’t +overtire yourself, you know. Shall I go and bring you your dinner?” + +‘“If you will bring me that donkey I will tear it in two,” cried the +lion savagely, and the hare laughed and nodded and went on her errand. + +‘This time the donkey was much further than before, and it took longer +to find her. At last the hare caught sight of four hoofs in the air, and +ran towards them. The donkey was lying on a soft cool bed of moss near a +stream, rolling herself backwards and forwards from pleasure. + +‘“Good morning,” said the hare politely, and the donkey got slowly on to +her legs, and looked to see who her visitor could be. + +‘“Oh, it is you, is it?” she exclaimed. “Come and have a chat. What news +have you got?” + +‘“I mustn’t stay,” answered the hare; “but I promised the lion to beg +you to pay him a visit, as he is not well enough to call on you.” + +‘“Well, I don’t know,” replied the donkey gloomily, “the last time we +went he scratched me very badly, and really I was quite afraid.” + +‘“He was only trying to kiss you,” said the hare, “and you bit him, and +of course that made him cross.” + +‘“If I were sure of that,” hesitated the donkey. + +‘“Oh, you may be quite sure,” laughed the hare. “I have a large +acquaintance among lions. But let us be quick,” and rather unwillingly +the donkey set out. + +‘The lion saw them coming and hid himself behind a large tree. As the +donkey went past, followed by the hare, he sprang out, and with one blow +of his paw stretched the poor foolish creature dead before him. + +‘“Take this meat and skin it and roast it,” he said to the hare; “but my +appetite is not so good as it was, and the only part I want for myself +is the heart. The rest you can either eat yourself or give away to your +friends.” + +‘“Thank you,” replied the hare, balancing the donkey on her back as +well as she was able, and though the legs trailed along the ground she +managed to drag it to an open space some distance off, where she made +a fire and roasted it. As soon as it was cooked the hare took out the +heart and had just finished eating it when the lion, who was tired of +waiting, came up. + +‘“I am hungry,” said he. “Bring me the creature’s heart; it is just what +I want for supper.” + +‘“But there is no heart,” answered the hare, looking up at the lion with +a puzzled face. + +‘“What nonsense!” said the lion. “As if every beast had not got a heart. +What do you mean?” + +‘“This is a washerman’s donkey,” replied the hare gravely. + +‘“Well, and suppose it is?” + +‘“Oh, fie!” exclaimed the hare. “You, a lion and a grown-up person, and +ask questions like that. If the donkey had had a heart would she be here +now? The first time she came she knew you were trying to kill her, and +ran away. Yet she came back a second time. Well, if she had had a heart +would she have come back a second time? Now would she?” + +‘And the lion answered slowly, “No, she would not.” + +‘So you think I am a washerman’s donkey?’ said the monkey to the shark, +when the story was ended. ‘You are wrong; I am not. And as the sun +is getting low in the sky, it is time for you to begin your homeward +journey. You will have a nice cool voyage, and I hope you will find the +sultan better. Farewell!’ And the monkey disappeared among the green +branches, and was gone. + +From ‘Swahili Tales,’ by Edward Steere, LL.D. + + + + +The Fairy Nurse + + +There was once a little farmer and his wife living near Coolgarrow. They +had three children, and my story happened while the youngest was a baby. +The wife was a good wife enough, but her mind was all on her family and +her farm, and she hardly ever went to her knees without falling asleep, +and she thought the time spent in the chapel was twice as long as it +need be. So, friends, she let her man and her two children go before +her one day to Mass, while she called to consult a fairy man about a +disorder one of her cows had. She was late at the chapel, and was sorry +all the day after, for her husband was in grief about it, and she was +very fond of him. + +Late that night he was wakened up by the cries of his children calling +out ‘Mother! Mother!’ When he sat up and rubbed his eyes, there was no +wife by his side, and when he asked the little ones what was become of +their mother, they said they saw the room full of nice little men and +women, dressed in white and red and green, and their mother in the +middle of them, going out by the door as if she was walking in her +sleep. Out he ran, and searched everywhere round the house but, neither +tale nor tidings did he get of her for many a day. + +Well, the poor man was miserable enough, for he was as fond of his woman +as she was of him. It used to bring the salt tears down his cheeks +to see his poor children neglected and dirty, as they often were, and +they’d be bad enough only for a kind neighbour that used to look in +whenever she could spare time. The infant was away with a nurse. + +About six weeks after--just as he was going out to his work one +morning--a neighbour, that used to mind women when they were ill, came +up to him, and kept step by step with him to the field, and this is what +she told him. + +‘Just as I was falling asleep last night, I heard a horse’s tramp on +the grass and a knock at the door, and there, when I came out, was a +fine-looking dark man, mounted on a black horse, and he told me to get +ready in all haste, for a lady was in great want of me. As soon as I put +on my cloak and things, he took me by the hand, and I was sitting behind +him before I felt myself stirring. “Where are we going, sir?” says I. +“You’ll soon know,” says he; and he drew his fingers across my eyes, +and not a ray could I see. I kept a tight grip of him, and I little knew +whether he was going backwards or forwards, or how long we were about +it, till my hand was taken again, and I felt the ground under me. The +fingers went the other way across my eyes, and there we were before +a castle door, and in we went through a big hall and great rooms all +painted in fine green colours, with red and gold bands and ornaments, +and the finest carpets and chairs and tables and window curtains, and +grand ladies and gentlemen walking about. At last we came to a bedroom, +with a beautiful lady in bed, with a fine bouncing boy beside her. The +lady clapped her hands, and in came the Dark Man and kissed her and the +baby, and praised me, and gave me a bottle of green ointment to rub the +child all over. + +‘Well, the child I rubbed, sure enough; but my right eye began to smart, +and I put up my finger and gave it a rub, and then stared, for never +in all my life was I so frightened. The beautiful room was a big, rough +cave, with water oozing over the edges of the stones and through the +clay; and the lady, and the lord, and the child weazened, poverty-bitten +creatures--nothing but skin and bone--and the rich dresses were old +rags. I didn’t let on that I found any difference, and after a bit says +the Dark Man, “Go before me to the hall door, and I will be with you in +a few moments, and see you safe home.” Well, just as I turned into the +outside cave, who should I see watching near the door but poor Molly. +She looked round all terrified, and says she to me in a whisper, “I’m +brought here to nurse the child of the king and queen of the fairies; +but there is one chance of saving me. All the court will pass the cross +near Templeshambo next Friday night, on a visit to the fairies of Old +Ross. If John can catch me by the hand or cloak when I ride by, and has +courage not to let go his grip, I’ll be safe. Here’s the king. Don’t +open your mouth to answer. I saw what happened with the ointment.” + +‘The Dark Man didn’t once cast his eye towards Molly, and he seemed to +have no suspicion of me. When we came out I looked about me, and where +do you think we were but in the dyke of the Rath of Cromogue. I was +on the horse again, which was nothing but a big rag-weed, and I was +in dread every minute I’d fall off; but nothing happened till I found +myself in my own cabin. The king slipped five guineas into my hand as +soon as I was on the ground, and thanked me, and bade me good night. I +hope I’ll never see his face again. I got into bed, and couldn’t sleep +for a long time; and when I examined my five guineas this morning, that +I left in the table drawer the last thing, I found five withered leaves +of oak--bad luck to the giver!’ + +Well, you may all think the fright, and the joy, and the grief the +poor man was in when the woman finished her story. They talked and they +talked, but we needn’t mind what they said till Friday night came, when +both were standing where the mountain road crosses the one going to +Ross. + +There they stood, looking towards the bridge of Thuar, in the dead of +the night, with a little moonlight shining from over Kilachdiarmid. At +last she gave a start, and “By this and by that,” says she, “here they +come, bridles jingling and feathers tossing!” He looked, but could see +nothing; and she stood trembling and her eyes wide open, looking down +the way to the ford of Ballinacoola. “I see your wife,” says she, +“riding on the outside just so as to rub against us. We’ll walk on +quietly, as if we suspected nothing, and when we are passing I’ll give +you a shove. If you don’t do YOUR duty then, woe be with you!” + +Well, they walked on easy, and the poor hearts beating in both their +breasts; and though he could see nothing, he heard a faint jingle and +trampling and rustling, and at last he got the push that she promised. +He spread out his arms, and there was his wife’s waist within them, and +he could see her plain; but such a hullabulloo rose as if there was an +earthquake, and he found himself surrounded by horrible-looking things, +roaring at him and striving to pull his wife away. But he made the sign +of the cross and bid them begone in God’s name, and held his wife as if +it was iron his arms were made of. Bedad, in one moment everything was +as silent as the grave, and the poor woman lying in a faint in the arms +of her husband and her good neighbour. Well, all in good time she was +minding her family and her business again; and I’ll go bail, after the +fright she got, she spent more time on her knees, and avoided fairy men +all the days of the week, and particularly on Sunday. + +It is hard to have anything to do with the good people without getting +a mark from them. My brave nurse didn’t escape no more than another. +She was one Thursday at the market of Enniscorthy, when what did she see +walking among the tubs of butter but the Dark Man, very hungry-looking, +and taking a scoop out of one tub and out of another. ‘Oh, sir,’ says +she, very foolish, ‘I hope your lady is well, and the baby.’ ‘Pretty +well, thank you,’ says he, rather frightened like. ‘How do I look in +this new suit?’ says he, getting to one side of her. ‘I can’t see you +plain at all, sir,’ says she. ‘Well, now?’ says he, getting round her +back to the other side. ‘Musha, indeed, sir, your coat looks no +better than a withered dock-leaf.’ ‘Maybe, then,’ says he, ‘it will be +different now,’ and he struck the eye next him with a switch. Friends, +she never saw a glimmer after with that one till the day of her death. + +‘Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts,’ by Patrick Kennedy. + + + + +A Lost Paradise + + +In the middle of a great forest there lived a long time ago a +charcoal-burner and his wife. They were both young and handsome and +strong, and when they got married, they thought work would never fail +them. But bad times came, and they grew poorer and poorer, and the +nights in which they went hungry to bed became more and more frequent. + +Now one evening the king of that country was hunting near the +charcoal-burner’s hut. As he passed the door, he heard a sound of +sobbing, and being a good-natured man he stopped to listen, thinking +that perhaps he might be able to give some help. + +‘Were there ever two people so unhappy!’ said a woman’s voice. ‘Here we +are, ready to work like slaves the whole day long, and no work can we +get. And it is all because of the curiosity of old mother Eve! If she +had only been like me, who never want to know anything, we should all +have been as happy as kings to-day, with plenty to eat, and warm +clothes to wear. Why--’ but at this point a loud knock interrupted her +lamentations. + +‘Who is there?’ asked she. + +‘I!’ replied somebody. + +‘And who is “I”?’ + +‘The king. Let me in.’ + +Full of surprise the woman jumped up and pulled the bar away from the +door. As the king entered, he noticed that there was no furniture in +the room at all, not even a chair, so he pretended to be in too great +a hurry to see anything around him, and only said ‘You must not let me +disturb you. I have no time to stay, but you seemed to be in trouble. +Tell me; are you very unhappy?’ + +‘Oh, my lord, we can find no work and have eaten nothing for two days!’ +answered she. ‘Nothing remains for us but to die of hunger.’ + +‘No, no, you shan’t do that,’ cried the king, ‘or if you do, it will be +your own fault. You shall come with me into my palace, and you will feel +as if you were in Paradise, I promise you. In return, I only ask one +thing of you, that you shall obey my orders exactly.’ + +The charcoal-burner and his wife both stared at him for a moment, as +if they could hardly believe their ears; and, indeed, it was not to be +wondered at! Then they found their tongues, and exclaimed together: + +‘Oh, yes, yes, my lord! we will do everything you tell us. How could we +be so ungrateful as to disobey you, when you are so kind?’ + +The king smiled, and his eyes twinkled. + +‘Well, let us start at once,’ said he. ‘Lock your door, and put the key +in your pocket.’ + +The woman looked as if she thought this was needless, seeing it was +quite, quite certain they would never come back. But she dared not say +so, and did as the king told her. + +After walking through the forest for a couple of miles, they all +three reached the palace, and by the king’s orders servants led the +charcoal-burner and his wife into rooms filled with beautiful things +such as they had never even dreamed of. First they bathed in green +marble baths where the water looked like the sea, and then they put on +silken clothes that felt soft and pleasant. When they were ready, one +of the king’s special servants entered, and took them into a small hall, +where dinner was laid, and this pleased them better than anything else. + +They were just about to sit down to the table when the king walked in. + +‘I hope you have been attended to properly,’ said he, ‘and that you will +enjoy your dinner. My steward will take care you have all you want, and +I wish you to do exactly as you please. Oh, by the bye, there is one +thing! You notice that soup-tureen in the middle of the table? Well, be +careful on no account to lift the lid. If once you take off the cover, +there is an end of your good fortune.’ Then, bowing to his guests, he +left the room. + +‘Did you hear what he said?’ inquired the charcoal-burner in an +awe-stricken voice. ‘We are to have what we want, and do what we please. +Only we must not touch the soup-tureen.’ + +‘No, of course we won’t,’ answered the wife. ‘Why should we wish to? +But all the same it is rather odd, and one can’t help wondering what is +inside.’ + +For many days life went on like a beautiful dream to the +charcoal-burner and his wife. Their beds were so comfortable, they could +hardly make up their minds to get up, their clothes were so lovely they +could scarcely bring themselves to take them off; their dinners were so +good that they found it very difficult to leave off eating. Then outside +the palace were gardens filled with rare flowers and fruits and singing +birds, or if they desired to go further, a golden coach, painted with +wreaths of forget-me-nots and lined with blue satin, awaited their +orders. Sometimes it happened that the king came to see them, and he +smiled as he glanced at the man, who was getting rosier and plumper each +day. But when his eyes rested on the woman, they took on a look which +seemed to say ‘I knew it,’ though this neither the charcoal-burner nor +his wife ever noticed. + +‘Why are you so silent?’ asked the man one morning when dinner had +passed before his wife had uttered one word. ‘A little while ago you +used to be chattering all the day long, and now I have almost forgotten +the sound of your voice.’ + +‘Oh, nothing; I did not feel inclined to talk, that was all!’ She +stopped, and added carelessly after a pause, ‘Don’t you ever wonder what +is in that soup-tureen?’ + +‘No, never,’ replied the man. ‘It is no affair of ours,’ and the +conversation dropped once more, but as time went on, the woman spoke +less and less, and seemed so wretched that her husband grew quite +frightened about her. As to her food, she refused one thing after +another. + +‘My dear wife,’ said the man at last, ‘you really must eat something. +What in the world is the matter with you? If you go on like this you +will die.’ + +‘I would rather die than not know what is in that tureen,’ she burst +forth so violently that the husband was quite startled. + +‘Is that it?’ cried he; ‘are you making yourself miserable because of +that? Why, you know we should be turned out of the palace, and sent away +to starve.’ + +‘Oh no, we shouldn’t. The king is too good-natured. Of course he didn’t +mean a little thing like this! Besides, there is no need to lift the lid +off altogether. Just raise one corner so that I may peep. We are quite +alone: nobody will ever know.’ + +The man hesitated: it did seem a ‘little thing,’ and if it was to make +his wife contented and happy it was well worth the risk. So he took +hold of the handle of the cover and raised it very slowly and carefully, +while the woman stooped down to peep. Suddenly she startled back with a +scream, for a small mouse had sprung from the inside of the tureen, and +had nearly hit her in the eye. Round and round the room it ran, round +and round they both ran after it, knocking down chairs and vases in +their efforts to catch the mouse and put it back in the tureen. In the +middle of all the noise the door opened, and the mouse ran out between +the feet of the king. In one instant both the man and his wife were +hiding under the table, and to all appearance the room was empty. + +‘You may as well come out,’ said the king, ‘and hear what I have to +say.’ + +‘I know what it is,’ answered the charcoal-burner, hanging his head. The +mouse has escaped.’ + +‘A guard of soldiers will take you back to your hut,’ said the king. +‘Your wife has the key.’ + +‘Weren’t they silly?’ cried the grandchildren of the charcoal-burners +when they heard the story. ‘How we wish that we had had the chance! WE +should never have wanted to know what was in the soup-tureen!’ + +From ‘Litterature Orale de l’Auvergne,’ par Paul Sebillot. + + + + +How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves + + +A little back from the high road there stands a house which is called +‘Hemgard.’ Perhaps you remember the two beautiful mountain ash trees by +the reddish-brown palings, and the high gate, and the garden with the +beautiful barberry bushes which are always the first to become grown +in spring, and which in summer are weighed down with their beautiful +berries. + +Behind the garden there is a hedge with tall aspens which rustle in the +morning wind, behind the hedge is a road, behind the road is a wood, and +behind the wood the wide world. + +But on the other side of the garden there is a lake, and beyond the lake +is a village, and all around stretch meadows and fields, now yellow, now +green. + +In the pretty house, which has white window-frames, a neat porch and +clean steps, which are always strewn with finely-cut juniper leaves, +Walter’s parents live. His brother Frederick, his sister Lotta, old +Lena, Jonah, Caro and Bravo, Putte and Murre, and Kuckeliku. + +Caro lives in the dog house, Bravo in the stable, Putte with the +stableman, Murre a little here and a little there, and Kuckeliku lives +in the hen house, that is his kingdom. + +Walter is six years old, and he must soon begin to go to school. +He cannot read yet, but he can do many other things. He can turn +cartwheels, stand on his head, ride see-saw, throw snowballs, play ball, +crow like a cock, eat bread and butter and drink sour milk, tear his +trousers, wear holes in his elbows, break the crockery in pieces, throw +balls through the windowpanes, draw old men on important papers, walk +over the flower-beds, eat himself sick with gooseberries, and be well +after a whipping. For the rest he has a good heart but a bad memory, +and forgets his father’s and his mother’s admonitions, and so often gets +into trouble and meets with adventures, as you shall hear, but first of +all I must tell you how brave he was and how he hunted wolves. + +Once in the spring, a little before Midsummer, Walter heard that there +were a great many wolves in the wood, and that pleased him. He was +wonderfully brave when he was in the midst of his companions or at home +with his brothers and sister, then he used often to say ‘One wolf is +nothing, there ought to be at least four.’ + +When he wrestled with Klas Bogenstrom or Frithiof Waderfelt and struck +them in the back, he would say ‘That is what I shall do to a wolf!’ and +when he shot arrows at Jonas and they rattled against his sheepskin coat +he would say: ‘That is how I should shoot you if you were a wolf!’ + +Indeed, some thought that the brave boy boasted a little; but one must +indeed believe him since he said so himself. So Jonas and Lena used to +say of him ‘Look, there goes Walter, who shoots the wolves.’ And other +boys and girls would say ‘Look, there goes brave Walter, who is brave +enough to fight with four.’ + +There was no one so fully convinced of this as Walter himself, and one +day he prepared himself for a real wolf hunt. He took with him his drum, +which had holes in one end since the time he had climbed up on it to +reach a cluster of rowan berries, and his tin sabre, which was a little +broken, because he had with incredible courage fought his way through a +whole unfriendly army of gooseberry bushes. + +He did not forget to arm himself quite to the teeth with his pop-gun, +his bow, and his air-pistol. He had a burnt cork in his pocket to +blacken his moustache, and a red cock’s feather to put in his cap to +make himself look fierce. He had besides in his trouser pocket a clasp +knife with a bone handle, to cut off the ears of the wolves as soon as +he had killed them, for he thought it would be cruel to do that while +they were still living. + +It was such a good thing that Jonas was going with corn to the mill, for +Walter got a seat on the load, while Caro ran barking beside them. As +soon as they came to the wood Walter looked cautiously around him to +see perchance there was a wolf in the bushes, and he did not omit to +ask Jonas if wolves were afraid of a drum. ‘Of course they are’ (that is +understood) said Jonas. Thereupon Walter began to beat his drum with all +his might while they were going through the wood. + +When they came to the mill Walter immediately asked if there had been +any wolves in the neighbourhood lately. + +‘Alas! yes,’ said the miller, ‘last night the wolves have eaten our +fattest ram there by the kiln not far from here.’ + +‘Ah!’ said Walter, ‘do you think that there were many?’ + +‘We don’t know,’ answered the miller. + +‘Oh, it is all the same,’ said Walter. ‘I only asked so that I should +know if I should take Jonas with me. + +‘I could manage very well alone with three, but if there were more, I +might not have time to kill them all before they ran away.’ + +‘In Walter’s place I should go quite alone, it is more manly,’ said +Jonas. + +‘No, it is better for you to come too,’ said Walter. ‘Perhaps there are +many.’ + +‘No, I have not time,’ said Jonas, ‘and besides, there are sure not to +be more than three. Walter can manage them very well alone.’ + +‘Yes,’ said Walter, ‘certainly I could; but, you see, Jonas, it might +happen that one of them might bite me in the back, and I should have +more trouble in killing them. If I only knew that there were not more +than two I should not mind, for them I should take one in each hand and +give them a good shaking, like Susanna once shook me.’ + +‘I certainly think that there will not be more than two,’ said Jonas, +‘there are never more than two when they slay children and rams; Walter +can very well shake them without me.’ + +‘But, you see, Jonas,’ said Walter, ‘if there are two, it might still +happen that one of them escapes and bites me in the leg, for you see +I am not so strong in the left hand as in the right. You can very well +come with me, and take a good stick in case there are really two. Look, +if there is only one, I shall take him so with both my hands and thrown +him living on to his back, and he can kick as much as he likes, I shall +hold him fast.’ + +‘Now, when I really think over the thing,’ said Jonas, ‘I am almost sure +there will not be more than one. What would two do with one ram? There +will certainly not be more than one.’ + +‘But you should come with me all the same, Jonas,’ said Walter. ‘You see +I can very well manage one, but I am not quite accustomed to wolves yet, +and he might tear holes in my new trousers.’ + +‘Well, just listen,’ said Jonas, ‘I am beginning to think that Walter +is not so brave as people say. First of all Walter would fight against +four, and then against three, then two, and then one, and now Walter +wants help with one. Such a thing must never be; what would people say? +Perhaps they would think that Walter is a coward?’ + +‘That’s a lie,’ said Walter, ‘I am not at all frightened, but it is +more amusing when there are two. I only want someone who will see how I +strike the wolf and how the dust flies out of his skin.’ + +‘Well, then, Walter can take the miller’s little Lisa with him. She can +sit on a stone and look on,’ said Jonas. + +‘No, she would certainly be frightened,’ said Walter, ‘and how would +it do for a girl to go wolf-hunting? Come with me, Jonas, and you shall +have the skin, and I will be content with the ears and the tail.’ + +‘No, thank you,’ said Jonas, ‘Walter can keep the skin for himself. Now +I see quite well that he is frightened. Fie, shame on him!’ + +This touched Walter’s pride very near. ‘I shall show that I am not +frightened,’ he said; and so he took his drum, sabre, cock’s feather, +clasp-knife, pop-gun and air-pistol, and went off quite alone to the +wood to hunt wolves. + +It was a beautiful evening, and the birds were singing in all the +branches. Walter went very slowly and cautiously. At every step he +looked all round him to see if perchance there was anything lurking +behind the stones. He quite thought something moved away there in the +ditch. Perhaps it was a wolf. ‘It is better for me to beat the drum a +little before I go there,’ thought Walter. + +Br-r-r, so he began to beat his drum. Then something moved again. Caw! +caw! a crow flew up from the ditch. Walter immediately regained courage. +‘It was well I took my drum with me,’ he thought, and went straight on +with courageous steps. Very soon he came quite close to the kiln, where +the wolves had killed the ram. But the nearer he came the more dreadful +he thought the kiln looked. It was so gray and old. Who knew how many +wolves there might be hidden there? Perhaps the very ones which killed +the ram were still sitting there in a corner. Yes, it was not at +all safe here, and there were no other people to be seen in the +neighbourhood. It would be horrible to be eaten up here in the daylight, +thought Walter to himself; and the more he thought about it the uglier +and grayer the old kiln looked, and the more horrible and dreadful it +seemed to become the food of wolves. + +‘Shall I go back and say that I struck one wolf and it escaped?’ thought +Walter. ‘Fie!’ said his conscience, ‘Do you not remember that a lie is +one of the worst sins, both in the sight of God and man? If you tell a +lie to-day and say you struck a wolf, to-morrow surely it will eat you +up.’ + +‘No, I will go to the kiln,’ thought Walter, and so he went. But he +did not go quite near. He went only so near that he could see the ram’s +blood which coloured the grass red, and some tufts of wool which the +wolves had torn from the back of the poor animal. + +It looked so dreadful. + +‘I wonder what the ram thought when they ate him up,’ thought Walter +to himself; and just then a cold shiver ran through him from his collar +right down to his boots. + +‘It is better for me to beat the drum,’ he thought to himself again, and +so he began to beat it. But it sounded horrid, and an echo came out +from the kiln that seemed almost like the howl of a wolf. The drumsticks +stiffened in Walter’s hands, and he thought now they are coming...! + +Yes, sure enough, just then a shaggy, reddish-brown wolf’s head looked +out from under the kiln! + +What did Walter do now? Yes, the brave Walter who alone could manage +four, threw his drum far away, took to his heels and ran, and ran as +fast as he could back to the mill. + +But, alas! the wolf ran after him. Walter looked back; the wolf was +quicker than he and only a few steps behind him. Then Walter ran faster. +But fear got the better of him, he neither heard nor saw anything more. +He ran over sticks, stones and ditches; he lost drum-sticks, sabre, +bow, and air-pistol, and in his terrible hurry he tripped over a tuft of +grass. There he lay, and the wolf jumped on to him.... + +It was a gruesome tale! Now you may well believe that it was all over +with Walter and all his adventures. That would have been a pity. But do +not be surprised if it was not quite so bad as that, for the wolf was +quite a friendly one. He certainly jumped on to Walter, but he only +shook his coat and rubbed his nose against his face; and Walter +shrieked. Yes, he shrieked terribly! + +Happily Jonas heard his cry of distress, for Walter was quite near the +mill now, and he ran and helped him up. + +‘What has happened?’ he asked. ‘Why did Walter scream so terribly?’ + +‘A wolf! A wolf!’ cried Walter, and that was all he could say. + +‘Where is the wolf?’ said Jonas. ‘I don’t see any wolf.’ + +‘Take care, he is here, he has bitten me to death,’ groaned Walter. + +Then Jonas began to laugh; yes, he laughed so that he nearly burst his +skin belt. + +Well, well, was that the wolf? Was that the wolf which Walter was to +take by the neck and shake and throw down on its back, no matter how +much it struggled? Just look a little closer at him: he is your old +friend, your own good old Caro. I quite expect he found a leg of the ram +in the kiln. When Walter beat his drum, Caro crept out, and when Walter +ran away, Caro ran after him, as he so often does when Walter wants to +romp and play. + +‘Down, Caro! you ought to be rather ashamed to have put such a great +hero to flight!’ + +Walter got up feeling very foolish. + +‘Down, Caro!’ he said, both relieved and annoyed. + +‘It was only a dog, then if it had been a wolf I certainly should have +killed him....’ + +‘If Walter would listen to my advice, and boast a little less, and do a +little more,’ said Jonas, consolingly. ‘Walter is not a coward, is he?’ + +‘I! You shall see, Jonas, when we next meet a bear. You see I like so +much better to fight with bears.’ + +‘Indeed!’ laughed Jonas. ‘Are you at it again? + +‘Dear Walter, remember that it is only cowards who boast; a really brave +man never talks of his bravery.’ + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + +The King of the Waterfalls + + +When the young king of Easaidh Ruadh came into his kingdom, the first +thing he thought of was how he could amuse himself best. The sports that +all his life had pleased him best suddenly seemed to have grown dull, +and he wanted to do something he had never done before. At last his face +brightened. + +‘I know!’ he said. ‘I will go and play a game with the Gruagach.’ Now +the Gruagach was a kind of wicked fairy, with long curly brown hair, and +his house was not very far from the king’s house. + +But though the king was young and eager, he was also prudent, and his +father had told him on his deathbed to be very careful in his dealings +with the ‘good people,’ as the fairies were called. Therefore before +going to the Gruagach the king sought out a wise man of the countryside. + +‘I am wanting to play a game with the curly-haired Gruagach,’ said he. + +‘Are you, indeed?’ replied the wizard. ‘If you will take my counsel, you +will play with someone else.’ + +‘No; I will play with the Gruagach,’ persisted the king. + +‘Well, if you must, you must, I suppose,’ answered the wizard; ‘but if +you win that game, ask as a prize the ugly crop-headed girl that stands +behind the door.’ + +‘I will,’ said the king. + +So before the sun rose he got up and went to the house of the Gruagach, +who was sitting outside. + +‘O king, what has brought you here to-day?’ asked the Gruagach. ‘But +right welcome you are, and more welcome will you be still if you will +play a game with me.’ + +‘That is just what I want,’ said the king, and they played; and +sometimes it seemed as if one would win, and sometimes the other, but in +the end it was the king who was the winner. + +‘And what is the prize that you will choose?’ inquired the Gruagach. + +‘The ugly crop-headed girl that stands behind the door,’ replied the +king. + +‘Why, there are twenty others in the house, and each fairer than she!’ +exclaimed the Gruagach. + +‘Fairer they may be, but it is she whom I wish for my wife, and none +other,’ and the Gruagach saw that the king’s mind was set upon her, so +he entered his house, and bade all the maidens in it come out one by +one, and pass before the king. + +One by one they came; tall and short, dark and fair, plump and thin, and +each said ‘I am she whom you want. You will be foolish indeed if you do +not take me.’ + +But he took none of them, neither short nor tall, dark nor fair, plump +nor thin, till at the last the crop-headed girl came out. + +‘This is mine,’ said the king, though she was so ugly that most men +would have turned from her. ‘We will be married at once, and I will +carry you home.’ And married they were, and they set forth across a +meadow to the king’s house. As they went, the bride stooped and picked +a sprig of shamrock, which grew amongst the grass, and when she stood +upright again her ugliness had all gone, and the most beautiful woman +that ever was seen stood by the king’s side. + +The next day, before the sun rose, the king sprang from his bed, and +told his wife he must have another game with the Gruagach. + +‘If my father loses that game, and you win it,’ said she, ‘accept +nothing for your prize but the shaggy young horse with the stick +saddle.’ + +‘I will do that,’ answered the king, and he went. + +‘Does your bride please you?’ asked the Gruagach, who was standing at +his own door. + +‘Ah! does she not!’ answered the king quickly. ‘Otherwise I should be +hard indeed to please. But will you play a game to-day?’ + +‘I will,’ replied the Gruagach, and they played, and sometimes it seemed +as if one would win, and sometimes the other, but in the end the king +was the winner. + +‘What is the prize that you will choose?’ asked the Gruagach. + +‘The shaggy young horse with the stick saddle,’ answered the king, but +he noticed that the Gruagach held his peace, and his brow was dark as he +led out the horse from the stable. Rough was its mane and dull was its +skin, but the king cared nothing for that, and throwing his leg over the +stick saddle, rode away like the wind. + +On the third morning the king got up as usual before dawn, and as soon +as he had eaten food he prepared to go out, when his wife stopped +him. ‘I would rather,’ she said, ‘that you did not go to play with the +Gruagach, for though twice you have won yet some day he will win, and +then he will put trouble upon you.’ + +‘Oh! I must have one more game,’ cried the king; ‘just this one.’ And he +went off to the house of the Gruagach. + +Joy filled the heart of the Gruagach when he saw him coming, and without +waiting to talk they played their game. Somehow or other, the king’s +strength and skill had departed from him, and soon the Gruagach was the +victor. + +‘Choose your prize,’ said the king, when the game was ended, ‘but do not +be too hard on me, or ask what I cannot give.’ + +‘The prize I choose,’ answered the Gruagach, ‘is that the crop-headed +creature should take thy head and thy neck, if thou dost not get for +me the Sword of Light that hangs in the house of the king of the oak +windows.’ + +‘I will get it,’ replied the young man bravely; but as soon as he was +out of sight of the Gruagach he pretended no more, and his face grew +dark and his steps lagging. + +‘You have brought nothing with you to-night,’ said the queen, who was +standing on the steps awaiting him. She was so beautiful that the king +was fain to smile when he looked at her, but then he remembered what had +happened, and his heart grew heavy again. + +‘What is it? What is the matter? Tell me thy sorrow that I may bear it +with thee, or, it may be, help thee!’ Then the king told her everything +that had befallen him, and she stroked his hair the while. + +‘That is nothing to grieve about,’ she said when the tale was finished. +‘You have the best wife in Erin, and the best horse in Erin. Only do as +I bid you, and all will go well.’ And the king suffered himself to be +comforted. + +He was still sleeping when the queen rose and dressed herself, to make +everything ready for her husband’s journey; and the first place she went +to was the stable, where she fed and watered the shaggy brown horse and +put the saddle on it. Most people thought this saddle was of wood, and +did not see the little sparkles of gold and silver that were hidden in +it. She strapped it lightly on the horse’s back, and then led it down +before the house, where the king waited. + +‘Good luck to you, and victories in all your battles,’ she said, as she +kissed him before he mounted. ‘I need not be telling you anything. Take +the advice of the horse, and see you obey it.’ + +So he waved his hand and set out on his journey, and the wind was not +swifter than the brown horse--no, not even the March wind which raced it +and could not catch it. But the horse never stopped nor looked behind, +till in the dark of the night he reached the castle of the king of the +oak windows. + +‘We are at the end of the journey,’ said the horse, ‘and you will find +the Sword of Light in the king’s own chamber. If it comes to you without +scrape or sound, the token is a good one. At this hour the king is +eating his supper, and the room is empty, so none will see you. The +sword has a knob at the end, and take heed that when you grasp it, you +draw it softly out of its sheath. Now go! I will be under the window.’ + +Stealthily the young man crept along the passage, pausing now and then +to make sure that no man was following him, and entered the king’s +chamber. A strange white line of light told him where the sword was, and +crossing the room on tiptoe, he seized the knob, and drew it slowly out +of the sheath. The king could hardly breathe with excitement lest it +should make some noise, and bring all the people in the castle running +to see what was the matter. But the sword slid swiftly and silently +along the case till only the point was left touching it. Then a low +sound was heard, as of the edge of a knife touching a silver plate, and +the king was so startled that he nearly dropped the knob. + +‘Quick! quick!’ cried the horse, and the king scrambled hastily through +the small window, and leapt into the saddle. + +‘He has heard and he will follow,’ said the horse; ‘but we have a good +start,’ And on they sped, on and on, leaving the winds behind them. + +At length the horse slackened its pace. ‘Look and see who is behind +you,’ it said; and the young man looked. + +‘I see a swarm of brown horses racing madly after us,’ he answered. + +‘We are swifter than those,’ said the horse, and flew on again. + +‘Look again, O king! Is anyone coming now?’ + +‘A swarm of black horses, and one has a white face, and on that horse a +man is seated. He is the king of the oak windows.’ + +‘That is my brother, and swifter still than I,’ said the horse, ‘and he +will fly past me with a rush. Then you must have your sword ready, and +take off the head of the man who sits on him, as he turns and looks at +you. And there is no sword in the world that will cut off his head, save +only that one.’ + +‘I will do it,’ replied the king; and he listened with all his might, +till he judged that the white-faced horse was close to him. Then he sat +up very straight and made ready. + +The next moment there was a rushing noise as of a mighty tempest, and +the young man caught a glimpse of a face turned towards him. Almost +blindly he struck, not knowing whether he had killed or only wounded +the rider. But the head rolled off, and was caught in the brown horse’s +mouth. + +‘Jump on my brother, the black horse, and go home as fast as you can, +and I will follow as quickly as I may,’ cried the brown horse; and +leaping forward the king alighted on the back of the black horse, but +so near the tail that he almost fell off again. But he stretched out his +arm and clutched wildly at the mane and pulled himself into the saddle. + +Before the sky was streaked with red he was at home again, and the queen +was sitting waiting till he arrived, for sleep was far from her eyes. +Glad was she to see him enter, but she said little, only took her harp +and sang softly the songs which he loved, till he went to bed, soothed +and happy. + +It was broad day when he woke, and he sprang up saying: + +‘Now I must go to the Gruagach, to find out if the spells he laid on me +are loose.’ + +‘Have a care,’ answered the queen, ‘for it is not with a smile as on the +other days that he will greet you. Furiously he will meet you, and will +ask you in his wrath if you have got the sword, and you will reply that +you have got it. Next he will want to know how you got it, and to this +you must say that but for the knob you had not got it at all. Then he +will raise his head to look at the knob, and you must stab him in the +mole which is on the right side of his neck; but take heed, for if you +miss the mole with the point of the sword, then my death and your death +are certain. He is brother to the king of the oak windows, and sure +will he be that the king must be head, or the sword would not be in your +hands.’ After that she kissed him, and bade him good speed. + +‘Didst thou get the sword?’ asked the Gruagach, when they met in the +usual place. + +‘I got the sword.’ + +‘And how didst thou get it?’ + +‘If it had not had a knob on the top, then I had not got it,’ answered +the king. + +‘Give me the sword to look at,’ said the Gruagach, peering forward; but +like a flash the king had drawn it from under his nose and pierced the +mole, so that the Gruagach rolled over on the ground. + +‘Now I shall be at peace,’ thought the king. But he was wrong, for when +he reached home he found his servants tied together back to back with +cloths bound round their mouths, so that they could not speak. He +hastened to set them free, and he asked who had treated them in so evil +a manner. + +‘No sooner had you gone than a great giant came, and dealt with us as +you see, and carried off your wife and your two horses,’ said the men. + +‘Then my eyes will not close nor will my head lay itself down till I +fetch my wife and horses home again,’ answered he, and he stopped and +noted the tracks of the horses on the grass, and followed after them +till he arrived at the wood, when the darkness fell. + +‘I will sleep here,’ he said to himself, ‘but first I will make a fire,’ +And he gathered together some twigs that were lying about, and then took +two dry sticks and rubbed them together till the fire came, and he sat +by it. + +The twigs cracked and the flame blazed up, and a slim yellow dog pushed +through the bushes and laid his head on the king’s knee, and the king +stroked his head. + +‘Wuf, wuf,’ said the dog. ‘Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy +horses when the giant drove them last night through the forest.’ + +‘That is why I have come,’ answered the king; and suddenly his heart +seemed to fail him and he felt that he could not go on. + +‘I cannot fight that giant,’ he cried, looking at the dog with a white +face. ‘I am afraid, let me turn homewards.’ + +‘No, don’t do that,’ replied the dog. ‘Eat and sleep, and I will watch +over you.’ So the king ate and lay down, and slept till the sun waked +him. + +‘It is time for you to start on your way,’ said the dog, ‘and if danger +presses, call on me, and I will help you.’ + +‘Farewell, then,’ answered the king; ‘I will not forget that promise,’ +and on he went, and on, and on, till he reached a tall cliff with many +sticks lying about. + +‘It is almost night,’ he thought; ‘I will make a fire and rest,’ and +thus he did, and when the flames blazed up, the hoary hawk of the grey +rock flew on to a bough above him. + +‘Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed here +with the giant,’ said the hawk. + +‘Never shall I find them,’ answered the king, ‘and nothing shall I get +for all my trouble.’ + +‘Oh, take heart,’ replied the hawk; ‘things are never so bad but what +they might be worse. Eat and sleep and I will watch thee,’ and the +king did as he was bidden by the hawk, and by the morning he felt brave +again. + +‘Farewell,’ said the bird, ‘and if danger presses call to me, and I will +help you.’ + +On he walked, and on and on, till as dusk was falling he came to a great +river, and on the bank there were sticks lying about. + +‘I will make myself a fire,’ he thought, and thus he did, and by and +bye a smooth brown head peered at him from the water, and a long body +followed it. + +‘Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed the +river last night,’ said the otter. + +‘I have sought them and not found them,’ answered the king, ‘and nought +shall I get for my trouble.’ + +‘Be not so downcast,’ replied the otter; ‘before noon to-morrow thou +shalt behold thy wife. But eat and sleep and I will watch over thee.’ So +the king did as the otter bid him, and when the sun rose he woke and saw +the otter lying on the bank. + +‘Farewell,’ cried the otter as he jumped into the water, ‘and if danger +presses, call to me and I will help you.’ + +For many hours the king walked, and at length he reached a high rock, +which was rent into two by a great earthquake. Throwing himself on the +ground he looked over the side, and right at the very bottom he saw his +wife and his horses. His heart gave a great bound, and all his fears +left him, but he was forced to be patient, for the sides of the rock +were smooth, and not even a goat could find foothold. So he got up +again, and made his way round through the wood, pushing by trees, +scrambling over rocks, wading through streams, till at last he was on +flat ground again, close to the mouth of the cavern. + +His wife gave a shriek of joy when he came in, and then burst into +tears, for she was tired and very frightened. But her husband did not +understand why she wept, and he was tired and bruised from his climb, +and a little cross too. + +‘You give me but a sorry welcome,’ grumbled he, ‘when I have half-killed +myself to get to you.’ + +‘Do not heed him,’ said the horses to the weeping woman; ‘put him in +front of us, where he will be safe, and give him food, for he is weary.’ +And she did as the horses told her, and he ate and rested, till by and +bye a long shadow fell over them, and their hearts beat with fear, for +they knew that the giant was coming. + +‘I smell a stranger,’ cried the giant, as he entered; but it was dark +inside the chasm, and he did not see the king, who was crouching down +between the feet of the horses. + +‘A stranger, my lord! no stranger ever comes here, not even the sun!’ +and the king’s wife laughed gaily as she went up to the giant and +stroked the huge hand which hung down by his side. + +‘Well, I perceive nothing, certainly,’ answered he, ‘but it is very odd. +However, it is time that the horses were fed;’ and he lifted down +an armful of hay from a shelf of rock and held out a handful to each +animal, who moved forward to meet him, leaving the king behind. As soon +as the giant’s hands were near their mouths they each made a snap, and +began to bit them, so that his groans and shrieks might have been heard +a mile off. Then they wheeled round and kicked him till they could +kick no more. At length the giant crawled away, and lay quivering in a +corner, and the queen went up to him. + +‘Poor thing! poor thing!’ she said, ‘they seem to have gone mad; it was +awful to behold.’ + +‘If I had had my soul in my body they would certainly have killed me,’ +groaned the giant. + +‘It was lucky indeed,’ answered the queen; ‘but tell me, where is thy +soul, that I may take care of it?’ + +‘Up there, in the Bonnach stone,’ answered the giant, pointing to a +stone which was balanced loosely on an edge of rock. ‘But now leave me, +that I may sleep, for I have far to go to-morrow.’ + +Soon snores were heard from the corner where the giant lay, and then +the queen lay down too, and the horses, and the king was hidden between +them, so that none could see him. + +Before the dawn the giant rose and went out, and immediately the queen +ran up to the Bonnach stone, and tugged and pushed at it till it was +quite steady on its ledge, and could not fall over. And so it was in the +evening when the giant came home; and when they saw his shadow, the king +crept down in front of the horses. + +‘Why, what have you done to the Bonnach stone?’ asked the giant. + +‘I feared lest it should fall over, and be broken, with your soul in +it,’ said the queen, ‘so I put it further back on the ledge.’ + +‘It is not there that my soul is,’ answered he, ‘it is on the threshold. +But it is time the horses were fed;’ and he fetched the hay, and gave it +to them, and they bit and kicked him as before, till he lay half dead on +the ground. + +Next morning he rose and went out, and the queen ran to the threshold +of the cave, and washed the stones, and pulled up some moss and little +flowers that were hidden in the crannies, and by and bye when dusk had +fallen the giant came home. + +‘You have been cleaning the threshold,’ said he. + +‘And was I not right to do it, seeing that your soul is in it?’ asked +the queen. + +‘It is not there that my soul is,’ answered the giant. ‘Under the +threshold is a stone, and under the stone is a sheep, and in the sheep’s +body is a duck, and in the duck is an egg, and in the egg is my soul. +But it is late, and I must feed the horses;’ and he brought them the +hay, but they only bit and kicked him as before, and if his soul had +been within him, they would have killed him outright. + +It was still dark when the giant got up and went his way, and then +the king and the queen ran forward to take up the threshold, while +the horses looked on. But sure enough! just as the giant had said, +underneath the threshold was the flagstone, and they pulled and tugged +till the stone gave way. Then something jumped out so suddenly, that it +nearly knocked them down, and as it fled past, they saw it was a sheep. + +‘If the slim yellow dog of the greenwood were only here, he would soon +have that sheep,’ cried the king; and as he spoke, the slim yellow dog +appeared from the forest, with the sheep in his mouth. With a blow from +the king, the sheep fell dead, and they opened its body, only to be +blinded by a rush of wings as the duck flew past. + +‘If the hoary hawk of the rock were only here, he would soon have that +duck,’ cried the king; and as he spoke the hoary hawk was seen hovering +above them, with the duck in his mouth. They cut off the duck’s head +with a swing of the king’s sword, and took the egg out of its body, +but in his triumph the king held it carelessly, and it slipped from his +hand, and rolled swiftly down the hill right into the river. + +‘If the brown otter of the stream were only here, he would soon have +that egg,’ cried the king; and the next minute there was the brown +otter, dripping with water, holding the egg in his mouth. But beside the +brown otter, a huge shadow came stealing along--the shadow of the giant. + +The king stood staring at it, as if he were turned into stone, but the +queen snatched the egg from the otter and crushed it between her two +hands. And after that the shadow suddenly shrank and was still, and they +knew that the giant was dead, because they had found his soul. + +Next day they mounted the two horses and rode home again, visiting their +friends the brown otter and the hoary hawk and the slim yellow dog by +the way. + +From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + + + + +A French Puck + + +Among the mountain pastures and valleys that lie in the centre of France +there dwelt a mischievous kind of spirit, whose delight it was to play +tricks on everybody, and particularly on the shepherds and the cowboys. +They never knew when they were safe from him, as he could change himself +into a man, woman or child, a stick, a goat, a ploughshare. Indeed, +there was only one thing whose shape he could not take, and that was a +needle. At least, he could transform himself into a needle, but try as +he might he never was able to imitate the hole, so every woman would +have found him out at once, and this he knew. + +Now the hour oftenest chosen by this naughty sprite (whom we will +call Puck) for performing his pranks was about midnight, just when the +shepherds and cowherds, tired out with their long day’s work, were sound +asleep. Then he would go into the cowsheds and unfasten the chains that +fixed each beast in its own stall, and let them fall with a heavy clang +to the ground. The noise was so loud that it was certain to awaken the +cowboys, however fatigued they might be, and they dragged themselves +wearily to the stable to put back the chains. But no sooner had they +returned to their beds than the same thing happened again, and so on +till the morning. Or perhaps Puck would spend his night in plaiting +together the manes and tails of two of the horses, so that it would take +the grooms hours of labour to get them right in the morning, while Puck, +hidden among the hay in the loft, would peep out to watch them, enjoying +himself amazingly all the time. + +One evening more than eighty years ago a man named William was passing +along the bank of a stream when he noticed a sheep who was bleating +loudly. William thought it must have strayed from the flock, and that he +had better take it home with him till he could discover its owner. So +he went up to where it was standing, and as it seemed so tired that it +could hardly walk, he hoisted it on his shoulders and continued on +his way. The sheep was pretty heavy, but the good man was merciful and +staggered along as best he could under his load. + +‘It is not much further,’ he thought to himself as he reached an avenue +of walnut trees, when suddenly a voice spoke out from over his head, and +made him jump. + +‘Where are you?’ said the voice, and the sheep answered: + +‘Here on the shoulders of a donkey.’ + +In another moment the sheep was standing on the ground and William was +running towards home as fast as his legs would carry him. But as he +went, a laugh, which yet was something of a bleat, rang in his ears, and +though he tried not to hear, the words reached him, ‘Oh, dear! What fun +I have had, to be sure!’ + +Puck was careful not always to play his tricks in the same place, but +visited one village after another, so that everyone trembled lest he +should be the next victim. After a bit he grew tired of cowboys and +shepherds, and wondered if there was no one else to give him some sport. +At length he was told of a young couple who were going to the nearest +town to buy all that they needed for setting up house. Quite certain +that they would forget something which they could not do without, Puck +waited patiently till they were jogging along in their cart on their +return journey, and changed himself into a fly in order to overhear +their conversation. + +For a long time it was very dull--all about their wedding day next +month, and who were to be invited. This led the bride to her wedding +dress, and she gave a little scream. + +‘Just think! Oh! how could I be so stupid! I have forgotten to buy the +different coloured reels of cotton to match my clothes!’ + +‘Dear, dear!’ exclaimed the young man. ‘That is unlucky; and didn’t you +tell me that the dressmaker was coming in to-morrow?’ + +‘Yes, I did,’ and then suddenly she gave another little scream, which +had quite a different sound from the first. ‘Look! Look!’ + +The bridegroom looked, and on one side of the road he saw a large ball +of thread of all colours--of all the colours, that is, of the dresses +that were tied on to the back of the cart. + +‘Well, that is a wonderful piece of good fortune,’ cried he, as he +sprang out to get it. ‘One would think a fairy had put it there on +purpose.’ + +‘Perhaps she has,’ laughed the girl, and as she spoke she seemed to hear +an echo of her laughter coming from the horse, but of course that was +nonsense. + +The dressmaker was delighted with the thread that was given her. It +matched the stuffs so perfectly, and never tied itself in knots, or +broke perpetually, as most thread did. She finished her work much +quicker than she expected and the bride said she was to be sure to come +to the church and see her in her wedding dress. + +There was a great crowd assembled to witness the ceremony, for the young +people were immense favourites in the neighbourhood, and their parents +were very rich. The doors were open, and the bride could be seen from +afar, walking under the chestnut avenue. + +‘What a beautiful girl!’ exclaimed the men. ‘What a lovely dress!’ +whispered the women. But just as she entered the church and took the +hand of the bridegroom, who was waiting for her, a loud noise was heard. + +‘Crick! crack! Crick! crack!’ and the wedding garments fell to the +ground, to the great confusion of the wearer. + +Not that the ceremony was put off for a little thing like that! Cloaks +in profusion were instantly offered to the young bride, but she was so +upset that she could hardly keep from tears. One of the guests, more +curious than the rest, stayed behind to examine the dress, determined, +if she could, to find out the cause of the disaster. + +‘The thread must have been rotten,’ she said to herself. ‘I will see if +I can break it.’ But search as she would she could find none. + +The thread had vanished! + +From ‘Litterature Orale de l’Auvergne,’ par Paul Sebillot. + + + + +The Three Crowns + + +There was once a king who had three daughters. The two eldest were very +proud and quarrelsome, but the youngest was as good as they were bad. +Well, three princes came to court them, and two of them were exactly +like the eldest ladies, and one was just as lovable as the youngest. One +day they were all walking down to a lake that lay at the bottom of the +lawn when they met a poor beggar. The king wouldn’t give him anything, +and the eldest princesses wouldn’t give him anything, nor their +sweethearts; but the youngest daughter and her true love did give him +something, and kind words along with it, and that was better than all. + +When they got to the edge of the lake what did they find but the +beautifullest boat you ever saw in your life; and says the eldest, ‘I’ll +take a sail in this fine boat’; and says the second eldest, ‘I’ll take a +sail in this fine boat’; and says the youngest, ‘I won’t take a sail in +that fine boat, for I am afraid it’s an enchanted one.’ But the others +persuaded her to go in, and her father was just going in after her, when +up sprung on the deck a little man only seven inches high, and ordered +him to stand back. Well, all the men put their hands to their swords; +and if the same swords were only playthings, they weren’t able to draw +them, for all strength that was left their arms. Seven Inches loosened +the silver chain that fastened the boat, and pushed away, and after +grinning at the four men, says he to them. ‘Bid your daughters and your +brides farewell for awhile. You,’ says he to the youngest, ‘needn’t +fear, you’ll recover your princess all in good time, and you and she +will be as happy as the day is long. Bad people, if they were rolling +stark naked in gold, would not be rich. Good-bye.’ Away they sailed, and +the ladies stretched out their hands, but weren’t able to say a word. + +Well, they weren’t crossing the lake while a cat ‘ud be lickin’ her ear, +and the poor men couldn’t stir hand or foot to follow them. They saw +Seven Inches handing the three princesses out of the boat, and letting +them down by a basket into a draw-well, but king nor princes ever saw an +opening before in the same place. When the last lady was out of sight, +the men found the strength in their arms and legs again. Round the lake +they ran, and never drew rein till they came to the well and windlass; +and there was the silk rope rolled on the axle, and the nice white +basket hanging to it. ‘Let me down,’ says the youngest prince. ‘I’ll die +or recover them again.’ ‘No,’ says the second daughter’s sweetheart, ‘it +is my turn first.’ And says the other, ‘I am the eldest.’ So they gave +way to him, and in he got into the basket, and down they let him. First +they lost sight of him, and then, after winding off a hundred perches of +the silk rope, it slackened, and they stopped turning. They waited two +hours, and then they went to dinner, because there was no pull made at +the rope. + +Guards were set till next morning, and then down went the second prince, +and sure enough, the youngest of all got himself let down on the third +day. He went down perches and perches, while it was as dark about him +as if he was in a big pot with a cover on. At last he saw a glimmer far +down, and in a short time he felt the ground. Out he came from the big +lime-kiln, and, lo! and behold you, there was a wood, and green fields, +and a castle in a lawn, and a bright sky over all. ‘It’s in Tir-na-n-Oge +I am,’ says he. ‘Let’s see what sort of people are in the castle.’ On he +walked, across fields and lawn, and no one was there to keep him out or +let him into the castle; but the big hall-door was wide open. He went +from one fine room to another that was finer, and at last he reached the +handsomest of all, with a table in the middle. And such a dinner as was +laid upon it! The prince was hungry enough, but he was too mannerly to +eat without being invited. So he sat by the fire, and he did not wait +long till he heard steps, and in came Seven Inches with the youngest +sister by the hand. Well, prince and princess flew into one another’s +arms, and says the little man, says he, ‘Why aren’t you eating?’ ‘I +think, sir,’ says the prince, ‘it was only good manner to wait to be +asked.’ ‘The other princes didn’t think so,’ says he. ‘Each o’ them fell +to without leave, and only gave me the rough words when I told them they +were making more free than welcome. Well, I don’t think they feel much +hunger now. There they are, good marble instead of flesh and blood,’ +says he, pointing to two statues, one in one corner, and the other in +the other corner of the room. The prince was frightened, but he was +afraid to say anything, and Seven Inches made him sit down to dinner +between himself and his bride; and he’d be as happy as the day is long, +only for the sight of the stone men in the corner. Well, that day went +by, and when the next came, says Seven Inches to him, ‘Now, you’ll have +to set out that way,’ pointing to the sun, ‘and you’ll find the second +princess in a giant’s castle this evening, when you’ll be tired and +hungry, and the eldest princess to-morrow evening; and you may as well +bring them here with you. You need not ask leave of their masters; and +perhaps if they ever get home, they’ll look on poor people as if they +were flesh and blood like themselves.’ + +Away went the prince, and bedad! it’s tired and hungry he was when he +reached the first castle, at sunset. Oh, wasn’t the second princess glad +to see him! And what a good supper she gave him. But she heard the giant +at the gate, and she hid the prince in a closet. Well, when he came in, +he snuffed, an’ he snuffed, and says he, ‘By the life, I smell fresh +meat.’ ‘Oh,’ says the princess, ‘it’s only the calf I got killed +to-day.’ ‘Ay, ay,’ says he, ‘is supper ready?’ ‘It is,’ says she; and +before he rose from the table he ate three-quarters of a calf, and a +flask of wine. ‘I think,’ says he, when all was done, ‘I smell fresh +meat still.’ ‘It’s sleepy you are,’ says she; ‘go to bed.’ ‘When will +you marry me?’ says the giant. ‘You’re putting me off too long.’ ‘St. +Tibb’s Eve,’ says she. ‘I wish I knew how far off that is,’ says he; and +he fell asleep, with his head in the dish. + +Next day, he went out after breakfast, and she sent the prince to the +castle where the eldest sister was. The same thing happened there; but +when the giant was snoring, the princess wakened up the prince, and they +saddled two steeds in the stables and rode into the field on them. But +the horses’ heels struck the stones outside the gate, and up got the +giant and strode after them. He roared and he shouted, and the more he +shouted, the faster ran the horses, and just as the day was breaking he +was only twenty perches behind. But the prince didn’t leave the castle +of Seven Inches without being provided with something good. He reined +in his steed, and flung a short, sharp knife over his shoulder, and up +sprung a thick wood between the giant and themselves. They caught the +wind that blew before them, and the wind that blew behind them did not +catch them. At last they were near the castle where the other sister +lived; and there she was, waiting for them under a high hedge, and a +fine steed under her. + +But the giant was now in sight, roaring like a hundred lions, and the +other giant was out in a moment, and the chase kept on. For every two +springs the horses gave, the giants gave three, and at last they were +only seventy perches off. Then the prince stopped again, and flung the +second knife behind him. Down went all the flat field, till there was a +quarry between them a quarter of a mile deep, and the bottom filled with +black water; and before the giants could get round it, the prince and +princesses were inside the kingdom of the great magician, where the high +thorny hedge opened of itself to everyone that he chose to let in. There +was joy enough between the three sisters, till the two eldest saw their +lovers turned into stone. But while they were shedding tears for them, +Seven Inches came in, and touched them with his rod. So they were flesh, +and blood, and life once more, and there was great hugging and kissing, +and all sat down to breakfast, and Seven Inches sat at the head of the +table. + +When breakfast was over, he took them into another room, where there +was nothing but heaps of gold, and silver, and diamonds, and silks, +and satins; and on a table there was lying three sets of crowns: a gold +crown was in a silver crown, and that was lying in a copper crown. +He took up one set of crowns, and gave it to the eldest princess; and +another set, and gave it to the second youngest princess; and another, +and gave it to the youngest of all; and says he, ‘Now you may all go to +the bottom of the pit, and you have nothing to do but stir the basket, +and the people that are watching above will draw you up. But remember, +ladies, you are to keep your crows safe, and be married in them, all +the same day. If you be married separately, or if you be married without +your crowns, a curse will follow--mind what I say.’ + +So they took leave of him with great respect, and walked arm-in-arm to +the bottom of the draw-well. There was a sky and a sun over them, and +a great high wall, covered with ivy, rose before them, and was so high +they could not see to the top of it; and there was an arch in this wall, +and the bottom of the draw-well was inside the arch. The youngest +pair went last; and says the princess to the prince, ‘I’m sure the two +princes don’t mean any good to you. Keep these crowns under your cloak, +and if you are obliged to stay last, don’t get into the basket, but put +a big stone, or any heavy thing inside, and see what will happen.’ + +As soon as they were inside the dark cave, they put in the eldest +princess first, and stirred the basket, and up she went. Then the basket +was let down again, and up went the second princess, and then up went +the youngest; but first she put her arms round her prince’s neck, and +kissed him, and cried a little. At last it came to the turn of the +youngest prince, and instead of going into the basket he put in a big +stone. He drew on one side and listened, and after the basket was drawn +up about twenty perches, down came it and the stone like thunder, and +the stone was broken into little bits. + +Well, the poor prince had nothing for it but to walk back to the castle; +and through it and round it he walked, and the finest of eating and +drinking he got, and a bed of bog-down to sleep on, and long walks he +took through gardens and lawns, but not a sight could he get, high or +low, of Seven Inches. He, before a week, got tired of it, he was so +lonesome for his true love; and at the end of a month he didn’t know +what to do with himself. + +One morning he went into the treasure room, and took notice of a +beautiful snuff-box on the table that he didn’t remember seeing there +before. He took it in his hands and opened it, and out Seven Inches +walked on the table. ‘I think, prince,’ says he, ‘you’re getting a +little tired of my castle?’ ‘Ah!’ says the other, ‘if I had my princess +here, and could see you now and then, I’d never know a dismal day.’ +‘Well, you’re long enough here now, and you’re wanted there above. +Keep your bride’s crowns safe, and whenever you want my help, open this +snuff-box. Now take a walk down the garden, and come back when you’re +tired.’ + +The prince was going down a gravel walk with a quickset hedge on each +side, and his eyes on the ground, and he was thinking of one thing +and another. At last he lifted his eyes, and there he was outside of +a smith’s gate that he often passed before, about a mile away from the +palace of his betrothed princess. The clothes he had on him were as +ragged as you please, but he had his crowns safe under his old cloak. + +Then the smith came out, and says he, ‘It’s a shame for a strong, big +fellow like you to be lazy, and so much work to be done. Are you any +good with hammer and tongs? Come in and bear a hand, an I’ll give you +diet and lodging, and a few pence when you earn them.’ ‘Never say’t +twice,’ says the prince. ‘I want nothing but to be busy.’ So he took the +hammer, and pounded away at the red-hot bar that the smith was turning +on the anvil to make into a set of horse-shoes. + +They hadn’t been long at work when a tailor came in, and he sat down +and began to talk. ‘You all heard how the two princess were loth to +be married till the youngest would be ready with her crowns and her +sweetheart. But after the windlass loosened accidentally when they were +pulling up her bridegroom that was to be, there was no more sign of a +well, or a rope, or a windlass, than there is on the palm of your hand. +So the princes that were courting the eldest ladies wouldn’t give +peace or ease to their lovers nor the king till they got consent to the +marriage, and it was to take place this morning. Myself went down out o’ +curiousity, and to be sure I was delighted with the grand dresses of +the two brides, and the three crowns on their heads--gold, silver, and +copper, one inside the other. The youngest was standing by mournful +enough, and all was ready. The two bridegrooms came in as proud and +grand as you please, and up they were walking to the altar rails, when +the boards opened two yards wide under their feet, and down they went +among the dead men and the coffins in the vaults. Oh, such shrieks as +the ladies gave! and such running and racing and peeping down as there +was! but the clerk soon opened the door of the vault, and up came the +two princes, their fine clothes covered an inch thick with cobwebs and +mould. + +So the king said they should put off the marriage. ‘For,’ says he, ‘I +see there is no use in thinking of it till the youngest gets her three +crowns, and is married with the others. I’ll give my youngest daughter +for a wife to whoever brings three crowns to me like the others; and if +he doesn’t care to be married, some other one will, and I’ll make his +fortune.’ + +‘I wish,’ says the smith, ‘I could do it; but I was looking at the +crowns after the princesses got home, and I don’t think there’s a black +or a white smith on the face of the earth that could imitate them.’ +‘Faint heart never won fair lady,’ says the prince. ‘Go to the palace +and ask for a quarter of a pound of gold, a quarter of a pound of +silver, and a quarter of a pound of copper. Get one crown for a pattern, +and my head for a pledge, I’ll give you out the very things that are +wanted in the morning.’ ‘Are you in earnest?’ says the smith. ‘Faith, I +am so,’ says he. ‘Go! you can’t do worse than lose.’ + +To make a long story short, the smith got the quarter of a pound of +gold, and the quarter of a pound of silver, and the quarter of a pound +of copper, and gave them and the pattern crown to the prince. He shut +the forge door at nightfall, and the neighbours all gathered in the +yard, and they heard him hammering, hammering, hammering, from that to +daybreak; and every now and then he’d throw out through the window bits +of gold, silver, and copper; and the idlers scrambled for them, and +cursed one another, and prayed for the good luck of the workman. + +Well, just as the sun was thinking to rise, he opened the door, and +brought out the three crowns he got from his true love, and such +shouting and huzzaing as there was! The smith asked him to go along with +him to the palace, but he refused; so off set the smith, and the whole +townland with him; and wasn’t the king rejoiced when he saw the crowns! +‘Well,’ says he to the smith, ‘you’re a married man. What’s to be done?’ +‘Faith, your majesty, I didn’t make them crowns at all. It was a big +fellow that took service with me yesterday.’ ‘Well, daughter, will +you marry the fellow that made these crowns?’ ‘Let me see them first, +father,’ said she; but when she examined them she knew them right well, +and guessed it was her true love that sent them. ‘I will marry the man +that these crowns came from,’ says she. + +‘Well,’ says the king to the elder of the two princes, ‘go up to the +smith’s forge, take my best coaches, and bring home the bridegroom.’ He +did not like doing this, he was so proud, but he could not refuse. +When he came to the forge he saw the prince standing at the door, and +beckoned him over to the coach. ‘Are you the fellow,’ says he, ‘that +made these crowns?’ ‘Yes,’ says the other. ‘Then,’ says he, ‘maybe you’d +give yourself a brushing, and get into that coach; the king wants to see +you. I pity the princess.’ The young prince got into the carriage, and +while they were on the way he opened the snuff-box, and out walked Seven +Inches, and stood on his thigh. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘what trouble is on you +now?’ ‘Master,’ says the other, ‘please let me go back to my forge, and +let this carriage be filled with paving stones.’ No sooner said than +done. The prince was sitting in his forge, and the horses wondered what +was after happening to the carriage. + +When they came into the palace yard, the king himself opened the +carriage door, for respect to his new son-in-law. As soon as he turned +the handle, a shower of small stones fell on his powdered wig and his +silk coat, and down he fell under them. There was great fright and some +laughter, and the king, after he wiped the blood from his forehead, +looked very cross at the eldest prince. ‘My lord,’ says he, ‘I’m very +sorry for this accident, but I’m not to blame. I saw the young smith get +into the carriage, and we never stopped a minute since.’ ‘It’s uncivil +you were to him. Go,’ says he to the other prince, ‘and bring the young +smith here, and be polite.’ ‘Never fear,’ says he. + +But there’s some people that couldn’t be good-natured if they tried, and +not a bit civiller was the new messenger than the old, and when the king +opened the carriage door a second time, it’s shower of mud that came +down on him. ‘There’s no use,’ says he, ‘going on this way. The fox +never got a better messenger than himself.’ + +So he changed his clothes, and washed himself, and out he set to the +prince’s forge and asked him to sit along with himself. The prince +begged to be allowed to sit in the other carriage, and when they were +half-way he opened his snuff-box. ‘Master,’ says he, ‘I’d wish to be +dressed now according to my rank.’ ‘You shall be that,’ says Seven +Inches. ‘And now I’ll bid you farewell. Continue as good and kind as you +always were; love your wife; and that’s all the advice I’ll give you.’ +So Seven Inches vanished; and when the carriage door was opened in the +yard, out walks the prince as fine as hands could make him, and the +first thing he did was to run over to his bride and embrace her. + +Every one was full of joy but the two other princes. There was not much +delay about the marriages, and they were all celebrated on the one day. +Soon after, the two elder couples went to their own courts, but the +youngest pair stayed with the old king, and they were as happy as the +happiest married couple you ever heard of in a story. + +From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + + + + +The Story of a Very Bad Boy + + +Once upon a time there lived in a little village in the very middle of +France a widow and her only son, a boy about fifteen, whose name was +Antoine, though no one ever called him anything but Toueno-Boueno. They +were very poor indeed, and their hut shook about their ears on windy +nights, till they expected the walls to fall in and crush them, but +instead of going to work as a boy of his age ought to do, Toueno-Boueno +did nothing but lounge along the street, his eyes fixed on the ground, +seeing nothing that went on round him. + +‘You are very, very stupid, my dear child,’ his mother would sometimes +say to him, and then she would add with a laugh, ‘Certainly you will +never catch a wolf by the tail.’ + +One day the old woman bade Antoine go into the forest and collect enough +dry leaves to make beds for herself and him. Before he had finished it +began to rain heavily, so he hid himself in the hollow trunk of a tree, +where he was so dry and comfortable that he soon fell fast asleep. By +and by he was awakened by a noise which sounded like a dog scratching +at the door, and he suddenly felt frightened, why he did not know. Very +cautiously he raised his head, and right above him he saw a big hairy +animal, coming down tail foremost. + +‘It is the wolf that they talk so much about,’ he said to himself, and +he made himself as small as he could and shrunk into a corner. + +The wolf came down the inside of the tree, slowly, slowly; Antoine +felt turned to stone, so terrified was he, and hardly dared to breathe. +Suddenly an idea entered his mind, which he thought might save him +still. He remembered to have heard from his mother that a wolf could +neither bend his back nor turn his head, so as to look behind him, and +quick as lightning he stretched up his hand, and seizing the wolf’s +tail, pulled it towards him. + +Then he left the tree and dragged the animal to his mother’s house. + +‘Mother, you have often declared that I was too stupid to catch a wolf +by the tail. Now see,’ he cried triumphantly. + +‘Well, well, wonders will never cease,’ answered the good woman, who +took care to keep at a safe distance. ‘But as you really have got him, +let us see if we can’t put him to some use. Fetch the skin of the ram +which died last week out of the chest, and we will sew the wolf up in +it. He will make a splendid ram, and to-morrow we will drive him to the +fair and sell him.’ + +Very likely the wolf, who was cunning and clever, may have understood +what she said, but he thought it best to give no sign, and suffered the +skin to be sewn upon him. + +‘I can always get away if I choose,’ thought he, ‘it is better not to +be in a hurry;’ so he remained quite still while the skin was drawn over +his head, which made him very hot and uncomfortable, and resisted the +temptation to snap off the fingers or noses that were so close to his +mouth. + +The fair was at its height next day when Toueno-Boueno arrived with his +wolf in ram’s clothing. All the farmers crowded round him, each offering +a higher price than the last. Never had they beheld such a beautiful +beast, said they, and at last, after much bargaining, he was handed over +to three brothers for a good sum of money. + +It happened that these three brothers owned large flocks of sheep, +though none so large and fine as the one they had just bought. + +‘My flock is the nearest,’ observed the eldest brother; ‘we will leave +him in the fold for the night, and to-morrow we will decide which +pastures will be best for him.’ And the wolf grinned as he listened, and +held up his head a little higher than before. + +Early next morning the young farmer began to go his rounds, and the +sheep-fold was the first place he visited. To his horror, the sheep were +all stretched out dead before him, except one, which the wolf had eaten, +bones and all. Instantly the truth flashed upon him. It was no ram that +lay curled up in the corner pretending to be asleep (for in reality he +could bend back and turn his head as much as he liked), but a wolf who +was watching him out of the corner of his eye, and might spring upon him +at any moment. So the farmer took no notice, and only thought that here +was a fine chance of revenging himself on his next brother for a trick +which he had played, and merely told him that the ram would not eat the +grass in that field, and it might be well to drive him to the pasture by +the river, where his own flock was feeding. The second brother eagerly +swallowed the bait, and that evening the wolf was driven down to the +field where the young man kept the sheep which had been left him by +his father. By the next morning they also were all dead, but the second +brother likewise held his peace, and allowed the sheep which belonged +to the youngest to share the fate of the other two. Then they met and +confessed to each other their disasters, and resolved to take the +animal as fast as possible back to Toueno-Boueno, who should get a sound +thrashing. + +Antoine was sitting on a plum tree belonging to a neighbour, eating +the ripe fruit, when he saw the three young farmers coming towards him. +Swinging himself down, he flew home to the hut, crying breathlessly, +‘Mother, mother, the farmers are close by with the wolf. They have found +out all about it, and will certainly kill me, and perhaps you too. But +if you do as I tell you, I may be able to save us both. Lie down on +the floor, and pretend to be dead, and be sure not to speak, whatever +happens. + +Thus when the three brothers, each armed with a whip, entered the hut a +few seconds later, they found a woman extended on the floor, and Toueno +kneeling at her side, whistling loudly into her ears. + +‘What are you doing now, you rascal?’ asked the eldest. + +‘What am I doing? Oh, my poor friends, I am the most miserable creature +in the world! I have lost the best of mothers, and I don’t know what +will become of me,’ and he hid his face in his hands and sobbed again. + +‘But what are you whistling like that for?’ + +‘Well, it is the only chance. This whistle has been known to bring the +dead back to life, and I hoped--’ here he buried his face in his hands +again, but peeping between his fingers he saw that the brother had +opened their six eyes as wide as saucers. + +‘Look!’ he suddenly exclaimed with a cry, ‘Look! I am sure I felt her +body move! And now her nostrils are twitching. Ah! the whistle has +not lost its power after all,’ and stooping down, Toueno whistled more +loudly than before, so that the old woman’s feet and hands showed signs +of life, and she soon was able to life her head. + +The farmers were so astonished at her restoration, that it was some +time before they could speak. At length the eldest turned to the boy and +said: + +‘Now listen to me. There is no manner of doubt that you are a young +villain. You sold us a ram knowing full well that it was a wolf, and +we came here to-day to pay you out for it. But if you will give us that +whistle, we will pardon what you have done, and will leave you alone.’ + +‘It is my only treasure, and I set great store by it,’ answered the boy, +pretending to hesitate. ‘But as you wish for it so much, well, I suppose +I can’t refuse,’ and he held out the whistle, which the eldest brother +put in his pocket. + +Armed with the precious whistle, the three brothers returned home full +of joy, and as they went the youngest said to the others, ‘I have such +a good idea! Our wives are all lazy and grumbling, and make our lives a +burden. Let us give them a lesson, and kill them as soon as we get in. +Of course we can restore them to life at once, but they will have had a +rare fright.’ + +‘Ah, how clever you are,’ answered the other two. ‘Nobody else would +have thought of that.’ + +So gaily the three husbands knocked down their three wives, who fell +dead to the ground. Then one by one the men tried the whistle, and blew +so loudly that it seemed as if their lungs would burst, but the women +lay stark and stiff and never moved an eyelid. The husbands grew pale +and cold, for they had never dreamed of this, nor meant any harm, and +after a while they understood that their efforts were of no use, and +that once more the boy had tricked them. With stern faces they rose to +their feet, and taking a large sack they retraced their steps to the +hut. + +This time there was no escape. Toueno had been asleep, and only opened +his eyes as they entered. Without a word on either side they thrust +him into the sack, and tying up the mouth, the eldest threw it over his +shoulder. After that they all set out to the river, where they intended +to drown the boy. + +But the river was a long way off, and the day was very hot, and Antoine +was heavy, heavier than a whole sheaf of corn. They carried him in +turns, but even so they grew very tired and thirsty, and when a little +tavern came in sight on the roadside, they thankfully flung the sack +down on a bench and entered to refresh themselves. They never noticed +that a beggar was sitting in the shade at the end of the bench, but +Toueno’s sharp ears caught the sound of someone eating, and as soon as +the farmers had gone into the inn he began to groan softly. + +‘What is the matter?’ asked the beggar, drawing a little nearer. ‘Why +have they shut you up, poor boy?’ + +‘Because they wanted to make me a bishop, and I would not consent,’ +answered Toueno. + +‘Dear me,’ exclaimed the beggar, ‘yet it isn’t such a bad thing to be a +bishop.’ + +‘I don’t say it is,’ replied the young rascal, ‘but I should never like +it. However, if you have any fancy for wearing a mitre, you need only +untie the sack, and take my place.’ + +‘I should like nothing better,’ said the man, as he stooped to undo the +big knot. + +So it was the beggar and not Toueno-Boueno who was flung into the water. + +The next morning the three wives were buried, and on returning from the +cemetery, their husbands met Toueno-Boueno driving a magnificent +flock of sheep. At the sight of him the three farmers stood still with +astonishment. + +‘What! you scoundrel!’ they cried at last, ‘we drowned you yesterday, +and to-day we find you again, as well as ever!’ + +‘It does seem odd, doesn’t it?’ answered he. ‘But perhaps you don’t know +that beneath this world there lies another yet more beautiful and far, +far richer. Well, it was there that you sent me when you flung me into +the river, and though I felt a little strange at first, yet I soon began +to look about me, and to see what was happening. There I noticed that +close to the place where I had fallen, a sheep fair was being held, and +a bystander told me that every day horses or cattle were sold somewhere +in the town. If I had only had the luck to be thrown into the river on +the side of the horse fair I might have made my fortune! As it was, I +had to content myself with buying these sheep, which you can get for +nothing.’ + +‘And do you know exactly the spot in the river which lies over the horse +fair?’ + +‘As if I did not know it, when I have seen it with my own eyes.’ + +‘Then if you do not want us to avenge our dead flocks and our murdered +wives, you will have to throw us into the river just over the place of +the horse fair.’ + +‘Very well; only you must get three sacks and come with me to that rock +which juts into the river. I will throw you in from there, and you will +fall nearly on to the horses’ backs.’ + +So he threw them in, and as they were never seen again, no one ever knew +into which fair they had fallen. + +From ‘Litterature Orale de L’Auvergne,’ par Paul Sebillot. + + + + +The Brown Bear of Norway + + +There was once a king in Ireland, and he had three daughters, and very +nice princesses they were. And one day, when they and their father were +walking on the lawn, the king began to joke with them, and to ask them +whom they would like to be married to. ‘I’ll have the king of Ulster for +a husband,’ says one; ‘and I’ll have the king of Munster,’ says another; +‘and,’ says the youngest, ‘I’ll have no husband but the Brown Bear of +Norway.’ For a nurse of hers used to be telling her of an enchanted +prince that she called by that name, and she fell in love with him, and +his name was the first name on her tongue, for the very night before she +was dreaming of him. Well, one laughed, and another laughed, and they +joked with the princess all the rest of the evening. But that very night +she woke up out of her sleep in a great hall that was lighted up with +a thousand lamps; the richest carpets were on the floor, and the walls +were covered with cloth of gold and silver, and the place was full of +grand company, and the very beautiful prince she saw in her dreams was +there, and it wasn’t a moment till he was on one knee before her, and +telling her how much he loved her, and asking her wouldn’t she be his +queen. Well, she hadn’t the heart to refuse him, and married they were +the same evening. + +‘Now, my darling,’ says he, when they were left by themselves, ‘you +must know that I am under enchantment. A sorceress, that had a beautiful +daughter, wished me for her son-in-law; but the mother got power over +me, and when I refused to wed her daughter she made me take the form of +a bear by day, and I was to continue so till a lady would marry me of +her own free will, and endure five years of great trials after.’ + +Well, when the princess woke in the morning, she missed her husband from +her side, and spent the day very sadly. But as soon as the lamps were +lighted in the grand hall, where she was sitting on a sofa covered with +silk, the folding doors flew open, and he was sitting by her side the +next minute. So they spent another happy evening, but he warned her that +whenever she began to tire of him, or ceased to have faith in him, +they would be parted for ever, and he’d be obliged to marry the witch’s +daughter. + +She got used to find him absent by day, and they spent a happy +twelvemonth together, and at last a beautiful little boy was born; and +happy as she was before, she was twice as happy now, for she had her +child to keep her company in the day when she couldn’t see her husband. + +At last, one evening, when herself, and himself, and her child were +sitting with a window open because it was a sultry night, in flew an +eagle, took the infant’s sash in his beak, and flew up in the air with +him. She screamed, and was going to throw herself out the window after +him, but the prince caught her, and looked at her very seriously. She +bethought of what he said soon after their marriage, and she stopped the +cries and complaints that were on her tongue. She spent her days very +lonely for another twelvemonth, when a beautiful little girl was sent to +her. Then she thought to herself she’d have a sharp eye about her this +time; so she never would allow a window to be more than a few inches +open. + +But all her care was in vain. Another evening, when they were all so +happy, and the prince dandling the baby, a beautiful greyhound stood +before them, took the child out of the father’s hand, and was out of +the door before you could wink. This time she shouted and ran out of +the room, but there were some of the servants in the next room, and all +declared that neither child nor dog passed out. She felt, somehow, as if +it was her husband’s fault, but still she kept command over herself, and +didn’t once reproach him. + +When the third child was born she would hardly allow a window or a door +to be left open for a moment; but she wasn’t the nearer to keep the +child to herself. They were sitting one evening by the fire, when a +lady appeared standing by them. The princess opened her eyes in a great +fright and stared at her, and while she was doing so, the lady wrapped +a shawl round the baby that was sitting in its father’s lap, and either +sank through the ground with it or went up through the wide chimney. +This time the mother kept her bed for a month. + +‘My dear,’ said she to her husband, when she was beginning to recover, +‘I think I’d feel better if I was to see my father and mother and +sisters once more. If you give me leave to go home for a few days I’d +be glad.’ ‘Very well,’ said he, ‘I will do that, and whenever you feel +inclined to return, only mention your wish when you lie down at night.’ +The next morning when she awoke she found herself in her own old chamber +in her father’s palace. She rang the bell, and in a short time she had +her mother and father and married sisters about her, and they laughed +till they cried for joy at finding her safe back again. + +In time she told them all that had happened to her, and they didn’t know +what to advise her to do. She was as fond of her husband as ever, and +said she was sure that he couldn’t help letting the children go; but +still she was afraid beyond the world to have another child torn from +her. Well, the mother and sisters consulted a wise woman that used to +bring eggs to the castle, for they had great faith in her wisdom. She +said the only plan was to secure the bear’s skin that the prince was +obliged to put on every morning, and get it burned, and then he couldn’t +help being a man night and day, and the enchantment would be at an end. + +So they all persuaded her to do that, and she promised she would; and +after eight days she felt so great a longing to see her husband again +that she made the wish the same night, and when she woke three hours +after, she was in her husband’s palace, and he himself was watching over +her. There was great joy on both sides, and they were happy for many +days. + +Now she began to think how she never minded her husband leaving her in +the morning, and how she never found him neglecting to give her a sweet +drink out of a gold cup just as she was going to bed. + +One night she contrived not to drink any of it, though she pretended to +do so; and she was wakeful enough in the morning, and saw her husband +passing out through a panel in the wainscot, though she kept her eyelids +nearly closed. The next night she got a few drops of the sleepy posset +that she saved the evening before put into her husband’s night drink, +and that made him sleep sound enough. She got up after midnight, passed +through the panel, and found a Beautiful brown bear’s hide hanging in +the corner. Then she stole back, and went down to the parlour fire, and +put the hide into the middle of it till it was all fine ashes. She then +lay down by her husband, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and fell asleep. + +If she was to live a hundred years she’d never forget how she wakened +next morning, and found her husband looking down on her with misery and +anger in his face. ‘Unhappy woman,’ said he, ‘you have separated us for +ever! Why hadn’t you patience for five years? I am now obliged, whether +I like or no, to go a three days’ journey to the witch’s castle, and +marry her daughter. The skin that was my guard you have burned it, and +the egg-wife that gave you the counsel was the witch herself. I won’t +reproach you: your punishment will be severe without it. Farewell for +ever!’ + +He kissed her for the last time, and was off the next minute, walking +as fast as he could. She shouted after him, and then seeing there was no +use, she dressed herself and pursued him. He never stopped, nor stayed, +nor looked back, and still she kept him in sight; and when he was on the +hill she was in the hollow, and when he was in the hollow she was on +the hill. Her life was almost leaving her, when, just as the sun was +setting, he turned up a lane, and went into a little house. She crawled +up after him, and when she got inside there was a beautiful little boy +on his knees, and he kissing and hugging him. ‘Here, my poor darling,’ +says he, ‘is your eldest child, and there,’ says he, pointing to a woman +that was looking on with a smile on her face, ‘is the eagle that carried +him away.’ She forgot all her sorrows in a moment, hugging her child, +and laughing and crying over him. The woman washed their feet, and +rubbed them with an ointment that took all the soreness out of their +bones, and made them as fresh as a daisy. Next morning, just before +sunrise, he was up, and prepared to be off, ‘Here,’ said he to her, ‘is +a thing which may be of use to you. It’s a scissors, and whatever stuff +you cut with it will be turned into silk. The moment the sun rises, I’ll +lose all memory of yourself and the children, but I’ll get it at sunset +again. Farewell!’ But he wasn’t far gone till she was in sight of him +again, leaving her boy behind. It was the same to-day as yesterday: +their shadows went before them in the morning and followed them in the +evening. He never stopped, and she never stopped, and as the sun was +setting he turned up another lane, and there they found their little +daughter. It was all joy and comfort again till morning, and then the +third day’s journey commenced. + +But before he started he gave her a comb, and told her that whenever she +used it, pearls and diamonds would fall from her hair. Still he had his +memory from sunset to sunrise; but from sunrise to sunset he travelled +on under the charm, and never threw his eye behind. This night they +came to where the youngest baby was, and the next morning, just before +sunrise, the prince spoke to her for the last time. ‘Here, my poor +wife,’ said he, ‘is a little hand-reel, with gold thread that has no +end, and the half of our marriage ring. If you ever get to my house, +and put your half-ring to mine, I shall recollect you. There is a wood +yonder, and the moment I enter it I shall forget everything that ever +happened between us, just as if I was born yesterday. Farewell, dear +wife and child, for ever!’ Just then the sun rose, and away he walked +towards the wood. She saw it open before him and close after him, and +when she came up, she could no more get in than she could break +through a stone wall. She wrung her hands and shed tears, but then she +recollected herself, and cried out, ‘Wood, I charge you by my three +magic gifts, the scissors, the comb, and the reel--to let me through’; +and it opened, and she went along a walk till she came in sight of a +palace, and a lawn, and a woodman’s cottage on the edge of the wood +where it came nearest the palace. + +She went into the lodge, and asked the woodman and his wife to take her +into their service. They were not willing at first; but she told them +she would ask no wages, and would give them diamonds, and pearls, and +silk stuffs, and gold thread whenever they wished for them, and then +they agreed to let her stay. + +It wasn’t long till she heard how a young prince, that was just arrived, +was living in the palace of the young mistress. He seldom stirred +abroad, and every one that saw him remarked how silent and sorrowful he +went about, like a person that was searching for some lost thing. + +The servants and conceited folk at the big house began to take notice +of the beautiful young woman at the lodge, and to annoy her with their +impudence. The head footman was the most troublesome, and at last she +invited him to come and take tea with her. Oh, how rejoiced he was, and +how he bragged of it in the servants’ hall! Well, the evening came, and +the footman walked into the lodge, and was shown to her sitting-room; +for the lodge-keeper and his wife stood in great awe of her, and gave +her two nice rooms for herself. Well, he sat down as stiff as a ramrod, +and was talking in a grand style about the great doings at the castle, +while she was getting the tea and toast ready. ‘Oh,’ says she to him, +‘would you put your hand out at the window and cut me off a sprig or two +of honeysuckle?’ He got up in great glee, and put out his hand and head; +and said she, ‘By the virtue of my magic gifts, let a pair of horns +spring out of your head, and sing to the lodge.’ Just as she wished, so +it was. They sprung from the front of each ear, and met at the back. Oh, +the poor wretch! And how he bawled and roared! and the servants that he +used to be boasting to were soon flocking from the castle, and grinning, +and huzzaing, and beating tunes on tongs and shovels and pans; and he +cursing and swearing, and the eyes ready to start out of his head, and +he so black in the face, and kicking out his legs behind him like mad. + +At last she pitied him, and removed the charm, and the horns dropped +down on the ground, and he would have killed her on the spot, only he +was as weak as water, and his fellow-servants came in and carried him up +to the big house. Well, some way or other the story came to the ears of +the prince, and he strolled down that way. She had only the dress of a +countrywoman on her as she sat sewing at the window, but that did not +hide her beauty, and he was greatly puzzled after he had a good look, +just as a body is puzzled to know whether something happened to him when +he was young or if he only dreamed it. Well, the witch’s daughter heard +about it too, and she came to see the strange girl; and what did she +find her doing but cutting out the pattern of a gown from brown paper; +and as she cut away, the paper became the richest silk she ever saw. The +witch’s daughter looked on with greedy eyes, and, says she, ‘What would +you be satisfied to take for that scissors?’ ‘I’ll take nothing,’ says +she, ‘but leave to spend one night outside the prince’s chamber.’ Well, +the proud lady fired up, and was going to say something dreadful; but +the scissors kept on cutting, and the silk growing richer and richer +every inch. So she promised what the girl had asked her. + +When night came on she was let into the palace and lay down till the +prince was in such a dead sleep that all she did couldn’t awake him. +She sung this verse to him, sighing and sobbing, and kept singing it the +night long, and it was all in vain: + +Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore to thee; +Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + +At the first dawn the proud lady was in the chamber, and led her away, +and the footman of the horns put out his tongue at her as she was +quitting the palace. + +So there was no luck so far; but the next day the prince passed by again +and looked at her, and saluted her kindly, as a prince might a farmer’s +daughter, and passed one; and soon the witch’s daughter passed by, and +found her combing her hair, and pearls and diamonds dropping from it. + +Well, another bargain was made, and the princess spent another night of +sorrow, and she left the castle at daybreak, and the footman was at his +post and enjoyed his revenge. + +The third day the prince went by, and stopped to talk with the strange +woman. He asked her could he do anything to serve her, and she said he +might. She asked him did he ever wake at night. He said that he often +did, but that during the last two nights he was listening to a sweet +song in his dreams, and could not wake, and that the voice was one that +he must have known and loved in some other world long ago. Says she, +‘Did you drink any sleepy posset either of these evenings before you +went to bed?’ ‘I did,’ said he. ‘The two evenings my wife gave me +something to drink, but I don’t know whether it was a sleepy posset or +not.’ ‘Well, prince,’ said she, ‘as you say you would wish to oblige me, +you can do it by not tasting any drink to-night.’ ‘I will not,’ says he, +and then he went on his walk. + +Well, the great lady came soon after the prince, and found the stranger +using her hand-reel and winding threads of gold off it, and the third +bargain was made. + +That evening the prince was lying on his bed at twilight, and his mind +much disturbed; and the door opened, and in his princess walked, and +down she sat by his bedside and sung: + +Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore to thee; +Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + +‘Brown Bear of Norway!’ said he. ‘I don’t understand you.’ ‘Don’t you +remember, prince, that I was your wedded wife for four years?’ ‘I do +not,’ said he, ‘but I’m sure I wish it was so.’ ‘Don’t you remember our +three babes that are still alive?’ ‘Show me them. My mind is all a heap +of confusion.’ ‘Look for the half of our marriage ring, that hangs at +your neck, and fit it to this.’ He did so, and the same moment the charm +was broken. His full memory came back on him, and he flung his arms +round his wife’s neck, and both burst into tears. + +Well, there was a great cry outside, and the castle walls were heard +splitting and cracking. Everyone in the castle was alarmed, and made +their way out. The prince and princess went with the rest, and by the +time all were safe on the lawn, down came the building, and made the +ground tremble for miles round. No one ever saw the witch and her +daughter afterwards. It was not long till the prince and princess had +their children with them, and then they set out for their own palace. +The kings of Ireland and of Munster and Ulster, and their wives, soon +came to visit them, and may every one that deserves it be as happy as +the Brown Bear of Norway and his family. + +From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + + + + +Little Lasse + + +There was once a little boy whose name was Lars, and because he was so +little he was called Little Lasse; he was a brave little man, for he +sailed round the world in a pea-shell boat. + +It was summer time, when the pea shells grew long and green in the +garden. Little Lasse crept into the pea bed where the pea stalks rose +high above his cap, and he picked seventeen large shells, the longest +and straightest he could find. + +Little Lasse thought, perhaps, that no one saw him; but that was +foolish, for God sees everywhere. + +Then the gardener came with his gun over his shoulder, and he heard +something rustling in the pea bed. + +‘I think that must be a sparrow,’ he said. ‘Ras! Ras!’ but no sparrows +flew out, for Little Lasse had no wings, only two small legs. ‘Wait! I +will load my gun and shoot the sparrows,’ said the gardener. + +Then Little Lasse was frightened, and crept out on to the path. + +‘Forgive me, dear gardener!’ he said. ‘I wanted to get some fine boats.’ + +‘Well, I will this time,’ said the gardener. ‘But another time Little +Lasse must ask leave to go and look for boats in the pea bed.’ + +‘I will,’ answered Lasse; and he went off to the shore. Then he opened +the shells with a pin, split them carefully in two, and broke small +little bits of sticks for the rowers’ seats. Then he took the peas which +were in the shells and put them in the boats for cargo. Some of the +shells got broken, some remained whole, and when all were ready Lasse +had twelve boats. But they should not be boats, they should be large +warships. He had three liners, three frigates, three brigs and three +schooners. The largest liner was called Hercules, and the smallest +schooner The Flea. Little Lasse put all the twelve into the water, and +they floated as splendidly and as proudly as any great ships over the +waves of the ocean. + +And now the ships must sail round the world. The great island over there +was Asia; that large stone Africa; the little island America; the small +stones were Polynesia; and the shore from which the ships sailed out was +Europe. The whole fleet set off and sailed far away to other parts of +the world. The ships of the line steered a straight course to Asia, the +frigates sailed to Africa, the brigs to America, and the schooners to +Polynesia. But Little Lasse remained in Europe, and threw small stones +out into the great sea. + +Now, there was on the shore of Europe a real boat, father’s own, a +beautiful white-painted boat, and Little Lasse got into it. Father and +mother had forbidden this, but Little Lasse forgot. He thought he should +very much like to travel to some other part of the world. + +‘I shall row out a little way--only a very little way,’ he thought. The +pea-shell boats had travelled so far that they only looked like little +specks on the ocean. ‘I shall seize Hercules on the coast of Asia,’ said +Lasse, ‘and then row home again to Europe.’ + +He shook the rope that held the boat, and, strange to say, the rope +became loose. Ditsch, ratsch, a man is a man, and so Little Lasse manned +the boat. + +Now he would row--and he could row, for he had rowed so often on the +step sat home, when the steps pretended to be a boat and father’s big +stick an oar. But when Little Lasse wanted to row there were no oars +to be found in the boat. The oars were locked up in the boat-house, and +Little Lasse had not noticed that the boat was empty. It is not so easy +as one thinks to row to Asia without oars. + +What could Little Lasse do now? The boat was already some distance out +on the sea, and the wind, which blew from land, was driving it still +further out. Lasse was frightened and began to cry. But there was no +one on the shore to hear him. Only a big crow perched alone in the birch +tree; and the gardener’s black cat sat under the birch tree, waiting to +catch the crow. Neither of them troubled themselves in the least about +Little Lasse, who was drifting out to sea. + +Ah! how sorry Little Lasse was now that he had been disobedient and got +into the boat, when father and mother had so often forbidden him to do +so! Now it was too late, he could not get back to land. Perhaps he would +be lost out on the great sea. What should he do? + +When he had shouted until he was tired and no one heard him, he put +his two little hands together and said, ‘Good God, do not be angry with +Little Lasse.’ And then he went to sleep. For although it was daylight, +old Nukku Matti was sitting on the shores of the ‘Land of Nod,’ and was +fishing for little children with his long fishing rod. He heard the low +words which Little Lasse said to God, and he immediately drew the boat +to himself and laid Little Lasse to sleep on a bed of rose leaves. + +Then Nukku Matti said to one of the Dreams, ‘Play with Little Lasse, so +that he does not feel lonesome.’ + +It was a little dream-boy, so little, so little, that he was less than +Lasse himself; he had blue eyes and fair hair, a red cap with a silver +band, and white coat with pearls on the collar. He came to Little Lasse +and said, ‘Would you like to sail round the world?’ + +‘Yes,’ said Lasse in his sleep, ‘I should like to.’ + +‘Come, then,’ said the dream-boy, ‘and let us sail in your pea-shell +boats. You shall sail in Hercules and I shall sail in The Flea.’ + +So they sailed away from the ‘Land of Nod,’ and in a little while +Hercules and The Flea were on the shores of Asia away at the other end +of the world, where the Ice Sea flows through Behring Straits into the +Pacific Ocean. A long way off in the winter mist they could see the +explorer Nordenskiold with his ship Vega trying to find an opening +between the ice. It was so cold, so cold; the great icebergs glittered +strangely, and the huge whales now lived under the ice, for they could +not make a hole through with their awkward heads. All around on the +dreary shore there was snow and snow as far as the eye could see; little +grey men in shaggy skins moved about, and drove in small sledges through +the snow drifts, but the sledges were drawn by dogs. + +‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + +‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘I am so afraid that the whales would swallow +us up, and the big dogs bite us. Let us sail instead to another part of +the world.’ + +‘Very well,’ said the dream-boy with the red cap and the silver band; +‘it is not far to America’--and at the same moment they were there. + +The sun was shining and it was very warm. Tall palm trees grew in long +rows on the shore and bore coconuts in their top branches. Men red as +copper galloped over the immense green prairies and shot their arrows +at the buffaloes, who turned against them with their sharp horns. An +enormous cobra which had crept up the stem of a tall palm tree threw +itself on to a little llama that was grazing at the foot. Knaps! it was +all over the little llama. + +‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + +‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘I am so afraid that the buffaloes will butt +us, and the great serpent eat us up. Let us travel to another part of +the world.’ + +‘Very well,’ said the dream-boy with the white coat, ‘it is only a +little way to Polynesia’--and then they were there. + +It was very warm there, as warm as in a hot bath in Finland. Costly +spices grew on the shores: the pepper plant, the cinnamon tree, ginger, +saffron; the coffee plant and the tea plant. Brown people with long ears +and thick lips, and hideously painted faces, hunted a yellow-spotted +tiger among the high bamboos on the shore, and the tiger turned on them +and stuck its claws into one of the brown men. Then all the others took +to flight. + +‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + +‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘Don’t you see the tiger away there by the +pepper plant? Let us travel to another part of the world.’ + +‘We can do so,’ said the dream-boy with the blue eyes. ‘We are not far +from Africa’--and as he said that they were there. + +They anchored at the mouth of a great river where the shores were +as green as the greenest velvet. A little distance from the river an +immense desert stretched away. The air was yellow; the sun shone so hot, +so hot as if it would burn the earth to ashes, and the people were as +black as the blackest jet. They rode across the desert on tall camels; +the lions roared with thirst, and the great crocodiles with their grey +lizard heads and sharp white teeth gaped up out of the river. + +‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + +‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘The sun would burn us, and the lions and the +crocodiles would eat us up. Let us travel to another part of the world.’ + +‘We can travel back to Europe,’ said the dream-boy with the fair hair. +And with that they were there. + +They came to a shore where it was all so cool and familiar and friendly. +There stood the tall birch tree with its drooping leaves; at the top sat +the old crow, and at its foot crept the gardener’s black cat. Not far +away was a house which Little Lasse had seen before; near the house +there was a garden, and in the garden a pea bed with long pea shells. +An old gardener with a green coat walked about and wondered if the +cucumbers were ripe. Fylax was barking on the steps, and when he saw +Little Lasse he wagged his tail. Old Stina was milking the cows in the +farmyard, and there was a very familiar lady in a check woollen shawl +on her way to the bleaching green to see if the clothes were bleached. +There was, too, a well-known gentleman in a yellow summer coat, with a +long pipe in his mouth; he was going to see if the reapers had cut the +rye. A boy and a girl were running on the shore and calling out, ‘Little +Lasse! Come home for bread-and-butter!’ + +‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy, and he blinked his blue eyes +roguishly. + +‘Come with me, and I shall ask mother to give you some bread-and-butter +and a glass of milk,’ said Little Lasse. + +‘Wait a little,’ said the dream-boy. And now Little Lasse saw that the +kitchen door was open, and from within there was heard a low, pleasant +frizzling, like that which is heard when one whisks yellow batter with a +wooden ladle into a hot frying-pan. + +‘Perhaps we should sail back to Polynesia now?’ said the happy +dream-boy. + +‘No; they are frying pancakes in Europe just now,’ said Little Lasse; +and he wanted to jump ashore, but he could not. The dream-boy had tied +him with a chain of flowers, so that he could not move. And now all +the little dreams came about him, thousands and thousands of little +children, and they made a ring around him and sang a little song: + + The world is very, very wide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + And though you’ve sailed beyond the tide, + You can never tell how wide + It is on the other side, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + You have found it cold and hot, + Little Lasse, Lasse; + But in no land is God not, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + Many men live there as here, + But they all to God are dear, + Little Lasse, Lasse. + When His angel is your guide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + Then no harm can e’er betide, + Even on the other side + Where the wild beasts wander. + But tell us now, + Whene’er you roam, + Do you not find the best is home + Of all the lands you’ve looked upon, + Lasse, Little Lasse? + +When the dreams had sung their song they skipped away, and Nukku Matti +carried Lasse back to the boat. He lay there for a long time quite +still, and he still heard the frying-pan frizzling at home of the fire, +the frizzling was very plain, Little Lasse heard it quite near him; and +so he woke up and rubbed his eyes. + +There he lay in the boat, where he had fallen asleep. The wind had +turned, and the boat had drifted out with one wind and drifted in with +another while Little Lasse slept, and what Lasse thought was frizzling +in a frying-pan was the low murmur of the waves as they washed against +the stones on the shore. But he was not altogether wrong, for the clear +blue sea is like a great pan in which God’s sun all day makes cakes for +good children. + +Little Lasse rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked around him. +Everything was the same as before; the crow in the birch tree, the cat +on the grass, and the pea-shell fleet on the shore. Some of the ships +had foundered, and some had drifted back to land. Hercules had come back +with its cargo from Asia, The Flea had arrived from Polynesia, and the +other parts of the world were just where they were before. + +Little Lasse did not know what to think. He had so often been in that +grotto in the ‘Land of Nod’ and did not know what tricks dreams can +play. But Little Lasse did not trouble his head with such things; he +gathered together his boats and walked up the shore back to the house. + +His brother and sister ran to meet him, and called out from the +distance, ‘Where have you been so long, Lasse? Come home and get some +bread-and-butter.’ The kitchen door stood open, and inside was heard a +strange frizzling. + +The gardener was near the gate, watering the dill and parsley, the +carrots and parsnips. + +‘Well,’ he said, ‘where has Little Lasse been so long?’ + +Little Lasse straightened himself up stiff, and answered: ‘I have sailed +round the world in a pea-shell boat.’ + +‘Oh!’ said the gardener. + +He has forgotten Dreamland. But you have not forgotten it; you know that +it exists. You know the beautiful grotto and the bright silver walls +whose lustre never fades, the sparkling diamonds which never grow dim, +the music which never ceases its low, soft murmur through the sweet +evening twilight. The airy fairy fancies of happy Dreamland never grow +old; they, like the glorious stars above us, are always young. Perhaps +you have caught a glimpse of their ethereal wings as they flew around +your pillow. Perhaps you have met the same dream-boy with the blue eyes +and the fair hair, the one who wore the red cap with the silver band and +the white coat with pearls on the collar. Perhaps he has taken you to +see all the countries of the world and the peoples, the cold waste lands +and the burning deserts, the many coloured men and the wild creatures +in the sea and in the woods, so that you may earn many things, but come +gladly home again. Yes, who knows? Perhaps you also have sailed round +the wide world once in a pea-shell boat. + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + +‘Moti’ + + +Once upon a time there was a youth called Moti, who was very big and +strong, but the clumsiest creature you can imagine. So clumsy was he +that he was always putting his great feet into the bowls of sweet milk +or curds which his mother set out on the floor to cool, always smashing, +upsetting, breaking, until at last his father said to him: + +‘Here, Moti, are fifty silver pieces which are the savings of years; +take them and go and make your living or your fortune if you can.’ + +Then Moti started off one early spring morning with his thick staff over +his shoulder, singing gaily to himself as he walked along. + +In one way and another he got along very well until a hot evening when +he came to a certain city where he entered the travellers’ ‘serai’ or +inn to pass the night. Now a serai, you must know, is generally just a +large square enclosed by a high wall with an open colonnade along the +inside all round to accommodate both men and beasts, and with perhaps +a few rooms in towers at the corners for those who are too rich or too +proud to care about sleeping by their own camels and horses. Moti, of +course, was a country lad and had lived with cattle all his life, and +he wasn’t rich and he wasn’t proud, so he just borrowed a bed from the +innkeeper, set it down beside an old buffalo who reminded him of home, +and in five minutes was fast asleep. + +In the middle of the night he woke, feeling that he had been disturbed, +and putting his hand under his pillow found to his horror that his bag +of money had been stolen. He jumped up quietly and began to prowl around +to see whether anyone seemed to be awake, but, though he managed to +arouse a few men and beasts by falling over them, he walked in the +shadow of the archways round the whole serai without coming across a +likely thief. He was just about to give it up when he overheard two men +whispering, and one laughed softly, and peering behind a pillar, he saw +two Afghan horsedealers counting out his bag of money! Then Moti went +back to bed! + +In the morning Moti followed the two Afghans outside the city to the +horsemarket in which they horses were offered for sale. Choosing the +best-looking horse amongst them he went up to it and said: + +‘Is this horse for sale? may I try it?’ and, the merchants assenting, he +scrambled up on its back, dug in his heels, and off they flew. Now Moti +had never been on a horse in his life, and had so much ado to hold on +with both hands as well as with both legs that the animal went just +where it liked, and very soon broke into a break-neck gallop and made +straight back to the serai where it had spent the last few nights. + +‘This will do very well,’ thought Moti as they whirled in at the +entrance. As soon as the horse had arrived at its table it stopped of +its own accord and Moti immediately rolled off; but he jumped up at +once, tied the beast up, and called for some breakfast. Presently the +Afghans appeared, out of breath and furious, and claimed the horse. + +‘What do you mean?’ cried Moti, with his mouth full of rice, ‘it’s my +horse; I paid you fifty pieces of silver for it--quite a bargain, I’m +sure!’ + +‘Nonsense! it is our horse,’ answered one of the Afghans beginning to +untie the bridle. + +‘Leave off,’ shouted Moti, seizing his staff; ‘if you don’t let my horse +alone I’ll crack your skulls! you thieves! I know you! Last night you +took my money, so to-day I took your horse; that’s fair enough!’ + +Now the Afghans began to look a little uncomfortable, but Moti seemed so +determined to keep the horse that they resolved to appeal to the law, so +they went off and laid a complaint before the king that Moti had stolen +one of their horses and would not give it up nor pay for it. + +Presently a soldier came to summon Moti to the king; and, when he +arrived and made his obeisance, the king began to question him as to why +he had galloped off with the horse in this fashion. But Moti declared +that he had got the animal in exchange for fifty pieces of silver, +whilst the horse merchants vowed that the money they had on them was +what they had received for the sale of other horses; and in one way and +another the dispute got so confusing that the king (who really thought +that Moti had stolen the horse) said at last, ‘Well, I tell you what +I will do. I will lock something into this box before me, and if he +guesses what it is, the horse is his, and if he doesn’t then it is +yours.’ + +To this Moti agreed, and the king arose and went out alone by a +little door at the back of the Court, and presently came back clasping +something closely wrapped up in a cloth under his robe, slipped it into +the little box, locked the box, and set it up where all might see. + +‘Now,’ said the king to Moti, ‘guess!’ + +It happened that when the king had opened the door behind him, Moti +noticed that there was a garden outside: without waiting for the king’s +return he began to think what could be got out of the garden small +enough to be shut in the box. ‘Is it likely to be a fruit or a flower? +No, not a flower this time, for he clasped it too tight. Then it must +be a fruit or a stone. Yet not a stone, because he wouldn’t wrap a dirty +stone in his nice clean cloth. Then it is a fruit! And a fruit without +much scent, or else he would be afraid that I might smell it. Now what +fruit without much scent is in season just now? When I know that I shall +have guessed the riddle!’ + +As has been said before, Moti was a country lad, and was accustomed +to work in his father’s garden. He knew all the common fruits, so he +thought he ought to be able to guess right; but so as not to let it +seem too easy, he gazed up at the ceiling with a puzzled expression, and +looked down at the floor with an air or wisdom and his fingers pressed +against his forehead, and then he said, slowly, with his eyes on the +king,-- + +‘It is freshly plucked! It is round and it is red! It is a pomegranate!’ + +Now the king knew nothing about fruits except that they were good to +eat; and, as for seasons, he asked for whatever fruit he wanted whenever +he wanted it, and saw that he got it; so to him Moti’s guess was like +a miracle, and clear proof not only of his wisdom but of his innocence, +for it was a pomegranate that he had put into the box. Of course when +the king marvelled and praised Moti’s wisdom, everybody else did so too; +and, whilst the Afghans went off crestfallen, Moti took the horse and +entered the king’s service. + +Very soon after this, Moti, who continued to live in the serai, came +back one wet and stormy evening to find that his precious horse had +strayed. Nothing remained of him but a broken halter cord, and no one +knew what had become of him. After inquiring of everyone who was likely +to know, Moti seized the cord and his big staff and sallied out to +look for him. Away and away he tramped out of the city and into the +neighbouring forest, tracking hoof-marks in the mud. Presently it +grew late, but still Moti wandered on until suddenly in the gathering +darkness he came right upon a tiger who was contentedly eating his +horse. + +‘You thief!’ shrieked Moti, and ran up and, just as the tiger, in +astonishment, dropped a bone--whack! came Moti’s staff on his head with +such good will that the beast was half stunned and could hardly breathe +or see. Then Moti continued to shower upon him blows and abuse until the +poor tiger could hardly stand, whereupon his tormentor tied the end of +the broken halter round his neck and dragged him back to the serai. + +‘If you had my horse,’ he said, ‘I will at least have you, that’s fair +enough!’ And he tied him up securely by the head and heels, much as he +used to tie the horse; then, the night being far gone, he flung himself +beside him and slept soundly. + +You cannot imagine anything like the fright of the people in the +serai, when they woke up and found a tiger--very battered but still +a tiger--securely tethered amongst themselves and their beasts! Men +gathered in groups talking and exclaiming, and finding fault with the +innkeeper for allowing such a dangerous beast into the serai, and all +the while the innkeeper was just as troubled as the rest, and none dared +go near the place where the tiger stood blinking miserably on everyone, +and where Moti lay stretched out snoring like thunder. + +At last news reached the king that Moti had exchanged his horse for a +live tiger; and the monarch himself came down, half disbelieving the +tale, to see if it were really true. Someone at last awaked Moti with +the news that his royal master was come; and he arose yawning, and was +soon delightedly explaining and showing off his new possession. The +king, however, did not share his pleasure at all, but called up a +soldier to shoot the tiger, much to the relief of all the inmates of the +serai except Moti. If the king, however, was before convinced that Moti +was one of the wisest of men, he was now still more convinced that he +was the bravest, and he increased his pay a hundredfold, so that our +hero thought that he was the luckiest of men. + +A week or two after this incident the king sent for Moti, who on arrival +found his master in despair. A neighbouring monarch, he explained, who +had many more soldiers than he, had declared war against him, and he was +at his wits’ end, for he had neither money to buy him off nor soldiers +enough to fight him--what was he to do? + +‘If that is all, don’t you trouble,’ said Moti. ‘Turn out your men, and +I’ll go with them, and we’ll soon bring this robber to reason.’ + +The king began to revive at these hopeful words, and took Moti off to +his stable where he bade him choose for himself any horse he liked. +There were plenty of fine horses in the stalls, but to the king’s +astonishment Moti chose a poor little rat of a pony that was used to +carry grass and water for the rest of the stable. + +‘But why do you choose that beast?’ said the king. + +‘Well, you see, your majesty,’ replied Moti, ‘there are so many chances +that I may fall off, and if I choose one of your fine big horses I shall +have so far to fall that I shall probably break my leg or my arm, if not +my neck, but if I fall off this little beast I can’t hurt myself much.’ + +A very comical sight was Moti when he rode out to the war. The only +weapon he carried was his staff, and to help him to keep his balance +on horseback he had tied to each of his ankles a big stone that nearly +touched the ground as he sat astride the little pony. The rest of the +king’s cavalry were not very numerous, but they pranced along in armour +on fine horses. Behind them came a great rabble of men on foot armed +with all sorts of weapons, and last of all was the king with his +attendants, very nervous and ill at ease. So the army started. + +They had not very far to go, but Moti’s little pony, weighted with a +heavy man and two big rocks, soon began to lag behind the cavalry, +and would have lagged behind the infantry too, only they were not very +anxious to be too early in the fight, and hung back so as to give Moti +plenty of time. The young man jogged along more and more slowly for some +time, until at last, getting impatient at the slowness of the pony, +he gave him such a tremendous thwack with his staff that the pony +completely lost his temper and bolted. First one stone became untied +and rolled away in a cloud of dust to one side of the road, whilst Moti +nearly rolled off too, but clasped his steed valiantly by its ragged +mane, and, dropping his staff, held on for dear life. Then, fortunately +the other rock broke away from his other leg and rolled thunderously +down a neighbouring ravine. Meanwhile the advanced cavalry had barely +time to draw to one side when Moti came dashing by, yelling bloodthirsty +threats to his pony: + +‘You wait till I get hold of you! I’ll skin you alive! I’ll wring your +neck! I’ll break every bone in your body!’ The cavalry thought that +this dreadful language was meant for the enemy, and were filled with +admiration of his courage. Many of their horses too were quite upset by +this whirlwind that galloped howling through their midst, and in a few +minutes, after a little plunging and rearing and kicking, the whole +troop were following on Moti’s heels. + +Far in advance, Moti continued his wild career. Presently in his course +he came to a great field of castor-oil plants, ten or twelve feet high, +big and bushy, but quite green and soft. Hoping to escape from the back +of his fiery steed Moti grasped one in passing, but its roots gave +way, and he dashed on, with the whole plant looking like a young tree +flourishing in his grip. + +The enemy were in battle array, advancing over the plain, their king +with them confident and cheerful, when suddenly from the front came a +desperate rider at a furious gallop. + +‘Sire!’ he cried, ‘save yourself! the enemy are coming!’ + +‘What do you mean?’ said the king. + +‘Oh, sire!’ panted the messenger, ‘fly at once, there is no time to +lose. Foremost of the enemy rides a mad giant at a furious gallop. He +flourishes a tree for a club and is wild with anger, for as he goes he +cries, “You wait till I get hold of you! I’ll skin you alive! I’ll wring +your neck! I’ll break every bone in your body!” Others ride behind, and +you will do well to retire before this whirlwind of destruction comes +upon you.’ + +Just then out of a cloud of dust in the distance the king saw Moti +approaching at a hard gallop, looking indeed like a giant compared with +the little beast he rode, whirling his castor-oil plant, which in the +distance might have been an oak tree, and the sound of his revilings and +shoutings came down upon the breeze! Behind him the dust cloud moved +to the sound of the thunder of hoofs, whilst here and there flashed the +glitter of steel. The sight and the sound struck terror into the king, +and, turning his horse, he fled at top speed, thinking that a regiment +of yelling giants was upon him; and all his force followed him as fast +as they might go. One fat officer alone could not keep up on foot with +that mad rush, and as Moti came galloping up he flung himself on the +ground in abject fear. This was too much for Moti’s excited pony, who +shied so suddenly that Moti went flying over his head like a sky rocket, +and alighted right on the top of his fat foe. + +Quickly regaining his feet Moti began to swing his plant round his head +and to shout: + +‘Where are your men? Bring them up and I’ll kill them. My regiments! +Come on, the whole lot of you! Where’s your king? Bring him to me. Here +are all my fine fellows coming up and we’ll each pull up a tree by the +roots and lay you all flat and your houses and towns and everything +else! Come on!’ + +But the poor fat officer could do nothing but squat on his knees with +his hands together, gasping. At last, when he got his breath, Moti sent +him off to bring his king, and to tell him that if he was reasonable his +life should be spared. Off the poor man went, and by the time the troops +of Moti’s side had come up and arranged themselves to look as formidable +as possible, he returned with his king. The latter was very humble and +apologetic, and promised never to make war any more, to pay a large sum +of money, and altogether do whatever his conqueror wished. + +So the armies on both sides went rejoicing home, and this was really +the making of the fortune of clumsy Moti, who lived long and contrived +always to be looked up to as a fountain of wisdom, valour, and +discretion by all except his relations, who could never understand what +he had done to be considered so much wiser than anyone else. + +A Pushto Story. + + + + +The Enchanted Deer + + +A young man was out walking one day in Erin, leading a stout cart-horse +by the bridle. He was thinking of his mother and how poor they were +since his father, who was a fisherman, had been drowned at sea, and +wondering what he should do to earn a living for both of them. Suddenly +a hand was laid on his shoulder, and a voice said to him: + +‘Will you sell me your horse, son of the fisherman?’ and looking up he +beheld a man standing in the road with a gun in his hand, a falcon on +his shoulder, and a dog by his side. + +‘What will you give me for my horse?’ asked the youth. ‘Will you give me +your gun, and your dog, and your falcon?’ + +‘I will give them,’ answered the man, and he took the horse, and the +youth took the gun and the dog and the falcon, and went home with them. +But when his mother heard what he had done she was very angry, and beat +him with a stick which she had in her hand. + +‘That will teach you to sell my property,’ said she, when her arm was +quite tired, but Ian her son answered her nothing, and went off to his +bed, for he was very sore. + +That night he rose softly, and left the house carrying the gun with him. +‘I will not stay here to be beaten,’ thought he, and he walked and +he walked and he walked, till it was day again, and he was hungry and +looked about him to see if he could get anything to eat. Not very far +off was a farm-house, so he went there, and knocked at the door, and the +farmer and his wife begged him to come in, and share their breakfast. + +‘Ah, you have a gun,’ said the farmer as the young man placed it in a +corner. ‘That is well, for a deer comes every evening to eat my corn, +and I cannot catch it. It is fortune that has sent you to me.’ + +‘I will gladly remain and shoot the deer for you,’ replied the youth, +and that night he hid himself and watched till the deer came to the +cornfield; then he lifted his gun to his shoulder and was just going +to pull the trigger, when, behold! instead of a deer, a woman with long +black hair was standing there. At this sight his gun almost dropped from +his hand in surprise, but as he looked, there was the deer eating the +corn again. And thrice this happened, till the deer ran away over the +moor, and the young man after her. + +On they went, on and on and one, till they reached a cottage which was +thatched with heather. With a bound the deer sprang on the roof, and lay +down where none could see her, but as she did so she called out, ‘Go in, +fisher’s son, and eat and drink while you may.’ So he entered and found +food and wine on the table, but no man, for the house belonged to some +robbers, who were still away at their wicked business. + +After Ian, the fisher’s son, had eaten all he wanted, he hid himself +behind a great cask, and very soon he heard a noise, as of men coming +through the heather, and the small twigs snapping under their feet. +From his dark corner he could see into the room, and he counted four and +twenty of them, all big, cross-looking men. + +‘Some one has been eating our dinner,’ cried they, ‘and there was hardly +enough for ourselves.’ + +‘It is the man who is lying under the cask,’ answered the leader. ‘Go +and kill him, and then come and eat your food and sleep, for we must be +off betimes in the morning.’ + +So four of them killed the fisher’s son and left him, and then went to +bed. + +By sunrise they were all out of the house, for they had far to go. And +when they had disappeared the deer came off the roof, to where the dead +man lay, and she shook her head over him, and wax fell from her ear, and +he jumped up as well as ever. + +‘Trust me and eat as you did before, and no harm shall happen to you,’ +said she. So Ian ate and drank, and fell sound asleep under the cask. +In the evening the robbers arrived very tired, and crosser than they +had been yesterday, for their luck had turned and they had brought back +scarcely anything. + +‘Someone has eaten our dinner again,’ cried they. + +‘It is the man under the barrel,’ answered the captain. ‘Let four of you +go and kill him, but first slay the other four who pretended to kill him +last night and didn’t because he is still alive.’ + +Then Ian was killed a second time, and after the rest of the robbers had +eaten, they lay down and slept till morning. + +No sooner were their faces touched with the sun’s rays than they were up +and off. Then the deer entered and dropped the healing wax on the dead +man, and he was as well as ever. By this time he did not mind what +befell him, so sure was he that the deer would take care of him, and +in the evening that which had happened before happened again--the four +robbers were put to death and the fisher’s son also, but because there +was no food left for them to eat, they were nearly mad with rage, and +began to quarrel. From quarrelling they went on to fighting, and fought +so hard that by and bye they were all stretched dead on the floor. + +Then the deer entered, and the fisher’s son was restored to life, and +bidding him follow her, she ran on to a little white cottage where dwelt +an old woman and her son, who was thin and dark. + +‘Here I must leave you,’ said the deer, ‘but to-morrow meet me at +midday in the church that is yonder.’ And jumping across the stream, she +vanished into a wood. + +Next day he set out for the church, but the old woman of the cottage had +gone before him, and had stuck an enchanted stick called ‘the spike of +hurt’ in a crack of the door, so that he would brush against it as he +stepped across the threshold. Suddenly he felt so sleepy that he could +not stand up, and throwing himself on the ground he sank into a deep +slumber, not knowing that the dark lad was watching him. Nothing could +waken him, not even the sound of sweetest music, nor the touch of a lady +who bent over him. A sad look came on her face, as she saw it was no +use, and at last she gave it up, and lifting his arm, wrote her name +across the side--‘the daughter of the king of the town under the +waves.’ + +‘I will come to-morrow,’ she whispered, though he could not hear her, +and she went sorrowfully away. + +Then he awoke, and the dark lad told him what had befallen him, and he +was very grieved. But the dark lad did not tell him of the name that was +written underneath his arm. + +On the following morning the fisher’s son again went to the church, +determined that he would not go to sleep, whatever happened. But in his +hurry to enter he touched with his hand the spike of hurt, and sank down +where he stood, wrapped in slumber. A second time the air was filled +with music, and the lady came in, stepping softly, but though she laid +his head on her knee, and combed his hair with a golden comb, his eyes +opened not. Then she burst into tears, and placing a beautifully wrought +box in his pocket she went her way. + +The next day the same thing befell the fisher’s son, and this time +the lady wept more bitterly than before, for she said it was the last +chance, and she would never be allowed to come any more, for home she +must go. + +As soon as the lady had departed the fisher’s son awoke, and the dark +lad told him of her visit, and how he would never see her as long as he +lived. At this the fisher’s son felt the cold creeping up to his heart, +yet he knew the fault had not been his that sleep had overtaken him. + +‘I will search the whole world through till I find her,’ cried he, and +the dark lad laughed as he heard him. But the fisher’s son took no heed, +and off he went, following the sun day after day, till his shoes were in +holes and his feet were sore from the journey. Nought did he see but +the birds that made their nests in the trees, not so much as a goat or +a rabbit. On and on and on he went, till suddenly he came upon a little +house, with a woman standing outside it. + +‘All hail, fisher’s son!’ said she. ‘I know what you are seeking; enter +in and rest and eat, and to-morrow I will give you what help I can, and +send you on your way.’ + +Gladly did Ian the fisher’s son accept her offer, and all that day he +rested, and the woman gave him ointment to put on his feet, which healed +his sores. At daybreak he got up, ready to be gone, and the woman bade +him farewell, saying: + +‘I have a sister who dwells on the road which you must travel. It is a +long road, and it would take you a year and a day to reach it, but put +on these old brown shoes with holes all over them, and you will be there +before you know it. Then shake them off, and turn their toes to the +known, and their heels to the unknown, and they will come home of +themselves.’ + +The fisher’s son did as the woman told him, and everything happened just +as she had said. But at parting the second sister said to him, as she +gave him another pair of shoes: + +‘Go to my third sister, for she has a son who is keeper of the birds of +the air, and sends them to sleep when night comes. He is very wise, and +perhaps he can help you.’ + +Then the young man thanked her, and went to the third sister. + +The third sister was very kind, but had no counsel to give him, so he +ate and drank and waited till her son came home, after he had sent all +the birds to sleep. He thought a long while after his mother had told +him the young man’s story, and at last he said that he was hungry, and +the cow must be killed, as he wanted some supper. So the cow was killed +and the meat cooked, and a bag made of its red skin. + +‘Now get into the bag,’ bade the son, and the young man got in and took +his gun with him, but the dog and the falcon he left outside. The keeper +of the birds drew the string at the top of the bag, and left it to +finish his supper, when in flew an eagle through the open door, and +picked the bag up in her claws and carried it through the air to an +island. There was nothing to eat on the island, and the fisher’s son +thought he would die of food, when he remembered the box that the lady +had put in his pocket. He opened the lid, and three tiny little birds +flew out, and flapping their wings they asked, + +‘Good master, is there anything we can do for thee?’ + +‘Bear me to the kingdom of the king under the waves,’ he answered, and +one little bird flew on to his head, and the others perched on each of +his shoulders, and he shut his eyes, and in a moment there he was in +the country under the sea. Then the birds flew away, and the young man +looked about him, his heart beating fast at the thought that here dwelt +the lady whom he had sought all the world over. + +He walked on through the streets, and presently he reached the house of +a weaver who was standing at his door, resting from his work. + +‘You are a stranger here, that is plain,’ said the weaver, ‘but come in, +and I will give you food and drink.’ And the young man was glad, for he +knew not where to go, and they sat and talked till it grew late. + +‘Stay with me, I pray, for I love company and am lonely,’ observed the +weaver at last, and he pointed to a bed in a corner, where the fisher’s +son threw himself, and slept till dawn. + +‘There is to be a horse-race in the town to-day,’ remarked the weaver, +‘and the winner is to have the king’s daughter to wife.’ The young +man trembled with excitement at the news, and his voice shook as he +answered: + +‘That will be a prize indeed, I should like to see the race.’ + +‘Oh, that is quite easy--anyone can go,’ replied the weaver. ‘I would +take you myself, but I have promised to weave this cloth for the king.’ + +‘That is a pity,’ returned the young man politely, but in his heart he +rejoiced, for he wished to be alone. + +Leaving the house, he entered a grove of trees which stood behind, and +took the box from his pocket. He raised the lid, and out flew the three +little birds. + +‘Good master, what shall we do for thee?’ asked they, and he answered, +‘Bring me the finest horse that ever was seen, and the grandest dress, +and glass shoes.’ + +‘They are here, master,’ said the birds, and so they were, and never had +the young man seen anything so splendid. + +Mounting the horse he rode into the ground where the horses were +assembling for the great race, and took his place among them. Many +good beasts were there which had won many races, but the horse of the +fisher’s son left them all behind, and he was first at the winning post. +The king’s daughter waited for him in vain to claim his prize, for +he went back to the wood, and got off his horse, and put on his old +clothes, and bade the box place some gold in his pockets. After that +he went back to the weaver’s house, and told him that the gold had been +given him by the man who had won the race, and that the weaver might +have it for his kindness to him. + +Now as nobody had appeared to demand the hand of the princess, the king +ordered another race to be run, and the fisher’s son rode into the field +still more splendidly dressed than he was before, and easily distanced +everybody else. But again he left the prize unclaimed, and so it +happened on the third day, when it seemed as if all the people in +the kingdom were gathered to see the race, for they were filled with +curiosity to know who the winner could be. + +‘If he will not come of his own free will, he must be brought,’ said the +king, and the messengers who had seen the face of the victor were sent +to seek him in every street of the town. This took many days, and when +at last they found the young man in the weaver’s cottage, he was so +dirty and ugly and had such a strange appearance, that they declared he +could not be the winner they had been searching for, but a wicked robber +who had murdered ever so many people, but had always managed to escape. + +‘Yes, it must be the robber,’ said the king, when the fisher’s son was +led into his presence; ‘build a gallows at once and hang him in the +sight of all my subjects, that they may behold him suffer the punishment +of his crimes.’ + +So the gallows was built upon a high platform, and the fisher’s son +mounted the steps up to it, and turned at the top to make the speech +that was expected from every doomed man, innocent or guilt. As he spoke +he happened to raise his arm, and the king’s daughter, who was there at +her father’s side, saw the name which she had written under it. With +a shriek she sprang from her seat, and the eyes of the spectators were +turned towards her. + +‘Stop! stop!’ she cried, hardly knowing what she said. ‘If that man +is hanged there is not a soul in the kingdom but shall die also.’ And +running up to where the fisher’s son was standing, she took him by the +hand, saying, + +‘Father, this is no robber or murderer, but the victor in the three +races, and he loosed the spells that were laid upon me.’ + +Then, without waiting for a reply, she conducted him into the palace, +and he bathed in a marble bath, and all the dirt that the fairies had +put upon him disappeared like magic, and when he had dressed himself in +the fine garments the princess had sent to him, he looked a match for +any king’s daughter in Erin. He went down into the great hall where she +was awaiting him, and they had much to tell each other but little +time to tell it in, for the king her father, and the princes who were +visiting him, and all the people of the kingdom were still in their +places expecting her return. + +‘How did you find me out?’ she whispered as they went down the passage. + +‘The birds in the box told me,’ answered he, but he could say no more, +as they stepped out into the open space that was crowded with people. +There the princes stopped. + +‘O kings!’ she said, turning towards them, ‘if one of you were killed +to-day, the rest would fly; but this man put his trust in me, and had +his head cut off three times. Because he has done this, I will marry him +rather than one of you, who have come hither to wed me, for many kings +here sought to free me from the spells, but none could do it save Ian +the fisher’s son.’ + +From ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands.’ + + + + +A Fish Story + + +Perhaps you think that fishes were always fishes, and never lived +anywhere except in the water, but if you went to Australia and talked to +the black people in the sandy desert in the centre of the country, you +would learn something quite different. They would tell you that long, +long ago you would have met fishes on the land, wandering from place to +place, and hunting all sorts of animals, and if you consider how fishes +are made, you will understand how difficult this must have been and how +clever they were to do it. Indeed, so clever were they that they might +have been hunting still if a terrible thing had not happened. + +One day the whole fish tribe came back very tired from a hunting +expedition, and looked about for a nice, cool spot in which to pitch +their camp. It was very hot, and they thought that they could not find +a more comfortable place than under the branches of a large tree which +grew by the bank of a river. So they made their fire to cook some food, +right on the edge of a steep bank, which had a deep pool of water lying +beneath it at the bottom. While the food was cooking they all stretched +themselves lazily out under the tree, and were just dropping off to +sleep when a big black cloud which they had never noticed spread over +the sun, and heavy drops of rain began to fall, so that the fire was +almost put out, and that, you know, is a very serious thing in savage +countries where they have no matches, for it is very hard to light it +again. To make matters worse, an icy wind began to blow, and the poor +fishes were chilled right through their bodies. + +‘This will never do,’ said Thuggai, the oldest of the fish tribe. ‘We +shall die of cold unless we can light the fire again,’ and he bade his +sons rub two sticks together in the hope of kindling a flame, but though +they rubbed till they were tired, not a spark could they produce. + +‘Let me try,’ cried Biernuga, the bony fish, but he had no better luck, +and no more had Kumbal, the bream, nor any of the rest. + +‘It is no use,’ exclaimed Thuggai, at last. ‘The wood is too wet. We +must just sit and wait till the sun comes out again and dries it.’ +Then a very little fish indeed, not more than four inches long and the +youngest of the tribe, bowed himself before Thuggai, saying, ‘Ask my +father, Guddhu the cod, to light the fire. He is skilled in magic more +than most fishes.’ So Thuggai asked him, and Guddhu stripped some pieces +of bark off a tree, and placed them on top of the smouldering ashes. +Then he knelt by the side of the fire and blew at it for a long while, +till slowly the feeble red glow became a little stronger and the edges +of the bark showed signs of curling up. When the rest of the tribe saw +this they pressed close, keeping their backs towards the piercing wind, +but Guddhu told them they must go to the other side, as he wanted the +wind to fan his fire. By and by the spark grew into a flame, and a merry +crackling was heard. + +‘More wood,’ cried Guddhi, and they all ran and gathered wood and heaped +it on the flames, which leaped and roared and sputtered. + +‘We shall soon be warm now,’ said the people one to another. ‘Truly +Guddhu is great’; and they crowded round again, closer and closer. +Suddenly, with a shriek, a blast of wind swept down from the hills +and blew the fire out towards them. They sprang back hurriedly, quite +forgetting where they stood, and all fell down the bank, each tumbling +over the other, till they rolled into the pool that lay below. Oh, how +cold it was in that dark water on which the sun never shone! Then in an +instant they felt warm again, for the fire, driven by the strong wind, +had followed them right down to the bottom of the pool, where it burned +as brightly as ever. And the fishes gathered round it as they had done +on the top of the cliff, and found the flames as hot as before, and that +fire never went out, like those upon land, but kept burning for ever. +So now you know why, if you dive deep down below the cold surface of +the water on a frosty day, you will find it comfortable and pleasant +underneath, and be quite sorry that you cannot stay there. + +Australian Folk Tale. + + + + +The Wonderful Tune. + + +Maurice Connor was the king, and that’s no small word, of all the pipers +in Munster. He could play jig and reel without end, and Ollistrum’s +March, and the Eagle’s Whistle, and the Hen’s Concert, and odd tunes of +every sort and kind. But he knew one far more surprising than the rest, +which had in it the power to set everything dead or alive dancing. + +In what way he learned it is beyond my knowledge for he was mighty +cautious about telling how he came by so wonderful a tune. At the very +first note of that tune the shoes began shaking upon the feet of all how +heard it--old or young, it mattered not--just as if the shoes had the +ague; then the feet began going, going, going from under them, and at +last up and away with them, dancing like mad, whisking here, there, and +everywhere, like a straw in a storm--there was no halting while the +music lasted. + +Not a fair, nor a wedding, nor a feast in the seven parishes round, was +counted worth the speaking of without ‘blind Maurice and his pipes.’ +His mother, poor woman, used to lead him about from one place to another +just like a dog. + +Down through Iveragh, Maurice Connor and his mother were taking their +rounds. Beyond all other places Iveragh is the place for stormy coasts +and steep mountains, as proper a spot it is as any in Ireland to get +yourself drowned, or your neck broken on the land, should you prefer +that. But, notwithstanding, in Ballinskellig Bay there is a neat bit of +ground, well fitted for diversion, and down from it, towards the water, +is a clean smooth piece of strand, the dead image of a calm summer’s sea +on a moonlight night, with just the curl of the small waves upon it. + +Here is was that Maurice’s music had brought from all parts a great +gathering of the young men and the young women; for ‘twas not every day +the strand of Trafraska was stirred up by the voice of a bagpipe. The +dance began; and as pretty a dance it was as ever was danced. ‘Brave +music,’ said everybody, ‘and well done,’ when Maurice stopped. + +‘More power to your elbow, Maurice, and a fair wind in the bellows,’ +cried Paddy Dorman, a hump-backed dancing master, who was there to keep +order. ‘’Tis a pity,’ said he, ‘if we’d let the piper run dry after such +music; ‘twould be a disgrace to Iveragh, that didn’t come on it since +the week of the three Sundays.’ So, as well became him, for he was +always a decent man, says he, ‘Did you drink, piper?’ + +‘I will, sir,’ said Maurice, answering the question on the safe side, +for you never yet knew piper or schoolmaster who refused his drink. + +‘What will you drink, Maurice?’ says Paddy. + +‘I’m no ways particular,’ says Maurice; ‘I drink anything, barring +raw water; but if it’s all the same to you, Mister Dorman, may be you +wouldn’t lend me the loan of a glass of whisky.’ + +‘I’ve no glass, Maurice,’ said Paddy; ‘I’ve only the bottle.’ + +‘Let that be no hindrance,’ answered Maurice; ‘my mouth just holds a +glass to the drop; often I’ve tried it sure.’ + +So Paddy Dorman trusted him with the bottle--more fool was he; and, to +his cost, he found that though Maurice’s mouth might not hold more than +the glass at one time, yet, owing to the hole in his throat, it took +many a filling. + +‘That was no bad whisky neither,’ says Maurice, handing back the empty +bottle. + +‘By the holy frost, then!’ says Paddy, ‘’tis but cold comfort there’s in +that bottle now; and ‘tis your word we must take for the strength of +the whisky, for you’ve left us no sample to judge by’; and to be sure +Maurice had not. + +Now I need not tell any gentleman or lady that if he or she was to drink +an honest bottle of whisky at one pull, it is not at all the same thing +as drinking a bottle of water; and in the whole course of my life I +never knew more than five men who could do so without being the worse. +Of these Maurice Connor was not one, though he had a stiff head enough +of his own. Don’t think I blame him for it; but true is the word that +says, ‘When liquor’s in sense is out’; and puff, at a breath, out he +blasted his wonderful tune. + +‘Twas really then beyond all belief or telling the dancing. Maurice +himself could not keep quiet; staggering now on one leg, now on the +other, and rolling about like a ship in a cross sea, trying to humour +the tune. There was his mother, too, moving her old bones as light as +the youngest girl of them all; but her dancing, no, nor the dancing +of all the rest, is not worthy the speaking about to the work that was +going on down upon the strand. Every inch of it covered with all manner +of fish jumping and plunging about to the music, and every moment more +and more would tumble in and out of the water, charmed by the wonderful +tune. Crabs of monstrous size spun round and round on one claw with the +nimbleness of a dancing master, and twirled and tossed their other claws +about like limbs that did not belong to them. It was a sight surprising +to behold. But perhaps you may have heard of Father Florence Conry, as +pleasant a man as one would wish to drink with of a hot summer’s day; +and he had rhymed out all about the dancing fishes so neatly that it +would be a thousand pities not to give you his verses; so here they are +in English: + + The big seals in motion, + Like waves of the ocean, + Or gouty feet prancing, + Came heading the gay fish, + Crabs, lobsters, and cray-fish, + Determined on dancing. + + The sweet sounds they followed, + The gasping cod swallow’d-- + ‘Twas wonderful, really; + And turbot and flounder, + ‘Mid fish that were rounder, + Just caper’d as gaily. + + John-dories came tripping; + Dull hake, by their skipping, + To frisk it seem’d given; + Bright mackrel went springing, + Like small rainbows winging + Their flight up to heaven. + + The whiting and haddock + Left salt water paddock + This dance to be put in; + Where skate with flat faces + Edged out some old plaices; + But soles kept their footing. + + Sprats and herrings in powers + Of silvery showers + All number out-numbered; + And great ling so lengthy + Was there in such plenty + The shore was encumber’d. + + The scallop and oyster + Their two shells did roister, + Like castanets flitting; + While limpets moved clearly, + And rocks very nearly + With laughter were splitting. + +Never was such a hullabaloo in this world, before or since; ‘twas as if +heaven and earth were coming together; and all out of Maurice Connor’s +wonderful tune! + +In the height of all these doings, what should there be dancing among +the outlandish set of fishes but a beautiful young woman--as beautiful +as the dawn of day! She had a cocked hat upon her head; from under it +her long green hair--just the colour of the sea--fell down behind, +without hindrance to her dancing. Her teeth were like rows of pearls; +her lips for all the world looked like red coral; and she had a shining +gown pale green as the hollow of the wave, with little rows of purple +and red seaweeds settled out upon it; for you never yet saw a lady, +under the water or over the water, who had not a good notion of dressing +herself out. + +Up she danced at last to Maurice, who was flinging his feet from under +him as fast as hops--for nothing in this world could keep still while +that tune of his was going on--and says she to him, chanting it out with +a voice as sweet as honey: + + I’m a lady of honour + Who live in the sea; + Come down, Maurice Connor, + And be married to me. + Silver plates and gold dishes + You shall have, and shall be + The king of the fishes, + When you’re married to me. + +Drink was strong in Maurice’s head, and out he chanted in return for her +great civility. It is not every lady, may be, that would be after making +such an offer to a blind piper; therefore ‘twas only right in him to +give her as good as she gave herself, so says Maurice: + + I’m obliged to you, madam: + Off a gold dish or plate, + If a king, and I had ‘em, + I could dine in great state. + With your own father’s daughter + I’d be sure to agree, + But to drink the salt water + Wouldn’t do so with me! + +The lady looked at him quite amazed, and swinging her head from side to +side like a great scholar, ‘Well,’ says she, ‘Maurice, if you’re not a +poet, where is poetry to be found?’ + +In this way they kept on at it, framing high compliments; one answering +the other, and their feet going with the music as fast as their tongues. +All the fish kept dancing, too; Maurice heard the clatter and was +afraid to stop playing lest it might be displeasing to the fish, and not +knowing what so many of them may take it into their heads to do to him +if they got vexed. + +Well, the lady with the green hair kept on coaxing Maurice with soft +speeches, till at last she over persuaded him to promise to marry her, +and be king over the fishes, great and small. Maurice was well fitted +to be their king, if they wanted one that could make them dance; and he +surely would drink, barring the salt water, with any fish of them all. + +When Maurice’s mother saw him with that unnatural thing in the form of a +green-haired lady as his guide, and he and she dancing down together +so lovingly to the water’s edge, through the thick of the fishes, she +called out after him to stop and come back. ‘Oh, then,’ says she, ‘as +if I was not widow enough before, there he is going away from me to be +married to that scaly woman. And who knows but ‘tis grandmother I may be +to a hake or a cod--Lord help and pity me, but ‘tis a mighty unnatural +thing! And my be ‘tis boiling and eating my own grandchild I’ll be, with +a bit of salt butter, and I not knowing it! Oh, Maurice, Maurice, if +there’s any love or nature left in you, come back to your own ould +mother, who reared you like a decent Christian!’ Then the poor woman +began to cry and sob so finely that it would do anyone good to hear her. + +Maurice was not long getting to the rim of the water. There he kept +playing and dancing on as if nothing was the matter, and a great +thundering wave coming in towards him ready to swallow him up alive; but +as he could not see it, he did not fear it. His mother it was who saw +it plainly through the big tears that were rolling down her cheeks; and +though she saw it, and her heart was aching as much as ever mother’s +heart ached for a son, she kept dancing, dancing all the time for the +bare life of her. Certain it was she could not help it, for Maurice +never stopped playing that wonderful tune of his. + +He only turned his ear to the sound of his mother’s voice, fearing it +might put him out in his steps, and all the answer he made back was, +‘Whisht with you mother--sure I’m going to be king over the fishes down +in the sea, and for a token of luck, and a sign that I’m alive and well, +I’ll send you in, every twelvemonth on this day, a piece of burned wood +to Trafraska.’ Maurice had not the power to say a word more, for the +strange lady with the green hair, seeing the wave just upon them, +covered him up with herself in a thing like a cloak with a big hood to +it, and the wave curling over twice as high as their heads, burst upon +the strand, with a rush and a roar that might be heard as far as Cape +Clear. + +That day twelvemonth the piece of burned wood came ashore in Trafraska. +It was a queer thing for Maurice to think of sending all the way +from the bottom of the sea. A gown or a pair of shoes would have been +something like a present for his poor mother; but he had said it, and +he kept his word. The bit of burned wood regularly came ashore on the +appointed day for as good, ay, and better than a hundred years. The +day is now forgotten, and may be that is the reason why people say how +Maurice Connor has stopped sending the luck-token to his mother. Poor +woman, she did not live to get as much as one of them; for what through +the loss of Maurice, and the fear of eating her own grandchildren, she +died in three weeks after the dance. Some say it was the fatigue that +killed her, but whichever it was, Mrs. Connor was decently buried with +her own people. + +Seafaring people have often heard, off the coast of Kerry, on a still +night, the sound of music coming up from the water; and some, who have +had good ears, could plainly distinguish Maurice Connor’s voice singing +these words to his pipes-- + + Beautiful shore, with thy spreading strand, + Thy crystal water, and diamond sand; + Never would I have parted from thee, + But for the sake of my fair ladie. + +From ‘Fairy Tales and Traditions of the South of Ireland.’ + + + + +The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother + + +There was once a rich old man who had two sons, and as his wife was +dead, the elder lived with him, and helped him to look after his +property. For a long time all went well; the young man got up very early +in the morning, and worked hard all day, and at the end of every week +his father counted up the money they had made, and rubbed his hands with +delight, as he saw how big the pile of gold in the strong iron chest was +becoming. ‘It will soon be full now, and I shall have to buy a larger +one,’ he said to himself, and so busy was he with the thought of his +money, that he did not notice how bright his son’s face had grown, nor +how he sometimes started when he was spoken to, as if his mind was far +away. + +One day, however, the old man went to the city on business, which he had +not done for three years at least. It was market day, and he met with +many people he knew, and it was getting quite late when he turned into +the inn yard, and bade an ostler saddle his horse, and bring it round +directly. While he was waiting in the hall, the landlady came up for a +gossip, and after a few remarks about the weather and the vineyards she +asked him how he liked his new daughter-in-law, and whether he had been +surprised at the marriage. + +The old man stared as he listened to her. ‘Daughter-in-law? Marriage?’ +said he. ‘I don’t know what you are talking about! I’ve got no +daughter-in-law, and nobody has been married lately, that I ever heard +of.’ + +Now this was exactly what the landlady, who was very curious, wanted to +find out; but she put on a look of great alarm, and exclaimed: + +‘Oh, dear! I hope I have not made mischief. I had no idea--or, of +course, I would not have spoken--but’--and here she stopped and fumbled +with her apron, as if she was greatly embarrassed. + +‘As you have said so much you will have to say a little more,’ retorted +the old man, a suspicion of what she meant darting across him; and the +woman, nothing loth, answered as before. + +‘Ah, it was not all for buying or selling that your handsome son has +been coming to town every week these many months past. And not by the +shortest way, either! No, it was over the river he rode, and across the +hill and past the cottage of Miguel the vine-keeper, whose daughter, +they say, is the prettiest girl in the whole country side, though she is +too white for my taste,’ and then the landlady paused again, and glanced +up at the farmer, to see how he was taking it. She did not learn much. +He was looking straight before him, his teeth set. But as she ceased to +talk, he said quietly, ‘Go on.’ + +‘There is not much more to tell,’ replied the landlady, for she suddenly +remembered that she must prepare supper for the hungry men who always +stopped at the inn on market days, before starting for home, ‘but one +fine morning they both went to the little church on top of the hill, +and were married. My cousin is servant to the priest, and she found out +about it and told me. But good-day to you, sir; here is your horse, and +I must hurry off to the kitchen.’ + +It was lucky that the horse was sure-footed and knew the road, for his +bridle hung loose on his neck, and his master took no heed of the way +he was going. When the farm-house was reached, the man led the animal to +the stable, and then went to look for his son. + +‘I know everything--you have deceived me. Get out of my sight at once--I +have done with you,’ he stammered, choking with passion as he came up to +the young man, who was cutting a stick in front of the door, whistling +gaily the while. + +‘But, father--’ + +‘You are no son of mine; I have only one now. Begone, or it will be the +worse for you,’ and as he spoke he lifted up his whip. + +The young man shrank back. He feared lest his father should fall down in +a fit, his face was so red and his eyes seemed bursting from his head. +But it was no use staying: perhaps next morning the old man might listen +to reason, though in his heart the son felt that he would never take +back his words. So he turned slowly away, and walked heavily along a +path which ended in a cave on the side of his hill, and there he sat +through the night, thinking of what had happened. + +Yes, he had been wrong, there was no doubt of that, and he did not quite +know how it had come about. He had meant to have told his father all +about it, and he was sure, quite sure, that if once the old man had seen +his wife, he would have forgiven her poverty on account of her great +beauty and goodness. But he had put it off from day to day, hoping +always for a better opportunity, and now this was the end! + +If the son had no sleep that night, no more had the father, and as soon +as the sun rose, he sent a messenger into the great city with orders to +bring back the younger brother. When he arrived the farmer did not waste +words, but informed him that he was now his only heir, and would inherit +all his lands and money, and that he was to come and live at home, and +to help manage the property. + +Though very pleased at the thought of becoming such a rich man--for the +brothers had never cared much for each other--the younger would rather +have stayed where he was, for he soon got tired of the country, and +longed for a town life. However, this he kept to himself, and made the +best of things, working hard like his brother before him. + +In this way the years went on, but the crops were not so good as they +had been, and the old man gave orders that some fine houses he was +building in the city should be left unfinished, for it would take all +the savings to complete them. As to the elder son, he would never even +hear his name mentioned, and died at last without ever seeing his face, +leaving to the younger, as he had promised, all his lands, as well as +his money. + +Meanwhile, the son whom he had disinherited had grown poorer and poorer. +He and his wife were always looking out for something to do, and never +spent a penny that they could help, but luck was against them, and at +the time of his father’s death they had hardly bread to eat or clothes +to cover them. If there had been only himself, he would have managed +to get on somehow, but he could not bear to watch his children becoming +weaker day by day, and swallowing his pride, at length he crossed the +mountains to his old home where his brother was living. + +It was the first time for long that the two men had come face to face, +and they looked at each other in silence. Then tears rose in the eyes of +the elder, but winking them hastily away, he said: + +‘Brother, it is not needful that I should tell you how poor I am; you +can see that for yourself. I have not come to beg for money, but only +to ask if you will give me those unfinished houses of yours in the city, +and I will make them watertight, so that my wife and children can live +in them, and that will save our rent. For as they are, they profit you +nothing.’ + +And the younger brother listened and pitied him, and gave him the houses +that he asked for, and the elder went away happy. + +For some years things went on as they were, and then the rich brother +began to feel lonely, and thought to himself that he was getting older, +and it was time for him to be married. The wife he chose was very +wealthy, but she was also very greedy, and however much she had, she +always wanted more. She was, besides, one of those unfortunate people +who invariably fancy that the possessions of other people must be better +than their own. Many a time her poor husband regretted the day that he +had first seen her, and often her meanness and shabby ways put him to +shame. But he had not the courage to rule her, and she only got worse +and worse. + +After she had been married a few months the bride wanted to go into the +city and buy herself some new dresses. She had never been there before, +and when she had finished her shopping, she thought she would pay a +visit to her unknown sister-in-law, and rest for a bit. The house +she was seeking was in a broad street, and ought to have been very +magnificent, but the carved stone portico enclosed a mean little door +of rough wood, while a row of beautiful pillars led to nothing. The +dwelling on each side were in the same unfinished condition, and water +trickled down the walls. Most people would have considered it a wretched +place, and turned their backs on it as soon as they could, but this lady +saw that by spending some money the houses could be made as splendid as +they were originally intended to be, and she instantly resolved to get +them for herself. + +Full of this idea she walked up the marble staircase, and entered +the little room where her sister-in-law sat, making clothes for her +children. The bride seemed full of interest in the houses, and asked +a great many questions about them, so that her new relations liked her +much better than they expected, and hoped they might be good friends. +However, as soon as she reached home, she went straight to her husband, +and told him that he must get back those houses from his brother, as +they would exactly suit her, and she could easily make them into a +palace as fine as the king’s. But her husband only told her that she +might buy houses in some other part of the town, for she could not have +those, as he had long since made a gift of them to his brother, who had +lived there for many years past. + +At this answer the wife grew very angry. She began to cry, and made such +a noise that all the neighbours heard her and put their heads out of the +windows, to see what was the matter. ‘It was absurd,’ she sobbed out, +‘quite unjust. Indeed, if you came to think of it, the gift was worth +nothing, as when her husband made it he was a bachelor, and since then +he had been married, and she had never given her consent to any such +thing.’ And so she lamented all day and all night, till the poor man +was nearly worried to death; and at last he did what she wished, and +summoned his brother in a court of law to give up the houses which, he +said, had only been lent to him. But when the evidence on both sides had +been heard, the judge decided in favour of the poor man, which made the +rich lady more furious than ever, and she determined not to rest until +she had gained the day. If one judge would not give her the houses +another should, and so time after time the case was tried over again, +till at last it came before the highest judge of all, in the city of +Evora. Her husband was heartily tired and ashamed of the whole affair, +but his weakness in not putting a stop to it in the beginning had got +him into this difficulty, and now he was forced to go on. + +On the same day the two brothers set out on their journey to the city, +the rich one on horseback, with plenty of food in his knapsack, the poor +one on foot with nothing but a piece of bread and four onions to eat +on the way. The road was hilly and neither could go very fast, and when +night fell, they were both glad to see some lights in a window a little +distance in front of them. + +The lights turned out to have been placed there by a farmer, who +had planned to have a particularly good supper as it was his wife’s +birthday, and bade the rich man enter and sit down, while he himself +took the horse to the stable. The poor man asked timidly if he might +spend the night in a corner, adding that he had brought his own supper +with him. Another time permission might have been refused him, for the +farmer was no lover of humble folk, but now he gave the elder brother +leave to come in, pointing out a wooden chair where he could sit. + +Supper was soon served, and very glad the younger brother was to eat it, +for his long ride had made him very hungry. The farmer’s wife, however, +would touch nothing, and at last declared that the only supper she +wanted was one of the onions the poor man was cooking at the fire. Of +course he gave it to her, though he would gladly have eaten it himself, +as three onions are not much at the end of a long day’s walk, and soon +after they all went to sleep, the poor man making himself as comfortable +as he could in his corner. + +A few hours later the farmer was aroused by the cries and groans of his +wife. + +‘Oh, I feel so ill, I’m sure I’m going to die,’ wept she. ‘It was that +onion, I know it was. I wish I had never eaten it. It must have been +poisoned.’ + +‘If the man has poisoned you he shall pay for it,’ said her husband, and +seizing a thick stick he ran downstairs and began to beat the poor +man, who had been sound asleep, and had nothing to defend himself +with. Luckily, the noise aroused the younger brother, who jumped up and +snatched the stick from the farmer’s hand, saying: + +‘We are both going to Evora to try a law-suit. Come too, and accuse him +there if he has attempted to rob you or murder you, but don’t kill him +now, or you will get yourself into trouble.’ + +‘Well, perhaps you are right,’ answered the farmer, ‘but the sooner that +fellow has his deserts, the better I shall be pleased,’ and without more +words he went to the stables and brought out a horse for himself and +also the black Andalusian mare ridden by the rich man, while the poor +brother, fearing more ill-treatment, started at once on foot. + +Now all that night it had rained heavily, and did not seem likely to +stop, and in some places the road was so thick with mud that it was +almost impossible to get across it. In one spot it was so very bad that +a mule laden with baggage had got stuck in it, and tug as he might, +his master was quite unable to pull him out. The muleteer in despair +appealed to the two horseman, who were carefully skirting the swamp at +some distance off, but they paid no heed to his cries, and he began to +talk cheerfully to his mule, hoping to keep up his spirits, declaring +that if the poor beast would only have a little patience help was sure +to come. + +And so it did, for very soon the poor brother reached the place, +bespattered with mud from head to foot, but ready to do all he could +to help with the mule and his master. First they set about finding some +stout logs of wood to lay down on the marsh so that they could reach the +mule, for by this time his frantic struggles had broken his bridle, and +he was deeper in than ever. Stepping cautiously along the wood, the poor +man contrived to lay hold of the animal’s tale, and with a desperate +effort the mule managed to regain his footing on dry ground, but at the +cost of leaving his tail in the poor man’s hand. When he saw this the +muleteer’s anger knew no bounds, and forgetting that without the help +given him he would have lost his mule altogether, he began to abuse the +poor man, declaring that he had ruined his beast, and the law would make +him pay for it. Then, jumping on the back of the mule, which was so glad +to be out of the choking mud that he did not seem to mind the loss of +his tail, the ungrateful wretch rode on, and that evening reached the +inn at Evora, where the rich man and the farmer had already arrived for +the night. + +Meanwhile the poor brother walked wearily along, wondering what other +dreadful adventures were in store for him. + +‘I shall certainly be condemned for one or other of them,’ thought he +sadly; ‘and after all, if I have to die, I would rather choose my own +death than leave it to my enemies,’ and as soon as he entered Evora he +looked about for a place suitable for carrying out the plan he had made. +At length he found what he sought, but as it was too late and too dark +for him to make sure of success, he curled himself up under a doorway, +and slept till morning. + +Although it was winter, the sun rose in a clear sky, and its rays felt +almost warm when the poor man got up and shook himself. He intended it +to be the day of his death, but in spite of that, and of the fact +that he was leaving his wife and children behind him, he felt almost +cheerful. He had struggled so long, and was so very, very tired; but he +would not have minded that if he could have proved his innocence, and +triumphed over his enemies. However, they had all been too clever for +him, and he had no strength to fight any more. So he mounted the stone +steps that led to the battlements of the city, and stopped for a moment +to gaze about him. + +It happened that an old sick man who lived near by had begged to be +carried out and to be laid at the foot of the wall so that the beams of +the rising sun might fall upon him, and he would be able to talk with +his friends as they passed by to their work. Little did he guess that +on top of the battlements, exactly over his head, stood a man who was +taking his last look at the same sun, before going to his death that +awaited him. But so it was; and as the steeple opposite was touched by +the golden light, the poor man shut his eyes and sprang forward. The +wall was high, and he flew rapidly through the air, but it was not the +ground he touched, only the body of the sick man, who rolled over and +died without a groan. As for the other, he was quite unhurt, and was +slowly rising to his feet when his arms were suddenly seized and held. + +‘You have killed our father, do you see? do you see?’ cried two young +men, ‘and you will come with us this instant before the judge, and +answer for it.’ + +‘Your father? but I don’t know him. What do you mean?’ asked the poor +man, who was quite bewildered with his sudden rush through the air, and +could not think why he should be accused of this fresh crime. But he got +no reply, and was only hurried through the streets to the court-house, +where his brother, the muleteer, and the farmer had just arrived, all as +angry as ever, all talking at once, till the judge entered and ordered +them to be silent. + +‘I will hear you one by one,’ he said, and motioned the younger brother +to begin. + +He did not take long to state his case. The unfinished houses were his, +left him with the rest of the property by his father, and his brother +refused to give them up. In answer, the poor man told, in a few words, +how he had begged the houses from his brother, and produced the deed of +gift which made him their owner. + +The judge listened quietly and asked a few questions; then he gave his +verdict. + +‘The houses shall remain the property of the man to whom they were +given, and to whom they belong. And as you,’ he added, turning to the +younger brother, ‘brought this accusation knowing full well it was +wicked and unjust, I order you, besides losing the houses, to pay a +thousand pounds damages to your brother.’ + +The rich man heard the judge with rage in his heart, the poor man with +surprise and gratitude. But he was not safe yet, for now it was the turn +of the farmer. The judge could hardly conceal a smile at the story, +and inquired if the wife was dead before the farmer left the house, and +received for answer that he was in such a hurry for justice to be done +that he had not waited to see. Then the poor man told his tale, and once +more judgment was given in his favour, while twelve hundred pounds +was ordered to be paid him. As for the muleteer, he was informed very +plainly that he had proved himself mean and ungrateful for the help that +had been given him, and as a punishment he must pay to the poor man a +fine of fifty pounds, and hand him over the mule till his tail had grown +again. + +Lastly, there came the two sons of the sick man. + +‘This is the wretch who killed our father,’ they said, ‘and we demand +that he should die also.’ + +‘How did you kill him?’ asked the judge, turning to the accused, and the +poor man told how he had leaped from the wall, not knowing that anyone +was beneath. + +‘Well, this is my judgment,’ replied the judge, when they had all +spoken: ‘Let the accused sit under the wall, and let the sons of the +dead man jump from the top and fall on him and kill him, and if they +will not to this, then they are condemned to pay eight hundred pounds +for their false accusation.’ + +The young men looked at each other, and slowly shook their heads. + +‘We will pay the fine,’ said they, and the judge nodded. + +So the poor man rode the mule home, and brought back to his family +enough money to keep them in comfort to the end of their days. + +Adapted from the Portuguese. + + + + +The One-Handed Girl + + +An old couple once lived in a hut under a grove of palm trees, and they +had one son and one daughter. They were all very happy together for many +years, and then the father became very ill, and felt he was going to +die. He called his children to the place where he lay on the floor--for +no one had any beds in that country--and said to his son, ‘I have +no herds of cattle to leave you--only the few things there are in the +house--for I am a poor man, as you know. But choose: will you have my +blessing or my property?’ + +‘Your property, certainly,’ answered the son, and his father nodded. + +‘And you?’ asked the old man of the girl, who stood by her brother. + +‘I will have blessing,’ she answered, and her father gave her much +blessing. + +That night he died, and his wife and son and daughter mourned for him +seven days, and gave him a burial according to the custom of his people. +But hardly was the time of mourning over, than the mother was attacked +by a disease which was common in that country. + +‘I am going away from you,’ she said to her children, in a faint voice; +‘but first, my son, choose which you will have: blessing or property.’ + +‘Property, certainly,’ answered the son. + +‘And you, my daughter?’ + +‘I will have blessing,’ said the girl; and her mother gave her much +blessing, and that night she died. + +When the days of mourning were ended, the brother bade his sister put +outside the hut all that belonged to his father and his mother. So the +girl put them out, and he took them away, save only a small pot and a +vessel in which she could clean her corn. But she had no corn to clean. + +She sat at home, sad and hungry, when a neighbour knocked at the door. + +‘My pot has cracked in the fire, lend me yours to cook my supper in, and +I will give you a handful of corn in return.’ + +And the girl was glad, and that night she was able to have supper +herself, and next day another woman borrowed her pot, and then another +and another, for never were known so many accidents as befell the +village pots at that time. She soon grew quite fat with all the corn she +earned with the help of her pot, and then one evening she picked up a +pumpkin seed in a corner, and planted it near her well, and it sprang +up, and gave her many pumpkins. + +At last it happened that a youth from her village passed through the +place where the girl’s brother was, and the two met and talked. + +‘What news is there of my sister?’ asked the young man, with whom things +had gone badly, for he was idle. + +‘She is fat and well-liking,’ replied the youth, ‘for the women borrow +her mortar to clean their corn, and borrow her pot to cook it in, and +for al this they give her more food than she can eat.’ And he went his +way. + +Now the brother was filled with envy at the words of the man, and he set +out at once, and before dawn he had reached the hut, and saw the pot and +the mortar were standing outside. He slung them over his shoulders and +departed, pleased with his own cleverness; but when his sister awoke +and sought for the pot to cook her corn for breakfast, she could find it +nowhere. At length she said to herself, + +‘Well, some thief must have stolen them while I slept. I will go and see +if any of my pumpkins are ripe.’ And indeed they were, and so many that +the tree was almost broken by the weight of them. So she ate what she +wanted and took the others to the village, and gave them in exchange for +corn, and the women said that no pumpkins were as sweet as these, and +that she was to bring every day all that she had. In this way she earned +more than she needed for herself, and soon was able to get another +mortar and cooking pot in exchange for her corn. Then she thought she +was quite rich. + +Unluckily someone else thought so too, and this was her brother’s wife, +who had heard all about the pumpkin tree, and sent her slave with a +handful of grain to buy her a pumpkin. At first the girl told him that +so few were left that she could not spare any; but when she found that +he belonged to her brother, she changed her mind, and went out to the +tree and gathered the largest and the ripest that was there. + +‘Take this one,’ she said to the slave, ‘and carry it back to your +mistress, but tell her to keep the corn, as the pumpkin is a gift.’ + +The brother’s wife was overjoyed at the sight of the fruit, and when she +tasted it, she declared it was the nicest she had ever eaten. Indeed, +all night she thought of nothing else, and early in the morning she +called another slave (for she was a rich woman) and bade him go and ask +for another pumpkin. But the girl, who had just been out to look at her +tree, told him that they were all eaten, so he went back empty-handed to +his mistress. + +In the evening her husband returned from hunting a long way off, and +found his wife in tears. + +‘What is the matter?’ asked he. + +‘I sent a slave with some grain to your sister to buy some pumpkins, but +she would not sell me any, and told me there were none, though I know +she lets other people buy them.’ + +‘Well, never mind now--go to sleep,’ said he, ‘and to-morrow I will go +and pull up the pumpkin tree, and that will punish her for treating you +so badly.’ + +So before sunrise he got up and set out for his sister’s house, and +found her cleaning some corn. + +‘Why did you refuse to sell my wife a pumpkin yesterday when she wanted +one?’ he asked. + +‘The old ones are finished, and the new ones are not yet come,’ answered +the girl. ‘When her slave arrived two days ago, there were only four +left; but I gave him one, and would take no corn for it.’ + +‘I do not believe you; you have sold them all to other people. I shall +go and cut down the pumpkin,’ cried her brother in a rage. + +‘If you cut down the pumpkin you shall cut off my hand with it,’ +exclaimed the girl, running up to her tree and catching hold of it. But +her brother followed, and with one blow cut off the pumpkin and her hand +too. + +Then he went into the house and took away everything he could find, and +sold the house to a friend of his who had long wished to have it, and +his sister had no home to go to. + +Meanwhile she had bathed her arm carefully, and bound on it some healing +leaves that grew near by, and wrapped a cloth round the leaves, and went +to hide in the forest, that her brother might not find her again. + +For seven days she wandered about, eating only the fruit that hung from +the trees above her, and every night she climbed up and tucked herself +safely among the creepers which bound together the big branches, so that +neither lions nor tigers nor panthers might get at her. + +When she woke up on the seventh morning she saw from her perch smoke +coming up from a little town on the edge of the forest. The sight of +the huts made her feel more lonely and helpless than before. She longed +desperately for a draught of milk from a gourd, for there were no +streams in that part, and she was very thirsty, but how was she to earn +anything with only one hand? And at this thought her courage failed, and +she began to cry bitterly. + +It happened that the king’s son had come out from the town very early to +shoot birds, and when the sun grew hot he left tired. + +‘I will lie here and rest under this tree,’ he said to his attendants. +‘You can go and shoot instead, and I will just have this slave to stay +with me!’ Away they went, and the young man fell asleep, and slept long. +Suddenly he was awakened by something wet and salt falling on his face. + +‘What is that? Is it raining?’ he said to his slave. ‘Go and look.’ + +‘No, master, it is not raining,’ answered the slave. + +‘Then climb up the tree and see what it is,’ and the slave climbed up, +and came back and told his master that a beautiful girl was sitting up +there, and that it must have been her tears which had fallen on the face +of the king’s son. + +‘Why was she crying?’ inquired the prince. + +‘I cannot tell--I did not dare to ask her; but perhaps she would tell +you.’ And the master, greatly wondering, climbed up the tree. + +‘What is the matter with you?’ said he gently, and, as she only sobbed +louder, he continued: + +‘Are you a woman, or a spirit of the woods?’ + +‘I am a woman,’ she answered slowly, wiping her eyes with a leaf of the +creeper that hung about her. + +‘Then why do you cry?’ he persisted. + +‘I have many things to cry for,’ she replied, ‘more than you could ever +guess.’ + +‘Come home with me,’ said the prince; ‘it is not very far. Come home to +my father and mother. I am a king’s son.’ + +‘Then why are you here?’ she said, opening her eyes and staring at him. + +‘Once every month I and my friends shoot birds in the forest,’ he +answered, ‘but I was tired and bade them leave me to rest. And you--what +are you doing up in this tree?’ + +At that she began to cry again, and told the king’s son all that had +befallen her since the death of her mother. + +‘I cannot come down with you, for I do not like anyone to see me,’ she +ended with a sob. + +‘Oh! I will manage all that,’ said the king’s son, and swinging himself +to a lower branch, he bade his slave go quickly into the town, and bring +back with him four strong men and a curtained litter. When the man +was gone, the girl climbed down, and hid herself on the ground in some +bushes. Very soon the slave returned with the litter, which was placed +on the ground close to the bushes where the girl lay. + +‘Now go, all of you, and call my attendants, for I do not wish to say +here any longer,’ he said to the men, and as soon as they were out of +sight he bade the girl get into the litter, and fasten the curtains +tightly. Then he got in on the other side, and waited till his +attendants came up. + +‘What is the matter, O son of a king?’ asked they, breathless with +running. + +‘I think I am ill; I am cold,’ he said, and signing to the bearers, he +drew the curtains, and was carried through the forest right inside his +own house. + +‘Tell my father and mother that I have a fever, and want some gruel,’ +said he, ‘and bid them send it quickly.’ + +So the slave hastened to the king’s palace and gave his message, which +troubled both the king and the queen greatly. A pot of hot gruel was +instantly prepared, and carried over to the sick man, and as soon as the +council which was sitting was over, the king and his ministers went to +pay him a visit, bearing a message from the queen that she would follow +a little later. + +Now the prince had pretended to be ill in order to soften his parent’s +hearts, and the next day he declared he felt better, and, getting into +his litter, was carried to the palace in state, drums being beaten all +along the road. + +He dismounted at the foot of the steps and walked up, a great parasol +being held over his head by a slave. Then he entered the cool, dark room +where his father and mother were sitting, and said to them: + +‘I saw a girl yesterday in the forest whom I wish to marry, and, unknown +to my attendants, I brought her back to my house in a litter. Give me +your consent, I beg, for no other woman pleases me as well, even though +she has but one hand!’ + +Of course the king and queen would have preferred a daughter-in-law +with two hands, and one who could have brought riches with her, but they +could not bear to say ‘No’ to their son, so they told him it should be +as he chose, and that the wedding feast should be prepared immediately. + +The girl could scarcely believe her good fortune, and, in gratitude for +all the kindness shown her, was so useful and pleasant to her husband’s +parents that they soon loved her. + +By and bye a baby was born to her, and soon after that the prince was +sent on a journey by his father to visit some of the distant towns of +the kingdom, and to set right things that had gone wrong. + +No sooner had he started than the girl’s brother, who had wasted all the +riches his wife had brought him in recklessness and folly, and was now +very poor, chanced to come into the town, and as he passed he heard a +man say, ‘Do you know that the king’s son has married a woman who has +lost one of her hands?’ On hearing these words the brother stopped and +asked, ‘Where did he find such a woman?’ + +‘In the forest,’ answered the man, and the cruel brother guessed at once +it must be his sister. + +A great rage took possession of his soul as he thought of the girl whom +he had tried to ruin being after all so much better off than himself, +and he vowed that he would work her ill. Therefore that very afternoon +he made his way to the palace and asked to see the king. + +When he was admitted to his presence, he knelt down and touched the +ground with his forehead, and the king bade him stand up and tell +wherefore he had come. + +‘By the kindness of your heart have you been deceived, O king,’ said he. +‘Your son has married a girl who has lost a hand. Do you know why she +had lost it? She was a witch, and has wedded three husbands, and each +husband she has put to death with her arts. Then the people of the town +cut off her hand, and turned her into the forest. And what I say is +true, for her town is my town also.’ + +The king listened, and his face grew dark. Unluckily he had a hasty +temper, and did not stop to reason, and, instead of sending to the town, +and discovering people who knew his daughter-in-law and could have told +him how hard she had worked and how poor she had been, he believed all +the brother’s lying words, and made the queen believe them too. Together +they took counsel what they should do, and in the end they decided that +they also would put her out of the town. But this did not content the +brother. + +‘Kill her,’ he said. ‘It is no more than she deserves for daring to +marry the king’s son. Then she can do no more hurt to anyone.’ + +‘We cannot kill her,’ answered they; ‘if we did, our son would assuredly +kill us. Let us do as the others did, and put her out of the town. And +with this the envious brother was forced to be content. + +The poor girl loved her husband very much, but just then the baby was +more to her than all else in the world, and as long as she had him with +her, she did not very much mind anything. So, taking her son on her arm, +and hanging a little earthen pot for cooking round her neck, she left +her house with its great peacock fans and slaves and seats of ivory, and +plunged into the forest. + +For a while she walked, not knowing whither she went, then by and bye +she grew tired, and sat under a tree to rest and to hush her baby to +sleep. Suddenly she raised her eyes, and saw a snake wriggling from +under the bushes towards her. + +‘I am a dead woman,’ she said to herself, and stayed quite still, for +indeed she was too frightened to move. In another minute the snake had +reached her side, and to her surprise he spoke. + +‘Open your earthen pot, and let me go in. Save me from sun, and I will +save you from rain,’ and she opened the pot, and when the snake had +slipped in, she put on the cover. Soon she beheld another snake coming +after the other one, and when it had reached her it stopped and said, +‘Did you see a small grey snake pass this way just now?’ + +‘Yes,’ she answered, ‘it was going very quickly.’ + +‘Ah, I must hurry and catch it up,’ replied the second snake, and it +hastened on. + +When it was out of sight, a voice from the pot said: + +‘Uncover me,’ and she lifted the lid, and the little grey snake slid +rapidly to the ground. + +‘I am safe now,’ he said. ‘But tell me, where are you going?’ + +‘I cannot tell you, for I do not know,’ she answered. ‘I am just +wandering in the wood.’ + +‘Follow me, and let us go home together,’ said the snake, and the girl +followed his through the forest and along the green paths, till they +came to a great lake, where they stopped to rest. + +‘The sun is hot,’ said the snake, ‘and you have walked far. Take your +baby and bathe in that cool place where the boughs of the tree stretch +far over the water.’ + +‘Yes, I will,’ answered she, and they went in. The baby splashed and +crowed with delight, and then he gave a spring and fell right in, down, +down, down, and his mother could not find him, though she searched all +among the reeds. + +Full of terror, she made her way back to the bank, and called to the +snake, ‘My baby is gone!--he is drowned, and never shall I see him +again.’ + +‘Go in once more,’ said the snake, ‘and feel everywhere, even among the +trees that have their roots in the water, lest perhaps he may be held +fast there.’ + +Swiftly she went back and felt everywhere with her whole hand, even +putting her fingers into the tiniest crannies, where a crab could hardly +have taken shelter. + +‘No, he is not here,’ she cried. ‘How am I to live without him?’ But the +snake took no notice, and only answered, ‘Put in your other arm too.’ + +‘What is the use of that?’ she asked, ‘when it has no hand to feel +with?’ but all the same she did as she was bid, and in an instant the +wounded arm touched something round and soft, lying between two stones +in a clump of reeds. + +‘My baby, my baby!’ she shouted, and lifted him up, merry and laughing, +and not a bit hurt or frightened. + +‘Have you found him this time?’ asked the snake. + +‘Yes, oh, yes!’ she answered, ‘and, why--why--I have got my hand back +again!’ and from sheer joy she burst into tears. + +The snake let her weep for a little while, and then he said-- + +‘Now we will journey on to my family, and we will all repay you for the +kindness you showed to me.’ + +‘You have done more than enough in giving me back my hand,’ replied the +girl; but the snake only smiled. + +‘Be quick, lest the sun should set,’ he answered, and began to wriggle +along so fast that the girl could hardly follow him. + +By and bye they arrived at the house in a tree where the snake lived, +when he was not travelling with his father and mother. And he told them +all his adventures, and how he had escaped from his enemy. The father +and mother snake could not do enough to show their gratitude. They made +their guest lie down on a hammock woven of the strong creepers +which hung from bough to bough, till she was quite rested after her +wanderings, while they watched the baby and gave him milk to drink from +the cocoa-nuts which they persuaded their friends the monkeys to crack +for them. They even managed to carry small fruit tied up in their tails +for the baby’s mother, who felt at last that she was safe and at peace. +Not that she forgot her husband, for she often thought of him and longed +to show him her son, and in the night she would sometimes lie awake and +wonder where he was. + + + +In this manner many weeks passed by. + +And what was the prince doing? + +Well, he had fallen very ill when he was on the furthest border of the +kingdom, and he was nursed by some kind people who did not know who he +was, so that the king and queen heard nothing about him. When he was +better he made his way home again, and into his father’s palace, where +he found a strange man standing behind the throne with the peacock’s +feathers. This was his wife’s brother, whom the king had taken into high +favour, though, of course, the prince was quite ignorant of what had +happened. + +For a moment the king and queen stared at their son, as if he had been +unknown to them; he had grown so thin and weak during his illness that +his shoulders were bowed like those of an old man. + +‘Have you forgotten me so soon?’ he asked. + +At the sound of his voice they gave a cry and ran towards him, and +poured out questions as to what had happened, and why he looked like +that. But the prince did not answer any of them. + +‘How is my wife?’ he said. There was a pause. + +Then the queen replied: + +‘She is dead.’ + +‘Dead!’ he repeated, stepping a little backwards. ‘And my child?’ + +‘He is dead too.’ + +The young man stood silent. Then he said, ‘Show me their graves.’ + +At these words the king, who had been feeling rather uncomfortable, took +heart again, for had he not prepared two beautiful tombs for his son to +see, so that he might never, never guess what had been done to his wife? +All these months the king and queen had been telling each other how good +and merciful they had been not to take her brother’s advice and to put +her to death. But now, this somehow did not seem so certain. + +Then the king led the way to the courtyard just behind the palace, and +through the gate into a beautiful garden where stood two splendid +tombs in a green space under the trees. The prince advanced alone, and, +resting his head against the stone, he burst into tears. His father and +mother stood silently behind with a curious pang in their souls which +they did not quite understand. Could it be that they were ashamed of +themselves? + +But after a while the prince turned round, and walking past them in to +the palace he bade the slaves bring him mourning. For seven days no +one saw him, but at the end of them he went out hunting, and helped his +father rule his people. Only no one dared to speak to him of his wife +and son. + +At last one morning, after the girl had been lying awake all night +thinking of her husband, she said to her friend the snake: + +‘You have all shown me much kindness, but now I am well again, and want +to go home and hear some news of my husband, and if he still mourns for +me!’ Now the heart of the snake was sad at her words, but he only said: + +‘Yes, thus it must be; go and bid farewell to my father and mother, but +if they offer you a present, see that you take nothing but my father’s +ring and my mother’s casket.’ + +So she went to the parent snakes, who wept bitterly at the thought of +losing her, and offered her gold and jewels as much as she could carry +in remembrance of them. But the girl shook her head and pushed the +shining heap away from her. + +‘I shall never forget you, never,’ she said in a broken voice, ‘but the +only tokens I will accept from you are that little ring and this old +casket.’ + +The two snakes looked at each other in dismay. The ring and the casket +were the only things they did not want her to have. Then after a short +pause they spoke. + +‘Why do you want the ring and casket so much? Who has told you of them?’ + +‘Oh, nobody; it is just my fancy,’ answered she. But the old snakes +shook their heads and replied: + +‘Not so; it is our son who told you, and, as he said, so it must be. If +you need food, or clothes, or a house, tell the ring and it will find +them for you. And if you are unhappy or in danger, tell the casket and +it will set things right.’ Then they both gave her their blessing, and +she picked up her baby and went her way. + +She walked for a long time, till at length she came near the town where +her husband and his father dwelt. Here she stopped under a grove of palm +trees, and told the ring that she wanted a house. + +‘It is ready, mistress,’ whispered a queer little voice which made +her jump, and, looking behind her, she saw a lovely palace made of the +finest woods, and a row of slaves with tall fans bowing before the door. +Glad indeed was she to enter, for she was very tired, and, after eating +a good supper of fruit and milk which she found in one of the rooms, she +flung herself down on a pile of cushions and went to sleep with her baby +beside her. + +Here she stayed quietly, and every day the baby grew taller and +stronger, and very soon he could run about and even talk. Of course the +neighbours had a great deal to say about the house which had been built +so quickly--so very quickly--on the outskirts of the town, and invented +all kinds of stories about the rich lady who lived in it. And by and +bye, when the king returned with his son from the wars, some of these +tales reached his ears. + +‘It is really very odd about that house under the palms,’ he said to the +queen; ‘I must find out something of the lady whom no one ever sees. I +daresay it is not a lady at all, but a gang of conspirators who want to +get possession of my throne. To-morrow I shall take my son and my chief +ministers and insist on getting inside.’ + +Soon after sunrise next day the prince’s wife was standing on a little +hill behind the house, when she saw a cloud of dust coming through the +town. A moment afterwards she heard faintly the roll of the drums that +announced the king’s presence, and saw a crowd of people approaching the +grove of palms. Her heart beat fast. Could her husband be among them? +In any case they must not discover her there; so just bidding the ring +prepare some food for them, she ran inside, and bound a veil of golden +gauze round her head and face. Then, taking the child’s hand, she went +to the door and waited. + +In a few minutes the whole procession came up, and she stepped forward +and begged them to come in and rest. + +‘Willingly,’ answered the king; ‘go first, and we will follow you.’ + +They followed her into a long dark room, in which was a table covered +with gold cups and baskets filled with dates and cocoa-nuts and all +kinds of ripe yellow fruits, and the king and the prince sat upon +cushions and were served by slaves, while the ministers, among whom she +recognised her own brother, stood behind. + +‘Ah, I owe all my misery to him,’ she said to herself. ‘From the first +he has hated me,’ but outwardly she showed nothing. And when the king +asked her what news there was in the town she only answered: + +‘You have ridden far; eat first, and drink, for you must be hungry and +thirsty, and then I will tell you my news.’ + +‘You speak sense,’ answered the king, and silence prevailed for some +time longer. Then he said: + +‘Now, lady, I have finished, and am refreshed, therefore tell me, I pray +you, who you are, and whence you come? But, first, be seated.’ + +She bowed her head and sat down on a big scarlet cushion, drawing her +little boy, who was asleep in a corner, on to her knee, and began to +tell the story of her life. As her brother listened, he would fain have +left the house and hidden himself in the forest, but it was his duty to +wave the fan of peacock’s feathers over the king’s head to keep off the +flies, and he knew he would be seized by the royal guards if he tried +to desert his post. He must stay where he was, there was no help for +it, and luckily for him the king was too much interested in the tale to +notice that the fan had ceased moving, and that flies were dancing right +on the top of his thick curly hair. + +The story went on, but the story-teller never once looked at the prince, +even through her veil, though he on his side never moved his eyes from +her. When she reached the part where she had sat weeping in the tree, +the king’s son could restrain himself no longer. + +‘It is my wife,’ he cried, springing to where she sat with the sleeping +child in her lap. ‘They have lied to me, and you are not dead after all, +nor the boy either! But what has happened? Why did they lie to me? +and why did you leave my house where you were safe?’ And he turned and +looked fiercely at his father. + +‘Let me finish my tale first, and then you will know,’ answered she, +throwing back her veil, and she told how her brother had come to the +palace and accused her of being a witch, and had tried to persuade the +king to slay her. ‘But he would not do that,’ she continued softly, ‘and +after all, if I had stayed on in your house, I should never have met the +snake, nor have got my hand back again. So let us forget all about it, +and be happy once more, for see! our son is growing quite a big boy.’ + +‘And what shall be done to your brother?’ asked the king, who was glad +to think that someone had acted in this matter worse than himself. + +‘Put him out of the town,’ answered she. + +From ‘Swaheli Tales,’ by E. Steere. + + + + +The Bones of Djulung + + +In a beautiful island that lies in the southern seas, where chains of +gay orchids bind the trees together, and the days and nights are equally +long and nearly equally hot, there once lived a family of seven sisters. +Their father and mother were dead, and they had no brothers, so the +eldest girl ruled over the rest, and they all did as she bade them. One +sister had to clean the house, a second carried water from the spring +in the forest, a third cooked their food, while to the youngest fell the +hardest task of all, for she had to cut and bring home the wood which +was to keep the fire continually burning. This was very hot and tiring +work, and when she had fed the fire and heaped up in a corner the sticks +that were to supply it till the next day, she often threw herself down +under a tree, and went sound asleep. + +One morning, however, as she was staggering along with her bundle on her +back, she thought that the river which flowed past their hut looked so +cool and inviting that she determined to bathe in it, instead of taking +her usual nap. Hastily piling up her load by the fire, and thrusting +some sticks into the flame, she ran down to the river and jumped in. How +delicious it was diving and swimming and floating in the dark forest, +where the trees were so thick that you could hardly see the sun! But +after a while she began to look about her, and her eyes fell on a little +fish that seemed made out of a rainbow, so brilliant were the colours he +flashed out. + +‘I should like him for a pet,’ thought the girl, and the next time the +fish swam by, she put out her hand and caught him. Then she ran along +the grassy path till she came to a cave in front of which a stream fell +over some rocks into a basin. Here she put her little fish, whose name +was Djulung-djulung, and promising to return soon and bring him some +dinner, she went away. + +By the time she got home, the rice for their dinner was ready cooked, +and the eldest sister gave the other six their portions in wooden bowls. +But the youngest did not finish hers, and when no one was looking, stole +off to the fountain in the forest where the little fish was swimming +about. + +‘See! I have not forgotten you,’ she cried, and one by one she let +the grains of rice fall into the water, where the fish gobbled them up +greedily, for he had never tasted anything so nice. + +‘That is all for to-day,’ she said at last, ‘but I will come again +to-morrow,’ and biding him good-bye she went down the path. + +Now the girl did not tell her sisters about the fish, but every day she +saved half of her rice to give him, and called him softly in a little +song she had made for herself. If she sometimes felt hungry, no one knew +of it, and, indeed, she did not mind that much, when she saw how the +fish enjoyed it. And the fish grew fat and big, but the girl grew thin +and weak, and the loads of wood felt heavier every day, and at last her +sisters noticed it. + +Then they took counsel together, and watched her to see what she did, +and one of them followed her to the fountain where Djulung lived, +and saw her give him all the rice she had saved from her breakfast. +Hastening home the sister told the others what she had witnessed, and +that a lovely fat fish might be had for the catching. So the eldest +sister went and caught him, and he was boiled for supper, but the +youngest sister was away in the woods, and did not know anything about +it. + +Next morning she went as usual to the cave, and sang her little song, +but no Djulung came to answer it; twice and thrice she sang, then threw +herself on her knees by the edge, and peered into the dark water, but +the trees cast such a deep shadow that her eyes could not pierce it. + +‘Djulung cannot be dead, or his body would be floating on the surface,’ +she said to herself, and rising to her feet she set out homewards, +feeling all of a sudden strangely tired. + +‘What is the matter with me?’ she thought, but somehow or other she +managed to reach the hut, and threw herself down in a corner, where she +slept so soundly that for days no one was able to wake her. + +At length, one morning early, a cock began to crow so loud that +she could sleep no longer and as he continued to crow she seemed to +understand what he was saying, and that he was telling her that Djulung +was dead, killed and eaten by her sisters, and that his bones lay buried +under the kitchen fire. Very softly she got up, and took up the large +stone under the fire, and creeping out carried the bones to the cave +by the fountain, where she dug a hole and buried them anew. And as she +scooped out the hole with a stick she sang a song, bidding the bones +grow till they became a tree--a tree that reached up so high into the +heavens that its leaves would fall across the sea into another island, +whose king would pick them up. + +As there was no Djulung to give her rice to, the girl soon became fat +again, and as she was able to do her work as of old, her sisters did not +trouble about her. They never guessed that when she went into the forest +to gather her sticks, she never failed to pay a visit to the tree, which +grew taller and more wonderful day by day. Never was such a tree seen +before. Its trunk was of iron, its leaves were of silk, its flowers of +gold, and its fruit of diamonds, and one evening, though the girl did +not know it, a soft breeze took one of the leaves, and blew it across +the sea to the feet of one of the king’s attendants. + +‘What a curious leaf! I have never beheld one like it before. I must +show it to the king,’ he said, and when the king saw it he declared he +would never rest until he had found the tree which bore it, even if he +had to spend the rest of his life in visiting the islands that lay all +round. Happily for him, he began with the island that was nearest, and +here in the forest he suddenly saw standing before him the iron tree, +its boughs covered with shining leaves like the one he carried about +him. + +‘But what sort of a tree is it, and how did it get here?’ he asked of +the attendants he had with him. No one could answer him, but as they +were about to pass out of the forest a little boy went by, and the king +stopped and inquired if there was anyone living in the neighbourhood +whom he might question. + +‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with +his finger to where the sun was setting. + +‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the +boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of +jewels round his neck, had sent for them. + +Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but +the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed +behind, to finish the work she was doing. The king welcomed the girls +eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as +they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing. +‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure +no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was +all that the king wanted of them. + +‘But the boy told me there were seven of you, and there are only six +here,’ said the king. + +‘Oh, the youngest is at home, but she is always half asleep, and is of +no use except to cut wood for the fire,’ replied they in a breath. + +‘That may be, but perhaps she dreams,’ answered the king. ‘Anyway, I +will speak to her also.’ Then he signed to one of his attendants, who +followed the path that the boy had taken to the hut. + +Soon the man returned, with the girl walking behind him. And as soon as +she reached the tree it bowed itself to the earth before her, and she +stretched out her hand and picked some of its leaves and flowers and +gave them to the king. + +‘The maiden who can work such wonders is fitted to be the wife of the +greatest chief,’ he said, and so he married her, and took her with him +across the sea to his own home, where they lived happily for ever after. + +From ‘Folk Lore,’ by A. F. Mackenzie. + + + + +The Sea King’s Gift + + +There was once a fisherman who was called Salmon, and his Christian name +was Matte. He lived by the shore of the big sea; where else could he +live? He had a wife called Maie; could you find a better name for her? +In winter they dwelt in a little cottage by the shore, but in spring +they flitted to a red rock out in the sea and stayed there the whole +summer until it was autumn. The cottage on the rock was even smaller +than the other; it had a wooden bolt instead of an iron lock to the +door, a stone hearth, a flagstaff, and a weather-cock on the roof. + +The rock was called Ahtola, and was not larger than the market-place +of a town. Between the crevices there grew a little rowan tree and four +alder bushes. Heaven only knows how they ever came there; perhaps they +were brought by the winter storms. Besides that, there flourished some +tufts of velvety grass, some scattered reeds, two plants of the yellow +herb called tansy, four of a red flower, and a pretty white one; but the +treasures of the rock consisted of three roots of garlic, which Maie had +put in a cleft. Rock walls sheltered them on the north side, and the +sun shone on them on the south. This does not seem much, but it sufficed +Maie for a herb plot. + +All good things go in threes, so Matte and his wife fished for salmon in +spring, for herring in summer, and for cod in winter. When on Saturdays +the weather was fine and the wind favourable, they sailed to the nearest +town, sold their fish, and went to church on Sunday. But it often +happened that for weeks at a time they were quite alone on the rock +Ahtola, and had nothing to look at except their little yellow-brown dog, +which bore the grand name of Prince, their grass tufts, their bushes and +blooms, the sea bays and fish, a stormy sky and the blue, white-crested +waves. For the rock lay far away from the land, and there were no +green islets or human habitations for miles round, only here and there +appeared a rock of the same red stone as Ahtola, besprinkled day and +night with the ocean spray. + +Matte and Maie were industrious, hard-working folk, happy and contented +in their poor hut, and they thought themselves rich when they were able +to salt as many casks of fish as they required for winter and yet have +some left over with which to buy tobacco for the old man, and a pound or +two of coffee for his wife, with plenty of burned corn and chicory in it +to give it a flavour. Besides that, they had bread, butter, fish, a beer +cask, and a buttermilk jar; what more did they require? All would have +gone well had not Maie been possessed with a secret longing which never +let her rest; and this was, how she could manage to become the owner of +a cow. + +‘What would you do with a cow?’ asked Matte. ‘She could not swim so far, +and our boat is not large enough to bring her over here; and even if we +had her, we have nothing to feed her on.’ + +‘We have four alder bushes and sixteen tufts of grass,’ rejoined Maie. + +‘Yes, of course,’ laughed Matte, ‘and we have also three plants of +garlic. Garlic would be fine feeding for her.’ + +‘Every cow likes salt herring,’ rejoined his wife. ‘Even Prince is fond +of fish.’ + +‘That may be,’ said her husband. ‘Methinks she would soon be a dear cow +if we had to feed her on salt herring. All very well for Prince, who +fights with the gulls over the last morsel. Put the cow out of your +head, mother, we are very well off as we are.’ + +Maie sighed. She knew well that her husband was right, but she could not +give up the idea of a cow. The buttermilk no longer tasted as good as +usual in the coffee; she thought of sweet cream and fresh butter, and of +how there was nothing in the world to be compared with them. + +One day as Matte and his wife were cleaning herring on the shore they +heard Prince barking, and soon there appeared a gaily painted boat with +three young men in it, steering towards the rock. They were students, on +a boating excursion, and wanted to get something to eat. + +‘Bring us a junket, good mother,’ cried they to Maie. + +‘Ah! if only I had such a thing!’ sighed Maie. + +‘A can of fresh milk, then,’ said the students; ‘but it must not be +skim.’ + +‘Yes, if only I had it!’ sighed the old woman, still more deeply. + +‘What! haven’t you got a cow?’ + +Maie was silent. This question so struck her to the heart that she could +not reply. + +‘We have no cow,’ Matte answered; ‘but we have good smoked herring, and +can cook them in a couple of hours.’ + +‘All right, then, that will do,’ said the students, as they flung +themselves down on the rock, while fifty silvery-white herring were +turning on the spit in front of the fire. + +‘What’s the name of this little stone in the middle of the ocean?’ asked +one of them. + +‘Ahtola,’ answered the old man. + +‘Well, you should want for nothing when you live in the Sea King’s +dominion.’ + +Matte did not understand. He had never read Kalevala and knew nothing of +the sea gods of old, but the students proceeded to explain to him.[FN#2: +Kalevala is a collection of old Finnish songs about gods and heroes.] + +‘Ahti,’ said they, ‘is a mighty king who lives in his dominion of +Ahtola, and has a rock at the bottom of the sea, and possesses besides a +treasury of good things. He rules over all fish and animals of the deep; +he has the finest cows and the swiftest horses that ever chewed grass +at the bottom of the ocean. He who stands well with Ahti is soon a rich +man, but one must beware in dealing with him, for he is very changeful +and touchy. Even a little stone thrown into the water might offend him, +and then as he takes back his gift, he stirs up the sea into a storm +and drags the sailors down into the depths. Ahti owns also the fairest +maidens, who bear the train of his queen Wellamos, and at the sound of +music they comb their long, flowing locks, which glisten in the water.’ + +‘Oh!’ cried Matte, ‘have your worships really seen all that?’ + +‘We have as good as seen it,’ said the students. ‘It is all printed in a +book, and everything printed is true.’ + +‘I’m not so sure of that,’ said Matte, as he shook his head. + +But the herring were now ready, and the students ate enough for six, +and gave Prince some cold meat which they happened to have in the boat. +Prince sat on his hind legs with delight and mewed like a pussy cat. +When all was finished, the students handed Matte a shining silver coin, +and allowed him to fill his pipe with a special kind of tobacco. They +then thanked him for his kind hospitality and went on their journey, +much regretted by Prince, who sat with a woeful expression and whined on +the shore as long as he could see a flip of the boat’s white sail in the +distance. + +Maie had never uttered a word, but thought the more. She had good ears, +and had laid to heart the story about Ahti. ‘How delightful,’ thought +she to herself, ‘to possess a fairy cow! How delicious every morning and +evening to draw milk from it, and yet have no trouble about the feeding, +and to keep a shelf near the window for dishes of milk and junkets! But +this will never be my luck.’ + +‘What are you thinking of?’ asked Matte. + +‘Nothing,’ said his wife; but all the time she was pondering over some +magic rhymes she had heard in her childhood from an old lame man, which +were supposed to bring luck in fishing. + +‘What if I were to try?’ thought she. + +Now this was Saturday, and on Saturday evenings Matte never set the +herring-net, for he did not fish on Sunday. Towards evening, however, +his wife said: + +‘Let us set the herring-net just this once.’ + +‘No,’ said her husband, ‘it is a Saturday night.’ + +‘Last night was so stormy, and we caught so little,’ urged his wife; +‘to-night the sea is like a mirror, and with the wind in this direction +the herring are drawing towards land.’ + +‘But there are streaks in the north-western sky, and Prince was eating +grass this evening,’ said the old man. + +‘Surely he has not eaten my garlic,’ exclaimed the old woman. + +‘No; but there will be rough weather by to-morrow at sunset,’ rejoined +Matte. + +‘Listen to me,’ said his wife, ‘we will set only one net close to the +shore, and then we shall be able to finish up our half-filled cask, +which will spoil if it stands open so long.’ + +The old man allowed himself to be talked over, and so they rowed out +with the net. When they reached the deepest part of the water, she began +to hum the words of the magic rhyme, altering the words to suit the +longing of her heart: + + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + Finest treasures have I heard, + And glittering fish belong to thee. + The richest pearls beyond compare + Are stored up in thy realm below, + And Ocean’s cows so sleek and fair + Feed on the grass in thy green meadow. + + King of the waters, far and near, + I ask not of thy golden store, + I wish not jewels of pearl to wear, + Nor silver either, ask I for, + But one is odd and even is two, + So give me a cow, sea-king so bold, + And in return I’ll give to you + A slice of the moon, and the sun’s gold. + +‘What’s that you’re humming?’ asked the old man. + +‘Oh, only the words of an old rhyme that keeps running in my head,’ +answered the old woman; and she raised her voice and went on: + + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give one onto me. + +‘That’s a stupid sort of song,’ said Matte. ‘What else should one beg of +the sea-king but fish? But such songs are not for Sunday.’ + +His wife pretended not to hear him, and sang and sang the same tune all +the time they were on the water. Matte heard nothing more as he sat and +rowed the heavy boat, while thinking of his cracked pipe and the fine +tobacco. Then they returned to the island, and soon after went to bed. + +But neither Matte nor Maie could sleep a wink; the one thought of how he +had profaned Sunday, and the other of Ahti’s cow. + +About midnight the fisherman sat up, and said to his wife: + +‘Dost thou hear anything?’ + +‘No,’ said she. + +‘I think the twirling of the weathercock on the roof bodes ill,’ said +he; ‘we shall have a storm.’ + +‘Oh, it is nothing but your fancy,’ said his wife. + +Matte lay down, but soon rose again. + +‘The weathercock is squeaking now,’ said he. + +‘Just fancy! Go to sleep,’ said his wife; and the old man tried to. + +For the third time he jumped out of bed. + +‘Ho! how the weather-cock is roaring at the pitch of its voice, as if it +had a fire inside it! We are going to have a tempest, and must bring in +the net.’ + +Both rose. The summer night was as dark as if it had been October, the +weather-cock creaked, and the storm was raging in every direction. As +they went out the sea lay around them as white as now, and the spray +was dashing right over the fisher-hut. In all his life Matte had never +remembered such a night. To launch the boat and put to sea to rescue the +net was a thing not to be thought of. The fisherman and his wife stood +aghast on the doorstep, holding on fast by the doorpost, while the foam +splashed over their faces. + +‘Did I not tell thee that there is no luck in Sunday fishing?’ said +Matte sulkily; and his wife was so frightened that she never even once +thought of Ahti’s cows. + +As there was nothing to be done, they went in. Their eyes were heavy for +lack of slumber, and they slept as soundly as if there had not been such +a thing as an angry sea roaring furiously around their lonely dwelling. +When they awoke, the sun was high in the heavens, the tempest had cased, +and only the swell of the sea rose in silvery heavings against the red +rock. + +‘What can that be?’ said the old woman, as she peeped out of the door. + +‘It looks like a big seal,’ said Matte. + +‘As sure as I live, it’s a cow!’ exclaimed Maie. And certainly it was a +cow, a fine red cow, fat and flourishing, and looking as if it had been +fed all its days on spinach. It wandered peacefully up and down the +shore, and never so much as even looked at the poor little tufts of +grass, as if it despised such fare. + +Matte could not believe his eyes. But a cow she seemed, and a cow she +was found to be; and when the old woman began to milk her, every pitcher +and pan, even to the baler, was soon filled with the most delicious +milk. + +The old man troubled his head in vain as to how she came there, and +sallied forth to seek for his lost net. He had not proceeded far when he +found it cast up on the shore, and so full of fish that not a mesh was +visible. + +‘It is all very fine to possess a cow,’ said Matte, as he cleaned the +fish; ‘but what are we going to feed her on?’ + +‘We shall find some means,’ said his wife; and the cow found the means +herself. She went out and cropped the seaweed which grew in great +abundance near the shore, and always kept in good condition. Every one +Prince alone excepted, thought she was a clever beast; but Prince barked +at her, for he had now got a rival. + +From that day the red rock overflowed with milk and junkets, and every +net was filled with fish. Matte and Maie grew fat on this fine living, +and daily became richer. She churned quantities of butter, and he hired +two men to help him in his fishing. The sea lay before him like a big +fish tank, out of which he hauled as many as he required; and the cow +continued to fend for herself. In autumn, when Matte and Maie went +ashore, the cow went to sea, and in spring, when they returned to the +rock, there she stood awaiting them. + +‘We shall require a better house,’ said Maie the following summer; ‘the +old one is too small for ourselves and the men.’ + +‘Yes,’ said Matte. So he built a large cottage, with a real lock to the +door, and a store-house for fish as well; and he and his men caught such +quantities of fish that they sent tons of salmon, herring, and cod to +Russian and Sweden. + +‘I am quite overworked with so many folk,’ said Maie; ‘a girl to help me +would not come amiss.’ + +‘Get one, then,’ said her husband; and so they hired a girl. + +Then Maie said: ‘We have too little milk for all these folk. Now that +I have a servant, with the same amount of trouble she could look after +three cows.’ + +‘All right, then,’ said her husband, somewhat provoked, ‘you can sing a +song to the fairies.’ + +This annoyed Maie, but nevertheless she rowed out to sea on Sunday night +and sang as before: + + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give three unto me. + +The following morning, instead of one, three cows stood on the island, +and they all ate seaweed and fended for themselves like the first one. + +‘Art thou satisfied now?’ said Matte to his wife. + +‘I should be quite satisfied,’ said his wife, ‘if only I had two +servants to help, and if I had some finer clothes. Don’t you know that I +am addressed as Madam?’ + +‘Well, well,’ said her husband. So Maie got several servants and clothes +fit for a great lady. + +‘Everything would now be perfect if only we had a little better dwelling +for summer. You might build us a two-storey house, and fetch soil to +make a garden. Then you might make a little arbour up there to let +us have a sea-view; and we might have a fiddler to fiddle to us of an +evening, and a little steamer to take us to church in stormy weather.’ + +‘Anything more?’ asked Matte; but he did everything that his wife +wished. The rock Ahtola became so grand and Maie so grand that all the +sea-urchins and herring were lost in wonderment. Even Prince was fed +on beefsteaks and cream scones till at last he was as round as a butter +jar. + +‘Are you satisfied now?’ asked Matte. + +‘I should be quite satisfied,’ said Maie, ‘if only I had thirty cows. At +least that number is required for such a household.’ + +‘Go to the fairies,’ said Matte. + +His wife set out in the new steamer and sang to the sea-king. Next +morning thirty cows stood on the shore, all finding food for themselves. + +‘Know’st thou, good man, that we are far too cramped on this wretched +rock, and where am I to find room for so many cows?’ + +‘There is nothing to be done but to pump out the sea.’ + +‘Rubbish!’ said his wife. ‘Who can pump out the sea?’ + +‘Try with thy new steamer, there is a pump in it.’ + +Maie knew well that her husband was only making fun of her, but still +her mind was set upon the same subject. ‘I never could pump the sea +out,’ thought she, ‘but perhaps I might fill it up, if I were to make +a big dam. I might heap up sand and stones, and make our island as big +again.’ + +Maie loaded her boat with stones and went out to sea. The fiddler was +with her, and fiddled so finely that Ahti and Wellamos and all the sea’s +daughters rose to the surface of the water to listen to the music. + +‘What is that shining so brightly in the waves?’ asked Maie. + +‘That is sea foam glinting in the sunshine,’ answered the fiddler. + +‘Throw out the stones,’ said Maie. + +The people in the boat began to throw out the stones, splash, splash, +right and left, into the foam. One stone hit the nose of Wellamos’s +chief lady-in-waiting, another scratched the sea queen herself on the +cheek, a third plumped close to Ahti’s head and tore off half of the +sea-king’s beard; then there was a commotion in the sea, the waves +bubbled and bubbled like boiling water in a pot. + +‘Whence comes this gust of wind?’ said Maie; and as she spoke the sea +opened and swallowed up the steamer. Maie sank to the bottom like a +stone, but, stretching out her arms and legs, she rose to the surface, +where she found the fiddler’s fiddle, and used it as a float. At the +same moment she saw close beside her the terrible head of Ahti, and he +had only half a beard!’ + +‘Why did you throw stones at me?’ roared the sea-king. + +‘Oh, your majesty, it was a mistake! Put some bear’s grease on your +beard and that will soon make it grow again.’ + +‘Dame, did I not give you all you asked for--nay, even more?’ + +‘Truly, truly, your majesty. Many thanks for the cows.’ + +‘Well, where is the gold from the sun and the silver from the moon that +you promised me?’ + +‘Ah, your majesty, they have been scattered day and night upon the sea, +except when the sky was overcast,’ slyly answered Maie. + +‘I’ll teach you!’ roared the sea-king; and with that he gave the fiddle +such a ‘puff’ that it sent the old woman up like a sky-rocket on to her +island. There Prince lay, as famished as ever, gnawing the carcase of +a crow. There sat Matte in his ragged grey jacket, quite alone, on the +steps of the old hut, mending a net. + +‘Heavens, mother,’ said he, ‘where are you coming from at such a +whirlwind pace, and what makes you in such a dripping condition?’ + +Maie looked around her amazed, and said, ‘Where is our two-storey +house?’ + +‘What house?’ asked her husband. + +‘Our big house, and the flower garden, and the men and the maids, and +the thirty beautiful cows, and the steamer, and everything else?’ + +‘You are talking nonsense, mother,’ said he. ‘The students have quite +turned your head, for you sang silly songs last evening while we were +rowing, and then you could not sleep till early morning. We had stormy +weather during the night, and when it was past I did not wish to waken +you, so rowed out alone to rescue the net.’ + +‘But I’ve seen Ahti,’ rejoined Maie. + +‘You’ve been lying in bed, dreaming foolish fancies, mother, and then in +your sleep you walked into the water.’ + +‘But there is the fiddle,’ said Maie. + +‘A fine fiddle! It is only an old stick. No, no, old woman, another time +we will be more careful. Good luck never attends fishing on a Sunday.’ + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + +The Raspberry Worm + + +‘Phew!’ cried Lisa. + +‘Ugh!’ cried Aina. + +‘What now?’ cried the big sister. + +‘A worm!’ cried Lisa. + +‘On the raspberry!’ cried Aina. + +‘Kill it!’ cried Otto. + +‘What a fuss over a poor little worm!’ said the big sister scornfully. + +‘Yes, when we had cleaned the raspberries so carefully,’ said Lisa. + +‘It crept out from that very large one,’ put in Aina. + +‘And supposing someone had eaten the raspberry,’ said Lisa. + +‘Then they would have eaten the worm, too,’ said Aina. + +‘Well, what harm?’ said Otto. + +‘Eat a worm!’ cried Lisa. + +‘And kill him with one bite!’ murmured Aina. + +‘Just think of it!’ said Otto laughing. + +‘Now it is crawling on the table,’ cried Aina again. + +‘Blow it away!’ said the big sister. + +‘Tramp on it!’ laughed Otto. + +But Lisa took a raspberry leaf, swept the worm carefully on to the +leaf and carried it out into the yard. Then Aina noticed that a sparrow +sitting on the fence was just ready to pounce on the poor little worm, +so she took up the leaf, carried it out into the wood and hid it under a +raspberry bush where the greedy sparrow could not find it. Yes, and +what more is there to tell about a raspberry worm? Who would give three +straws for such a miserable little thing? Yes, but who would not like +to live in such a pretty home as it lives in; in such a fresh fragrant +dark-red cottage, far away in the quiet wood among flowers and green +leaves! + +Now it was just dinner time, so they all had a dinner of raspberries +and cream. ‘Be careful with the sugar, Otto,’ said the big sister; but +Otto’s plate was like a snowdrift in winter, with just a little red +under the snow. + +Soon after dinner the big sister said: ‘Now we have eaten up the +raspberries and we have none left to make preserve for the winter; it +would be fine if we could get two baskets full of berries, then we could +clean them this evening, and to-morrow we could cook them in the big +preserving pan, and then we should have raspberry jam to eat on our +bread!’ + +‘Come, let us go to the wood and pick,’ said Lisa. + +‘Yes, let us,’ said Aina. ‘You take the yellow basket and I will take +the green one.’ + +‘Don’t get lost, and come back safely in the evening,’ said the big +sister. + +‘Greetings to the raspberry worm,’ said Otto, mockingly. ‘Next time I +meet him I shall do him the honour of eating him up.’ + +So Aina and Lisa went off to the wood. Ah! how delightful it was there, +how beautiful! It was certainly tiresome sometimes climbing over the +fallen trees, and getting caught in the branches, and waging war with +the juniper bushes and the midges, but what did that matter? The girls +climbed well in their short dresses, and soon they were deep in the +wood. + +There were plenty of bilberries and elder berries, but no raspberries. +They wandered on and on, and at last they came... No, it could not be +true!... they came to a large raspberry wood. The wood had been on fire +once, and now raspberry bushes had grown up, and there were raspberry +bushes and raspberry bushes as far as the eye could see. Every bush was +weighted to the ground with the largest, dark red, ripe raspberries, +such a wealth of berries as two little berry pickers had never found +before! + +Lisa picked, Aina picked. Lisa ate, Aina ate, and in a little while +their baskets were full. + +‘Now we shall go home,’ said Aina. ‘No, let us gather a few more,’ said +Lisa. So they put the baskets down on the ground and began to fill their +pinafores, and it was not long before their pinafores were full, too. + +‘Now we shall go home,’ said Lina. ‘Yes, now we shall go home,’ said +Aina. Both girls took a basket in one hand and held up her apron in the +other and then turned to go home. But that was easier said than done. +They had never been so far in the great wood before, they could not find +any road nor path, and soon the girls noticed that they had lost their +way. + +The worst of it was that the shadows of the tress were becoming so long +in the evening sunlight, the birds were beginning to fly home, and the +day was closing in. At last the sun went down behind the pine tops, and +it was cool and dusky in the great wood. + +The girls became anxious but went steadily on, expecting that the wood +would soon end, and that they would see the smoke from the chimneys of +their home. + +After they had wandered on for a long time it began to grow dark. At +last they reached a great plain overgrown with bushes, and when they +looked around them, they saw, as much as they could in the darkness, +that they were among the same beautiful raspberry bushes from which they +had picked their baskets and their aprons full. Then they were so tired +that they sat down on a stone and began to cry. + +‘I am so hungry,’ said Lisa. + +‘Yes,’ said Aina, ‘if we had only two good meat sandwiches now.’ + +As she said that, she felt something in her hand, and when she looked +down, she saw a large sandwich of bread and chicken, and at the same +time Lisa said: ‘How very queer! I have a sandwich in my hand.’ + +‘And I, too,’ said Aina. ‘Will you dare to eat it?’ + +‘Of course I will,’ said Lisa. ‘Ah, if we only had a good glass of milk +now!’ + +Just as she said that she felt a large glass of milk between her +fingers, and at the same time Aina cried out, ‘Lisa! Lisa! I have a +glass of milk in my hand! Isn’t it queer?’ + +The girls, however, were very hungry, so they ate and drank with a good +appetite. When they had finished Aina yawned, stretched out her arms and +said: ‘Oh, if only we had a nice soft bed to sleep on now!’ + +Scarcely had she spoken before she felt a nice soft bed by her side, and +there beside Lisa was one too. This seemed to the girls more and more +wonderful, but tired and sleepy as they were, they thought no more about +it, but crept into the little beds, drew the coverlets over their heads +and were soon asleep. + +When they awoke the sun was high in the heavens, the wood was beautiful +in the summer morning, and the birds were flying about in the branches +and the tree tops. + +At first the girls were filled with wonder when they saw that they had +slept in the wood among the raspberry bushes. They looked at each other, +they looked at their beds, which were of the finest flax covered over +with leaves and moss. At last Lisa said: ‘Are you awake, Aina?’ + +‘Yes,’ said Aina. + +‘But I am still dreaming,’ said Lisa. + +‘No,’ said Aina, ‘but there is certainly some good fairy living among +these raspberry bushes. Ah, if we had only a hot cup of coffee now, and +a nice piece of white bread to dip into it!’ + +Scarcely had she finished speaking when she saw beside her a little +silver tray with a gilt coffee-pot, two cups of rare porcelain, a sugar +basin of fine crystal, silver sugar tongs, and some good fresh white +bread. The girls poured out the beautiful coffee, put in the cream and +sugar, and tasted it; never in their lives had they drunk such beautiful +coffee. + +‘Now I should like to know very much who has given us all this,’ said +Lisa gratefully. + +‘I have, my little girls,’ said a voice just then from the bushes. + +The children looked round wonderingly, and saw a little kind-looking old +man, in a white coat and a red cap, limping out from among the bushes, +for he was lame in his left foot; neither Lisa nor Aina could utter a +word, they were so filled with surprise. + +‘Don’t be afraid, little girls,’ he said smiling kindly at them; he +could not laugh properly because his mouth was crooked. ‘Welcome to my +kingdom! Have you slept well and eaten well and drunk well?’ he asked. + +‘Yes, indeed we have,’ said both the girls, ‘but tell us...’ and they +wanted to ask who the old man was, but were afraid to. + +‘I will tell you who I am,’ said the old man; ‘I am the raspberry king, +who reigns over all this kingdom of raspberry bushes, and I have lived +here for more than a thousand years. But the great spirit who rules over +the woods, and the sea, and the sky, did not want me to become proud of +my royal power and my long life. Therefore he decreed that one day in +every hundred years I should change into a little raspberry worm, and +live in that weak and helpless form from sunrise to sunset. During that +time my life is dependent on the little worm’s life, so that a bird can +eat me, a child can pick me with the berries and trample under foot my +thousand years of life. Now yesterday was just my transformation day, +and I was taken with the raspberry and would have been trampled to death +if you had not saved my life. Until sunset I lay helpless in the grass, +and when I was swept away from your table I twisted one of my feet, and +my mouth became crooked with terror; but when evening came and I could +take my own form again, I looked for you to thank you and reward you. +Then I found you both here in my kingdom, and tried to meet you both as +well as I could without frightening you. Now I will send a bird from my +wood to show you the way home. Good-bye, little children, thank you +for your kind hearts; the raspberry king can show that he is not +ungrateful.’ The children shook hands with the old man and thanked him, +feeling very glad that they had saved the little raspberry worm. They +were just going when the old man turned round, smiled mischievously with +his crooked mouth, and said: ‘Greetings to Otto from me, and tell him +when I meet him again I shall do him the honour of eating him up.’ + +‘Oh, please don’t do that,’ cried both the girls, very frightened. + +‘Well, for your sake I will forgive him,’ said the old man, ‘I am not +revengeful. Greetings to Otto and tell him that he may expect a gift +from me, too. Good-bye.’ + +The two girls, light of heart, now took their berries and ran off +through the wood after the bird; and soon it began to get lighter in the +wood and they wondered how they could have lost their way yesterday, it +seemed so easy and plain now. + +One can imagine what joy there was when the two reached home. Everyone +had been looking for them, and the big sister had not been able to +sleep, for she thought the wolves had eaten them up. + +Otto met them; he had a basket in his hand and said: ‘Look, here is +something that an old man has just left for you.’ + +When the girls looked into the basket they saw a pair of most beautiful +bracelets of precious stones, dark red, and made in the shape of a ripe +raspberry and with an inscription: ‘To Lisa and Aina’; beside them there +was a diamond breast pin in the shape of a raspberry worm: on it was +inscribed ‘Otto, never destroy the helpless!’ + +Otto felt rather ashamed: he quite understood what it meant, but he +thought that the old man’s revenge was a noble one. + +The raspberry king had also remembered the big sister, for when she went +in to set the table for dinner, she found eleven big baskets of most +beautiful raspberries, and no one knew how they had come there, but +everyone guessed. + +And so there was such a jam-making as had never been seen before, and if +you like to go and help in it, you might perhaps get a little, for they +must surely be making jam still to this very day. + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + +The Stones of Plouhinec + + +Perhaps some of you may have read a book called ‘Kenneth; or the +Rear-Guard of the Grand Army’ of Napoleon. If so, you will remember how +the two Scotch children found in Russia were taken care of by the +French soldiers and prevented as far as possible from suffering from the +horrors of the terrible Retreat. One of the soldiers, a Breton, often +tried to make them forget how cold and hungry they were by telling +them tales of his native country, Brittany, which is full of wonderful +things. The best and warmest place round the camp fire was always +given to the children, but even so the bitter frost would cause them to +shiver. It was then that the Breton would begin: ‘Plouhinec is a small +town near Hennebonne by the sea,’ and would continue until Kenneth or +Effie would interrupt him with an eager question. Then he forgot how his +mother had told him the tale, and was obliged to begin all over again, +so the story lasted a long while, and by the time it was ended the +children were ready to be rolled up in what ever coverings could be +found, and go to sleep. It is this story that I am going to tell to you. + +Plouhinec is a small town near Hennebonne by the sea. Around it +stretches a desolate moor, where no corn can be grown, and the grass is +so coarse that no beast grows fat on it. Here and there are scattered +groves of fir trees, and small pebbles are so thick on the ground that +you might almost take it for a beach. On the further side, the fairies, +or korigans, as the people called them, had set up long long ago two +rows of huge stones; indeed, so tall and heavy were they, that it seemed +as if all the fairies in the world could not have placed them upright. + +Not far off them this great stone avenue, and on the banks of the little +river Intel, there lived a man named Marzinne and his sister Rozennik. +They always had enough black bread to eat, and wooden shoes or sabots +to wear, and a pig to fatten, so the neighbours thought them quite rich; +and what was still better, they thought themselves rich also. + +Rozennik was a pretty girl, who knew how to make the best of everything, +and she could, if she wished, have chosen a husband from the young men +of Plouhinec, but she cared for none of them except Bernez, whom she had +played with all her life, and Bernez, though he worked hard, was so very +very poor that Marzinne told him roughly he must look elsewhere for a +wife. But whatever Marzinne might say Rozennik smiled and nodded to +him as before, and would often turn her head as she passed, and sing +snatches of old songs over her shoulder. + +Christmas Eve had come, and all the men who worked under Marzinne or on +the farms round about were gathered in the large kitchen to eat the +soup flavoured with honey followed by rich puddings, to which they were +always invited on this particular night. In the middle of the table was +a large wooden bowl, with wooden spoons placed in a circle round it, so +that each might dip in his turn. The benches were filled, and Marzinne +was about to give the signal, when the door was suddenly thrown open, +and an old man came in, wishing the guests a good appetite for their +supper. There was a pause, and some of the faces looked a little +frightened; for the new-comer was well known to them as a beggar, who +was also said to be a wizard who cast spells over the cattle, and caused +the corn to grow black, and old people to die, of what, nobody knew. +Still, it was Christmas Eve, and besides it was as well not to offend +him, so the farmer invited him in, and gave him a seat at the table and +a wooden spoon like the rest. + +There was not much talk after the beggar’s entrance, and everyone was +glad when the meal came to an end, and the beggar asked if he might +sleep in the stable, as he should die of cold if he were left outside. +Rather unwillingly Marzinne gave him leave, and bade Bernez take the +key and unlock the door. There was certainly plenty of room for a dozen +beggars, for the only occupants of the stable were an old donkey and a +thin ox; and as the night was bitter, the wizard lay down between them +for warmth, with a sack of reeds for a pillow. + +He had walked far that day, and even wizards get tired sometimes, so in +spite of the hard floor he was just dropping off to sleep, when midnight +struck from the church tower of Plouhinec. At this sound the donkey +raised her head and shook her ears, and turned towards the ox. + +‘Well, my dear cousin,’ said she, ‘and how have you fared since last +Christmas Eve, when we had a conversation together?’ + +Instead of answering at once, the ox eyed the beggar with a long look of +disgust. + +‘What is the use of talking,’ he replied roughly, ‘when a +good-for-nothing creature like that can hear all we say?’ + +‘Oh, you mustn’t lose time in grumbling,’ rejoined the donkey gaily, +‘and don’t you see that the wizard is asleep?’ + +‘His wicked pranks do not make him rich, certainly,’ said the ox, ‘and +he isn’t even clever enough to have found out what a piece of luck might +befall him a week hence.’ + +‘What piece of luck?’ asked the donkey. + +‘Why, don’t you know,’ inquired the ox, ‘that once very hundred years +the stones on Plouhinec heath go down to drink at the river, and that +while they are away the treasures underneath them are uncovered?’ + +‘Ah, I remember now,’ replied the donkey, ‘but the stones return so +quickly to their places, that you certainly would be crushed to death +unless you have in your hands a bunch of crowsfoot and of five-leaved +trefoil.’ + +‘Yes, but that is not enough,’ said the ox; ‘even supposing you get +safely by, the treasure you have brought with you will crumble into dust +if you do not give in exchange a baptised soul. It is needful that a +Christian should die before you can enjoy the wealth of Plouhinec.’ + +The donkey was about to ask some further questions, when she suddenly +found herself unable to speak: the time allowed them for conversation +was over. + +‘Ah, my dear creatures,’ thought the beggar, who had of course heard +everything, ‘you are going to make me richer than the richest men of +Vannes or Lorient. But I have no time to lose; to-morrow I must begin to +hunt for the precious plants.’ + +He did not dare to seek too near Plouhinec, lest somebody who knew the +story might guess what he was doing, so he went away further towards the +south, where the air was softer and the plants are always green. From +the instant it was light, till the last rays had faded out of the sky, +he searched every inch of ground where the magic plants might grow; he +scarcely gave himself a minute to eat and drink, but at length he found +the crowsfoot in a little hollow! Well, that was certainly a great deal, +but after all, the crowsfoot was of no use without the trefoil, and +there was so little time left. + +He had almost give up hope, when on the very last day before it was +necessary that he should start of Plouhinec, he came upon a little +clump of trefoil, half hidden under a rock. Hardly able to breathe from +excitement, he sat down and hunted eagerly through the plant which +he had torn up. Leaf after leaf he threw aside in disgust, and he had +nearly reached the end when he gave a cry of joy--the five-leaved +trefoil was in his hand. + +The beggar scrambled to his feet, and without a pause walked quickly +down the road that led northwards. The moon was bright, and for some +hours he kept steadily on, not knowing how many miles he had gone, nor +even feeling tired. By and bye the sun rose, and the world began to +stir, and stopping at a farmhouse door, he asked for a cup of milk and +slice of bread and permission to rest for a while in the porch. Then he +continued his journey, and so, towards sunset on New Year’s Eve, he came +back to Plouhinec. + +As he was passing the long line of stones, he saw Bernez working with a +chisel on the tallest of them all. + +‘What are you doing there?’ called the wizard, ‘do you mean to hollow +out for yourself a bed in that huge column?’ + +‘No,’ replied Bernez quietly, ‘but as I happened to have no work to do +to-day, I thought I would just carve a cross on this stone. The holy +sign can never come amiss.’ + +‘I believe you think it will help you to win Rozennik,’ laughed the old +man. + +Bernez ceased his task for a moment to look at him. + +‘Ah, so you know about that,’ replied he; ‘unluckily Marzinne wants a +brother-in-law who has more pounds than I have pence.’ + +‘And suppose I were to give you more pounds than Marzinne ever dreamed +of?’ whispered the sorcerer glancing round to make sure that no one +overheard him. + +‘You?’ + +‘Yes, I.’ + +‘And what am I to do to gain the money,’ inquired Bernez, who knew quite +well that the Breton peasant gives nothing for nothing. + +‘What I want of you only needs a little courage,’ answered the old man. + +‘If that is all, tell me what I have got to do, and I will do it,’ cried +Bernez, letting fall his chisel. ‘If I have to risk thirty deaths, I am +ready.’ + +When the beggar knew that Bernez would give him no trouble, he told him +how, during that very night, the treasures under the stones would be +uncovered, and how in a very few minutes they could take enough to make +them both rich for life. But he kept silence as to the fate that awaited +the man who was without the crowsfoot and the trefoil, and Bernez +thought that nothing but boldness and quickness were necessary. So he +said: + +‘Old man, I am grateful, indeed, for the chance you have given me, and +there will always be a pint of my blood at your service. Just let me +finish carving this cross. It is nearly done, and I will join you in the +fir wood at whatever hour you please.’ + +‘You must be there without fail an hour before midnight,’ answered the +wizard, and went on his way. + +As the hour struck from the great church at Plouhinec, Bernez entered +the wood. He found the beggar already there with a bag in each hand, and +a third slung round his neck. + +‘You are punctual,’ said the old man, ‘but we need not start just yet. +You had better sit down and think what you will do when your pockets are +filled with gold and silver and jewels.’ + +‘Oh, it won’t take me long to plan out that,’ returned Bernez with a +laugh. ‘I shall give Rozennik everything she can desire, dresses of all +sorts, from cotton to silk, and good things of all kinds to eat, from +white bread to oranges.’ + +‘The silver you find will pay for all that, and what about the gold?’ + +‘With the gold I shall make rich Rozennik’s relations and every friend +of hers in the parish,’ replied he. + +‘So much for the gold; and the jewels?’ + +‘Then,’ cried Bernez, ‘I will divide the jewels amongst everybody in the +world, so that they may be wealthy and happy; and I will tell them that +it is Rozennik who would have it so.’ + +‘Hush! it is close on midnight--we must go,’ whispered the wizard, and +together they crept to the edge of the wood. + +With the first stroke of twelve a great noise arose over the silent +heath, and the earth seemed to rock under the feet of the two watchers. +The next moment by the light of the moon they beheld the huge stones +near them leave their places and go down the slope leading to the river, +knocking against each other in their haste. Passing the spot where stood +Bernez and the beggar, they were lost in the darkness. It seemed as if a +procession of giants had gone by. + +‘Quick,’ said the wizard, in a low voice, and he rushed towards the +empty holes, which even in the night shone brightly from the treasures +within them. Flinging himself on his knees, the old man began filling +the wallets he had brought, listening intently all the time for the +return of the stones up the hill, while Bernez more slowly put handfuls +of all he could see into his pockets. + +The sorcerer had just closed his third wallet, and was beginning to +wonder if he could carry away any more treasures when a low murmur as of +a distant storm broke upon his ears. + +The stones had finished drinking, and were hastening back to their +places. + +On they came, bent a little forward, the tallest of them all at their +head, breaking everything that stood in their way. At the sight Bernez +stood transfixed with horror, and said, + +‘We are lost! They will crush us to death.’ + +‘Not me!’ answered the sorcerer, holding up the crowsfoot and the +five-leaved trefoil, ‘for these will preserve me. But in order to keep +my riches, I was obliged to sacrifice a Christian to the stones, and +an evil fate threw you in my way.’ And as he spoke he stretched out +the magic herbs to the stones, which were advancing rapidly. As +if acknowledging a power greater than theirs, the monstrous things +instantly parted to the right and left of the wizard, but closed their +ranks again as they approached Bernez. + +The young man did not try to escape, he knew it was useless, and sank +on his knees and closed his eyes. But suddenly the tall stone that was +leading stopped straight in front of Bernez, so that no other could get +past. + +It was the stone on which Bernez had carved the cross, and it was now a +baptized stone, and had power to save him. + +So the stone remained before the young man till the rest had taken their +places, and then, darting like a bird to its own hole, came upon the +beggar, who, thinking himself quite safe, was staggering along under the +weight of his treasures. + +Seeing the stone approaching, he held out the magic herbs which he +carried, but the baptized stone was no longer subject to the spells +that bound the rest, and passed straight on its way, leaving the wizard +crushed into powder in the heather. + +Then Bernez went home, and showed his wealth to Marzinne, who this +time did not refuse him as a brother-in-law, and he and Rozennik were +married, and lived happy for ever after. + +From ‘Le Royer Breton,’ par Emile Souvestre. + + + + +The Castle of Kerglas + + +Peronnik was a poor idiot who belonged to nobody, and he would have died +of starvation if it had not been for the kindness of the village people, +who gave him food whenever he chose to ask for it. And as for a bed, +when night came, and he grew sleepy, he looked about for a heap of +straw, and making a hole in it, crept in, like a lizard. Idiot though he +was, he was never unhappy, but always thanked gratefully those who fed +him, and sometimes would stop for a little and sing to them. For he +could imitate a lark so well, that no one knew which was Peronnik and +which was the bird. + +He had been wandering in a forest one day for several hours, and when +evening approached, he suddenly felt very hungry. Luckily, just at +that place the trees grew thinner, and he could see a small farmhouse +a little way off. Peronnik went straight towards it, and found the +farmer’s wife standing at the door holding in her hands the large bowl +out of which her children had eaten their supper. + +‘I am hungry, will you give me something to eat?’ asked the boy. + +‘If you can find anything here, you are welcome to it,’ answered she, +and, indeed, there was not much left, as everybody’s spoon had dipped +in. But Peronnik ate what was there with a hearty appetite, and thought +that he had never tasted better food. + +‘It is made of the finest flour and mixed with the richest milk and +stirred by the best cook in all the countryside,’ and though he said it +to himself, the woman heard him. + +‘Poor innocent,’ she murmured, ‘he does not know what he is saying, but +I will cut him a slice of that new wheaten loaf,’ and so she did, and +Peronnik ate up every crumb, and declared that nobody less than the +bishop’s baker could have baked it. This flattered the farmer’s wife +so much that she gave him some butter to spread on it, and Peronnik was +still eating it on the doorstep when an armed knight rode up. + +‘Can you tell me the way to the castle of Kerglas?’ asked he. + +‘To Kerglas? are you really going to Kerglas?’ cried the woman, turning +pale. + +‘Yes; and in order to get there I have come from a country so far off +that it has taken me three months’ hard riding to travel as far as +this.’ + +‘And why do you want to go to Kerglas?’ said she. + +‘I am seeking the basin of gold and the lance of diamonds which are in +the castle,’ he answered. Then Peronnik looked up. + +‘The basin and the lance are very costly things,’ he said suddenly. + +‘More costly and precious than all the crowns in the world,’ replied the +stranger, ‘for not only will the basin furnish you with the best food +that you can dream of, but if you drink of it, it will cure you of any +illness however dangerous, and will even bring the dead back to life, if +it touches their mouths. As to the diamond lance, that will cut through +any stone or metal.’ + +‘And to whom do these wonders belong?’ asked Peronnik in amazement. + +‘To a magician named Rogear who lives in the castle,’ answered the +woman. ‘Every day he passes along here, mounted on a black mare, with +a colt thirteen months old trotting behind. But no one dares to attack +him, as he always carries his lance.’ + +‘That is true,’ said the knight, ‘but there is a spell laid upon him +which forbids his using it within the castle of Kerglas. The moment he +enters, the basin and lance are put away in a dark cellar which no +key but one can open. And that is the place where I wish to fight the +magician.’ + +‘You will never overcome him, Sir Knight,’ replied the woman, shaking +her head. ‘More than a hundred gentlemen have ridden past this house +bent on the same errand, and not one has ever come back.’ + +‘I know that, good woman,’ returned the knight, ‘but then they did not +have, like me, instructions from the hermit of Blavet.’ + +‘And what did the hermit tell you?’ asked Peronnik. + +‘He told me that I should have to pass through a wood full of all sorts +of enchantments and voices, which would try to frighten me and make me +lose my way. Most of those who have gone before me have wandered they +know not where, and perished from cold, hunger, or fatigue.’ + +‘Well, suppose you get through safely?’ said the idiot. + +‘If I do,’ continued the knight, ‘I shall then meet a sort of fairy +armed with a needle of fire which burns to ashes all it touches. This +dwarf stands guarding an apple-tree, from which I am bound to pluck an +apple.’ + +‘And next?’ inquired Peronnik. + +‘Next I shall find the flower that laughs, protected by a lion whose +mane is formed of vipers. I must pluck that flower, and go on to the +lake of the dragons and fight the black man who holds in his hand the +iron ball which never misses its mark and returns of its own accord to +its master. After that, I enter the valley of pleasure, where some who +conquered all the other obstacles have left their bones. If I can win +through this, I shall reach a river with only one ford, where a lady +in black will be seated. She will mount my horse behind me, and tell me +what I am to do next.’ + +He paused, and the woman shook her head. + +‘You will never be able to do all that,’ said she, but he bade her +remembered that these were only matters for men, and galloped away down +the path she pointed out. + +The farmer’s wife sighed and, giving Peronnik some more food, bade him +good-night. The idiot rose and was opening the gate which led into the +forest when the farmer himself came up. + +‘I want a boy to tend my cattle,’ he said abruptly, ‘as the one I had +has run away. Will you stay and do it?’ and Peronnik, though he loved +his liberty and hated work, recollected the good food he had eaten, and +agreed to stop. + +At sunrise he collected his herd carefully and led them to the rich +pasture which lay along the borders of the forest, cutting himself a +hazel wand with which to keep them in order. + +His task was not quite so easy as it looked, for the cows had a way of +straying into the wood, and by the time he had brought one back another +was off. He had gone some distance into the trees, after a naughty black +cow which gave him more trouble than all the rest, when he heard the +noise of horse’s feet, and peeping through the leaves he beheld the +giant Rogear seated on his mare, with the colt trotting behind. Round +the giant’s neck hung the golden bowl suspended from a chain, and in his +hand he grasped the diamond lance, which gleamed like fire. But as soon +as he was out of sight the idiot sought in vain for traces of the path +he had taken. + +This happened not only once but many times, till Peronnik grew so used +to him that he never troubled to hide. But on each occasion he saw him +the desire to possess the bowl and the lance became stronger. + +One evening the boy was sitting alone on the edge of the forest, when a +man with a white beard stopped beside him. ‘Do you want to know the way +to Kerglas?’ asked the idiot, and the man answered ‘I know it well.’ + +‘You have been there without being killed by the magician?’ cried +Peronnik. + +‘Oh! he had nothing to fear from me,’ replied the white-bearded man, ‘I +am Rogear’s elder brother, the wizard Bryak. When I wish to visit him I +always pass this way, and as even I cannot go through the enchanted wood +without losing myself, I call the colt to guide me.’ Stooping down as he +spoke he traced three circles on the ground and murmured some words very +low, which Peronnik could not hear. Then he added aloud: + + Colt, free to run and free to eat. + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, + +and instantly the colt appeared, frisking and jumping to the wizard, who +threw a halter over his neck and leapt on his back. + +Peronnik kept silence at the farm about this adventure, but he +understood very well that if he was ever to get to Kerglas he must first +catch the colt which knew the way. Unhappily he had not heard the magic +words uttered by the wizard, and he could not manage to draw the three +circles, so if he was to summon the colt at all he must invent some +other means of doing it. + +All day long, while he was herding the cows, he thought and thought how +he was to call the colt, for he felt sure that once on its back he could +overcome the other dangers. Meantime he must be ready in case a chance +should come, and he made his preparations at night, when everyone was +asleep. Remembering what he had seen the wizard do, he patched up an +old halter that was hanging in a corner of the stable, twisted a rope +of hemp to catch the colt’s feet, and a net such as is used for snaring +birds. Next he sewed roughly together some bits of cloth to serve as a +pocket, and this he filled with glue and lark’s feathers, a string of +beads, a whistle of elder wood, and a slice of bread rubbed over with +bacon fat. Then he went out to the path down which Rogear, his mare, and +the colt always rode, and crumbled the bread on one side of it. + +Punctual to their hour all three appeared, eagerly watched by Peronnik, +who lay hid in the bushes close by. Suppose it was useless; suppose the +mare, and not the colt, ate the crumbs? Suppose--but no! the mare and +her rider went safely by, vanishing round a corner, while the colt, +trotting along with its head on the ground, smelt the bread, and began +greedily to lick up the pieces. Oh, how good it was! Why had no one ever +given it that before, and so absorbed was the little beast, sniffing +about after a few more crumbs, that it never heard Peronnik creep up +till it felt the halter on its neck and the rope round its feet, and--in +another moment--some one on its back. + +Going as fast as the hobbles would allow, the colt turned into one of +the wildest parts of the forest, while its rider sat trembling at the +strange sights he saw. Sometimes the earth seemed to open in front of +them and he was looking into a bottomless pit; sometimes the trees burst +into flames and he found himself in the midst of a fire; often in the +act of crossing a stream the water rose and threatened to sweep him +away; and again, at the foot of a mountain, great rocks would roll +towards him, as if they would crush him and his colt beneath their +weight. To his dying day Peronnik never knew whether these things were +real or if he only imagined them, but he pulled down his knitted cap so +as to cover his eyes, and trusted the colt to carry him down the right +road. + +At last the forest was left behind, and they came out on a wide plain +where the air blew fresh and strong. The idiot ventured to peep out, and +found to his relief that the enchantments seemed to have ended, though +a thrill of horror shot through him as he noticed the skeletons of men +scattered over the plain, beside the skeletons of their horses. And what +were those grey forms trotting away in the distance? Were they--could +they be--wolves? + +But vast through the plain seemed, it did not take long to cross, and +very soon the colt entered a sort of shady park in which was standing a +single apple-tree, its branches bowed down to the ground with the weight +of its fruit. In front was the korigan--the little fairy man--holding in +his hand the fiery sword, which reduced to ashes everything it touched. +At the sight of Peronnik he uttered a piercing scream, and raised his +sword, but without appearing surprised the youth only lifted his cap, +though he took care to remain at a little distance. + +‘Do not be alarmed, my prince,’ said Peronnik, ‘I am just on my way to +Kerglas, as the noble Rogear has begged me to come to him on business.’ + +‘Begged you to come!’ repeated the dwarf, ‘and who, then, are you?’ + +‘I am the new servant he has engaged, as you know very well,’ answered +Peronnik. + +‘I do not know at all,’ rejoined the korigan sulkily, ‘and you may be a +robber for all I can tell.’ + +‘I am so sorry,’ replied Peronnik, ‘but I may be wrong in calling myself +a servant, for I am only a bird-catcher. But do not delay me, I pray, +for his highness the magician expects me, and, as you see, has lent me +his colt so that I may reach the castle all the quicker.’ + +At these words the korigan cast his eyes for the first time on the colt, +which he knew to be the one belonging to the magician, and began to +think that the young man was speaking the truth. After examining the +horse, he studied the rider, who had such an innocent, and indeed +vacant, air that he appeared incapable of inventing a story. Still, the +dwarf did not feel quite sure that all was right, and asked what the +magician wanted with a bird-catcher. + +‘From what he says, he wants one very badly,’ replied Peronnik, ‘as he +declares that all his grain and all the fruit in his garden at Kerglas +are eaten up by the birds.’ + +‘And how are you going to stop that, my fine fellow?’ inquired the +korigan; and Peronnik showed him the snare he had prepared, and remarked +that no bird could possible escape from it. + +‘That is just what I should like to be sure of,’ answered the korigan. +‘My apples are completely eaten up by blackbirds and thrushes. Lay your +snare, and if you can manage to catch them, I will let you pass.’ + +‘That is a fair bargain,’ and as he spoke Peronnik jumped down and +fastened his colt to a tree; then, stopping, he fixed one end of the net +to the trunk of the apple tree, and called to the korigan to hold the +other while he took out the pegs. The dwarf did as he was bid, when +suddenly Peronnik threw the noose over his neck and drew it close, and +the korigan was held as fast as any of the birds he wished to snare. + +Shrieking with rage, he tried to undo the cord, but he only pulled the +knot tighter. He had put down the sword on the grass, and Peronnik had +been careful to fix the net on the other side of the tree, so that it +was now easy for him to pluck an apple and to mount his horse, without +being hindered by the dwarf, whom he left to his fate. + +When they had left the plain behind them, Peronnik and his steed found +themselves in a narrow valley in which was a grove of trees, full of +all sorts of sweet-smelling things--roses of every colour, yellow broom, +pink honeysuckle--while above them all towered a wonderful scarlet pansy +whose face bore a strange expression. This was the flower that laughs, +and no one who looked at it could help laughing too. Peronnik’s heart +beat high at the thought that he had reached safely the second trial, +and he gazed quite calmly at the lion with the mane of vipers twisting +and twirling, who walked up and down in front of the grove. + +The young man pulled up and removed his cap, for, idiot though he was, +he knew that when you have to do with people greater than yourself, a +cap is more useful in the hand than on the head. Then, after wishing all +kinds of good fortune to the lion and his family, he inquired if he was +on the right road to Kerglas. + +‘And what is your business at Kerglas?’ asked the lion with a growl, and +showing his teeth. + +‘With all respect,’ answered Peronnik, pretending to be very frightened, +‘I am the servant of a lady who is a friend of the noble Rogear and +sends him some larks for a pasty.’ + +‘Larks?’ cried the lion, licking his long whiskers. ‘Why, it must be a +century since I have had any! Have you a large quantity with you?’ + +‘As many as this bag will hold,’ replied Peronnik, opening, as he spoke, +the bag which he had filled with feathers and glue; and to prove what he +said, he turned his back on the lion and began to imitate the song of a +lark. + +‘Come,’ exclaimed the lion, whose mouth watered, ‘show me the birds! I +should like to see if they are fat enough for my master.’ + +‘I would do it with pleasure,’ answered the idiot, ‘but if I once open +the bag they will all fly away.’ + +‘Well, open it wide enough for me to look in,’ said the lion, drawing a +little nearer. + +Now this was just what Peronnik had been hoping for, so he held the bag +while the lion opened it carefully and put his head right inside, so +that he might get a good mouthful of larks. But the mass of feathers and +glue stuck to him, and before he could pull his head out again Peronnik +had drawn tight the cord, and tied it in a knot that no man could untie. +Then, quickly gathering the flower that laughs, he rode off as fast as +the colt could take him. + +The path soon led to the lake of the dragons, which he had to swim +across. The colt, who was accustomed to it, plunged into the water +without hesitation; but as soon as the dragons caught sight of Peronnik +they approached from all parts of the lake in order to devour him. + +This time Peronnik did not trouble to take off his cap, but he threw the +beads he carried with him into the water, as you throw black corn to a +duck, and with each bead that he swallowed a dragon turned on his back +and died, so that the idiot reached the other side without further +trouble. + +The valley guarded by the black man now lay before him, and from afar +Peronnik beheld him, chained by one foot to a rock at the entrance, and +holding the iron ball which never missed its mark and always returned +to its master’s hand. In his head the black man had six eyes that were +never all shut at once, but kept watch one after the other. At this +moment they were all open, and Peronnik knew well that if the black +man caught a glimpse of him he would cast his ball. So, hiding the colt +behind a thicket of bushes, he crawled along a ditch and crouched close +to the very rock to which the black man was chained. + +The day was hot, and after a while the man began to grow sleepy. Two of +his eyes closed, and Peronnik sang gently. In a moment a third eye shut, +and Peronnik sang on. The lid of a fourth eye dropped heavily, and then +those of the fifth and the sixth. The black man was asleep altogether. + +Then, on tiptoe, the idiot crept back to the colt which he led over soft +moss past the black man into the vale of pleasure, a delicious garden +full of fruits that dangled before your mouth, fountains running with +wine, and flowers chanting in soft little voices. Further on, tables +were spread with food, and girls dancing on the grass called to him to +join them. + +Peronnik heard, and, scarcely knowing what he did drew the colt into a +slower pace. He sniffed greedily the smell of the dishes, and raised his +head the better to see the dancers. Another instant and he would have +stopped altogether and been lost, like others before him, when suddenly +there came to him like a vision the golden bowl and the diamond lance. +Drawing his whistle from his pocket, he blew it loudly, so as to drown +the sweet sounds about him, and ate what was left of his bread and bacon +to still the craving of the magic fruits. His eyes he fixed steadily on +the ears of the colt, that he might not see the dancers. + +In this way he was able to reach the end of the garden, and at length +perceived the castle of Kerglas, with the river between them which had +only one ford. Would the lady be there, as the old man had told him? +Yes, surely that was she, sitting on a rock, in a black satin dress, and +her face the colour of a Moorish woman’s. The idiot rode up, and took +off his cap more politely than ever, and asked if she did not wish to +cross the river. + +‘I was waiting for you to help me do so,’ answered she. ‘Come near, that +I may get up behind you.’ + +Peronnik did as she bade him, and by the help of his arm she jumped +nimbly on to the back of the colt. + +‘Do you know how to kill the magician?’ asked the lady, as they were +crossing the ford. + +‘I thought that, being a magician, he was immortal, and that no one +could kill him,’ replied Peronnik. + +‘Persuade him to taste that apple, and he will die, and if that is not +enough I will touch him with my finger, for I am the plague,’ answered +she. + +‘But if I kill him, how am I to get the golden bowl and the diamond +lance that are hidden in the cellar without a key?’ rejoined Peronnik. + +‘The flower that laughs opens all doors and lightens all darkness,’ said +the lady; and as she spoke, they reached the further bank, and advanced +towards the castle. + +In front of the entrance was a sort of tent supported on poles, and +under it the giant was sitting, basking in the sun. As soon as he +noticed the colt bearing Peronnik and the lady, he lifted his head, and +cried in a voice of thunder: + +‘Why, it is surely the idiot, riding my colt thirteen months old!’ + +‘Greatest of magicians, you are right,’ answered Peronnik. + +‘And how did you manage to catch him?’ asked the giant. + +‘By repeating what I learnt from your brother Bryak on the edge of the +forest,’ replied the idiot. ‘I just said-- + + Colt, free to run and free to eat, + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, + +and it came directly.’ + +‘You know my brother, then?’ inquired the giant. ‘Tell me why he sent +you here.’ + +‘To bring you two gifts which he has just received from the country of +the Moors,’ answered Peronnik: ‘the apple of delight and the woman of +submission. If you eat the apple you will not desire anything else, and +if you take the woman as your servant you will never wish for another.’ + +‘Well, give me the apple, and bid the woman get down,’ answered Rogear. + +The idiot obeyed, but at the first taste of the apple the giant +staggered, and as the long yellow finger of the woman touched him he +fell dead. + +Leaving the magician where he lay, Peronnik entered the palace, bearing +with him the flower that laughs. Fifty doors flew open before him, and +at length he reached a long flight of steps which seemed to lead into +the bowels of the earth. Down these he went till he came to a silver +door without a bar or key. Then he held up high the flower that laughs, +and the door slowly swung back, displaying a deep cavern, which was as +bright as the day from the shining of the golden bowl and the diamond +lance. The idiot hastily ran forward and hung the bowl round his neck +from the chain which was attached to it, and took the lance in his hand. +As he did so, the ground shook beneath him, and with an awful rumbling +the palace disappeared, and Peronnik found himself standing close to the +forest where he led the cattle to graze. + +Though darkness was coming on, Peronnik never thought of entering +the farm, but followed the road which led to the court of the duke +of Brittany. As he passed through the town of Vannes he stopped at a +tailor’s shop, and bought a beautiful costume of brown velvet and a +white horse, which he paid for with a handful of gold that he had picked +up in the corridor of the castle of Kerglas. Thus he made his way to the +city of Nantes, which at that moment was besieged by the French. + +A little way off, Peronnik stopped and looked about him. For miles round +the country was bare, for the enemy had cut down every tree and burnt +every blade of corn; and, idiot though he might be, Peronnik was able +to grasp that inside the gates men were dying of famine. He was still +gazing with horror, when a trumpeter appeared on the walls, and, after +blowing a loud blast, announced that the duke would adopt as his heir +the man who could drive the French out of the country. + +On the four sides of the city the trumpeter blew his blast, and the last +time Peronnik, who had ridden up as close as he might, answered him. + +‘You need blow no more,’ said he, ‘for I myself will free the town from +her enemies.’ And turning to a soldier who came running up, waving his +sword, he touched him with the magic lance, and he fell dead on the +spot. The men who were following stood still, amazed. Their comrade’s +armour had not been pierced, of that they were sure, yet he was dead, as +if he had been struck to the heart. But before they had time to recover +from their astonishment, Peronnik cried out: + +‘You see how my foes will fare; now behold what I can do for my +friends,’ and, stooping down, he laid the golden bowl against the mouth +of the soldier, who sat up as well as ever. Then, jumping his horse +across the trench, he entered the gate of the city, which had opened +wide enough to receive him. + +The news of these marvels quickly spread through the town, and put fresh +spirit into the garrison, so that they declared themselves able to fight +under the command of the young stranger. And as the bowl restored all +the dead Bretons to life, Peronnik soon had an army large enough to +drive away the French, and fulfilled his promise of delivering his +country. + +As to the bowl and the lance, no one knows what became of them, but some +say that Bryak the sorcerer managed to steal them again, and that any +one who wishes to possess them must seek them as Peronnik did. + +From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par Emile Souvestre. + + + + +The Battle of the Birds + + +There was to be a great battle between all the creatures of the earth +and the birds of the air. News of it went abroad, and the son of the +king of Tethertown said that when the battle was fought he would be +there to see it, and would bring back word who was to be king. But in +spite of that, he was almost too late, and every fight had been fought +save the last, which was between a snake and a great black raven. Both +struck hard, but in the end the snake proved the stronger, and would +have twisted himself round the neck of the raven till he died had not +the king’s son drawn his sword, and cut off the head of the snake at a +single blow. And when the raven beheld that his enemy was dead, he was +grateful, and said: + +‘For thy kindness to me this day, I will show thee a sight. So come up +now on the root of my two wings.’ The king’s son did as he was bid, and +before the raven stopped flying, they had passed over seven bens and +seven glens and seven mountain moors. + +‘Do you see that house yonder?’ said the raven at last. ‘Go straight +for it, for a sister of mine dwells there, and she will make you right +welcome. And if she asks, “Wert thou at the battle of the birds?” answer +that thou wert, and if she asks, “Didst thou see my likeness?” answer +that thou sawest it, but be sure thou meetest me in the morning at this +place.’ + +The king’s son followed what the raven told him and that night he had +meat of each meat, and drink of each drink, warm water for his feet, and +a soft bed to lie in. + +Thus it happened the next day, and the next, but on the fourth meeting, +instead of meeting the raven, in his place the king’s son found waiting +for him the handsomest youth that ever was seen, with a bundle in his +hand. + +‘Is there a raven hereabouts?’ asked the king’s son, and the youth +answered: + +‘I am that raven, and I was delivered by thee from the spells that bound +me, and in reward thou wilt get this bundle. Go back by the road thou +camest, and lie as before, a night in each house, but be careful not to +unloose the bundle till thou art in the place wherein thou wouldst most +wish to dwell.’ + +Then the king’s son set out, and thus it happened as it had happened +before, till he entered a thick wood near his father’s house. He had +walked a long way and suddenly the bundle seemed to grow heavier; first +he put it down under a tree, and next he thought he would look at it. + +The string was easy to untie, and the king’s son soon unfastened the +bundle. What was it he saw there? Why, a great castle with an orchard +all about it, and in the orchard fruit and flowers and birds of very +kind. It was all ready for him to dwell in, but instead of being in the +midst of the forest, he did wish he had left the bundle unloosed till he +had reached the green valley close to his father’s palace. Well, it was +no use wishing, and with a sigh he glanced up, and beheld a huge giant +coming towards him. + +‘Bad is the place where thou hast built thy house, king’s son,’ said the +giant. + +‘True; it is not here that I wish to be,’ answered the king’s son. + +‘What reward wilt thou give me if I put it back in the bundle?’ asked +the giant. + +‘What reward dost thou ask?’ answered the king’s son. + +‘The first boy thou hast when he is seven years old,’ said the giant. + +‘If I have a boy thou shalt get him,’ answered the king’s son, and as he +spoke the castle and the orchard were tied up in the bundle again. + +‘Now take thy road, and I will take mine,’ said the giant. ‘And if thou +forgettest thy promise, I will remember it.’ + +Light of heart the king’s son went on his road, till he came to the +green valley near his father’s palace. Slowly he unloosed the bundle, +fearing lest he should find nothing but a heap of stones or rags. But +no! all was as it had been before, and as he opened the castle door +there stood within the most beautiful maiden that ever was seen. + +‘Enter, king’s son,’ said she, ‘all is ready, and we will be married at +once,’ and so they were. + +The maiden proved a good wife, and the king’s son, now himself a king, +was so happy that he forgot all about the giant. Seven years and a day +had gone by, when one morning, while standing on the ramparts, he beheld +the giant striding towards the castle. Then he remembered his promise, +and remembered, too, that he had told the queen nothing about it. Now he +must tell her, and perhaps she might help him in his trouble. + +The queen listened in silence to his tale, and after he had finished, +she only said: + +‘Leave thou the matter between me and the giant,’ and as she spoke, the +giant entered the hall and stood before them. + +‘Bring out your son,’ cried he to the king, ‘as you promised me seven +years and a day since.’ + +The king glanced at his wife, who nodded, so he answered: + +‘Let his mother first put him in order,’ and the queen left the hall, +and took the cook’s son and dressed him in the prince’s clothes, and led +him up to the giant, who held his hand, and together they went out along +the road. They had not walked far when the giant stopped and stretched +out a stick to the boy. + +‘If your father had that stick, what would he do with it?’ asked he. + +‘If my father had that stick, he would beat the dogs and cats that steal +the king’s meat,’ replied the boy. + +‘Thou art the cook’s son!’ cried the giant. ‘Go home to thy mother’; and +turning his back he strode straight to the castle. + +‘If you seek to trick me this time, the highest stone will soon be the +lowest,’ said he, and the king and queen trembled, but they could not +bear to give up their boy. + +‘The butler’s son is the same age as ours,’ whispered the queen; ‘he +will not know the difference,’ and she took the child and dressed him in +the prince’s clothes, and the giant let him away along the road. Before +they had gone far he stopped, and held out a stick. + +‘If thy father had that rod, what would he do with it?’ asked the giant. + +‘He would beat the dogs and cats that break the king’s glasses,’ +answered the boy. + +‘Thou art the son of the butler!’ cried the giant. ‘Go home to thy +mother’; and turning round he strode back angrily to the castle. + +‘Bring out thy son at once,’ roared he, ‘or the stone that is highest +will be lowest,’ and this time the real prince was brought. + +But though his parents wept bitterly and fancied the child was suffering +all kinds of dreadful things, the giant treated him like his own son, +though he never allowed him to see his daughters. The boy grew to be +a big boy, and one day the giant told him that he would have to amuse +himself alone for many hours, as he had a journey to make. So the boy +wandered to the top of the castle, where he had never been before. There +he paused, for the sound of music broke upon his ears, and opening a +door near him, he beheld a girl sitting by the window, holding a harp. + +‘Haste and begone, I see the giant close at hand,’ she whispered +hurriedly, ‘but when he is asleep, return hither, for I would speak with +thee.’ And the prince did as he was bid, and when midnight struck he +crept back to the top of the castle. + +‘To-morrow,’ said the girl, who was the giant’s daughter, ‘to-morrow +thou wilt get the choice of my two sisters to marry, but thou must +answer that thou wilt not take either, but only me. This will anger him +greatly, for he wishes to betroth me to the son of the king of the Green +City, whom I like not at all.’ + +Then they parted, and on the morrow, as the girl had said, the giant +called his three daughters to him, and likewise the young prince to whom +he spoke. + +‘Now, O son of the king of Tethertown, the time has come for us to part. +Choose one of my two elder daughters to wife, and thou shalt take her to +your father’s house the day after the wedding.’ + +‘Give me the youngest instead,’ replied the youth, and the giant’s face +darkened as he heard him. + +‘Three things must thou do first,’ said he. + +‘Say on, I will do them,’ replied the prince, and the giant left the +house, and bade him follow to the byre, where the cows were kept. + +‘For a hundred years no man has swept this byre,’ said the giant, ‘but +if by nightfall, when I reach home, thou has not cleaned it so that a +golden apple can roll through it from end to end, thy blood shall pay +for it.’ + +All day long the youth toiled, but he might as well have tried to empty +the ocean. At length, when he was so tired he could hardly move, the +giant’s youngest daughter stood in the doorway. + +‘Lay down thy weariness,’ said she, and the king’s son, thinking he +could only die once, sank on the floor at her bidding, and fell sound +asleep. When he woke the girl had disappeared, and the byre was so clean +that a golden apple could roll from end to end of it. He jumped up in +surprise, and at that moment in came the giant. + +‘Hast thou cleaned the byre, king’s son?’ asked he. + +‘I have cleaned it,’ answered he. + +‘Well, since thou wert so active to-day, to-morrow thou wilt thatch this +byre with a feather from every different bird, or else thy blood shall +pay for it,’ and he went out. + +Before the sun was up, the youth took his bow and his quiver and set off +to kill the birds. Off to the moor he went, but never a bird was to be +seen that day. At last he got so tired with running to and fro that he +gave up heart. + +‘There is but one death I can die,’ thought he. Then at midday came the +giant’s daughter. + +‘Thou art tired, king’s son?’ asked she. + +‘I am,’ answered he; ‘all these hours have I wandered, and there fell +but these two blackbirds, both of one colour.’ + +‘Lay down thy weariness on the grass,’ said she, and he did as she bade +him, and fell fast asleep. + +When he woke the girl had disappeared, and he got up, and returned to +the byre. As he drew near, he rubbed his eyes hard, thinking he was +dreaming, for there it was, beautifully thatched, just as the giant had +wished. At the door of the house he met the giant. + +‘Hast thou thatched the byre, king’s son?’ + +‘I have thatched it.’ + +‘Well, since thou hast been so active to-day, I have something else for +thee! Beside the loch thou seest over yonder there grows a fir tree. +On the top of the fir tree is a magpie’s nest, and in the nest are five +eggs. Thou wilt bring me those eggs for breakfast, and if one is cracked +or broken, thy blood shall pay for it.’ + +Before it was light next day, the king’s son jumped out of bed and ran +down to the loch. The tree was not hard to find, for the rising sun +shone red on the trunk, which was five hundred feet from the ground to +its first branch. Time after time he walked round it, trying to find +some knots, however small, where he could put his feet, but the bark was +quite smooth, and he soon saw that if he was to reach the top at all, it +must be by climbing up with his knees like a sailor. But then he was a +king’s son and not a sailor, which made all the difference. + +However, it was no use standing there staring at the fir, at least he +must try to do his best, and try he did till his hands and knees were +sore, for as soon as he had struggled up a few feet, he slid back again. +Once he climbed a little higher than before, and hope rose in his heart, +then down he came with such force that his hands and knees smarted worse +than ever. + +‘This is no time for stopping,’ said the voice of the giant’s daughter, +as he leant against the trunk to recover his breath. + +‘Alas! I am no sooner up than down,’ answered he. + +‘Try once more,’ said she, and she laid a finger against the tree and +bade him put his foot on it. Then she placed another finger a little +higher up, and so on till he reached the top, where the magpie had built +her nest. + +‘Make haste now with the nest,’ she cried, ‘for my father’s breath is +burning my back,’ and down he scrambled as fast as he could, but the +girl’s little finger had caught in a branch at the top, and she was +obliged to leave it there. But she was too busy to pay heed to this, for +the sun was getting high over the hills. + +‘Listen to me,’ she said. ‘This night my two sisters and I will be +dressed in the same garments, and you will not know me. But when my +father says ‘Go to thy wife, king’s son,’ come to the one whose right +hand has no little finger.’ + +So he went and gave the eggs to the giant, who nodded his head. + +‘Make ready for thy marriage,’ cried he, ‘for the wedding shall take +place this very night, and I will summon thy bride to greet thee.’ Then +his three daughters were sent for, and they all entered dressed in green +silk of the same fashion, and with golden circlets round their heads. +The king’s son looked from one to another. Which was the youngest? +Suddenly his eyes fell on the hand of the middle one, and there was no +little finger. + +‘Thou hast aimed well this time too,’ said the giant, as the king’s son +laid his hand on her shoulder, ‘but perhaps we may meet some other way’; +and though he pretended to laugh, the bride saw a gleam in his eye which +warned her of danger. + +The wedding took place that very night, and the hall was filled with +giants and gentlemen, and they danced till the house shook from top to +bottom. At last everyone grew tired, and the guests went away, and the +king’s son and his bride were left alone. + +‘If we stay here till dawn my father will kill thee,’ she whispered, +‘but thou art my husband and I will save thee, as I did before,’ and +she cut an apple into nine pieces, and put two pieces at the head of +the bed, and two pieces at the foot, and two pieces at the door of the +kitchen, and two at the big door, and one outside the house. And when +this was done, and she heard the giant snoring, she and the king’s son +crept out softly and stole across to the stable, where she led out the +blue-grey mare and jumped on its back, and her husband mounted behind +her. Not long after, the giant awoke. + + ‘Are you asleep?’ asked he. + +‘Not yet,’ answered the apple at the head of the bed, and the giant +turned over, and soon was snoring as loudly as before. By and bye he +called again. + +‘Are you asleep?’ + +‘Not yet,’ said the apple at the foot of the bed, and the giant was +satisfied. After a while, he called a third time, ‘Are you asleep?’ + +‘Not yet,’ replied the apple in the kitchen, but when in a few minutes, +he put the question for the fourth time and received an answer from the +apple outside the house door, he guessed what had happened, and ran to +the room to look for himself. + +The bed was cold and empty! + +‘My father’s breath is burning my back,’ cried the girl, ‘put thy hand +into the ear of the mare, and whatever thou findest there, throw it +behind thee.’ And in the mare’s ear there was a twig of sloe tree, and +as he threw it behind him there sprung up twenty miles of thornwood so +thick that scarce a weasel could go through it. And the giant, who was +striding headlong forwards, got caught in it, and it pulled his hair and +beard. + +‘This is one of my daughter’s tricks,’ he said to himself, ‘but if I had +my big axe and my wood-knife, I would not be long making a way through +this,’ and off he went home and brought back the axe and the wood-knife. + +It took him but a short time to cut a road through the blackthorn, and +then he laid the axe and the knife under a tree. + +‘I will leave them there till I return,’ he murmured to himself, but a +hoodie crow, which was sitting on a branch above, heard him. + +‘If thou leavest them,’ said the hoodie, ‘we will steal them.’ + +‘You will,’ answered the giant, ‘and I must take them home.’ So he took +them home, and started afresh on his journey. + +‘My father’s breath is burning my back,’ cried the girl at midday. ‘Put +thy finger in the mare’s ear and throw behind thee whatever thou findest +in it,’ and the king’s son found a splinter of grey stone, and threw it +behind him, and in a twinkling twenty miles of solid rock lay between +them and the giant. + +‘My daughter’s tricks are the hardest things that ever met me,’ said +the giant, ‘but if I had my lever and my crowbar, I would not be long in +making my way through this rock also,’ but as he had got them, he had to +go home and fetch them. Then it took him but a short time to hew his way +through the rock. + +‘I will leave the tools here,’ he murmured aloud when he had finished. + +‘If thou leavest them, we will steal them,’ said a hoodie who was +perched on a stone above him, and the giant answered: + +‘Steal them if thou wilt; there is no time to go back.’ + +‘My father’s breath is burning my back,’ cried the girl; ‘look in the +mare’s ear, king’s son, or we are lost,’ and he looked, and found a tiny +bladder full of water, which he threw behind him, and it became a +great lock. And the giant, who was striding on so fast, could not stop +himself, and he walked right into the middle and was drowned. + +The blue-grey mare galloped on like the wind, and the next day the +king’s son came in sight of his father’s house. + +‘Get down and go in,’ said the bride, ‘and tell them that thou hast +married me. But take heed that neither man nor beast kiss thee, for then +thou wilt cease to remember me at all.’ + +‘I will do thy bidding,’ answered he, and left her at the gate. All who +met him bade him welcome, and he charged his father and mother not to +kiss him, but as he greeted them his old greyhound leapt on his neck, +and kissed him on the mouth. And after that he did not remember the +giant’s daughter. + +All that day she sat on a well which was near the gate, waiting, +waiting, but the king’s son never came. In the darkness she climbed up +into an oak tree that shadowed the well, and there she lay all night, +waiting, waiting. + +On the morrow, at midday, the wife of a shoemaker who dwelt near the +well went to draw water for her husband to drink, and she saw the shadow +of the girl in the tree, and thought it was her own shadow. + +‘How handsome I am, to be sure,’ said she, gazing into the well, and as +she stopped to behold herself better, the jug struck against the stones +and broke in pieces, and she was forced to return to her husband without +the water, and this angered him. + +‘Thou hast turned crazy,’ said he in wrath. ‘Go thou, my daughter, and +fetch me a drink,’ and the girl went, and the same thing befell her as +had befallen her mother. + +‘Where is the water?’ asked the shoemaker, when she came back, and as +she held nothing save the handle of the jug he went to the well himself. +He too saw the reflection of the woman in the tree, but looked up to +discover whence it came, and there above him sat the most beautiful +woman in the world. + +‘Come down,’ he said, ‘for a while thou canst stay in my house,’ and +glad enough the girl was to come. + +Now the king of the country was about to marry, and the young men about +the court thronged the shoemaker’s shop to buy fine shoes to wear at the +wedding. + +‘Thou hast a pretty daughter,’ said they when they beheld the girl +sitting at work. + +‘Pretty she is,’ answered the shoemaker, ‘but no daughter of mine.’ + +‘I would give a hundred pounds to marry her,’ said one. + +‘And I,’ ‘And I,’ cried the others. + +‘That is no business of mine,’ answered the shoemaker, and the young men +bade him ask her if she would choose one of them for a husband, and to +tell them on the morrow. Then the shoemaker asked her, and the girl said +that she would marry the one who would bring his purse with him. So the +shoemaker hurried to the youth who had first spoken, and he came back, +and after giving the shoemaker a hundred pounds for his news, he sought +the girl, who was waiting for him. + +‘Is it thou?’ inquired she. ‘I am thirsty, give me a drink from the well +that is yonder.’ And he poured out the water, but he could not move from +the place where he was; and there he stayed till many hours had passed +by. + +‘Take away that foolish boy,’ cried the girl to the shoemaker at last, +‘I am tired of him,’ and then suddenly he was able to walk, and betook +himself to his home, but he did not tell the others what had happened to +him. + +Next day there arrived one of the other young men, and in the evening, +when the shoemaker had gone out and they were alone, she said to him, +‘See if the latch is on the door.’ The young man hastened to do her +bidding, but as soon as he touched the latch, his fingers stuck to it, +and there he had to stay for many hours, till the shoemaker came back, +and the girl let him go. Hanging his head, he went home, but he told no +one what had befallen him. + +Then was the turn of the third man, and his foot remained fastened to +the floor, till the girl unloosed it. And thankfully, he ran off, and +was not seen looking behind him. + +‘Take the purse of gold,’ said the girl to the shoemaker, ‘I have no +need of it, and it will better thee.’ And the shoemaker took it and told +the girl he must carry the shoes for the wedding up to the castle. + +‘I would fain get a sight of the king’s son before he marries,’ sighed +she. + +‘Come with me, then,’ answered he; ‘the servants are all my friends, and +they will let you stand in the passage down which the king’s son will +pass, and all the company too.’ + +Up they went to the castle, and when the young men saw the girl standing +there, they led her into the hall where the banquet was laid out and +poured her out some wine. She was just raising the glass to drink when a +flame went up out of it, and out of the flame sprang two pigeons, one of +gold and one of silver. They flew round and round the head of the girl, +when three grains of barley fell on the floor, and the silver pigeon +dived down, and swallowed them. + +‘If thou hadst remembered how I cleaned the byre, thou wouldst have +given me my share,’ cooed the golden pigeon, and as he spoke three more +grains fell, and the silver pigeon ate them as before. + +‘If thou hadst remembered how I thatched the byre, thou wouldst have +given me my share,’ cooed the golden pigeon again; and as he spoke three +more grains fell, and for the third time they were eaten by the silver +pigeon. + +‘If thou hadst remembered how I got the magpie’s nest, thou wouldst have +given me my share,’ cooed the golden pigeon. + +Then the king’s son understood that they had come to remind him of what +he had forgotten, and his lost memory came back, and he knew his wife, +and kissed her. But as the preparations had been made, it seemed a pity +to waste them, so they were married a second time, and sat down to the +wedding feast. + +From ‘Tales of the West Highlands.’ + + + + +The Lady of the Fountain. + + +In the centre of the great hall in the castle of Caerleon upon Usk, king +Arthur sat on a seat of green rushes, over which was thrown a covering +of flame-coloured silk, and a cushion of red satin lay under his elbow. +With him were his knights Owen and Kynon and Kai, while at the far +end, close to the window, were Guenevere the queen and her maidens +embroidering white garments with strange devices of gold. + +‘I am weary,’ said Arthur, ‘and till my food is prepared I would fain +sleep. You yourselves can tell each other tales, and Kai will fetch you +from the kitchen a flagon of mean and some meat.’ + +And when they had eaten and drunk, Kynon, the oldest among them, began +his story. + +‘I was the only son of my father and mother, and much store they set by +me, but I was not content to stay with them at home, for I thought no +deed in all the world was too mighty for me. None could hold me back, +and after I had won many adventures in my own land, I bade farewell +to my parents and set out to see the world. Over mountains, through +deserts, across rivers I went, till I reached a fair valley full of +trees, with a path running by the side of a stream. I walked along that +path all the day, and in the evening I came to a castle in front of +which stood two youths clothed in yellow, each grasping an ivory bow, +with arrows made of the bones of the whale, and winged with peacock’s +feathers. By their sides hung golden daggers with hilts of the bones of +the whale. + +‘Near these young men was a man richly dressed, who turned and went with +me towards the castle, where all the dwellers were gathered in the hall. +In one window I beheld four and twenty damsels, and the least fair of +them was fairer than Guenevere at her fairest. Some took my horse, and +others unbuckled my armour, and washed it, with my sword and spear, till +it all shone like silver. Then I washed myself and put on a vest and +doublet which they brought me, and I and the man that entered with me +sat down before a table of silver, and a goodlier feast I never had. + +‘All this time neither the man nor the damsels had spoken one word, but +when our dinner was half over, and my hunger was stilled, the man began +to ask who I was. Then I told him my name and my father’s name, and why +I came there, for indeed I had grown weary of gaining the mastery over +all men at home, and sought if perchance there was one who could gain +the mastery over me. And at this the man smiled and answered: + +‘“If I did not fear to distress thee too much, I would show thee what +thou seekest.” His words made me sorrowful and fearful of myself, which +the man perceived, and added, “If thou meanest truly what thou sayest, +and desirest earnestly to prove thy valour, and not to boast vainly that +none can overcome thee, I have somewhat to show thee. But to-night thou +must sleep in the this castle, and in the morning see that thou rise +early and follow the road upwards through the valley, until thou +reachest a wood. In the wood is a path branching to the right; go along +this path until thou comest to a space of grass with a mound in the +middle of it. On the top of the mound stands a black man, larger than +any two white men; his eye is in the centre of his forehead and he has +only one foot. He carries a club of iron, and two white men could hardly +lift it. Around him graze a thousand beasts, all of different kinds, for +he is the guardian of that wood, and it is he who will tell thee which +way to go in order to find the adventure thou art in quest of.” + +‘So spake the man, and long did that night seem to me, and before dawn +I rose and put on my armour, and mounted my horse and rode on till I +reached the grassy space of which he had told me. There was the black +man on top of the mound, as he had said, and in truth he was mightier +in all ways than I had thought him to be. As for the club, Kai, it would +have been a burden for four of our warriors. He waited for me to speak, +and I asked him what power he held over the beasts that thronged so +close about him. + +‘“I will show thee, little man,” he answered, and with his club he +struck a stag on the head till he brayed loudly. And at his braying the +animals came running, numerous as the stars in the sky, so that scarce +was I able to stand among them. Serpents were there also, and dragons, +and beasts of strange shapes, with horns in places where never saw I +horns before. And the black man only looked at them and bade them go +and feed. And they bowed themselves before him, as vassals before their +lord. + +‘“Now, little man, I have answered thy question and showed thee my +power,” said he. “Is there anything else thou wouldest know?” Then I +inquired of him my way, but he grew angry, and, as I perceived, would +fain have hindered me; but at the last, after I had told him who I was, +his anger passed from him. + +‘“Take that path,” said he, “that leads to the head of this grassy +glade, and go up the wood till thou reachest the top. There thou wilt +find an open space, and in the midst of it a tall tree. Under the tree +is a fountain, and by the fountain a marble slab, and on the slab a bowl +of silver, with a silver chain. Dip the bowl in the fountain, and throw +the water on the slab, and thou wilt hear a might peal of thunder, till +heaven and earth seem trembling with the noise. After the thunder will +come hail, so fierce that scarcely canst thou endure it and live, for +the hailstones are both large and thick. Then the sun will shine again, +but every leaf of the tree will by lying on the ground. Next a flight +of birds will come and alight on the tree, and never didst thou hear a +strain so sweet as that which they will sing. And at the moment in which +their song sounds sweetest thou wilt hear a murmuring and complaining +coming towards thee along the valley, and thou wilt see a knight in +black velvet bestriding a black horse, bearing a lance with a black +pennon, and he will spur his steed so as to fight thee. If thou turnest +to flee, he will overtake thee. And if thou abidest were thou art, he +will unhorse thee. And if thou dost not find trouble in that adventure, +thou needest not to seek it during the rest of thy life.” + +‘So I bade the black man farewell, and took my way to the top of the +wood, and there I found everything just as I had been told. I went up to +the tree beneath which stood the fountain, and filling the silver bowl +with water, emptied it on the marble slab. Thereupon the thunder came, +louder by far than I had expected to hear it, and after the thunder came +the shower, but heavier by far than I had expected to feel it, for, of a +truth I tell thee, Kai, not one of those hailstones would be stopped by +skin or by flesh till it had reached the bone. I turned my horse’s flank +towards the shower, and, bending over his neck, held my shield so that +it might cover his head and my own. When the hail had passed, I looked +on the tree and not a single leaf was left on it, and the sky was blue +and the sun shining, while on the branches were perched birds of very +kind, who sang a song sweeter than any that has come to my ears, either +before or since. + +‘Thus, Kai, I stood listening to the birds, when lo, a murmuring voice +approached me, saying: + +‘“O knight, what has brought thee hither? What evil have I done to thee, +that thou shouldest do so much to me, for in all my lands neither man +nor beast that met that shower has escaped alive.” Then from the valley +appeared the knight on the black horse, grasping the lance with the +black pennon. Straightway we charged each other, and though I fought +my best, he soon overcame me, and I was thrown to the ground, while the +knight seized the bridle of my horse, and rode away with it, leaving me +where I was, without even despoiling me of my armour. + +‘Sadly did I go down the hill again, and when I reached the glade where +the black man was, I confess to thee, Kai, it was a marvel that I did +not melt into a liquid pool, so great was my shame. That night I slept +at the castle where I had been before, and I was bathed and feasted, and +none asked me how I had fared. The next morning when I arose I found a +bay horse saddled for me, and, girdling on my armour, I returned to my +own court. The horse is still in the stable, and I would not part with +it for any in Britain. + +‘But of a truth, Kai, no man ever confessed an adventure so much to his +own dishonour, and strange indeed it seems that none other man have I +ever met that knew of the black man, and the knight and the shower.’ + +‘Would it not be well,’ said Owen, ‘to go and discover the place?’ + +‘By the hand of my friend,’ answered Kai, ‘often dost thou utter that +with thy tongue which thou wouldest not make good with thy deeds.’ + +‘In truth,’ said Guenevere the queen, who had listened to the tale, +‘thou wert better hanged, Kai, than use such speech towards a man like +Owen.’ + +‘I meant nothing, lady,’ replied Kai; ‘thy praise of Owen is not greater +than mine.’ And as he spoke Arthur awoke, and asked if he had not slept +for a little. + +‘Yes, lord,’ answered Owen, ‘certainly thou hast slept.’ + +‘Is it time for us to go to meat?’ + +‘It is, lord,’ answered Owen. + +Then the horn for washing themselves was sounded, and after that the +king and his household sat down to eat. And when they had finished, Owen +left them, and made ready his horse and his arms. + +With the first rays of the sun he set forth, and travelled through +deserts and over mountains and across rivers, and all befell him which +had befallen Kynon, till he stood under the leafless tree listening +to the song of the birds. Then he heard the voice, and turning to look +found the knight galloping to meet him. Fiercely they fought till their +lances were broken, and then they drew their swords, and a blow from +Owen cut through the knight’s helmet, and pierced his skull. + +Feeling himself wounded unto death the knight fled, and Owen pursued him +till they came to a splendid castle. Here the knight dashed across the +bridge that spanned the moat, and entered the gate, but as soon as he +was safe inside, the drawbridge was pulled up and caught Owen’s horse in +the middle, so that half of him was inside and half out, and Owen could +not dismount and knew not what to do. + +While he was in this sore plight a little door in the castle gate +opened, and he could see a street facing him, with tall houses. Then a +maiden with curling hair of gold looked through the little door and bade +Owen open the gate. + +‘By my troth!’ cried Owen, ‘I can no more open it from here than thou +art able to set me free.’ + +‘Well,’ said she, ‘I will do my best to release thee if thou wilt do +as I tell thee. Take this ring and put it on with the stone inside thy +hand, and close thy fingers tight, for as long as thou dost conceal it, +it will conceal thee. When the men inside have held counsel together, +they will come to fetch thee to thy death, and they will be much grieved +not to find thee. I will stand on the horse block yonder and thou canst +see me though I cannot see thee. Therefore draw near and place thy hand +on my shoulder and follow me wheresoever I go.’ + +Upon that she went away from Owen, and when the men came out from the +castle to seek him and did not find him they were sorely grieved, and +they returned to the castle. + +Then Owen went to the maiden and placed his hand on her shoulder, and +she guided him to a large room, painted all over with rich colours, and +adorned with images of gold. Here she gave him meat and drink, and water +to wash with and garments to wear, and he lay down upon a soft bed, with +scarlet and fur to cover him, and slept gladly. + +In the middle of the night he woke hearing a great outcry, and he jumped +up and clothed himself and went into the hall, where the maiden was +standing. + +‘What is it?’ he asked, and she answered that the knight who owned the +castle was dead, and they were bearing his body to the church. Never had +Owen beheld such vast crowds, and following the dead knight was the most +beautiful lady in the world, whose cry was louder than the shout of the +men, or the braying of the trumpets. And Owen looked on her and loved +her. + +‘Who is she?’ he asked the damsel. ‘That is my mistress, the countess of +the fountain, and the wife of him whom thou didst slay yesterday.’ + +‘Verily,’ said Owen, ‘she is the woman that I love best.’ + +‘She shall also love thee not a little,’ said the maiden. + +Then she left Owen, and after a while went into the chamber of her +mistress, and spoke to her, but the countess answered her nothing. + +‘What aileth thee, mistress?’ inquired the maiden. + +‘Why hast thou kept far from me in my grief, Luned?’ answered the +countess, and in her turn the damsel asked: + +‘Is it well for thee to mourn so bitterly for the dead, or for anything +that is gone from thee?’ + +‘There is no man in the world equal to him,’ replied the countess, +her cheeks growing red with anger. ‘I would fain banish thee for such +words.’ + +‘Be not angry, lady,’ said Luned, ‘but listen to my counsel. Thou +knowest well that alone thou canst not preserve thy lands, therefore +seek some one to help thee.’ + +‘And how can I do that?’ asked the countess. + +‘I will tell thee,’ answered Luned. ‘Unless thou canst defend the +fountain all will be lost, and none can defend the fountain except a +knight of Arthur’s court. There will I go to seek him, and woe betide me +if I return without a warrior that can guard the fountain, as well as he +who kept it before.’ + +‘Go then,’ said the countess, ‘and make proof of that which thou hast +promised.’ + +So Luned set out, riding on a white palfrey, on pretence of journeying +to King Arthur’s court, but instead of doing that she hid herself for as +many days as it would have taken her to go and come, and then she left +her hiding-place, and went into the countess. + +‘What news from the court?’ asked her mistress, when she had given Luned +a warm greeting. + +‘The best of news,’ answered the maiden, ‘for I have gained the object +of my mission. When wilt thou that I present to thee the knight who has +returned with me?’ + +‘To-morrow at midday,’ said the countess, ‘and I will cause all the +people in the town to come together.’ + +Therefore the next day at noon Owen put on his coat of mail, and over it +he wore a splendid mantle, while on his feet were leather shoes fastened +with clasps of gold. And he followed Luned to the chamber of her +mistress. + +Right glad was the countess to see them, but she looked closely at Owen +and said: + +‘Luned, this knight has scarcely the air of a traveller.’ + +‘What harm is there in that, lady?’ answered Luned. + +‘I am persuaded,’ said the countess, ‘that this man and no other chased +the soul from the body of my lord.’ + +‘Had he not been stronger than thy lord,’ replied the damsel, ‘he could +not have taken his life, and for that, and for all things that are past, +there is no remedy.’ + +‘Leave me, both of you,’ said the countess, ‘and I will take counsel.’ + +Then they went out. + +The next morning the countess summoned her subjects to meet in the +courtyard of the castle, and told them that now that her husband was +dead there was none to defend her lands. + +‘So choose you which it shall be,’ she said. ‘Either let one of you take +me for a wife, or give me your consent to take a new lord for myself, +that my lands be not without a master.’ + +At her words the chief men of the city withdrew into one corner and took +counsel together, and after a while the leader came forward and said +that they had decided that it was best, for the peace and safety of +all, that she should choose a husband for herself. Thereupon Owen was +summoned to her presence, and he accepted with joy the hand that she +offered him, and they were married forthwith, and the men of the earldom +did him homage. + +From that day Owen defended the fountain as the earl before him had +done, and every knight that came by was overthrown by him, and his +ransom divided among his barons. In this way three years passed, and no +man in the world was more beloved than Owen. + +Now at the end of the three years it happened that Gwalchmai the knight +was with Arthur, and he perceived the king to be very sad. + +‘My lord, has anything befallen thee?’ he asked. + +‘Oh, Gwalchmai, I am grieved concerning Owen, whom I have lost these +three years, and if a fourth year passes without him I can live no +longer. And sure am I that the tale told by Kynon the son of Clydno +caused me to lose him. I will go myself with the men of my household to +avenge him if he is dead, to free him if he is in prison, to bring him +back if he is alive.’ + +Then Arthur and three thousand men of his household set out in quest of +Owen, and took Kynon for their guide. When Arthur reached the castle, +the youths were shooting in the same place, and the same yellow man was +standing by, and as soon as he beheld Arthur he greeted him and invited +him in, and they entered together. So vast was the castle that the +king’s three thousand men were of no more account than if they had been +twenty. + +At sunrise Arthur departed thence, with Kynon for his guide, and reached +the black man first, and afterwards the top of the wooded hill, with the +fountain and the bowl and the tree. + +‘My lord,’ said Kai, ‘let me throw the water on the slab, and receive +the first adventure that may befall.’ + +‘Thou mayest do so,’ answered Arthur, and Kai threw the water. + +Immediately all happened as before; the thunder and the shower of +hail which killed many of Arthur’s men; the song of the birds and the +appearance of the black knight. And Kai met him and fought him, and was +overthrown by him. Then the knight rode away, and Arthur and his men +encamped where they stood. + +In the morning Kai again asked leave to meet the knight and to try to +overcome him, which Arthur granted. But once more he was unhorsed, and +the black knight’s lance broke his helmet and pierced the skin even to +the bone, and humbled in spirit he returned to the camp. + +After this every one of the knights gave battle, but none came out +victor, and at length there only remained Arthur himself and Gwalchmai. + +‘Oh, let me fight him, my lord,’ cried Gwalchmai, as he saw Arthur +taking up his arms. + +‘Well, fight then,’ answered Arthur, and Gwalchmai threw a robe over +himself and his horse, so that none knew him. All that day they fought, +and neither was able to throw the other, and so it was on the next day. +On the third day the combat was so fierce that they fell both to the +ground at once, and fought on their feet, and at last the black knight +gave his foe such a blow on his head that his helmet fell from his face. + +‘I did not know it was thee, Gwalchmai,’ said the black knight. ‘Take my +sword and my arms.’ + +‘No,’ answered Gwalchmai, ‘it is thou, Owen, who art the victor, take +thou my sword’; but Owen would not. + +‘Give me your swords,’ said Arthur from behind them, ‘for neither of +you has vanquished the other,’ and Owen turned and put his arms round +Arthur’s neck. + +The next day Arthur would have given orders to his men to make ready to +go back whence they came, but Owen stopped him. + +‘My lord,’ he said, ‘during the three years that I have been absent from +thee I have been preparing a banquet for thee, knowing full well that +thou wouldst come to seek me. Tarry with me, therefore, for a while, +thou and thy men.’ + +So they rode to the castle of the countess of the fountain, and spent +three months in resting and feasting. And when it was time for them to +depart Arthur besought the countess that she would allow Owen to go +with him to Britain for the space of three months. With a sore heart she +granted permission, and so content was Owen to be once more with his old +companions that three years instead of three months passed away like a +dream. + +One day Owen sat at meat in the castle of Caerleon upon Usk, when a +damsel on a bay horse entered the hall, and riding straight up to the +place where Owen sat she stooped and drew the ring from off his hand. + +‘Thus shall be treated the traitor and the faithless,’ said she, and +turning her horse’s head she rode out of the hall. + +At her words Owen remembered all that he had forgotten, and sorrowful +and ashamed he went to his own chamber and made ready to depart. At the +dawn he set out, but he did not go back to the castle, for his heart was +heavy, but he wandered far into wild places till his body was weak and +thin, and his hair was long. The wild beasts were his friends, and he +slept by their side, but in the end he longed to see the face of a man +again, and he came down into a valley and fell asleep by a lake in the +lands of a widowed countess. + +Now it was the time when the countess took her walk, attended by her +maidens, and when they saw a man lying by the lake they shrank back in +terror, for he lay so still that they thought he was dead. But when they +had overcome their fright, they drew near him, and touched him, and saw +that there was life in him. Then the countess hastened to the castle, +and brought from it a flask full of precious ointment and gave it to one +of her maidens. + +‘Take that horse which is grazing yonder,’ she said, ‘and a suit of +men’s garments, and place them near the man, and pour some of this +ointment near his heart. If there is any life in him that will bring it +back. But if he moves, hide thyself in the bushes near by, and see what +he does.’ + +The damsel took the flask and did her mistress’ bidding. Soon the man +began to move his arms, and then rose slowly to his feet. Creeping +forward step by step he took the garments from off the saddle and put +them on him, and painfully he mounted the horse. When he was seated the +damsel came forth and greeted him, and glad was he when he saw her and +inquired what castle that was before him. + +‘It belongs to a widowed countess,’ answered the maiden. ‘Her husband +left her two earldoms, but it is all that remains of her broad lands, +for they have been torn from her by a young earl, because she would not +marry him.’ + +‘That is a pity,’ replied Owen, but he said no more, for he was too weak +to talk much. Then the maiden guided him to the castle, and kindled a +fire, and brought him food. And there he stayed and was tended for three +months, till he was handsomer than ever he was. + +At noon one day Owen heard a sound of arms outside the castle, and he +asked of the maiden what it was. + +‘It is the earl of whom I spoke to thee,’ she answered, ‘who has come +with a great host to carry off my mistress.’ + +‘Beg of her to lend me a horse and armour,’ said Owen, and the maiden +did so, but the countess laughed somewhat bitterly as she answered: + +‘Nay, but I will give them to him, and such a horse and armour and +weapons as he has never had yet, though I know not what use they will be +to him. Yet mayhap it will save them from falling into the hands of my +enemies.’ + +The horse was brought out and Owen rode forth with two pages behind him, +and they saw the great host encamped before them. + +‘Where is the earl?’ said he, and the pages answered: + +‘In yonder troop where are four yellow standards.’ + +‘Await me,’ said Owen, ‘at the gate of the castle, and he cried a +challenge to the earl, who came to meet him. Hard did they fight, but +Owen overthrew his enemy and drove him in front to the castle gate and +into the hall. + +‘Behold the reward of thy blessed balsam,’ said he, as he bade the earl +kneel down before her, and made him swear that he would restore all that +he had taken from her. + +After that he departed, and went into the deserts, and as he was passing +through a wood he heard a loud yelling. Pushing aside the bushes he +beheld a lion standing on a great mound, and by it a rock. Near the rock +was a lion seeking to reach the mound, and each time he moved out darted +a serpent from the rock to prevent him. Then Owen unsheathed his +sword, and cut off the serpent’s head and went on his way, and the lion +followed and played about him, as if he had been a greyhound. And much +more useful was he than a greyhound, for in the evening he brought large +logs in his mouth to kindle a fire, and killed a fat buck for dinner. + +Owen made his fire and skinned the buck, and put some of it to roast, +and gave the rest to the lion for supper. While he was waiting for the +meat to cook he heard a sound of deep sighing close to him, and he said: + +‘Who are thou?’ + +‘I am Luned,’ replied a voice from a cave so hidden by bushes and green +hanging plants that Owen had not seen it. + +‘And what dost thou here?’ cried he. + +‘I am held captive in this cave on account of the knight who married +the countess and left her, for the pages spoke ill of him, and because I +told them that no man living was his equal they dragged me here and said +I should die unless he should come to deliver me by a certain day, and +that is no further than the day after to-morrow. His name is Owen the +son of Urien, but I have none to send to tell him of my danger, or of a +surety he would deliver me.’ + +Owen held his peace, but gave the maiden some of the meat, and bade her +be of good cheer. Then, followed by the lion, he set out for a great +castle on the other side of the plain, and men came and took his horse +and placed it in a manger, and the lion went after and lay down on the +straw. Hospitable and kind were all within the castle, but so full of +sorrow that it might have been thought death was upon them. At length, +when they had eaten and drunk, Owen prayed the earl to tell him the +reason of their grief. + +‘Yesterday,’ answered the earl, ‘my two sons were seized, while thy were +hunting, by a monster who dwells on those mountains yonder, and he vows +that he will not let them go unless I give him my daughter to wife.’ + +‘That shall never be,’ said Owen; ‘but what form hath this monster?’ + +‘In shape he is a man, but in stature he is a giant,’ replied the earl, +‘and it were better by far that he should slay my sons than that I +should give up my daughter.’ + +Early next morning the dwellers in the castle were awakened by a great +clamour, and they found that the giant had arrived with the two young +men. Swiftly Owen put on his armour and went forth to meet the giant, +and the lion followed at his heels. And when the great beast beheld the +hard blows which the giant dealt his master he flew at his throat, and +much trouble had the monster in beating him off. + +‘Truly,’ said the giant, ‘I should find no difficulty in fighting thee, +if it were not for that lion.’ When he heard that Owen felt shame that +he could not overcome the giant with his own sword, so he took the lion +and shut him up in one of the towers of the castle, and returned to the +fight. But from the sound of the blows the lion knew that the combat +was going ill for Owen, so he climbed up till he reached the top of +the tower, where there was a door on to the roof, and from the tower he +sprang on to the walls, and from the walls to the ground. Then with a +loud roar he leaped upon the giant, who fell dead under the blow of his +paw. + +Now the gloom of the castle was turned into rejoicing, and the earl +begged Owen to stay with him till he could make him a feast, but the +knight said he had other work to do, and rode back to the place where he +had left Luned, and the lion followed at his heels. When he came there +he saw a great fire kindled, and two youths leading out the maiden to +cast her upon the pile. + +‘Stop!’ he cried, dashing up to them. ‘What charge have you against +her?’ + +‘She boasted that no man in the world was equal to Owen,’ said they, +‘and we shut her in a cave, and agreed that none should deliver her but +Owen himself, and that if he did not come by a certain day she should +die. And now the time has past and there is no sign of him.’ + +‘In truth he is a good knight, and had he but known that the maid was in +peril he would have come to save her,’ said Owen; ‘but accept me in his +stead, I entreat you.’ + +‘We will,’ replied they, and the fight began. + +The youths fought well and pressed hard on Owen, and when the lion saw +that he came to help his master. But the youths made a sign for the +fight to stop, and said: + +‘Chieftain, it was agreed we should give battle to thee alone, and it is +harder for us to contend with yonder beast than with thee.’ + +Then Owen shut up the lion in the cave where the maiden had been in +prison, and blocked up the front with stones. But the fight with the +giant had sorely tried him, and the youths fought well, and pressed him +harder than before. And when the lion saw that he gave a loud roar, and +burst through the stones, and sprang upon the youths and slew them. And +so Luned was delivered at the last. + +Then the maiden rode back with Owen to the lands of the lady of the +fountain. And he took the lady with him to Arthur’s court, where they +lived happily till they died. + +From the ‘Mabinogion.’ + + + + +The Four Gifts + + +In the old land of Brittany, once called Cornwall, there lived a woman +named Barbaik Bourhis, who spent all her days in looking after her farm +with the help of her niece Tephany. Early and late the two might be +seen in the fields or in the dairy, milking cows, making butter, feeding +fowls; working hard themselves and taking care that others worked too. +Perhaps it might have been better for Barbaik if she had left herself a +little time to rest and to think about other things, for soon she grew +to love money for its own sake, and only gave herself and Tephany the +food and clothes they absolutely needed. And as for poor people she +positively hated them, and declared that such lazy creatures had no +business in the world. + +Well, this being the sort of person Barbaik was, it is easy to guess at +her anger when one day she found Tephany talking outside the cowhouse to +young Denis, who was nothing more than a day labourer from the village +of Plover. Seizing her niece by the arm, she pulled her sharply away, +exclaiming: + +‘Are you not ashamed, girl, to waste your time over a man who is as poor +as a rat, when there are a dozen more who would be only too happy to buy +you rings of silver, if you would let them?’ + +‘Denis is a good workman, as you know very well,’ answered Tephany, red +with anger, ‘and he puts by money too, and soon he will be able to take +a farm for himself.’ + +‘Nonsense,’ cried Barbaik, ‘he will never save enough for a farm till +he is a hundred. I would sooner see you in your grave than the wife of a +man who carries his whole fortune on his back.’ + +‘What does fortune matter when one is young and strong?’ asked Tephany, +but her aunt, amazed at such words, would hardly let her finish. + +‘What does fortune matter?’ repeated Barbaik, in a shocked voice. ‘Is it +possible that you are really so foolish as to despise money? If this is +what you learn from Denis, I forbid you to speak to him, and I will have +him turned out of the farm if he dares to show his face here again. Now +go and wash the clothes and spread them out to dry.’ + +Tephany did not dare to disobey, but with a heavy heart went down the +path to the river. + +‘She is harder than these rocks,’ said the girl to herself, ‘yes, a +thousand times harder. For the rain at least can at last wear away the +stone, but you might cry for ever, and she would never care. Talking to +Denis is the only pleasure I have, and if I am not to see him I may as +well enter a convent.’ + +Thinking these thoughts she reached the bank, and began to unfold the +large packet of linen that had to be washed. The tap of a stick made her +look up, and standing before her she saw a little old woman, whose face +was strange to her. + +‘You would like to sit down and rest, granny?’ asked Tephany, pushing +aside her bundle. + +‘When the sky is all the roof you have, you rest where you will,’ +replied the old woman in trembling tones. + +‘Are you so lonely, then?’ inquired Tephany, full of pity. ‘Have you no +friends who would welcome you into their houses?’ + +The old woman shook her head. + +‘They all died long, long ago,’ she answered, ‘and the only friends I +have are strangers with kind hearts.’ + +The girl did not speak for a moment, then held out the small loaf and +some bacon intended for her dinner. + +‘Take this,’ she said; ‘to-day at any rate you shall dine well,’ and the +old woman took it, gazing at Tephany the while. + +‘Those who help others deserve to be helped,’ she answered; ‘your eyes +are still red because that miser Barbaik has forbidden you to speak to +the young man from Plover. But cheer up, you are a good girl, and I will +give you something that will enable you to see him once every day.’ + +‘You?’ cried Tephany, stupefied at discovering that the beggar knew all +about her affairs, but the old woman did not hear her. + +‘Take this long copper pin,’ she went on, ‘and every time you stick it +in your dress Mother Bourhis will be obliged to leave the house in order +to go and count her cabbages. As long as the pin is in your dress you +will be free, and your aunt will not come back until you have put it in +its case again.’ Then, rising, she nodded to Tephany and vanished. + +The girl stood where she was, as still as a stone. If it had not been +for the pin in her hands she would have thought she was dreaming. But by +that token she knew it was no common old woman who had given it to her, +but a fairy, wise in telling what would happen in the days to come. Then +suddenly Tephany’s eyes fell on the clothes, and to make up for lost +time she began to wash them with great vigour. + +Next evening, at the moment when Denis was accustomed to wait for her in +the shadow of the cowhouse, Tephany stuck the pin in her dress, and at +the very same instant Barbaik took up her sabots or wooden shoes and +went through the orchard and past to the fields, to the plot where the +cabbages grew. With a heart as light as her footsteps, the girl ran from +the house, and spent her evening happily with Denis. And so it was for +many days after that. Then, at last, Tephany began to notice something, +and the something made her very sad. + +At first, Denis seemed to find the hours that they were together fly as +quickly as she did, but when he had taught her all the songs he knew, +and told her all the plans he had made for growing rich and a great +man, he had nothing more to say to her, for he, like a great many other +people, was fond of talking himself, but not of listening to any one +else. Sometimes, indeed, he never came at all, and the next evening +he would tell Tephany that he had been forced to go into the town on +business, but though she never reproached him she was not deceived and +saw plainly that he no longer cared for her as he used to do. + +Day by day her heart grew heavier and her cheeks paler, and one evening, +when she had waited for him in vain, she put her water-pot on her +shoulder and went slowly down to the spring. On the path in front of her +stood the fairy who had given her the pin, and as she glanced at Tephany +she gave a little mischievous laugh and said: + +‘Why, my pretty maiden hardly looks happier than she did before, in +spite of meeting her lover whenever she pleases.’ + +‘He has grown tired of me,’ answered Tephany in a trembling voice, ‘and +he makes excuses to stay away. Ah! granny dear, it is not enough to be +able to see him, I must be able to amuse him and to keep him with me. He +is so clever, you know. Help me to be clever too.’ + +‘Is that what you want?’ cried the old woman. ‘Well, take this feather +and stick it in your hair, and you will be as wise as Solomon himself.’ + +Blushing with pleasure Tephany went home and stuck the feather into the +blue ribbon which girls always wear in that part of the country. In +a moment she heard Denis whistling gaily, and as her aunt was safely +counting her cabbages, she hurried out to meet him. The young man was +struck dumb by her talk. There was nothing that she did not seem to +know, and as for songs she not only could sing those from every part of +Brittany, but could compose them herself. Was this really the quiet +girl who had been so anxious to learn all he could teach her, or was it +somebody else? Perhaps she had gone suddenly mad, and there was an evil +spirit inside her. But in any case, night after night he came back, only +to find her growing wiser and wiser. Soon the neighbours whispered their +surprise among themselves, for Tephany had not been able to resist the +pleasure of putting the feather in her hair for some of the people who +despised her for her poor clothes, and many were the jokes she made +about them. Of course they heard of her jests, and shook their heads +saying: + +‘She is an ill-natured little cat, and the man that marries her will +find that it is she who will hold the reins and drive the horse.’ + +It was not long before Denis began to agree with them, and as he always +liked to be master wherever he went, he became afraid of Tephany’s sharp +tongue, and instead of laughing as before when she made fun of other +people he grew red and uncomfortable, thinking that his turn would come +next. + +So matters went on till one evening Denis told Tephany that he really +could not stay a moment, as he had promised to go to a dance that was to +be held in the next village. + +Tephany’s face fell; she had worked hard all day, and had been counting +on a quiet hour with Denis. She did her best to persuade him to remain +with her, but he would not listen, and at last she grew angry. + +‘Oh, I know why you are so anxious not to miss the dance,’ she said; ‘it +is because Aziliez of Pennenru will be there.’ + +Now Aziliez was the loveliest girl for miles round, and she and Denis +had known each other from childhood. + +‘Oh yes, Aziliez will be there,’ answered Denis, who was quite pleased +to see her jealous, ‘and naturally one would go a long way to watch her +dance.’ + +‘Go then!’ cried Tephany, and entering the house she slammed the door +behind her. + +Lonely and miserable she sat down by the fire and stared into the red +embers. Then, flinging the feather from her hair, she put her head on +her hands, and sobbed passionately. + +‘What is the use of being clever when it is beauty that men want? That +is what I ought to have asked for. But it is too late, Denis will never +come back.’ + +‘Since you wish it so much you shall have beauty,’ said a voice at her +side, and looking round she beheld the old woman leaning on her stick. + +‘Fasten this necklace round your neck, and as long as you wear it you +will be the most beautiful woman in the world,’ continued the fairy. +With a little shriek of joy Tephany took the necklace, and snapping the +clasp ran to the mirror which hung in the corner. Ah, this time she was +not afraid of Aziliez or of any other girl, for surely none could be as +fair and white as she. And with the sight of her face a thought came +to her, and putting on hastily her best dress and her buckled shoes she +hurried off to the dance. + +On the way she met a beautiful carriage with a young man seated in it. + +‘What a lovely maiden!’ he exclaimed, as Tephany approached. ‘Why, there +is not a girl in my own country that can be compared to her. She, and no +other, shall be my bride.’ + +The carriage was large and barred the narrow road, so Tephany was +forced, much against her will, to remain where she was. But she looked +the young man full in the face as she answered: + +‘Go your way, noble lord, and let me go mine. I am only a poor peasant +girl, accustomed to milk, and make hay and spin.’ + +‘Peasant you may be, but I will make you a great lady,’ said he, taking +her hand and trying to lead her to the carriage. + +‘I don’t want to be a great lady, I only want to be the wife of Denis,’ +she replied, throwing off his hand and running to the ditch which +divided the road from the cornfield, where he hoped to hide. Unluckily +the young man guessed what she was doing, and signed to his attendants, +who seized her and put her in the coach. The door was banged, and the +horses whipped up into a gallop. + +At the end of an hour they arrived at a splendid castle, and Tephany, +who would not move, was lifted out and carried into the hall, while +a priest was sent for to perform the marriage ceremony. The young man +tried to win a smile from her by telling of all the beautiful things she +should have as his wife, but Tephany did not listen to him, and looked +about to see if there was any means by which she could escape. It did +not seem easy. The three great doors were closely barred, and the one +through which she had entered shut with a spring, but her feather was +still in her hair, and by its aid she detected a crack in the wooden +panelling, through which a streak of light could be dimly seen. Touching +the copper pin which fastened her dress, the girl sent every one in the +hall to count the cabbages, while she herself passed through the little +door, not knowing whither she was going. + +By this time night had fallen, and Tephany was very tired. Thankfully +she found herself at the gate of a convent, and asked if she might stay +there till morning. But the portress answered roughly that it was no +place for beggars, and bade her begone, so the poor girl dragged herself +slowly along the road, till a light and the bark of a dog told her that +she was near a farm. + +In front of the house was a group of people; two or three women and +the sons of the farmer. When their mother heard Tephany’s request to be +given a bed the good wife’s heart softened, and she was just going to +invite her inside, when the young men, whose heads were turned by the +girl’s beauty, began to quarrel as to which should do most for her. From +words they came to blows, and the women, frightened at the disturbance, +pelted Tephany with insulting names. She quickly ran down the nearest +path, hoping to escape them in the darkness of the trees, but in an +instant she heard their footsteps behind her. Wild with fear her legs +trembled under her, when suddenly she bethought herself of her necklace. +With a violent effort she burst the clasp and flung it round the neck +of a pig which was grunting in a ditch, and as she did so she heard the +footsteps cease from pursuing her and run after the pig, for her charm +had vanished. + +On she went, scarcely knowing where she was going, till she found +herself, to her surprise and joy, close to her aunt’s house. For several +days she felt so tired and unhappy that she could hardly get through her +work, and to make matters worse Denis scarcely ever came near her. + +‘He was too busy,’ he said, ‘and really it was only rich people who +could afford to waste time in talking.’ + +As the days went on Tephany grew paler and paler, till everybody noticed +it except her aunt. The water-pot was almost too heavy for her now, but +morning and evening she carried it to the spring, though the effort to +lift it to her shoulder was often too much for her. + +‘How could I have been so foolish,’ she whispered to herself, when she +went down as usual at sunset. ‘It was not freedom to see Denis that I +should have asked for, for he was soon weary of me, nor a quick tongue, +for he was afraid of it, nor beauty, for that brought me nothing but +trouble, but riches which make life easy both for oneself and others. +Ah! if I only dared to beg this gift from the fairy, I should be wiser +than before and know how to choose better.’ + +‘Be satisfied,’ said the voice of the old woman, who seemed to be +standing unseen at Tephany’s elbow. ‘If you look in your right-hand +pocket when you go home you will find a small box. Rub your eyes with +the ointment it contains, and you will see that you yourself contain a +priceless treasure.’ + +Tephany did not in the least understand what she meant, but ran back +to the farm as fast as she could, and began to fumble joyfully in +her right-hand pocket. Sure enough, there was the little box with the +precious ointment. She was in the act of rubbing her eyes with it when +Barbaik Bourhis entered the room. Ever since she had been obliged to +leave her work and pass her time, she did not know why, in counting +cabbages, everything had gone wrong, and she could not get a labourer +to stay with her because of her bad temper. When, therefore, she saw her +niece standing quietly before her mirror, Barbaik broke out: + +‘So this is what you do when I am out in the fields! Ah! it is no wonder +if the farm is ruined. Are you not ashamed, girl, to behave so?’ + +Tephany tried to stammer some excuse, but her aunt was half mad with +rage, and a box on the ears was her only answer. At this Tephany, hurt, +bewildered and excited, could control herself no longer, and turning +away burst into tears. But what was her surprise when she saw that each +tear-drop was a round and shining pearl. Barbaik, who also beheld this +marvel, uttered a cry of astonishment, and threw herself on her knees to +pick them up from the floor. + +She was still gathering them when the door opened and in came Denis. + +‘Pearls! Are they really pearls?’ he asked, falling on his knees also, +and looking up at Tephany he perceived others still more beautiful +rolling down the girl’s cheeks. + +‘Take care not to let any of the neighbours hear of it, Denis,’ said +Barbaik. ‘Of course you shall have your share, but nobody else shall get +a single one. Cry on, my dear, cry on,’ she continued to Tephany. It +is for your good as well as ours,’ and she held out her apron to catch +them, and Denis his hat. + +But Tephany could hardly bear any more. She felt half choked at the +sight of their greediness, and wanted to rush from the hall, and though +Barbaik caught her arm to prevent this, and said all sorts of tender +words which she thought would make the girl weep the more, Tephany with +a violent effort forced back her tears, and wiped her eyes. + +‘Is she finished already?’ cried Barbaik, in a tone of disappointment. +‘Oh, try again, my dear. Do you think it would do any good to beat her a +little?’ she added to Denis, who shook his head. + +‘That is enough for the first time. I will go into the town and find out +the value of each pearl.’ + +‘Then I will go with you,’ said Barbaik, who never trusted anyone and +was afraid of being cheated. So the two went out, leaving Tephany behind +them. + +She sat quite still on her chair, her hands clasped tightly together, +as if she was forcing something back. At last she raised her eyes, which +had been fixed on the ground, and beheld the fairy standing in a dark +corner by the hearth, observing her with a mocking look. The girl +trembled and jumped up, then, taking the feather, the pin, and the box, +she held them out to the old woman. + +‘Here they are, all of them,’ she cried; ‘they belong to you. Let me +never see them again, but I have learned the lesson that they taught me. +Others may have riches, beauty and wit, but as for me I desire nothing +but to be the poor peasant girl I always was, working hard for those she +loves.’ + +‘Yes, you have learned your lesson,’ answered the fairy, ‘and now you +shall lead a peaceful life and marry the man you love. For after all it +was not yourself you thought of but him.’ + +Never again did Tephany see the old woman, but she forgave Denis for +selling her tears, and in time he grew to be a good husband, who did his +own share of work. + +From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par E. Souvestre. + + + + +The Groac’h of the Isle of Lok + + +In old times, when all kinds of wonderful things happened in Brittany, +there lived in the village of Lanillis, a young man named Houarn Pogamm +and a girl called Bellah Postik. They were cousins, and as their mothers +were great friends, and constantly in and out of each other’s houses, +they had often been laid in the same cradle, and had played and fought +over their games. + +‘When they are grown up they will marry,’ said the mothers; but just as +every one was beginning to think of wedding bells, the two mothers died, +and the cousins, who had no money, went as servants in the same house. +This was better than being parted, of course, but not so good as having +a little cottage of their own, where they could do as they liked, and +soon they might have been heard bewailing to each other the hardness of +their lots. + +‘If we could only manage to buy a cow and get a pig to fatten,’ grumbled +Houarn, ‘I would rent a bit of ground from the master, and then we could +be married.’ + +‘Yes,’ answered Bellah, with a deep sigh; ‘but we live in such hard +times, and at the last fair the price of pigs had risen again.’ + +‘We shall have long to wait, that is quite clear,’ replied Houarn, +turning away to his work. + +Whenever they met they repeated their grievances, and at length Houarn’s +patience was exhausted, and one morning he came to Bellah and told her +that he was going away to seek his fortune. + +The girl was very unhappy as she listened to this, and felt sorry that +she had not tried to make the best of things. She implored Houarn not to +leave her, but he would listen to nothing. + +‘The birds,’ he said, ‘continue flying until they reach a field of corn, +and the bees do not stop unless they find the honey-giving flowers, and +why should a man have less sense than they? Like them, I shall seek till +I get what I want--that is, money to buy a cow and a pig to fatten. And +if you love me, Bellah, you won’t attempt to hinder a plan which will +hasten our marriage.’ + +The girl saw it was useless to say more, so she answered sadly: + +‘Well, go then, since you must. But first I will divide with you all +that my parents left me,’ and going to her room, she opened a small +chest, and took from it a bell, a knife, and a little stick. + +‘This bell,’ she said, ‘can be heard at any distance, however far, but +it only rings to warn us that our friends are in great danger. The knife +frees all it touches from the spells that have been laid on them; while +the stick will carry you wherever you want to go. I will give you the +knife to guard you against the enchantments of wizards, and the bell to +tell me of your perils. The stick I shall keep for myself, so that I can +fly to you if ever you have need of me.’ + +Then they cried for a little on each other’s necks, and Houarn started +for the mountains. + +But in those days, as in these, beggars abounded, and through every +village he passed they followed Houarn in crowds, mistaking him for a +gentleman, because there were no holes in his clothes. + +‘There is no fortune to be made here,’ he thought to himself; ‘it is a +place for spending, and not earning. I see I must go further,’ and he +walked on to Pont-aven, a pretty little town built on the bank of a +river. + +He was sitting on a bench outside an inn, when he heard two men who were +loading their mules talking about the Groac’h of the island of Lok. + +‘What is a Groac’h?’ asked he. ‘I have never come across one.’ And the +men answered that it was the name given to the fairy that dwelt in the +lake, and that she was rich--oh! richer than all the kings in the world +put together. Many had gone to the island to try and get possession of +her treasures, but no one had ever come back. + +As he listened Houarn’s mind was made up. + +‘I will go, and return too,’ he said to the muleteers. They stared at +him in astonishment, and besought him not to be so mad and to throw away +his life in such a foolish manner; but he only laughed, and answered +that if they could tell him of any other way in which to procure a cow +and a pig to fatten, he would think no more about it. But the men did +not know how this was to be done, and, shaking their heads over his +obstinacy, left him to his fate. + +So Houarn went down to the sea, and found a boatman who engaged to take +him to the isle of Lok. + +The island was large, and lying almost across it was a lake, with a +narrow opening to the sea. Houarn paid the boatman and sent him away, +and then proceeded to walk round the lake. At one end he perceived a +small skiff, painted blue and shaped like a swan, lying under a clump of +yellow broom. As far as he could see, the swan’s head was tucked under +its wing, and Houarn, who had never beheld a boat of the sort, went +quickly towards it and stepped in, so as to examine it the better. +But no sooner was he on board than the swan woke suddenly up; his head +emerged from under his wing, his feet began to move in the water, and in +another moment they were in the middle of the lake. + +As soon as the young man had recovered from his surprise, he prepared +to jump into the lake and swim to shore. But the bird had guessed his +intentions, and plunged beneath the water, carrying Houarn with him to +the palace of the Groac’h. + +Now, unless you have been under the sea and beheld all the wonders that +lie there, you can never have an idea what the Groac’h’s palace was +like. It was all made of shells, blue and green and pink and lilac and +white, shading into each other till you could not tell where one colour +ended and the other began. The staircases were of crystal, and every +separate stair sang like a woodland bird as you put your foot on it. +Round the palace were great gardens full of all the plants that grow in +the sea, with diamonds for flowers. + +In a large hall the Groac’h was lying on a couch of gold. The pink and +white of her face reminded you of the shells of her palace, while her +long black hair was intertwined with strings of coral, and her dress +of green silk seemed formed out of the sea. At the sight of her Houarn +stopped, dazzled by her beauty. + +‘Come in,’ said the Groac’h, rising to her feet. ‘Strangers and handsome +youths are always welcome here. Do not be shy, but tell me how you found +your way, and what you want.’ + +‘My name is Houarn,’ he answered, ‘Lanillis is my home, and I am trying +to earn enough money to buy a little cow and a pig to fatten.’ + +‘Well, you can easily get that,’ replied she; ‘it is nothing to worry +about. Come in and enjoy yourself.’ And she beckoned him to follow her +into a second hall whose floors and walls were formed of pearls, while +down the sides there were tables laden with fruit and wines of all +kinds; and as he ate and drank, the Groac’h talked to him and told him +how the treasures he saw came from shipwrecked vessels, and were brought +to her palace by a magic current of water. + +‘I do not wonder,’ exclaimed Houarn, who now felt quite at home--‘I do +not wonder that the people on the earth have so much to say about you.’ + +‘The rich are always envied.’ + +‘For myself,’ he added, with a laugh, ‘I only ask for the half of your +wealth.’ + +‘You can have it, if you will, Houarn,’ answered the fairy. + +‘What do you mean?’ cried he. + +‘My husband, Korandon, is dead,’ she replied, ‘and if you wish it, I +will marry you.’ + +The young man gazed at her in surprise. Could any one so rich and so +beautiful really wish to be his wife? He looked at her again, and Bellah +was forgotten as he answered: + +‘A man would be mad indeed to refuse such an offer. I can only accept it +with joy.’ + +‘Then the sooner it is done the better,’ said the Groac’h, and gave +orders to her servants. After that was finished, she begged Houarn to +accompany her to a fish-pond at the bottom of the garden. + +‘Come lawyer, come miller, come tailor, come singer!’ cried she, holding +out a net of steel; and at each summons a fish appeared and jumped into +the net. When it was full she went into a large kitchen and threw them +all into a golden pot; but above the bubbling of the water Houarn seemed +to hear the whispering of little voices. + +‘Who is it whispering in the golden pot, Groac’h?’ he inquired at last. + +‘It is nothing but the noise of the wood sparkling,’ she answered; but +it did not sound the least like that to Houarn. + +‘There it is again,’ he said, after a short pause. + +‘The water is getting hot, and it makes the fish jump,’ she replied; but +soon the noise grew louder and like cries. + +‘What is it?’ asked Houarn, beginning to feel uncomfortable. + +‘Just the crickets on the hearth,’ said she, and broke into a song which +drowned the cries from the pot. + +But though Houarn held his peace, he was not as happy as before. +Something seemed to have gone wrong, and then he suddenly remembered +Bellah. + +‘Is it possible I can have forgotten her so soon? What a wretch I am!’ +he thought to himself; and he remained apart and watched the Groac’h +while she emptied the fish into a plate, and bade him eat his dinner +while she fetched wine from her cellar in a cave. + +Houarn sat down and took out the knife which Bellah had given him, but +as soon as the blade touched the fish the enchantment ceased, and four +men stood before him. + +‘Houarn, save us, we entreat you, and save yourself too!’ murmured they, +not daring to raise their voices. + +‘Why, it must have been you who were crying out in the pot just now!’ +exclaimed Houarn. + +‘Yes, it was us,’ they answered. ‘Like you, we came to the isle of Lok +to seek our fortunes, and like you we consented to marry the Groac’h, +and no sooner was the ceremony over than she turned us into fishes, as +she had done to all our forerunners, who are in the fish-pond still, +where you will shortly join them.’ + +On hearing this Houarn leaped into the air, as if he already felt +himself frizzling in the golden pot. He rushed to the door, hoping to +escape that way; but the Groac’h, who had heard everything, met him on +the threshold. Instantly she threw the steel net over his head, and the +eyes of a little green frog peeped through the meshes. + +‘You shall go and play with the rest,’ she said, carrying him off to the +fish-pond. + +It was at this very moment that Bellah, who was skimming the milk in the +farm dairy, heard the fairy bell tinkle violently. + +At the sound she grew pale, for she knew it meant that Houarn was in +danger; and, hastily, changing the rough dress she wore for her work, +she left the farm with the magic stick in her hand. + +Her knees were trembling under her, but she ran as fast as she could to +the cross roads, where she drove her stick into the ground, murmuring as +she did so a verse her mother had taught her: + + Little staff of apple-tree, + Over the earth and over the sea, + Up in the air be guide to me, + Everywhere to wander free, + +and immediately the stick became a smart little horse, with a rosette +at each ear and a feather on his forehead. He stood quite still while +Bellah scrambled up, then he started off, his pace growing quicker and +quicker, till at length the girl could hardly see the trees and houses +as they flashed past. But, rapid as the pace was, it was not rapid +enough for Bellah, who stooped and said: + +‘The swallow is less swift than the wind, the wind is less swift than +the lightning. But you, my horse, if you love me, must be swifter than +them all, for there is a part of my heart that suffers--the best part +of my heart that is in danger.’ + +And the horse heard her, and galloped like a straw carried along by +a tempest till they reached the foot of a rock called the Leap of the +Deer. There he stopped, for no horse or mule that ever was born could +climb that rock, and Bellah knew it, so she began to sing again: + + Horse of Leon, given to me, + Over the earth and over the sea, + Up in the air be guide to me, + Everywhere to wander free, + +and when she had finished, the horse’s fore legs grew shorter and spread +into wings, his hind legs became claws, feathers sprouted all over his +body, and she sat on the back of a great bird, which bore her to the +summit of the rock. Here she found a nest made of clay and lined with +dried moss, and in the centre a tiny man, black and wrinkled, who gave a +cry of surprise at the sight of Bellah. + +‘Ah! you are the pretty girl who was to come and save me!’ + +‘To save you!’ repeated Bellah. ‘But who are you, my little friend?’ + +‘I am the husband of the Groac’h of the isle of Lok, and it is owing to +her that I am here.’ + +‘But what are you doing in this nest?’ + +‘I am sitting on six eggs of stone, and I shall not be set free till +they are hatched.’ + +On hearing this Bellah began to laugh. + +‘Poor little cock!’ she said, ‘and how am I to deliver you?’ + +‘By delivering Houarn, who is in the power of the Groac’h.’ + +‘Ah! tell me how I can manage that, and if I have to walk round the +whole of Brittany on my bended knees I will do it!’ + +‘Well, first you must dress yourself as a young man, and then go and +seek the Groac’h. When you have found her you must contrive to get hold +of the net of steel that hangs from her waist, and shut her up in it for +ever.’ + +‘But where am I to find a young man’s clothes?’ asked she. + +‘I will show you,’ he replied, and as he spoke he pulled out three of +his red hairs and blew them away, muttering something the while. In the +twinkling of an eye the four hairs changed into four tailors, of whom +the first carried a cabbage, the second a pair of scissors, the third +a needle, and the fourth an iron. Without waiting for orders, they sat +down in the nest and, crossing their legs comfortably, began to prepare +the suit of clothes for Bellah. + +With one of the leaves of the cabbage they made her a coat, and another +served for a waistcoat; but it took two for the wide breeches which were +then in fashion. The hat was cut from the heart of the cabbage, and a +pair of shoes from the thick stem. And when Bellah had put them all on +you would have taken her for a gentleman dressed in green velvet, lined +with white satin. + +She thanked the little men gratefully, and after a few more +instructions, jumped on the back of her great bird, and was borne away +to the isle of Lok. Once there, she bade him transform himself back into +a stick, and with it in her hand she stepped into the blue boat, which +conducted her to the palace of shells. + +The Groac’h seemed overjoyed to see her, and told her that never before +had she beheld such a handsome young man. Very soon she led her visitor +into the great hall, where wine and fruit were always waiting, and +on the table lay the magic knife, left there by Houarn. Unseen by the +Groac’h, Bellah hid it in a pocket of her green coat, and then followed +her hostess into the garden, and to the pond which contained the fish, +their sides shining with a thousand different colours. + +‘Oh! what beautiful, beautiful creatures!’ said she. ‘I’m sure I should +never be tired of watching them.’ And she sat down on the bank, with +her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands, her eyes fixed on the +fishes as they flashed past. + +‘Would you not like to stay here always?’ asked the Groac’h; and Bellah +answered that she desired nothing better. + +‘Then you have only to marry me,’ said the Groac’h. ‘Oh! don’t say no, +for I have fallen deeply in love with you.’ + +‘Well, I won’t say “No,”’ replied Bellah, with a laugh, ‘but you must +promise first to let me catch one of those lovely fish in your net.’ + +‘It is not so easy as it looks,’ rejoined the Groac’h, smiling, ‘but +take it, and try your luck.’ + +Bellah took the net which the Groac’h held out, and, turning rapidly, +flung it over the witch’s head. + +‘Become in body what you are in soul!’ cried she, and in an instant the +lovely fairy of the sea was a toad, horrible to look upon. She struggled +hard to tear the net asunder, but it was no use. Bellah only drew it +the tighter, and, flinging the sorceress into a pit, she rolled a great +stone across the mouth, and left her. + +As she drew near the pond she saw a great procession of fishes advancing +to meet her, crying in hoarse tones: + +‘This is our lord and master, who has saved us from the net of steel and +the pot of gold!’ + +‘And who will restore you to your proper shapes,’ said Bellah, drawing +the knife from her pocket. But just as she was going to touch the +foremost fish, her eyes fell on a green frog on his knees beside her, +his little paws crossed over his little heart. Bellah felt as if fingers +were tightening round her throat, but she managed to cry: + +‘Is this you, my Houarn? Is this you?’ + +‘It is I,’ croaked the little frog; and as the knife touched him he was +a man again, and, springing up, he clasped her in his arms. + +‘But we must not forget the others,’ she said at last, and began to +transform the fishes to their proper shapes. There were so many of them +that it took quite a long time. Just as she had finished there arrived +the little dwarf from the Deer’s Leap in a car drawn by six cockchafers, +which once had been the six stone eggs. + +‘Here I am!’ he exclaimed. ‘You have broken the spell that held me, and +now come and get your reward,’ and, dismounting from his chariot, he led +them down into the caves filled with gold and jewels, and bade Bellah +and Houarn take as much as they wanted. + +When their pockets were full, Bellah ordered her stick to become a +winged carriage, large enough to bear them and the men they had rescued +back to Lanillis. + +There they were married the next day, but instead of setting up +housekeeping with the little cow and pig to fatten that they had so long +wished for, they were able to buy lands for miles round for themselves, +and gave each man who had been delivered from the Groac’h a small farm, +where he lived happily to the end of his days. + +From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par E. Souvestre. + + + + +The Escape of the Mouse + + +Manawyddan the prince and his friend Pryderi were wanderers, for the +brother of Manawyddan had been slain, and his throne taken from him. +Very sorrowful was Manawyddan, but Pryderi was stout of heart, and bade +him be of good cheer, as he knew a way out of his trouble. + +‘And what may that be?’ asked Manawyddan. + +‘It is that thou marry my mother Rhiannon and become lord of the fair +lands that I will give her for dowry. Never did any lady have more wit +than she, and in her youth none was more lovely; even yet she is good to +look upon.’ + +‘Thou art the best friend that ever a man had,’ said Manawyddan. ‘Let us +go now to seek Rhiannon, and the lands where she dwells.’ + +Then they set forth, but the news of their coming ran swifter still, and +Rhiannon and Kieva, wife of Pryderi, made haste to prepare a feast for +them. And Manawyddan found that Pryderi had spoken the truth concerning +his mother, and asked if she would take him for her husband. Right +gladly did she consent, and without delay they were married, and rode +away to the hunt, Rhiannon and Manawyddan, Kieva and Pryderi, and they +would not be parted from each other by night or by day, so great was the +love between them. + +One day, when they were returned, they were sitting out in a green +place, and suddenly the crash of thunder struck loudly on their ears, +and a wall of mist fell between them, so that they were hidden one from +the other. Trembling they sat till the darkness fled and the light shone +again upon them, but in the place where they were wont to see cattle, +and herds, and dwellings, they beheld neither house nor beast, nor man +nor smoke; neither was any one remaining in the green place save these +four only. + +‘Whither have they gone, and my host also?’ cried Manawyddan, and they +searched the hall, and there was no man, and the castle, and there was +none, and in the dwellings that were left was nothing save wild beasts. +For a year these four fed on the meat that Manawyddan and Pryderi killed +out hunting, and the honey of the bees that sucked the mountain heather. +For a time they desired nothing more, but when the next year began they +grew weary. + +‘We cannot spend our lives thus,’ said Manawyddan at last, ‘let us go +into England and learn some trade by which we may live.’ So they +left Wales, and went to Hereford, and there they made saddles, while +Manawyddan fashioned blue enamel ornaments to put on their trappings. +And so greatly did the townsfolk love these saddles, that no others +were bought throughout the whole of Hereford, till the saddlers banded +together and resolved to slay Manawyddan and his companions. + +When Pryderi heard of it, he was very wroth, and wished to stay and +fight. But the counsels of Manawyddan prevailed, and they moved by night +to another city. + +‘What craft shall we follow?’ asked Pryderi. + +‘We will make shields,’ answered Manawyddan. + +‘But do we know anything of that craft?’ answered Pryderi. + +‘We will try it,’ said Manawyddan, and they began to make shields, and +fashioned them after the shape of the shields they had seen; and these +likewise they enamelled. And so greatly did they prosper that no man +in the town bought a shield except they had made it, till at length the +shield-makers banded together as the saddlers had done, and resolved to +slay them. But of this they had warning, and by night betook themselves +to another town. + +‘Let us take to making shoes,’ said Manawyddan, ‘for there are not any +among the shoemakers bold enough to fight us.’ + +‘I know nothing of making shoes,’ answered Pryderi, who in truth +despised so peaceful a craft. + +‘But I know,’ replied Manawyddan, ‘and I will teach thee to stitch. We +will buy the leather ready dressed, and will make the shoes from it. + +Then straightway he sought the town for the best leather, and for a +goldsmith to fashion the clasps, and he himself watched till it was +done, so that he might learn for himself. Soon he became known as ‘The +Maker of Gold Shoes,’ and prospered so greatly, that as long as one +could be bought from him not a shoe was purchased from the shoemakers +of the town. And the craftsmen were wroth, and banded together to slay +them. + +‘Pryderi,’ said Manawyddan, when he had received news of it, ‘we will +not remain in England any longer. Let us set forth to Dyved.’ + +So they journeyed until they came to their lands at Narberth. There they +gathered their dogs round them, and hunted for a year as before. + +After that a strange thing happened. One morning Pryderi and Manawyddan +rose up to hunt, and loosened their dogs, which ran before them, till +they came to a small bush. At the bush, the dogs shrank away as if +frightened, and returned to their masters, their hair brisling on their +backs. + +‘We must see what is in that bush,’ said Pryderi, and what was in it was +a boar, with a skin as white as the snow on the mountains. And he came +out, and made a stand as the dogs rushed on him, driven on by the men. +Long he stood at bay; then at last he betook himself to flight, and fled +to a castle which was newly built, in a place where no building had ever +been known. Into the castle he ran, and the dogs after him, and long +though their masters looked and listened, they neither saw nor heard +aught concerning dogs or boar. + +‘I will go into the castle and get tidings of the dogs,’ said Pryderi at +last. + +‘Truly,’ answered Manawyddan, ‘thou wouldst do unwisely, for whosoever +has cast a spell over this land has set this castle here.’ + +‘I cannot give up my dogs,’ replied Pryderi, and to the castle he went. + +But within was neither man nor beast; neither boar nor dogs, but only +a fountain with marble round it, and on the edge a golden bowl, richly +wrought, which pleased Pryderi greatly. In a moment he forgot about his +dogs, and went up to the bowl and took hold of it, and his hands +stuck to the bowl, and his feet to the marble slab, and despair took +possession of him. + +Till the close of day Manawyddan waited for him, and when the sun was +fast sinking, he went home, thinking that he had strayed far. + +‘Where are thy friend and thy dogs?’ said Rhiannon, and he told her what +had befallen Pryderi. + +‘A good friend hast thou lost,’ answered Rhiannon, and she went up to +the castle and through the gate, which was open. There, in the centre of +the courtyard, she beheld Pryderi standing, and hastened towards him. + +‘What dost thou here?’ she asked, laying her hand on the bowl, and as +she spoke she too stuck fast, and was not able to utter a word. Then +thunder was heard and a veil of darkness descended upon them, and the +castle vanished and they with it. + +When Kieva, the wife of Pryderi, found that neither her husband nor +his mother returned to her, she was in such sorrow that she cared not +whether she lived or died. Manawyddan was grieved also in his heart, and +said to her: + +‘It is not fitting that we should stay here, for he have lost our dogs +and cannot get food. Let us go into England--it is easier for us to live +there.’ So they set forth. + +‘What craft wilt thou follow?’ asked Kieva as they went along. + +‘I shall make shoes as once I did,’ replied he; and he got all the +finest leather in the town and caused gilded clasps to be made for the +shoes, till everyone flocked to buy, and all the shoemakers in the +town were idle and banded together in anger to kill him. But luckily +Manawyddan got word of it, and he and Kieva left the town one night and +proceeded to Narberth, taking with him a sheaf of wheat, which he sowed +in three plots of ground. And while the wheat was growing up, he hunted +and fished, and they had food enough and to spare. Thus the months +passed until the harvest; and one evening Manawyddan visited the +furthest of his fields of wheat; and saw that it was ripe. + +‘To-morrow I will reap this,’ said he; but on the morrow when he went to +reap the wheat he found nothing but the bare straw. + +Filled with dismay he hastened to the second field, and there the corn +was ripe and golden. + +‘To-morrow I will reap this,’ he said, but on the morrow the ears had +gone, and there was nothing but the bare straw. + +‘Well, there is still one field left,’ he said, and when he looked +at it, it was still fairer than the other two. ‘To-night I will watch +here,’ thought he, ‘for whosoever carried off the other corn will in +like manner take this, and I will know who it is.’ So he hid himself and +waited. + +The hours slid by, and all was still, so still that Manawyddan well-nigh +dropped asleep. But at midnight there arose the loudest tumult in the +world, and peeping out he beheld a mighty host of mice, which could +neither be numbered nor measured. Each mouse climbed up a straw till +it bent down with its weight, and then it bit off one of the ears, and +carried it away, and there was not one of the straws that had not got a +mouse to it. + +Full of wrath he rushed at the mice, but he could no more come up with +them than if they had been gnats, or birds of the air, save one only +which lingered behind the rest, and this mouse Manawyddan came up with. +Stooping down he seized it by the tail, and put it in his glove, and +tied a piece of string across the opening of the glove, so that the +mouse could not escape. When he entered the hall where Kieva was +sitting, he lighted a fire, and hung the glove up on a peg. + +‘What hast thou there?’ asked she. + +‘A thief,’ he answered, ‘that I caught robbing me.’ + +‘What kind of a thief may it be which thou couldst put in thy glove?’ +said Kieva. + +‘That I will tell thee,’ he replied, and then he showed her how his +fields of corn had been wasted, and how he had watched for the mice. + +‘And one was less nimble than the rest, and is now in my glove. +To-morrow I will hang it, and I only wish I had them all.’ + +‘It is a marvel, truly,’ said she, ‘yet it would be unseemly for a man +of thy dignity to hang a reptile such as this. Do not meddle with it, +but let it go.’ + +‘Woe betide me,’ he cried, ‘if I would not hang them all if I could +catch them, and such as I have I will hang.’ + +‘Verily,’ said she, ‘there is no reason I should succour this reptile, +except to prevent discredit unto thee.’ + +‘If I knew any cause that I should succour it, I would take thy +counsel,’ answered Manawyddan, ‘but as I know of none, I am minded to +destroy it.’ + +‘Do so then,’ said Kieva. + +So he went up a hill and set up two forks on the top, and while he +was doing this he saw a scholar coming towards him, whose clothes were +tattered. Now it was seven years since Manawyddan had seen man or beast +in that place, and the sight amazed him. + +‘Good day to thee, my lord,’ said the scholar. + +‘Good greeting to thee, scholar. Whence dost thou come?’ + +‘From singing in England; but wherefore dost thou ask?’ + +‘Because for seven years no man hath visited this place.’ + +‘I wander where I will,’ answered the scholar. ‘And what work art thou +upon?’ + +‘I am about to hang a thief that I caught robbing me!’ + +‘What manner of thief is that?’ inquired the scholar. ‘I see a creature +in thy hand like upon a mouse, and ill does it become a man of thy rank +to touch a reptile like this. Let it go free.’ + +‘I will not let it go free,’ cried Manawyddan. ‘I caught it robbing me, +and it shall suffer the doom of a thief.’ + +‘Lord!’ said the scholar, ‘sooner than see a man like thee at such a +work, I would give thee a pound which I have received as alms to let it +go free.’ + +‘I will not let it go free, neither will I sell it.’ + +‘As thou wilt, lord,’ answered the scholar, and he went his way. + +Manawyddan was placing the cross-beam on the two forked sticks, where +the mouse was to hang, when a priest rode past. + +‘Good-day to thee, lord; and what art thou doing?’ + +‘I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.’ + +‘What manner of thief, lord?’ + +‘A creature in the form of a mouse. It has been robbing me, and it shall +suffer the doom of a thief.’ + +‘Lord,’ said the priest, ‘sooner than see thee touch this reptile, I +would purchase its freedom.’ + +‘I will neither sell it nor set it free.’ + +‘It is true that a mouse is worth nothing, but rather than see thee +defile thyself with touching such a reptile as this, I will give thee +three pounds for it.’ + +‘I will not take any price for it. It shall be hanged as it deserves.’ + +‘Willingly, my lord, if it is thy pleasure.’ And the priest went his +way. + +Then Manawyddan noosed the string about the mouse’s neck, and was +about to draw it tight when a bishop, with a great following and horses +bearing huge packs, came by. + +‘What work art thou upon?’ asked the bishop, drawing rein. + +‘Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.’ + +‘But is not that a mouse that I see in thine hand?’ asked the bishop. + +‘Yes; that is the thief,’ answered Manawyddan. + +‘Well, since I have come at the doom of this reptile, I will ransom it +of thee for seven pounds, rather than see a man of thy rank touch it. +Loose it, and let it go.’ + +‘I will not let it loose.’ + +‘I will give thee four and twenty pounds to set it free,’ said the +bishop. + +‘I will not set it free for as much again.’ + +‘If thou wilt not set it free for this, I will give thee all the horses +thou seest and the seven loads of baggage.’ + +‘I will not set it free.’ + +‘Then tell me at what price thou wilt loose it, and I will give it.’ + +‘The spell must be taken off Rhiannon and Pryderi,’ said Manawyddan. + +‘That shall be done.’ + +‘But not yet will I loose the mouse. The charm that has been cast over +all my lands must be taken off likewise.’ + +‘This shall be done also.’ + +‘But not yet will I loose the mouse till I know who she is.’ + +‘She is my wife,’ answered the bishop. + +‘And wherefore came she to me?’ asked Manawyddan. + +‘To despoil thee,’ replied the bishop, ‘for it is I who cast the charm +over thy lands, to avenge Gwawl the son of Clud my friend. And it was I +who threw the spell upon Pryderi to avenge Gwawl for the trick that had +been played on him in the game of Badger in the Bag. And not only was I +wroth, but my people likewise, and when it was known that thou wast come +to dwell in the land, they besought me much to change them into mice, +that they might eat thy corn. The first and the second nights it was +the men of my own house that destroyed thy two fields, but on the third +night my wife and her ladies came to me and begged me to change them +also into the shape of mice, that they might take part in avenging +Gwawl. Therefore I changed them. Yet had she not been ill and slow of +foot, thou couldst not have overtaken her. Still, since she was caught, +I will restore thee Pryderi and Rhiannon, and will take the charm from +off thy lands. I have told thee who she is; so now set her free.’ + +‘I will not set her free,’ answered Manawyddan, ‘till thou swear that no +vengeance shall be taken for his, either upon Pryderi, or upon Rhiannon, +or on me.’ + +‘I will grant thee this boon; and thou hast done wisely to ask it, for +on thy head would have lit all the trouble. Set now my wife free.’ + +‘I will not set her free till Pryderi and Rhiannon are with me.’ + +‘Behold, here they come,’ said the bishop. + +Then Manawyddan held out his hands and greeted Pryderi and Rhiannon, and +they seated themselves joyfully on the grass. + +‘Ah, lord, hast thou not received all thou didst ask?’ said the bishop. +‘Set now my wife free!’ + +‘That I will gladly,’ answered Manawyddan, unloosing the cord from her +neck, and as he did so the bishop struck her with his staff, and she +turned into a young woman, the fairest that ever was seen. + +‘Look around upon thy land,’ said he, ‘and thou wilt see it all tilled +and peopled, as it was long ago.’ And Manawyddan looked, and saw corn +growing in the fields, and cows and sheep grazing on the hill-side, and +huts for the people to dwell in. And he was satisfied in his soul, but +one more question he put to the bishop. + +‘What spell didst thou lay upon Pryderi and Rhiannon?’ + +‘Pryderi has had the knockers of the gate of my palace hung about him, +and Rhiannon has carried the collars of my asses around her neck,’ said +the bishop with a smile. + +From the ‘Mabinogion.’ + + + + +The Believing Husbands + + +Once upon a time there dwelt in the land of Erin a young man who was +seeking a wife, and of all the maidens round about none pleased him +as well as the only daughter of a farmer. The girl was willing and the +father was willing, and very soon they were married and went to live at +the farm. By and bye the season came when they must cut the peats and +pile them up to dry, so that they might have fires in the winter. So +on a fine day the girl and her husband, and the father and his wife all +went out upon the moor. + +They worked hard for many hours, and at length grew hungry, so the young +woman was sent home to bring them food, and also to give the horses +their dinner. When she went into the stables, she suddenly saw the heavy +pack-saddle of the speckled mare just over her head, and she jumped and +said to herself: + +‘Suppose that pack-saddle were to fall and kill me, how dreadful it +would be!’ and she sat down just under the pack-saddle she was so much +afraid of, and began to cry. + +Now the others out on the moor grew hungrier and hungrier. + +‘What can have become of her?’ asked they, and at length the mother +declared that she would wait no longer, and must go and see what had +happened. + +As the bride was nowhere in the kitchen or the dairy, the old woman went +into the stable, where she found her daughter weeping bitterly. + +‘What is the matter, my dove?’ and the girl answered, between her sobs: + +‘When I came in and saw the pack-saddle over my head, I thought how +dreadful it would be if it fell and killed me,’ and she cried louder +than before. + +The old woman struck her hands together: ‘Ah, to think of it! if that +were to be, what should I do?’ and she sat down by her daughter, and +they both wrung their hands and let their tears flow. + +‘Something strange must have occurred,’ exclaimed the old farmer on the +moor, who by this time was not only hungry, but cross. ‘I must go after +them.’ And he went and found them in the stable. + +‘What is the matter?’ asked he. + +‘Oh!’ replied his wife, ‘when our daughter came home, did she not see +the pack-saddle over her head, and she thought how dreadful it would be +if it were to fall and kill her.’ + +‘Ah, to think of it!’ exclaimed he, striking his hands together, and he +sat down beside them and wept too. + +As soon as night fell the young man returned full of hunger, and there +they were, all crying together in the stable. + +‘What is the matter?’ asked he. + +‘When thy wife came home,’ answered the farmer, ‘she saw the pack-saddle +over her head, and she thought how dreadful it would be if it were to +fall and kill her.’ + +‘Well, but it didn’t fall,’ replied the young man, and he went off to +the kitchen to get some supper, leaving them to cry as long as they +liked. + +The next morning he got up with the sun, and said to the old man and to +the old woman and to his wife: + +‘Farewell: my foot shall not return to the house till I have found other +three people as silly as you,’ and he walked away till he came to the +town, and seeing the door of a cottage standing open wide, he entered. +No man was present, but only some women spinning at their wheels. + +‘You do not belong to this town,’ said he. + +‘You speak truth,’ they answered, ‘nor you either?’ + +‘I do not,’ replied he, ‘but is it a good place to live in?’ + +The women looked at each other. + +‘The men of the town are so silly that we can make them believe anything +we please,’ said they. + +‘Well, here is a gold ring,’ replied he, ‘and I will give it to the one +amongst you who can make her husband believe the most impossible thing,’ +and he left them. + +As soon as the first husband came home his wife said to him: + +‘Thou art sick!’ + +‘Am I?’ asked he. + +‘Yes, thou art,’ she answered; ‘take off thy clothes and lie down.’ + +So he did, and when he was in his bed his wife went to him and said: + +‘Thou art dead.’ + +‘Oh, am I?’ asked he. + +‘Thou art,’ said she; ‘shut thine eyes and stir neither hand nor foot.’ + +And dead he felt sure he was. + +Soon the second man came home, and his wife said to him: + +‘You are not my husband!’ + +‘Oh, am I not?’ asked he. + +‘No, it is not you,’ answered she, so he went away and slept in the +wood. + +When the third man arrived his wife gave him his supper, and after that +he went to bed, just as usual. The next morning a boy knocked at the +door, bidding him attend the burial of the man who was dead, and he was +just going to get up when his wife stopped him. + +‘Time enough,’ said she, and he lay still till he heard the funeral +passing the window. + +‘Now rise, and be quick,’ called the wife, and the man jumped out of bed +in a great hurry, and began to look about him. + +‘Why, where are my clothes?’ asked he. + +‘Silly that you are, they are on your back, of course,’ answered the +woman. + +‘Are they?’ said he. + +‘They are,’ said she, ‘and make haste lest the burying be ended before +you get there.’ + +Then off he went, running hard, and when the mourners saw a man coming +towards them with nothing on but his nightshirt, they forgot in their +fright what they were there for, and fled to hide themselves. And the +naked man stood alone at the head of the coffin. + +Very soon a man came out of the wood and spoke to him. + +‘Do you know me?’ + +‘Not I,’ answered the naked man. ‘I do not know you.’ + +‘But why are you naked?’ asked the first man. + +‘Am I naked? My wife told me that I had all my clothes on,’ answered he. + +‘And my wife told me that I myself was dead,’ said the man in the +coffin. + +But at the sound of his voice the two men were so terrified that they +ran straight home, and the man in the coffin got up and followed them, +and it was his wife that gained the gold ring, as he had been sillier +than the other two. + +From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + + + + +The Hoodie-Crow. + + +Once there lived a farmer who had three daughters, and good useful girls +they were, up with the sun, and doing all the work of the house. One +morning they all ran down to the river to wash their clothes, when a +hoodie came round and sat on a tree close by. + +‘Wilt thou wed me, thou farmer’s daughter?’ he said to the eldest. + +‘Indeed I won’t wed thee,’ she answered, ‘an ugly brute is the hoodie.’ +And the bird, much offended, spread his wings and flew away. But the +following day he came back again, and said to the second girl: + +‘Wilt thou wed me, farmer’s daughter?’ + +‘Indeed I will not,’ answered she, ‘an ugly brute is the hoodie.’ And +the hoodie was more angry than before, and went away in a rage. However, +after a night’s rest he was in a better temper, and thought that he +might be more lucky the third time, so back he went to the old place. + +‘Wilt thou wed me, farmer’s daughter?’ he said to the youngest. + +‘Indeed I will wed thee; a pretty creature is the hoodie,’ answered she, +and on the morrow they were married. + +‘I have something to ask thee,’ said the hoodie when they were far away +in his own house. ‘Wouldst thou rather I should be a hoodie by day and a +man by night, or a man by day and a hoodie by night?’ + +The girl was surprised at his words, for she did not know that he could +be anything but a hoodie at all times. + +Still she said nothing of this, and only replied, ‘I would rather thou +wert a man by day and a hoodie by night,’ And so he was; and a handsomer +man or a more beautiful hoodie never was seen. The girl loved them both, +and never wished for things to be different. + +By and bye they had a son, and very pleased they both were. But in the +night soft music was heard stealing close towards the house, and every +man slept, and the mother slept also. When they woke again it was +morning, and the baby was gone. High and low they looked for it, but +nowhere could they find it, and the farmer, who had come to see his +daughter, was greatly grieved, as he feared it might be thought that he +had stolen it, because he did not want the hoodie for a son-in-law. + +The next year the hoodie’s wife had another son, and this time a watch +was set at every door. But it was no use. In vain they determined that, +come what might, they would not close their eyes; at the first note of +music they all fell asleep, and when the farmer arrived in the morning +to see his grandson, he found them all weeping, for while they had slept +the baby had vanished. + +Well, the next year it all happened again, and the hoodie’s wife was so +unhappy that her husband resolved to take her away to another house he +had, and her sisters with her for company. So they set out in a coach +which was big enough to hold them, and had not gone very far when the +hoodie suddenly said: + +‘You are sure you have not forgotten anything?’ + +‘I have forgotten my coarse comb,’ answered the wife, feeling in her +pocket, and as she spoke the coach changed into a withered faggot, and +the man became a hoodie again, and flew away. + +The two sisters returned home, but the wife followed the hoodie. +Sometimes she would see him on a hill-top, and then would hasten after +him, hoping to catch him. But by the time she had got to the top of the +hill, he would be in the valley on the other side. When night came, and +she was tired, she looked about for some place to rest, and glad she was +to see a little house full of light straight in front of her, and she +hurried towards it as fast as she could. + +At the door stood a little boy, and the sight of him filled her heart +with pleasure, she did not know why. A woman came out, and bade her +welcome, and set before her food, and gave her a soft bed to lie on. And +the hoodie’s wife lay down, and so tired was she, that it seemed to her +but a moment before the sun rose, and she awoke again. From hill to hill +she went after the hoodie, and sometimes she saw him on the top; but +when she got to the top, he had flown into the valley, and when she +reached the valley he was on the top of another hill--and so it happened +till night came round again. Then she looked round for some place to +rest in, and she beheld a little house of light before her, and fast she +hurried towards it. At the door stood a little boy, and her heart was +filled with pleasure at the sight of him, she did not know why. After +that a woman bade her enter, and set food before her, and gave her +a soft bed to lie in. And when the sun rose she got up, and left the +house, in search of the hoodie. This day everything befell as on the +two other days, but when she reached the small house, the woman bade her +keep awake, and if the hoodie flew into the room, to try to seize him. + +But the wife had walked far, and was very tired, and strive as she +would, she fell sound asleep. + +Many hours she slept, and the hoodie entered through a window, and let +fall a ring on her hand. The girl awoke with a start, and leant forward +to grasp him, but he was already flying off, and she only seized a +feather from his wing. And when dawn came, she got up and told the +woman. + +‘He has gone over the hill of poison,’ said she, ‘and there you cannot +follow him without horse-shoes on your hands and feet. But I will help +you. Put on this suit of men’s clothes, and go down this road till you +come to the smithy, and there you can learn to make horse-shoes for +yourself.’ + +The girl thanked her, and put on the cloths and went down the road to +do her bidding. So hard did she work, that in a few days she was able +to make the horse-shoes. Early one morning she set out for the hill of +poison. On her hands and feet she went, but even with the horse-shoes +on she had to be very careful not to stumble, lest some poisoned thorns +should enter into her flesh, and she should die. But when at last she +was over, it was only to hear that her husband was to be married that +day to the daughter of a great lord. + +Now there was to be a race in the town, and everyone meant to be there, +except the stranger who had come over the hill of poison--everyone, that +is, but the cook, who was to make the bridal supper. Greatly he loved +races, and sore was his heart to think that one should be run without +his seeing it, so when he beheld a woman whom he did not know coming +along the street, hope sprang up in him. + +‘Will you cook the wedding feast in place of me?’ he said, ‘and I will +pay you well when I return from the race.’ + +Gladly she agreed, and cooked the feast in a kitchen that looked into +the great hall, where the company were to eat it. After that she watched +the seat where the bridegroom was sitting, and taking a plateful of the +broth, she dropped the ring and the feather into it, and set if herself +before him. + +With the first spoonful he took up the ring, and a thrill ran through +him; in the second he beheld the feather and rose from his chair. + +‘Who has cooked this feast?’ asked he, and the real cook, who had come +back from the race, was brought before him. + +‘He may be the cook, but he did not cook this feast,’ said the +bridegroom, and then inquiry was made, and the girl was summoned to the +great hall. + +‘That is my married wife,’ he declared, ‘and no one else will I have,’ +and at that very moment the spells fell off him, and never more would he +be a hoodie. Happy indeed were they to be together again, and little did +they mind that the hill of poison took long to cross, for she had to go +some way forwards, and then throw the horse-shoes back for him to put +on. Still, at last they were over, and they went back the way she had +come, and stopped at the three houses in order to take their little sons +to their own home. + +But the story never says who had stolen them, nor what the coarse comb +had to do with it. + +From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + + + + +The Brownie of the Lake + + +Once upon a time there lived in France a man whose name was Jalm Riou. +You might have walked a whole day without meeting anyone happier or more +contented, for he had a large farm, plenty of money, and above all, a +daughter called Barbaik, the most graceful dancer and the best-dressed +girl in the whole country side. When she appeared on holidays in her +embroidered cap, five petticoats, each one a little shorter than the +other, and shoes with silver buckles, the women were all filled with +envy, but little cared Barbaik what they might whisper behind her back +as long as she knew that her clothes were finer than anyone else’s and +that she had more partners than any other girl. + +Now amongst all the young men who wanted to marry Barbaik, the one whose +heart was most set on her was her father’s head man, but as his manners +were rough and he was exceedingly ugly she would have nothing to say to +him, and, what was worse, often made fun of him with the rest. + +Jegu, for that was his name, of course heard of this, and it made him +very unhappy. Still he would not leave the farm, and look for work +elsewhere, as he might have done, for then he would never see Barbaik at +all, and what was life worth to him without that? + +One evening he was bringing back his horses from the fields, and stopped +at a little lake on the way home to let them drink. He was tired with +a long day’s work, and stood with his hand on the mane of one of the +animals, waiting till they had done, and thinking all the while of +Barbaik, when a voice came out of the gorse close by. + +‘What is the matter, Jegu? You mustn’t despair yet.’ + +The young man glanced up in surprise, and asked who was there. + +‘It is I, the brownie of the lake,’ replied the voice. + +‘But where are you?’ inquired Jegu. + +‘Look close, and you will see me among the reeds in the form of a little +green frog. I can take,’ he added proudly, ‘any shape I choose, and +even, which is much harder, be invisible if I want to.’ + +‘Then show yourself to me in the shape in which your family generally +appear,’ replied Jegu. + +‘Certainly, if you wish,’ and the frog jumped on the back of one of the +horses, and changed into a little dwarf, all dressed in green. + +This transformation rather frightened Jegu, but the brownie bade him +have no fears, for he would not do him any harm; indeed, he hoped that +Jegu might find him of some use. + +‘But why should you take all this interest in me?’ asked the peasant +suspiciously. + +‘Because of a service you did me last winter, which I have never +forgotten,’ answered the little fellow. ‘You know, I am sure, that +the korigans[FN#3: The spiteful fairies.] who dwell in the White Corn +country have declared war on my people, because they say that they are +the friends of man. We were therefore obliged to take refuge in distant +lands, and to hide ourselves at first under different animal shapes. +Since that time, partly from habit and partly to amuse ourselves, we +have continued to transform ourselves, and it was in this way that I got +to know you.’ + +‘How?’ exclaimed Jegu, filled with astonishment. + +‘Do you remember when you were digging in the field near the river, +three months ago, you found a robin redbreast caught in a net? + +‘Yes,’ answered Jegu, ‘I remember it very well, and I opened the net and +let him go.’ + +‘Well, I was that robin redbreast, and ever since I have vowed to be +your friend, and as you want to marry Barbaik, I will prove the truth of +what I say by helping you to do so.’ + +‘Ah! my little brownie, if you can do that, there is nothing I won’t +give you, except my soul.’ + +‘Then let me alone,’ rejoined the dwarf, ‘and I promise you that in a +very few months you shall be master of the farm and of Barbaik.’ + +‘But how are you going to do it?’ exclaimed Jegu wonderingly. + +‘That is my affair. Perhaps I may tell you later. Meanwhile you just eat +and sleep, and don’t worry yourself about anything.’ + +Jegu declared that nothing could be easier, and then taking off his hat, +he thanked the dwarf heartily, and led his horses back to the farm. + +Next morning was a holiday, and Barbaik was awake earlier than usual, as +she wished to get through her work as soon as possible, and be ready to +start for a dance which was to be held some distance off. She went +first to the cow-house, which it was her duty to keep clean, but to her +amazement she found fresh straw put down, the racks filled with hay, the +cows milked, and the pails standing neatly in a row. + +‘Of course, Jegu must have done this in the hope of my giving him a +dance,’ she thought to herself, and when she met him outside the door +she stopped and thanked him for his help. To be sure, Jegu only replied +roughly that he didn’t know what she was talking about, but this answer +made her feel all the more certain that it was he and nobody else. + +The same thing took place every day, and never had the cow-house been so +clean nor the cows so fat. Morning and evening Barbaik found her earthen +pots full of milk and a pound of butter freshly churned, ornamented +with leaves. At the end of a few weeks she grew so used to this state of +affairs that she only got up just in time to prepare breakfast. + +Soon even this grew to be unnecessary, for a day arrived when, coming +downstairs, she discovered that the house was swept, the furniture +polished, the fire lit, and the food ready, so that she had nothing to +do except to ring the great bell which summoned the labourers from the +fields to come and eat it. This, also, she thought was the work of Jegu, +and she could not help feeling that a husband of this sort would be very +useful to a girl who liked to lie in bed and to amuse herself. + +Indeed, Barbaik had only to express a wish for it to be satisfied. If +the wind was cold or the sun was hot and she was afraid to go out lest +her complexion should be spoilt, she need only to run down to the spring +close by and say softly, ‘I should like my churns to be full, and my +wet linen to be stretched on the hedge to dry,’ and she need never give +another thought to the matter. + +If she found the rye bread too hard to bake, or the oven taking too long +to heat, she just murmured, ‘I should like to see my six loaves on the +shelf above the bread box,’ and two hours after there they were. + +If she was too lazy to walk all the way to market along a dirty road, +she would say out loud the night before, ‘Why am I not already back from +Morlaix with my milk pot empty, my butter bowl inside it, a pound of +wild cherries on my wooden plate, and the money I have gained in my +apron pocket?’ and in the morning when she got up, lo and behold! there +were standing at the foot of her bed the empty milk pot with the butter +bowl inside, the black cherries on the wooden plate, and six new pieces +of silver in the pocket of her apron. And she believed that all this +was owing to Jegu, and she could no longer do without him, even in her +thoughts. + +When things had reached this pass, the brownie told the young man that +he had better ask Barbaik to marry him, and this time the girl did not +turn rudely away, but listened patiently to the end. In her eyes he was +as ugly and awkward as ever, but he would certainly make a most useful +husband, and she could sleep every morning till breakfast time, just +like a young lady, and as for the rest of the day, it would not be +half long enough for all she meant to do. She would wear the beautiful +dresses that came when she wished for them, and visit her neighbours, +who would be dying of envy all the while, and she would be able to dance +as much as she wished. Jegu would always be there to work for her and +save for her, and watch over her. So, like a well-brought-up girl, +Barbaik answered that it should be as her father pleased, knowing quite +well that old Riou had often said that after he was dead there was no +one so capable of carrying on the farm. + +The marriage took place the following month, and a few days later the +old man died quite suddenly. Now Jegu had everything to see to himself, +and somehow it did not seem so easy as when the farmer was alive. But +once more the brownie stepped in, and was better than ten labourers. +It was he who ploughed and sowed and reaped, and if, as happened, +occasionally, it was needful to get the work done quickly, the brownie +called in some of his friends, and as soon as it was light a host of +little dwarfs might have been seen in the fields, busy with hoe, fork or +sickle. But by the time the people were about all was finished, and the +little fellows had disappeared. + +And all the payment the brownie ever asked for was a bowl of broth. From +the very day of her marriage Barbaik had noted with surprise and rage +that things ceased to be done for her as they had been done all the +weeks and months before. She complained to Jegu of his laziness, and he +only stared at her, not understanding what she was talking about. But +the brownie, who was standing by, burst out laughing, and confessed that +all the good offices she spoke of had been performed by him, for the +sake of Jegu, but that now he had other business to do, and it was high +time that she looked after her house herself. + +Barbaik was furious. Each morning when she was obliged to get up before +dawn to milk the cows and go to market, and each evening when she had to +sit up till midnight in order to churn the butter, her heart was filled +with rage against the brownie who had caused her to expect a life of +ease and pleasure. But when she looked at Jegu and beheld his red face, +squinting eyes, and untidy hair, her anger was doubled. + +‘If it had not been for you, you miserable dwarf!’ she would say between +her teeth, ‘if it had not been for you I should never have married that +man, and I should still have been going to dances, where the young men +would have brought me present of nuts and cherries, and told me that +I was the prettiest girl in the parish. While now I can receive no +presents except from my husband. I can never dance, except with my +husband. Oh, you wretched dwarf, I will never, never forgive you!’ + +In spite of her fierce words, no one knew better than Barbaik how to +put her pride in her pocket when it suited her, and after receiving an +invitation to a wedding, she begged the brownie to get her a horse to +ride there. To her great joy he consented, bidding her set out for the +city of the dwarfs and to tell them exactly what she wanted. Full of +excitement, Barbaik started on her journey. It was not long, and when +she reached the town she went straight to the dwarfs, who were holding +counsel in a wide green place, and said to them, ‘Listen, my friends! I +have come to beg you to lend me a black horse, with eyes, a mouth, ears, +bridle and saddle.’ + +She had hardly spoken when the horse appeared, and mounting on his back +she started for the village where the wedding was to be held. + +At first she was so delighted with the chance of a holiday from the work +which she hated, that she noticed nothing, but very soon it struck +her as odd that as she passed along the roads full of people they all +laughed as they looked at her horse. At length she caught some words +uttered by one man to another. ‘Why, the farmer’s wife has sold her +horse’s tail!’ and turned in her saddle. Yes; it was true. Her horse +had no tail! She had forgotten to ask for one, and the wicked dwarfs had +carried out her orders to the letter! + +‘Well, at any rate, I shall soon be there,’ she thought, and shaking +the reins, tried to urge the horse to a gallop. But it was of no use; he +declined to move out of a walk; and she was forced to hear all the jokes +that were made upon her. + +In the evening she returned to the farm more angry than ever, and +quite determined to revenge herself on the brownie whenever she had the +chance, which happened to be very soon. + +It was the spring, and just the time of year when the dwarfs held their +fete, so one day the brownie asked Jegu if he might bring his friends to +have supper in the great barn, and whether he would allow them to dance +there. Of course, Jegu was only too pleased to be able to do anything +for the brownie, and he ordered Barbaik to spread her best table-cloths +in the barn, and to make a quantity of little loaves and pancakes, +and, besides, to keep all the milk given by the cows that morning. He +expected she would refuse, as he knew she hated the dwarfs, but she said +nothing, and prepared the supper as he had bidden her. + +When all was ready, the dwarfs, in new green suits, came bustling in, +very happy and merry, and took their seats at the table. But in a moment +they all sprang up with a cry, and ran away screaming, for Barbaik had +placed pans of hot coals under their feet, and all their poor little +toes were burnt. + +‘You won’t forget that in a hurry,’ she said, smiling grimly to herself, +but in a moment they were back again with large pots of water, which +they poured on the fire. Then they joined hands and danced round it, +singing: + + Wicked traitress, Barne Riou, + Our poor toes are burned by you; + Now we hurry from your hall-- + Bad luck light upon you all. + +That evening they left the country for ever, and Jegu, without their +help, grew poorer and poorer, and at last died of misery, while Barbaik +was glad to find work in the market of Morlaix. + +From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par E. Souvestre. + + + + +The Winning of Olwen + + +There was once a king and queen who had a little boy, and they called +his name Kilweh. The queen, his mother, fell ill soon after his birth, +and as she could not take care of him herself she sent him to a woman +she knew up in the mountains, so that he might learn to go out in all +weathers, and bear heat and cold, and grow tall and strong. Kilweh was +quite happy with his nurse, and ran races and climbed hills with the +children who were his playfellows, and in the winter, when the snow +lay on the ground, sometimes a man with a harp would stop and beg for +shelter, and in return would sing them songs of strange things that had +happened in the years gone by. + +But long before this changes had taken place in the court of Kilweh’s +father. Soon after she had sent her baby away the queen became much +worse, and at length, seeing that she was going to die, she called her +husband to her and said: + +‘Never again shall I rise from this bed, and by and bye thou wilt take +another wife. But lest she should make thee forget thy son, I charge +thee that thou take not a wife until thou see a briar with two blossoms +upon my grave.’ And this he promised her. Then she further bade him +to see to her grave that nothing might grow thereon. This likewise he +promised her, and soon she died, and for seven years the king sent a man +every morning to see that nothing was growing on the queen’s grave, but +at the end of seven years he forgot. + +One day when the king was out hunting he rode past the place where the +queen lay buried, and there he saw a briar growing with two blossoms on +it. + +‘It is time that I took a wife,’ said he, and after long looking he +found one. But he did not tell her about his son; indeed he hardly +remembered that he had one till she heard it at last from an old woman +whom she had gone to visit. And the new queen was very pleased, and sent +messengers to fetch the boy, and in his father’s court he stayed, while +the years went by till one day the queen told him that a prophecy +had foretold that he was to win for his wife Olwen the daughter of +Yspaddaden Penkawr. + +When he heard this Kilweh felt proud and happy. Surely he must be a man +now, he thought, or there would be no talk of a wife for him, and his +mind dwelt all day upon his promised bride, and what she would be like +when he beheld her. + +‘What aileth thee, my son?’ asked his father at last, when Kilweh had +forgotten something he had been bidden to do, and Kilweh blushed red as +he answered: + +‘My stepmother says that none but Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden +Penkawr, shall be my wife.’ + +‘That will be easily fulfilled,’ replied his father. ‘Arthur the king +is thy cousin. Go therefore unto him and beg him to cut thy hair, and to +grant thee this boon.’ + +Then the youth pricked forth upon a dapple grey horse of four years old, +with a bridle of linked gold, and gold upon his saddle. In his hand he +bore two spears of silver with heads of steel; a war-horn of ivory was +slung round his shoulder, and by his side hung a golden sword. Before +him were two brindled white-breasted greyhounds with collars of rubies +round their necks, and the one that was on the left side bounded across +to the right side, and the one on the right to the left, and like two +sea-swallows sported round him. And his horse cast up four sods with his +four hoofs, like four swallows in the air about his head, now above, now +below. About him was a robe of purple, and an apple of gold was at each +corner, and every one of the apples was of the value of a hundred cows. +And the blades of grass bent not beneath him, so light were his horse’s +feet as he journeyed toward the gate of Arthur’s palace. + +‘Is there a porter?’ cried Kilweh, looking round for someone to open the +gate. + +‘There is; and I am Arthur’s porter every first day of January,’ +answered a man coming out to him. ‘The rest of the year there are other +porters, and among them Pennpingyon, who goes upon his head to save his +feet.’ + +‘Well, open the portal, I say.’ + +‘No, that I may not do, for none can enter save the son of a king or a +pedlar who has goods to sell. But elsewhere there will be food for thy +dogs and hay for thy horse, and for thee collops cooked and peppered, +and sweet wine shall be served in the guest chamber.’ + +‘That will not do for me,’ answered Kilweh. ‘If thou wilt not open the +gate I will send up three shouts that shall be heard from Cornwall unto +the north, and yet again to Ireland.’ + +‘Whatsoever clamour thou mayest make,’ spake Glewlwyd the porter, ‘thou +shalt not enter until I first go and speak with Arthur.’ + +Then Glewlwyd went into the hall, and Arthur said to him: + +‘Hast thou news from the gate?’ and the porter answered: + +‘Far have I travelled, both in this island and elsewhere, and many +kingly men have I seen; but never yet have I beheld one equal in majesty +to him who now stands at the door.’ + +‘If walking thou didst enter here, return thou running,’ replied Arthur, +‘and let everyone that opens and shuts the eye show him respect and +serve him, for it is not meet to keep such a man in the wind and rain.’ +So Glewlwyd unbarred the gate and Kilweh rode in upon his charger. + +‘Greeting unto thee, O ruler of this land,’ cried he, ‘and greeting no +less to the lowest than to the highest.’ + +‘Greeting to thee also,’ answered Arthur. ‘Sit thou between two of my +warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels before thee and all that belongs +to one born to be a king, while thou remainest in my palace.’ + +‘I am not come,’ replied Kilweh, ‘for meat and drink, but to obtain a +boon, and if thou grant it me I will pay it back, and will carry thy +praise to the four winds of heaven. But if thou wilt not grant it to me, +then I will proclaim thy discourtesy wherever thy name is known.’ + +‘What thou askest that shalt thou receive,’ said Arthur, ‘as far as +the wind dries and the rain moistens, and the sun revolves and the sea +encircles and the earth extends. Save only my ship and my mantle, my +word and my lance, my shield and my dagger, and Guinevere my wife.’ + +‘I would that thou bless my hair,’ spake Kilweh, and Arthur answered: + +‘That shall be granted thee.’ + +Forthwith he bade his men fetch him a comb of gold and a scissors with +loops of silver, and he combed the hair of Kilweh his guest. + +‘Tell me who thou art,’ he said, ‘for my heart warms to thee, and I feel +thou art come of my blood.’ + +‘I am Kilweh, son of Kilydd,’ replied the youth. + +‘Then my cousin thou art in truth,’ replied Arthur, ‘and whatsoever boon +thou mayest ask thou shalt receive.’ + +‘The boon I crave is that thou mayest win for me Olwen, the daughter of +Yspaddaden Penkawr, and this boon I seek likewise at the hands of thy +warriors. From Sol, who can stand all day upon one foot; from Ossol, +who, if he were to find himself on the top of the highest mountain in +the world, could make it into a level plain in the beat of a bird’s +wing; from Cluse, who, though he were buried under the earth, could yet +hear the ant leave her nest fifty miles away: from these and from Kai +and from Bedwyr and from all thy mighty men I crave this boon.’ + +‘O Kilweh,’ said Arthur, ‘never have I heard of the maiden of whom thou +speakest, nor of her kindred, but I will send messengers to seek her if +thou wilt give me time.’ + +‘From this night to the end of the year right willingly will I grant +thee,’ replied Kilweh; but when the end of the year came and the +messengers returned Kilweh was wroth, and spoke rough words to Arthur. + +It was Kai, the boldest of the warriors and the swiftest of foot--he +would could pass nine nights without sleep, and nine days beneath the +water--that answered him: + +‘Rash youth that thou art, darest thou speak thus to Arthur? Come with +us, and we will not part company till we have won that maiden, or till +thou confess that there is none such in the world.’ + +Then Arthur summoned his five best men and bade them go with Kilweh. +There was Bedwyr the one-handed, Kai’s comrade and brother in arms, the +swiftest man in Britain save Arthur; there was Kynddelig, who knew the +paths in a land where he had never been as surely as he did those of +his own country; there was Gwrhyr, that could speak all tongues; and +Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, who never returned till he had gained what +he sought; and last of all there was Menw, who could weave a spell over +them so that none might see them, while they could see everyone. + +So these seven journeyed together till they reached a vast open plain in +which was a fair castle. But though it seemed so close it was not until +the evening of the third day that they really drew near to it, and in +front of it a flock of sheep was spread, so many in number that there +seemed no end to them. A shepherd stood on a mound watching over them, +and by his side was a dog, as large as a horse nine winters old. + +‘Whose is this castle, O herdsmen?’ asked the knights. + +‘Stupid are ye truly,’ answered the herdsman. ‘All the world knows that +this is the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr.’ + +‘And who art thou?’ + +‘I am called Custennin, brother of Yspaddaden, and ill has he treated +me. And who are you, and what do you here?’ + +‘We come from Arthur the king, to seek Olwen the daughter of +Yspaddaden,’ but at this news the shepherd gave a cry: + +‘O men, be warned and turn back while there is yet time. Others have +gone on that quest, but none have escaped to tell the tale,’ and he rose +to his feet as if to leave them. Then Kilweh held out to him a ring of +gold, and he tried to put it on his finger, but it was too small, so he +placed it in his glove, and went home and gave it to his wife. + +‘Whence came this ring?’ asked she, ‘for such good luck is not wont to +befall thee.’ + +‘The man to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here in the evening,’ +answered the shepherd; ‘he is Kilweh, son of Kilydd, cousin to king +Arthur, and he has come to seek Olwen.’ And when the wife heard that she +knew that Kilweh was her nephew, and her heart yearned after him, half +with joy at the thought of seeing him, and half with sorrow for the doom +she feared. + +Soon they heard steps approaching, and Kai and the rest entered into the +house and ate and drank. After that the woman opened a chest, and out of +it came a youth with curling yellow hair. + +‘It is a pity to hid him thus,’ said Gwrhyr, ‘for well I know that he +has done no evil.’ + +‘Three and twenty of my sons has Yspaddaden slain, and I have no more +hope of saving this one,’ replied she, and Kai was full of sorrow and +answered: + +‘Let him come with me and be my comrade, and he shall never be slain +unless I am slain also.’ And so it was agreed. + +‘What is your errand here?’ asked the woman. + +‘We seek Olwen the maiden for this youth,’ answered Kai; ‘does she ever +come hither so that she may be seen?’ + +‘She comes every Saturday to wash her hair, and in the vessel where she +washes she leaves all her rings, and never does she so much as send a +messenger to fetch them.’ + +‘Will she come if she is bidden?’ asked Kai, pondering. + +‘She will come; but unless you pledge me your faith that you will not +harm her I will not fetch her.’ + +‘We pledge it,’ said they, and the maiden came. + +A fair sight was she in a robe of flame-coloured silk, with a collar of +ruddy gold about her neck, bright with emeralds and rubies. More yellow +was her head than the flower of the broom, and her skin was whiter than +the foam of the wave, and fairer were her hands than the blossoms of +the wood anemone. Four white trefoils sprang up where she trod, and +therefore was she called Olwen. + +She entered, and sat down on a bench beside Kilweh, and he spake to her: + +‘Ah, maiden, since first I heard thy name I have loved thee--wilt thou +not come away with me from this evil place?’ + +‘That I cannot do,’ answered she, ‘for I have given my word to my father +not to go without his knowledge, for his life will only last till I am +betrothed. Whatever is, must be, but this counsel I will give you. Go, +and ask me of my father, and whatsoever he shall required of thee grant +it, and thou shalt win me; but if thou deny him anything thou wilt not +obtain me, and it will be well for thee if thou escape with thy life.’ + +‘All this I promise,’ said he. + +So she returned to the castle, and all Arthur’s men went after her, and +entered the hall. + +‘Greeting to thee, Yspaddaden Penkawr,’ said they. ‘We come to ask thy +daughter Olwen for Kilweh, son of Kilydd.’ + +‘Come hither to-morrow and I will answer you,’ replied Yspaddaden +Penkawr, and as they rose to leave the hall he caught up one of the +three poisoned darts that lay beside him and flung it in their midst. +But Bedwyr saw and caught it, and flung it back so hard that it pierced +the knee of Yspaddaden. + +‘A gentle son-in-law, truly!’ he cried, writhing with pain. ‘I shall +ever walk the worse for this rudeness. Cursed be the smith who forged +it, and the anvil on which it was wrought!’ + +That night the men slept in the house of Custennin the herdsman, and the +next day they proceeded to the castle, and entered the hall, and said: + +‘Yspaddaden Penkawr, give us thy daughter and thou shalt keep her dower. +And unless thou wilt do this we will slay thee.’ + +‘Her four great grandmothers and her four great grandfathers yet live,’ +answered Yspaddaden Penkawr; ‘it is needful that I take counsel with +them.’ + +‘Be it so; we will go to meat,’ but as they turned he took up the second +dart that lay by his side and cast it after them. And Menw caught it, +and flung it at him, and wounded him in the chest, so that it came out +at his back. + +‘A gentle son-in-law, truly!’ cried Yspaddaden, ‘the iron pains me like +the bite of a horse-leech. Cursed be the hearth whereon it was heated, +and the smith who formed it!’ The third day Arthur’s men returned to the +palace into the presence of Yspaddaden. + +‘Shoot not at me again,’ said he, ‘unless you desire death. But lift +up my eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyes, that I may see my +son-in-law.’ Then they arose, and as they did so Yspaddaden Penkawr took +the third poisoned dart and cast it at them. And Kilweh caught it, and +flung it back, and it passed through his eyeball, and came out on the +other side of his head. + +‘A gentle son-in-law, truly! Cursed be the fire in which it was forged +and the man who fashioned it!’ + +The next day Arthur’s men came again to the palace and said: + +‘Shoot not at us any more unless thou desirest more pain than even now +thou hast, but give us thy daughter without more words.’ + +‘Where is he that seeks my daughter? Let him come hither so that I may +see him.’ And Kilweh sat himself in a chair and spoke face to face with +him. + +‘Is it thou that seekest my daughter?’ + +‘It is I,’ answered Kilweh. + +‘First give me thy word that thou wilt do nothing towards me that is not +just, and when thou hast won for me that which I shall ask, then thou +shalt wed my daughter.’ + +‘I promise right willingly,’ said Kilweh. ‘Name what thou wilt.’ + +‘Seest thou yonder hill? Well, in one day it shall be rooted up and +ploughed and sown, and the grain shall ripen, and of that wheat I will +bake the cakes for my daughter’s wedding.’ + +‘It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest deem it +will not be easy,’ answered Kilweh, thinking of Ossol, under whose feet +the highest mountain became straightway a plain, but Yspaddaden paid no +heed, and continued: + +‘Seest thou that field yonder? When my daughter was born nine bushels of +flax were sown therein, and not one blade has sprung up. I require thee +to sow fresh flax in the ground that my daughter may wear a veil spun +from it on the day of her wedding.’ + +‘It will be easy for me to compass this.’ + +‘Though thou compass this there is that which thou wilt not compass. For +thou must bring me the basket of Gwyddneu Garanhir which will give meat +to the whole world. It is for thy wedding feast. Thou must also fetch me +the drinking-horn that is never empty, and the harp that never ceases to +play until it is bidden. Also the comb and scissors and razor that lie +between the two ears of Trwyth the boar, so that I may arrange my hair +for the wedding. And though thou get this yet there is that which thou +wilt not get, for Trwyth the boar will not let any man take from him the +comb and the scissors, unless Drudwyn the whelp hunt him. But no leash +in the world can hold Drudwyn save the leash of Cant Ewin, and no collar +will hold the leash except the collar of Canhastyr.’ + +‘It will be easy for me to compass this, though thou mayest think it +will not be easy,’ Kilweh answered him. + +‘Though thou get all these things yet there is that which thou wilt not +get. Throughout the world there is none that can hunt with this dog save +Mabon the son of Modron. He was taken from his mother when three nights +old, and it is not know where he now is, nor whether he is living or +dead, and though thou find him yet the boar will never be slain save +only with the sword of Gwrnach the giant, and if thou obtain it not +neither shalt thou obtain my daughter.’ + +‘Horses shall I have, and knights from my lord Arthur. And I shall gain +thy daughter, and thou shalt lose thy life.’ + +The speech of Kilweh the son of Kilydd with Yspaddaden Penkawr was +ended. + +Then Arthur’s men set forth, and Kilweh with them, and journeyed till +they reached the largest castle in the world, and a black man came out +to meet them. + +‘Whence comest thou, O man?’ asked they, ‘and whose is that castle?’ + +‘That is the castle of Gwrnach the giant, as all the world knows,’ +answered the man, ‘but no guest ever returned thence alive, and none may +enter the gate except a craftsman, who brings his trade.’ But little did +Arthur’s men heed his warning, and they went straight to the gate. + +‘Open!’ cried Gwrhyr. + +‘I will not open,’ replied the porter. + +‘And wherefore?’ asked Kai. + +‘The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is +revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the giant, and save for a craftsman who +brings his trade the gate will not be opened to-night.’ + +‘Verily, then, I may enter,’ said Kai, ‘for there is no better burnisher +of swords than I.’ + +‘This will I tell Gwrnach the giant, and I will bring thee his answer.’ + +‘Bid the man come before me,’ cried Gwrnach, when the porter had told +his tale, ‘for my sword stands much in need of polishing,’ so Kai passed +in and saluted Gwrnach the giant. + +‘Is it true what I hear of thee, that thou canst burnish swords?’ + +‘It is true,’ answered Kai. Then was the sword of Gwrnach brought to +him. + +‘Shall it be burnished white or blue?’ said Kai, taking a whetstone from +under his arm. + +‘As thou wilt,’ answered the giant, and speedily did Kai polish half the +sword. The giant marvelled at his skill, and said: + +‘It is a wonder that such a man as thou shouldst be without a +companion.’ + +‘I have a companion, noble sir, but he has no skill in this art.’ + +‘What is his name?’ asked the giant. + +‘Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him how he may know him. The +head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, +and descend upon its shaft again.’ So the porter opened the gate and +Bedwyr entered. + +Now there was much talk amongst those who remained without when the +gate closed upon Bedwyr, and Goreu, son of Custennin, prevailed with the +porter, and he and his companions got in also and hid themselves. + +By this time the whole of the sword was polished, and Kai gave it into +the hand of Gwrnach the giant, who felt it and said: + +‘Thy work is good; I am content.’ + +Then said Kai: + +‘It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword; give it to me that I may +take out the wooden sides of it and put in new ones.’ And he took the +scabbard in one hand and the sword in the other, and came and stood +behind the giant, as if he would have sheathed the sword in the +scabbard. But with it he struck a blow at the head of the giant, and it +rolled from his body. After that they despoiled the castle of its gold +and jewels, and returned, bearing the sword of the giant, to Arthur’s +court. + +They told Arthur how they had sped, and they all took counsel together, +and agreed that they must set out on the quest for Mabon the son of +Modron, and Gwrhyr, who knew the languages of beasts and of birds, went +with them. SO they journeyed until they came to the nest of an ousel, +and Gwrhyr spoke to her. + +‘Tell me if thou knowest aught of Mabon the son of Modron, who was taken +when three nights old from between his mother and the wall.’ + +And the ousel answered: + +‘When I first came here I was a young bird, and there was a smith’s +anvil in this place. But from that time no work has been done upon it, +save that every evening I have pecked at it, till now there is not so +much as the size of a nut remaining thereof. Yet all that time I have +never once heard of the man you name. Still, there is a race of beasts +older than I, and I will guide you to them.’ + +So the ousel flew before them, till she reached the stag of Redynvre; +but when they inquired of the stag whether he knew aught of Mabon he +shook his head. + +‘When first I came hither,’ said he, ‘the plain was bare save for one +oak sapling, which grew up to be an oak with a hundred branches. All +that is left of that oak is a withered stump, but never once have I +heard of the man you name. Nevertheless, as you are Arthur’s men, I will +guide you to the place where there is an animal older than I’; and the +stag ran before them till he reached the owl of Cwm Cawlwyd. But when +they inquired of the owl if he knew aught of Mabon he shook his head. + +‘When first I came hither,’ said he, ‘the valley was a wooded glen; +then a race of men came and rooted it up. After that there grew a second +wood, and then a third, which you see. Look at my wings also--are they +not withered stumps? Yet until to-day I have never heard of the man you +name. Still, I will guide you to the oldest animal in the world, and +the one that has travelled most, the eagle of Gwern Abbey.’ And he flew +before them, as fast as his old wings would carry him, till he reached +the eagle of Gwern Abbey, but when they inquired of the eagle whether he +knew aught of Mabon he shook his head. + +‘When I first came hither,’ said the eagle, ‘there was a rock here, and +every evening I pecked at the stars from the top of it. Now, behold, it +is not even a span high! But only once have I heard of the man you +name, and that was when I went in search of food as far as Llyn Llyw. I +swooped down upon a salmon, and struck my claws into him, but he drew me +down under water till scarcely could I escape him. Then I summoned all +my kindred to destroy him, but he made peace with me, and I took fifty +fish spears from his back. Unless he may know something of the man whom +you seek I cannot tell who may. But I will guide you to the place where +he is.’ + +So they followed the eagle, who flew before them, though so high was he +in the sky, it was often hard to mark his flight. At length he stopped +above a deep pool in a river. + +‘Salmon of Llyn Llyw,’ he called, ‘I have come to thee with an embassy +from Arthur to inquire if thou knowest aught concerning Mabon the son of +Modron.’ And the salmon answered: + +‘As much as I know I will tell thee. With every tide I go up the river, +till I reach the walls of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong +as I never found elsewhere. And that you may see that what I say is true +let two of you go thither on my shoulders.’ So Kai and Gwrhyr went upon +the shoulders of the salmon, and were carried under the walls of the +prison, from which proceeded the sound of great weeping. + +‘Who is it that thus laments in this house of stone?’ + +‘It is I, Mabon the son of Modron.’ + +‘Will silver or gold bring thy freedom, or only battle and fighting?’ +asked Gwrhyr again. + +‘By fighting alone shall I be set free,’ said Mabon. + +Then they sent a messenger to Arthur to tell him that Mabon was found, +and he brought all his warriors to the castle of Gloucester and fell +fiercely upon it; while Kai and Bedwyr went on the shoulders of the +salmon to the gate of the dungeon, and broke it down and carried away +Mabon. And he now being free returned home with Arthur. + +After this, on a certain day, as Gwythyr was walking across a mountain +he heard a grievous cry, and he hastened towards it. In a little valley +he saw the heather burning and the fire spreading fast towards the +anthill, and all the ants were hurrying to and fro, not knowing whither +to go. Gwythyr had pity on them, and put out the fire, and in gratitude +the ants brought him the nine bushels of flax seed which Yspaddaden +Penkawr required of Kilweh. And many of the other marvels were done +likewise by Arthur and his knights, and at last it came to the fight +with Trwyth the board, to obtain the comb and the scissors and the razor +that lay between his ears. But hard was the boar to catch, and fiercely +did he fight when Arthur’s men gave him battle, so that many of them +were slain. + +Up and down the country went Trwyth the boar, and Arthur followed after +him, till they came to the Severn sea. There three knights caught his +feet unawares and plunged him into the water, while one snatched the +razor from him, and another seized the scissors. But before they laid +hold of the comb he had shaken them all off, and neither man nor horse +nor dog could reach him till he came to Cornwall, whither Arthur had +sworn he should not go. Thither Arthur followed after him with his +knights, and if it had been hard to win the razor and the scissors, the +struggle for the comb was fiercer still, but at length Arthur prevailed, +and the boar was driven into the sea. And whether he was drowned or +where he went no man knows to this day. + +In the end all the marvels were done, and Kilweh set forward, and with +him Goreu, the son of Custennin, to Yspaddaden Penkawr, bearing in their +hands the razor, the scissors and the comb, and Yspaddaden Penkawr was +shaved by Kaw. + +‘Is thy daughter mine now?’ asked Kilweh. + +‘She is thine,’ answered Yspaddaden, ‘but it is Arthur and none other +who has won her for thee. Of my own free will thou shouldst never have +had her, for now I must lose my life.’ And as he spake Goreu the son of +Custennin cut off his head, as if had been ordained, and Arthur’s hosts +returned each man to his own country. + + +From the ‘Mabinogion.’ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lilac Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 3454-0.txt or 3454-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/5/3454/ + +Produced by J.C. Byers, L.M. Shaffer and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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 + + +Title: The Lilac Fairy Book + +Author: Andrew Lang + +Release Date: February 9, 2009 [EBook #3454] +Last Updated: December 16, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by J.C. Byers, L.M. Shaffer, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Edited by Andrew Lang + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="0"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28096/28096-h/28096-h.htm"><b>A + NEWER ILLUSTRATED EDITION</b> </a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> Preface </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> The Shifty Lad </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> The False Prince and the True </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> The Jogi’s Punishment </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> The Heart of a Monkey </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> The Fairy Nurse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> A Lost Paradise </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> The King of the Waterfalls </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> A French Puck </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> The Three Crowns </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> The Story of a Very Bad Boy </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> The Brown Bear of Norway </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> Little Lasse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> ‘Moti’ </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> The Enchanted Deer </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> A Fish Story </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> The Wonderful Tune. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> The One-Handed Girl </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> The Bones of Djulung </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> The Sea King’s Gift </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> The Raspberry Worm </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> The Stones of Plouhinec </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> The Castle of Kerglas </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> The Battle of the Birds </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> The Lady of the Fountain. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> The Four Gifts </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> The Groac’h of the Isle of Lok </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> The Escape of the Mouse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> The Believing Husbands </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> The Hoodie-Crow. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> The Brownie of the Lake </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> The Winning of Olwen </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Preface + </h2> + <p> + ‘What cases are you engaged in at present?’ ‘Are you stopping many teeth + just now?’ ‘What people have you converted lately?’ Do ladies put these + questions to the men—lawyers, dentists, clergymen, and so forth—who + happen to sit next them at dinner parties? + </p> + <p> + I do not know whether ladies thus indicate their interest in the + occupations of their casual neighbours at the hospitable board. But if + they do not know me, or do not know me well, they generally ask ‘Are you + writing anything now?’ (as if they should ask a painter ‘Are you painting + anything now?’ or a lawyer ‘Have you any cases at present?’). Sometimes + they are more definite and inquire ‘What are you writing now?’ as if I + must be writing something—which, indeed, is the case, though I + dislike being reminded of it. It is an awkward question, because the fair + being does not care a bawbee what I am writing; nor would she be much + enlightened if I replied ‘Madam, I am engaged on a treatise intended to + prove that Normal is prior to Conceptional Totemism’—though that + answer would be as true in fact as obscure in significance. The best plan + seems to be to answer that I have entirely abandoned mere literature, and + am contemplating a book on ‘The Causes of Early Blight in the Potato,’ a + melancholy circumstance which threatens to deprive us of our chief + esculent root. The inquirer would never be undeceived. One nymph who, like + the rest, could not keep off the horrid topic of my occupation, said ‘You + never write anything but fairy books, do you?’ A French gentleman, too, an + educationist and expert in portraits of Queen Mary, once sent me a + newspaper article in which he had written that I was exclusively devoted + to the composition of fairy books, and nothing else. He then came to + England, visited me, and found that I knew rather more about portraits of + Queen Mary than he did. + </p> + <p> + In truth I never did write any fairy books in my life, except ‘Prince + Prigio,’ ‘Prince Ricardo,’ and ‘Tales from a Fairy Court’—that of + the aforesaid Prigio. I take this opportunity of recommending these fairy + books—poor things, but my own—to parents and guardians who may + never have heard of them. They are rich in romantic adventure, and the + Princes always marry the right Princesses and live happy ever afterwards; + while the wicked witches, stepmothers, tutors and governesses are never + cruelly punished, but retire to the country on ample pensions. I hate + cruelty: I never put a wicked stepmother in a barrel and send her + tobogganing down a hill. It is true that Prince Ricardo did kill the + Yellow Dwarf; but that was in fair fight, sword in hand, and the dwarf, + peace to his ashes! died in harness. + </p> + <p> + The object of these confessions is not only that of advertising my own + fairy books (which are not ‘out of print’; if your bookseller says so, the + truth is not in him), but of giving credit where credit is due. The fairy + books have been almost wholly the work of Mrs. Lang, who has translated + and adapted them from the French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, + Catalan, and other languages. + </p> + <p> + My part has been that of Adam, according to Mark Twain, in the Garden of + Eden. Eve worked, Adam superintended. I also superintend. I find out where + the stories are, and advise, and, in short, superintend. I do not write + the stories out of my own head. The reputation of having written all the + fairy books (an European reputation in nurseries and the United States of + America) is ‘the burden of an honour unto which I was not born.’ It weighs + upon and is killing me, as the general fash of being the wife of the Lord + of Burleigh, Burleigh House by Stamford Town, was too much for the village + maiden espoused by that peer. + </p> + <p> + Nobody really wrote most of the stories. People told them in all parts of + the world long before Egyptian hieroglyphics or Cretan signs or Cyprian + syllabaries, or alphabets were invented. They are older than reading and + writing, and arose like wild flowers before men had any education to + quarrel over. The grannies told them to the grandchildren, and when the + grandchildren became grannies they repeated the same old tales to the new + generation. Homer knew the stories and made up the ‘Odyssey’ out of half a + dozen of them. All the history of Greece till about 800 B.C. is a string + of the fairy tales, all about Theseus and Heracles and Oedipus and Minos + and Perseus is a Cabinet des Fes, a collection of fairy tales. Shakespeare + took them and put bits of them into ‘King Lear’ and other plays; he could + not have made them up himself, great as he was. Let ladies and gentlemen + think of this when they sit down to write fairy tales, and have them + nicely typed, and send them to Messrs. Longman & Co. to be published. + They think that to write a new fairy tale is easy work. They are mistaken: + the thing is impossible. Nobody can write a new fairy tale; you can only + mix up and dress up the old, old stories, and put the characters into new + dresses, as Miss Thackeray did so well in ‘Five Old Friends.’ If any big + girl of fourteen reads this preface, let her insist on being presented + with ‘Five Old Friends.’ + </p> + <p> + But the three hundred and sixty-five authors who try to write new fairy + tales are very tiresome. They always begin with a little boy or girl who + goes out and meets the fairies of polyanthuses and gardenias and apple + blossoms: ‘Flowers and fruits, and other winged things.’ These fairies try + to be funny, and fail; or they try to preach, and succeed. Real fairies + never preach or talk slang. At the end, the little boy or girl wakes up + and finds that he has been dreaming. + </p> + <p> + Such are the new fairy stories. May we be preserved from all the sort of + them! + </p> + <p> + Our stories are almost all old, some from Ireland, before that island was + as celebrated for her wrongs as for her verdure; some from Asia, made, I + dare say, before the Aryan invasion; some from Moydart, Knoydart, Morar + and Ardnamurchan, where the sea streams run like great clear rivers and + the saw-edged hills are blue, and men remember Prince Charlie. Some are + from Portugal, where the golden fruits grow in the Garden of the + Hesperides; and some are from wild Wales, and were told at Arthur’s Court; + and others come from the firesides of the kinsmen of the Welsh, the + Bretons. There are also modern tales by a learned Scandinavian named + Topelius. + </p> + <p> + All the stories were translated or adapted by Mrs. Lang, except ‘The + Jogi’s Punishment’ and ‘Moti,’ done by Major Campbell out of the Pushtoo + language; ‘How Brave Walter hunted Wolves,’ which, with ‘Little Lasse’ and + ‘The Raspberry Worm,’ was done from Topelius by Miss Harding; and ‘The Sea + King’s Gift,’ by Miss Christie, from the same author. + </p> + <p> + It has been suggested to the Editor that children and parents and + guardians would like ‘The Grey True Ghost-Story Book.’ He knows that the + children would like it well, and he would gladly give it to them; but + about the taste of fond anxious mothers and kind aunts he is not quite so + certain. Before he was twelve the Editor knew true ghost stories enough to + fill a volume. They were a pure joy till bedtime, but then, and later, + were not wholly a source of unmixed pleasure. At that time the Editor was + not afraid of the dark, for he thought, ‘If a ghost is here, we can’t see + him.’ But when older and better informed persons said that ghosts brought + their own light with them (which is too true), then one’s emotions were + such as parents do not desire the young to endure. For this reason ‘The + Grey True Ghost-Story Book’ is never likely to be illustrated by Mr. Ford. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + The Shifty Lad + </h2> + <p> + In the land of Erin there dwelt long ago a widow who had an only son. He + was a clever boy, so she saved up enough money to send him to school, and, + as soon as he was old enough, to apprentice him to any trade that he would + choose. But when the time came, he said he would not be bound to any + trade, and that he meant to be a thief. + </p> + <p> + Now his mother was very sorrowful when she heard of this, but she knew + quite well that if she tried to stop his having his own way he would only + grow more determined to get it. So all the answer she made was that the + end of thieves was hanging at the bridge of Dublin, and then she left him + alone, hoping that when he was older he might become more sensible. + </p> + <p> + One day she was going to church to hear a sermon from a great preacher, + and she begged the Shifty Lad, as the neighbours called him from the + tricks he played, to come with her. But he only laughed and declared that + he did not like sermons, adding: + </p> + <p> + ‘However, I will promise you this, that the first trade you hear named + after you come out from church shall be my trade for the rest of my life.’ + </p> + <p> + These words gave a little comfort to the poor woman, and her heart was + lighter than before as she bade him farewell. + </p> + <p> + When the Shifty Lad thought that the hour had nearly come for the sermon + to be over, he hid himself in some bushes in a little path that led + straight to his mother’s house, and, as she passed along, thinking of all + the good things she had heard, a voice shouted close to her ear ‘Robbery! + Robbery! Robbery!’ The suddenness of it made her jump. The naughty boy had + managed to change his voice, so that she did not know it for his, and he + had concealed himself so well that, though she peered about all round her, + she could see no one. As soon as she had turned the corner the Shifty Lad + came out, and by running very fast through the wood he contrived to reach + home before his mother, who found him stretched out comfortably before the + fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, have you got any news to tell me?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, nothing; for I left the church at once, and did not stop to speak to + anyone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, then no one has mentioned a trade to you?’ he said in tones of + disappointment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ye—es,’ she replied slowly. ‘At least, as I walked down the path a + voice cried out “Robbery! Robbery! Robbery!” but that was all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And quite enough too,’ answered the boy. ‘What did I tell you? That is + going to be my trade.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then your end will be hanging at the bridge of Dublin,’ said she. But + there was no sleep for her that night, for she lay in the dark thinking + about her son. + </p> + <p> + ‘If he is to be a thief at all, he had better be a good one. And who is + there that can teach him?’ the mother asked herself. But an idea came to + her, and she arose early, before the sun was up, and set off for the home + of the Black Rogue, or Gallows Bird, who was such a wonderful thief that, + though all had been robbed by him, no one could catch him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-morning to you,’ said the woman as she reached the place where the + Black Gallows Bird lived when he was not away on his business. ‘My son has + a fancy to learn your trade. Will you be kind enough to teach him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If he is clever, I don’t mind trying,’ answered the Black Gallows Bird; + ‘and, of course, if ANY one can turn him into a first-rate thief, it is I. + But if he is stupid, it is of no use at all; I can’t bear stupid people.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, he isn’t stupid,’ said the woman with a sigh. ‘So to-night, after + dark, I will send him to you.’ + </p> + <p> + The Shifty Lad jumped for joy when his mother told him where she had been. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will become the best thief in all Erin!’ he cried, and paid no heed + when his mother shook her head and murmured something about ‘the bridge of + Dublin.’ + </p> + <p> + Every evening after dark the Shifty Lad went to the home of the Black + Gallows Bird, and many were the new tricks he learned. By-and-by he was + allowed to go out with the Bird and watch him at work, and at last there + came a day when his master though that he had grown clever enough to help + in a big robbery. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is a rich farmer up there on the hill, who has just sold all his + fat cattle for much money and has bought some lean ones which will cost + him little. Now it happens that, while he has received the money for the + fat cattle, he has not yet paid the price of the thin ones, which he has + in the cowhouse. To-morrow he will go to the market with the money in his + hand, so to-night we must get at the chest. When all is quiet we will hide + in the loft.’ + </p> + <p> + There was no moon, and it was the night of Hallowe’en, and everyone was + burning nuts and catching apples in a tub of water with their hands tied, + and playing all sorts of other games, till the Shifty Lad grew quite tired + of waiting for them to get to bed. The Black Gallows Bird, who was more + accustomed to the business, tucked himself up on the hay and went to + sleep, telling the boy to wake him when the merry-makers had departed. But + the Shifty Lad, who could keep still no longer, crept down to the cowshed + and loosened the heads of the cattle which were tied, and they began to + kick each other and bellow, and made such a noise that the company in the + farmhouse ran out to tie them up again. Then the Shifty Lad entered the + room and picked up a big handful of nuts, and returned to the loft, where + the Black Rogue was still sleeping. At first the Shifty Lad shut his eyes + too, but very soon he sat up, and taking a big needle and thread from his + pocket, he sewed the hem of the Black Gallows Bird’s coat to a heavy piece + of bullock’s hide that was hanging at his back. + </p> + <p> + By this time the cattle were all tied up again, but as the people could + not find their nuts they sat round the fire and began to tell stories. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will crack a nut,’ said the Shifty Lad. + </p> + <p> + ‘You shall not,’ cried the Black Gallows Bird; ‘they will hear you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t care,’ answered the Shifty Lad. ‘I never spend Hallowe’en yet + without cracking a nut’; and he cracked one. + </p> + <p> + ‘Some one is cracking nuts up there,’ said one of the merry-makers in the + farmhouse. ‘Come quickly, and we will see who it is.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke loudly, and the Black Gallows Bird heard, and ran out of the + loft, dragging the big leather hide after him which the Shifty Lad had + sewed to his coat. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is stealing my hide!’ shouted the farmer, and they all darted after + him; but he was too swift for them, and at last he managed to tear the + hide from his coat, and then he flew like a hare till he reached his old + hiding-place. But all this took a long time, and meanwhile the Shifty Lad + got down from the loft, and searched the house till he found the chest + with the gold and silver in it, concealed behind a load of straw and + covered with loaves of bread and a great cheese. The Shifty Lad slung the + money bags round his shoulders and took the bread and the cheese under his + arm, then set out quietly for the Black Rogue’s house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here you are at last, you villain!’ cried his master in great wrath. ‘But + I will be revenged on you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is all right,’ replied the Shifty Lad calmly. ‘I have brought what you + wanted’; and he laid the things he was carrying down on the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! you are the better thief,’ said the Black Rogue’s wife; and the Black + Rogue added: + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it is you who are the clever boy’; and they divided the spoil and + the Black Gallows Bird had one half and the Shifty Lad the other half. + </p> + <p> + A few weeks after that the Black Gallows Bird had news of a wedding that + was to be held near the town; and the bridegroom had many friends and + everybody sent him a present. Now a rich farmer who lived up near the moor + thought that nothing was so useful to a young couple when they first began + to keep house as a fine fat sheep, so he bade his shepherd go off to the + mountain where the flock were feeding, and bring him back the best he + could find. And the shepherd chose out the largest and fattest of the + sheep and the one with the whitest fleece; then he tied its feet together + and put it across his shoulder, for he had a long way to go. + </p> + <p> + That day, the Shifty Lad happened to be wandering over the moor, when he + saw the man with the sheep on his shoulder walking along the road which + led past the Black Rogue’s house. The sheep was heavy and the man was in + no hurry, so he came slowly and the boy knew that he himself could easily + get back to his master before the shepherd was even in sight. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will wager,’ he cried, as he pushed quickly through the bushes which + hid the cabin—‘I will wager that I will steal the sheep from the man + that is coming before he passes here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you indeed?’ said the Gallows Bird. ‘I will wager you a hundred + silver pieces that you can do nothing of the sort.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I will try it, anyway,’ replied the boy, and disappeared in the + bushes. He ran fast till he entered a wood through which the shepherd must + go, and then he stopped, and taking off one of his shoes smeared it with + mud and set it in the path. When this was done he slipped behind a rock + and waited. + </p> + <p> + Very soon the man came up, and seeing the shoe lying there, he stooped and + looked at it. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a good shoe,’ he said to himself, ‘but very dirty. Still, if I had + the fellow, I would be at the trouble of cleaning it’; so he threw the + shoe down again and went on. + </p> + <p> + The Shifty Lad smiled as he heard him, and, picking up the shoe, he crept + round by a short way and laid the other shoe on the path. A few minutes + after the shepherd arrived, and beheld the second shoe lying on the path. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, that is the fellow of the dirty shoe!’ he exclaimed when he saw it. + ‘I will go back and pick up the other one, and then I shall have a pair of + good shoes,’ and he put the sheep on the grass and returned to fetch the + shoe. Then the Shifty Lad put on his shoes, and, picking up the sheep, + carried it home. And the Black Rogue paid him the hundred marks of his + wager. + </p> + <p> + When the shepherd reached the farmhouse that night he told his tale to his + master, who scolded him for being stupid and careless, and bade him go the + next day to the mountain and fetch him a kid, and he would send that as a + wedding gift. But the Shifty Lad was on the look-out, and hid himself in + the wood, and the moment the man drew near with the kid on his shoulders + began to bleat like a sheep, and no one, not even the sheep’s own mother, + could have told the difference. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, it must have got its feet loose, and have strayed after all,’ + thought the man; and he put the kid on the grass and hurried off in the + direction of the bleating. Then the boy ran back and picked up the kid, + and took it to the Black Gallows Bird. + </p> + <p> + The shepherd could hardly believe his eyes when he returned from seeking + the sheep and found that the kid had vanished. He was afraid to go home + and tell the same tale that he had told yesterday; so he searched the wood + through and through till night was nearly come. Then he felt that there + was no help for it, and he must go home and confess to his master. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the farmer was very angry at this second misfortune; but this + time he told him to drive one of the big bulls from the mountain, and + warned him that if he lost THAT he would lose his place also. Again the + Shifty Lad, who was on the watch, perceived him pass by, and when he saw + the man returning with the great bull he cried to the Black Rogue: + </p> + <p> + ‘Be quick and come into the wood, and we will try to get the bull also.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how can we do that?’ asked the Black Rogue. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, quite easily! You hide yourself out there and baa like a sheep, and I + will go in the other direction and bleat like a kid. It will be all right, + I assure you.’ + </p> + <p> + The shepherd was walking slowly, driving the bull before him, when he + suddenly heard a loud baa amongst the bushes far away on one side of the + path, and a feeble bleat answering it from the other side. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, it must be the sheep and the kid that I lost,’ said he. ‘Yes, surely + it must’; and tying the bull hastily to a tree, he went off after the + sheep and the kid, and searched the wood till he was tired. Of course by + the time he came back the two thieves had driven the bull home and killed + him for meat, so the man was obliged to go to his master and confess that + he had been tricked again. + </p> + <p> + After this the Black Rogue and the Shifty Lad grew bolder and bolder, and + stole great quantities of cattle and sold them and grew quite rich. One + day they were returning from the market with a large sum of money in their + pockets when they passed a gallows erected on the top of a hill. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us stop and look at that gallows,’ exclaimed the Shifty Lad. ‘I have + never seen one so close before. Yet some say that it is the end of all + thieves.’ + </p> + <p> + There was no one in sight, and they carefully examined every part of it. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wonder how it feels to be hanged,’ said the Shifty Lad. ‘I should like + to know, in case they ever catch me. I’ll try first, and then you can do + so.’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he fastened the loose cord about his neck, and when it was + quite secure he told the Black Rogue to take the other end of the rope and + draw him up from the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I am tired of it I will shake my legs, and then you must let me + down,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + The Black Rogue drew up the rope, but in half a minute the Shifty Lad’s + legs began to shake, and he quickly let it down again. + </p> + <p> + ‘You can’t imagine what a funny feeling hanging gives you,’ murmured the + Shifty Lad, who looked rather purple in the face and spoke in an odd + voice. ‘I don’t think you have every tried it, or you wouldn’t have let me + go up first. Why, it is the pleasantest thing I have ever done. I was + shaking my legs from sheer delight, and if you had been there you would + have shaken your legs too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, let me try, if it is so nice,’ answered the Black Rogue. ‘But be + sure you tie the knot securely, for I don’t want to fall down and break my + neck.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I will see to that!’ replied the Shifty Lad. ‘When you are tired, + just whistle, and I’ll let you down.’ + </p> + <p> + So the Black Rogue was drawn up, and as soon as he was as high as the rope + would allow him to go the Shifty Lad called to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t forest to whistle when you want to come down; but if you are + enjoying yourself as I did, shake your legs.’ + </p> + <p> + And in a moment the Black Rogue’s legs began to shake and to kick, and the + Shifty Lad stood below, watching him and laughing heartily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, how funny you are! If you could only see yourself! Oh, you ARE funny! + But when you have had enough, whistle and you shall be let down’; and he + rocked again with laughter. + </p> + <p> + But no whistle came, and soon the legs ceased to shake and to kick, for + the Black Gallows Bird was dead, as the Shifty Lad intended he should be. + </p> + <p> + Then he went home to the Black Rogue’s wife, and told her that her husband + was dead, and that he was ready to marry her if she liked. But the woman + had been fond of the Black Rogue, thief though he was, and she shrank from + the Shifty Lad in horror, and set the people after him, and he had to fly + to another part of the country where none knew of his doings. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps if the Shifty Lad’s mother knew anything of this, she may have + thought that by this time her son might be tired of stealing, and ready to + try some honest trade. But in reality he loved the tricks and danger, and + life would have seemed very dull without them. So he went on just as + before, and made friends whom he taught to be as wicked as himself, till + they took to robbing the king’s storehouses, and by the advice of the Wise + Man the king sent out soldiers to catch the band of thieves. + </p> + <p> + For a long while they tried in vain to lay hands on them. The Shifty Lad + was too clever for them all, and if they laid traps he laid better ones. + At last one night he stole upon some soldiers while they were asleep in a + barn and killed them, and persuaded the villagers that if THEY did not + kill the other soldiers before morning they would certainly be killed + themselves. Thus it happened that when the sun rose not a single soldier + was alive in the village. + </p> + <p> + Of course this news soon reached the king’s ears, and he was very angry, + and summoned the Wise Man to take counsel with him. And this was the + counsel of the Wise Man—that he should invite all the people in the + countryside to a ball, and among them the bold and impudent thief would be + sure to come, and would be sure to ask the king’s daughter to dance with + him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your counsel is good,’ said the king, who made his feast and prepared for + his ball; and all the people of the countryside were present, and the + Shifty Lad came with them. + </p> + <p> + When everyone had eaten and drunk as much as they wanted they went into + the ballroom. There was a great throng, and while they were pressing + through the doorway the Wise Man, who had a bottle of black ointment + hidden in his robes, placed a tiny dot on the cheek of the Shifty Lad near + his ear. The Shifty Lad felt nothing, but as he approached the king’s + daughter to ask her to be his partner he caught sight of the black dot in + a silver mirror. Instantly he guessed who had put it there and why, but he + said nothing, and danced so beautifully that the princess was quite + delighted with him. At the end of the dance he bowed low to his partner + and left her, to mingle with the crowd that was filling the doorway. As he + passed the Wise Man he contrived not only to steal the bottle but to place + two black dots on his face, and one on the faces of twenty other men. Then + he slipped the bottle back in the Wise Man’s robe. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by he went up to the king’s daughter again, and begged for the + honour of another dance. She consented, and while he was stooping to tie + the ribbons on his shoe she took out from her pocket another bottle, which + the Wizard had given her, and put a black dot on his cheek. But she was + not as skilful as the Wise Man, and the Shifty Lad felt the touch of her + fingers; so as soon as the dance was over he contrived to place a second + black dot on the faces of the twenty men and two more on the Wizard, after + which he slipped the bottle into her pocket. + </p> + <p> + At length the ball came to an end, and then the king ordered all the doors + to be shut, and search made for a man with two black dots on his cheek. + The chamberlain went among the guests, and soon found such a man, but just + as he was going to arrest him and bring him before the king his eye fell + on another with the same mark, and another, and another, till he had + counted twenty—besides the Wise Man—on whose face were found + spots. + </p> + <p> + Not knowing what to do, the chamberlain hurried back with his tale to the + king, who immediately sent for the Wise Man, and then for his daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘The thief must have stolen your bottle,’ said the king to the Wizard. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, my lord, it is here,’ answered the Wise Man, holding it out. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then he must have got yours,’ he cried, turning to his daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed, father, it is safe in my pocket,’ replied she, taking it out as + she spoke; and they all three looked at each other and remained silent. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said the king at last, ‘the man who has done this is cleverer than + most men, and if he will make himself known to me he shall marry the + princess and govern half my kingdom while I am alive, and the whole of it + when I am dead. Go and announce this in the ballroom,’ he added to an + attendant, ‘and bring the fellow hither.’ + </p> + <p> + So the attendant went into the ballroom and did as the king had bidden + him, when, to his surprise, not one man, but twenty, stepped forward, all + with black dots on their faces. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am the person you want,’ they all exclaimed at once, and the attendant, + as much bewildered as the chamberlain had been, desired them to follow him + into the king’s presence. + </p> + <p> + But the question was too difficult for the king to decide, so he called + together his council. For hours they talked, but to no purpose, and in the + end they hit upon a plan which they might just as well have thought of at + the beginning. + </p> + <p> + And this was the plan. A child was to be brought to the palace, and next + the king’s daughter would give her an apple. Then the child was to take + the apple and be led into a room where the twenty men with the black dots + were sitting in a ring. And to whomsoever the child gave the apple, that + man should marry the king’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course,’ said the king, ‘it may not be the right man, after all, but + then again it MAY be. Anyhow, it is the best we can do.’ + </p> + <p> + The princess herself led the child into the room where the twenty men were + now seated. She stood in the centre of the ring for a moment, looking at + one man after another, and then held out the apple to the Shifty Lad, who + was twisting a shaving of wood round his finger, and had the mouthpiece of + a bagpipe hanging from his neck. + </p> + <p> + ‘You ought not to have anything which the others have not got,’ said the + chamberlain, who had accompanied the princess; and he bade the child stand + outside for a minute, while he took away the shaving and the mouthpiece, + and made the Shifty Lad change his place. Then he called the child in, but + the little girl knew him again, and went straight up to him with the + apple. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is the man whom the child has twice chosen,’ said the chamberlain, + signing to the Shifty Lad to kneel before the king. ‘It was all quite + fair; we tried it twice over.’ In this way the Shifty Lad won the king’s + daughter, and they were married the next day. + </p> + <p> + A few days later the bride and bridegroom were taking a walk together, and + the path led down to the river, and over the river was a bridge. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what bridge may this be?’ asked the Shifty Lad; and the princess told + him that this was the bridge of Dublin. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it indeed?’ cried he. ‘Well, now, many is the time that my mother has + said, when I played her a trick, that my end would be that I should hang + on the bridge of Dublin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, if you want to fulfil her prophecies,’ laughed the princess, ‘you + have only to let me tie my handkerchief round your ankle, and I will hold + you as you hang over the wall of the bridge.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That would be fine fun,’ said he; ‘but you are not strong enough to hold + me up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes, I am,’ said the princess; ‘just try.’ So at last he let her bind + the handkerchief round his ankle and hang him over the wall, and they both + laughed and jested at the strength of the princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now pull me up again,’ called he; but as he spoke a great cry arose that + the palace was burning. The princess turned round with a start, and let go + her handkerchief, and the Shifty Lad fell, and struck his head on a stone, + and died in an instant. + </p> + <p> + So his mother’s prophecy had come true, after all. + </p> + <p> + West Highland Tales. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The False Prince and the True + </h2> + <p> + The king had just awakened from his midday sleep, for it was summer, and + everyone rose early and rested from twelve to three, as they do in hot + countries. He had dressed himself in cool white clothes, and was passing + through the hall on his way to the council chamber, when a number of young + nobles suddenly appeared before him, and one amongst them stepped forward + and spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sire, this morning we were all playing tennis in the court, the prince + and this gentleman with the rest, when there broke out some dispute about + the game. The prince lost his temper, and said many insulting things to + the other, who was playing against him, till at length the gentleman whom + you see there struck him violently in the face, so that the blood ran from + his mouth and nose. We were all so horrified at the sight, that we should + most likely have killed the man then and there, for daring to lay hands on + the prince, had not his grandfather the duke stepped between and commanded + us to lay the affair before you.’ + </p> + <p> + The king had listened attentively to the story, and when it was ended he + said: + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose the prince had no arms with him, or else he would have used + them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sire, he had arms; he always carries a dagger in his belt. But when + he saw the blood pouring from his face, he went to a corner of the court + and began to cry, which was the strangest thing of all.’ + </p> + <p> + On hearing this the king walked to the window and stood for a few minutes + with his back to the room, where the company of young men remained silent. + Then he came back, his face white and stern. + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you,’ he said, ‘and it is the solemn truth, that I would rather + you had told me that the prince was dead, though he is my only son, than + know that he would suffer such an injury without attempting to avenge it. + As for the gentleman who struck him, he will be brought before my judges, + and will plead his own cause, but I hardly think he can escape death, + after having assaulted the heir to the crown.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man raised his head as if to reply, but the king would not + listen, and commanded his guards to put him under arrest, adding, however, + that if the prisoner wished to visit any part of the city, he was at + liberty to do so properly guarded, and in fifteen days he would be brought + to trial before the highest judges in the land. + </p> + <p> + The young man left the king’s presence, surrounded by soldiers, and + accompanied by many of his friends, for he was a great favourite. By their + advice he spent the fourteen days that remained to him going about to seek + counsel from wise men of all sorts, as to how he might escape death, but + no one could help him, for none could find any excuse for the blow he had + given to the prince. + </p> + <p> + The fourteenth night had come, and in despair the prisoner went out to + take his last walk through the city. He wandered on hardly knowing where + he went, and his face was so white and desperate that none of his + companions dared speak to him. The sad little procession had passed some + hours in this manner, when, near the gate of a monastery, an old woman + appeared round a corner, and suddenly stood before the young man. She was + bent almost double, and was so wizened and wrinkled that she looked at + least ninety; only her eyes were bright and quick as those of a girl. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I know all that has happened to you, and how you are + seeking if in any wise you can save your life. But there is none that can + answer that question save only I myself, if you will promise to do all I + ask.’ + </p> + <p> + At her words the prisoner felt as if a load had all at once been rolled + off him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, save me, and I will do anything!’ he cried. ‘It is so hard to leave + the world and go out into the darkness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will not need to do that,’ answered the old woman, ‘you have only got + to marry me, and you will soon be free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Marry you?’ exclaimed he, ‘but—but—I am not yet twenty, and + you —why, you must be a hundred at least! Oh, no, it is quite + impossible.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke without thinking, but the flash of anger which darted from her + eyes made him feel uncomfortable. However, all she said was: + </p> + <p> + ‘As you like; since you reject me, let the crows have you,’ and hurried + away down the street. + </p> + <p> + Left to himself, the full horror of his coming death rushed upon the young + man, and he understood that he had thrown away his sole chance of life. + Well, if he must, he must, he said to himself, and began to run as fast as + he could after the old crone, who by this time could scarcely be seen, + even in the moonlight. Who would have believed a woman past ninety could + walk with such speed? It seemed more like flying! But at length, + breathless and exhausted, he reached her side, and gasped out: + </p> + <p> + ‘Madam, pardon me for my hasty words just now; I was wrong, and will + thankfully accept the offer you made me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I thought you would come to your senses,’ answered she, in rather an + odd voice. ‘We have no time to lose—follow me at once,’ and they + went on silently and swiftly till they stopped at the door of a small + house in which the priest lived. Before him the old woman bade the + prisoner swear that she should be his wife, and this he did in the + presence of witnesses. Then, begging the priest and the guards to leave + them alone for a little, she told the young man what he was to do, when + the next morning he was brought before the king and the judges. + </p> + <p> + The hall was full to overflowing when the prisoner entered it, and all + marvelled at the brightness of his face. The king inquired if he had any + excuse to plead for the high treason he had committed by striking the heir + to the throne, and, if so, to be quick in setting it forth. With a low bow + the youth made answer in a clear voice: + </p> + <p> + ‘O my lord and gracious king, and you, nobles and wise men of the land, I + leave my cause without fear in your hands, knowing that you will listen + and judge rightly, and that you will suffer me to speak to the end, before + you give judgment. + </p> + <p> + ‘For four years, you, O king, had been married to the queen and yet had no + children, which grieved you greatly. The queen saw this, and likewise that + your love was going from her, and thought night and day of some plan that + might put an end to this evil. At length, when you were away fighting in + distant countries, she decided what she would do, and adopted in secret + the baby of a poor quarryman, sending a messenger to tell you that you had + a son. No one suspected the truth except a priest to whom the queen + confessed the truth, and in a few weeks she fell ill and died, leaving the + baby to be brought up as became a prince. And now, if your highness will + permit me, I will speak of myself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What you have already told me,’ answered the king, ‘is so strange that I + cannot imagine what more there is to tell, but go on with your story.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One day, shortly after the death of the queen,’ continued the young man, + ‘your highness was hunting, and outstripped all your attendants while + chasing the deer. You were in a part of the country which you did not + know, so seeing an orchard all pink and white with apple-blossoms, and a + girl tossing a ball in one corner, you went up to her to ask your way. But + when she turned to answer you, you were so struck with her beauty that all + else fled from your mind. Again and again you rode back to see her, and at + length persuaded her to marry you. She only thought you a poor knight, and + agreed that as you wished it, the marriage should be kept secret. + </p> + <p> + ‘After the ceremony you gave her three rings and a charm with a cross on + it, and then put her in a cottage in the forest, thinking to hide the + matter securely. + </p> + <p> + ‘For some months you visited the cottage every week; but a rebellion broke + out in a distant part of the kingdom, and called for your presence. When + next you rode up to the cottage, it was empty, and none could inform you + whither your bride had gone. That, sire, I can now tell you,’ and the + young man paused and looked at the king, who coloured deeply. ‘She went + back to her father the old duke, once your chamberlain, and the cross on + her breast revealed at once who you were. Fierce was his anger when he + heard his daughter’s tale, and he vowed that he would hide her safely from + you, till the day when you would claim her publicly as your queen. + </p> + <p> + ‘By and bye I was born, and was brought up by my grandfather in one of his + great houses. Here are the rings you gave to my mother, and here is the + cross, and these will prove if I am your son or not.’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke the young man laid the jewels at the feet of the king, and the + nobles and the judges pressed round to examine them. The king alone did + not move from his seat, for he had forgotten the hall of justice and all + about him, and saw only the apple-orchard, as it was twenty years ago, and + the beautiful girl playing at ball. A sudden silence round him made him + look up, and he found the eyes of the assembly fixed on him. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true; it is he who is my son, and not the other,’ he said with an + effort, ‘and let every man present swear to acknowledge him as king, after + my death.’ + </p> + <p> + Therefore one by one they all knelt before him and took the oath, and a + message was sent to the false prince, forbidding him ever again to appear + at court, though a handsome pension was granted him. + </p> + <p> + At last the ceremony was over, and the king, signing to his newly found + son to follow him, rose and went into another room. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me how you knew all that,’ he said, throwing himself into a carved + chair filled with crimson cushions, and the prince told of his meeting + with the old woman who had brought him the jewels from his mother, and how + he had sworn before a priest to marry her, though he did not want to do + it, on account of the difference in their ages, and besides, he would + rather receive a bride chosen by the king himself. But the king frowned, + and answered sharply: + </p> + <p> + ‘You swore to marry her if she saved your life, and, come what may, you + must fulfil your promise.’ Then, striking a silver shield that hung close + by, he said to the equerry who appeared immediately: + </p> + <p> + ‘Go and seek the priest who lives near the door of the prison, and ask him + where you can find the old woman who visited him last night; and when you + have found her, bring her to the palace.’ + </p> + <p> + It took some time to discover the whereabouts of the old woman, but at + length it was accomplished, and when she arrived at the palace with the + equerry, she was received with royal honours, as became the bride of the + prince. The guards looked at each other with astonished eyes, as the + wizened creature, bowed with age, passed between their lines; but they + were more amazed still at the lightness of her step as she skipped up the + steps to the great door before which the king was standing, with the + prince at his side. If they both felt a shock at the appearance of the + aged lady they did not show it, and the king, with a grave bow, took her + band, and led her to the chapel, where a bishop was waiting to perform the + marriage ceremony. + </p> + <p> + For the next few weeks little was seen of the prince, who spent all his + days in hunting, and trying to forget the old wife at home. As for the + princess, no one troubled himself about her, and she passed the days alone + in her apartments, for she had absolutely declined the services of the + ladies-in-waiting whom the king had appointed for her. + </p> + <p> + One night the prince returned after a longer chase than usual, and he was + so tired that he went up straight to bed. Suddenly he was awakened by a + strange noise in the room, and suspecting that a robber might have stolen + in, he jumped out of bed, and seized his sword, which lay ready to his + hand. Then he perceived that the noise proceeded from the next room, which + belonged to the princess, and was lighted by a burning torch. Creeping + softly to the door, he peeped through it, and beheld her lying quietly, + with a crown of gold and pearls upon her head, her wrinkles all gone, and + her face, which was whiter than the snow, as fresh as that of a girl of + fourteen. Could that really be his wife—that beautiful, beautiful + creature? + </p> + <p> + The prince was still gazing in surprise when the lady opened her eyes and + smiled at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I really am your wife,’ she said, as if she had guessed his + thoughts, ‘and the enchantment is ended. Now I must tell you who I am, and + what befell to cause me to take the shape of an old woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘The king of Granada is my father, and I was born in the palace which + overlooks the plain of the Vega. I was only a few months old when a wicked + fairy, who had a spite against my parents, cast a spell over me, bending + my back and wrinkling my skin till I looked as if I was a hundred years + old, and making me such an object of disgust to everyone, that at length + the king ordered my nurse to take my away from the palace. She was the + only person who cared about me, and we lived together in this city on a + small pension allowed me by the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I was about three an old man arrived at our house, and begged my + nurse to let him come in and rest, as he could walk no longer. She saw + that he was very ill, so put him to bed and took such care of him that by + and bye he was as strong as ever. In gratitude for her goodness to him, he + told her that he was a wizard and could give her anything she chose to ask + for, except life or death, so she answered that what she longed for most + in the world was that my wrinkled skin should disappear, and that I should + regain the beauty with which I was born. To this he replied that as my + misfortune resulted from a spell, this was rather difficult, but he would + do his best, and at any rate he could promise that before my fifteenth + birthday I should be freed from the enchantment if I could get a man who + would swear to marry me as I was. + </p> + <p> + ‘As you may suppose, this was not easy, as my ugliness was such that no + one would look at me a second time. My nurse and I were almost in despair, + as my fifteenth birthday was drawing near, and I had never so much as + spoken to a man. At last we received a visit from the wizard, who told us + what had happened at court, and your story, bidding me to put myself in + your way when you had lost all hope, and offer to save you if you would + consent to marry me. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my history, and now you must beg the king to send messengers at + once to Granada, to inform my father of our marriage, and I think,’ she + added with a smile, ‘that he will not refuse us his blessing.’ + </p> + <p> + Adapted from the Portuguese. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Jogi’s Punishment + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there came to the ancient city of Rahmatabad a jogi[FN#1: + A Hindu holy man.] of holy appearance, who took up his abode under a tree + outside the city, where he would sit for days at a time fasting from food + and drink, motionless except for the fingers that turned restlessly his + string of beads. The fame of such holiness as this soon spread, and daily + the citizens would flock to see him, eager to get his blessing, to watch + his devotions, or to hear his teaching, if he were in the mood to speak. + Very soon the rajah himself heard of the jogi, and began regularly to + visit him to seek his counsel and to ask his prayers that a son might be + vouchsafed to him. Days passed by, and at last the rajah became so + possessed with the thought of the holy man that he determined if possible + to get him all to himself. So he built in the neighbourhood a little + shrine, with a room or two added to it, and a small courtyard closely + walled up; and, when all was ready, besought the jogi to occupy it, and to + receive no other visitors except himself and his queen and such pupils as + the jogi might choose, who would hand down his teaching. To this the jogi + consented; and thus he lived for some time upon the king’s bounty, whilst + the fame of his godliness grew day by day. + </p> + <p> + Now, although the rajah of Rahmatabad had no son, he possessed a daughter, + who as she grew up became the most beautiful creature that eye ever rested + upon. Her father had long before betrothed her to the son of the + neighbouring rajah of Dilaram, but as yet she had not been married to him, + and lived the quiet life proper to a maiden of her beauty and position. + The princess had of course heard of the holy man and of his miracles and + his fasting, and she was filled with curiosity to see and to speak to him; + but this was difficult, since she was not allowed to go out except into + the palace grounds, and then was always closely guarded. However, at + length she found an opportunity, and made her way one evening alone to the + hermit’s shrine. + </p> + <p> + Unhappily, the hermit was not really as holy as he seemed; for no sooner + did he see the princess than he fell in love with her wonderful beauty, + and began to plot in his heart how he could win her for his wife. But the + maiden was not only beautiful, she was also shrewd; and as soon as she + read in the glance of the jogi the love that filled his soul, she sprang + to her feet, and, gathering her veil about her, ran from the place as fast + as she could. The jogi tried to follow, but he was no match for her; so, + beside himself with rage at finding that he could not overtake her, he + flung at her a lance, which wounded her in the leg. The brave princess + stooped for a second to pluck the lance out of the wound, and then ran on + until she found herself safe at home again. There she bathed and bound up + the wound secretly, and told no one how naughty she had been, for she knew + that her father would punish her severely. + </p> + <p> + Next day, when the king went to visit the jogi, the holy man would neither + speak to nor look at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked the king. ‘Won’t you speak to me to-day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have nothing to say that you would care to hear,’ answered the jogi. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why?’ said the king. ‘Surely you know that I value all that you say, + whatever it may be.’ + </p> + <p> + But still the jogi sat with his face turned away, and the more the king + pressed him the more silent and mysterious he became. At last, after much + persuasion, he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me tell you, then, that there is in this city a creature which, if + you do not put an end to it, will kill every single person in the place.’ + </p> + <p> + The king, who was easily frightened, grew pale. + </p> + <p> + ‘What?’ he gasped—‘what is this dreadful thing? How am I to know it + and to catch it? Only counsel me and help me, and I will do all that you + advise.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ replied the jogi, ‘it is indeed dreadful. It is in the shape of a + beautiful girl, but it is really an evil spirit. Last evening it came to + visit me, and when I looked upon it its beauty faded into hideousness, its + teeth became horrible fangs, its eyes glared like coals of fire, great + claws sprang from its slender fingers, and were I not what I am it might + have consumed me.’ + </p> + <p> + The king could hardly speak from alarm, but at last he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘How am I to distinguish this awful thing when I see it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Search,’ said the jogi, ‘for a lovely girl with a lance wound in her leg, + and when she is found secure her safely and come and tell me, and I will + advise you what to do next.’ + </p> + <p> + Away hurried the king, and soon set all his soldiers scouring the country + for a girl with a lance wound in her left. For two days the search went + on, and then it was somehow discovered that the only person with a lance + wound in the leg was the princess herself. The king, greatly agitated, + went off to tell the jogi, and to assure him that there must be some + mistake. But of course the jogi was prepared for this, and had his answer + ready. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is not really your daughter, who was stolen away at her birth, but an + evil spirit that has taken her form,’ said he solemnly. ‘You can do what + you like, but if you don’t take my advice she will kill you all.’ And so + solemn he appeared, and so unshaken in his confidence, that the king’s + wisdom was blinded, and he declared that he would do whatever the jogi + advised, and believe whatever he said. So the jogi directed him to send + him secretly two carpenters; and when they arrived he set them to make a + great chest, so cunningly jointed and put together that neither air nor + water could penetrate it. There and then the chest was made, and, when it + was ready, the jogi bade the king to bring the princess by night; and they + two thrust the poor little maiden into the chest and fastened it down with + long nails, and between them carried it to the river and pushed it out + into the stream. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the jogi got back from this deed he called two of his pupils, + and pretended that it had been revealed to him that there should be found + floating on the river a chest with something of great price within it; and + he bade them go and watch for it at such a place far down the stream, and + when the chest came slowly along, bobbing and turning in the tide, they + were to seize it and secretly and swiftly bring it to him, for he was now + determined to put the princess to death himself. The pupils set off at + once, wondering at the strangeness of their errand, and still more at the + holiness of the jogi to whom such secrets were revealed. + </p> + <p> + It happened that, as the next morning was dawning, the gallant young + prince of Dilaram was hunting by the banks of the river, with a great + following of wazirs, attendants, and huntsmen, and as he rode he saw + floating on the river a large chest, which came slowly along, bobbing and + turning in the tide. Raising himself in his saddle, he gave an order, and + half a dozen men plunged into the water and drew the chest out on to the + river bank, where every one crowded around to see what it could contain. + The prince was certainly not the least curious among them; but he was a + cautious young man, and, as he prepared to open the chest himself, he bade + all but a few stand back, and these few to draw their swords, so as to be + prepared in case the chest should hold some evil beast, or djinn, or + giant. When all were ready and expectant, the prince with his dagger + forced open the lid and flung it back, and there lay, living and + breathing, the most lovely maiden he had ever seen in his life. + </p> + <p> + Although she was half stifled from her confinement in the chest, the + princess speedily revived, and, when she was able to sit up, the prince + began to question her as to who she was and how she came to be shut up in + the chest and set afloat upon the water; and she, blushing and trembling + to find herself in the presence of so many strangers, told him that she + was the princess of Rahmatabad, and that she had been put into the chest + by her own father. When he on his part told her that he was the prince of + Dilaram, the astonishment of the young people was unbounded to find that + they, who had been betrothed without ever having seen one another, should + have actually met for the first time in such strange circumstances. In + fact, the prince was so moved by her beauty and modest ways that he called + up his wazirs and demanded to be married at once to this lovely lady who + had so completely won his heart. And married they were then and there upon + the river bank, and went home to the prince’s palace, where, when the + story was told, they were welcomed by the old rajah, the prince’s father, + and the remainder of the day was given over to feasting and rejoicing. But + when the banquet was over, the bride told her husband that now, on the + threshold of their married life, she had more to relate of her adventures + than he had given her the opportunity to tell as yet; and then, without + hiding anything, she informed him of all that happened to her from the + time she had stolen out to visit the wicked jogi. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the prince called his chief wazir and ordered him to shut + up in the chest in which the princess had been found a great monkey that + lived chained up in the palace, and to take the chest back to the river + and set it afloat once more and watch what became of it. So the monkey was + caught and put into the chest, and some of the prince’s servants took it + down to the river and pushed it off into the water. Then they followed + secretly a long way off to see what became of it. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the jogi’s two pupils watched and watched for the chest until + they were nearly tired of watching, and were beginning to wonder whether + the jogi was right after all, when on the second day they spied the great + chest coming floating on the river, slowly bobbing and turning in the + tide; and instantly a great joy and exultation seized them, for they + thought that here indeed was further proof of the wonderful wisdom of + their master. With some difficulty they secured the chest, and carried it + back as swiftly and secretly as possible to the jogi’s house. As soon as + they brought in the chest, the jogi, who had been getting very cross and + impatient, told them to put it down, and to go outside whilst he opened + the magic chest. + </p> + <p> + ‘And even if you hear cries and sounds, however alarming, you must on no + account enter,’ said the jogi, walking over to a closet where lay the + silken cord that was to strangle the princess. + </p> + <p> + And the two pupils did as they were told, and went outside and shut close + all the doors. Presently they heard a great outcry within and the jogi’s + voice crying aloud for help; but they dared not enter, for had they not + been told that whatever the noise, they must not come in? So they sat + outside, waiting and wondering; and at last all grew still and quiet, and + remained so for such a long time that they determined to enter and see if + all was well. No sooner had they opened the door leading into the + courtyard than they were nearly upset by a huge monkey that came leaping + straight to the doorway and escaped past them into the open fields. Then + they stepped into the room, and there they saw the jogi’s body lying torn + to pieces on the threshold of his dwelling! + </p> + <p> + Very soon the story spread, as stories will, and reached the ears of the + princess and her husband, and when she knew that her enemy was dead she + made her peace with her father. + </p> + <p> + From Major Campbell, Feroshepore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Heart of a Monkey + </h2> + <p> + A long time ago a little town made up of a collection of low huts stood in + a tiny green valley at the foot of a cliff. Of course the people had taken + great care to build their houses out of reach of the highest tide which + might be driven on shore by a west wind, but on the very edge of the town + there had sprung up a tree so large that half its boughs hung over the + huts and the other half over the deep sea right under the cliff, where + sharks loved to come and splash in the clear water. The branches of the + tree itself were laden with fruit, and every day at sunrise a big grey + monkey might have been seen sitting in the topmost branches having his + breakfast, and chattering to himself with delight. + </p> + <p> + After he had eaten all the fruit on the town side of the tree the monkey + swung himself along the branches to the part which hung over the water. + While he was looking out for a nice shady place where he might perch + comfortably he noticed a shark watching him from below with greedy eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can I do anything for you, my friend?’ asked the monkey politely. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! if you only would thrown me down some of those delicious things, I + should be so grateful,’ answered the shark. ‘After you have lived on fish + for fifty years you begin to feel you would like a change. And I am so + very, very tired of the taste of salt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I don’t like salt myself,’ said the monkey; ‘so if you will open + your mouth I will throw this beautiful juicy kuyu into it,’ and, as he + spoke, he pulled one off the branch just over his head. But it was not so + easy to hit the shark’s mouth as he supposed, even when the creature had + turned on his back, and the first kuyu only struck one of his teeth and + rolled into the water. However, the second time the monkey had better + luck, and the fruit fell right in. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, how good!’ cried the shark. ‘Send me another, please.’ And the monkey + grew tired of picking the kuyu long before the shark was tired of eating + them. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is getting late, and I must be going home to my children,’ he said, at + length, ‘but if you are here at the same time to-morrow I will give you + another treat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, thank you,’ said the shark, showing all his great ugly teeth + as he grinned with delight; ‘you can’t guess how happy you have made me,’ + and he swam away into the shadow, hoping to sleep away the time till the + monkey came again. + </p> + <p> + For weeks the monkey and the shark breakfasted together, and it was a + wonder that the tree had any fruit left for them. They became fast + friends, and told each other about their homes and their children, and how + to teach them all they ought to know. By and bye the monkey became rather + discontented with his green house in a grove of palms beyond the town, and + longed to see the strange things under the sea which he had heard of from + the shark. The shark perceived this very clearly, and described greater + marvels, and the monkey as he listened grew more and more gloomy. + </p> + <p> + Matters were in this state when one day the shark said: ‘I really hardly + know how to thank you for all your kindness to me during these weeks. Here + I have nothing of my own to offer you, but if you would only consent to + come home with me, how gladly would I give you anything that might happen + to take your fancy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like nothing better,’ cried the monkey, his teeth chattering, as + they always did when he was pleased. ‘But how could I get there? Not by + water. Ugh! It makes me ill to think of it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! don’t let that trouble you,’ replied the shark, ‘you have only to sit + on my back and I will undertake that not a drop of water shall touch you.’ + </p> + <p> + So it was arranged, and directly after breakfast next morning the shark + swam close up under the tree and the monkey dropped neatly on his back, + without even a splash. After a few minutes—for at first he felt a + little frightened at his strange position—the monkey began to enjoy + himself vastly, and asked the shark a thousand questions about the fish + and the sea-weeds and the oddly-shaped things that floated past them, and + as the shark always gave him some sort of answer, the monkey never guessed + that many of the objects they saw were as new to his guide as to himself. + </p> + <p> + The sun had risen and set six times when the shark suddenly said, ‘My + friend, we have now performed half our journey, and it is time that I + should tell you something.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ asked the monkey. ‘Nothing unpleasant, I hope, for you sound + rather grave?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no! Nothing at all. It is only that shortly before we left I heard + that the sultan of my country is very ill, and that the only thing to cure + him is a monkey’s heart.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor man, I am very sorry for him,’ replied the monkey; ‘but you were + unwise not to tell me till we had started.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ asked the shark; but the monkey, who now understood + the whole plot, did not answer at once, for he was considering what he + should say. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you so silent?’ inquired the shark again. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was thinking what a pity it was you did not tell me while I was still + on land, and then I would have brought my heart with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your heart! Why isn’t your heart here?’ said the shark, with a puzzled + expression. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no! Of course not. Is it possible you don’t know that when we leave + home we always hang up our hearts on trees, to prevent their being + troublesome? However, perhaps you won’t believe that, and will just think + I have invented it because I am afraid, so let us go on to your country as + fast as we can, and when we arrive you can look for my heart, and if you + find it you can kill me.’ + </p> + <p> + The monkey spoke in such a calm, indifferent way that the shark was quite + deceived, and began to wish he had not been in such a hurry. + </p> + <p> + ‘But there is no use going on if your heart is not with you,’ he said at + last. ‘We had better turn back to the town, and then you can fetch it.’ + </p> + <p> + Of course, this was just what the monkey wanted, but he was careful not to + seem too pleased. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I don’t know,’ he remarked carelessly, ‘it is such a long way; but + you may be right.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure I am,’ answered the shark, ‘and I will swim as quickly as I + can,’ and so he did, and in three days they caught sight of the kuyu tree + hanging over the water. + </p> + <p> + With a sigh of relief the monkey caught hold of the nearest branch and + swung himself up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait for me here,’ he called out to the shark. ‘I am so hungry I must + have a little breakfast, and then I will go and look for my heart,’ and he + went further and further into the branches so that the shark could not see + him. Then he curled himself up and went to sleep. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you there?’ cried the shark, who was soon tired of swimming about + under the cliff, and was in haste to be gone. + </p> + <p> + The monkey awoke with a start, but did not answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you there?’ called the shark again, louder than before, and in a very + cross voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes. I am here,’ replied the monkey; ‘but I wish you had not wakened + me up. I was having such a nice nap.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you got it?’ asked the shark. ‘It is time we were going.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Going where?’ inquired the monkey. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, to my country, of course, with your heart. You CAN’T have + forgotten!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear friend,’ answered the monkey, with a chuckle, ‘I think you must + be going a little mad. Do you take me for a washerman’s donkey?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t talk nonsense,’ exclaimed the shark, who did not like being laughed + at. ‘What do you mean about a washerman’s donkey? And I wish you would be + quick, or we may be too late to save the sultan.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you really never hear of the washerman’s donkey?’ asked the monkey, + who was enjoying himself immensely. ‘Why, he is the beast who has no + heart. And as I am not feeling very well, and am afraid to start while the + sun is so high lest I should get a sunstroke, if you like, I will come a + little nearer and tell you his story.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said the shark sulkily, ‘if you won’t come, I suppose I may + as well listen to that as do nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + So the monkey began. + </p> + <p> + ‘A washerman once lived in the great forest on the other side of the town, + and he had a donkey to keep him company and to carry him wherever he + wanted to go. For a time they got on very well, but by and bye the donkey + grew lazy and ungrateful for her master’s kindness, and ran away several + miles into the heart of the forest, where she did nothing but eat and eat + and eat, till she grew so fat she could hardly move. + </p> + <p> + ‘One day as she was tasting quite a new kind of grass and wondering if it + was as good as what she had had for dinner the day before, a hare happened + to pass by. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Well, that is a fat creature,” thought she, and turned out of her path + to tell the news to a lion who was a friend of hers. Now the lion had been + very ill, and was not strong enough to go hunting for himself, and when + the hare came and told him that a very fat donkey was to be found only a + few hundred yards off, tears of disappointment and weakness filled his + eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘“What is the good of telling me that?” he asked, in a weepy voice; “you + know I cannot even walk as far as that palm.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Never mind,” answered the hare briskly. “If you can’t go to your dinner + your dinner shall come to you,” and nodding a farewell to the lion she + went back to the donkey. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Good morning,” said she, bowing politely to the donkey, who lifted her + head in surprise. “Excuse my interrupting you, but I have come on very + important business.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Indeed,” answered the donkey, “it is most kind of you to take the + trouble. May I inquire what the business is?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Certainly,” replied the hare. “It is my friend the lion who has heard so + much of your charms and good qualities that he has sent me to beg that you + will give him your paw in marriage. He regrets deeply that he is unable to + make the request in person, but he has been ill and is too weak to move.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Poor fellow! How sad!” said the donkey. “But you must tell him that I + feel honoured by his proposal, and will gladly consent to be Queen of the + Beasts.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Will you not come and tell him so yourself?” asked the hare. + </p> + <p> + ‘Side by side they went down the road which led to the lion’s house. It + took a long while, for the donkey was so fat with eating she could only + walk very slowly, and the hare, who could have run the distance in about + five minutes, was obliged to creep along till she almost dropped with + fatigue at not being able to go at her own pace. When at last they arrived + the lion was sitting up at the entrance, looking very pale and thin. The + donkey suddenly grew shy and hung her head, but the lion put on his best + manners and invited both his visitors to come in and make themselves + comfortable. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very soon the hare got up and said, “Well, as I have another engagement I + will leave you to make acquaintance with your future husband,” and winking + at the lion she bounded away. + </p> + <p> + ‘The donkey expected that as soon as they were left alone the lion would + begin to speak of their marriage, and where they should live, but as he + said nothing she looked up. To her surprise and terror she saw him + crouching in the corner, his eyes glaring with a red light, and with a + loud roar he sprang towards her. But in that moment the donkey had had + time to prepare herself, and jumping on one side dealt the lion such a + hard kick that he shrieked with the pain. Again and again he struck at her + with his claws, but the donkey could bite too, as well as the lion, who + was very weak after his illness, and at last a well-planted kick knocked + him right over, and he rolled on the floor, groaning with pain. The donkey + did not wait for him to get up, but ran away as fast as she could and was + lost in the forest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now the hare, who knew quite well what would happen, had not gone to do + her business, but hid herself in some bushes behind the cave, where she + could hear quite clearly the sounds of the battle. When all was quiet + again she crept gently out, and stole round the corner. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Well, lion, have you killed her?” asked she, running swiftly up the + path. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Killed her, indeed!” answered the lion sulkily, “it is she who has + nearly killed me. I never knew a donkey could kick like that, though I + took care she should carry away the marks of my claws.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Dear me! Fancy such a great fat creature being able to fight!” cried the + hare. “But don’t vex yourself. Just lie still, and your wounds will soon + heal,” and she bade her friend, good bye, and returned to her family. + </p> + <p> + ‘Two or three weeks passed, and only bare places on the donkey’s back + showed where the lion’s claws had been, while, on his side, the lion had + recovered from his illness and was now as strong as ever. He was beginning + to think that it was almost time for him to begin hunting again, when one + morning a rustle was heard in the creepers outside, and the hare’s head + peeped through. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Ah! there is no need to ask how you are,” she said. “Still you mustn’t + overtire yourself, you know. Shall I go and bring you your dinner?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“If you will bring me that donkey I will tear it in two,” cried the lion + savagely, and the hare laughed and nodded and went on her errand. + </p> + <p> + ‘This time the donkey was much further than before, and it took longer to + find her. At last the hare caught sight of four hoofs in the air, and ran + towards them. The donkey was lying on a soft cool bed of moss near a + stream, rolling herself backwards and forwards from pleasure. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Good morning,” said the hare politely, and the donkey got slowly on to + her legs, and looked to see who her visitor could be. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Oh, it is you, is it?” she exclaimed. “Come and have a chat. What news + have you got?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“I mustn’t stay,” answered the hare; “but I promised the lion to beg you + to pay him a visit, as he is not well enough to call on you.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Well, I don’t know,” replied the donkey gloomily, “the last time we went + he scratched me very badly, and really I was quite afraid.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“He was only trying to kiss you,” said the hare, “and you bit him, and of + course that made him cross.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“If I were sure of that,” hesitated the donkey. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Oh, you may be quite sure,” laughed the hare. “I have a large + acquaintance among lions. But let us be quick,” and rather unwillingly the + donkey set out. + </p> + <p> + ‘The lion saw them coming and hid himself behind a large tree. As the + donkey went past, followed by the hare, he sprang out, and with one blow + of his paw stretched the poor foolish creature dead before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Take this meat and skin it and roast it,” he said to the hare; “but my + appetite is not so good as it was, and the only part I want for myself is + the heart. The rest you can either eat yourself or give away to your + friends.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Thank you,” replied the hare, balancing the donkey on her back as well + as she was able, and though the legs trailed along the ground she managed + to drag it to an open space some distance off, where she made a fire and + roasted it. As soon as it was cooked the hare took out the heart and had + just finished eating it when the lion, who was tired of waiting, came up. + </p> + <p> + ‘“I am hungry,” said he. “Bring me the creature’s heart; it is just what I + want for supper.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“But there is no heart,” answered the hare, looking up at the lion with a + puzzled face. + </p> + <p> + ‘“What nonsense!” said the lion. “As if every beast had not got a heart. + What do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“This is a washerman’s donkey,” replied the hare gravely. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Well, and suppose it is?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Oh, fie!” exclaimed the hare. “You, a lion and a grown-up person, and + ask questions like that. If the donkey had had a heart would she be here + now? The first time she came she knew you were trying to kill her, and ran + away. Yet she came back a second time. Well, if she had had a heart would + she have come back a second time? Now would she?” + </p> + <p> + ‘And the lion answered slowly, “No, she would not.” + </p> + <p> + ‘So you think I am a washerman’s donkey?’ said the monkey to the shark, + when the story was ended. ‘You are wrong; I am not. And as the sun is + getting low in the sky, it is time for you to begin your homeward journey. + You will have a nice cool voyage, and I hope you will find the sultan + better. Farewell!’ And the monkey disappeared among the green branches, + and was gone. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Swahili Tales,’ by Edward Steere, LL.D. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Fairy Nurse + </h2> + <p> + There was once a little farmer and his wife living near Coolgarrow. They + had three children, and my story happened while the youngest was a baby. + The wife was a good wife enough, but her mind was all on her family and + her farm, and she hardly ever went to her knees without falling asleep, + and she thought the time spent in the chapel was twice as long as it need + be. So, friends, she let her man and her two children go before her one + day to Mass, while she called to consult a fairy man about a disorder one + of her cows had. She was late at the chapel, and was sorry all the day + after, for her husband was in grief about it, and she was very fond of + him. + </p> + <p> + Late that night he was wakened up by the cries of his children calling out + ‘Mother! Mother!’ When he sat up and rubbed his eyes, there was no wife by + his side, and when he asked the little ones what was become of their + mother, they said they saw the room full of nice little men and women, + dressed in white and red and green, and their mother in the middle of + them, going out by the door as if she was walking in her sleep. Out he + ran, and searched everywhere round the house but, neither tale nor tidings + did he get of her for many a day. + </p> + <p> + Well, the poor man was miserable enough, for he was as fond of his woman + as she was of him. It used to bring the salt tears down his cheeks to see + his poor children neglected and dirty, as they often were, and they’d be + bad enough only for a kind neighbour that used to look in whenever she + could spare time. The infant was away with a nurse. + </p> + <p> + About six weeks after—just as he was going out to his work one + morning—a neighbour, that used to mind women when they were ill, + came up to him, and kept step by step with him to the field, and this is + what she told him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just as I was falling asleep last night, I heard a horse’s tramp on the + grass and a knock at the door, and there, when I came out, was a + fine-looking dark man, mounted on a black horse, and he told me to get + ready in all haste, for a lady was in great want of me. As soon as I put + on my cloak and things, he took me by the hand, and I was sitting behind + him before I felt myself stirring. “Where are we going, sir?” says I. + “You’ll soon know,” says he; and he drew his fingers across my eyes, and + not a ray could I see. I kept a tight grip of him, and I little knew + whether he was going backwards or forwards, or how long we were about it, + till my hand was taken again, and I felt the ground under me. The fingers + went the other way across my eyes, and there we were before a castle door, + and in we went through a big hall and great rooms all painted in fine + green colours, with red and gold bands and ornaments, and the finest + carpets and chairs and tables and window curtains, and grand ladies and + gentlemen walking about. At last we came to a bedroom, with a beautiful + lady in bed, with a fine bouncing boy beside her. The lady clapped her + hands, and in came the Dark Man and kissed her and the baby, and praised + me, and gave me a bottle of green ointment to rub the child all over. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, the child I rubbed, sure enough; but my right eye began to smart, + and I put up my finger and gave it a rub, and then stared, for never in + all my life was I so frightened. The beautiful room was a big, rough cave, + with water oozing over the edges of the stones and through the clay; and + the lady, and the lord, and the child weazened, poverty-bitten creatures—nothing + but skin and bone—and the rich dresses were old rags. I didn’t let + on that I found any difference, and after a bit says the Dark Man, “Go + before me to the hall door, and I will be with you in a few moments, and + see you safe home.” Well, just as I turned into the outside cave, who + should I see watching near the door but poor Molly. She looked round all + terrified, and says she to me in a whisper, “I’m brought here to nurse the + child of the king and queen of the fairies; but there is one chance of + saving me. All the court will pass the cross near Templeshambo next Friday + night, on a visit to the fairies of Old Ross. If John can catch me by the + hand or cloak when I ride by, and has courage not to let go his grip, I’ll + be safe. Here’s the king. Don’t open your mouth to answer. I saw what + happened with the ointment.” + </p> + <p> + ‘The Dark Man didn’t once cast his eye towards Molly, and he seemed to + have no suspicion of me. When we came out I looked about me, and where do + you think we were but in the dyke of the Rath of Cromogue. I was on the + horse again, which was nothing but a big rag-weed, and I was in dread + every minute I’d fall off; but nothing happened till I found myself in my + own cabin. The king slipped five guineas into my hand as soon as I was on + the ground, and thanked me, and bade me good night. I hope I’ll never see + his face again. I got into bed, and couldn’t sleep for a long time; and + when I examined my five guineas this morning, that I left in the table + drawer the last thing, I found five withered leaves of oak—bad luck + to the giver!’ + </p> + <p> + Well, you may all think the fright, and the joy, and the grief the poor + man was in when the woman finished her story. They talked and they talked, + but we needn’t mind what they said till Friday night came, when both were + standing where the mountain road crosses the one going to Ross. + </p> + <p> + There they stood, looking towards the bridge of Thuar, in the dead of the + night, with a little moonlight shining from over Kilachdiarmid. At last + she gave a start, and “By this and by that,” says she, “here they come, + bridles jingling and feathers tossing!” He looked, but could see nothing; + and she stood trembling and her eyes wide open, looking down the way to + the ford of Ballinacoola. “I see your wife,” says she, “riding on the + outside just so as to rub against us. We’ll walk on quietly, as if we + suspected nothing, and when we are passing I’ll give you a shove. If you + don’t do YOUR duty then, woe be with you!” + </p> + <p> + Well, they walked on easy, and the poor hearts beating in both their + breasts; and though he could see nothing, he heard a faint jingle and + trampling and rustling, and at last he got the push that she promised. He + spread out his arms, and there was his wife’s waist within them, and he + could see her plain; but such a hullabulloo rose as if there was an + earthquake, and he found himself surrounded by horrible-looking things, + roaring at him and striving to pull his wife away. But he made the sign of + the cross and bid them begone in God’s name, and held his wife as if it + was iron his arms were made of. Bedad, in one moment everything was as + silent as the grave, and the poor woman lying in a faint in the arms of + her husband and her good neighbour. Well, all in good time she was minding + her family and her business again; and I’ll go bail, after the fright she + got, she spent more time on her knees, and avoided fairy men all the days + of the week, and particularly on Sunday. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to have anything to do with the good people without getting a + mark from them. My brave nurse didn’t escape no more than another. She was + one Thursday at the market of Enniscorthy, when what did she see walking + among the tubs of butter but the Dark Man, very hungry-looking, and taking + a scoop out of one tub and out of another. ‘Oh, sir,’ says she, very + foolish, ‘I hope your lady is well, and the baby.’ ‘Pretty well, thank + you,’ says he, rather frightened like. ‘How do I look in this new suit?’ + says he, getting to one side of her. ‘I can’t see you plain at all, sir,’ + says she. ‘Well, now?’ says he, getting round her back to the other side. + ‘Musha, indeed, sir, your coat looks no better than a withered dock-leaf.’ + ‘Maybe, then,’ says he, ‘it will be different now,’ and he struck the eye + next him with a switch. Friends, she never saw a glimmer after with that + one till the day of her death. + </p> + <p> + ‘Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts,’ by Patrick Kennedy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A Lost Paradise + </h2> + <p> + In the middle of a great forest there lived a long time ago a + charcoal-burner and his wife. They were both young and handsome and + strong, and when they got married, they thought work would never fail + them. But bad times came, and they grew poorer and poorer, and the nights + in which they went hungry to bed became more and more frequent. + </p> + <p> + Now one evening the king of that country was hunting near the + charcoal-burner’s hut. As he passed the door, he heard a sound of sobbing, + and being a good-natured man he stopped to listen, thinking that perhaps + he might be able to give some help. + </p> + <p> + ‘Were there ever two people so unhappy!’ said a woman’s voice. ‘Here we + are, ready to work like slaves the whole day long, and no work can we get. + And it is all because of the curiosity of old mother Eve! If she had only + been like me, who never want to know anything, we should all have been as + happy as kings to-day, with plenty to eat, and warm clothes to wear. Why—’ + but at this point a loud knock interrupted her lamentations. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is there?’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I!’ replied somebody. + </p> + <p> + ‘And who is “I”?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The king. Let me in.’ + </p> + <p> + Full of surprise the woman jumped up and pulled the bar away from the + door. As the king entered, he noticed that there was no furniture in the + room at all, not even a chair, so he pretended to be in too great a hurry + to see anything around him, and only said ‘You must not let me disturb + you. I have no time to stay, but you seemed to be in trouble. Tell me; are + you very unhappy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, my lord, we can find no work and have eaten nothing for two days!’ + answered she. ‘Nothing remains for us but to die of hunger.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, you shan’t do that,’ cried the king, ‘or if you do, it will be + your own fault. You shall come with me into my palace, and you will feel + as if you were in Paradise, I promise you. In return, I only ask one thing + of you, that you shall obey my orders exactly.’ + </p> + <p> + The charcoal-burner and his wife both stared at him for a moment, as if + they could hardly believe their ears; and, indeed, it was not to be + wondered at! Then they found their tongues, and exclaimed together: + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes, yes, my lord! we will do everything you tell us. How could we be + so ungrateful as to disobey you, when you are so kind?’ + </p> + <p> + The king smiled, and his eyes twinkled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, let us start at once,’ said he. ‘Lock your door, and put the key in + your pocket.’ + </p> + <p> + The woman looked as if she thought this was needless, seeing it was quite, + quite certain they would never come back. But she dared not say so, and + did as the king told her. + </p> + <p> + After walking through the forest for a couple of miles, they all three + reached the palace, and by the king’s orders servants led the + charcoal-burner and his wife into rooms filled with beautiful things such + as they had never even dreamed of. First they bathed in green marble baths + where the water looked like the sea, and then they put on silken clothes + that felt soft and pleasant. When they were ready, one of the king’s + special servants entered, and took them into a small hall, where dinner + was laid, and this pleased them better than anything else. + </p> + <p> + They were just about to sit down to the table when the king walked in. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope you have been attended to properly,’ said he, ‘and that you will + enjoy your dinner. My steward will take care you have all you want, and I + wish you to do exactly as you please. Oh, by the bye, there is one thing! + You notice that soup-tureen in the middle of the table? Well, be careful + on no account to lift the lid. If once you take off the cover, there is an + end of your good fortune.’ Then, bowing to his guests, he left the room. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you hear what he said?’ inquired the charcoal-burner in an + awe-stricken voice. ‘We are to have what we want, and do what we please. + Only we must not touch the soup-tureen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, of course we won’t,’ answered the wife. ‘Why should we wish to? But + all the same it is rather odd, and one can’t help wondering what is + inside.’ + </p> + <p> + For many days life went on like a beautiful dream to the charcoal-burner + and his wife. Their beds were so comfortable, they could hardly make up + their minds to get up, their clothes were so lovely they could scarcely + bring themselves to take them off; their dinners were so good that they + found it very difficult to leave off eating. Then outside the palace were + gardens filled with rare flowers and fruits and singing birds, or if they + desired to go further, a golden coach, painted with wreaths of + forget-me-nots and lined with blue satin, awaited their orders. Sometimes + it happened that the king came to see them, and he smiled as he glanced at + the man, who was getting rosier and plumper each day. But when his eyes + rested on the woman, they took on a look which seemed to say ‘I knew it,’ + though this neither the charcoal-burner nor his wife ever noticed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you so silent?’ asked the man one morning when dinner had passed + before his wife had uttered one word. ‘A little while ago you used to be + chattering all the day long, and now I have almost forgotten the sound of + your voice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nothing; I did not feel inclined to talk, that was all!’ She stopped, + and added carelessly after a pause, ‘Don’t you ever wonder what is in that + soup-tureen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, never,’ replied the man. ‘It is no affair of ours,’ and the + conversation dropped once more, but as time went on, the woman spoke less + and less, and seemed so wretched that her husband grew quite frightened + about her. As to her food, she refused one thing after another. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear wife,’ said the man at last, ‘you really must eat something. What + in the world is the matter with you? If you go on like this you will die.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would rather die than not know what is in that tureen,’ she burst forth + so violently that the husband was quite startled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that it?’ cried he; ‘are you making yourself miserable because of + that? Why, you know we should be turned out of the palace, and sent away + to starve.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no, we shouldn’t. The king is too good-natured. Of course he didn’t + mean a little thing like this! Besides, there is no need to lift the lid + off altogether. Just raise one corner so that I may peep. We are quite + alone: nobody will ever know.’ + </p> + <p> + The man hesitated: it did seem a ‘little thing,’ and if it was to make his + wife contented and happy it was well worth the risk. So he took hold of + the handle of the cover and raised it very slowly and carefully, while the + woman stooped down to peep. Suddenly she startled back with a scream, for + a small mouse had sprung from the inside of the tureen, and had nearly hit + her in the eye. Round and round the room it ran, round and round they both + ran after it, knocking down chairs and vases in their efforts to catch the + mouse and put it back in the tureen. In the middle of all the noise the + door opened, and the mouse ran out between the feet of the king. In one + instant both the man and his wife were hiding under the table, and to all + appearance the room was empty. + </p> + <p> + ‘You may as well come out,’ said the king, ‘and hear what I have to say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know what it is,’ answered the charcoal-burner, hanging his head. The + mouse has escaped.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A guard of soldiers will take you back to your hut,’ said the king. ‘Your + wife has the key.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Weren’t they silly?’ cried the grandchildren of the charcoal-burners when + they heard the story. ‘How we wish that we had had the chance! WE should + never have wanted to know what was in the soup-tureen!’ + </p> + <p> + From ‘Litterature Orale de l’Auvergne,’ par Paul Sebillot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves + </h2> + <p> + A little back from the high road there stands a house which is called + ‘Hemgard.’ Perhaps you remember the two beautiful mountain ash trees by + the reddish-brown palings, and the high gate, and the garden with the + beautiful barberry bushes which are always the first to become grown in + spring, and which in summer are weighed down with their beautiful berries. + </p> + <p> + Behind the garden there is a hedge with tall aspens which rustle in the + morning wind, behind the hedge is a road, behind the road is a wood, and + behind the wood the wide world. + </p> + <p> + But on the other side of the garden there is a lake, and beyond the lake + is a village, and all around stretch meadows and fields, now yellow, now + green. + </p> + <p> + In the pretty house, which has white window-frames, a neat porch and clean + steps, which are always strewn with finely-cut juniper leaves, Walter’s + parents live. His brother Frederick, his sister Lotta, old Lena, Jonah, + Caro and Bravo, Putte and Murre, and Kuckeliku. + </p> + <p> + Caro lives in the dog house, Bravo in the stable, Putte with the + stableman, Murre a little here and a little there, and Kuckeliku lives in + the hen house, that is his kingdom. + </p> + <p> + Walter is six years old, and he must soon begin to go to school. He cannot + read yet, but he can do many other things. He can turn cartwheels, stand + on his head, ride see-saw, throw snowballs, play ball, crow like a cock, + eat bread and butter and drink sour milk, tear his trousers, wear holes in + his elbows, break the crockery in pieces, throw balls through the + windowpanes, draw old men on important papers, walk over the flower-beds, + eat himself sick with gooseberries, and be well after a whipping. For the + rest he has a good heart but a bad memory, and forgets his father’s and + his mother’s admonitions, and so often gets into trouble and meets with + adventures, as you shall hear, but first of all I must tell you how brave + he was and how he hunted wolves. + </p> + <p> + Once in the spring, a little before Midsummer, Walter heard that there + were a great many wolves in the wood, and that pleased him. He was + wonderfully brave when he was in the midst of his companions or at home + with his brothers and sister, then he used often to say ‘One wolf is + nothing, there ought to be at least four.’ + </p> + <p> + When he wrestled with Klas Bogenstrom or Frithiof Waderfelt and struck + them in the back, he would say ‘That is what I shall do to a wolf!’ and + when he shot arrows at Jonas and they rattled against his sheepskin coat + he would say: ‘That is how I should shoot you if you were a wolf!’ + </p> + <p> + Indeed, some thought that the brave boy boasted a little; but one must + indeed believe him since he said so himself. So Jonas and Lena used to say + of him ‘Look, there goes Walter, who shoots the wolves.’ And other boys + and girls would say ‘Look, there goes brave Walter, who is brave enough to + fight with four.’ + </p> + <p> + There was no one so fully convinced of this as Walter himself, and one day + he prepared himself for a real wolf hunt. He took with him his drum, which + had holes in one end since the time he had climbed up on it to reach a + cluster of rowan berries, and his tin sabre, which was a little broken, + because he had with incredible courage fought his way through a whole + unfriendly army of gooseberry bushes. + </p> + <p> + He did not forget to arm himself quite to the teeth with his pop-gun, his + bow, and his air-pistol. He had a burnt cork in his pocket to blacken his + moustache, and a red cock’s feather to put in his cap to make himself look + fierce. He had besides in his trouser pocket a clasp knife with a bone + handle, to cut off the ears of the wolves as soon as he had killed them, + for he thought it would be cruel to do that while they were still living. + </p> + <p> + It was such a good thing that Jonas was going with corn to the mill, for + Walter got a seat on the load, while Caro ran barking beside them. As soon + as they came to the wood Walter looked cautiously around him to see + perchance there was a wolf in the bushes, and he did not omit to ask Jonas + if wolves were afraid of a drum. ‘Of course they are’ (that is understood) + said Jonas. Thereupon Walter began to beat his drum with all his might + while they were going through the wood. + </p> + <p> + When they came to the mill Walter immediately asked if there had been any + wolves in the neighbourhood lately. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! yes,’ said the miller, ‘last night the wolves have eaten our + fattest ram there by the kiln not far from here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Walter, ‘do you think that there were many?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We don’t know,’ answered the miller. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, it is all the same,’ said Walter. ‘I only asked so that I should know + if I should take Jonas with me. + </p> + <p> + ‘I could manage very well alone with three, but if there were more, I + might not have time to kill them all before they ran away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In Walter’s place I should go quite alone, it is more manly,’ said Jonas. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, it is better for you to come too,’ said Walter. ‘Perhaps there are + many.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I have not time,’ said Jonas, ‘and besides, there are sure not to be + more than three. Walter can manage them very well alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Walter, ‘certainly I could; but, you see, Jonas, it might + happen that one of them might bite me in the back, and I should have more + trouble in killing them. If I only knew that there were not more than two + I should not mind, for them I should take one in each hand and give them a + good shaking, like Susanna once shook me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I certainly think that there will not be more than two,’ said Jonas, + ‘there are never more than two when they slay children and rams; Walter + can very well shake them without me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, you see, Jonas,’ said Walter, ‘if there are two, it might still + happen that one of them escapes and bites me in the leg, for you see I am + not so strong in the left hand as in the right. You can very well come + with me, and take a good stick in case there are really two. Look, if + there is only one, I shall take him so with both my hands and thrown him + living on to his back, and he can kick as much as he likes, I shall hold + him fast.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, when I really think over the thing,’ said Jonas, ‘I am almost sure + there will not be more than one. What would two do with one ram? There + will certainly not be more than one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you should come with me all the same, Jonas,’ said Walter. ‘You see I + can very well manage one, but I am not quite accustomed to wolves yet, and + he might tear holes in my new trousers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, just listen,’ said Jonas, ‘I am beginning to think that Walter is + not so brave as people say. First of all Walter would fight against four, + and then against three, then two, and then one, and now Walter wants help + with one. Such a thing must never be; what would people say? Perhaps they + would think that Walter is a coward?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s a lie,’ said Walter, ‘I am not at all frightened, but it is more + amusing when there are two. I only want someone who will see how I strike + the wolf and how the dust flies out of his skin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, then, Walter can take the miller’s little Lisa with him. She can + sit on a stone and look on,’ said Jonas. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, she would certainly be frightened,’ said Walter, ‘and how would it do + for a girl to go wolf-hunting? Come with me, Jonas, and you shall have the + skin, and I will be content with the ears and the tail.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, thank you,’ said Jonas, ‘Walter can keep the skin for himself. Now I + see quite well that he is frightened. Fie, shame on him!’ + </p> + <p> + This touched Walter’s pride very near. ‘I shall show that I am not + frightened,’ he said; and so he took his drum, sabre, cock’s feather, + clasp-knife, pop-gun and air-pistol, and went off quite alone to the wood + to hunt wolves. + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful evening, and the birds were singing in all the + branches. Walter went very slowly and cautiously. At every step he looked + all round him to see if perchance there was anything lurking behind the + stones. He quite thought something moved away there in the ditch. Perhaps + it was a wolf. ‘It is better for me to beat the drum a little before I go + there,’ thought Walter. + </p> + <p> + Br-r-r, so he began to beat his drum. Then something moved again. Caw! + caw! a crow flew up from the ditch. Walter immediately regained courage. + ‘It was well I took my drum with me,’ he thought, and went straight on + with courageous steps. Very soon he came quite close to the kiln, where + the wolves had killed the ram. But the nearer he came the more dreadful he + thought the kiln looked. It was so gray and old. Who knew how many wolves + there might be hidden there? Perhaps the very ones which killed the ram + were still sitting there in a corner. Yes, it was not at all safe here, + and there were no other people to be seen in the neighbourhood. It would + be horrible to be eaten up here in the daylight, thought Walter to + himself; and the more he thought about it the uglier and grayer the old + kiln looked, and the more horrible and dreadful it seemed to become the + food of wolves. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall I go back and say that I struck one wolf and it escaped?’ thought + Walter. ‘Fie!’ said his conscience, ‘Do you not remember that a lie is one + of the worst sins, both in the sight of God and man? If you tell a lie + to-day and say you struck a wolf, to-morrow surely it will eat you up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I will go to the kiln,’ thought Walter, and so he went. But he did + not go quite near. He went only so near that he could see the ram’s blood + which coloured the grass red, and some tufts of wool which the wolves had + torn from the back of the poor animal. + </p> + <p> + It looked so dreadful. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wonder what the ram thought when they ate him up,’ thought Walter to + himself; and just then a cold shiver ran through him from his collar right + down to his boots. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is better for me to beat the drum,’ he thought to himself again, and + so he began to beat it. But it sounded horrid, and an echo came out from + the kiln that seemed almost like the howl of a wolf. The drumsticks + stiffened in Walter’s hands, and he thought now they are coming...! + </p> + <p> + Yes, sure enough, just then a shaggy, reddish-brown wolf’s head looked out + from under the kiln! + </p> + <p> + What did Walter do now? Yes, the brave Walter who alone could manage four, + threw his drum far away, took to his heels and ran, and ran as fast as he + could back to the mill. + </p> + <p> + But, alas! the wolf ran after him. Walter looked back; the wolf was + quicker than he and only a few steps behind him. Then Walter ran faster. + But fear got the better of him, he neither heard nor saw anything more. He + ran over sticks, stones and ditches; he lost drum-sticks, sabre, bow, and + air-pistol, and in his terrible hurry he tripped over a tuft of grass. + There he lay, and the wolf jumped on to him.... + </p> + <p> + It was a gruesome tale! Now you may well believe that it was all over with + Walter and all his adventures. That would have been a pity. But do not be + surprised if it was not quite so bad as that, for the wolf was quite a + friendly one. He certainly jumped on to Walter, but he only shook his coat + and rubbed his nose against his face; and Walter shrieked. Yes, he + shrieked terribly! + </p> + <p> + Happily Jonas heard his cry of distress, for Walter was quite near the + mill now, and he ran and helped him up. + </p> + <p> + ‘What has happened?’ he asked. ‘Why did Walter scream so terribly?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A wolf! A wolf!’ cried Walter, and that was all he could say. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is the wolf?’ said Jonas. ‘I don’t see any wolf.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care, he is here, he has bitten me to death,’ groaned Walter. + </p> + <p> + Then Jonas began to laugh; yes, he laughed so that he nearly burst his + skin belt. + </p> + <p> + Well, well, was that the wolf? Was that the wolf which Walter was to take + by the neck and shake and throw down on its back, no matter how much it + struggled? Just look a little closer at him: he is your old friend, your + own good old Caro. I quite expect he found a leg of the ram in the kiln. + When Walter beat his drum, Caro crept out, and when Walter ran away, Caro + ran after him, as he so often does when Walter wants to romp and play. + </p> + <p> + ‘Down, Caro! you ought to be rather ashamed to have put such a great hero + to flight!’ + </p> + <p> + Walter got up feeling very foolish. + </p> + <p> + ‘Down, Caro!’ he said, both relieved and annoyed. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was only a dog, then if it had been a wolf I certainly should have + killed him....’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If Walter would listen to my advice, and boast a little less, and do a + little more,’ said Jonas, consolingly. ‘Walter is not a coward, is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I! You shall see, Jonas, when we next meet a bear. You see I like so much + better to fight with bears.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed!’ laughed Jonas. ‘Are you at it again? + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear Walter, remember that it is only cowards who boast; a really brave + man never talks of his bravery.’ + </p> + <p> + From Z. Topelius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The King of the Waterfalls + </h2> + <p> + When the young king of Easaidh Ruadh came into his kingdom, the first + thing he thought of was how he could amuse himself best. The sports that + all his life had pleased him best suddenly seemed to have grown dull, and + he wanted to do something he had never done before. At last his face + brightened. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know!’ he said. ‘I will go and play a game with the Gruagach.’ Now the + Gruagach was a kind of wicked fairy, with long curly brown hair, and his + house was not very far from the king’s house. + </p> + <p> + But though the king was young and eager, he was also prudent, and his + father had told him on his deathbed to be very careful in his dealings + with the ‘good people,’ as the fairies were called. Therefore before going + to the Gruagach the king sought out a wise man of the countryside. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am wanting to play a game with the curly-haired Gruagach,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you, indeed?’ replied the wizard. ‘If you will take my counsel, you + will play with someone else.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No; I will play with the Gruagach,’ persisted the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, if you must, you must, I suppose,’ answered the wizard; ‘but if you + win that game, ask as a prize the ugly crop-headed girl that stands behind + the door.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will,’ said the king. + </p> + <p> + So before the sun rose he got up and went to the house of the Gruagach, + who was sitting outside. + </p> + <p> + ‘O king, what has brought you here to-day?’ asked the Gruagach. ‘But right + welcome you are, and more welcome will you be still if you will play a + game with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is just what I want,’ said the king, and they played; and sometimes + it seemed as if one would win, and sometimes the other, but in the end it + was the king who was the winner. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what is the prize that you will choose?’ inquired the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + ‘The ugly crop-headed girl that stands behind the door,’ replied the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, there are twenty others in the house, and each fairer than she!’ + exclaimed the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fairer they may be, but it is she whom I wish for my wife, and none + other,’ and the Gruagach saw that the king’s mind was set upon her, so he + entered his house, and bade all the maidens in it come out one by one, and + pass before the king. + </p> + <p> + One by one they came; tall and short, dark and fair, plump and thin, and + each said ‘I am she whom you want. You will be foolish indeed if you do + not take me.’ + </p> + <p> + But he took none of them, neither short nor tall, dark nor fair, plump nor + thin, till at the last the crop-headed girl came out. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is mine,’ said the king, though she was so ugly that most men would + have turned from her. ‘We will be married at once, and I will carry you + home.’ And married they were, and they set forth across a meadow to the + king’s house. As they went, the bride stooped and picked a sprig of + shamrock, which grew amongst the grass, and when she stood upright again + her ugliness had all gone, and the most beautiful woman that ever was seen + stood by the king’s side. + </p> + <p> + The next day, before the sun rose, the king sprang from his bed, and told + his wife he must have another game with the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + ‘If my father loses that game, and you win it,’ said she, ‘accept nothing + for your prize but the shaggy young horse with the stick saddle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will do that,’ answered the king, and he went. + </p> + <p> + ‘Does your bride please you?’ asked the Gruagach, who was standing at his + own door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! does she not!’ answered the king quickly. ‘Otherwise I should be hard + indeed to please. But will you play a game to-day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will,’ replied the Gruagach, and they played, and sometimes it seemed + as if one would win, and sometimes the other, but in the end the king was + the winner. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the prize that you will choose?’ asked the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + ‘The shaggy young horse with the stick saddle,’ answered the king, but he + noticed that the Gruagach held his peace, and his brow was dark as he led + out the horse from the stable. Rough was its mane and dull was its skin, + but the king cared nothing for that, and throwing his leg over the stick + saddle, rode away like the wind. + </p> + <p> + On the third morning the king got up as usual before dawn, and as soon as + he had eaten food he prepared to go out, when his wife stopped him. ‘I + would rather,’ she said, ‘that you did not go to play with the Gruagach, + for though twice you have won yet some day he will win, and then he will + put trouble upon you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! I must have one more game,’ cried the king; ‘just this one.’ And he + went off to the house of the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + Joy filled the heart of the Gruagach when he saw him coming, and without + waiting to talk they played their game. Somehow or other, the king’s + strength and skill had departed from him, and soon the Gruagach was the + victor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Choose your prize,’ said the king, when the game was ended, ‘but do not + be too hard on me, or ask what I cannot give.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The prize I choose,’ answered the Gruagach, ‘is that the crop-headed + creature should take thy head and thy neck, if thou dost not get for me + the Sword of Light that hangs in the house of the king of the oak + windows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will get it,’ replied the young man bravely; but as soon as he was out + of sight of the Gruagach he pretended no more, and his face grew dark and + his steps lagging. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have brought nothing with you to-night,’ said the queen, who was + standing on the steps awaiting him. She was so beautiful that the king was + fain to smile when he looked at her, but then he remembered what had + happened, and his heart grew heavy again. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it? What is the matter? Tell me thy sorrow that I may bear it + with thee, or, it may be, help thee!’ Then the king told her everything + that had befallen him, and she stroked his hair the while. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is nothing to grieve about,’ she said when the tale was finished. + ‘You have the best wife in Erin, and the best horse in Erin. Only do as I + bid you, and all will go well.’ And the king suffered himself to be + comforted. + </p> + <p> + He was still sleeping when the queen rose and dressed herself, to make + everything ready for her husband’s journey; and the first place she went + to was the stable, where she fed and watered the shaggy brown horse and + put the saddle on it. Most people thought this saddle was of wood, and did + not see the little sparkles of gold and silver that were hidden in it. She + strapped it lightly on the horse’s back, and then led it down before the + house, where the king waited. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good luck to you, and victories in all your battles,’ she said, as she + kissed him before he mounted. ‘I need not be telling you anything. Take + the advice of the horse, and see you obey it.’ + </p> + <p> + So he waved his hand and set out on his journey, and the wind was not + swifter than the brown horse—no, not even the March wind which raced + it and could not catch it. But the horse never stopped nor looked behind, + till in the dark of the night he reached the castle of the king of the oak + windows. + </p> + <p> + ‘We are at the end of the journey,’ said the horse, ‘and you will find the + Sword of Light in the king’s own chamber. If it comes to you without + scrape or sound, the token is a good one. At this hour the king is eating + his supper, and the room is empty, so none will see you. The sword has a + knob at the end, and take heed that when you grasp it, you draw it softly + out of its sheath. Now go! I will be under the window.’ + </p> + <p> + Stealthily the young man crept along the passage, pausing now and then to + make sure that no man was following him, and entered the king’s chamber. A + strange white line of light told him where the sword was, and crossing the + room on tiptoe, he seized the knob, and drew it slowly out of the sheath. + The king could hardly breathe with excitement lest it should make some + noise, and bring all the people in the castle running to see what was the + matter. But the sword slid swiftly and silently along the case till only + the point was left touching it. Then a low sound was heard, as of the edge + of a knife touching a silver plate, and the king was so startled that he + nearly dropped the knob. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quick! quick!’ cried the horse, and the king scrambled hastily through + the small window, and leapt into the saddle. + </p> + <p> + ‘He has heard and he will follow,’ said the horse; ‘but we have a good + start,’ And on they sped, on and on, leaving the winds behind them. + </p> + <p> + At length the horse slackened its pace. ‘Look and see who is behind you,’ + it said; and the young man looked. + </p> + <p> + ‘I see a swarm of brown horses racing madly after us,’ he answered. + </p> + <p> + ‘We are swifter than those,’ said the horse, and flew on again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look again, O king! Is anyone coming now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A swarm of black horses, and one has a white face, and on that horse a + man is seated. He is the king of the oak windows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my brother, and swifter still than I,’ said the horse, ‘and he + will fly past me with a rush. Then you must have your sword ready, and + take off the head of the man who sits on him, as he turns and looks at + you. And there is no sword in the world that will cut off his head, save + only that one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will do it,’ replied the king; and he listened with all his might, till + he judged that the white-faced horse was close to him. Then he sat up very + straight and made ready. + </p> + <p> + The next moment there was a rushing noise as of a mighty tempest, and the + young man caught a glimpse of a face turned towards him. Almost blindly he + struck, not knowing whether he had killed or only wounded the rider. But + the head rolled off, and was caught in the brown horse’s mouth. + </p> + <p> + ‘Jump on my brother, the black horse, and go home as fast as you can, and + I will follow as quickly as I may,’ cried the brown horse; and leaping + forward the king alighted on the back of the black horse, but so near the + tail that he almost fell off again. But he stretched out his arm and + clutched wildly at the mane and pulled himself into the saddle. + </p> + <p> + Before the sky was streaked with red he was at home again, and the queen + was sitting waiting till he arrived, for sleep was far from her eyes. Glad + was she to see him enter, but she said little, only took her harp and sang + softly the songs which he loved, till he went to bed, soothed and happy. + </p> + <p> + It was broad day when he woke, and he sprang up saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I must go to the Gruagach, to find out if the spells he laid on me + are loose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have a care,’ answered the queen, ‘for it is not with a smile as on the + other days that he will greet you. Furiously he will meet you, and will + ask you in his wrath if you have got the sword, and you will reply that + you have got it. Next he will want to know how you got it, and to this you + must say that but for the knob you had not got it at all. Then he will + raise his head to look at the knob, and you must stab him in the mole + which is on the right side of his neck; but take heed, for if you miss the + mole with the point of the sword, then my death and your death are + certain. He is brother to the king of the oak windows, and sure will he be + that the king must be head, or the sword would not be in your hands.’ + After that she kissed him, and bade him good speed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Didst thou get the sword?’ asked the Gruagach, when they met in the usual + place. + </p> + <p> + ‘I got the sword.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how didst thou get it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If it had not had a knob on the top, then I had not got it,’ answered the + king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me the sword to look at,’ said the Gruagach, peering forward; but + like a flash the king had drawn it from under his nose and pierced the + mole, so that the Gruagach rolled over on the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I shall be at peace,’ thought the king. But he was wrong, for when he + reached home he found his servants tied together back to back with cloths + bound round their mouths, so that they could not speak. He hastened to set + them free, and he asked who had treated them in so evil a manner. + </p> + <p> + ‘No sooner had you gone than a great giant came, and dealt with us as you + see, and carried off your wife and your two horses,’ said the men. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then my eyes will not close nor will my head lay itself down till I fetch + my wife and horses home again,’ answered he, and he stopped and noted the + tracks of the horses on the grass, and followed after them till he arrived + at the wood, when the darkness fell. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will sleep here,’ he said to himself, ‘but first I will make a fire,’ + And he gathered together some twigs that were lying about, and then took + two dry sticks and rubbed them together till the fire came, and he sat by + it. + </p> + <p> + The twigs cracked and the flame blazed up, and a slim yellow dog pushed + through the bushes and laid his head on the king’s knee, and the king + stroked his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wuf, wuf,’ said the dog. ‘Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses + when the giant drove them last night through the forest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is why I have come,’ answered the king; and suddenly his heart + seemed to fail him and he felt that he could not go on. + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot fight that giant,’ he cried, looking at the dog with a white + face. ‘I am afraid, let me turn homewards.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, don’t do that,’ replied the dog. ‘Eat and sleep, and I will watch + over you.’ So the king ate and lay down, and slept till the sun waked him. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is time for you to start on your way,’ said the dog, ‘and if danger + presses, call on me, and I will help you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell, then,’ answered the king; ‘I will not forget that promise,’ and + on he went, and on, and on, till he reached a tall cliff with many sticks + lying about. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is almost night,’ he thought; ‘I will make a fire and rest,’ and thus + he did, and when the flames blazed up, the hoary hawk of the grey rock + flew on to a bough above him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed here with + the giant,’ said the hawk. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never shall I find them,’ answered the king, ‘and nothing shall I get for + all my trouble.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, take heart,’ replied the hawk; ‘things are never so bad but what they + might be worse. Eat and sleep and I will watch thee,’ and the king did as + he was bidden by the hawk, and by the morning he felt brave again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell,’ said the bird, ‘and if danger presses call to me, and I will + help you.’ + </p> + <p> + On he walked, and on and on, till as dusk was falling he came to a great + river, and on the bank there were sticks lying about. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will make myself a fire,’ he thought, and thus he did, and by and bye a + smooth brown head peered at him from the water, and a long body followed + it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed the river + last night,’ said the otter. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have sought them and not found them,’ answered the king, ‘and nought + shall I get for my trouble.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be not so downcast,’ replied the otter; ‘before noon to-morrow thou shalt + behold thy wife. But eat and sleep and I will watch over thee.’ So the + king did as the otter bid him, and when the sun rose he woke and saw the + otter lying on the bank. + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell,’ cried the otter as he jumped into the water, ‘and if danger + presses, call to me and I will help you.’ + </p> + <p> + For many hours the king walked, and at length he reached a high rock, + which was rent into two by a great earthquake. Throwing himself on the + ground he looked over the side, and right at the very bottom he saw his + wife and his horses. His heart gave a great bound, and all his fears left + him, but he was forced to be patient, for the sides of the rock were + smooth, and not even a goat could find foothold. So he got up again, and + made his way round through the wood, pushing by trees, scrambling over + rocks, wading through streams, till at last he was on flat ground again, + close to the mouth of the cavern. + </p> + <p> + His wife gave a shriek of joy when he came in, and then burst into tears, + for she was tired and very frightened. But her husband did not understand + why she wept, and he was tired and bruised from his climb, and a little + cross too. + </p> + <p> + ‘You give me but a sorry welcome,’ grumbled he, ‘when I have half-killed + myself to get to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not heed him,’ said the horses to the weeping woman; ‘put him in front + of us, where he will be safe, and give him food, for he is weary.’ And she + did as the horses told her, and he ate and rested, till by and bye a long + shadow fell over them, and their hearts beat with fear, for they knew that + the giant was coming. + </p> + <p> + ‘I smell a stranger,’ cried the giant, as he entered; but it was dark + inside the chasm, and he did not see the king, who was crouching down + between the feet of the horses. + </p> + <p> + ‘A stranger, my lord! no stranger ever comes here, not even the sun!’ and + the king’s wife laughed gaily as she went up to the giant and stroked the + huge hand which hung down by his side. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I perceive nothing, certainly,’ answered he, ‘but it is very odd. + However, it is time that the horses were fed;’ and he lifted down an + armful of hay from a shelf of rock and held out a handful to each animal, + who moved forward to meet him, leaving the king behind. As soon as the + giant’s hands were near their mouths they each made a snap, and began to + bit them, so that his groans and shrieks might have been heard a mile off. + Then they wheeled round and kicked him till they could kick no more. At + length the giant crawled away, and lay quivering in a corner, and the + queen went up to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor thing! poor thing!’ she said, ‘they seem to have gone mad; it was + awful to behold.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I had had my soul in my body they would certainly have killed me,’ + groaned the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was lucky indeed,’ answered the queen; ‘but tell me, where is thy + soul, that I may take care of it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Up there, in the Bonnach stone,’ answered the giant, pointing to a stone + which was balanced loosely on an edge of rock. ‘But now leave me, that I + may sleep, for I have far to go to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + Soon snores were heard from the corner where the giant lay, and then the + queen lay down too, and the horses, and the king was hidden between them, + so that none could see him. + </p> + <p> + Before the dawn the giant rose and went out, and immediately the queen ran + up to the Bonnach stone, and tugged and pushed at it till it was quite + steady on its ledge, and could not fall over. And so it was in the evening + when the giant came home; and when they saw his shadow, the king crept + down in front of the horses. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, what have you done to the Bonnach stone?’ asked the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘I feared lest it should fall over, and be broken, with your soul in it,’ + said the queen, ‘so I put it further back on the ledge.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not there that my soul is,’ answered he, ‘it is on the threshold. + But it is time the horses were fed;’ and he fetched the hay, and gave it + to them, and they bit and kicked him as before, till he lay half dead on + the ground. + </p> + <p> + Next morning he rose and went out, and the queen ran to the threshold of + the cave, and washed the stones, and pulled up some moss and little + flowers that were hidden in the crannies, and by and bye when dusk had + fallen the giant came home. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have been cleaning the threshold,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘And was I not right to do it, seeing that your soul is in it?’ asked the + queen. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not there that my soul is,’ answered the giant. ‘Under the + threshold is a stone, and under the stone is a sheep, and in the sheep’s + body is a duck, and in the duck is an egg, and in the egg is my soul. But + it is late, and I must feed the horses;’ and he brought them the hay, but + they only bit and kicked him as before, and if his soul had been within + him, they would have killed him outright. + </p> + <p> + It was still dark when the giant got up and went his way, and then the + king and the queen ran forward to take up the threshold, while the horses + looked on. But sure enough! just as the giant had said, underneath the + threshold was the flagstone, and they pulled and tugged till the stone + gave way. Then something jumped out so suddenly, that it nearly knocked + them down, and as it fled past, they saw it was a sheep. + </p> + <p> + ‘If the slim yellow dog of the greenwood were only here, he would soon + have that sheep,’ cried the king; and as he spoke, the slim yellow dog + appeared from the forest, with the sheep in his mouth. With a blow from + the king, the sheep fell dead, and they opened its body, only to be + blinded by a rush of wings as the duck flew past. + </p> + <p> + ‘If the hoary hawk of the rock were only here, he would soon have that + duck,’ cried the king; and as he spoke the hoary hawk was seen hovering + above them, with the duck in his mouth. They cut off the duck’s head with + a swing of the king’s sword, and took the egg out of its body, but in his + triumph the king held it carelessly, and it slipped from his hand, and + rolled swiftly down the hill right into the river. + </p> + <p> + ‘If the brown otter of the stream were only here, he would soon have that + egg,’ cried the king; and the next minute there was the brown otter, + dripping with water, holding the egg in his mouth. But beside the brown + otter, a huge shadow came stealing along—the shadow of the giant. + </p> + <p> + The king stood staring at it, as if he were turned into stone, but the + queen snatched the egg from the otter and crushed it between her two + hands. And after that the shadow suddenly shrank and was still, and they + knew that the giant was dead, because they had found his soul. + </p> + <p> + Next day they mounted the two horses and rode home again, visiting their + friends the brown otter and the hoary hawk and the slim yellow dog by the + way. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A French Puck + </h2> + <p> + Among the mountain pastures and valleys that lie in the centre of France + there dwelt a mischievous kind of spirit, whose delight it was to play + tricks on everybody, and particularly on the shepherds and the cowboys. + They never knew when they were safe from him, as he could change himself + into a man, woman or child, a stick, a goat, a ploughshare. Indeed, there + was only one thing whose shape he could not take, and that was a needle. + At least, he could transform himself into a needle, but try as he might he + never was able to imitate the hole, so every woman would have found him + out at once, and this he knew. + </p> + <p> + Now the hour oftenest chosen by this naughty sprite (whom we will call + Puck) for performing his pranks was about midnight, just when the + shepherds and cowherds, tired out with their long day’s work, were sound + asleep. Then he would go into the cowsheds and unfasten the chains that + fixed each beast in its own stall, and let them fall with a heavy clang to + the ground. The noise was so loud that it was certain to awaken the + cowboys, however fatigued they might be, and they dragged themselves + wearily to the stable to put back the chains. But no sooner had they + returned to their beds than the same thing happened again, and so on till + the morning. Or perhaps Puck would spend his night in plaiting together + the manes and tails of two of the horses, so that it would take the grooms + hours of labour to get them right in the morning, while Puck, hidden among + the hay in the loft, would peep out to watch them, enjoying himself + amazingly all the time. + </p> + <p> + One evening more than eighty years ago a man named William was passing + along the bank of a stream when he noticed a sheep who was bleating + loudly. William thought it must have strayed from the flock, and that he + had better take it home with him till he could discover its owner. So he + went up to where it was standing, and as it seemed so tired that it could + hardly walk, he hoisted it on his shoulders and continued on his way. The + sheep was pretty heavy, but the good man was merciful and staggered along + as best he could under his load. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not much further,’ he thought to himself as he reached an avenue of + walnut trees, when suddenly a voice spoke out from over his head, and made + him jump. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are you?’ said the voice, and the sheep answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Here on the shoulders of a donkey.’ + </p> + <p> + In another moment the sheep was standing on the ground and William was + running towards home as fast as his legs would carry him. But as he went, + a laugh, which yet was something of a bleat, rang in his ears, and though + he tried not to hear, the words reached him, ‘Oh, dear! What fun I have + had, to be sure!’ + </p> + <p> + Puck was careful not always to play his tricks in the same place, but + visited one village after another, so that everyone trembled lest he + should be the next victim. After a bit he grew tired of cowboys and + shepherds, and wondered if there was no one else to give him some sport. + At length he was told of a young couple who were going to the nearest town + to buy all that they needed for setting up house. Quite certain that they + would forget something which they could not do without, Puck waited + patiently till they were jogging along in their cart on their return + journey, and changed himself into a fly in order to overhear their + conversation. + </p> + <p> + For a long time it was very dull—all about their wedding day next + month, and who were to be invited. This led the bride to her wedding + dress, and she gave a little scream. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just think! Oh! how could I be so stupid! I have forgotten to buy the + different coloured reels of cotton to match my clothes!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear, dear!’ exclaimed the young man. ‘That is unlucky; and didn’t you + tell me that the dressmaker was coming in to-morrow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I did,’ and then suddenly she gave another little scream, which had + quite a different sound from the first. ‘Look! Look!’ + </p> + <p> + The bridegroom looked, and on one side of the road he saw a large ball of + thread of all colours—of all the colours, that is, of the dresses + that were tied on to the back of the cart. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, that is a wonderful piece of good fortune,’ cried he, as he sprang + out to get it. ‘One would think a fairy had put it there on purpose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps she has,’ laughed the girl, and as she spoke she seemed to hear + an echo of her laughter coming from the horse, but of course that was + nonsense. + </p> + <p> + The dressmaker was delighted with the thread that was given her. It + matched the stuffs so perfectly, and never tied itself in knots, or broke + perpetually, as most thread did. She finished her work much quicker than + she expected and the bride said she was to be sure to come to the church + and see her in her wedding dress. + </p> + <p> + There was a great crowd assembled to witness the ceremony, for the young + people were immense favourites in the neighbourhood, and their parents + were very rich. The doors were open, and the bride could be seen from + afar, walking under the chestnut avenue. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a beautiful girl!’ exclaimed the men. ‘What a lovely dress!’ + whispered the women. But just as she entered the church and took the hand + of the bridegroom, who was waiting for her, a loud noise was heard. + </p> + <p> + ‘Crick! crack! Crick! crack!’ and the wedding garments fell to the ground, + to the great confusion of the wearer. + </p> + <p> + Not that the ceremony was put off for a little thing like that! Cloaks in + profusion were instantly offered to the young bride, but she was so upset + that she could hardly keep from tears. One of the guests, more curious + than the rest, stayed behind to examine the dress, determined, if she + could, to find out the cause of the disaster. + </p> + <p> + ‘The thread must have been rotten,’ she said to herself. ‘I will see if I + can break it.’ But search as she would she could find none. + </p> + <p> + The thread had vanished! + </p> + <p> + From ‘Litterature Orale de l’Auvergne,’ par Paul Sebillot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Three Crowns + </h2> + <p> + There was once a king who had three daughters. The two eldest were very + proud and quarrelsome, but the youngest was as good as they were bad. + Well, three princes came to court them, and two of them were exactly like + the eldest ladies, and one was just as lovable as the youngest. One day + they were all walking down to a lake that lay at the bottom of the lawn + when they met a poor beggar. The king wouldn’t give him anything, and the + eldest princesses wouldn’t give him anything, nor their sweethearts; but + the youngest daughter and her true love did give him something, and kind + words along with it, and that was better than all. + </p> + <p> + When they got to the edge of the lake what did they find but the + beautifullest boat you ever saw in your life; and says the eldest, ‘I’ll + take a sail in this fine boat’; and says the second eldest, ‘I’ll take a + sail in this fine boat’; and says the youngest, ‘I won’t take a sail in + that fine boat, for I am afraid it’s an enchanted one.’ But the others + persuaded her to go in, and her father was just going in after her, when + up sprung on the deck a little man only seven inches high, and ordered him + to stand back. Well, all the men put their hands to their swords; and if + the same swords were only playthings, they weren’t able to draw them, for + all strength that was left their arms. Seven Inches loosened the silver + chain that fastened the boat, and pushed away, and after grinning at the + four men, says he to them. ‘Bid your daughters and your brides farewell + for awhile. You,’ says he to the youngest, ‘needn’t fear, you’ll recover + your princess all in good time, and you and she will be as happy as the + day is long. Bad people, if they were rolling stark naked in gold, would + not be rich. Good-bye.’ Away they sailed, and the ladies stretched out + their hands, but weren’t able to say a word. + </p> + <p> + Well, they weren’t crossing the lake while a cat ‘ud be lickin’ her ear, + and the poor men couldn’t stir hand or foot to follow them. They saw Seven + Inches handing the three princesses out of the boat, and letting them down + by a basket into a draw-well, but king nor princes ever saw an opening + before in the same place. When the last lady was out of sight, the men + found the strength in their arms and legs again. Round the lake they ran, + and never drew rein till they came to the well and windlass; and there was + the silk rope rolled on the axle, and the nice white basket hanging to it. + ‘Let me down,’ says the youngest prince. ‘I’ll die or recover them again.’ + ‘No,’ says the second daughter’s sweetheart, ‘it is my turn first.’ And + says the other, ‘I am the eldest.’ So they gave way to him, and in he got + into the basket, and down they let him. First they lost sight of him, and + then, after winding off a hundred perches of the silk rope, it slackened, + and they stopped turning. They waited two hours, and then they went to + dinner, because there was no pull made at the rope. + </p> + <p> + Guards were set till next morning, and then down went the second prince, + and sure enough, the youngest of all got himself let down on the third + day. He went down perches and perches, while it was as dark about him as + if he was in a big pot with a cover on. At last he saw a glimmer far down, + and in a short time he felt the ground. Out he came from the big + lime-kiln, and, lo! and behold you, there was a wood, and green fields, + and a castle in a lawn, and a bright sky over all. ‘It’s in Tir-na-n-Oge I + am,’ says he. ‘Let’s see what sort of people are in the castle.’ On he + walked, across fields and lawn, and no one was there to keep him out or + let him into the castle; but the big hall-door was wide open. He went from + one fine room to another that was finer, and at last he reached the + handsomest of all, with a table in the middle. And such a dinner as was + laid upon it! The prince was hungry enough, but he was too mannerly to eat + without being invited. So he sat by the fire, and he did not wait long + till he heard steps, and in came Seven Inches with the youngest sister by + the hand. Well, prince and princess flew into one another’s arms, and says + the little man, says he, ‘Why aren’t you eating?’ ‘I think, sir,’ says the + prince, ‘it was only good manner to wait to be asked.’ ‘The other princes + didn’t think so,’ says he. ‘Each o’ them fell to without leave, and only + gave me the rough words when I told them they were making more free than + welcome. Well, I don’t think they feel much hunger now. There they are, + good marble instead of flesh and blood,’ says he, pointing to two statues, + one in one corner, and the other in the other corner of the room. The + prince was frightened, but he was afraid to say anything, and Seven Inches + made him sit down to dinner between himself and his bride; and he’d be as + happy as the day is long, only for the sight of the stone men in the + corner. Well, that day went by, and when the next came, says Seven Inches + to him, ‘Now, you’ll have to set out that way,’ pointing to the sun, ‘and + you’ll find the second princess in a giant’s castle this evening, when + you’ll be tired and hungry, and the eldest princess to-morrow evening; and + you may as well bring them here with you. You need not ask leave of their + masters; and perhaps if they ever get home, they’ll look on poor people as + if they were flesh and blood like themselves.’ + </p> + <p> + Away went the prince, and bedad! it’s tired and hungry he was when he + reached the first castle, at sunset. Oh, wasn’t the second princess glad + to see him! And what a good supper she gave him. But she heard the giant + at the gate, and she hid the prince in a closet. Well, when he came in, he + snuffed, an’ he snuffed, and says he, ‘By the life, I smell fresh meat.’ + ‘Oh,’ says the princess, ‘it’s only the calf I got killed to-day.’ ‘Ay, + ay,’ says he, ‘is supper ready?’ ‘It is,’ says she; and before he rose + from the table he ate three-quarters of a calf, and a flask of wine. ‘I + think,’ says he, when all was done, ‘I smell fresh meat still.’ ‘It’s + sleepy you are,’ says she; ‘go to bed.’ ‘When will you marry me?’ says the + giant. ‘You’re putting me off too long.’ ‘St. Tibb’s Eve,’ says she. ‘I + wish I knew how far off that is,’ says he; and he fell asleep, with his + head in the dish. + </p> + <p> + Next day, he went out after breakfast, and she sent the prince to the + castle where the eldest sister was. The same thing happened there; but + when the giant was snoring, the princess wakened up the prince, and they + saddled two steeds in the stables and rode into the field on them. But the + horses’ heels struck the stones outside the gate, and up got the giant and + strode after them. He roared and he shouted, and the more he shouted, the + faster ran the horses, and just as the day was breaking he was only twenty + perches behind. But the prince didn’t leave the castle of Seven Inches + without being provided with something good. He reined in his steed, and + flung a short, sharp knife over his shoulder, and up sprung a thick wood + between the giant and themselves. They caught the wind that blew before + them, and the wind that blew behind them did not catch them. At last they + were near the castle where the other sister lived; and there she was, + waiting for them under a high hedge, and a fine steed under her. + </p> + <p> + But the giant was now in sight, roaring like a hundred lions, and the + other giant was out in a moment, and the chase kept on. For every two + springs the horses gave, the giants gave three, and at last they were only + seventy perches off. Then the prince stopped again, and flung the second + knife behind him. Down went all the flat field, till there was a quarry + between them a quarter of a mile deep, and the bottom filled with black + water; and before the giants could get round it, the prince and princesses + were inside the kingdom of the great magician, where the high thorny hedge + opened of itself to everyone that he chose to let in. There was joy enough + between the three sisters, till the two eldest saw their lovers turned + into stone. But while they were shedding tears for them, Seven Inches came + in, and touched them with his rod. So they were flesh, and blood, and life + once more, and there was great hugging and kissing, and all sat down to + breakfast, and Seven Inches sat at the head of the table. + </p> + <p> + When breakfast was over, he took them into another room, where there was + nothing but heaps of gold, and silver, and diamonds, and silks, and + satins; and on a table there was lying three sets of crowns: a gold crown + was in a silver crown, and that was lying in a copper crown. He took up + one set of crowns, and gave it to the eldest princess; and another set, + and gave it to the second youngest princess; and another, and gave it to + the youngest of all; and says he, ‘Now you may all go to the bottom of the + pit, and you have nothing to do but stir the basket, and the people that + are watching above will draw you up. But remember, ladies, you are to keep + your crows safe, and be married in them, all the same day. If you be + married separately, or if you be married without your crowns, a curse will + follow—mind what I say.’ + </p> + <p> + So they took leave of him with great respect, and walked arm-in-arm to the + bottom of the draw-well. There was a sky and a sun over them, and a great + high wall, covered with ivy, rose before them, and was so high they could + not see to the top of it; and there was an arch in this wall, and the + bottom of the draw-well was inside the arch. The youngest pair went last; + and says the princess to the prince, ‘I’m sure the two princes don’t mean + any good to you. Keep these crowns under your cloak, and if you are + obliged to stay last, don’t get into the basket, but put a big stone, or + any heavy thing inside, and see what will happen.’ + </p> + <p> + As soon as they were inside the dark cave, they put in the eldest princess + first, and stirred the basket, and up she went. Then the basket was let + down again, and up went the second princess, and then up went the + youngest; but first she put her arms round her prince’s neck, and kissed + him, and cried a little. At last it came to the turn of the youngest + prince, and instead of going into the basket he put in a big stone. He + drew on one side and listened, and after the basket was drawn up about + twenty perches, down came it and the stone like thunder, and the stone was + broken into little bits. + </p> + <p> + Well, the poor prince had nothing for it but to walk back to the castle; + and through it and round it he walked, and the finest of eating and + drinking he got, and a bed of bog-down to sleep on, and long walks he took + through gardens and lawns, but not a sight could he get, high or low, of + Seven Inches. He, before a week, got tired of it, he was so lonesome for + his true love; and at the end of a month he didn’t know what to do with + himself. + </p> + <p> + One morning he went into the treasure room, and took notice of a beautiful + snuff-box on the table that he didn’t remember seeing there before. He + took it in his hands and opened it, and out Seven Inches walked on the + table. ‘I think, prince,’ says he, ‘you’re getting a little tired of my + castle?’ ‘Ah!’ says the other, ‘if I had my princess here, and could see + you now and then, I’d never know a dismal day.’ ‘Well, you’re long enough + here now, and you’re wanted there above. Keep your bride’s crowns safe, + and whenever you want my help, open this snuff-box. Now take a walk down + the garden, and come back when you’re tired.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince was going down a gravel walk with a quickset hedge on each + side, and his eyes on the ground, and he was thinking of one thing and + another. At last he lifted his eyes, and there he was outside of a smith’s + gate that he often passed before, about a mile away from the palace of his + betrothed princess. The clothes he had on him were as ragged as you + please, but he had his crowns safe under his old cloak. + </p> + <p> + Then the smith came out, and says he, ‘It’s a shame for a strong, big + fellow like you to be lazy, and so much work to be done. Are you any good + with hammer and tongs? Come in and bear a hand, an I’ll give you diet and + lodging, and a few pence when you earn them.’ ‘Never say’t twice,’ says + the prince. ‘I want nothing but to be busy.’ So he took the hammer, and + pounded away at the red-hot bar that the smith was turning on the anvil to + make into a set of horse-shoes. + </p> + <p> + They hadn’t been long at work when a tailor came in, and he sat down and + began to talk. ‘You all heard how the two princess were loth to be married + till the youngest would be ready with her crowns and her sweetheart. But + after the windlass loosened accidentally when they were pulling up her + bridegroom that was to be, there was no more sign of a well, or a rope, or + a windlass, than there is on the palm of your hand. So the princes that + were courting the eldest ladies wouldn’t give peace or ease to their + lovers nor the king till they got consent to the marriage, and it was to + take place this morning. Myself went down out o’ curiousity, and to be + sure I was delighted with the grand dresses of the two brides, and the + three crowns on their heads—gold, silver, and copper, one inside the + other. The youngest was standing by mournful enough, and all was ready. + The two bridegrooms came in as proud and grand as you please, and up they + were walking to the altar rails, when the boards opened two yards wide + under their feet, and down they went among the dead men and the coffins in + the vaults. Oh, such shrieks as the ladies gave! and such running and + racing and peeping down as there was! but the clerk soon opened the door + of the vault, and up came the two princes, their fine clothes covered an + inch thick with cobwebs and mould. + </p> + <p> + So the king said they should put off the marriage. ‘For,’ says he, ‘I see + there is no use in thinking of it till the youngest gets her three crowns, + and is married with the others. I’ll give my youngest daughter for a wife + to whoever brings three crowns to me like the others; and if he doesn’t + care to be married, some other one will, and I’ll make his fortune.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish,’ says the smith, ‘I could do it; but I was looking at the crowns + after the princesses got home, and I don’t think there’s a black or a + white smith on the face of the earth that could imitate them.’ ‘Faint + heart never won fair lady,’ says the prince. ‘Go to the palace and ask for + a quarter of a pound of gold, a quarter of a pound of silver, and a + quarter of a pound of copper. Get one crown for a pattern, and my head for + a pledge, I’ll give you out the very things that are wanted in the + morning.’ ‘Are you in earnest?’ says the smith. ‘Faith, I am so,’ says he. + ‘Go! you can’t do worse than lose.’ + </p> + <p> + To make a long story short, the smith got the quarter of a pound of gold, + and the quarter of a pound of silver, and the quarter of a pound of + copper, and gave them and the pattern crown to the prince. He shut the + forge door at nightfall, and the neighbours all gathered in the yard, and + they heard him hammering, hammering, hammering, from that to daybreak; and + every now and then he’d throw out through the window bits of gold, silver, + and copper; and the idlers scrambled for them, and cursed one another, and + prayed for the good luck of the workman. + </p> + <p> + Well, just as the sun was thinking to rise, he opened the door, and + brought out the three crowns he got from his true love, and such shouting + and huzzaing as there was! The smith asked him to go along with him to the + palace, but he refused; so off set the smith, and the whole townland with + him; and wasn’t the king rejoiced when he saw the crowns! ‘Well,’ says he + to the smith, ‘you’re a married man. What’s to be done?’ ‘Faith, your + majesty, I didn’t make them crowns at all. It was a big fellow that took + service with me yesterday.’ ‘Well, daughter, will you marry the fellow + that made these crowns?’ ‘Let me see them first, father,’ said she; but + when she examined them she knew them right well, and guessed it was her + true love that sent them. ‘I will marry the man that these crowns came + from,’ says she. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ says the king to the elder of the two princes, ‘go up to the + smith’s forge, take my best coaches, and bring home the bridegroom.’ He + did not like doing this, he was so proud, but he could not refuse. When he + came to the forge he saw the prince standing at the door, and beckoned him + over to the coach. ‘Are you the fellow,’ says he, ‘that made these + crowns?’ ‘Yes,’ says the other. ‘Then,’ says he, ‘maybe you’d give + yourself a brushing, and get into that coach; the king wants to see you. I + pity the princess.’ The young prince got into the carriage, and while they + were on the way he opened the snuff-box, and out walked Seven Inches, and + stood on his thigh. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘what trouble is on you now?’ + ‘Master,’ says the other, ‘please let me go back to my forge, and let this + carriage be filled with paving stones.’ No sooner said than done. The + prince was sitting in his forge, and the horses wondered what was after + happening to the carriage. + </p> + <p> + When they came into the palace yard, the king himself opened the carriage + door, for respect to his new son-in-law. As soon as he turned the handle, + a shower of small stones fell on his powdered wig and his silk coat, and + down he fell under them. There was great fright and some laughter, and the + king, after he wiped the blood from his forehead, looked very cross at the + eldest prince. ‘My lord,’ says he, ‘I’m very sorry for this accident, but + I’m not to blame. I saw the young smith get into the carriage, and we + never stopped a minute since.’ ‘It’s uncivil you were to him. Go,’ says he + to the other prince, ‘and bring the young smith here, and be polite.’ + ‘Never fear,’ says he. + </p> + <p> + But there’s some people that couldn’t be good-natured if they tried, and + not a bit civiller was the new messenger than the old, and when the king + opened the carriage door a second time, it’s shower of mud that came down + on him. ‘There’s no use,’ says he, ‘going on this way. The fox never got a + better messenger than himself.’ + </p> + <p> + So he changed his clothes, and washed himself, and out he set to the + prince’s forge and asked him to sit along with himself. The prince begged + to be allowed to sit in the other carriage, and when they were half-way he + opened his snuff-box. ‘Master,’ says he, ‘I’d wish to be dressed now + according to my rank.’ ‘You shall be that,’ says Seven Inches. ‘And now + I’ll bid you farewell. Continue as good and kind as you always were; love + your wife; and that’s all the advice I’ll give you.’ So Seven Inches + vanished; and when the carriage door was opened in the yard, out walks the + prince as fine as hands could make him, and the first thing he did was to + run over to his bride and embrace her. + </p> + <p> + Every one was full of joy but the two other princes. There was not much + delay about the marriages, and they were all celebrated on the one day. + Soon after, the two elder couples went to their own courts, but the + youngest pair stayed with the old king, and they were as happy as the + happiest married couple you ever heard of in a story. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Story of a Very Bad Boy + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived in a little village in the very middle of + France a widow and her only son, a boy about fifteen, whose name was + Antoine, though no one ever called him anything but Toueno-Boueno. They + were very poor indeed, and their hut shook about their ears on windy + nights, till they expected the walls to fall in and crush them, but + instead of going to work as a boy of his age ought to do, Toueno-Boueno + did nothing but lounge along the street, his eyes fixed on the ground, + seeing nothing that went on round him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are very, very stupid, my dear child,’ his mother would sometimes say + to him, and then she would add with a laugh, ‘Certainly you will never + catch a wolf by the tail.’ + </p> + <p> + One day the old woman bade Antoine go into the forest and collect enough + dry leaves to make beds for herself and him. Before he had finished it + began to rain heavily, so he hid himself in the hollow trunk of a tree, + where he was so dry and comfortable that he soon fell fast asleep. By and + by he was awakened by a noise which sounded like a dog scratching at the + door, and he suddenly felt frightened, why he did not know. Very + cautiously he raised his head, and right above him he saw a big hairy + animal, coming down tail foremost. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the wolf that they talk so much about,’ he said to himself, and he + made himself as small as he could and shrunk into a corner. + </p> + <p> + The wolf came down the inside of the tree, slowly, slowly; Antoine felt + turned to stone, so terrified was he, and hardly dared to breathe. + Suddenly an idea entered his mind, which he thought might save him still. + He remembered to have heard from his mother that a wolf could neither bend + his back nor turn his head, so as to look behind him, and quick as + lightning he stretched up his hand, and seizing the wolf’s tail, pulled it + towards him. + </p> + <p> + Then he left the tree and dragged the animal to his mother’s house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother, you have often declared that I was too stupid to catch a wolf by + the tail. Now see,’ he cried triumphantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well, wonders will never cease,’ answered the good woman, who took + care to keep at a safe distance. ‘But as you really have got him, let us + see if we can’t put him to some use. Fetch the skin of the ram which died + last week out of the chest, and we will sew the wolf up in it. He will + make a splendid ram, and to-morrow we will drive him to the fair and sell + him.’ + </p> + <p> + Very likely the wolf, who was cunning and clever, may have understood what + she said, but he thought it best to give no sign, and suffered the skin to + be sewn upon him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I can always get away if I choose,’ thought he, ‘it is better not to be + in a hurry;’ so he remained quite still while the skin was drawn over his + head, which made him very hot and uncomfortable, and resisted the + temptation to snap off the fingers or noses that were so close to his + mouth. + </p> + <p> + The fair was at its height next day when Toueno-Boueno arrived with his + wolf in ram’s clothing. All the farmers crowded round him, each offering a + higher price than the last. Never had they beheld such a beautiful beast, + said they, and at last, after much bargaining, he was handed over to three + brothers for a good sum of money. + </p> + <p> + It happened that these three brothers owned large flocks of sheep, though + none so large and fine as the one they had just bought. + </p> + <p> + ‘My flock is the nearest,’ observed the eldest brother; ‘we will leave him + in the fold for the night, and to-morrow we will decide which pastures + will be best for him.’ And the wolf grinned as he listened, and held up + his head a little higher than before. + </p> + <p> + Early next morning the young farmer began to go his rounds, and the + sheep-fold was the first place he visited. To his horror, the sheep were + all stretched out dead before him, except one, which the wolf had eaten, + bones and all. Instantly the truth flashed upon him. It was no ram that + lay curled up in the corner pretending to be asleep (for in reality he + could bend back and turn his head as much as he liked), but a wolf who was + watching him out of the corner of his eye, and might spring upon him at + any moment. So the farmer took no notice, and only thought that here was a + fine chance of revenging himself on his next brother for a trick which he + had played, and merely told him that the ram would not eat the grass in + that field, and it might be well to drive him to the pasture by the river, + where his own flock was feeding. The second brother eagerly swallowed the + bait, and that evening the wolf was driven down to the field where the + young man kept the sheep which had been left him by his father. By the + next morning they also were all dead, but the second brother likewise held + his peace, and allowed the sheep which belonged to the youngest to share + the fate of the other two. Then they met and confessed to each other their + disasters, and resolved to take the animal as fast as possible back to + Toueno-Boueno, who should get a sound thrashing. + </p> + <p> + Antoine was sitting on a plum tree belonging to a neighbour, eating the + ripe fruit, when he saw the three young farmers coming towards him. + Swinging himself down, he flew home to the hut, crying breathlessly, + ‘Mother, mother, the farmers are close by with the wolf. They have found + out all about it, and will certainly kill me, and perhaps you too. But if + you do as I tell you, I may be able to save us both. Lie down on the + floor, and pretend to be dead, and be sure not to speak, whatever happens. + </p> + <p> + Thus when the three brothers, each armed with a whip, entered the hut a + few seconds later, they found a woman extended on the floor, and Toueno + kneeling at her side, whistling loudly into her ears. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing now, you rascal?’ asked the eldest. + </p> + <p> + ‘What am I doing? Oh, my poor friends, I am the most miserable creature in + the world! I have lost the best of mothers, and I don’t know what will + become of me,’ and he hid his face in his hands and sobbed again. + </p> + <p> + ‘But what are you whistling like that for?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, it is the only chance. This whistle has been known to bring the + dead back to life, and I hoped—’ here he buried his face in his + hands again, but peeping between his fingers he saw that the brother had + opened their six eyes as wide as saucers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look!’ he suddenly exclaimed with a cry, ‘Look! I am sure I felt her body + move! And now her nostrils are twitching. Ah! the whistle has not lost its + power after all,’ and stooping down, Toueno whistled more loudly than + before, so that the old woman’s feet and hands showed signs of life, and + she soon was able to life her head. + </p> + <p> + The farmers were so astonished at her restoration, that it was some time + before they could speak. At length the eldest turned to the boy and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now listen to me. There is no manner of doubt that you are a young + villain. You sold us a ram knowing full well that it was a wolf, and we + came here to-day to pay you out for it. But if you will give us that + whistle, we will pardon what you have done, and will leave you alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is my only treasure, and I set great store by it,’ answered the boy, + pretending to hesitate. ‘But as you wish for it so much, well, I suppose I + can’t refuse,’ and he held out the whistle, which the eldest brother put + in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + Armed with the precious whistle, the three brothers returned home full of + joy, and as they went the youngest said to the others, ‘I have such a good + idea! Our wives are all lazy and grumbling, and make our lives a burden. + Let us give them a lesson, and kill them as soon as we get in. Of course + we can restore them to life at once, but they will have had a rare + fright.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, how clever you are,’ answered the other two. ‘Nobody else would have + thought of that.’ + </p> + <p> + So gaily the three husbands knocked down their three wives, who fell dead + to the ground. Then one by one the men tried the whistle, and blew so + loudly that it seemed as if their lungs would burst, but the women lay + stark and stiff and never moved an eyelid. The husbands grew pale and + cold, for they had never dreamed of this, nor meant any harm, and after a + while they understood that their efforts were of no use, and that once + more the boy had tricked them. With stern faces they rose to their feet, + and taking a large sack they retraced their steps to the hut. + </p> + <p> + This time there was no escape. Toueno had been asleep, and only opened his + eyes as they entered. Without a word on either side they thrust him into + the sack, and tying up the mouth, the eldest threw it over his shoulder. + After that they all set out to the river, where they intended to drown the + boy. + </p> + <p> + But the river was a long way off, and the day was very hot, and Antoine + was heavy, heavier than a whole sheaf of corn. They carried him in turns, + but even so they grew very tired and thirsty, and when a little tavern + came in sight on the roadside, they thankfully flung the sack down on a + bench and entered to refresh themselves. They never noticed that a beggar + was sitting in the shade at the end of the bench, but Toueno’s sharp ears + caught the sound of someone eating, and as soon as the farmers had gone + into the inn he began to groan softly. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked the beggar, drawing a little nearer. ‘Why have + they shut you up, poor boy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because they wanted to make me a bishop, and I would not consent,’ + answered Toueno. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear me,’ exclaimed the beggar, ‘yet it isn’t such a bad thing to be a + bishop.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t say it is,’ replied the young rascal, ‘but I should never like + it. However, if you have any fancy for wearing a mitre, you need only + untie the sack, and take my place.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like nothing better,’ said the man, as he stooped to undo the + big knot. + </p> + <p> + So it was the beggar and not Toueno-Boueno who was flung into the water. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the three wives were buried, and on returning from the + cemetery, their husbands met Toueno-Boueno driving a magnificent flock of + sheep. At the sight of him the three farmers stood still with + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! you scoundrel!’ they cried at last, ‘we drowned you yesterday, and + to-day we find you again, as well as ever!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It does seem odd, doesn’t it?’ answered he. ‘But perhaps you don’t know + that beneath this world there lies another yet more beautiful and far, far + richer. Well, it was there that you sent me when you flung me into the + river, and though I felt a little strange at first, yet I soon began to + look about me, and to see what was happening. There I noticed that close + to the place where I had fallen, a sheep fair was being held, and a + bystander told me that every day horses or cattle were sold somewhere in + the town. If I had only had the luck to be thrown into the river on the + side of the horse fair I might have made my fortune! As it was, I had to + content myself with buying these sheep, which you can get for nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And do you know exactly the spot in the river which lies over the horse + fair?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As if I did not know it, when I have seen it with my own eyes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then if you do not want us to avenge our dead flocks and our murdered + wives, you will have to throw us into the river just over the place of the + horse fair.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well; only you must get three sacks and come with me to that rock + which juts into the river. I will throw you in from there, and you will + fall nearly on to the horses’ backs.’ + </p> + <p> + So he threw them in, and as they were never seen again, no one ever knew + into which fair they had fallen. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Litterature Orale de L’Auvergne,’ par Paul Sebillot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Brown Bear of Norway + </h2> + <p> + There was once a king in Ireland, and he had three daughters, and very + nice princesses they were. And one day, when they and their father were + walking on the lawn, the king began to joke with them, and to ask them + whom they would like to be married to. ‘I’ll have the king of Ulster for a + husband,’ says one; ‘and I’ll have the king of Munster,’ says another; + ‘and,’ says the youngest, ‘I’ll have no husband but the Brown Bear of + Norway.’ For a nurse of hers used to be telling her of an enchanted prince + that she called by that name, and she fell in love with him, and his name + was the first name on her tongue, for the very night before she was + dreaming of him. Well, one laughed, and another laughed, and they joked + with the princess all the rest of the evening. But that very night she + woke up out of her sleep in a great hall that was lighted up with a + thousand lamps; the richest carpets were on the floor, and the walls were + covered with cloth of gold and silver, and the place was full of grand + company, and the very beautiful prince she saw in her dreams was there, + and it wasn’t a moment till he was on one knee before her, and telling her + how much he loved her, and asking her wouldn’t she be his queen. Well, she + hadn’t the heart to refuse him, and married they were the same evening. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, my darling,’ says he, when they were left by themselves, ‘you must + know that I am under enchantment. A sorceress, that had a beautiful + daughter, wished me for her son-in-law; but the mother got power over me, + and when I refused to wed her daughter she made me take the form of a bear + by day, and I was to continue so till a lady would marry me of her own + free will, and endure five years of great trials after.’ + </p> + <p> + Well, when the princess woke in the morning, she missed her husband from + her side, and spent the day very sadly. But as soon as the lamps were + lighted in the grand hall, where she was sitting on a sofa covered with + silk, the folding doors flew open, and he was sitting by her side the next + minute. So they spent another happy evening, but he warned her that + whenever she began to tire of him, or ceased to have faith in him, they + would be parted for ever, and he’d be obliged to marry the witch’s + daughter. + </p> + <p> + She got used to find him absent by day, and they spent a happy twelvemonth + together, and at last a beautiful little boy was born; and happy as she + was before, she was twice as happy now, for she had her child to keep her + company in the day when she couldn’t see her husband. + </p> + <p> + At last, one evening, when herself, and himself, and her child were + sitting with a window open because it was a sultry night, in flew an + eagle, took the infant’s sash in his beak, and flew up in the air with + him. She screamed, and was going to throw herself out the window after + him, but the prince caught her, and looked at her very seriously. She + bethought of what he said soon after their marriage, and she stopped the + cries and complaints that were on her tongue. She spent her days very + lonely for another twelvemonth, when a beautiful little girl was sent to + her. Then she thought to herself she’d have a sharp eye about her this + time; so she never would allow a window to be more than a few inches open. + </p> + <p> + But all her care was in vain. Another evening, when they were all so + happy, and the prince dandling the baby, a beautiful greyhound stood + before them, took the child out of the father’s hand, and was out of the + door before you could wink. This time she shouted and ran out of the room, + but there were some of the servants in the next room, and all declared + that neither child nor dog passed out. She felt, somehow, as if it was her + husband’s fault, but still she kept command over herself, and didn’t once + reproach him. + </p> + <p> + When the third child was born she would hardly allow a window or a door to + be left open for a moment; but she wasn’t the nearer to keep the child to + herself. They were sitting one evening by the fire, when a lady appeared + standing by them. The princess opened her eyes in a great fright and + stared at her, and while she was doing so, the lady wrapped a shawl round + the baby that was sitting in its father’s lap, and either sank through the + ground with it or went up through the wide chimney. This time the mother + kept her bed for a month. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear,’ said she to her husband, when she was beginning to recover, ‘I + think I’d feel better if I was to see my father and mother and sisters + once more. If you give me leave to go home for a few days I’d be glad.’ + ‘Very well,’ said he, ‘I will do that, and whenever you feel inclined to + return, only mention your wish when you lie down at night.’ The next + morning when she awoke she found herself in her own old chamber in her + father’s palace. She rang the bell, and in a short time she had her mother + and father and married sisters about her, and they laughed till they cried + for joy at finding her safe back again. + </p> + <p> + In time she told them all that had happened to her, and they didn’t know + what to advise her to do. She was as fond of her husband as ever, and said + she was sure that he couldn’t help letting the children go; but still she + was afraid beyond the world to have another child torn from her. Well, the + mother and sisters consulted a wise woman that used to bring eggs to the + castle, for they had great faith in her wisdom. She said the only plan was + to secure the bear’s skin that the prince was obliged to put on every + morning, and get it burned, and then he couldn’t help being a man night + and day, and the enchantment would be at an end. + </p> + <p> + So they all persuaded her to do that, and she promised she would; and + after eight days she felt so great a longing to see her husband again that + she made the wish the same night, and when she woke three hours after, she + was in her husband’s palace, and he himself was watching over her. There + was great joy on both sides, and they were happy for many days. + </p> + <p> + Now she began to think how she never minded her husband leaving her in the + morning, and how she never found him neglecting to give her a sweet drink + out of a gold cup just as she was going to bed. + </p> + <p> + One night she contrived not to drink any of it, though she pretended to do + so; and she was wakeful enough in the morning, and saw her husband passing + out through a panel in the wainscot, though she kept her eyelids nearly + closed. The next night she got a few drops of the sleepy posset that she + saved the evening before put into her husband’s night drink, and that made + him sleep sound enough. She got up after midnight, passed through the + panel, and found a Beautiful brown bear’s hide hanging in the corner. Then + she stole back, and went down to the parlour fire, and put the hide into + the middle of it till it was all fine ashes. She then lay down by her + husband, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + If she was to live a hundred years she’d never forget how she wakened next + morning, and found her husband looking down on her with misery and anger + in his face. ‘Unhappy woman,’ said he, ‘you have separated us for ever! + Why hadn’t you patience for five years? I am now obliged, whether I like + or no, to go a three days’ journey to the witch’s castle, and marry her + daughter. The skin that was my guard you have burned it, and the egg-wife + that gave you the counsel was the witch herself. I won’t reproach you: + your punishment will be severe without it. Farewell for ever!’ + </p> + <p> + He kissed her for the last time, and was off the next minute, walking as + fast as he could. She shouted after him, and then seeing there was no use, + she dressed herself and pursued him. He never stopped, nor stayed, nor + looked back, and still she kept him in sight; and when he was on the hill + she was in the hollow, and when he was in the hollow she was on the hill. + Her life was almost leaving her, when, just as the sun was setting, he + turned up a lane, and went into a little house. She crawled up after him, + and when she got inside there was a beautiful little boy on his knees, and + he kissing and hugging him. ‘Here, my poor darling,’ says he, ‘is your + eldest child, and there,’ says he, pointing to a woman that was looking on + with a smile on her face, ‘is the eagle that carried him away.’ She forgot + all her sorrows in a moment, hugging her child, and laughing and crying + over him. The woman washed their feet, and rubbed them with an ointment + that took all the soreness out of their bones, and made them as fresh as a + daisy. Next morning, just before sunrise, he was up, and prepared to be + off, ‘Here,’ said he to her, ‘is a thing which may be of use to you. It’s + a scissors, and whatever stuff you cut with it will be turned into silk. + The moment the sun rises, I’ll lose all memory of yourself and the + children, but I’ll get it at sunset again. Farewell!’ But he wasn’t far + gone till she was in sight of him again, leaving her boy behind. It was + the same to-day as yesterday: their shadows went before them in the + morning and followed them in the evening. He never stopped, and she never + stopped, and as the sun was setting he turned up another lane, and there + they found their little daughter. It was all joy and comfort again till + morning, and then the third day’s journey commenced. + </p> + <p> + But before he started he gave her a comb, and told her that whenever she + used it, pearls and diamonds would fall from her hair. Still he had his + memory from sunset to sunrise; but from sunrise to sunset he travelled on + under the charm, and never threw his eye behind. This night they came to + where the youngest baby was, and the next morning, just before sunrise, + the prince spoke to her for the last time. ‘Here, my poor wife,’ said he, + ‘is a little hand-reel, with gold thread that has no end, and the half of + our marriage ring. If you ever get to my house, and put your half-ring to + mine, I shall recollect you. There is a wood yonder, and the moment I + enter it I shall forget everything that ever happened between us, just as + if I was born yesterday. Farewell, dear wife and child, for ever!’ Just + then the sun rose, and away he walked towards the wood. She saw it open + before him and close after him, and when she came up, she could no more + get in than she could break through a stone wall. She wrung her hands and + shed tears, but then she recollected herself, and cried out, ‘Wood, I + charge you by my three magic gifts, the scissors, the comb, and the reel—to + let me through’; and it opened, and she went along a walk till she came in + sight of a palace, and a lawn, and a woodman’s cottage on the edge of the + wood where it came nearest the palace. + </p> + <p> + She went into the lodge, and asked the woodman and his wife to take her + into their service. They were not willing at first; but she told them she + would ask no wages, and would give them diamonds, and pearls, and silk + stuffs, and gold thread whenever they wished for them, and then they + agreed to let her stay. + </p> + <p> + It wasn’t long till she heard how a young prince, that was just arrived, + was living in the palace of the young mistress. He seldom stirred abroad, + and every one that saw him remarked how silent and sorrowful he went + about, like a person that was searching for some lost thing. + </p> + <p> + The servants and conceited folk at the big house began to take notice of + the beautiful young woman at the lodge, and to annoy her with their + impudence. The head footman was the most troublesome, and at last she + invited him to come and take tea with her. Oh, how rejoiced he was, and + how he bragged of it in the servants’ hall! Well, the evening came, and + the footman walked into the lodge, and was shown to her sitting-room; for + the lodge-keeper and his wife stood in great awe of her, and gave her two + nice rooms for herself. Well, he sat down as stiff as a ramrod, and was + talking in a grand style about the great doings at the castle, while she + was getting the tea and toast ready. ‘Oh,’ says she to him, ‘would you put + your hand out at the window and cut me off a sprig or two of honeysuckle?’ + He got up in great glee, and put out his hand and head; and said she, ‘By + the virtue of my magic gifts, let a pair of horns spring out of your head, + and sing to the lodge.’ Just as she wished, so it was. They sprung from + the front of each ear, and met at the back. Oh, the poor wretch! And how + he bawled and roared! and the servants that he used to be boasting to were + soon flocking from the castle, and grinning, and huzzaing, and beating + tunes on tongs and shovels and pans; and he cursing and swearing, and the + eyes ready to start out of his head, and he so black in the face, and + kicking out his legs behind him like mad. + </p> + <p> + At last she pitied him, and removed the charm, and the horns dropped down + on the ground, and he would have killed her on the spot, only he was as + weak as water, and his fellow-servants came in and carried him up to the + big house. Well, some way or other the story came to the ears of the + prince, and he strolled down that way. She had only the dress of a + countrywoman on her as she sat sewing at the window, but that did not hide + her beauty, and he was greatly puzzled after he had a good look, just as a + body is puzzled to know whether something happened to him when he was + young or if he only dreamed it. Well, the witch’s daughter heard about it + too, and she came to see the strange girl; and what did she find her doing + but cutting out the pattern of a gown from brown paper; and as she cut + away, the paper became the richest silk she ever saw. The witch’s daughter + looked on with greedy eyes, and, says she, ‘What would you be satisfied to + take for that scissors?’ ‘I’ll take nothing,’ says she, ‘but leave to + spend one night outside the prince’s chamber.’ Well, the proud lady fired + up, and was going to say something dreadful; but the scissors kept on + cutting, and the silk growing richer and richer every inch. So she + promised what the girl had asked her. + </p> + <p> + When night came on she was let into the palace and lay down till the + prince was in such a dead sleep that all she did couldn’t awake him. She + sung this verse to him, sighing and sobbing, and kept singing it the night + long, and it was all in vain: + </p> + <p> + Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore to thee; + Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + </p> + <p> + At the first dawn the proud lady was in the chamber, and led her away, and + the footman of the horns put out his tongue at her as she was quitting the + palace. + </p> + <p> + So there was no luck so far; but the next day the prince passed by again + and looked at her, and saluted her kindly, as a prince might a farmer’s + daughter, and passed one; and soon the witch’s daughter passed by, and + found her combing her hair, and pearls and diamonds dropping from it. + </p> + <p> + Well, another bargain was made, and the princess spent another night of + sorrow, and she left the castle at daybreak, and the footman was at his + post and enjoyed his revenge. + </p> + <p> + The third day the prince went by, and stopped to talk with the strange + woman. He asked her could he do anything to serve her, and she said he + might. She asked him did he ever wake at night. He said that he often did, + but that during the last two nights he was listening to a sweet song in + his dreams, and could not wake, and that the voice was one that he must + have known and loved in some other world long ago. Says she, ‘Did you + drink any sleepy posset either of these evenings before you went to bed?’ + ‘I did,’ said he. ‘The two evenings my wife gave me something to drink, + but I don’t know whether it was a sleepy posset or not.’ ‘Well, prince,’ + said she, ‘as you say you would wish to oblige me, you can do it by not + tasting any drink to-night.’ ‘I will not,’ says he, and then he went on + his walk. + </p> + <p> + Well, the great lady came soon after the prince, and found the stranger + using her hand-reel and winding threads of gold off it, and the third + bargain was made. + </p> + <p> + That evening the prince was lying on his bed at twilight, and his mind + much disturbed; and the door opened, and in his princess walked, and down + she sat by his bedside and sung: + </p> + <p> + Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore to thee; + Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brown Bear of Norway!’ said he. ‘I don’t understand you.’ ‘Don’t you + remember, prince, that I was your wedded wife for four years?’ ‘I do not,’ + said he, ‘but I’m sure I wish it was so.’ ‘Don’t you remember our three + babes that are still alive?’ ‘Show me them. My mind is all a heap of + confusion.’ ‘Look for the half of our marriage ring, that hangs at your + neck, and fit it to this.’ He did so, and the same moment the charm was + broken. His full memory came back on him, and he flung his arms round his + wife’s neck, and both burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + Well, there was a great cry outside, and the castle walls were heard + splitting and cracking. Everyone in the castle was alarmed, and made their + way out. The prince and princess went with the rest, and by the time all + were safe on the lawn, down came the building, and made the ground tremble + for miles round. No one ever saw the witch and her daughter afterwards. It + was not long till the prince and princess had their children with them, + and then they set out for their own palace. The kings of Ireland and of + Munster and Ulster, and their wives, soon came to visit them, and may + every one that deserves it be as happy as the Brown Bear of Norway and his + family. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Little Lasse + </h2> + <p> + There was once a little boy whose name was Lars, and because he was so + little he was called Little Lasse; he was a brave little man, for he + sailed round the world in a pea-shell boat. + </p> + <p> + It was summer time, when the pea shells grew long and green in the garden. + Little Lasse crept into the pea bed where the pea stalks rose high above + his cap, and he picked seventeen large shells, the longest and straightest + he could find. + </p> + <p> + Little Lasse thought, perhaps, that no one saw him; but that was foolish, + for God sees everywhere. + </p> + <p> + Then the gardener came with his gun over his shoulder, and he heard + something rustling in the pea bed. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think that must be a sparrow,’ he said. ‘Ras! Ras!’ but no sparrows + flew out, for Little Lasse had no wings, only two small legs. ‘Wait! I + will load my gun and shoot the sparrows,’ said the gardener. + </p> + <p> + Then Little Lasse was frightened, and crept out on to the path. + </p> + <p> + ‘Forgive me, dear gardener!’ he said. ‘I wanted to get some fine boats.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I will this time,’ said the gardener. ‘But another time Little + Lasse must ask leave to go and look for boats in the pea bed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will,’ answered Lasse; and he went off to the shore. Then he opened the + shells with a pin, split them carefully in two, and broke small little + bits of sticks for the rowers’ seats. Then he took the peas which were in + the shells and put them in the boats for cargo. Some of the shells got + broken, some remained whole, and when all were ready Lasse had twelve + boats. But they should not be boats, they should be large warships. He had + three liners, three frigates, three brigs and three schooners. The largest + liner was called Hercules, and the smallest schooner The Flea. Little + Lasse put all the twelve into the water, and they floated as splendidly + and as proudly as any great ships over the waves of the ocean. + </p> + <p> + And now the ships must sail round the world. The great island over there + was Asia; that large stone Africa; the little island America; the small + stones were Polynesia; and the shore from which the ships sailed out was + Europe. The whole fleet set off and sailed far away to other parts of the + world. The ships of the line steered a straight course to Asia, the + frigates sailed to Africa, the brigs to America, and the schooners to + Polynesia. But Little Lasse remained in Europe, and threw small stones out + into the great sea. + </p> + <p> + Now, there was on the shore of Europe a real boat, father’s own, a + beautiful white-painted boat, and Little Lasse got into it. Father and + mother had forbidden this, but Little Lasse forgot. He thought he should + very much like to travel to some other part of the world. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall row out a little way—only a very little way,’ he thought. + The pea-shell boats had travelled so far that they only looked like little + specks on the ocean. ‘I shall seize Hercules on the coast of Asia,’ said + Lasse, ‘and then row home again to Europe.’ + </p> + <p> + He shook the rope that held the boat, and, strange to say, the rope became + loose. Ditsch, ratsch, a man is a man, and so Little Lasse manned the + boat. + </p> + <p> + Now he would row—and he could row, for he had rowed so often on the + step sat home, when the steps pretended to be a boat and father’s big + stick an oar. But when Little Lasse wanted to row there were no oars to be + found in the boat. The oars were locked up in the boat-house, and Little + Lasse had not noticed that the boat was empty. It is not so easy as one + thinks to row to Asia without oars. + </p> + <p> + What could Little Lasse do now? The boat was already some distance out on + the sea, and the wind, which blew from land, was driving it still further + out. Lasse was frightened and began to cry. But there was no one on the + shore to hear him. Only a big crow perched alone in the birch tree; and + the gardener’s black cat sat under the birch tree, waiting to catch the + crow. Neither of them troubled themselves in the least about Little Lasse, + who was drifting out to sea. + </p> + <p> + Ah! how sorry Little Lasse was now that he had been disobedient and got + into the boat, when father and mother had so often forbidden him to do so! + Now it was too late, he could not get back to land. Perhaps he would be + lost out on the great sea. What should he do? + </p> + <p> + When he had shouted until he was tired and no one heard him, he put his + two little hands together and said, ‘Good God, do not be angry with Little + Lasse.’ And then he went to sleep. For although it was daylight, old Nukku + Matti was sitting on the shores of the ‘Land of Nod,’ and was fishing for + little children with his long fishing rod. He heard the low words which + Little Lasse said to God, and he immediately drew the boat to himself and + laid Little Lasse to sleep on a bed of rose leaves. + </p> + <p> + Then Nukku Matti said to one of the Dreams, ‘Play with Little Lasse, so + that he does not feel lonesome.’ + </p> + <p> + It was a little dream-boy, so little, so little, that he was less than + Lasse himself; he had blue eyes and fair hair, a red cap with a silver + band, and white coat with pearls on the collar. He came to Little Lasse + and said, ‘Would you like to sail round the world?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Lasse in his sleep, ‘I should like to.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, then,’ said the dream-boy, ‘and let us sail in your pea-shell + boats. You shall sail in Hercules and I shall sail in The Flea.’ + </p> + <p> + So they sailed away from the ‘Land of Nod,’ and in a little while Hercules + and The Flea were on the shores of Asia away at the other end of the + world, where the Ice Sea flows through Behring Straits into the Pacific + Ocean. A long way off in the winter mist they could see the explorer + Nordenskiold with his ship Vega trying to find an opening between the ice. + It was so cold, so cold; the great icebergs glittered strangely, and the + huge whales now lived under the ice, for they could not make a hole + through with their awkward heads. All around on the dreary shore there was + snow and snow as far as the eye could see; little grey men in shaggy skins + moved about, and drove in small sledges through the snow drifts, but the + sledges were drawn by dogs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘I am so afraid that the whales would swallow us + up, and the big dogs bite us. Let us sail instead to another part of the + world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said the dream-boy with the red cap and the silver band; ‘it + is not far to America’—and at the same moment they were there. + </p> + <p> + The sun was shining and it was very warm. Tall palm trees grew in long + rows on the shore and bore coconuts in their top branches. Men red as + copper galloped over the immense green prairies and shot their arrows at + the buffaloes, who turned against them with their sharp horns. An enormous + cobra which had crept up the stem of a tall palm tree threw itself on to a + little llama that was grazing at the foot. Knaps! it was all over the + little llama. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘I am so afraid that the buffaloes will butt us, + and the great serpent eat us up. Let us travel to another part of the + world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said the dream-boy with the white coat, ‘it is only a little + way to Polynesia’—and then they were there. + </p> + <p> + It was very warm there, as warm as in a hot bath in Finland. Costly spices + grew on the shores: the pepper plant, the cinnamon tree, ginger, saffron; + the coffee plant and the tea plant. Brown people with long ears and thick + lips, and hideously painted faces, hunted a yellow-spotted tiger among the + high bamboos on the shore, and the tiger turned on them and stuck its + claws into one of the brown men. Then all the others took to flight. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘Don’t you see the tiger away there by the pepper + plant? Let us travel to another part of the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We can do so,’ said the dream-boy with the blue eyes. ‘We are not far + from Africa’—and as he said that they were there. + </p> + <p> + They anchored at the mouth of a great river where the shores were as green + as the greenest velvet. A little distance from the river an immense desert + stretched away. The air was yellow; the sun shone so hot, so hot as if it + would burn the earth to ashes, and the people were as black as the + blackest jet. They rode across the desert on tall camels; the lions roared + with thirst, and the great crocodiles with their grey lizard heads and + sharp white teeth gaped up out of the river. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘The sun would burn us, and the lions and the + crocodiles would eat us up. Let us travel to another part of the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We can travel back to Europe,’ said the dream-boy with the fair hair. And + with that they were there. + </p> + <p> + They came to a shore where it was all so cool and familiar and friendly. + There stood the tall birch tree with its drooping leaves; at the top sat + the old crow, and at its foot crept the gardener’s black cat. Not far away + was a house which Little Lasse had seen before; near the house there was a + garden, and in the garden a pea bed with long pea shells. An old gardener + with a green coat walked about and wondered if the cucumbers were ripe. + Fylax was barking on the steps, and when he saw Little Lasse he wagged his + tail. Old Stina was milking the cows in the farmyard, and there was a very + familiar lady in a check woollen shawl on her way to the bleaching green + to see if the clothes were bleached. There was, too, a well-known + gentleman in a yellow summer coat, with a long pipe in his mouth; he was + going to see if the reapers had cut the rye. A boy and a girl were running + on the shore and calling out, ‘Little Lasse! Come home for + bread-and-butter!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy, and he blinked his blue eyes + roguishly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come with me, and I shall ask mother to give you some bread-and-butter + and a glass of milk,’ said Little Lasse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait a little,’ said the dream-boy. And now Little Lasse saw that the + kitchen door was open, and from within there was heard a low, pleasant + frizzling, like that which is heard when one whisks yellow batter with a + wooden ladle into a hot frying-pan. + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps we should sail back to Polynesia now?’ said the happy dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No; they are frying pancakes in Europe just now,’ said Little Lasse; and + he wanted to jump ashore, but he could not. The dream-boy had tied him + with a chain of flowers, so that he could not move. And now all the little + dreams came about him, thousands and thousands of little children, and + they made a ring around him and sang a little song: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The world is very, very wide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + And though you’ve sailed beyond the tide, + You can never tell how wide + It is on the other side, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + You have found it cold and hot, + Little Lasse, Lasse; + But in no land is God not, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + Many men live there as here, + But they all to God are dear, + Little Lasse, Lasse. + When His angel is your guide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + Then no harm can e’er betide, + Even on the other side + Where the wild beasts wander. + But tell us now, + Whene’er you roam, + Do you not find the best is home + Of all the lands you’ve looked upon, + Lasse, Little Lasse? +</pre> + <p> + When the dreams had sung their song they skipped away, and Nukku Matti + carried Lasse back to the boat. He lay there for a long time quite still, + and he still heard the frying-pan frizzling at home of the fire, the + frizzling was very plain, Little Lasse heard it quite near him; and so he + woke up and rubbed his eyes. + </p> + <p> + There he lay in the boat, where he had fallen asleep. The wind had turned, + and the boat had drifted out with one wind and drifted in with another + while Little Lasse slept, and what Lasse thought was frizzling in a + frying-pan was the low murmur of the waves as they washed against the + stones on the shore. But he was not altogether wrong, for the clear blue + sea is like a great pan in which God’s sun all day makes cakes for good + children. + </p> + <p> + Little Lasse rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked around him. + Everything was the same as before; the crow in the birch tree, the cat on + the grass, and the pea-shell fleet on the shore. Some of the ships had + foundered, and some had drifted back to land. Hercules had come back with + its cargo from Asia, The Flea had arrived from Polynesia, and the other + parts of the world were just where they were before. + </p> + <p> + Little Lasse did not know what to think. He had so often been in that + grotto in the ‘Land of Nod’ and did not know what tricks dreams can play. + But Little Lasse did not trouble his head with such things; he gathered + together his boats and walked up the shore back to the house. + </p> + <p> + His brother and sister ran to meet him, and called out from the distance, + ‘Where have you been so long, Lasse? Come home and get some + bread-and-butter.’ The kitchen door stood open, and inside was heard a + strange frizzling. + </p> + <p> + The gardener was near the gate, watering the dill and parsley, the carrots + and parsnips. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ he said, ‘where has Little Lasse been so long?’ + </p> + <p> + Little Lasse straightened himself up stiff, and answered: ‘I have sailed + round the world in a pea-shell boat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ said the gardener. + </p> + <p> + He has forgotten Dreamland. But you have not forgotten it; you know that + it exists. You know the beautiful grotto and the bright silver walls whose + lustre never fades, the sparkling diamonds which never grow dim, the music + which never ceases its low, soft murmur through the sweet evening + twilight. The airy fairy fancies of happy Dreamland never grow old; they, + like the glorious stars above us, are always young. Perhaps you have + caught a glimpse of their ethereal wings as they flew around your pillow. + Perhaps you have met the same dream-boy with the blue eyes and the fair + hair, the one who wore the red cap with the silver band and the white coat + with pearls on the collar. Perhaps he has taken you to see all the + countries of the world and the peoples, the cold waste lands and the + burning deserts, the many coloured men and the wild creatures in the sea + and in the woods, so that you may earn many things, but come gladly home + again. Yes, who knows? Perhaps you also have sailed round the wide world + once in a pea-shell boat. + </p> + <p> + From Z. Topelius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ‘Moti’ + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a youth called Moti, who was very big and + strong, but the clumsiest creature you can imagine. So clumsy was he that + he was always putting his great feet into the bowls of sweet milk or curds + which his mother set out on the floor to cool, always smashing, upsetting, + breaking, until at last his father said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Here, Moti, are fifty silver pieces which are the savings of years; take + them and go and make your living or your fortune if you can.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Moti started off one early spring morning with his thick staff over + his shoulder, singing gaily to himself as he walked along. + </p> + <p> + In one way and another he got along very well until a hot evening when he + came to a certain city where he entered the travellers’ ‘serai’ or inn to + pass the night. Now a serai, you must know, is generally just a large + square enclosed by a high wall with an open colonnade along the inside all + round to accommodate both men and beasts, and with perhaps a few rooms in + towers at the corners for those who are too rich or too proud to care + about sleeping by their own camels and horses. Moti, of course, was a + country lad and had lived with cattle all his life, and he wasn’t rich and + he wasn’t proud, so he just borrowed a bed from the innkeeper, set it down + beside an old buffalo who reminded him of home, and in five minutes was + fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the night he woke, feeling that he had been disturbed, + and putting his hand under his pillow found to his horror that his bag of + money had been stolen. He jumped up quietly and began to prowl around to + see whether anyone seemed to be awake, but, though he managed to arouse a + few men and beasts by falling over them, he walked in the shadow of the + archways round the whole serai without coming across a likely thief. He + was just about to give it up when he overheard two men whispering, and one + laughed softly, and peering behind a pillar, he saw two Afghan + horsedealers counting out his bag of money! Then Moti went back to bed! + </p> + <p> + In the morning Moti followed the two Afghans outside the city to the + horsemarket in which they horses were offered for sale. Choosing the + best-looking horse amongst them he went up to it and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this horse for sale? may I try it?’ and, the merchants assenting, he + scrambled up on its back, dug in his heels, and off they flew. Now Moti + had never been on a horse in his life, and had so much ado to hold on with + both hands as well as with both legs that the animal went just where it + liked, and very soon broke into a break-neck gallop and made straight back + to the serai where it had spent the last few nights. + </p> + <p> + ‘This will do very well,’ thought Moti as they whirled in at the entrance. + As soon as the horse had arrived at its table it stopped of its own accord + and Moti immediately rolled off; but he jumped up at once, tied the beast + up, and called for some breakfast. Presently the Afghans appeared, out of + breath and furious, and claimed the horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ cried Moti, with his mouth full of rice, ‘it’s my + horse; I paid you fifty pieces of silver for it—quite a bargain, I’m + sure!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense! it is our horse,’ answered one of the Afghans beginning to + untie the bridle. + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave off,’ shouted Moti, seizing his staff; ‘if you don’t let my horse + alone I’ll crack your skulls! you thieves! I know you! Last night you took + my money, so to-day I took your horse; that’s fair enough!’ + </p> + <p> + Now the Afghans began to look a little uncomfortable, but Moti seemed so + determined to keep the horse that they resolved to appeal to the law, so + they went off and laid a complaint before the king that Moti had stolen + one of their horses and would not give it up nor pay for it. + </p> + <p> + Presently a soldier came to summon Moti to the king; and, when he arrived + and made his obeisance, the king began to question him as to why he had + galloped off with the horse in this fashion. But Moti declared that he had + got the animal in exchange for fifty pieces of silver, whilst the horse + merchants vowed that the money they had on them was what they had received + for the sale of other horses; and in one way and another the dispute got + so confusing that the king (who really thought that Moti had stolen the + horse) said at last, ‘Well, I tell you what I will do. I will lock + something into this box before me, and if he guesses what it is, the horse + is his, and if he doesn’t then it is yours.’ + </p> + <p> + To this Moti agreed, and the king arose and went out alone by a little + door at the back of the Court, and presently came back clasping something + closely wrapped up in a cloth under his robe, slipped it into the little + box, locked the box, and set it up where all might see. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ said the king to Moti, ‘guess!’ + </p> + <p> + It happened that when the king had opened the door behind him, Moti + noticed that there was a garden outside: without waiting for the king’s + return he began to think what could be got out of the garden small enough + to be shut in the box. ‘Is it likely to be a fruit or a flower? No, not a + flower this time, for he clasped it too tight. Then it must be a fruit or + a stone. Yet not a stone, because he wouldn’t wrap a dirty stone in his + nice clean cloth. Then it is a fruit! And a fruit without much scent, or + else he would be afraid that I might smell it. Now what fruit without much + scent is in season just now? When I know that I shall have guessed the + riddle!’ + </p> + <p> + As has been said before, Moti was a country lad, and was accustomed to + work in his father’s garden. He knew all the common fruits, so he thought + he ought to be able to guess right; but so as not to let it seem too easy, + he gazed up at the ceiling with a puzzled expression, and looked down at + the floor with an air or wisdom and his fingers pressed against his + forehead, and then he said, slowly, with his eyes on the king,— + </p> + <p> + ‘It is freshly plucked! It is round and it is red! It is a pomegranate!’ + </p> + <p> + Now the king knew nothing about fruits except that they were good to eat; + and, as for seasons, he asked for whatever fruit he wanted whenever he + wanted it, and saw that he got it; so to him Moti’s guess was like a + miracle, and clear proof not only of his wisdom but of his innocence, for + it was a pomegranate that he had put into the box. Of course when the king + marvelled and praised Moti’s wisdom, everybody else did so too; and, + whilst the Afghans went off crestfallen, Moti took the horse and entered + the king’s service. + </p> + <p> + Very soon after this, Moti, who continued to live in the serai, came back + one wet and stormy evening to find that his precious horse had strayed. + Nothing remained of him but a broken halter cord, and no one knew what had + become of him. After inquiring of everyone who was likely to know, Moti + seized the cord and his big staff and sallied out to look for him. Away + and away he tramped out of the city and into the neighbouring forest, + tracking hoof-marks in the mud. Presently it grew late, but still Moti + wandered on until suddenly in the gathering darkness he came right upon a + tiger who was contentedly eating his horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘You thief!’ shrieked Moti, and ran up and, just as the tiger, in + astonishment, dropped a bone—whack! came Moti’s staff on his head + with such good will that the beast was half stunned and could hardly + breathe or see. Then Moti continued to shower upon him blows and abuse + until the poor tiger could hardly stand, whereupon his tormentor tied the + end of the broken halter round his neck and dragged him back to the serai. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you had my horse,’ he said, ‘I will at least have you, that’s fair + enough!’ And he tied him up securely by the head and heels, much as he + used to tie the horse; then, the night being far gone, he flung himself + beside him and slept soundly. + </p> + <p> + You cannot imagine anything like the fright of the people in the serai, + when they woke up and found a tiger—very battered but still a tiger—securely + tethered amongst themselves and their beasts! Men gathered in groups + talking and exclaiming, and finding fault with the innkeeper for allowing + such a dangerous beast into the serai, and all the while the innkeeper was + just as troubled as the rest, and none dared go near the place where the + tiger stood blinking miserably on everyone, and where Moti lay stretched + out snoring like thunder. + </p> + <p> + At last news reached the king that Moti had exchanged his horse for a live + tiger; and the monarch himself came down, half disbelieving the tale, to + see if it were really true. Someone at last awaked Moti with the news that + his royal master was come; and he arose yawning, and was soon delightedly + explaining and showing off his new possession. The king, however, did not + share his pleasure at all, but called up a soldier to shoot the tiger, + much to the relief of all the inmates of the serai except Moti. If the + king, however, was before convinced that Moti was one of the wisest of + men, he was now still more convinced that he was the bravest, and he + increased his pay a hundredfold, so that our hero thought that he was the + luckiest of men. + </p> + <p> + A week or two after this incident the king sent for Moti, who on arrival + found his master in despair. A neighbouring monarch, he explained, who had + many more soldiers than he, had declared war against him, and he was at + his wits’ end, for he had neither money to buy him off nor soldiers enough + to fight him—what was he to do? + </p> + <p> + ‘If that is all, don’t you trouble,’ said Moti. ‘Turn out your men, and + I’ll go with them, and we’ll soon bring this robber to reason.’ + </p> + <p> + The king began to revive at these hopeful words, and took Moti off to his + stable where he bade him choose for himself any horse he liked. There were + plenty of fine horses in the stalls, but to the king’s astonishment Moti + chose a poor little rat of a pony that was used to carry grass and water + for the rest of the stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘But why do you choose that beast?’ said the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you see, your majesty,’ replied Moti, ‘there are so many chances + that I may fall off, and if I choose one of your fine big horses I shall + have so far to fall that I shall probably break my leg or my arm, if not + my neck, but if I fall off this little beast I can’t hurt myself much.’ + </p> + <p> + A very comical sight was Moti when he rode out to the war. The only weapon + he carried was his staff, and to help him to keep his balance on horseback + he had tied to each of his ankles a big stone that nearly touched the + ground as he sat astride the little pony. The rest of the king’s cavalry + were not very numerous, but they pranced along in armour on fine horses. + Behind them came a great rabble of men on foot armed with all sorts of + weapons, and last of all was the king with his attendants, very nervous + and ill at ease. So the army started. + </p> + <p> + They had not very far to go, but Moti’s little pony, weighted with a heavy + man and two big rocks, soon began to lag behind the cavalry, and would + have lagged behind the infantry too, only they were not very anxious to be + too early in the fight, and hung back so as to give Moti plenty of time. + The young man jogged along more and more slowly for some time, until at + last, getting impatient at the slowness of the pony, he gave him such a + tremendous thwack with his staff that the pony completely lost his temper + and bolted. First one stone became untied and rolled away in a cloud of + dust to one side of the road, whilst Moti nearly rolled off too, but + clasped his steed valiantly by its ragged mane, and, dropping his staff, + held on for dear life. Then, fortunately the other rock broke away from + his other leg and rolled thunderously down a neighbouring ravine. + Meanwhile the advanced cavalry had barely time to draw to one side when + Moti came dashing by, yelling bloodthirsty threats to his pony: + </p> + <p> + ‘You wait till I get hold of you! I’ll skin you alive! I’ll wring your + neck! I’ll break every bone in your body!’ The cavalry thought that this + dreadful language was meant for the enemy, and were filled with admiration + of his courage. Many of their horses too were quite upset by this + whirlwind that galloped howling through their midst, and in a few minutes, + after a little plunging and rearing and kicking, the whole troop were + following on Moti’s heels. + </p> + <p> + Far in advance, Moti continued his wild career. Presently in his course he + came to a great field of castor-oil plants, ten or twelve feet high, big + and bushy, but quite green and soft. Hoping to escape from the back of his + fiery steed Moti grasped one in passing, but its roots gave way, and he + dashed on, with the whole plant looking like a young tree flourishing in + his grip. + </p> + <p> + The enemy were in battle array, advancing over the plain, their king with + them confident and cheerful, when suddenly from the front came a desperate + rider at a furious gallop. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sire!’ he cried, ‘save yourself! the enemy are coming!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ said the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, sire!’ panted the messenger, ‘fly at once, there is no time to lose. + Foremost of the enemy rides a mad giant at a furious gallop. He flourishes + a tree for a club and is wild with anger, for as he goes he cries, “You + wait till I get hold of you! I’ll skin you alive! I’ll wring your neck! + I’ll break every bone in your body!” Others ride behind, and you will do + well to retire before this whirlwind of destruction comes upon you.’ + </p> + <p> + Just then out of a cloud of dust in the distance the king saw Moti + approaching at a hard gallop, looking indeed like a giant compared with + the little beast he rode, whirling his castor-oil plant, which in the + distance might have been an oak tree, and the sound of his revilings and + shoutings came down upon the breeze! Behind him the dust cloud moved to + the sound of the thunder of hoofs, whilst here and there flashed the + glitter of steel. The sight and the sound struck terror into the king, + and, turning his horse, he fled at top speed, thinking that a regiment of + yelling giants was upon him; and all his force followed him as fast as + they might go. One fat officer alone could not keep up on foot with that + mad rush, and as Moti came galloping up he flung himself on the ground in + abject fear. This was too much for Moti’s excited pony, who shied so + suddenly that Moti went flying over his head like a sky rocket, and + alighted right on the top of his fat foe. + </p> + <p> + Quickly regaining his feet Moti began to swing his plant round his head + and to shout: + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are your men? Bring them up and I’ll kill them. My regiments! Come + on, the whole lot of you! Where’s your king? Bring him to me. Here are all + my fine fellows coming up and we’ll each pull up a tree by the roots and + lay you all flat and your houses and towns and everything else! Come on!’ + </p> + <p> + But the poor fat officer could do nothing but squat on his knees with his + hands together, gasping. At last, when he got his breath, Moti sent him + off to bring his king, and to tell him that if he was reasonable his life + should be spared. Off the poor man went, and by the time the troops of + Moti’s side had come up and arranged themselves to look as formidable as + possible, he returned with his king. The latter was very humble and + apologetic, and promised never to make war any more, to pay a large sum of + money, and altogether do whatever his conqueror wished. + </p> + <p> + So the armies on both sides went rejoicing home, and this was really the + making of the fortune of clumsy Moti, who lived long and contrived always + to be looked up to as a fountain of wisdom, valour, and discretion by all + except his relations, who could never understand what he had done to be + considered so much wiser than anyone else. + </p> + <p> + A Pushto Story. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Enchanted Deer + </h2> + <p> + A young man was out walking one day in Erin, leading a stout cart-horse by + the bridle. He was thinking of his mother and how poor they were since his + father, who was a fisherman, had been drowned at sea, and wondering what + he should do to earn a living for both of them. Suddenly a hand was laid + on his shoulder, and a voice said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you sell me your horse, son of the fisherman?’ and looking up he + beheld a man standing in the road with a gun in his hand, a falcon on his + shoulder, and a dog by his side. + </p> + <p> + ‘What will you give me for my horse?’ asked the youth. ‘Will you give me + your gun, and your dog, and your falcon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will give them,’ answered the man, and he took the horse, and the youth + took the gun and the dog and the falcon, and went home with them. But when + his mother heard what he had done she was very angry, and beat him with a + stick which she had in her hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘That will teach you to sell my property,’ said she, when her arm was + quite tired, but Ian her son answered her nothing, and went off to his + bed, for he was very sore. + </p> + <p> + That night he rose softly, and left the house carrying the gun with him. + ‘I will not stay here to be beaten,’ thought he, and he walked and he + walked and he walked, till it was day again, and he was hungry and looked + about him to see if he could get anything to eat. Not very far off was a + farm-house, so he went there, and knocked at the door, and the farmer and + his wife begged him to come in, and share their breakfast. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, you have a gun,’ said the farmer as the young man placed it in a + corner. ‘That is well, for a deer comes every evening to eat my corn, and + I cannot catch it. It is fortune that has sent you to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will gladly remain and shoot the deer for you,’ replied the youth, and + that night he hid himself and watched till the deer came to the cornfield; + then he lifted his gun to his shoulder and was just going to pull the + trigger, when, behold! instead of a deer, a woman with long black hair was + standing there. At this sight his gun almost dropped from his hand in + surprise, but as he looked, there was the deer eating the corn again. And + thrice this happened, till the deer ran away over the moor, and the young + man after her. + </p> + <p> + On they went, on and on and one, till they reached a cottage which was + thatched with heather. With a bound the deer sprang on the roof, and lay + down where none could see her, but as she did so she called out, ‘Go in, + fisher’s son, and eat and drink while you may.’ So he entered and found + food and wine on the table, but no man, for the house belonged to some + robbers, who were still away at their wicked business. + </p> + <p> + After Ian, the fisher’s son, had eaten all he wanted, he hid himself + behind a great cask, and very soon he heard a noise, as of men coming + through the heather, and the small twigs snapping under their feet. From + his dark corner he could see into the room, and he counted four and twenty + of them, all big, cross-looking men. + </p> + <p> + ‘Some one has been eating our dinner,’ cried they, ‘and there was hardly + enough for ourselves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the man who is lying under the cask,’ answered the leader. ‘Go and + kill him, and then come and eat your food and sleep, for we must be off + betimes in the morning.’ + </p> + <p> + So four of them killed the fisher’s son and left him, and then went to + bed. + </p> + <p> + By sunrise they were all out of the house, for they had far to go. And + when they had disappeared the deer came off the roof, to where the dead + man lay, and she shook her head over him, and wax fell from her ear, and + he jumped up as well as ever. + </p> + <p> + ‘Trust me and eat as you did before, and no harm shall happen to you,’ + said she. So Ian ate and drank, and fell sound asleep under the cask. In + the evening the robbers arrived very tired, and crosser than they had been + yesterday, for their luck had turned and they had brought back scarcely + anything. + </p> + <p> + ‘Someone has eaten our dinner again,’ cried they. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the man under the barrel,’ answered the captain. ‘Let four of you + go and kill him, but first slay the other four who pretended to kill him + last night and didn’t because he is still alive.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Ian was killed a second time, and after the rest of the robbers had + eaten, they lay down and slept till morning. + </p> + <p> + No sooner were their faces touched with the sun’s rays than they were up + and off. Then the deer entered and dropped the healing wax on the dead + man, and he was as well as ever. By this time he did not mind what befell + him, so sure was he that the deer would take care of him, and in the + evening that which had happened before happened again—the four + robbers were put to death and the fisher’s son also, but because there was + no food left for them to eat, they were nearly mad with rage, and began to + quarrel. From quarrelling they went on to fighting, and fought so hard + that by and bye they were all stretched dead on the floor. + </p> + <p> + Then the deer entered, and the fisher’s son was restored to life, and + bidding him follow her, she ran on to a little white cottage where dwelt + an old woman and her son, who was thin and dark. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here I must leave you,’ said the deer, ‘but to-morrow meet me at midday + in the church that is yonder.’ And jumping across the stream, she vanished + into a wood. + </p> + <p> + Next day he set out for the church, but the old woman of the cottage had + gone before him, and had stuck an enchanted stick called ‘the spike of + hurt’ in a crack of the door, so that he would brush against it as he + stepped across the threshold. Suddenly he felt so sleepy that he could not + stand up, and throwing himself on the ground he sank into a deep slumber, + not knowing that the dark lad was watching him. Nothing could waken him, + not even the sound of sweetest music, nor the touch of a lady who bent + over him. A sad look came on her face, as she saw it was no use, and at + last she gave it up, and lifting his arm, wrote her name across the side—‘the + daughter of the king of the town under the waves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will come to-morrow,’ she whispered, though he could not hear her, and + she went sorrowfully away. + </p> + <p> + Then he awoke, and the dark lad told him what had befallen him, and he was + very grieved. But the dark lad did not tell him of the name that was + written underneath his arm. + </p> + <p> + On the following morning the fisher’s son again went to the church, + determined that he would not go to sleep, whatever happened. But in his + hurry to enter he touched with his hand the spike of hurt, and sank down + where he stood, wrapped in slumber. A second time the air was filled with + music, and the lady came in, stepping softly, but though she laid his head + on her knee, and combed his hair with a golden comb, his eyes opened not. + Then she burst into tears, and placing a beautifully wrought box in his + pocket she went her way. + </p> + <p> + The next day the same thing befell the fisher’s son, and this time the + lady wept more bitterly than before, for she said it was the last chance, + and she would never be allowed to come any more, for home she must go. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the lady had departed the fisher’s son awoke, and the dark lad + told him of her visit, and how he would never see her as long as he lived. + At this the fisher’s son felt the cold creeping up to his heart, yet he + knew the fault had not been his that sleep had overtaken him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will search the whole world through till I find her,’ cried he, and the + dark lad laughed as he heard him. But the fisher’s son took no heed, and + off he went, following the sun day after day, till his shoes were in holes + and his feet were sore from the journey. Nought did he see but the birds + that made their nests in the trees, not so much as a goat or a rabbit. On + and on and on he went, till suddenly he came upon a little house, with a + woman standing outside it. + </p> + <p> + ‘All hail, fisher’s son!’ said she. ‘I know what you are seeking; enter in + and rest and eat, and to-morrow I will give you what help I can, and send + you on your way.’ + </p> + <p> + Gladly did Ian the fisher’s son accept her offer, and all that day he + rested, and the woman gave him ointment to put on his feet, which healed + his sores. At daybreak he got up, ready to be gone, and the woman bade him + farewell, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a sister who dwells on the road which you must travel. It is a + long road, and it would take you a year and a day to reach it, but put on + these old brown shoes with holes all over them, and you will be there + before you know it. Then shake them off, and turn their toes to the known, + and their heels to the unknown, and they will come home of themselves.’ + </p> + <p> + The fisher’s son did as the woman told him, and everything happened just + as she had said. But at parting the second sister said to him, as she gave + him another pair of shoes: + </p> + <p> + ‘Go to my third sister, for she has a son who is keeper of the birds of + the air, and sends them to sleep when night comes. He is very wise, and + perhaps he can help you.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the young man thanked her, and went to the third sister. + </p> + <p> + The third sister was very kind, but had no counsel to give him, so he ate + and drank and waited till her son came home, after he had sent all the + birds to sleep. He thought a long while after his mother had told him the + young man’s story, and at last he said that he was hungry, and the cow + must be killed, as he wanted some supper. So the cow was killed and the + meat cooked, and a bag made of its red skin. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now get into the bag,’ bade the son, and the young man got in and took + his gun with him, but the dog and the falcon he left outside. The keeper + of the birds drew the string at the top of the bag, and left it to finish + his supper, when in flew an eagle through the open door, and picked the + bag up in her claws and carried it through the air to an island. There was + nothing to eat on the island, and the fisher’s son thought he would die of + food, when he remembered the box that the lady had put in his pocket. He + opened the lid, and three tiny little birds flew out, and flapping their + wings they asked, + </p> + <p> + ‘Good master, is there anything we can do for thee?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bear me to the kingdom of the king under the waves,’ he answered, and one + little bird flew on to his head, and the others perched on each of his + shoulders, and he shut his eyes, and in a moment there he was in the + country under the sea. Then the birds flew away, and the young man looked + about him, his heart beating fast at the thought that here dwelt the lady + whom he had sought all the world over. + </p> + <p> + He walked on through the streets, and presently he reached the house of a + weaver who was standing at his door, resting from his work. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a stranger here, that is plain,’ said the weaver, ‘but come in, + and I will give you food and drink.’ And the young man was glad, for he + knew not where to go, and they sat and talked till it grew late. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay with me, I pray, for I love company and am lonely,’ observed the + weaver at last, and he pointed to a bed in a corner, where the fisher’s + son threw himself, and slept till dawn. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is to be a horse-race in the town to-day,’ remarked the weaver, + ‘and the winner is to have the king’s daughter to wife.’ The young man + trembled with excitement at the news, and his voice shook as he answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘That will be a prize indeed, I should like to see the race.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, that is quite easy—anyone can go,’ replied the weaver. ‘I would + take you myself, but I have promised to weave this cloth for the king.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a pity,’ returned the young man politely, but in his heart he + rejoiced, for he wished to be alone. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the house, he entered a grove of trees which stood behind, and + took the box from his pocket. He raised the lid, and out flew the three + little birds. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good master, what shall we do for thee?’ asked they, and he answered, + ‘Bring me the finest horse that ever was seen, and the grandest dress, and + glass shoes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are here, master,’ said the birds, and so they were, and never had + the young man seen anything so splendid. + </p> + <p> + Mounting the horse he rode into the ground where the horses were + assembling for the great race, and took his place among them. Many good + beasts were there which had won many races, but the horse of the fisher’s + son left them all behind, and he was first at the winning post. The king’s + daughter waited for him in vain to claim his prize, for he went back to + the wood, and got off his horse, and put on his old clothes, and bade the + box place some gold in his pockets. After that he went back to the + weaver’s house, and told him that the gold had been given him by the man + who had won the race, and that the weaver might have it for his kindness + to him. + </p> + <p> + Now as nobody had appeared to demand the hand of the princess, the king + ordered another race to be run, and the fisher’s son rode into the field + still more splendidly dressed than he was before, and easily distanced + everybody else. But again he left the prize unclaimed, and so it happened + on the third day, when it seemed as if all the people in the kingdom were + gathered to see the race, for they were filled with curiosity to know who + the winner could be. + </p> + <p> + ‘If he will not come of his own free will, he must be brought,’ said the + king, and the messengers who had seen the face of the victor were sent to + seek him in every street of the town. This took many days, and when at + last they found the young man in the weaver’s cottage, he was so dirty and + ugly and had such a strange appearance, that they declared he could not be + the winner they had been searching for, but a wicked robber who had + murdered ever so many people, but had always managed to escape. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it must be the robber,’ said the king, when the fisher’s son was led + into his presence; ‘build a gallows at once and hang him in the sight of + all my subjects, that they may behold him suffer the punishment of his + crimes.’ + </p> + <p> + So the gallows was built upon a high platform, and the fisher’s son + mounted the steps up to it, and turned at the top to make the speech that + was expected from every doomed man, innocent or guilt. As he spoke he + happened to raise his arm, and the king’s daughter, who was there at her + father’s side, saw the name which she had written under it. With a shriek + she sprang from her seat, and the eyes of the spectators were turned + towards her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop! stop!’ she cried, hardly knowing what she said. ‘If that man is + hanged there is not a soul in the kingdom but shall die also.’ And running + up to where the fisher’s son was standing, she took him by the hand, + saying, + </p> + <p> + ‘Father, this is no robber or murderer, but the victor in the three races, + and he loosed the spells that were laid upon me.’ + </p> + <p> + Then, without waiting for a reply, she conducted him into the palace, and + he bathed in a marble bath, and all the dirt that the fairies had put upon + him disappeared like magic, and when he had dressed himself in the fine + garments the princess had sent to him, he looked a match for any king’s + daughter in Erin. He went down into the great hall where she was awaiting + him, and they had much to tell each other but little time to tell it in, + for the king her father, and the princes who were visiting him, and all + the people of the kingdom were still in their places expecting her return. + </p> + <p> + ‘How did you find me out?’ she whispered as they went down the passage. + </p> + <p> + ‘The birds in the box told me,’ answered he, but he could say no more, as + they stepped out into the open space that was crowded with people. There + the princes stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘O kings!’ she said, turning towards them, ‘if one of you were killed + to-day, the rest would fly; but this man put his trust in me, and had his + head cut off three times. Because he has done this, I will marry him + rather than one of you, who have come hither to wed me, for many kings + here sought to free me from the spells, but none could do it save Ian the + fisher’s son.’ + </p> + <p> + From ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A Fish Story + </h2> + <p> + Perhaps you think that fishes were always fishes, and never lived anywhere + except in the water, but if you went to Australia and talked to the black + people in the sandy desert in the centre of the country, you would learn + something quite different. They would tell you that long, long ago you + would have met fishes on the land, wandering from place to place, and + hunting all sorts of animals, and if you consider how fishes are made, you + will understand how difficult this must have been and how clever they were + to do it. Indeed, so clever were they that they might have been hunting + still if a terrible thing had not happened. + </p> + <p> + One day the whole fish tribe came back very tired from a hunting + expedition, and looked about for a nice, cool spot in which to pitch their + camp. It was very hot, and they thought that they could not find a more + comfortable place than under the branches of a large tree which grew by + the bank of a river. So they made their fire to cook some food, right on + the edge of a steep bank, which had a deep pool of water lying beneath it + at the bottom. While the food was cooking they all stretched themselves + lazily out under the tree, and were just dropping off to sleep when a big + black cloud which they had never noticed spread over the sun, and heavy + drops of rain began to fall, so that the fire was almost put out, and + that, you know, is a very serious thing in savage countries where they + have no matches, for it is very hard to light it again. To make matters + worse, an icy wind began to blow, and the poor fishes were chilled right + through their bodies. + </p> + <p> + ‘This will never do,’ said Thuggai, the oldest of the fish tribe. ‘We + shall die of cold unless we can light the fire again,’ and he bade his + sons rub two sticks together in the hope of kindling a flame, but though + they rubbed till they were tired, not a spark could they produce. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me try,’ cried Biernuga, the bony fish, but he had no better luck, + and no more had Kumbal, the bream, nor any of the rest. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is no use,’ exclaimed Thuggai, at last. ‘The wood is too wet. We must + just sit and wait till the sun comes out again and dries it.’ Then a very + little fish indeed, not more than four inches long and the youngest of the + tribe, bowed himself before Thuggai, saying, ‘Ask my father, Guddhu the + cod, to light the fire. He is skilled in magic more than most fishes.’ So + Thuggai asked him, and Guddhu stripped some pieces of bark off a tree, and + placed them on top of the smouldering ashes. Then he knelt by the side of + the fire and blew at it for a long while, till slowly the feeble red glow + became a little stronger and the edges of the bark showed signs of curling + up. When the rest of the tribe saw this they pressed close, keeping their + backs towards the piercing wind, but Guddhu told them they must go to the + other side, as he wanted the wind to fan his fire. By and by the spark + grew into a flame, and a merry crackling was heard. + </p> + <p> + ‘More wood,’ cried Guddhi, and they all ran and gathered wood and heaped + it on the flames, which leaped and roared and sputtered. + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall soon be warm now,’ said the people one to another. ‘Truly Guddhu + is great’; and they crowded round again, closer and closer. Suddenly, with + a shriek, a blast of wind swept down from the hills and blew the fire out + towards them. They sprang back hurriedly, quite forgetting where they + stood, and all fell down the bank, each tumbling over the other, till they + rolled into the pool that lay below. Oh, how cold it was in that dark + water on which the sun never shone! Then in an instant they felt warm + again, for the fire, driven by the strong wind, had followed them right + down to the bottom of the pool, where it burned as brightly as ever. And + the fishes gathered round it as they had done on the top of the cliff, and + found the flames as hot as before, and that fire never went out, like + those upon land, but kept burning for ever. So now you know why, if you + dive deep down below the cold surface of the water on a frosty day, you + will find it comfortable and pleasant underneath, and be quite sorry that + you cannot stay there. + </p> + <p> + Australian Folk Tale. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Wonderful Tune. + </h2> + <p> + Maurice Connor was the king, and that’s no small word, of all the pipers + in Munster. He could play jig and reel without end, and Ollistrum’s March, + and the Eagle’s Whistle, and the Hen’s Concert, and odd tunes of every + sort and kind. But he knew one far more surprising than the rest, which + had in it the power to set everything dead or alive dancing. + </p> + <p> + In what way he learned it is beyond my knowledge for he was mighty + cautious about telling how he came by so wonderful a tune. At the very + first note of that tune the shoes began shaking upon the feet of all how + heard it—old or young, it mattered not—just as if the shoes + had the ague; then the feet began going, going, going from under them, and + at last up and away with them, dancing like mad, whisking here, there, and + everywhere, like a straw in a storm—there was no halting while the + music lasted. + </p> + <p> + Not a fair, nor a wedding, nor a feast in the seven parishes round, was + counted worth the speaking of without ‘blind Maurice and his pipes.’ His + mother, poor woman, used to lead him about from one place to another just + like a dog. + </p> + <p> + Down through Iveragh, Maurice Connor and his mother were taking their + rounds. Beyond all other places Iveragh is the place for stormy coasts and + steep mountains, as proper a spot it is as any in Ireland to get yourself + drowned, or your neck broken on the land, should you prefer that. But, + notwithstanding, in Ballinskellig Bay there is a neat bit of ground, well + fitted for diversion, and down from it, towards the water, is a clean + smooth piece of strand, the dead image of a calm summer’s sea on a + moonlight night, with just the curl of the small waves upon it. + </p> + <p> + Here is was that Maurice’s music had brought from all parts a great + gathering of the young men and the young women; for ‘twas not every day + the strand of Trafraska was stirred up by the voice of a bagpipe. The + dance began; and as pretty a dance it was as ever was danced. ‘Brave + music,’ said everybody, ‘and well done,’ when Maurice stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘More power to your elbow, Maurice, and a fair wind in the bellows,’ cried + Paddy Dorman, a hump-backed dancing master, who was there to keep order. + ‘’Tis a pity,’ said he, ‘if we’d let the piper run dry after such music; + ‘twould be a disgrace to Iveragh, that didn’t come on it since the week of + the three Sundays.’ So, as well became him, for he was always a decent + man, says he, ‘Did you drink, piper?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will, sir,’ said Maurice, answering the question on the safe side, for + you never yet knew piper or schoolmaster who refused his drink. + </p> + <p> + ‘What will you drink, Maurice?’ says Paddy. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m no ways particular,’ says Maurice; ‘I drink anything, barring raw + water; but if it’s all the same to you, Mister Dorman, may be you wouldn’t + lend me the loan of a glass of whisky.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ve no glass, Maurice,’ said Paddy; ‘I’ve only the bottle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let that be no hindrance,’ answered Maurice; ‘my mouth just holds a glass + to the drop; often I’ve tried it sure.’ + </p> + <p> + So Paddy Dorman trusted him with the bottle—more fool was he; and, + to his cost, he found that though Maurice’s mouth might not hold more than + the glass at one time, yet, owing to the hole in his throat, it took many + a filling. + </p> + <p> + ‘That was no bad whisky neither,’ says Maurice, handing back the empty + bottle. + </p> + <p> + ‘By the holy frost, then!’ says Paddy, ‘’tis but cold comfort there’s in + that bottle now; and ‘tis your word we must take for the strength of the + whisky, for you’ve left us no sample to judge by’; and to be sure Maurice + had not. + </p> + <p> + Now I need not tell any gentleman or lady that if he or she was to drink + an honest bottle of whisky at one pull, it is not at all the same thing as + drinking a bottle of water; and in the whole course of my life I never + knew more than five men who could do so without being the worse. Of these + Maurice Connor was not one, though he had a stiff head enough of his own. + Don’t think I blame him for it; but true is the word that says, ‘When + liquor’s in sense is out’; and puff, at a breath, out he blasted his + wonderful tune. + </p> + <p> + ‘Twas really then beyond all belief or telling the dancing. Maurice + himself could not keep quiet; staggering now on one leg, now on the other, + and rolling about like a ship in a cross sea, trying to humour the tune. + There was his mother, too, moving her old bones as light as the youngest + girl of them all; but her dancing, no, nor the dancing of all the rest, is + not worthy the speaking about to the work that was going on down upon the + strand. Every inch of it covered with all manner of fish jumping and + plunging about to the music, and every moment more and more would tumble + in and out of the water, charmed by the wonderful tune. Crabs of monstrous + size spun round and round on one claw with the nimbleness of a dancing + master, and twirled and tossed their other claws about like limbs that did + not belong to them. It was a sight surprising to behold. But perhaps you + may have heard of Father Florence Conry, as pleasant a man as one would + wish to drink with of a hot summer’s day; and he had rhymed out all about + the dancing fishes so neatly that it would be a thousand pities not to + give you his verses; so here they are in English: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The big seals in motion, + Like waves of the ocean, + Or gouty feet prancing, + Came heading the gay fish, + Crabs, lobsters, and cray-fish, + Determined on dancing. + + The sweet sounds they followed, + The gasping cod swallow’d— + ‘Twas wonderful, really; + And turbot and flounder, + ‘Mid fish that were rounder, + Just caper’d as gaily. + + John-dories came tripping; + Dull hake, by their skipping, + To frisk it seem’d given; + Bright mackrel went springing, + Like small rainbows winging + Their flight up to heaven. + + The whiting and haddock + Left salt water paddock + This dance to be put in; + Where skate with flat faces + Edged out some old plaices; + But soles kept their footing. + + Sprats and herrings in powers + Of silvery showers + All number out-numbered; + And great ling so lengthy + Was there in such plenty + The shore was encumber’d. + + The scallop and oyster + Their two shells did roister, + Like castanets flitting; + While limpets moved clearly, + And rocks very nearly + With laughter were splitting. +</pre> + <p> + Never was such a hullabaloo in this world, before or since; ‘twas as if + heaven and earth were coming together; and all out of Maurice Connor’s + wonderful tune! + </p> + <p> + In the height of all these doings, what should there be dancing among the + outlandish set of fishes but a beautiful young woman—as beautiful as + the dawn of day! She had a cocked hat upon her head; from under it her + long green hair—just the colour of the sea—fell down behind, + without hindrance to her dancing. Her teeth were like rows of pearls; her + lips for all the world looked like red coral; and she had a shining gown + pale green as the hollow of the wave, with little rows of purple and red + seaweeds settled out upon it; for you never yet saw a lady, under the + water or over the water, who had not a good notion of dressing herself + out. + </p> + <p> + Up she danced at last to Maurice, who was flinging his feet from under him + as fast as hops—for nothing in this world could keep still while + that tune of his was going on—and says she to him, chanting it out + with a voice as sweet as honey: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I’m a lady of honour + Who live in the sea; + Come down, Maurice Connor, + And be married to me. + Silver plates and gold dishes + You shall have, and shall be + The king of the fishes, + When you’re married to me. +</pre> + <p> + Drink was strong in Maurice’s head, and out he chanted in return for her + great civility. It is not every lady, may be, that would be after making + such an offer to a blind piper; therefore ‘twas only right in him to give + her as good as she gave herself, so says Maurice: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I’m obliged to you, madam: + Off a gold dish or plate, + If a king, and I had ‘em, + I could dine in great state. + With your own father’s daughter + I’d be sure to agree, + But to drink the salt water + Wouldn’t do so with me! +</pre> + <p> + The lady looked at him quite amazed, and swinging her head from side to + side like a great scholar, ‘Well,’ says she, ‘Maurice, if you’re not a + poet, where is poetry to be found?’ + </p> + <p> + In this way they kept on at it, framing high compliments; one answering + the other, and their feet going with the music as fast as their tongues. + All the fish kept dancing, too; Maurice heard the clatter and was afraid + to stop playing lest it might be displeasing to the fish, and not knowing + what so many of them may take it into their heads to do to him if they got + vexed. + </p> + <p> + Well, the lady with the green hair kept on coaxing Maurice with soft + speeches, till at last she over persuaded him to promise to marry her, and + be king over the fishes, great and small. Maurice was well fitted to be + their king, if they wanted one that could make them dance; and he surely + would drink, barring the salt water, with any fish of them all. + </p> + <p> + When Maurice’s mother saw him with that unnatural thing in the form of a + green-haired lady as his guide, and he and she dancing down together so + lovingly to the water’s edge, through the thick of the fishes, she called + out after him to stop and come back. ‘Oh, then,’ says she, ‘as if I was + not widow enough before, there he is going away from me to be married to + that scaly woman. And who knows but ‘tis grandmother I may be to a hake or + a cod—Lord help and pity me, but ‘tis a mighty unnatural thing! And + my be ‘tis boiling and eating my own grandchild I’ll be, with a bit of + salt butter, and I not knowing it! Oh, Maurice, Maurice, if there’s any + love or nature left in you, come back to your own ould mother, who reared + you like a decent Christian!’ Then the poor woman began to cry and sob so + finely that it would do anyone good to hear her. + </p> + <p> + Maurice was not long getting to the rim of the water. There he kept + playing and dancing on as if nothing was the matter, and a great + thundering wave coming in towards him ready to swallow him up alive; but + as he could not see it, he did not fear it. His mother it was who saw it + plainly through the big tears that were rolling down her cheeks; and + though she saw it, and her heart was aching as much as ever mother’s heart + ached for a son, she kept dancing, dancing all the time for the bare life + of her. Certain it was she could not help it, for Maurice never stopped + playing that wonderful tune of his. + </p> + <p> + He only turned his ear to the sound of his mother’s voice, fearing it + might put him out in his steps, and all the answer he made back was, + ‘Whisht with you mother—sure I’m going to be king over the fishes + down in the sea, and for a token of luck, and a sign that I’m alive and + well, I’ll send you in, every twelvemonth on this day, a piece of burned + wood to Trafraska.’ Maurice had not the power to say a word more, for the + strange lady with the green hair, seeing the wave just upon them, covered + him up with herself in a thing like a cloak with a big hood to it, and the + wave curling over twice as high as their heads, burst upon the strand, + with a rush and a roar that might be heard as far as Cape Clear. + </p> + <p> + That day twelvemonth the piece of burned wood came ashore in Trafraska. It + was a queer thing for Maurice to think of sending all the way from the + bottom of the sea. A gown or a pair of shoes would have been something + like a present for his poor mother; but he had said it, and he kept his + word. The bit of burned wood regularly came ashore on the appointed day + for as good, ay, and better than a hundred years. The day is now + forgotten, and may be that is the reason why people say how Maurice Connor + has stopped sending the luck-token to his mother. Poor woman, she did not + live to get as much as one of them; for what through the loss of Maurice, + and the fear of eating her own grandchildren, she died in three weeks + after the dance. Some say it was the fatigue that killed her, but + whichever it was, Mrs. Connor was decently buried with her own people. + </p> + <p> + Seafaring people have often heard, off the coast of Kerry, on a still + night, the sound of music coming up from the water; and some, who have had + good ears, could plainly distinguish Maurice Connor’s voice singing these + words to his pipes— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Beautiful shore, with thy spreading strand, + Thy crystal water, and diamond sand; + Never would I have parted from thee, + But for the sake of my fair ladie. +</pre> + <p> + From ‘Fairy Tales and Traditions of the South of Ireland.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother + </h2> + <p> + There was once a rich old man who had two sons, and as his wife was dead, + the elder lived with him, and helped him to look after his property. For a + long time all went well; the young man got up very early in the morning, + and worked hard all day, and at the end of every week his father counted + up the money they had made, and rubbed his hands with delight, as he saw + how big the pile of gold in the strong iron chest was becoming. ‘It will + soon be full now, and I shall have to buy a larger one,’ he said to + himself, and so busy was he with the thought of his money, that he did not + notice how bright his son’s face had grown, nor how he sometimes started + when he was spoken to, as if his mind was far away. + </p> + <p> + One day, however, the old man went to the city on business, which he had + not done for three years at least. It was market day, and he met with many + people he knew, and it was getting quite late when he turned into the inn + yard, and bade an ostler saddle his horse, and bring it round directly. + While he was waiting in the hall, the landlady came up for a gossip, and + after a few remarks about the weather and the vineyards she asked him how + he liked his new daughter-in-law, and whether he had been surprised at the + marriage. + </p> + <p> + The old man stared as he listened to her. ‘Daughter-in-law? Marriage?’ + said he. ‘I don’t know what you are talking about! I’ve got no + daughter-in-law, and nobody has been married lately, that I ever heard + of.’ + </p> + <p> + Now this was exactly what the landlady, who was very curious, wanted to + find out; but she put on a look of great alarm, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, dear! I hope I have not made mischief. I had no idea—or, of + course, I would not have spoken—but’—and here she stopped and + fumbled with her apron, as if she was greatly embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + ‘As you have said so much you will have to say a little more,’ retorted + the old man, a suspicion of what she meant darting across him; and the + woman, nothing loth, answered as before. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, it was not all for buying or selling that your handsome son has been + coming to town every week these many months past. And not by the shortest + way, either! No, it was over the river he rode, and across the hill and + past the cottage of Miguel the vine-keeper, whose daughter, they say, is + the prettiest girl in the whole country side, though she is too white for + my taste,’ and then the landlady paused again, and glanced up at the + farmer, to see how he was taking it. She did not learn much. He was + looking straight before him, his teeth set. But as she ceased to talk, he + said quietly, ‘Go on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is not much more to tell,’ replied the landlady, for she suddenly + remembered that she must prepare supper for the hungry men who always + stopped at the inn on market days, before starting for home, ‘but one fine + morning they both went to the little church on top of the hill, and were + married. My cousin is servant to the priest, and she found out about it + and told me. But good-day to you, sir; here is your horse, and I must + hurry off to the kitchen.’ + </p> + <p> + It was lucky that the horse was sure-footed and knew the road, for his + bridle hung loose on his neck, and his master took no heed of the way he + was going. When the farm-house was reached, the man led the animal to the + stable, and then went to look for his son. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know everything—you have deceived me. Get out of my sight at once—I + have done with you,’ he stammered, choking with passion as he came up to + the young man, who was cutting a stick in front of the door, whistling + gaily the while. + </p> + <p> + ‘But, father—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are no son of mine; I have only one now. Begone, or it will be the + worse for you,’ and as he spoke he lifted up his whip. + </p> + <p> + The young man shrank back. He feared lest his father should fall down in a + fit, his face was so red and his eyes seemed bursting from his head. But + it was no use staying: perhaps next morning the old man might listen to + reason, though in his heart the son felt that he would never take back his + words. So he turned slowly away, and walked heavily along a path which + ended in a cave on the side of his hill, and there he sat through the + night, thinking of what had happened. + </p> + <p> + Yes, he had been wrong, there was no doubt of that, and he did not quite + know how it had come about. He had meant to have told his father all about + it, and he was sure, quite sure, that if once the old man had seen his + wife, he would have forgiven her poverty on account of her great beauty + and goodness. But he had put it off from day to day, hoping always for a + better opportunity, and now this was the end! + </p> + <p> + If the son had no sleep that night, no more had the father, and as soon as + the sun rose, he sent a messenger into the great city with orders to bring + back the younger brother. When he arrived the farmer did not waste words, + but informed him that he was now his only heir, and would inherit all his + lands and money, and that he was to come and live at home, and to help + manage the property. + </p> + <p> + Though very pleased at the thought of becoming such a rich man—for + the brothers had never cared much for each other—the younger would + rather have stayed where he was, for he soon got tired of the country, and + longed for a town life. However, this he kept to himself, and made the + best of things, working hard like his brother before him. + </p> + <p> + In this way the years went on, but the crops were not so good as they had + been, and the old man gave orders that some fine houses he was building in + the city should be left unfinished, for it would take all the savings to + complete them. As to the elder son, he would never even hear his name + mentioned, and died at last without ever seeing his face, leaving to the + younger, as he had promised, all his lands, as well as his money. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the son whom he had disinherited had grown poorer and poorer. + He and his wife were always looking out for something to do, and never + spent a penny that they could help, but luck was against them, and at the + time of his father’s death they had hardly bread to eat or clothes to + cover them. If there had been only himself, he would have managed to get + on somehow, but he could not bear to watch his children becoming weaker + day by day, and swallowing his pride, at length he crossed the mountains + to his old home where his brother was living. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time for long that the two men had come face to face, and + they looked at each other in silence. Then tears rose in the eyes of the + elder, but winking them hastily away, he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother, it is not needful that I should tell you how poor I am; you can + see that for yourself. I have not come to beg for money, but only to ask + if you will give me those unfinished houses of yours in the city, and I + will make them watertight, so that my wife and children can live in them, + and that will save our rent. For as they are, they profit you nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + And the younger brother listened and pitied him, and gave him the houses + that he asked for, and the elder went away happy. + </p> + <p> + For some years things went on as they were, and then the rich brother + began to feel lonely, and thought to himself that he was getting older, + and it was time for him to be married. The wife he chose was very wealthy, + but she was also very greedy, and however much she had, she always wanted + more. She was, besides, one of those unfortunate people who invariably + fancy that the possessions of other people must be better than their own. + Many a time her poor husband regretted the day that he had first seen her, + and often her meanness and shabby ways put him to shame. But he had not + the courage to rule her, and she only got worse and worse. + </p> + <p> + After she had been married a few months the bride wanted to go into the + city and buy herself some new dresses. She had never been there before, + and when she had finished her shopping, she thought she would pay a visit + to her unknown sister-in-law, and rest for a bit. The house she was + seeking was in a broad street, and ought to have been very magnificent, + but the carved stone portico enclosed a mean little door of rough wood, + while a row of beautiful pillars led to nothing. The dwelling on each side + were in the same unfinished condition, and water trickled down the walls. + Most people would have considered it a wretched place, and turned their + backs on it as soon as they could, but this lady saw that by spending some + money the houses could be made as splendid as they were originally + intended to be, and she instantly resolved to get them for herself. + </p> + <p> + Full of this idea she walked up the marble staircase, and entered the + little room where her sister-in-law sat, making clothes for her children. + The bride seemed full of interest in the houses, and asked a great many + questions about them, so that her new relations liked her much better than + they expected, and hoped they might be good friends. However, as soon as + she reached home, she went straight to her husband, and told him that he + must get back those houses from his brother, as they would exactly suit + her, and she could easily make them into a palace as fine as the king’s. + But her husband only told her that she might buy houses in some other part + of the town, for she could not have those, as he had long since made a + gift of them to his brother, who had lived there for many years past. + </p> + <p> + At this answer the wife grew very angry. She began to cry, and made such a + noise that all the neighbours heard her and put their heads out of the + windows, to see what was the matter. ‘It was absurd,’ she sobbed out, + ‘quite unjust. Indeed, if you came to think of it, the gift was worth + nothing, as when her husband made it he was a bachelor, and since then he + had been married, and she had never given her consent to any such thing.’ + And so she lamented all day and all night, till the poor man was nearly + worried to death; and at last he did what she wished, and summoned his + brother in a court of law to give up the houses which, he said, had only + been lent to him. But when the evidence on both sides had been heard, the + judge decided in favour of the poor man, which made the rich lady more + furious than ever, and she determined not to rest until she had gained the + day. If one judge would not give her the houses another should, and so + time after time the case was tried over again, till at last it came before + the highest judge of all, in the city of Evora. Her husband was heartily + tired and ashamed of the whole affair, but his weakness in not putting a + stop to it in the beginning had got him into this difficulty, and now he + was forced to go on. + </p> + <p> + On the same day the two brothers set out on their journey to the city, the + rich one on horseback, with plenty of food in his knapsack, the poor one + on foot with nothing but a piece of bread and four onions to eat on the + way. The road was hilly and neither could go very fast, and when night + fell, they were both glad to see some lights in a window a little distance + in front of them. + </p> + <p> + The lights turned out to have been placed there by a farmer, who had + planned to have a particularly good supper as it was his wife’s birthday, + and bade the rich man enter and sit down, while he himself took the horse + to the stable. The poor man asked timidly if he might spend the night in a + corner, adding that he had brought his own supper with him. Another time + permission might have been refused him, for the farmer was no lover of + humble folk, but now he gave the elder brother leave to come in, pointing + out a wooden chair where he could sit. + </p> + <p> + Supper was soon served, and very glad the younger brother was to eat it, + for his long ride had made him very hungry. The farmer’s wife, however, + would touch nothing, and at last declared that the only supper she wanted + was one of the onions the poor man was cooking at the fire. Of course he + gave it to her, though he would gladly have eaten it himself, as three + onions are not much at the end of a long day’s walk, and soon after they + all went to sleep, the poor man making himself as comfortable as he could + in his corner. + </p> + <p> + A few hours later the farmer was aroused by the cries and groans of his + wife. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I feel so ill, I’m sure I’m going to die,’ wept she. ‘It was that + onion, I know it was. I wish I had never eaten it. It must have been + poisoned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If the man has poisoned you he shall pay for it,’ said her husband, and + seizing a thick stick he ran downstairs and began to beat the poor man, + who had been sound asleep, and had nothing to defend himself with. + Luckily, the noise aroused the younger brother, who jumped up and snatched + the stick from the farmer’s hand, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘We are both going to Evora to try a law-suit. Come too, and accuse him + there if he has attempted to rob you or murder you, but don’t kill him + now, or you will get yourself into trouble.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, perhaps you are right,’ answered the farmer, ‘but the sooner that + fellow has his deserts, the better I shall be pleased,’ and without more + words he went to the stables and brought out a horse for himself and also + the black Andalusian mare ridden by the rich man, while the poor brother, + fearing more ill-treatment, started at once on foot. + </p> + <p> + Now all that night it had rained heavily, and did not seem likely to stop, + and in some places the road was so thick with mud that it was almost + impossible to get across it. In one spot it was so very bad that a mule + laden with baggage had got stuck in it, and tug as he might, his master + was quite unable to pull him out. The muleteer in despair appealed to the + two horseman, who were carefully skirting the swamp at some distance off, + but they paid no heed to his cries, and he began to talk cheerfully to his + mule, hoping to keep up his spirits, declaring that if the poor beast + would only have a little patience help was sure to come. + </p> + <p> + And so it did, for very soon the poor brother reached the place, + bespattered with mud from head to foot, but ready to do all he could to + help with the mule and his master. First they set about finding some stout + logs of wood to lay down on the marsh so that they could reach the mule, + for by this time his frantic struggles had broken his bridle, and he was + deeper in than ever. Stepping cautiously along the wood, the poor man + contrived to lay hold of the animal’s tale, and with a desperate effort + the mule managed to regain his footing on dry ground, but at the cost of + leaving his tail in the poor man’s hand. When he saw this the muleteer’s + anger knew no bounds, and forgetting that without the help given him he + would have lost his mule altogether, he began to abuse the poor man, + declaring that he had ruined his beast, and the law would make him pay for + it. Then, jumping on the back of the mule, which was so glad to be out of + the choking mud that he did not seem to mind the loss of his tail, the + ungrateful wretch rode on, and that evening reached the inn at Evora, + where the rich man and the farmer had already arrived for the night. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the poor brother walked wearily along, wondering what other + dreadful adventures were in store for him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall certainly be condemned for one or other of them,’ thought he + sadly; ‘and after all, if I have to die, I would rather choose my own + death than leave it to my enemies,’ and as soon as he entered Evora he + looked about for a place suitable for carrying out the plan he had made. + At length he found what he sought, but as it was too late and too dark for + him to make sure of success, he curled himself up under a doorway, and + slept till morning. + </p> + <p> + Although it was winter, the sun rose in a clear sky, and its rays felt + almost warm when the poor man got up and shook himself. He intended it to + be the day of his death, but in spite of that, and of the fact that he was + leaving his wife and children behind him, he felt almost cheerful. He had + struggled so long, and was so very, very tired; but he would not have + minded that if he could have proved his innocence, and triumphed over his + enemies. However, they had all been too clever for him, and he had no + strength to fight any more. So he mounted the stone steps that led to the + battlements of the city, and stopped for a moment to gaze about him. + </p> + <p> + It happened that an old sick man who lived near by had begged to be + carried out and to be laid at the foot of the wall so that the beams of + the rising sun might fall upon him, and he would be able to talk with his + friends as they passed by to their work. Little did he guess that on top + of the battlements, exactly over his head, stood a man who was taking his + last look at the same sun, before going to his death that awaited him. But + so it was; and as the steeple opposite was touched by the golden light, + the poor man shut his eyes and sprang forward. The wall was high, and he + flew rapidly through the air, but it was not the ground he touched, only + the body of the sick man, who rolled over and died without a groan. As for + the other, he was quite unhurt, and was slowly rising to his feet when his + arms were suddenly seized and held. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have killed our father, do you see? do you see?’ cried two young men, + ‘and you will come with us this instant before the judge, and answer for + it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your father? but I don’t know him. What do you mean?’ asked the poor man, + who was quite bewildered with his sudden rush through the air, and could + not think why he should be accused of this fresh crime. But he got no + reply, and was only hurried through the streets to the court-house, where + his brother, the muleteer, and the farmer had just arrived, all as angry + as ever, all talking at once, till the judge entered and ordered them to + be silent. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will hear you one by one,’ he said, and motioned the younger brother to + begin. + </p> + <p> + He did not take long to state his case. The unfinished houses were his, + left him with the rest of the property by his father, and his brother + refused to give them up. In answer, the poor man told, in a few words, how + he had begged the houses from his brother, and produced the deed of gift + which made him their owner. + </p> + <p> + The judge listened quietly and asked a few questions; then he gave his + verdict. + </p> + <p> + ‘The houses shall remain the property of the man to whom they were given, + and to whom they belong. And as you,’ he added, turning to the younger + brother, ‘brought this accusation knowing full well it was wicked and + unjust, I order you, besides losing the houses, to pay a thousand pounds + damages to your brother.’ + </p> + <p> + The rich man heard the judge with rage in his heart, the poor man with + surprise and gratitude. But he was not safe yet, for now it was the turn + of the farmer. The judge could hardly conceal a smile at the story, and + inquired if the wife was dead before the farmer left the house, and + received for answer that he was in such a hurry for justice to be done + that he had not waited to see. Then the poor man told his tale, and once + more judgment was given in his favour, while twelve hundred pounds was + ordered to be paid him. As for the muleteer, he was informed very plainly + that he had proved himself mean and ungrateful for the help that had been + given him, and as a punishment he must pay to the poor man a fine of fifty + pounds, and hand him over the mule till his tail had grown again. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, there came the two sons of the sick man. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is the wretch who killed our father,’ they said, ‘and we demand that + he should die also.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How did you kill him?’ asked the judge, turning to the accused, and the + poor man told how he had leaped from the wall, not knowing that anyone was + beneath. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, this is my judgment,’ replied the judge, when they had all spoken: + ‘Let the accused sit under the wall, and let the sons of the dead man jump + from the top and fall on him and kill him, and if they will not to this, + then they are condemned to pay eight hundred pounds for their false + accusation.’ + </p> + <p> + The young men looked at each other, and slowly shook their heads. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will pay the fine,’ said they, and the judge nodded. + </p> + <p> + So the poor man rode the mule home, and brought back to his family enough + money to keep them in comfort to the end of their days. + </p> + <p> + Adapted from the Portuguese. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The One-Handed Girl + </h2> + <p> + An old couple once lived in a hut under a grove of palm trees, and they + had one son and one daughter. They were all very happy together for many + years, and then the father became very ill, and felt he was going to die. + He called his children to the place where he lay on the floor—for no + one had any beds in that country—and said to his son, ‘I have no + herds of cattle to leave you—only the few things there are in the + house—for I am a poor man, as you know. But choose: will you have my + blessing or my property?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your property, certainly,’ answered the son, and his father nodded. + </p> + <p> + ‘And you?’ asked the old man of the girl, who stood by her brother. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will have blessing,’ she answered, and her father gave her much + blessing. + </p> + <p> + That night he died, and his wife and son and daughter mourned for him + seven days, and gave him a burial according to the custom of his people. + But hardly was the time of mourning over, than the mother was attacked by + a disease which was common in that country. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going away from you,’ she said to her children, in a faint voice; + ‘but first, my son, choose which you will have: blessing or property.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Property, certainly,’ answered the son. + </p> + <p> + ‘And you, my daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will have blessing,’ said the girl; and her mother gave her much + blessing, and that night she died. + </p> + <p> + When the days of mourning were ended, the brother bade his sister put + outside the hut all that belonged to his father and his mother. So the + girl put them out, and he took them away, save only a small pot and a + vessel in which she could clean her corn. But she had no corn to clean. + </p> + <p> + She sat at home, sad and hungry, when a neighbour knocked at the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘My pot has cracked in the fire, lend me yours to cook my supper in, and I + will give you a handful of corn in return.’ + </p> + <p> + And the girl was glad, and that night she was able to have supper herself, + and next day another woman borrowed her pot, and then another and another, + for never were known so many accidents as befell the village pots at that + time. She soon grew quite fat with all the corn she earned with the help + of her pot, and then one evening she picked up a pumpkin seed in a corner, + and planted it near her well, and it sprang up, and gave her many + pumpkins. + </p> + <p> + At last it happened that a youth from her village passed through the place + where the girl’s brother was, and the two met and talked. + </p> + <p> + ‘What news is there of my sister?’ asked the young man, with whom things + had gone badly, for he was idle. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is fat and well-liking,’ replied the youth, ‘for the women borrow her + mortar to clean their corn, and borrow her pot to cook it in, and for al + this they give her more food than she can eat.’ And he went his way. + </p> + <p> + Now the brother was filled with envy at the words of the man, and he set + out at once, and before dawn he had reached the hut, and saw the pot and + the mortar were standing outside. He slung them over his shoulders and + departed, pleased with his own cleverness; but when his sister awoke and + sought for the pot to cook her corn for breakfast, she could find it + nowhere. At length she said to herself, + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, some thief must have stolen them while I slept. I will go and see + if any of my pumpkins are ripe.’ And indeed they were, and so many that + the tree was almost broken by the weight of them. So she ate what she + wanted and took the others to the village, and gave them in exchange for + corn, and the women said that no pumpkins were as sweet as these, and that + she was to bring every day all that she had. In this way she earned more + than she needed for herself, and soon was able to get another mortar and + cooking pot in exchange for her corn. Then she thought she was quite rich. + </p> + <p> + Unluckily someone else thought so too, and this was her brother’s wife, + who had heard all about the pumpkin tree, and sent her slave with a + handful of grain to buy her a pumpkin. At first the girl told him that so + few were left that she could not spare any; but when she found that he + belonged to her brother, she changed her mind, and went out to the tree + and gathered the largest and the ripest that was there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this one,’ she said to the slave, ‘and carry it back to your + mistress, but tell her to keep the corn, as the pumpkin is a gift.’ + </p> + <p> + The brother’s wife was overjoyed at the sight of the fruit, and when she + tasted it, she declared it was the nicest she had ever eaten. Indeed, all + night she thought of nothing else, and early in the morning she called + another slave (for she was a rich woman) and bade him go and ask for + another pumpkin. But the girl, who had just been out to look at her tree, + told him that they were all eaten, so he went back empty-handed to his + mistress. + </p> + <p> + In the evening her husband returned from hunting a long way off, and found + his wife in tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘I sent a slave with some grain to your sister to buy some pumpkins, but + she would not sell me any, and told me there were none, though I know she + lets other people buy them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, never mind now—go to sleep,’ said he, ‘and to-morrow I will + go and pull up the pumpkin tree, and that will punish her for treating you + so badly.’ + </p> + <p> + So before sunrise he got up and set out for his sister’s house, and found + her cleaning some corn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you refuse to sell my wife a pumpkin yesterday when she wanted + one?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘The old ones are finished, and the new ones are not yet come,’ answered + the girl. ‘When her slave arrived two days ago, there were only four left; + but I gave him one, and would take no corn for it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not believe you; you have sold them all to other people. I shall go + and cut down the pumpkin,’ cried her brother in a rage. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you cut down the pumpkin you shall cut off my hand with it,’ exclaimed + the girl, running up to her tree and catching hold of it. But her brother + followed, and with one blow cut off the pumpkin and her hand too. + </p> + <p> + Then he went into the house and took away everything he could find, and + sold the house to a friend of his who had long wished to have it, and his + sister had no home to go to. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile she had bathed her arm carefully, and bound on it some healing + leaves that grew near by, and wrapped a cloth round the leaves, and went + to hide in the forest, that her brother might not find her again. + </p> + <p> + For seven days she wandered about, eating only the fruit that hung from + the trees above her, and every night she climbed up and tucked herself + safely among the creepers which bound together the big branches, so that + neither lions nor tigers nor panthers might get at her. + </p> + <p> + When she woke up on the seventh morning she saw from her perch smoke + coming up from a little town on the edge of the forest. The sight of the + huts made her feel more lonely and helpless than before. She longed + desperately for a draught of milk from a gourd, for there were no streams + in that part, and she was very thirsty, but how was she to earn anything + with only one hand? And at this thought her courage failed, and she began + to cry bitterly. + </p> + <p> + It happened that the king’s son had come out from the town very early to + shoot birds, and when the sun grew hot he left tired. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will lie here and rest under this tree,’ he said to his attendants. + ‘You can go and shoot instead, and I will just have this slave to stay + with me!’ Away they went, and the young man fell asleep, and slept long. + Suddenly he was awakened by something wet and salt falling on his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that? Is it raining?’ he said to his slave. ‘Go and look.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, master, it is not raining,’ answered the slave. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then climb up the tree and see what it is,’ and the slave climbed up, and + came back and told his master that a beautiful girl was sitting up there, + and that it must have been her tears which had fallen on the face of the + king’s son. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why was she crying?’ inquired the prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot tell—I did not dare to ask her; but perhaps she would tell + you.’ And the master, greatly wondering, climbed up the tree. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter with you?’ said he gently, and, as she only sobbed + louder, he continued: + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you a woman, or a spirit of the woods?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am a woman,’ she answered slowly, wiping her eyes with a leaf of the + creeper that hung about her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then why do you cry?’ he persisted. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have many things to cry for,’ she replied, ‘more than you could ever + guess.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come home with me,’ said the prince; ‘it is not very far. Come home to my + father and mother. I am a king’s son.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then why are you here?’ she said, opening her eyes and staring at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Once every month I and my friends shoot birds in the forest,’ he + answered, ‘but I was tired and bade them leave me to rest. And you—what + are you doing up in this tree?’ + </p> + <p> + At that she began to cry again, and told the king’s son all that had + befallen her since the death of her mother. + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot come down with you, for I do not like anyone to see me,’ she + ended with a sob. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! I will manage all that,’ said the king’s son, and swinging himself to + a lower branch, he bade his slave go quickly into the town, and bring back + with him four strong men and a curtained litter. When the man was gone, + the girl climbed down, and hid herself on the ground in some bushes. Very + soon the slave returned with the litter, which was placed on the ground + close to the bushes where the girl lay. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now go, all of you, and call my attendants, for I do not wish to say here + any longer,’ he said to the men, and as soon as they were out of sight he + bade the girl get into the litter, and fasten the curtains tightly. Then + he got in on the other side, and waited till his attendants came up. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter, O son of a king?’ asked they, breathless with + running. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think I am ill; I am cold,’ he said, and signing to the bearers, he + drew the curtains, and was carried through the forest right inside his own + house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell my father and mother that I have a fever, and want some gruel,’ said + he, ‘and bid them send it quickly.’ + </p> + <p> + So the slave hastened to the king’s palace and gave his message, which + troubled both the king and the queen greatly. A pot of hot gruel was + instantly prepared, and carried over to the sick man, and as soon as the + council which was sitting was over, the king and his ministers went to pay + him a visit, bearing a message from the queen that she would follow a + little later. + </p> + <p> + Now the prince had pretended to be ill in order to soften his parent’s + hearts, and the next day he declared he felt better, and, getting into his + litter, was carried to the palace in state, drums being beaten all along + the road. + </p> + <p> + He dismounted at the foot of the steps and walked up, a great parasol + being held over his head by a slave. Then he entered the cool, dark room + where his father and mother were sitting, and said to them: + </p> + <p> + ‘I saw a girl yesterday in the forest whom I wish to marry, and, unknown + to my attendants, I brought her back to my house in a litter. Give me your + consent, I beg, for no other woman pleases me as well, even though she has + but one hand!’ + </p> + <p> + Of course the king and queen would have preferred a daughter-in-law with + two hands, and one who could have brought riches with her, but they could + not bear to say ‘No’ to their son, so they told him it should be as he + chose, and that the wedding feast should be prepared immediately. + </p> + <p> + The girl could scarcely believe her good fortune, and, in gratitude for + all the kindness shown her, was so useful and pleasant to her husband’s + parents that they soon loved her. + </p> + <p> + By and bye a baby was born to her, and soon after that the prince was sent + on a journey by his father to visit some of the distant towns of the + kingdom, and to set right things that had gone wrong. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had he started than the girl’s brother, who had wasted all the + riches his wife had brought him in recklessness and folly, and was now + very poor, chanced to come into the town, and as he passed he heard a man + say, ‘Do you know that the king’s son has married a woman who has lost one + of her hands?’ On hearing these words the brother stopped and asked, + ‘Where did he find such a woman?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In the forest,’ answered the man, and the cruel brother guessed at once + it must be his sister. + </p> + <p> + A great rage took possession of his soul as he thought of the girl whom he + had tried to ruin being after all so much better off than himself, and he + vowed that he would work her ill. Therefore that very afternoon he made + his way to the palace and asked to see the king. + </p> + <p> + When he was admitted to his presence, he knelt down and touched the ground + with his forehead, and the king bade him stand up and tell wherefore he + had come. + </p> + <p> + ‘By the kindness of your heart have you been deceived, O king,’ said he. + ‘Your son has married a girl who has lost a hand. Do you know why she had + lost it? She was a witch, and has wedded three husbands, and each husband + she has put to death with her arts. Then the people of the town cut off + her hand, and turned her into the forest. And what I say is true, for her + town is my town also.’ + </p> + <p> + The king listened, and his face grew dark. Unluckily he had a hasty + temper, and did not stop to reason, and, instead of sending to the town, + and discovering people who knew his daughter-in-law and could have told + him how hard she had worked and how poor she had been, he believed all the + brother’s lying words, and made the queen believe them too. Together they + took counsel what they should do, and in the end they decided that they + also would put her out of the town. But this did not content the brother. + </p> + <p> + ‘Kill her,’ he said. ‘It is no more than she deserves for daring to marry + the king’s son. Then she can do no more hurt to anyone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We cannot kill her,’ answered they; ‘if we did, our son would assuredly + kill us. Let us do as the others did, and put her out of the town. And + with this the envious brother was forced to be content. + </p> + <p> + The poor girl loved her husband very much, but just then the baby was more + to her than all else in the world, and as long as she had him with her, + she did not very much mind anything. So, taking her son on her arm, and + hanging a little earthen pot for cooking round her neck, she left her + house with its great peacock fans and slaves and seats of ivory, and + plunged into the forest. + </p> + <p> + For a while she walked, not knowing whither she went, then by and bye she + grew tired, and sat under a tree to rest and to hush her baby to sleep. + Suddenly she raised her eyes, and saw a snake wriggling from under the + bushes towards her. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am a dead woman,’ she said to herself, and stayed quite still, for + indeed she was too frightened to move. In another minute the snake had + reached her side, and to her surprise he spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Open your earthen pot, and let me go in. Save me from sun, and I will + save you from rain,’ and she opened the pot, and when the snake had + slipped in, she put on the cover. Soon she beheld another snake coming + after the other one, and when it had reached her it stopped and said, ‘Did + you see a small grey snake pass this way just now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ she answered, ‘it was going very quickly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I must hurry and catch it up,’ replied the second snake, and it + hastened on. + </p> + <p> + When it was out of sight, a voice from the pot said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Uncover me,’ and she lifted the lid, and the little grey snake slid + rapidly to the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am safe now,’ he said. ‘But tell me, where are you going?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot tell you, for I do not know,’ she answered. ‘I am just wandering + in the wood.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Follow me, and let us go home together,’ said the snake, and the girl + followed his through the forest and along the green paths, till they came + to a great lake, where they stopped to rest. + </p> + <p> + ‘The sun is hot,’ said the snake, ‘and you have walked far. Take your baby + and bathe in that cool place where the boughs of the tree stretch far over + the water.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I will,’ answered she, and they went in. The baby splashed and + crowed with delight, and then he gave a spring and fell right in, down, + down, down, and his mother could not find him, though she searched all + among the reeds. + </p> + <p> + Full of terror, she made her way back to the bank, and called to the + snake, ‘My baby is gone!—he is drowned, and never shall I see him + again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go in once more,’ said the snake, ‘and feel everywhere, even among the + trees that have their roots in the water, lest perhaps he may be held fast + there.’ + </p> + <p> + Swiftly she went back and felt everywhere with her whole hand, even + putting her fingers into the tiniest crannies, where a crab could hardly + have taken shelter. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, he is not here,’ she cried. ‘How am I to live without him?’ But the + snake took no notice, and only answered, ‘Put in your other arm too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the use of that?’ she asked, ‘when it has no hand to feel with?’ + but all the same she did as she was bid, and in an instant the wounded arm + touched something round and soft, lying between two stones in a clump of + reeds. + </p> + <p> + ‘My baby, my baby!’ she shouted, and lifted him up, merry and laughing, + and not a bit hurt or frightened. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you found him this time?’ asked the snake. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, oh, yes!’ she answered, ‘and, why—why—I have got my hand + back again!’ and from sheer joy she burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + The snake let her weep for a little while, and then he said— + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we will journey on to my family, and we will all repay you for the + kindness you showed to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have done more than enough in giving me back my hand,’ replied the + girl; but the snake only smiled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Be quick, lest the sun should set,’ he answered, and began to wriggle + along so fast that the girl could hardly follow him. + </p> + <p> + By and bye they arrived at the house in a tree where the snake lived, when + he was not travelling with his father and mother. And he told them all his + adventures, and how he had escaped from his enemy. The father and mother + snake could not do enough to show their gratitude. They made their guest + lie down on a hammock woven of the strong creepers which hung from bough + to bough, till she was quite rested after her wanderings, while they + watched the baby and gave him milk to drink from the cocoa-nuts which they + persuaded their friends the monkeys to crack for them. They even managed + to carry small fruit tied up in their tails for the baby’s mother, who + felt at last that she was safe and at peace. Not that she forgot her + husband, for she often thought of him and longed to show him her son, and + in the night she would sometimes lie awake and wonder where he was. + </p> + <p> + In this manner many weeks passed by. + </p> + <p> + And what was the prince doing? + </p> + <p> + Well, he had fallen very ill when he was on the furthest border of the + kingdom, and he was nursed by some kind people who did not know who he + was, so that the king and queen heard nothing about him. When he was + better he made his way home again, and into his father’s palace, where he + found a strange man standing behind the throne with the peacock’s + feathers. This was his wife’s brother, whom the king had taken into high + favour, though, of course, the prince was quite ignorant of what had + happened. + </p> + <p> + For a moment the king and queen stared at their son, as if he had been + unknown to them; he had grown so thin and weak during his illness that his + shoulders were bowed like those of an old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you forgotten me so soon?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + At the sound of his voice they gave a cry and ran towards him, and poured + out questions as to what had happened, and why he looked like that. But + the prince did not answer any of them. + </p> + <p> + ‘How is my wife?’ he said. There was a pause. + </p> + <p> + Then the queen replied: + </p> + <p> + ‘She is dead.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dead!’ he repeated, stepping a little backwards. ‘And my child?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is dead too.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man stood silent. Then he said, ‘Show me their graves.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the king, who had been feeling rather uncomfortable, took + heart again, for had he not prepared two beautiful tombs for his son to + see, so that he might never, never guess what had been done to his wife? + All these months the king and queen had been telling each other how good + and merciful they had been not to take her brother’s advice and to put her + to death. But now, this somehow did not seem so certain. + </p> + <p> + Then the king led the way to the courtyard just behind the palace, and + through the gate into a beautiful garden where stood two splendid tombs in + a green space under the trees. The prince advanced alone, and, resting his + head against the stone, he burst into tears. His father and mother stood + silently behind with a curious pang in their souls which they did not + quite understand. Could it be that they were ashamed of themselves? + </p> + <p> + But after a while the prince turned round, and walking past them in to the + palace he bade the slaves bring him mourning. For seven days no one saw + him, but at the end of them he went out hunting, and helped his father + rule his people. Only no one dared to speak to him of his wife and son. + </p> + <p> + At last one morning, after the girl had been lying awake all night + thinking of her husband, she said to her friend the snake: + </p> + <p> + ‘You have all shown me much kindness, but now I am well again, and want to + go home and hear some news of my husband, and if he still mourns for me!’ + Now the heart of the snake was sad at her words, but he only said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, thus it must be; go and bid farewell to my father and mother, but if + they offer you a present, see that you take nothing but my father’s ring + and my mother’s casket.’ + </p> + <p> + So she went to the parent snakes, who wept bitterly at the thought of + losing her, and offered her gold and jewels as much as she could carry in + remembrance of them. But the girl shook her head and pushed the shining + heap away from her. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall never forget you, never,’ she said in a broken voice, ‘but the + only tokens I will accept from you are that little ring and this old + casket.’ + </p> + <p> + The two snakes looked at each other in dismay. The ring and the casket + were the only things they did not want her to have. Then after a short + pause they spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why do you want the ring and casket so much? Who has told you of them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nobody; it is just my fancy,’ answered she. But the old snakes shook + their heads and replied: + </p> + <p> + ‘Not so; it is our son who told you, and, as he said, so it must be. If + you need food, or clothes, or a house, tell the ring and it will find them + for you. And if you are unhappy or in danger, tell the casket and it will + set things right.’ Then they both gave her their blessing, and she picked + up her baby and went her way. + </p> + <p> + She walked for a long time, till at length she came near the town where + her husband and his father dwelt. Here she stopped under a grove of palm + trees, and told the ring that she wanted a house. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is ready, mistress,’ whispered a queer little voice which made her + jump, and, looking behind her, she saw a lovely palace made of the finest + woods, and a row of slaves with tall fans bowing before the door. Glad + indeed was she to enter, for she was very tired, and, after eating a good + supper of fruit and milk which she found in one of the rooms, she flung + herself down on a pile of cushions and went to sleep with her baby beside + her. + </p> + <p> + Here she stayed quietly, and every day the baby grew taller and stronger, + and very soon he could run about and even talk. Of course the neighbours + had a great deal to say about the house which had been built so quickly—so + very quickly—on the outskirts of the town, and invented all kinds of + stories about the rich lady who lived in it. And by and bye, when the king + returned with his son from the wars, some of these tales reached his ears. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is really very odd about that house under the palms,’ he said to the + queen; ‘I must find out something of the lady whom no one ever sees. I + daresay it is not a lady at all, but a gang of conspirators who want to + get possession of my throne. To-morrow I shall take my son and my chief + ministers and insist on getting inside.’ + </p> + <p> + Soon after sunrise next day the prince’s wife was standing on a little + hill behind the house, when she saw a cloud of dust coming through the + town. A moment afterwards she heard faintly the roll of the drums that + announced the king’s presence, and saw a crowd of people approaching the + grove of palms. Her heart beat fast. Could her husband be among them? In + any case they must not discover her there; so just bidding the ring + prepare some food for them, she ran inside, and bound a veil of golden + gauze round her head and face. Then, taking the child’s hand, she went to + the door and waited. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes the whole procession came up, and she stepped forward and + begged them to come in and rest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Willingly,’ answered the king; ‘go first, and we will follow you.’ + </p> + <p> + They followed her into a long dark room, in which was a table covered with + gold cups and baskets filled with dates and cocoa-nuts and all kinds of + ripe yellow fruits, and the king and the prince sat upon cushions and were + served by slaves, while the ministers, among whom she recognised her own + brother, stood behind. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I owe all my misery to him,’ she said to herself. ‘From the first he + has hated me,’ but outwardly she showed nothing. And when the king asked + her what news there was in the town she only answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘You have ridden far; eat first, and drink, for you must be hungry and + thirsty, and then I will tell you my news.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You speak sense,’ answered the king, and silence prevailed for some time + longer. Then he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, lady, I have finished, and am refreshed, therefore tell me, I pray + you, who you are, and whence you come? But, first, be seated.’ + </p> + <p> + She bowed her head and sat down on a big scarlet cushion, drawing her + little boy, who was asleep in a corner, on to her knee, and began to tell + the story of her life. As her brother listened, he would fain have left + the house and hidden himself in the forest, but it was his duty to wave + the fan of peacock’s feathers over the king’s head to keep off the flies, + and he knew he would be seized by the royal guards if he tried to desert + his post. He must stay where he was, there was no help for it, and luckily + for him the king was too much interested in the tale to notice that the + fan had ceased moving, and that flies were dancing right on the top of his + thick curly hair. + </p> + <p> + The story went on, but the story-teller never once looked at the prince, + even through her veil, though he on his side never moved his eyes from + her. When she reached the part where she had sat weeping in the tree, the + king’s son could restrain himself no longer. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is my wife,’ he cried, springing to where she sat with the sleeping + child in her lap. ‘They have lied to me, and you are not dead after all, + nor the boy either! But what has happened? Why did they lie to me? and why + did you leave my house where you were safe?’ And he turned and looked + fiercely at his father. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me finish my tale first, and then you will know,’ answered she, + throwing back her veil, and she told how her brother had come to the + palace and accused her of being a witch, and had tried to persuade the + king to slay her. ‘But he would not do that,’ she continued softly, ‘and + after all, if I had stayed on in your house, I should never have met the + snake, nor have got my hand back again. So let us forget all about it, and + be happy once more, for see! our son is growing quite a big boy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what shall be done to your brother?’ asked the king, who was glad to + think that someone had acted in this matter worse than himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Put him out of the town,’ answered she. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Swaheli Tales,’ by E. Steere. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Bones of Djulung + </h2> + <p> + In a beautiful island that lies in the southern seas, where chains of gay + orchids bind the trees together, and the days and nights are equally long + and nearly equally hot, there once lived a family of seven sisters. Their + father and mother were dead, and they had no brothers, so the eldest girl + ruled over the rest, and they all did as she bade them. One sister had to + clean the house, a second carried water from the spring in the forest, a + third cooked their food, while to the youngest fell the hardest task of + all, for she had to cut and bring home the wood which was to keep the fire + continually burning. This was very hot and tiring work, and when she had + fed the fire and heaped up in a corner the sticks that were to supply it + till the next day, she often threw herself down under a tree, and went + sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + One morning, however, as she was staggering along with her bundle on her + back, she thought that the river which flowed past their hut looked so + cool and inviting that she determined to bathe in it, instead of taking + her usual nap. Hastily piling up her load by the fire, and thrusting some + sticks into the flame, she ran down to the river and jumped in. How + delicious it was diving and swimming and floating in the dark forest, + where the trees were so thick that you could hardly see the sun! But after + a while she began to look about her, and her eyes fell on a little fish + that seemed made out of a rainbow, so brilliant were the colours he + flashed out. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like him for a pet,’ thought the girl, and the next time the + fish swam by, she put out her hand and caught him. Then she ran along the + grassy path till she came to a cave in front of which a stream fell over + some rocks into a basin. Here she put her little fish, whose name was + Djulung-djulung, and promising to return soon and bring him some dinner, + she went away. + </p> + <p> + By the time she got home, the rice for their dinner was ready cooked, and + the eldest sister gave the other six their portions in wooden bowls. But + the youngest did not finish hers, and when no one was looking, stole off + to the fountain in the forest where the little fish was swimming about. + </p> + <p> + ‘See! I have not forgotten you,’ she cried, and one by one she let the + grains of rice fall into the water, where the fish gobbled them up + greedily, for he had never tasted anything so nice. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is all for to-day,’ she said at last, ‘but I will come again + to-morrow,’ and biding him good-bye she went down the path. + </p> + <p> + Now the girl did not tell her sisters about the fish, but every day she + saved half of her rice to give him, and called him softly in a little song + she had made for herself. If she sometimes felt hungry, no one knew of it, + and, indeed, she did not mind that much, when she saw how the fish enjoyed + it. And the fish grew fat and big, but the girl grew thin and weak, and + the loads of wood felt heavier every day, and at last her sisters noticed + it. + </p> + <p> + Then they took counsel together, and watched her to see what she did, and + one of them followed her to the fountain where Djulung lived, and saw her + give him all the rice she had saved from her breakfast. Hastening home the + sister told the others what she had witnessed, and that a lovely fat fish + might be had for the catching. So the eldest sister went and caught him, + and he was boiled for supper, but the youngest sister was away in the + woods, and did not know anything about it. + </p> + <p> + Next morning she went as usual to the cave, and sang her little song, but + no Djulung came to answer it; twice and thrice she sang, then threw + herself on her knees by the edge, and peered into the dark water, but the + trees cast such a deep shadow that her eyes could not pierce it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Djulung cannot be dead, or his body would be floating on the surface,’ + she said to herself, and rising to her feet she set out homewards, feeling + all of a sudden strangely tired. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter with me?’ she thought, but somehow or other she + managed to reach the hut, and threw herself down in a corner, where she + slept so soundly that for days no one was able to wake her. + </p> + <p> + At length, one morning early, a cock began to crow so loud that she could + sleep no longer and as he continued to crow she seemed to understand what + he was saying, and that he was telling her that Djulung was dead, killed + and eaten by her sisters, and that his bones lay buried under the kitchen + fire. Very softly she got up, and took up the large stone under the fire, + and creeping out carried the bones to the cave by the fountain, where she + dug a hole and buried them anew. And as she scooped out the hole with a + stick she sang a song, bidding the bones grow till they became a tree—a + tree that reached up so high into the heavens that its leaves would fall + across the sea into another island, whose king would pick them up. + </p> + <p> + As there was no Djulung to give her rice to, the girl soon became fat + again, and as she was able to do her work as of old, her sisters did not + trouble about her. They never guessed that when she went into the forest + to gather her sticks, she never failed to pay a visit to the tree, which + grew taller and more wonderful day by day. Never was such a tree seen + before. Its trunk was of iron, its leaves were of silk, its flowers of + gold, and its fruit of diamonds, and one evening, though the girl did not + know it, a soft breeze took one of the leaves, and blew it across the sea + to the feet of one of the king’s attendants. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a curious leaf! I have never beheld one like it before. I must show + it to the king,’ he said, and when the king saw it he declared he would + never rest until he had found the tree which bore it, even if he had to + spend the rest of his life in visiting the islands that lay all round. + Happily for him, he began with the island that was nearest, and here in + the forest he suddenly saw standing before him the iron tree, its boughs + covered with shining leaves like the one he carried about him. + </p> + <p> + ‘But what sort of a tree is it, and how did it get here?’ he asked of the + attendants he had with him. No one could answer him, but as they were + about to pass out of the forest a little boy went by, and the king stopped + and inquired if there was anyone living in the neighbourhood whom he might + question. + </p> + <p> + ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his + finger to where the sun was setting. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy + ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels + round his neck, had sent for them. + </p> + <p> + Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but + the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed + behind, to finish the work she was doing. The king welcomed the girls + eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as + they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing. + ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no + one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all + that the king wanted of them. + </p> + <p> + ‘But the boy told me there were seven of you, and there are only six + here,’ said the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, the youngest is at home, but she is always half asleep, and is of no + use except to cut wood for the fire,’ replied they in a breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘That may be, but perhaps she dreams,’ answered the king. ‘Anyway, I will + speak to her also.’ Then he signed to one of his attendants, who followed + the path that the boy had taken to the hut. + </p> + <p> + Soon the man returned, with the girl walking behind him. And as soon as + she reached the tree it bowed itself to the earth before her, and she + stretched out her hand and picked some of its leaves and flowers and gave + them to the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘The maiden who can work such wonders is fitted to be the wife of the + greatest chief,’ he said, and so he married her, and took her with him + across the sea to his own home, where they lived happily for ever after. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Folk Lore,’ by A. F. Mackenzie. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Sea King’s Gift + </h2> + <p> + There was once a fisherman who was called Salmon, and his Christian name + was Matte. He lived by the shore of the big sea; where else could he live? + He had a wife called Maie; could you find a better name for her? In winter + they dwelt in a little cottage by the shore, but in spring they flitted to + a red rock out in the sea and stayed there the whole summer until it was + autumn. The cottage on the rock was even smaller than the other; it had a + wooden bolt instead of an iron lock to the door, a stone hearth, a + flagstaff, and a weather-cock on the roof. + </p> + <p> + The rock was called Ahtola, and was not larger than the market-place of a + town. Between the crevices there grew a little rowan tree and four alder + bushes. Heaven only knows how they ever came there; perhaps they were + brought by the winter storms. Besides that, there flourished some tufts of + velvety grass, some scattered reeds, two plants of the yellow herb called + tansy, four of a red flower, and a pretty white one; but the treasures of + the rock consisted of three roots of garlic, which Maie had put in a + cleft. Rock walls sheltered them on the north side, and the sun shone on + them on the south. This does not seem much, but it sufficed Maie for a + herb plot. + </p> + <p> + All good things go in threes, so Matte and his wife fished for salmon in + spring, for herring in summer, and for cod in winter. When on Saturdays + the weather was fine and the wind favourable, they sailed to the nearest + town, sold their fish, and went to church on Sunday. But it often happened + that for weeks at a time they were quite alone on the rock Ahtola, and had + nothing to look at except their little yellow-brown dog, which bore the + grand name of Prince, their grass tufts, their bushes and blooms, the sea + bays and fish, a stormy sky and the blue, white-crested waves. For the + rock lay far away from the land, and there were no green islets or human + habitations for miles round, only here and there appeared a rock of the + same red stone as Ahtola, besprinkled day and night with the ocean spray. + </p> + <p> + Matte and Maie were industrious, hard-working folk, happy and contented in + their poor hut, and they thought themselves rich when they were able to + salt as many casks of fish as they required for winter and yet have some + left over with which to buy tobacco for the old man, and a pound or two of + coffee for his wife, with plenty of burned corn and chicory in it to give + it a flavour. Besides that, they had bread, butter, fish, a beer cask, and + a buttermilk jar; what more did they require? All would have gone well had + not Maie been possessed with a secret longing which never let her rest; + and this was, how she could manage to become the owner of a cow. + </p> + <p> + ‘What would you do with a cow?’ asked Matte. ‘She could not swim so far, + and our boat is not large enough to bring her over here; and even if we + had her, we have nothing to feed her on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We have four alder bushes and sixteen tufts of grass,’ rejoined Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, of course,’ laughed Matte, ‘and we have also three plants of garlic. + Garlic would be fine feeding for her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Every cow likes salt herring,’ rejoined his wife. ‘Even Prince is fond of + fish.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That may be,’ said her husband. ‘Methinks she would soon be a dear cow if + we had to feed her on salt herring. All very well for Prince, who fights + with the gulls over the last morsel. Put the cow out of your head, mother, + we are very well off as we are.’ + </p> + <p> + Maie sighed. She knew well that her husband was right, but she could not + give up the idea of a cow. The buttermilk no longer tasted as good as + usual in the coffee; she thought of sweet cream and fresh butter, and of + how there was nothing in the world to be compared with them. + </p> + <p> + One day as Matte and his wife were cleaning herring on the shore they + heard Prince barking, and soon there appeared a gaily painted boat with + three young men in it, steering towards the rock. They were students, on a + boating excursion, and wanted to get something to eat. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring us a junket, good mother,’ cried they to Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! if only I had such a thing!’ sighed Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘A can of fresh milk, then,’ said the students; ‘but it must not be skim.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, if only I had it!’ sighed the old woman, still more deeply. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! haven’t you got a cow?’ + </p> + <p> + Maie was silent. This question so struck her to the heart that she could + not reply. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have no cow,’ Matte answered; ‘but we have good smoked herring, and + can cook them in a couple of hours.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right, then, that will do,’ said the students, as they flung + themselves down on the rock, while fifty silvery-white herring were + turning on the spit in front of the fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s the name of this little stone in the middle of the ocean?’ asked + one of them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ahtola,’ answered the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you should want for nothing when you live in the Sea King’s + dominion.’ + </p> + <p> + Matte did not understand. He had never read Kalevala and knew nothing of + the sea gods of old, but the students proceeded to explain to him.[FN#2: + Kalevala is a collection of old Finnish songs about gods and heroes.] + </p> + <p> + ‘Ahti,’ said they, ‘is a mighty king who lives in his dominion of Ahtola, + and has a rock at the bottom of the sea, and possesses besides a treasury + of good things. He rules over all fish and animals of the deep; he has the + finest cows and the swiftest horses that ever chewed grass at the bottom + of the ocean. He who stands well with Ahti is soon a rich man, but one + must beware in dealing with him, for he is very changeful and touchy. Even + a little stone thrown into the water might offend him, and then as he + takes back his gift, he stirs up the sea into a storm and drags the + sailors down into the depths. Ahti owns also the fairest maidens, who bear + the train of his queen Wellamos, and at the sound of music they comb their + long, flowing locks, which glisten in the water.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ cried Matte, ‘have your worships really seen all that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We have as good as seen it,’ said the students. ‘It is all printed in a + book, and everything printed is true.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m not so sure of that,’ said Matte, as he shook his head. + </p> + <p> + But the herring were now ready, and the students ate enough for six, and + gave Prince some cold meat which they happened to have in the boat. Prince + sat on his hind legs with delight and mewed like a pussy cat. When all was + finished, the students handed Matte a shining silver coin, and allowed him + to fill his pipe with a special kind of tobacco. They then thanked him for + his kind hospitality and went on their journey, much regretted by Prince, + who sat with a woeful expression and whined on the shore as long as he + could see a flip of the boat’s white sail in the distance. + </p> + <p> + Maie had never uttered a word, but thought the more. She had good ears, + and had laid to heart the story about Ahti. ‘How delightful,’ thought she + to herself, ‘to possess a fairy cow! How delicious every morning and + evening to draw milk from it, and yet have no trouble about the feeding, + and to keep a shelf near the window for dishes of milk and junkets! But + this will never be my luck.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you thinking of?’ asked Matte. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing,’ said his wife; but all the time she was pondering over some + magic rhymes she had heard in her childhood from an old lame man, which + were supposed to bring luck in fishing. + </p> + <p> + ‘What if I were to try?’ thought she. + </p> + <p> + Now this was Saturday, and on Saturday evenings Matte never set the + herring-net, for he did not fish on Sunday. Towards evening, however, his + wife said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us set the herring-net just this once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said her husband, ‘it is a Saturday night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Last night was so stormy, and we caught so little,’ urged his wife; + ‘to-night the sea is like a mirror, and with the wind in this direction + the herring are drawing towards land.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But there are streaks in the north-western sky, and Prince was eating + grass this evening,’ said the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely he has not eaten my garlic,’ exclaimed the old woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘No; but there will be rough weather by to-morrow at sunset,’ rejoined + Matte. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen to me,’ said his wife, ‘we will set only one net close to the + shore, and then we shall be able to finish up our half-filled cask, which + will spoil if it stands open so long.’ + </p> + <p> + The old man allowed himself to be talked over, and so they rowed out with + the net. When they reached the deepest part of the water, she began to hum + the words of the magic rhyme, altering the words to suit the longing of + her heart: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + Finest treasures have I heard, + And glittering fish belong to thee. + The richest pearls beyond compare + Are stored up in thy realm below, + And Ocean’s cows so sleek and fair + Feed on the grass in thy green meadow. + + King of the waters, far and near, + I ask not of thy golden store, + I wish not jewels of pearl to wear, + Nor silver either, ask I for, + But one is odd and even is two, + So give me a cow, sea-king so bold, + And in return I’ll give to you + A slice of the moon, and the sun’s gold. +</pre> + <p> + ‘What’s that you’re humming?’ asked the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, only the words of an old rhyme that keeps running in my head,’ + answered the old woman; and she raised her voice and went on: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give one onto me. +</pre> + <p> + ‘That’s a stupid sort of song,’ said Matte. ‘What else should one beg of + the sea-king but fish? But such songs are not for Sunday.’ + </p> + <p> + His wife pretended not to hear him, and sang and sang the same tune all + the time they were on the water. Matte heard nothing more as he sat and + rowed the heavy boat, while thinking of his cracked pipe and the fine + tobacco. Then they returned to the island, and soon after went to bed. + </p> + <p> + But neither Matte nor Maie could sleep a wink; the one thought of how he + had profaned Sunday, and the other of Ahti’s cow. + </p> + <p> + About midnight the fisherman sat up, and said to his wife: + </p> + <p> + ‘Dost thou hear anything?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think the twirling of the weathercock on the roof bodes ill,’ said he; + ‘we shall have a storm.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, it is nothing but your fancy,’ said his wife. + </p> + <p> + Matte lay down, but soon rose again. + </p> + <p> + ‘The weathercock is squeaking now,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just fancy! Go to sleep,’ said his wife; and the old man tried to. + </p> + <p> + For the third time he jumped out of bed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ho! how the weather-cock is roaring at the pitch of its voice, as if it + had a fire inside it! We are going to have a tempest, and must bring in + the net.’ + </p> + <p> + Both rose. The summer night was as dark as if it had been October, the + weather-cock creaked, and the storm was raging in every direction. As they + went out the sea lay around them as white as now, and the spray was + dashing right over the fisher-hut. In all his life Matte had never + remembered such a night. To launch the boat and put to sea to rescue the + net was a thing not to be thought of. The fisherman and his wife stood + aghast on the doorstep, holding on fast by the doorpost, while the foam + splashed over their faces. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did I not tell thee that there is no luck in Sunday fishing?’ said Matte + sulkily; and his wife was so frightened that she never even once thought + of Ahti’s cows. + </p> + <p> + As there was nothing to be done, they went in. Their eyes were heavy for + lack of slumber, and they slept as soundly as if there had not been such a + thing as an angry sea roaring furiously around their lonely dwelling. When + they awoke, the sun was high in the heavens, the tempest had cased, and + only the swell of the sea rose in silvery heavings against the red rock. + </p> + <p> + ‘What can that be?’ said the old woman, as she peeped out of the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘It looks like a big seal,’ said Matte. + </p> + <p> + ‘As sure as I live, it’s a cow!’ exclaimed Maie. And certainly it was a + cow, a fine red cow, fat and flourishing, and looking as if it had been + fed all its days on spinach. It wandered peacefully up and down the shore, + and never so much as even looked at the poor little tufts of grass, as if + it despised such fare. + </p> + <p> + Matte could not believe his eyes. But a cow she seemed, and a cow she was + found to be; and when the old woman began to milk her, every pitcher and + pan, even to the baler, was soon filled with the most delicious milk. + </p> + <p> + The old man troubled his head in vain as to how she came there, and + sallied forth to seek for his lost net. He had not proceeded far when he + found it cast up on the shore, and so full of fish that not a mesh was + visible. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is all very fine to possess a cow,’ said Matte, as he cleaned the + fish; ‘but what are we going to feed her on?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall find some means,’ said his wife; and the cow found the means + herself. She went out and cropped the seaweed which grew in great + abundance near the shore, and always kept in good condition. Every one + Prince alone excepted, thought she was a clever beast; but Prince barked + at her, for he had now got a rival. + </p> + <p> + From that day the red rock overflowed with milk and junkets, and every net + was filled with fish. Matte and Maie grew fat on this fine living, and + daily became richer. She churned quantities of butter, and he hired two + men to help him in his fishing. The sea lay before him like a big fish + tank, out of which he hauled as many as he required; and the cow continued + to fend for herself. In autumn, when Matte and Maie went ashore, the cow + went to sea, and in spring, when they returned to the rock, there she + stood awaiting them. + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall require a better house,’ said Maie the following summer; ‘the + old one is too small for ourselves and the men.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Matte. So he built a large cottage, with a real lock to the + door, and a store-house for fish as well; and he and his men caught such + quantities of fish that they sent tons of salmon, herring, and cod to + Russian and Sweden. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am quite overworked with so many folk,’ said Maie; ‘a girl to help me + would not come amiss.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Get one, then,’ said her husband; and so they hired a girl. + </p> + <p> + Then Maie said: ‘We have too little milk for all these folk. Now that I + have a servant, with the same amount of trouble she could look after three + cows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right, then,’ said her husband, somewhat provoked, ‘you can sing a + song to the fairies.’ + </p> + <p> + This annoyed Maie, but nevertheless she rowed out to sea on Sunday night + and sang as before: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give three unto me. +</pre> + <p> + The following morning, instead of one, three cows stood on the island, and + they all ate seaweed and fended for themselves like the first one. + </p> + <p> + ‘Art thou satisfied now?’ said Matte to his wife. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should be quite satisfied,’ said his wife, ‘if only I had two servants + to help, and if I had some finer clothes. Don’t you know that I am + addressed as Madam?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well,’ said her husband. So Maie got several servants and clothes + fit for a great lady. + </p> + <p> + ‘Everything would now be perfect if only we had a little better dwelling + for summer. You might build us a two-storey house, and fetch soil to make + a garden. Then you might make a little arbour up there to let us have a + sea-view; and we might have a fiddler to fiddle to us of an evening, and a + little steamer to take us to church in stormy weather.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Anything more?’ asked Matte; but he did everything that his wife wished. + The rock Ahtola became so grand and Maie so grand that all the sea-urchins + and herring were lost in wonderment. Even Prince was fed on beefsteaks and + cream scones till at last he was as round as a butter jar. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you satisfied now?’ asked Matte. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should be quite satisfied,’ said Maie, ‘if only I had thirty cows. At + least that number is required for such a household.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go to the fairies,’ said Matte. + </p> + <p> + His wife set out in the new steamer and sang to the sea-king. Next morning + thirty cows stood on the shore, all finding food for themselves. + </p> + <p> + ‘Know’st thou, good man, that we are far too cramped on this wretched + rock, and where am I to find room for so many cows?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is nothing to be done but to pump out the sea.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Rubbish!’ said his wife. ‘Who can pump out the sea?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Try with thy new steamer, there is a pump in it.’ + </p> + <p> + Maie knew well that her husband was only making fun of her, but still her + mind was set upon the same subject. ‘I never could pump the sea out,’ + thought she, ‘but perhaps I might fill it up, if I were to make a big dam. + I might heap up sand and stones, and make our island as big again.’ + </p> + <p> + Maie loaded her boat with stones and went out to sea. The fiddler was with + her, and fiddled so finely that Ahti and Wellamos and all the sea’s + daughters rose to the surface of the water to listen to the music. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that shining so brightly in the waves?’ asked Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is sea foam glinting in the sunshine,’ answered the fiddler. + </p> + <p> + ‘Throw out the stones,’ said Maie. + </p> + <p> + The people in the boat began to throw out the stones, splash, splash, + right and left, into the foam. One stone hit the nose of Wellamos’s chief + lady-in-waiting, another scratched the sea queen herself on the cheek, a + third plumped close to Ahti’s head and tore off half of the sea-king’s + beard; then there was a commotion in the sea, the waves bubbled and + bubbled like boiling water in a pot. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whence comes this gust of wind?’ said Maie; and as she spoke the sea + opened and swallowed up the steamer. Maie sank to the bottom like a stone, + but, stretching out her arms and legs, she rose to the surface, where she + found the fiddler’s fiddle, and used it as a float. At the same moment she + saw close beside her the terrible head of Ahti, and he had only half a + beard!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you throw stones at me?’ roared the sea-king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, your majesty, it was a mistake! Put some bear’s grease on your beard + and that will soon make it grow again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dame, did I not give you all you asked for—nay, even more?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly, truly, your majesty. Many thanks for the cows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, where is the gold from the sun and the silver from the moon that + you promised me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, your majesty, they have been scattered day and night upon the sea, + except when the sky was overcast,’ slyly answered Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll teach you!’ roared the sea-king; and with that he gave the fiddle + such a ‘puff’ that it sent the old woman up like a sky-rocket on to her + island. There Prince lay, as famished as ever, gnawing the carcase of a + crow. There sat Matte in his ragged grey jacket, quite alone, on the steps + of the old hut, mending a net. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heavens, mother,’ said he, ‘where are you coming from at such a whirlwind + pace, and what makes you in such a dripping condition?’ + </p> + <p> + Maie looked around her amazed, and said, ‘Where is our two-storey house?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What house?’ asked her husband. + </p> + <p> + ‘Our big house, and the flower garden, and the men and the maids, and the + thirty beautiful cows, and the steamer, and everything else?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are talking nonsense, mother,’ said he. ‘The students have quite + turned your head, for you sang silly songs last evening while we were + rowing, and then you could not sleep till early morning. We had stormy + weather during the night, and when it was past I did not wish to waken + you, so rowed out alone to rescue the net.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I’ve seen Ahti,’ rejoined Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve been lying in bed, dreaming foolish fancies, mother, and then in + your sleep you walked into the water.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But there is the fiddle,’ said Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘A fine fiddle! It is only an old stick. No, no, old woman, another time + we will be more careful. Good luck never attends fishing on a Sunday.’ + </p> + <p> + From Z. Topelius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Raspberry Worm + </h2> + <p> + ‘Phew!’ cried Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ugh!’ cried Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘What now?’ cried the big sister. + </p> + <p> + ‘A worm!’ cried Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘On the raspberry!’ cried Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘Kill it!’ cried Otto. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a fuss over a poor little worm!’ said the big sister scornfully. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, when we had cleaned the raspberries so carefully,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘It crept out from that very large one,’ put in Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘And supposing someone had eaten the raspberry,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then they would have eaten the worm, too,’ said Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, what harm?’ said Otto. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eat a worm!’ cried Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘And kill him with one bite!’ murmured Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just think of it!’ said Otto laughing. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now it is crawling on the table,’ cried Aina again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Blow it away!’ said the big sister. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tramp on it!’ laughed Otto. + </p> + <p> + But Lisa took a raspberry leaf, swept the worm carefully on to the leaf + and carried it out into the yard. Then Aina noticed that a sparrow sitting + on the fence was just ready to pounce on the poor little worm, so she took + up the leaf, carried it out into the wood and hid it under a raspberry + bush where the greedy sparrow could not find it. Yes, and what more is + there to tell about a raspberry worm? Who would give three straws for such + a miserable little thing? Yes, but who would not like to live in such a + pretty home as it lives in; in such a fresh fragrant dark-red cottage, far + away in the quiet wood among flowers and green leaves! + </p> + <p> + Now it was just dinner time, so they all had a dinner of raspberries and + cream. ‘Be careful with the sugar, Otto,’ said the big sister; but Otto’s + plate was like a snowdrift in winter, with just a little red under the + snow. + </p> + <p> + Soon after dinner the big sister said: ‘Now we have eaten up the + raspberries and we have none left to make preserve for the winter; it + would be fine if we could get two baskets full of berries, then we could + clean them this evening, and to-morrow we could cook them in the big + preserving pan, and then we should have raspberry jam to eat on our + bread!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, let us go to the wood and pick,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, let us,’ said Aina. ‘You take the yellow basket and I will take the + green one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t get lost, and come back safely in the evening,’ said the big + sister. + </p> + <p> + ‘Greetings to the raspberry worm,’ said Otto, mockingly. ‘Next time I meet + him I shall do him the honour of eating him up.’ + </p> + <p> + So Aina and Lisa went off to the wood. Ah! how delightful it was there, + how beautiful! It was certainly tiresome sometimes climbing over the + fallen trees, and getting caught in the branches, and waging war with the + juniper bushes and the midges, but what did that matter? The girls climbed + well in their short dresses, and soon they were deep in the wood. + </p> + <p> + There were plenty of bilberries and elder berries, but no raspberries. + They wandered on and on, and at last they came... No, it could not be + true!... they came to a large raspberry wood. The wood had been on fire + once, and now raspberry bushes had grown up, and there were raspberry + bushes and raspberry bushes as far as the eye could see. Every bush was + weighted to the ground with the largest, dark red, ripe raspberries, such + a wealth of berries as two little berry pickers had never found before! + </p> + <p> + Lisa picked, Aina picked. Lisa ate, Aina ate, and in a little while their + baskets were full. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we shall go home,’ said Aina. ‘No, let us gather a few more,’ said + Lisa. So they put the baskets down on the ground and began to fill their + pinafores, and it was not long before their pinafores were full, too. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we shall go home,’ said Lina. ‘Yes, now we shall go home,’ said Aina. + Both girls took a basket in one hand and held up her apron in the other + and then turned to go home. But that was easier said than done. They had + never been so far in the great wood before, they could not find any road + nor path, and soon the girls noticed that they had lost their way. + </p> + <p> + The worst of it was that the shadows of the tress were becoming so long in + the evening sunlight, the birds were beginning to fly home, and the day + was closing in. At last the sun went down behind the pine tops, and it was + cool and dusky in the great wood. + </p> + <p> + The girls became anxious but went steadily on, expecting that the wood + would soon end, and that they would see the smoke from the chimneys of + their home. + </p> + <p> + After they had wandered on for a long time it began to grow dark. At last + they reached a great plain overgrown with bushes, and when they looked + around them, they saw, as much as they could in the darkness, that they + were among the same beautiful raspberry bushes from which they had picked + their baskets and their aprons full. Then they were so tired that they sat + down on a stone and began to cry. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am so hungry,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Aina, ‘if we had only two good meat sandwiches now.’ + </p> + <p> + As she said that, she felt something in her hand, and when she looked + down, she saw a large sandwich of bread and chicken, and at the same time + Lisa said: ‘How very queer! I have a sandwich in my hand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And I, too,’ said Aina. ‘Will you dare to eat it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course I will,’ said Lisa. ‘Ah, if we only had a good glass of milk + now!’ + </p> + <p> + Just as she said that she felt a large glass of milk between her fingers, + and at the same time Aina cried out, ‘Lisa! Lisa! I have a glass of milk + in my hand! Isn’t it queer?’ + </p> + <p> + The girls, however, were very hungry, so they ate and drank with a good + appetite. When they had finished Aina yawned, stretched out her arms and + said: ‘Oh, if only we had a nice soft bed to sleep on now!’ + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had she spoken before she felt a nice soft bed by her side, and + there beside Lisa was one too. This seemed to the girls more and more + wonderful, but tired and sleepy as they were, they thought no more about + it, but crept into the little beds, drew the coverlets over their heads + and were soon asleep. + </p> + <p> + When they awoke the sun was high in the heavens, the wood was beautiful in + the summer morning, and the birds were flying about in the branches and + the tree tops. + </p> + <p> + At first the girls were filled with wonder when they saw that they had + slept in the wood among the raspberry bushes. They looked at each other, + they looked at their beds, which were of the finest flax covered over with + leaves and moss. At last Lisa said: ‘Are you awake, Aina?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I am still dreaming,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Aina, ‘but there is certainly some good fairy living among + these raspberry bushes. Ah, if we had only a hot cup of coffee now, and a + nice piece of white bread to dip into it!’ + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had she finished speaking when she saw beside her a little silver + tray with a gilt coffee-pot, two cups of rare porcelain, a sugar basin of + fine crystal, silver sugar tongs, and some good fresh white bread. The + girls poured out the beautiful coffee, put in the cream and sugar, and + tasted it; never in their lives had they drunk such beautiful coffee. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I should like to know very much who has given us all this,’ said Lisa + gratefully. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have, my little girls,’ said a voice just then from the bushes. + </p> + <p> + The children looked round wonderingly, and saw a little kind-looking old + man, in a white coat and a red cap, limping out from among the bushes, for + he was lame in his left foot; neither Lisa nor Aina could utter a word, + they were so filled with surprise. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be afraid, little girls,’ he said smiling kindly at them; he could + not laugh properly because his mouth was crooked. ‘Welcome to my kingdom! + Have you slept well and eaten well and drunk well?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, indeed we have,’ said both the girls, ‘but tell us...’ and they + wanted to ask who the old man was, but were afraid to. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will tell you who I am,’ said the old man; ‘I am the raspberry king, + who reigns over all this kingdom of raspberry bushes, and I have lived + here for more than a thousand years. But the great spirit who rules over + the woods, and the sea, and the sky, did not want me to become proud of my + royal power and my long life. Therefore he decreed that one day in every + hundred years I should change into a little raspberry worm, and live in + that weak and helpless form from sunrise to sunset. During that time my + life is dependent on the little worm’s life, so that a bird can eat me, a + child can pick me with the berries and trample under foot my thousand + years of life. Now yesterday was just my transformation day, and I was + taken with the raspberry and would have been trampled to death if you had + not saved my life. Until sunset I lay helpless in the grass, and when I + was swept away from your table I twisted one of my feet, and my mouth + became crooked with terror; but when evening came and I could take my own + form again, I looked for you to thank you and reward you. Then I found you + both here in my kingdom, and tried to meet you both as well as I could + without frightening you. Now I will send a bird from my wood to show you + the way home. Good-bye, little children, thank you for your kind hearts; + the raspberry king can show that he is not ungrateful.’ The children shook + hands with the old man and thanked him, feeling very glad that they had + saved the little raspberry worm. They were just going when the old man + turned round, smiled mischievously with his crooked mouth, and said: + ‘Greetings to Otto from me, and tell him when I meet him again I shall do + him the honour of eating him up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, please don’t do that,’ cried both the girls, very frightened. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, for your sake I will forgive him,’ said the old man, ‘I am not + revengeful. Greetings to Otto and tell him that he may expect a gift from + me, too. Good-bye.’ + </p> + <p> + The two girls, light of heart, now took their berries and ran off through + the wood after the bird; and soon it began to get lighter in the wood and + they wondered how they could have lost their way yesterday, it seemed so + easy and plain now. + </p> + <p> + One can imagine what joy there was when the two reached home. Everyone had + been looking for them, and the big sister had not been able to sleep, for + she thought the wolves had eaten them up. + </p> + <p> + Otto met them; he had a basket in his hand and said: ‘Look, here is + something that an old man has just left for you.’ + </p> + <p> + When the girls looked into the basket they saw a pair of most beautiful + bracelets of precious stones, dark red, and made in the shape of a ripe + raspberry and with an inscription: ‘To Lisa and Aina’; beside them there + was a diamond breast pin in the shape of a raspberry worm: on it was + inscribed ‘Otto, never destroy the helpless!’ + </p> + <p> + Otto felt rather ashamed: he quite understood what it meant, but he + thought that the old man’s revenge was a noble one. + </p> + <p> + The raspberry king had also remembered the big sister, for when she went + in to set the table for dinner, she found eleven big baskets of most + beautiful raspberries, and no one knew how they had come there, but + everyone guessed. + </p> + <p> + And so there was such a jam-making as had never been seen before, and if + you like to go and help in it, you might perhaps get a little, for they + must surely be making jam still to this very day. + </p> + <p> + From Z. Topelius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Stones of Plouhinec + </h2> + <p> + Perhaps some of you may have read a book called ‘Kenneth; or the + Rear-Guard of the Grand Army’ of Napoleon. If so, you will remember how + the two Scotch children found in Russia were taken care of by the French + soldiers and prevented as far as possible from suffering from the horrors + of the terrible Retreat. One of the soldiers, a Breton, often tried to + make them forget how cold and hungry they were by telling them tales of + his native country, Brittany, which is full of wonderful things. The best + and warmest place round the camp fire was always given to the children, + but even so the bitter frost would cause them to shiver. It was then that + the Breton would begin: ‘Plouhinec is a small town near Hennebonne by the + sea,’ and would continue until Kenneth or Effie would interrupt him with + an eager question. Then he forgot how his mother had told him the tale, + and was obliged to begin all over again, so the story lasted a long while, + and by the time it was ended the children were ready to be rolled up in + what ever coverings could be found, and go to sleep. It is this story that + I am going to tell to you. + </p> + <p> + Plouhinec is a small town near Hennebonne by the sea. Around it stretches + a desolate moor, where no corn can be grown, and the grass is so coarse + that no beast grows fat on it. Here and there are scattered groves of fir + trees, and small pebbles are so thick on the ground that you might almost + take it for a beach. On the further side, the fairies, or korigans, as the + people called them, had set up long long ago two rows of huge stones; + indeed, so tall and heavy were they, that it seemed as if all the fairies + in the world could not have placed them upright. + </p> + <p> + Not far off them this great stone avenue, and on the banks of the little + river Intel, there lived a man named Marzinne and his sister Rozennik. + They always had enough black bread to eat, and wooden shoes or sabots to + wear, and a pig to fatten, so the neighbours thought them quite rich; and + what was still better, they thought themselves rich also. + </p> + <p> + Rozennik was a pretty girl, who knew how to make the best of everything, + and she could, if she wished, have chosen a husband from the young men of + Plouhinec, but she cared for none of them except Bernez, whom she had + played with all her life, and Bernez, though he worked hard, was so very + very poor that Marzinne told him roughly he must look elsewhere for a + wife. But whatever Marzinne might say Rozennik smiled and nodded to him as + before, and would often turn her head as she passed, and sing snatches of + old songs over her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Christmas Eve had come, and all the men who worked under Marzinne or on + the farms round about were gathered in the large kitchen to eat the soup + flavoured with honey followed by rich puddings, to which they were always + invited on this particular night. In the middle of the table was a large + wooden bowl, with wooden spoons placed in a circle round it, so that each + might dip in his turn. The benches were filled, and Marzinne was about to + give the signal, when the door was suddenly thrown open, and an old man + came in, wishing the guests a good appetite for their supper. There was a + pause, and some of the faces looked a little frightened; for the new-comer + was well known to them as a beggar, who was also said to be a wizard who + cast spells over the cattle, and caused the corn to grow black, and old + people to die, of what, nobody knew. Still, it was Christmas Eve, and + besides it was as well not to offend him, so the farmer invited him in, + and gave him a seat at the table and a wooden spoon like the rest. + </p> + <p> + There was not much talk after the beggar’s entrance, and everyone was glad + when the meal came to an end, and the beggar asked if he might sleep in + the stable, as he should die of cold if he were left outside. Rather + unwillingly Marzinne gave him leave, and bade Bernez take the key and + unlock the door. There was certainly plenty of room for a dozen beggars, + for the only occupants of the stable were an old donkey and a thin ox; and + as the night was bitter, the wizard lay down between them for warmth, with + a sack of reeds for a pillow. + </p> + <p> + He had walked far that day, and even wizards get tired sometimes, so in + spite of the hard floor he was just dropping off to sleep, when midnight + struck from the church tower of Plouhinec. At this sound the donkey raised + her head and shook her ears, and turned towards the ox. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, my dear cousin,’ said she, ‘and how have you fared since last + Christmas Eve, when we had a conversation together?’ + </p> + <p> + Instead of answering at once, the ox eyed the beggar with a long look of + disgust. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the use of talking,’ he replied roughly, ‘when a good-for-nothing + creature like that can hear all we say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, you mustn’t lose time in grumbling,’ rejoined the donkey gaily, ‘and + don’t you see that the wizard is asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His wicked pranks do not make him rich, certainly,’ said the ox, ‘and he + isn’t even clever enough to have found out what a piece of luck might + befall him a week hence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What piece of luck?’ asked the donkey. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, don’t you know,’ inquired the ox, ‘that once very hundred years the + stones on Plouhinec heath go down to drink at the river, and that while + they are away the treasures underneath them are uncovered?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I remember now,’ replied the donkey, ‘but the stones return so + quickly to their places, that you certainly would be crushed to death + unless you have in your hands a bunch of crowsfoot and of five-leaved + trefoil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, but that is not enough,’ said the ox; ‘even supposing you get safely + by, the treasure you have brought with you will crumble into dust if you + do not give in exchange a baptised soul. It is needful that a Christian + should die before you can enjoy the wealth of Plouhinec.’ + </p> + <p> + The donkey was about to ask some further questions, when she suddenly + found herself unable to speak: the time allowed them for conversation was + over. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, my dear creatures,’ thought the beggar, who had of course heard + everything, ‘you are going to make me richer than the richest men of + Vannes or Lorient. But I have no time to lose; to-morrow I must begin to + hunt for the precious plants.’ + </p> + <p> + He did not dare to seek too near Plouhinec, lest somebody who knew the + story might guess what he was doing, so he went away further towards the + south, where the air was softer and the plants are always green. From the + instant it was light, till the last rays had faded out of the sky, he + searched every inch of ground where the magic plants might grow; he + scarcely gave himself a minute to eat and drink, but at length he found + the crowsfoot in a little hollow! Well, that was certainly a great deal, + but after all, the crowsfoot was of no use without the trefoil, and there + was so little time left. + </p> + <p> + He had almost give up hope, when on the very last day before it was + necessary that he should start of Plouhinec, he came upon a little clump + of trefoil, half hidden under a rock. Hardly able to breathe from + excitement, he sat down and hunted eagerly through the plant which he had + torn up. Leaf after leaf he threw aside in disgust, and he had nearly + reached the end when he gave a cry of joy—the five-leaved trefoil + was in his hand. + </p> + <p> + The beggar scrambled to his feet, and without a pause walked quickly down + the road that led northwards. The moon was bright, and for some hours he + kept steadily on, not knowing how many miles he had gone, nor even feeling + tired. By and bye the sun rose, and the world began to stir, and stopping + at a farmhouse door, he asked for a cup of milk and slice of bread and + permission to rest for a while in the porch. Then he continued his + journey, and so, towards sunset on New Year’s Eve, he came back to + Plouhinec. + </p> + <p> + As he was passing the long line of stones, he saw Bernez working with a + chisel on the tallest of them all. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing there?’ called the wizard, ‘do you mean to hollow out + for yourself a bed in that huge column?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ replied Bernez quietly, ‘but as I happened to have no work to do + to-day, I thought I would just carve a cross on this stone. The holy sign + can never come amiss.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe you think it will help you to win Rozennik,’ laughed the old + man. + </p> + <p> + Bernez ceased his task for a moment to look at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, so you know about that,’ replied he; ‘unluckily Marzinne wants a + brother-in-law who has more pounds than I have pence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And suppose I were to give you more pounds than Marzinne ever dreamed + of?’ whispered the sorcerer glancing round to make sure that no one + overheard him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what am I to do to gain the money,’ inquired Bernez, who knew quite + well that the Breton peasant gives nothing for nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘What I want of you only needs a little courage,’ answered the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘If that is all, tell me what I have got to do, and I will do it,’ cried + Bernez, letting fall his chisel. ‘If I have to risk thirty deaths, I am + ready.’ + </p> + <p> + When the beggar knew that Bernez would give him no trouble, he told him + how, during that very night, the treasures under the stones would be + uncovered, and how in a very few minutes they could take enough to make + them both rich for life. But he kept silence as to the fate that awaited + the man who was without the crowsfoot and the trefoil, and Bernez thought + that nothing but boldness and quickness were necessary. So he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Old man, I am grateful, indeed, for the chance you have given me, and + there will always be a pint of my blood at your service. Just let me + finish carving this cross. It is nearly done, and I will join you in the + fir wood at whatever hour you please.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You must be there without fail an hour before midnight,’ answered the + wizard, and went on his way. + </p> + <p> + As the hour struck from the great church at Plouhinec, Bernez entered the + wood. He found the beggar already there with a bag in each hand, and a + third slung round his neck. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are punctual,’ said the old man, ‘but we need not start just yet. You + had better sit down and think what you will do when your pockets are + filled with gold and silver and jewels.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, it won’t take me long to plan out that,’ returned Bernez with a + laugh. ‘I shall give Rozennik everything she can desire, dresses of all + sorts, from cotton to silk, and good things of all kinds to eat, from + white bread to oranges.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The silver you find will pay for all that, and what about the gold?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With the gold I shall make rich Rozennik’s relations and every friend of + hers in the parish,’ replied he. + </p> + <p> + ‘So much for the gold; and the jewels?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ cried Bernez, ‘I will divide the jewels amongst everybody in the + world, so that they may be wealthy and happy; and I will tell them that it + is Rozennik who would have it so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush! it is close on midnight—we must go,’ whispered the wizard, + and together they crept to the edge of the wood. + </p> + <p> + With the first stroke of twelve a great noise arose over the silent heath, + and the earth seemed to rock under the feet of the two watchers. The next + moment by the light of the moon they beheld the huge stones near them + leave their places and go down the slope leading to the river, knocking + against each other in their haste. Passing the spot where stood Bernez and + the beggar, they were lost in the darkness. It seemed as if a procession + of giants had gone by. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quick,’ said the wizard, in a low voice, and he rushed towards the empty + holes, which even in the night shone brightly from the treasures within + them. Flinging himself on his knees, the old man began filling the wallets + he had brought, listening intently all the time for the return of the + stones up the hill, while Bernez more slowly put handfuls of all he could + see into his pockets. + </p> + <p> + The sorcerer had just closed his third wallet, and was beginning to wonder + if he could carry away any more treasures when a low murmur as of a + distant storm broke upon his ears. + </p> + <p> + The stones had finished drinking, and were hastening back to their places. + </p> + <p> + On they came, bent a little forward, the tallest of them all at their + head, breaking everything that stood in their way. At the sight Bernez + stood transfixed with horror, and said, + </p> + <p> + ‘We are lost! They will crush us to death.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not me!’ answered the sorcerer, holding up the crowsfoot and the + five-leaved trefoil, ‘for these will preserve me. But in order to keep my + riches, I was obliged to sacrifice a Christian to the stones, and an evil + fate threw you in my way.’ And as he spoke he stretched out the magic + herbs to the stones, which were advancing rapidly. As if acknowledging a + power greater than theirs, the monstrous things instantly parted to the + right and left of the wizard, but closed their ranks again as they + approached Bernez. + </p> + <p> + The young man did not try to escape, he knew it was useless, and sank on + his knees and closed his eyes. But suddenly the tall stone that was + leading stopped straight in front of Bernez, so that no other could get + past. + </p> + <p> + It was the stone on which Bernez had carved the cross, and it was now a + baptized stone, and had power to save him. + </p> + <p> + So the stone remained before the young man till the rest had taken their + places, and then, darting like a bird to its own hole, came upon the + beggar, who, thinking himself quite safe, was staggering along under the + weight of his treasures. + </p> + <p> + Seeing the stone approaching, he held out the magic herbs which he + carried, but the baptized stone was no longer subject to the spells that + bound the rest, and passed straight on its way, leaving the wizard crushed + into powder in the heather. + </p> + <p> + Then Bernez went home, and showed his wealth to Marzinne, who this time + did not refuse him as a brother-in-law, and he and Rozennik were married, + and lived happy for ever after. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Royer Breton,’ par Emile Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Castle of Kerglas + </h2> + <p> + Peronnik was a poor idiot who belonged to nobody, and he would have died + of starvation if it had not been for the kindness of the village people, + who gave him food whenever he chose to ask for it. And as for a bed, when + night came, and he grew sleepy, he looked about for a heap of straw, and + making a hole in it, crept in, like a lizard. Idiot though he was, he was + never unhappy, but always thanked gratefully those who fed him, and + sometimes would stop for a little and sing to them. For he could imitate a + lark so well, that no one knew which was Peronnik and which was the bird. + </p> + <p> + He had been wandering in a forest one day for several hours, and when + evening approached, he suddenly felt very hungry. Luckily, just at that + place the trees grew thinner, and he could see a small farmhouse a little + way off. Peronnik went straight towards it, and found the farmer’s wife + standing at the door holding in her hands the large bowl out of which her + children had eaten their supper. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am hungry, will you give me something to eat?’ asked the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you can find anything here, you are welcome to it,’ answered she, and, + indeed, there was not much left, as everybody’s spoon had dipped in. But + Peronnik ate what was there with a hearty appetite, and thought that he + had never tasted better food. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is made of the finest flour and mixed with the richest milk and + stirred by the best cook in all the countryside,’ and though he said it to + himself, the woman heard him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor innocent,’ she murmured, ‘he does not know what he is saying, but I + will cut him a slice of that new wheaten loaf,’ and so she did, and + Peronnik ate up every crumb, and declared that nobody less than the + bishop’s baker could have baked it. This flattered the farmer’s wife so + much that she gave him some butter to spread on it, and Peronnik was still + eating it on the doorstep when an armed knight rode up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can you tell me the way to the castle of Kerglas?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘To Kerglas? are you really going to Kerglas?’ cried the woman, turning + pale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; and in order to get there I have come from a country so far off that + it has taken me three months’ hard riding to travel as far as this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why do you want to go to Kerglas?’ said she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am seeking the basin of gold and the lance of diamonds which are in the + castle,’ he answered. Then Peronnik looked up. + </p> + <p> + ‘The basin and the lance are very costly things,’ he said suddenly. + </p> + <p> + ‘More costly and precious than all the crowns in the world,’ replied the + stranger, ‘for not only will the basin furnish you with the best food that + you can dream of, but if you drink of it, it will cure you of any illness + however dangerous, and will even bring the dead back to life, if it + touches their mouths. As to the diamond lance, that will cut through any + stone or metal.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And to whom do these wonders belong?’ asked Peronnik in amazement. + </p> + <p> + ‘To a magician named Rogear who lives in the castle,’ answered the woman. + ‘Every day he passes along here, mounted on a black mare, with a colt + thirteen months old trotting behind. But no one dares to attack him, as he + always carries his lance.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is true,’ said the knight, ‘but there is a spell laid upon him which + forbids his using it within the castle of Kerglas. The moment he enters, + the basin and lance are put away in a dark cellar which no key but one can + open. And that is the place where I wish to fight the magician.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will never overcome him, Sir Knight,’ replied the woman, shaking her + head. ‘More than a hundred gentlemen have ridden past this house bent on + the same errand, and not one has ever come back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know that, good woman,’ returned the knight, ‘but then they did not + have, like me, instructions from the hermit of Blavet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what did the hermit tell you?’ asked Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘He told me that I should have to pass through a wood full of all sorts of + enchantments and voices, which would try to frighten me and make me lose + my way. Most of those who have gone before me have wandered they know not + where, and perished from cold, hunger, or fatigue.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, suppose you get through safely?’ said the idiot. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I do,’ continued the knight, ‘I shall then meet a sort of fairy armed + with a needle of fire which burns to ashes all it touches. This dwarf + stands guarding an apple-tree, from which I am bound to pluck an apple.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And next?’ inquired Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘Next I shall find the flower that laughs, protected by a lion whose mane + is formed of vipers. I must pluck that flower, and go on to the lake of + the dragons and fight the black man who holds in his hand the iron ball + which never misses its mark and returns of its own accord to its master. + After that, I enter the valley of pleasure, where some who conquered all + the other obstacles have left their bones. If I can win through this, I + shall reach a river with only one ford, where a lady in black will be + seated. She will mount my horse behind me, and tell me what I am to do + next.’ + </p> + <p> + He paused, and the woman shook her head. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will never be able to do all that,’ said she, but he bade her + remembered that these were only matters for men, and galloped away down + the path she pointed out. + </p> + <p> + The farmer’s wife sighed and, giving Peronnik some more food, bade him + good-night. The idiot rose and was opening the gate which led into the + forest when the farmer himself came up. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want a boy to tend my cattle,’ he said abruptly, ‘as the one I had has + run away. Will you stay and do it?’ and Peronnik, though he loved his + liberty and hated work, recollected the good food he had eaten, and agreed + to stop. + </p> + <p> + At sunrise he collected his herd carefully and led them to the rich + pasture which lay along the borders of the forest, cutting himself a hazel + wand with which to keep them in order. + </p> + <p> + His task was not quite so easy as it looked, for the cows had a way of + straying into the wood, and by the time he had brought one back another + was off. He had gone some distance into the trees, after a naughty black + cow which gave him more trouble than all the rest, when he heard the noise + of horse’s feet, and peeping through the leaves he beheld the giant Rogear + seated on his mare, with the colt trotting behind. Round the giant’s neck + hung the golden bowl suspended from a chain, and in his hand he grasped + the diamond lance, which gleamed like fire. But as soon as he was out of + sight the idiot sought in vain for traces of the path he had taken. + </p> + <p> + This happened not only once but many times, till Peronnik grew so used to + him that he never troubled to hide. But on each occasion he saw him the + desire to possess the bowl and the lance became stronger. + </p> + <p> + One evening the boy was sitting alone on the edge of the forest, when a + man with a white beard stopped beside him. ‘Do you want to know the way to + Kerglas?’ asked the idiot, and the man answered ‘I know it well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have been there without being killed by the magician?’ cried + Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! he had nothing to fear from me,’ replied the white-bearded man, ‘I am + Rogear’s elder brother, the wizard Bryak. When I wish to visit him I + always pass this way, and as even I cannot go through the enchanted wood + without losing myself, I call the colt to guide me.’ Stooping down as he + spoke he traced three circles on the ground and murmured some words very + low, which Peronnik could not hear. Then he added aloud: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Colt, free to run and free to eat. + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, +</pre> + <p> + and instantly the colt appeared, frisking and jumping to the wizard, who + threw a halter over his neck and leapt on his back. + </p> + <p> + Peronnik kept silence at the farm about this adventure, but he understood + very well that if he was ever to get to Kerglas he must first catch the + colt which knew the way. Unhappily he had not heard the magic words + uttered by the wizard, and he could not manage to draw the three circles, + so if he was to summon the colt at all he must invent some other means of + doing it. + </p> + <p> + All day long, while he was herding the cows, he thought and thought how he + was to call the colt, for he felt sure that once on its back he could + overcome the other dangers. Meantime he must be ready in case a chance + should come, and he made his preparations at night, when everyone was + asleep. Remembering what he had seen the wizard do, he patched up an old + halter that was hanging in a corner of the stable, twisted a rope of hemp + to catch the colt’s feet, and a net such as is used for snaring birds. + Next he sewed roughly together some bits of cloth to serve as a pocket, + and this he filled with glue and lark’s feathers, a string of beads, a + whistle of elder wood, and a slice of bread rubbed over with bacon fat. + Then he went out to the path down which Rogear, his mare, and the colt + always rode, and crumbled the bread on one side of it. + </p> + <p> + Punctual to their hour all three appeared, eagerly watched by Peronnik, + who lay hid in the bushes close by. Suppose it was useless; suppose the + mare, and not the colt, ate the crumbs? Suppose—but no! the mare and + her rider went safely by, vanishing round a corner, while the colt, + trotting along with its head on the ground, smelt the bread, and began + greedily to lick up the pieces. Oh, how good it was! Why had no one ever + given it that before, and so absorbed was the little beast, sniffing about + after a few more crumbs, that it never heard Peronnik creep up till it + felt the halter on its neck and the rope round its feet, and—in + another moment—some one on its back. + </p> + <p> + Going as fast as the hobbles would allow, the colt turned into one of the + wildest parts of the forest, while its rider sat trembling at the strange + sights he saw. Sometimes the earth seemed to open in front of them and he + was looking into a bottomless pit; sometimes the trees burst into flames + and he found himself in the midst of a fire; often in the act of crossing + a stream the water rose and threatened to sweep him away; and again, at + the foot of a mountain, great rocks would roll towards him, as if they + would crush him and his colt beneath their weight. To his dying day + Peronnik never knew whether these things were real or if he only imagined + them, but he pulled down his knitted cap so as to cover his eyes, and + trusted the colt to carry him down the right road. + </p> + <p> + At last the forest was left behind, and they came out on a wide plain + where the air blew fresh and strong. The idiot ventured to peep out, and + found to his relief that the enchantments seemed to have ended, though a + thrill of horror shot through him as he noticed the skeletons of men + scattered over the plain, beside the skeletons of their horses. And what + were those grey forms trotting away in the distance? Were they—could + they be—wolves? + </p> + <p> + But vast through the plain seemed, it did not take long to cross, and very + soon the colt entered a sort of shady park in which was standing a single + apple-tree, its branches bowed down to the ground with the weight of its + fruit. In front was the korigan—the little fairy man—holding + in his hand the fiery sword, which reduced to ashes everything it touched. + At the sight of Peronnik he uttered a piercing scream, and raised his + sword, but without appearing surprised the youth only lifted his cap, + though he took care to remain at a little distance. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not be alarmed, my prince,’ said Peronnik, ‘I am just on my way to + Kerglas, as the noble Rogear has begged me to come to him on business.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Begged you to come!’ repeated the dwarf, ‘and who, then, are you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am the new servant he has engaged, as you know very well,’ answered + Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know at all,’ rejoined the korigan sulkily, ‘and you may be a + robber for all I can tell.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am so sorry,’ replied Peronnik, ‘but I may be wrong in calling myself a + servant, for I am only a bird-catcher. But do not delay me, I pray, for + his highness the magician expects me, and, as you see, has lent me his + colt so that I may reach the castle all the quicker.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the korigan cast his eyes for the first time on the colt, + which he knew to be the one belonging to the magician, and began to think + that the young man was speaking the truth. After examining the horse, he + studied the rider, who had such an innocent, and indeed vacant, air that + he appeared incapable of inventing a story. Still, the dwarf did not feel + quite sure that all was right, and asked what the magician wanted with a + bird-catcher. + </p> + <p> + ‘From what he says, he wants one very badly,’ replied Peronnik, ‘as he + declares that all his grain and all the fruit in his garden at Kerglas are + eaten up by the birds.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how are you going to stop that, my fine fellow?’ inquired the + korigan; and Peronnik showed him the snare he had prepared, and remarked + that no bird could possible escape from it. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is just what I should like to be sure of,’ answered the korigan. ‘My + apples are completely eaten up by blackbirds and thrushes. Lay your snare, + and if you can manage to catch them, I will let you pass.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a fair bargain,’ and as he spoke Peronnik jumped down and + fastened his colt to a tree; then, stopping, he fixed one end of the net + to the trunk of the apple tree, and called to the korigan to hold the + other while he took out the pegs. The dwarf did as he was bid, when + suddenly Peronnik threw the noose over his neck and drew it close, and the + korigan was held as fast as any of the birds he wished to snare. + </p> + <p> + Shrieking with rage, he tried to undo the cord, but he only pulled the + knot tighter. He had put down the sword on the grass, and Peronnik had + been careful to fix the net on the other side of the tree, so that it was + now easy for him to pluck an apple and to mount his horse, without being + hindered by the dwarf, whom he left to his fate. + </p> + <p> + When they had left the plain behind them, Peronnik and his steed found + themselves in a narrow valley in which was a grove of trees, full of all + sorts of sweet-smelling things—roses of every colour, yellow broom, + pink honeysuckle—while above them all towered a wonderful scarlet + pansy whose face bore a strange expression. This was the flower that + laughs, and no one who looked at it could help laughing too. Peronnik’s + heart beat high at the thought that he had reached safely the second + trial, and he gazed quite calmly at the lion with the mane of vipers + twisting and twirling, who walked up and down in front of the grove. + </p> + <p> + The young man pulled up and removed his cap, for, idiot though he was, he + knew that when you have to do with people greater than yourself, a cap is + more useful in the hand than on the head. Then, after wishing all kinds of + good fortune to the lion and his family, he inquired if he was on the + right road to Kerglas. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what is your business at Kerglas?’ asked the lion with a growl, and + showing his teeth. + </p> + <p> + ‘With all respect,’ answered Peronnik, pretending to be very frightened, + ‘I am the servant of a lady who is a friend of the noble Rogear and sends + him some larks for a pasty.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Larks?’ cried the lion, licking his long whiskers. ‘Why, it must be a + century since I have had any! Have you a large quantity with you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As many as this bag will hold,’ replied Peronnik, opening, as he spoke, + the bag which he had filled with feathers and glue; and to prove what he + said, he turned his back on the lion and began to imitate the song of a + lark. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come,’ exclaimed the lion, whose mouth watered, ‘show me the birds! I + should like to see if they are fat enough for my master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would do it with pleasure,’ answered the idiot, ‘but if I once open the + bag they will all fly away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, open it wide enough for me to look in,’ said the lion, drawing a + little nearer. + </p> + <p> + Now this was just what Peronnik had been hoping for, so he held the bag + while the lion opened it carefully and put his head right inside, so that + he might get a good mouthful of larks. But the mass of feathers and glue + stuck to him, and before he could pull his head out again Peronnik had + drawn tight the cord, and tied it in a knot that no man could untie. Then, + quickly gathering the flower that laughs, he rode off as fast as the colt + could take him. + </p> + <p> + The path soon led to the lake of the dragons, which he had to swim across. + The colt, who was accustomed to it, plunged into the water without + hesitation; but as soon as the dragons caught sight of Peronnik they + approached from all parts of the lake in order to devour him. + </p> + <p> + This time Peronnik did not trouble to take off his cap, but he threw the + beads he carried with him into the water, as you throw black corn to a + duck, and with each bead that he swallowed a dragon turned on his back and + died, so that the idiot reached the other side without further trouble. + </p> + <p> + The valley guarded by the black man now lay before him, and from afar + Peronnik beheld him, chained by one foot to a rock at the entrance, and + holding the iron ball which never missed its mark and always returned to + its master’s hand. In his head the black man had six eyes that were never + all shut at once, but kept watch one after the other. At this moment they + were all open, and Peronnik knew well that if the black man caught a + glimpse of him he would cast his ball. So, hiding the colt behind a + thicket of bushes, he crawled along a ditch and crouched close to the very + rock to which the black man was chained. + </p> + <p> + The day was hot, and after a while the man began to grow sleepy. Two of + his eyes closed, and Peronnik sang gently. In a moment a third eye shut, + and Peronnik sang on. The lid of a fourth eye dropped heavily, and then + those of the fifth and the sixth. The black man was asleep altogether. + </p> + <p> + Then, on tiptoe, the idiot crept back to the colt which he led over soft + moss past the black man into the vale of pleasure, a delicious garden full + of fruits that dangled before your mouth, fountains running with wine, and + flowers chanting in soft little voices. Further on, tables were spread + with food, and girls dancing on the grass called to him to join them. + </p> + <p> + Peronnik heard, and, scarcely knowing what he did drew the colt into a + slower pace. He sniffed greedily the smell of the dishes, and raised his + head the better to see the dancers. Another instant and he would have + stopped altogether and been lost, like others before him, when suddenly + there came to him like a vision the golden bowl and the diamond lance. + Drawing his whistle from his pocket, he blew it loudly, so as to drown the + sweet sounds about him, and ate what was left of his bread and bacon to + still the craving of the magic fruits. His eyes he fixed steadily on the + ears of the colt, that he might not see the dancers. + </p> + <p> + In this way he was able to reach the end of the garden, and at length + perceived the castle of Kerglas, with the river between them which had + only one ford. Would the lady be there, as the old man had told him? Yes, + surely that was she, sitting on a rock, in a black satin dress, and her + face the colour of a Moorish woman’s. The idiot rode up, and took off his + cap more politely than ever, and asked if she did not wish to cross the + river. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was waiting for you to help me do so,’ answered she. ‘Come near, that I + may get up behind you.’ + </p> + <p> + Peronnik did as she bade him, and by the help of his arm she jumped nimbly + on to the back of the colt. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know how to kill the magician?’ asked the lady, as they were + crossing the ford. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought that, being a magician, he was immortal, and that no one could + kill him,’ replied Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘Persuade him to taste that apple, and he will die, and if that is not + enough I will touch him with my finger, for I am the plague,’ answered + she. + </p> + <p> + ‘But if I kill him, how am I to get the golden bowl and the diamond lance + that are hidden in the cellar without a key?’ rejoined Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘The flower that laughs opens all doors and lightens all darkness,’ said + the lady; and as she spoke, they reached the further bank, and advanced + towards the castle. + </p> + <p> + In front of the entrance was a sort of tent supported on poles, and under + it the giant was sitting, basking in the sun. As soon as he noticed the + colt bearing Peronnik and the lady, he lifted his head, and cried in a + voice of thunder: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, it is surely the idiot, riding my colt thirteen months old!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Greatest of magicians, you are right,’ answered Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘And how did you manage to catch him?’ asked the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘By repeating what I learnt from your brother Bryak on the edge of the + forest,’ replied the idiot. ‘I just said— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Colt, free to run and free to eat, + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, +</pre> + <p> + and it came directly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know my brother, then?’ inquired the giant. ‘Tell me why he sent you + here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To bring you two gifts which he has just received from the country of the + Moors,’ answered Peronnik: ‘the apple of delight and the woman of + submission. If you eat the apple you will not desire anything else, and if + you take the woman as your servant you will never wish for another.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, give me the apple, and bid the woman get down,’ answered Rogear. + </p> + <p> + The idiot obeyed, but at the first taste of the apple the giant staggered, + and as the long yellow finger of the woman touched him he fell dead. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the magician where he lay, Peronnik entered the palace, bearing + with him the flower that laughs. Fifty doors flew open before him, and at + length he reached a long flight of steps which seemed to lead into the + bowels of the earth. Down these he went till he came to a silver door + without a bar or key. Then he held up high the flower that laughs, and the + door slowly swung back, displaying a deep cavern, which was as bright as + the day from the shining of the golden bowl and the diamond lance. The + idiot hastily ran forward and hung the bowl round his neck from the chain + which was attached to it, and took the lance in his hand. As he did so, + the ground shook beneath him, and with an awful rumbling the palace + disappeared, and Peronnik found himself standing close to the forest where + he led the cattle to graze. + </p> + <p> + Though darkness was coming on, Peronnik never thought of entering the + farm, but followed the road which led to the court of the duke of + Brittany. As he passed through the town of Vannes he stopped at a tailor’s + shop, and bought a beautiful costume of brown velvet and a white horse, + which he paid for with a handful of gold that he had picked up in the + corridor of the castle of Kerglas. Thus he made his way to the city of + Nantes, which at that moment was besieged by the French. + </p> + <p> + A little way off, Peronnik stopped and looked about him. For miles round + the country was bare, for the enemy had cut down every tree and burnt + every blade of corn; and, idiot though he might be, Peronnik was able to + grasp that inside the gates men were dying of famine. He was still gazing + with horror, when a trumpeter appeared on the walls, and, after blowing a + loud blast, announced that the duke would adopt as his heir the man who + could drive the French out of the country. + </p> + <p> + On the four sides of the city the trumpeter blew his blast, and the last + time Peronnik, who had ridden up as close as he might, answered him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You need blow no more,’ said he, ‘for I myself will free the town from + her enemies.’ And turning to a soldier who came running up, waving his + sword, he touched him with the magic lance, and he fell dead on the spot. + The men who were following stood still, amazed. Their comrade’s armour had + not been pierced, of that they were sure, yet he was dead, as if he had + been struck to the heart. But before they had time to recover from their + astonishment, Peronnik cried out: + </p> + <p> + ‘You see how my foes will fare; now behold what I can do for my friends,’ + and, stooping down, he laid the golden bowl against the mouth of the + soldier, who sat up as well as ever. Then, jumping his horse across the + trench, he entered the gate of the city, which had opened wide enough to + receive him. + </p> + <p> + The news of these marvels quickly spread through the town, and put fresh + spirit into the garrison, so that they declared themselves able to fight + under the command of the young stranger. And as the bowl restored all the + dead Bretons to life, Peronnik soon had an army large enough to drive away + the French, and fulfilled his promise of delivering his country. + </p> + <p> + As to the bowl and the lance, no one knows what became of them, but some + say that Bryak the sorcerer managed to steal them again, and that any one + who wishes to possess them must seek them as Peronnik did. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par Emile Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Battle of the Birds + </h2> + <p> + There was to be a great battle between all the creatures of the earth and + the birds of the air. News of it went abroad, and the son of the king of + Tethertown said that when the battle was fought he would be there to see + it, and would bring back word who was to be king. But in spite of that, he + was almost too late, and every fight had been fought save the last, which + was between a snake and a great black raven. Both struck hard, but in the + end the snake proved the stronger, and would have twisted himself round + the neck of the raven till he died had not the king’s son drawn his sword, + and cut off the head of the snake at a single blow. And when the raven + beheld that his enemy was dead, he was grateful, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘For thy kindness to me this day, I will show thee a sight. So come up now + on the root of my two wings.’ The king’s son did as he was bid, and before + the raven stopped flying, they had passed over seven bens and seven glens + and seven mountain moors. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you see that house yonder?’ said the raven at last. ‘Go straight for + it, for a sister of mine dwells there, and she will make you right + welcome. And if she asks, “Wert thou at the battle of the birds?” answer + that thou wert, and if she asks, “Didst thou see my likeness?” answer that + thou sawest it, but be sure thou meetest me in the morning at this place.’ + </p> + <p> + The king’s son followed what the raven told him and that night he had meat + of each meat, and drink of each drink, warm water for his feet, and a soft + bed to lie in. + </p> + <p> + Thus it happened the next day, and the next, but on the fourth meeting, + instead of meeting the raven, in his place the king’s son found waiting + for him the handsomest youth that ever was seen, with a bundle in his + hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is there a raven hereabouts?’ asked the king’s son, and the youth + answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘I am that raven, and I was delivered by thee from the spells that bound + me, and in reward thou wilt get this bundle. Go back by the road thou + camest, and lie as before, a night in each house, but be careful not to + unloose the bundle till thou art in the place wherein thou wouldst most + wish to dwell.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the king’s son set out, and thus it happened as it had happened + before, till he entered a thick wood near his father’s house. He had + walked a long way and suddenly the bundle seemed to grow heavier; first he + put it down under a tree, and next he thought he would look at it. + </p> + <p> + The string was easy to untie, and the king’s son soon unfastened the + bundle. What was it he saw there? Why, a great castle with an orchard all + about it, and in the orchard fruit and flowers and birds of very kind. It + was all ready for him to dwell in, but instead of being in the midst of + the forest, he did wish he had left the bundle unloosed till he had + reached the green valley close to his father’s palace. Well, it was no use + wishing, and with a sigh he glanced up, and beheld a huge giant coming + towards him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bad is the place where thou hast built thy house, king’s son,’ said the + giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘True; it is not here that I wish to be,’ answered the king’s son. + </p> + <p> + ‘What reward wilt thou give me if I put it back in the bundle?’ asked the + giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘What reward dost thou ask?’ answered the king’s son. + </p> + <p> + ‘The first boy thou hast when he is seven years old,’ said the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I have a boy thou shalt get him,’ answered the king’s son, and as he + spoke the castle and the orchard were tied up in the bundle again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now take thy road, and I will take mine,’ said the giant. ‘And if thou + forgettest thy promise, I will remember it.’ + </p> + <p> + Light of heart the king’s son went on his road, till he came to the green + valley near his father’s palace. Slowly he unloosed the bundle, fearing + lest he should find nothing but a heap of stones or rags. But no! all was + as it had been before, and as he opened the castle door there stood within + the most beautiful maiden that ever was seen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Enter, king’s son,’ said she, ‘all is ready, and we will be married at + once,’ and so they were. + </p> + <p> + The maiden proved a good wife, and the king’s son, now himself a king, was + so happy that he forgot all about the giant. Seven years and a day had + gone by, when one morning, while standing on the ramparts, he beheld the + giant striding towards the castle. Then he remembered his promise, and + remembered, too, that he had told the queen nothing about it. Now he must + tell her, and perhaps she might help him in his trouble. + </p> + <p> + The queen listened in silence to his tale, and after he had finished, she + only said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave thou the matter between me and the giant,’ and as she spoke, the + giant entered the hall and stood before them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring out your son,’ cried he to the king, ‘as you promised me seven + years and a day since.’ + </p> + <p> + The king glanced at his wife, who nodded, so he answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let his mother first put him in order,’ and the queen left the hall, and + took the cook’s son and dressed him in the prince’s clothes, and led him + up to the giant, who held his hand, and together they went out along the + road. They had not walked far when the giant stopped and stretched out a + stick to the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘If your father had that stick, what would he do with it?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘If my father had that stick, he would beat the dogs and cats that steal + the king’s meat,’ replied the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art the cook’s son!’ cried the giant. ‘Go home to thy mother’; and + turning his back he strode straight to the castle. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you seek to trick me this time, the highest stone will soon be the + lowest,’ said he, and the king and queen trembled, but they could not bear + to give up their boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘The butler’s son is the same age as ours,’ whispered the queen; ‘he will + not know the difference,’ and she took the child and dressed him in the + prince’s clothes, and the giant let him away along the road. Before they + had gone far he stopped, and held out a stick. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thy father had that rod, what would he do with it?’ asked the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘He would beat the dogs and cats that break the king’s glasses,’ answered + the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art the son of the butler!’ cried the giant. ‘Go home to thy + mother’; and turning round he strode back angrily to the castle. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring out thy son at once,’ roared he, ‘or the stone that is highest will + be lowest,’ and this time the real prince was brought. + </p> + <p> + But though his parents wept bitterly and fancied the child was suffering + all kinds of dreadful things, the giant treated him like his own son, + though he never allowed him to see his daughters. The boy grew to be a big + boy, and one day the giant told him that he would have to amuse himself + alone for many hours, as he had a journey to make. So the boy wandered to + the top of the castle, where he had never been before. There he paused, + for the sound of music broke upon his ears, and opening a door near him, + he beheld a girl sitting by the window, holding a harp. + </p> + <p> + ‘Haste and begone, I see the giant close at hand,’ she whispered + hurriedly, ‘but when he is asleep, return hither, for I would speak with + thee.’ And the prince did as he was bid, and when midnight struck he crept + back to the top of the castle. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow,’ said the girl, who was the giant’s daughter, ‘to-morrow thou + wilt get the choice of my two sisters to marry, but thou must answer that + thou wilt not take either, but only me. This will anger him greatly, for + he wishes to betroth me to the son of the king of the Green City, whom I + like not at all.’ + </p> + <p> + Then they parted, and on the morrow, as the girl had said, the giant + called his three daughters to him, and likewise the young prince to whom + he spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, O son of the king of Tethertown, the time has come for us to part. + Choose one of my two elder daughters to wife, and thou shalt take her to + your father’s house the day after the wedding.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me the youngest instead,’ replied the youth, and the giant’s face + darkened as he heard him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Three things must thou do first,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Say on, I will do them,’ replied the prince, and the giant left the + house, and bade him follow to the byre, where the cows were kept. + </p> + <p> + ‘For a hundred years no man has swept this byre,’ said the giant, ‘but if + by nightfall, when I reach home, thou has not cleaned it so that a golden + apple can roll through it from end to end, thy blood shall pay for it.’ + </p> + <p> + All day long the youth toiled, but he might as well have tried to empty + the ocean. At length, when he was so tired he could hardly move, the + giant’s youngest daughter stood in the doorway. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lay down thy weariness,’ said she, and the king’s son, thinking he could + only die once, sank on the floor at her bidding, and fell sound asleep. + When he woke the girl had disappeared, and the byre was so clean that a + golden apple could roll from end to end of it. He jumped up in surprise, + and at that moment in came the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hast thou cleaned the byre, king’s son?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have cleaned it,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, since thou wert so active to-day, to-morrow thou wilt thatch this + byre with a feather from every different bird, or else thy blood shall pay + for it,’ and he went out. + </p> + <p> + Before the sun was up, the youth took his bow and his quiver and set off + to kill the birds. Off to the moor he went, but never a bird was to be + seen that day. At last he got so tired with running to and fro that he + gave up heart. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is but one death I can die,’ thought he. Then at midday came the + giant’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art tired, king’s son?’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am,’ answered he; ‘all these hours have I wandered, and there fell but + these two blackbirds, both of one colour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lay down thy weariness on the grass,’ said she, and he did as she bade + him, and fell fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + When he woke the girl had disappeared, and he got up, and returned to the + byre. As he drew near, he rubbed his eyes hard, thinking he was dreaming, + for there it was, beautifully thatched, just as the giant had wished. At + the door of the house he met the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hast thou thatched the byre, king’s son?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have thatched it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, since thou hast been so active to-day, I have something else for + thee! Beside the loch thou seest over yonder there grows a fir tree. On + the top of the fir tree is a magpie’s nest, and in the nest are five eggs. + Thou wilt bring me those eggs for breakfast, and if one is cracked or + broken, thy blood shall pay for it.’ + </p> + <p> + Before it was light next day, the king’s son jumped out of bed and ran + down to the loch. The tree was not hard to find, for the rising sun shone + red on the trunk, which was five hundred feet from the ground to its first + branch. Time after time he walked round it, trying to find some knots, + however small, where he could put his feet, but the bark was quite smooth, + and he soon saw that if he was to reach the top at all, it must be by + climbing up with his knees like a sailor. But then he was a king’s son and + not a sailor, which made all the difference. + </p> + <p> + However, it was no use standing there staring at the fir, at least he must + try to do his best, and try he did till his hands and knees were sore, for + as soon as he had struggled up a few feet, he slid back again. Once he + climbed a little higher than before, and hope rose in his heart, then down + he came with such force that his hands and knees smarted worse than ever. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is no time for stopping,’ said the voice of the giant’s daughter, as + he leant against the trunk to recover his breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! I am no sooner up than down,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Try once more,’ said she, and she laid a finger against the tree and bade + him put his foot on it. Then she placed another finger a little higher up, + and so on till he reached the top, where the magpie had built her nest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Make haste now with the nest,’ she cried, ‘for my father’s breath is + burning my back,’ and down he scrambled as fast as he could, but the + girl’s little finger had caught in a branch at the top, and she was + obliged to leave it there. But she was too busy to pay heed to this, for + the sun was getting high over the hills. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen to me,’ she said. ‘This night my two sisters and I will be dressed + in the same garments, and you will not know me. But when my father says + ‘Go to thy wife, king’s son,’ come to the one whose right hand has no + little finger.’ + </p> + <p> + So he went and gave the eggs to the giant, who nodded his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Make ready for thy marriage,’ cried he, ‘for the wedding shall take place + this very night, and I will summon thy bride to greet thee.’ Then his + three daughters were sent for, and they all entered dressed in green silk + of the same fashion, and with golden circlets round their heads. The + king’s son looked from one to another. Which was the youngest? Suddenly + his eyes fell on the hand of the middle one, and there was no little + finger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou hast aimed well this time too,’ said the giant, as the king’s son + laid his hand on her shoulder, ‘but perhaps we may meet some other way’; + and though he pretended to laugh, the bride saw a gleam in his eye which + warned her of danger. + </p> + <p> + The wedding took place that very night, and the hall was filled with + giants and gentlemen, and they danced till the house shook from top to + bottom. At last everyone grew tired, and the guests went away, and the + king’s son and his bride were left alone. + </p> + <p> + ‘If we stay here till dawn my father will kill thee,’ she whispered, ‘but + thou art my husband and I will save thee, as I did before,’ and she cut an + apple into nine pieces, and put two pieces at the head of the bed, and two + pieces at the foot, and two pieces at the door of the kitchen, and two at + the big door, and one outside the house. And when this was done, and she + heard the giant snoring, she and the king’s son crept out softly and stole + across to the stable, where she led out the blue-grey mare and jumped on + its back, and her husband mounted behind her. Not long after, the giant + awoke. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Are you asleep?’ asked he. +</pre> + <p> + ‘Not yet,’ answered the apple at the head of the bed, and the giant turned + over, and soon was snoring as loudly as before. By and bye he called + again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet,’ said the apple at the foot of the bed, and the giant was + satisfied. After a while, he called a third time, ‘Are you asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet,’ replied the apple in the kitchen, but when in a few minutes, he + put the question for the fourth time and received an answer from the apple + outside the house door, he guessed what had happened, and ran to the room + to look for himself. + </p> + <p> + The bed was cold and empty! + </p> + <p> + ‘My father’s breath is burning my back,’ cried the girl, ‘put thy hand + into the ear of the mare, and whatever thou findest there, throw it behind + thee.’ And in the mare’s ear there was a twig of sloe tree, and as he + threw it behind him there sprung up twenty miles of thornwood so thick + that scarce a weasel could go through it. And the giant, who was striding + headlong forwards, got caught in it, and it pulled his hair and beard. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is one of my daughter’s tricks,’ he said to himself, ‘but if I had + my big axe and my wood-knife, I would not be long making a way through + this,’ and off he went home and brought back the axe and the wood-knife. + </p> + <p> + It took him but a short time to cut a road through the blackthorn, and + then he laid the axe and the knife under a tree. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will leave them there till I return,’ he murmured to himself, but a + hoodie crow, which was sitting on a branch above, heard him. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou leavest them,’ said the hoodie, ‘we will steal them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will,’ answered the giant, ‘and I must take them home.’ So he took + them home, and started afresh on his journey. + </p> + <p> + ‘My father’s breath is burning my back,’ cried the girl at midday. ‘Put + thy finger in the mare’s ear and throw behind thee whatever thou findest + in it,’ and the king’s son found a splinter of grey stone, and threw it + behind him, and in a twinkling twenty miles of solid rock lay between them + and the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘My daughter’s tricks are the hardest things that ever met me,’ said the + giant, ‘but if I had my lever and my crowbar, I would not be long in + making my way through this rock also,’ but as he had got them, he had to + go home and fetch them. Then it took him but a short time to hew his way + through the rock. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will leave the tools here,’ he murmured aloud when he had finished. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou leavest them, we will steal them,’ said a hoodie who was perched + on a stone above him, and the giant answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Steal them if thou wilt; there is no time to go back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My father’s breath is burning my back,’ cried the girl; ‘look in the + mare’s ear, king’s son, or we are lost,’ and he looked, and found a tiny + bladder full of water, which he threw behind him, and it became a great + lock. And the giant, who was striding on so fast, could not stop himself, + and he walked right into the middle and was drowned. + </p> + <p> + The blue-grey mare galloped on like the wind, and the next day the king’s + son came in sight of his father’s house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Get down and go in,’ said the bride, ‘and tell them that thou hast + married me. But take heed that neither man nor beast kiss thee, for then + thou wilt cease to remember me at all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will do thy bidding,’ answered he, and left her at the gate. All who + met him bade him welcome, and he charged his father and mother not to kiss + him, but as he greeted them his old greyhound leapt on his neck, and + kissed him on the mouth. And after that he did not remember the giant’s + daughter. + </p> + <p> + All that day she sat on a well which was near the gate, waiting, waiting, + but the king’s son never came. In the darkness she climbed up into an oak + tree that shadowed the well, and there she lay all night, waiting, + waiting. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, at midday, the wife of a shoemaker who dwelt near the well + went to draw water for her husband to drink, and she saw the shadow of the + girl in the tree, and thought it was her own shadow. + </p> + <p> + ‘How handsome I am, to be sure,’ said she, gazing into the well, and as + she stopped to behold herself better, the jug struck against the stones + and broke in pieces, and she was forced to return to her husband without + the water, and this angered him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou hast turned crazy,’ said he in wrath. ‘Go thou, my daughter, and + fetch me a drink,’ and the girl went, and the same thing befell her as had + befallen her mother. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is the water?’ asked the shoemaker, when she came back, and as she + held nothing save the handle of the jug he went to the well himself. He + too saw the reflection of the woman in the tree, but looked up to discover + whence it came, and there above him sat the most beautiful woman in the + world. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come down,’ he said, ‘for a while thou canst stay in my house,’ and glad + enough the girl was to come. + </p> + <p> + Now the king of the country was about to marry, and the young men about + the court thronged the shoemaker’s shop to buy fine shoes to wear at the + wedding. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou hast a pretty daughter,’ said they when they beheld the girl sitting + at work. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pretty she is,’ answered the shoemaker, ‘but no daughter of mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would give a hundred pounds to marry her,’ said one. + </p> + <p> + ‘And I,’ ‘And I,’ cried the others. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is no business of mine,’ answered the shoemaker, and the young men + bade him ask her if she would choose one of them for a husband, and to + tell them on the morrow. Then the shoemaker asked her, and the girl said + that she would marry the one who would bring his purse with him. So the + shoemaker hurried to the youth who had first spoken, and he came back, and + after giving the shoemaker a hundred pounds for his news, he sought the + girl, who was waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it thou?’ inquired she. ‘I am thirsty, give me a drink from the well + that is yonder.’ And he poured out the water, but he could not move from + the place where he was; and there he stayed till many hours had passed by. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take away that foolish boy,’ cried the girl to the shoemaker at last, ‘I + am tired of him,’ and then suddenly he was able to walk, and betook + himself to his home, but he did not tell the others what had happened to + him. + </p> + <p> + Next day there arrived one of the other young men, and in the evening, + when the shoemaker had gone out and they were alone, she said to him, ‘See + if the latch is on the door.’ The young man hastened to do her bidding, + but as soon as he touched the latch, his fingers stuck to it, and there he + had to stay for many hours, till the shoemaker came back, and the girl let + him go. Hanging his head, he went home, but he told no one what had + befallen him. + </p> + <p> + Then was the turn of the third man, and his foot remained fastened to the + floor, till the girl unloosed it. And thankfully, he ran off, and was not + seen looking behind him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take the purse of gold,’ said the girl to the shoemaker, ‘I have no need + of it, and it will better thee.’ And the shoemaker took it and told the + girl he must carry the shoes for the wedding up to the castle. + </p> + <p> + ‘I would fain get a sight of the king’s son before he marries,’ sighed + she. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come with me, then,’ answered he; ‘the servants are all my friends, and + they will let you stand in the passage down which the king’s son will + pass, and all the company too.’ + </p> + <p> + Up they went to the castle, and when the young men saw the girl standing + there, they led her into the hall where the banquet was laid out and + poured her out some wine. She was just raising the glass to drink when a + flame went up out of it, and out of the flame sprang two pigeons, one of + gold and one of silver. They flew round and round the head of the girl, + when three grains of barley fell on the floor, and the silver pigeon dived + down, and swallowed them. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou hadst remembered how I cleaned the byre, thou wouldst have given + me my share,’ cooed the golden pigeon, and as he spoke three more grains + fell, and the silver pigeon ate them as before. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou hadst remembered how I thatched the byre, thou wouldst have given + me my share,’ cooed the golden pigeon again; and as he spoke three more + grains fell, and for the third time they were eaten by the silver pigeon. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou hadst remembered how I got the magpie’s nest, thou wouldst have + given me my share,’ cooed the golden pigeon. + </p> + <p> + Then the king’s son understood that they had come to remind him of what he + had forgotten, and his lost memory came back, and he knew his wife, and + kissed her. But as the preparations had been made, it seemed a pity to + waste them, so they were married a second time, and sat down to the + wedding feast. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Tales of the West Highlands.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Lady of the Fountain. + </h2> + <p> + In the centre of the great hall in the castle of Caerleon upon Usk, king + Arthur sat on a seat of green rushes, over which was thrown a covering of + flame-coloured silk, and a cushion of red satin lay under his elbow. With + him were his knights Owen and Kynon and Kai, while at the far end, close + to the window, were Guenevere the queen and her maidens embroidering white + garments with strange devices of gold. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am weary,’ said Arthur, ‘and till my food is prepared I would fain + sleep. You yourselves can tell each other tales, and Kai will fetch you + from the kitchen a flagon of mean and some meat.’ + </p> + <p> + And when they had eaten and drunk, Kynon, the oldest among them, began his + story. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was the only son of my father and mother, and much store they set by + me, but I was not content to stay with them at home, for I thought no deed + in all the world was too mighty for me. None could hold me back, and after + I had won many adventures in my own land, I bade farewell to my parents + and set out to see the world. Over mountains, through deserts, across + rivers I went, till I reached a fair valley full of trees, with a path + running by the side of a stream. I walked along that path all the day, and + in the evening I came to a castle in front of which stood two youths + clothed in yellow, each grasping an ivory bow, with arrows made of the + bones of the whale, and winged with peacock’s feathers. By their sides + hung golden daggers with hilts of the bones of the whale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Near these young men was a man richly dressed, who turned and went with + me towards the castle, where all the dwellers were gathered in the hall. + In one window I beheld four and twenty damsels, and the least fair of them + was fairer than Guenevere at her fairest. Some took my horse, and others + unbuckled my armour, and washed it, with my sword and spear, till it all + shone like silver. Then I washed myself and put on a vest and doublet + which they brought me, and I and the man that entered with me sat down + before a table of silver, and a goodlier feast I never had. + </p> + <p> + ‘All this time neither the man nor the damsels had spoken one word, but + when our dinner was half over, and my hunger was stilled, the man began to + ask who I was. Then I told him my name and my father’s name, and why I + came there, for indeed I had grown weary of gaining the mastery over all + men at home, and sought if perchance there was one who could gain the + mastery over me. And at this the man smiled and answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘“If I did not fear to distress thee too much, I would show thee what thou + seekest.” His words made me sorrowful and fearful of myself, which the man + perceived, and added, “If thou meanest truly what thou sayest, and + desirest earnestly to prove thy valour, and not to boast vainly that none + can overcome thee, I have somewhat to show thee. But to-night thou must + sleep in the this castle, and in the morning see that thou rise early and + follow the road upwards through the valley, until thou reachest a wood. In + the wood is a path branching to the right; go along this path until thou + comest to a space of grass with a mound in the middle of it. On the top of + the mound stands a black man, larger than any two white men; his eye is in + the centre of his forehead and he has only one foot. He carries a club of + iron, and two white men could hardly lift it. Around him graze a thousand + beasts, all of different kinds, for he is the guardian of that wood, and + it is he who will tell thee which way to go in order to find the adventure + thou art in quest of.” + </p> + <p> + ‘So spake the man, and long did that night seem to me, and before dawn I + rose and put on my armour, and mounted my horse and rode on till I reached + the grassy space of which he had told me. There was the black man on top + of the mound, as he had said, and in truth he was mightier in all ways + than I had thought him to be. As for the club, Kai, it would have been a + burden for four of our warriors. He waited for me to speak, and I asked + him what power he held over the beasts that thronged so close about him. + </p> + <p> + ‘“I will show thee, little man,” he answered, and with his club he struck + a stag on the head till he brayed loudly. And at his braying the animals + came running, numerous as the stars in the sky, so that scarce was I able + to stand among them. Serpents were there also, and dragons, and beasts of + strange shapes, with horns in places where never saw I horns before. And + the black man only looked at them and bade them go and feed. And they + bowed themselves before him, as vassals before their lord. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Now, little man, I have answered thy question and showed thee my power,” + said he. “Is there anything else thou wouldest know?” Then I inquired of + him my way, but he grew angry, and, as I perceived, would fain have + hindered me; but at the last, after I had told him who I was, his anger + passed from him. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Take that path,” said he, “that leads to the head of this grassy glade, + and go up the wood till thou reachest the top. There thou wilt find an + open space, and in the midst of it a tall tree. Under the tree is a + fountain, and by the fountain a marble slab, and on the slab a bowl of + silver, with a silver chain. Dip the bowl in the fountain, and throw the + water on the slab, and thou wilt hear a might peal of thunder, till heaven + and earth seem trembling with the noise. After the thunder will come hail, + so fierce that scarcely canst thou endure it and live, for the hailstones + are both large and thick. Then the sun will shine again, but every leaf of + the tree will by lying on the ground. Next a flight of birds will come and + alight on the tree, and never didst thou hear a strain so sweet as that + which they will sing. And at the moment in which their song sounds + sweetest thou wilt hear a murmuring and complaining coming towards thee + along the valley, and thou wilt see a knight in black velvet bestriding a + black horse, bearing a lance with a black pennon, and he will spur his + steed so as to fight thee. If thou turnest to flee, he will overtake thee. + And if thou abidest were thou art, he will unhorse thee. And if thou dost + not find trouble in that adventure, thou needest not to seek it during the + rest of thy life.” + </p> + <p> + ‘So I bade the black man farewell, and took my way to the top of the wood, + and there I found everything just as I had been told. I went up to the + tree beneath which stood the fountain, and filling the silver bowl with + water, emptied it on the marble slab. Thereupon the thunder came, louder + by far than I had expected to hear it, and after the thunder came the + shower, but heavier by far than I had expected to feel it, for, of a truth + I tell thee, Kai, not one of those hailstones would be stopped by skin or + by flesh till it had reached the bone. I turned my horse’s flank towards + the shower, and, bending over his neck, held my shield so that it might + cover his head and my own. When the hail had passed, I looked on the tree + and not a single leaf was left on it, and the sky was blue and the sun + shining, while on the branches were perched birds of very kind, who sang a + song sweeter than any that has come to my ears, either before or since. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thus, Kai, I stood listening to the birds, when lo, a murmuring voice + approached me, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘“O knight, what has brought thee hither? What evil have I done to thee, + that thou shouldest do so much to me, for in all my lands neither man nor + beast that met that shower has escaped alive.” Then from the valley + appeared the knight on the black horse, grasping the lance with the black + pennon. Straightway we charged each other, and though I fought my best, he + soon overcame me, and I was thrown to the ground, while the knight seized + the bridle of my horse, and rode away with it, leaving me where I was, + without even despoiling me of my armour. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sadly did I go down the hill again, and when I reached the glade where + the black man was, I confess to thee, Kai, it was a marvel that I did not + melt into a liquid pool, so great was my shame. That night I slept at the + castle where I had been before, and I was bathed and feasted, and none + asked me how I had fared. The next morning when I arose I found a bay + horse saddled for me, and, girdling on my armour, I returned to my own + court. The horse is still in the stable, and I would not part with it for + any in Britain. + </p> + <p> + ‘But of a truth, Kai, no man ever confessed an adventure so much to his + own dishonour, and strange indeed it seems that none other man have I ever + met that knew of the black man, and the knight and the shower.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Would it not be well,’ said Owen, ‘to go and discover the place?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By the hand of my friend,’ answered Kai, ‘often dost thou utter that with + thy tongue which thou wouldest not make good with thy deeds.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In truth,’ said Guenevere the queen, who had listened to the tale, ‘thou + wert better hanged, Kai, than use such speech towards a man like Owen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I meant nothing, lady,’ replied Kai; ‘thy praise of Owen is not greater + than mine.’ And as he spoke Arthur awoke, and asked if he had not slept + for a little. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, lord,’ answered Owen, ‘certainly thou hast slept.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it time for us to go to meat?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is, lord,’ answered Owen. + </p> + <p> + Then the horn for washing themselves was sounded, and after that the king + and his household sat down to eat. And when they had finished, Owen left + them, and made ready his horse and his arms. + </p> + <p> + With the first rays of the sun he set forth, and travelled through deserts + and over mountains and across rivers, and all befell him which had + befallen Kynon, till he stood under the leafless tree listening to the + song of the birds. Then he heard the voice, and turning to look found the + knight galloping to meet him. Fiercely they fought till their lances were + broken, and then they drew their swords, and a blow from Owen cut through + the knight’s helmet, and pierced his skull. + </p> + <p> + Feeling himself wounded unto death the knight fled, and Owen pursued him + till they came to a splendid castle. Here the knight dashed across the + bridge that spanned the moat, and entered the gate, but as soon as he was + safe inside, the drawbridge was pulled up and caught Owen’s horse in the + middle, so that half of him was inside and half out, and Owen could not + dismount and knew not what to do. + </p> + <p> + While he was in this sore plight a little door in the castle gate opened, + and he could see a street facing him, with tall houses. Then a maiden with + curling hair of gold looked through the little door and bade Owen open the + gate. + </p> + <p> + ‘By my troth!’ cried Owen, ‘I can no more open it from here than thou art + able to set me free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said she, ‘I will do my best to release thee if thou wilt do as I + tell thee. Take this ring and put it on with the stone inside thy hand, + and close thy fingers tight, for as long as thou dost conceal it, it will + conceal thee. When the men inside have held counsel together, they will + come to fetch thee to thy death, and they will be much grieved not to find + thee. I will stand on the horse block yonder and thou canst see me though + I cannot see thee. Therefore draw near and place thy hand on my shoulder + and follow me wheresoever I go.’ + </p> + <p> + Upon that she went away from Owen, and when the men came out from the + castle to seek him and did not find him they were sorely grieved, and they + returned to the castle. + </p> + <p> + Then Owen went to the maiden and placed his hand on her shoulder, and she + guided him to a large room, painted all over with rich colours, and + adorned with images of gold. Here she gave him meat and drink, and water + to wash with and garments to wear, and he lay down upon a soft bed, with + scarlet and fur to cover him, and slept gladly. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the night he woke hearing a great outcry, and he jumped + up and clothed himself and went into the hall, where the maiden was + standing. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ he asked, and she answered that the knight who owned the + castle was dead, and they were bearing his body to the church. Never had + Owen beheld such vast crowds, and following the dead knight was the most + beautiful lady in the world, whose cry was louder than the shout of the + men, or the braying of the trumpets. And Owen looked on her and loved her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is she?’ he asked the damsel. ‘That is my mistress, the countess of + the fountain, and the wife of him whom thou didst slay yesterday.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Verily,’ said Owen, ‘she is the woman that I love best.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She shall also love thee not a little,’ said the maiden. + </p> + <p> + Then she left Owen, and after a while went into the chamber of her + mistress, and spoke to her, but the countess answered her nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘What aileth thee, mistress?’ inquired the maiden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why hast thou kept far from me in my grief, Luned?’ answered the + countess, and in her turn the damsel asked: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it well for thee to mourn so bitterly for the dead, or for anything + that is gone from thee?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no man in the world equal to him,’ replied the countess, her + cheeks growing red with anger. ‘I would fain banish thee for such words.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be not angry, lady,’ said Luned, ‘but listen to my counsel. Thou knowest + well that alone thou canst not preserve thy lands, therefore seek some one + to help thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how can I do that?’ asked the countess. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will tell thee,’ answered Luned. ‘Unless thou canst defend the fountain + all will be lost, and none can defend the fountain except a knight of + Arthur’s court. There will I go to seek him, and woe betide me if I return + without a warrior that can guard the fountain, as well as he who kept it + before.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go then,’ said the countess, ‘and make proof of that which thou hast + promised.’ + </p> + <p> + So Luned set out, riding on a white palfrey, on pretence of journeying to + King Arthur’s court, but instead of doing that she hid herself for as many + days as it would have taken her to go and come, and then she left her + hiding-place, and went into the countess. + </p> + <p> + ‘What news from the court?’ asked her mistress, when she had given Luned a + warm greeting. + </p> + <p> + ‘The best of news,’ answered the maiden, ‘for I have gained the object of + my mission. When wilt thou that I present to thee the knight who has + returned with me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow at midday,’ said the countess, ‘and I will cause all the people + in the town to come together.’ + </p> + <p> + Therefore the next day at noon Owen put on his coat of mail, and over it + he wore a splendid mantle, while on his feet were leather shoes fastened + with clasps of gold. And he followed Luned to the chamber of her mistress. + </p> + <p> + Right glad was the countess to see them, but she looked closely at Owen + and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Luned, this knight has scarcely the air of a traveller.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What harm is there in that, lady?’ answered Luned. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am persuaded,’ said the countess, ‘that this man and no other chased + the soul from the body of my lord.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Had he not been stronger than thy lord,’ replied the damsel, ‘he could + not have taken his life, and for that, and for all things that are past, + there is no remedy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave me, both of you,’ said the countess, ‘and I will take counsel.’ + </p> + <p> + Then they went out. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the countess summoned her subjects to meet in the + courtyard of the castle, and told them that now that her husband was dead + there was none to defend her lands. + </p> + <p> + ‘So choose you which it shall be,’ she said. ‘Either let one of you take + me for a wife, or give me your consent to take a new lord for myself, that + my lands be not without a master.’ + </p> + <p> + At her words the chief men of the city withdrew into one corner and took + counsel together, and after a while the leader came forward and said that + they had decided that it was best, for the peace and safety of all, that + she should choose a husband for herself. Thereupon Owen was summoned to + her presence, and he accepted with joy the hand that she offered him, and + they were married forthwith, and the men of the earldom did him homage. + </p> + <p> + From that day Owen defended the fountain as the earl before him had done, + and every knight that came by was overthrown by him, and his ransom + divided among his barons. In this way three years passed, and no man in + the world was more beloved than Owen. + </p> + <p> + Now at the end of the three years it happened that Gwalchmai the knight + was with Arthur, and he perceived the king to be very sad. + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord, has anything befallen thee?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Gwalchmai, I am grieved concerning Owen, whom I have lost these three + years, and if a fourth year passes without him I can live no longer. And + sure am I that the tale told by Kynon the son of Clydno caused me to lose + him. I will go myself with the men of my household to avenge him if he is + dead, to free him if he is in prison, to bring him back if he is alive.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Arthur and three thousand men of his household set out in quest of + Owen, and took Kynon for their guide. When Arthur reached the castle, the + youths were shooting in the same place, and the same yellow man was + standing by, and as soon as he beheld Arthur he greeted him and invited + him in, and they entered together. So vast was the castle that the king’s + three thousand men were of no more account than if they had been twenty. + </p> + <p> + At sunrise Arthur departed thence, with Kynon for his guide, and reached + the black man first, and afterwards the top of the wooded hill, with the + fountain and the bowl and the tree. + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord,’ said Kai, ‘let me throw the water on the slab, and receive the + first adventure that may befall.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou mayest do so,’ answered Arthur, and Kai threw the water. + </p> + <p> + Immediately all happened as before; the thunder and the shower of hail + which killed many of Arthur’s men; the song of the birds and the + appearance of the black knight. And Kai met him and fought him, and was + overthrown by him. Then the knight rode away, and Arthur and his men + encamped where they stood. + </p> + <p> + In the morning Kai again asked leave to meet the knight and to try to + overcome him, which Arthur granted. But once more he was unhorsed, and the + black knight’s lance broke his helmet and pierced the skin even to the + bone, and humbled in spirit he returned to the camp. + </p> + <p> + After this every one of the knights gave battle, but none came out victor, + and at length there only remained Arthur himself and Gwalchmai. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, let me fight him, my lord,’ cried Gwalchmai, as he saw Arthur taking + up his arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, fight then,’ answered Arthur, and Gwalchmai threw a robe over + himself and his horse, so that none knew him. All that day they fought, + and neither was able to throw the other, and so it was on the next day. On + the third day the combat was so fierce that they fell both to the ground + at once, and fought on their feet, and at last the black knight gave his + foe such a blow on his head that his helmet fell from his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘I did not know it was thee, Gwalchmai,’ said the black knight. ‘Take my + sword and my arms.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ answered Gwalchmai, ‘it is thou, Owen, who art the victor, take thou + my sword’; but Owen would not. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me your swords,’ said Arthur from behind them, ‘for neither of you + has vanquished the other,’ and Owen turned and put his arms round Arthur’s + neck. + </p> + <p> + The next day Arthur would have given orders to his men to make ready to go + back whence they came, but Owen stopped him. + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘during the three years that I have been absent from + thee I have been preparing a banquet for thee, knowing full well that thou + wouldst come to seek me. Tarry with me, therefore, for a while, thou and + thy men.’ + </p> + <p> + So they rode to the castle of the countess of the fountain, and spent + three months in resting and feasting. And when it was time for them to + depart Arthur besought the countess that she would allow Owen to go with + him to Britain for the space of three months. With a sore heart she + granted permission, and so content was Owen to be once more with his old + companions that three years instead of three months passed away like a + dream. + </p> + <p> + One day Owen sat at meat in the castle of Caerleon upon Usk, when a damsel + on a bay horse entered the hall, and riding straight up to the place where + Owen sat she stooped and drew the ring from off his hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thus shall be treated the traitor and the faithless,’ said she, and + turning her horse’s head she rode out of the hall. + </p> + <p> + At her words Owen remembered all that he had forgotten, and sorrowful and + ashamed he went to his own chamber and made ready to depart. At the dawn + he set out, but he did not go back to the castle, for his heart was heavy, + but he wandered far into wild places till his body was weak and thin, and + his hair was long. The wild beasts were his friends, and he slept by their + side, but in the end he longed to see the face of a man again, and he came + down into a valley and fell asleep by a lake in the lands of a widowed + countess. + </p> + <p> + Now it was the time when the countess took her walk, attended by her + maidens, and when they saw a man lying by the lake they shrank back in + terror, for he lay so still that they thought he was dead. But when they + had overcome their fright, they drew near him, and touched him, and saw + that there was life in him. Then the countess hastened to the castle, and + brought from it a flask full of precious ointment and gave it to one of + her maidens. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take that horse which is grazing yonder,’ she said, ‘and a suit of men’s + garments, and place them near the man, and pour some of this ointment near + his heart. If there is any life in him that will bring it back. But if he + moves, hide thyself in the bushes near by, and see what he does.’ + </p> + <p> + The damsel took the flask and did her mistress’ bidding. Soon the man + began to move his arms, and then rose slowly to his feet. Creeping forward + step by step he took the garments from off the saddle and put them on him, + and painfully he mounted the horse. When he was seated the damsel came + forth and greeted him, and glad was he when he saw her and inquired what + castle that was before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘It belongs to a widowed countess,’ answered the maiden. ‘Her husband left + her two earldoms, but it is all that remains of her broad lands, for they + have been torn from her by a young earl, because she would not marry him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a pity,’ replied Owen, but he said no more, for he was too weak + to talk much. Then the maiden guided him to the castle, and kindled a + fire, and brought him food. And there he stayed and was tended for three + months, till he was handsomer than ever he was. + </p> + <p> + At noon one day Owen heard a sound of arms outside the castle, and he + asked of the maiden what it was. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the earl of whom I spoke to thee,’ she answered, ‘who has come with + a great host to carry off my mistress.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Beg of her to lend me a horse and armour,’ said Owen, and the maiden did + so, but the countess laughed somewhat bitterly as she answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, but I will give them to him, and such a horse and armour and weapons + as he has never had yet, though I know not what use they will be to him. + Yet mayhap it will save them from falling into the hands of my enemies.’ + </p> + <p> + The horse was brought out and Owen rode forth with two pages behind him, + and they saw the great host encamped before them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is the earl?’ said he, and the pages answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘In yonder troop where are four yellow standards.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Await me,’ said Owen, ‘at the gate of the castle, and he cried a + challenge to the earl, who came to meet him. Hard did they fight, but Owen + overthrew his enemy and drove him in front to the castle gate and into the + hall. + </p> + <p> + ‘Behold the reward of thy blessed balsam,’ said he, as he bade the earl + kneel down before her, and made him swear that he would restore all that + he had taken from her. + </p> + <p> + After that he departed, and went into the deserts, and as he was passing + through a wood he heard a loud yelling. Pushing aside the bushes he beheld + a lion standing on a great mound, and by it a rock. Near the rock was a + lion seeking to reach the mound, and each time he moved out darted a + serpent from the rock to prevent him. Then Owen unsheathed his sword, and + cut off the serpent’s head and went on his way, and the lion followed and + played about him, as if he had been a greyhound. And much more useful was + he than a greyhound, for in the evening he brought large logs in his mouth + to kindle a fire, and killed a fat buck for dinner. + </p> + <p> + Owen made his fire and skinned the buck, and put some of it to roast, and + gave the rest to the lion for supper. While he was waiting for the meat to + cook he heard a sound of deep sighing close to him, and he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Who are thou?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am Luned,’ replied a voice from a cave so hidden by bushes and green + hanging plants that Owen had not seen it. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what dost thou here?’ cried he. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am held captive in this cave on account of the knight who married the + countess and left her, for the pages spoke ill of him, and because I told + them that no man living was his equal they dragged me here and said I + should die unless he should come to deliver me by a certain day, and that + is no further than the day after to-morrow. His name is Owen the son of + Urien, but I have none to send to tell him of my danger, or of a surety he + would deliver me.’ + </p> + <p> + Owen held his peace, but gave the maiden some of the meat, and bade her be + of good cheer. Then, followed by the lion, he set out for a great castle + on the other side of the plain, and men came and took his horse and placed + it in a manger, and the lion went after and lay down on the straw. + Hospitable and kind were all within the castle, but so full of sorrow that + it might have been thought death was upon them. At length, when they had + eaten and drunk, Owen prayed the earl to tell him the reason of their + grief. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yesterday,’ answered the earl, ‘my two sons were seized, while thy were + hunting, by a monster who dwells on those mountains yonder, and he vows + that he will not let them go unless I give him my daughter to wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That shall never be,’ said Owen; ‘but what form hath this monster?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In shape he is a man, but in stature he is a giant,’ replied the earl, + ‘and it were better by far that he should slay my sons than that I should + give up my daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + Early next morning the dwellers in the castle were awakened by a great + clamour, and they found that the giant had arrived with the two young men. + Swiftly Owen put on his armour and went forth to meet the giant, and the + lion followed at his heels. And when the great beast beheld the hard blows + which the giant dealt his master he flew at his throat, and much trouble + had the monster in beating him off. + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly,’ said the giant, ‘I should find no difficulty in fighting thee, if + it were not for that lion.’ When he heard that Owen felt shame that he + could not overcome the giant with his own sword, so he took the lion and + shut him up in one of the towers of the castle, and returned to the fight. + But from the sound of the blows the lion knew that the combat was going + ill for Owen, so he climbed up till he reached the top of the tower, where + there was a door on to the roof, and from the tower he sprang on to the + walls, and from the walls to the ground. Then with a loud roar he leaped + upon the giant, who fell dead under the blow of his paw. + </p> + <p> + Now the gloom of the castle was turned into rejoicing, and the earl begged + Owen to stay with him till he could make him a feast, but the knight said + he had other work to do, and rode back to the place where he had left + Luned, and the lion followed at his heels. When he came there he saw a + great fire kindled, and two youths leading out the maiden to cast her upon + the pile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop!’ he cried, dashing up to them. ‘What charge have you against her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She boasted that no man in the world was equal to Owen,’ said they, ‘and + we shut her in a cave, and agreed that none should deliver her but Owen + himself, and that if he did not come by a certain day she should die. And + now the time has past and there is no sign of him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In truth he is a good knight, and had he but known that the maid was in + peril he would have come to save her,’ said Owen; ‘but accept me in his + stead, I entreat you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We will,’ replied they, and the fight began. + </p> + <p> + The youths fought well and pressed hard on Owen, and when the lion saw + that he came to help his master. But the youths made a sign for the fight + to stop, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Chieftain, it was agreed we should give battle to thee alone, and it is + harder for us to contend with yonder beast than with thee.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Owen shut up the lion in the cave where the maiden had been in + prison, and blocked up the front with stones. But the fight with the giant + had sorely tried him, and the youths fought well, and pressed him harder + than before. And when the lion saw that he gave a loud roar, and burst + through the stones, and sprang upon the youths and slew them. And so Luned + was delivered at the last. + </p> + <p> + Then the maiden rode back with Owen to the lands of the lady of the + fountain. And he took the lady with him to Arthur’s court, where they + lived happily till they died. + </p> + <p> + From the ‘Mabinogion.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Four Gifts + </h2> + <p> + In the old land of Brittany, once called Cornwall, there lived a woman + named Barbaik Bourhis, who spent all her days in looking after her farm + with the help of her niece Tephany. Early and late the two might be seen + in the fields or in the dairy, milking cows, making butter, feeding fowls; + working hard themselves and taking care that others worked too. Perhaps it + might have been better for Barbaik if she had left herself a little time + to rest and to think about other things, for soon she grew to love money + for its own sake, and only gave herself and Tephany the food and clothes + they absolutely needed. And as for poor people she positively hated them, + and declared that such lazy creatures had no business in the world. + </p> + <p> + Well, this being the sort of person Barbaik was, it is easy to guess at + her anger when one day she found Tephany talking outside the cowhouse to + young Denis, who was nothing more than a day labourer from the village of + Plover. Seizing her niece by the arm, she pulled her sharply away, + exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you not ashamed, girl, to waste your time over a man who is as poor + as a rat, when there are a dozen more who would be only too happy to buy + you rings of silver, if you would let them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Denis is a good workman, as you know very well,’ answered Tephany, red + with anger, ‘and he puts by money too, and soon he will be able to take a + farm for himself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense,’ cried Barbaik, ‘he will never save enough for a farm till he + is a hundred. I would sooner see you in your grave than the wife of a man + who carries his whole fortune on his back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What does fortune matter when one is young and strong?’ asked Tephany, + but her aunt, amazed at such words, would hardly let her finish. + </p> + <p> + ‘What does fortune matter?’ repeated Barbaik, in a shocked voice. ‘Is it + possible that you are really so foolish as to despise money? If this is + what you learn from Denis, I forbid you to speak to him, and I will have + him turned out of the farm if he dares to show his face here again. Now go + and wash the clothes and spread them out to dry.’ + </p> + <p> + Tephany did not dare to disobey, but with a heavy heart went down the path + to the river. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is harder than these rocks,’ said the girl to herself, ‘yes, a + thousand times harder. For the rain at least can at last wear away the + stone, but you might cry for ever, and she would never care. Talking to + Denis is the only pleasure I have, and if I am not to see him I may as + well enter a convent.’ + </p> + <p> + Thinking these thoughts she reached the bank, and began to unfold the + large packet of linen that had to be washed. The tap of a stick made her + look up, and standing before her she saw a little old woman, whose face + was strange to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘You would like to sit down and rest, granny?’ asked Tephany, pushing + aside her bundle. + </p> + <p> + ‘When the sky is all the roof you have, you rest where you will,’ replied + the old woman in trembling tones. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you so lonely, then?’ inquired Tephany, full of pity. ‘Have you no + friends who would welcome you into their houses?’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman shook her head. + </p> + <p> + ‘They all died long, long ago,’ she answered, ‘and the only friends I have + are strangers with kind hearts.’ + </p> + <p> + The girl did not speak for a moment, then held out the small loaf and some + bacon intended for her dinner. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this,’ she said; ‘to-day at any rate you shall dine well,’ and the + old woman took it, gazing at Tephany the while. + </p> + <p> + ‘Those who help others deserve to be helped,’ she answered; ‘your eyes are + still red because that miser Barbaik has forbidden you to speak to the + young man from Plover. But cheer up, you are a good girl, and I will give + you something that will enable you to see him once every day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You?’ cried Tephany, stupefied at discovering that the beggar knew all + about her affairs, but the old woman did not hear her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this long copper pin,’ she went on, ‘and every time you stick it in + your dress Mother Bourhis will be obliged to leave the house in order to + go and count her cabbages. As long as the pin is in your dress you will be + free, and your aunt will not come back until you have put it in its case + again.’ Then, rising, she nodded to Tephany and vanished. + </p> + <p> + The girl stood where she was, as still as a stone. If it had not been for + the pin in her hands she would have thought she was dreaming. But by that + token she knew it was no common old woman who had given it to her, but a + fairy, wise in telling what would happen in the days to come. Then + suddenly Tephany’s eyes fell on the clothes, and to make up for lost time + she began to wash them with great vigour. + </p> + <p> + Next evening, at the moment when Denis was accustomed to wait for her in + the shadow of the cowhouse, Tephany stuck the pin in her dress, and at the + very same instant Barbaik took up her sabots or wooden shoes and went + through the orchard and past to the fields, to the plot where the cabbages + grew. With a heart as light as her footsteps, the girl ran from the house, + and spent her evening happily with Denis. And so it was for many days + after that. Then, at last, Tephany began to notice something, and the + something made her very sad. + </p> + <p> + At first, Denis seemed to find the hours that they were together fly as + quickly as she did, but when he had taught her all the songs he knew, and + told her all the plans he had made for growing rich and a great man, he + had nothing more to say to her, for he, like a great many other people, + was fond of talking himself, but not of listening to any one else. + Sometimes, indeed, he never came at all, and the next evening he would + tell Tephany that he had been forced to go into the town on business, but + though she never reproached him she was not deceived and saw plainly that + he no longer cared for her as he used to do. + </p> + <p> + Day by day her heart grew heavier and her cheeks paler, and one evening, + when she had waited for him in vain, she put her water-pot on her shoulder + and went slowly down to the spring. On the path in front of her stood the + fairy who had given her the pin, and as she glanced at Tephany she gave a + little mischievous laugh and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, my pretty maiden hardly looks happier than she did before, in spite + of meeting her lover whenever she pleases.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has grown tired of me,’ answered Tephany in a trembling voice, ‘and he + makes excuses to stay away. Ah! granny dear, it is not enough to be able + to see him, I must be able to amuse him and to keep him with me. He is so + clever, you know. Help me to be clever too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that what you want?’ cried the old woman. ‘Well, take this feather and + stick it in your hair, and you will be as wise as Solomon himself.’ + </p> + <p> + Blushing with pleasure Tephany went home and stuck the feather into the + blue ribbon which girls always wear in that part of the country. In a + moment she heard Denis whistling gaily, and as her aunt was safely + counting her cabbages, she hurried out to meet him. The young man was + struck dumb by her talk. There was nothing that she did not seem to know, + and as for songs she not only could sing those from every part of + Brittany, but could compose them herself. Was this really the quiet girl + who had been so anxious to learn all he could teach her, or was it + somebody else? Perhaps she had gone suddenly mad, and there was an evil + spirit inside her. But in any case, night after night he came back, only + to find her growing wiser and wiser. Soon the neighbours whispered their + surprise among themselves, for Tephany had not been able to resist the + pleasure of putting the feather in her hair for some of the people who + despised her for her poor clothes, and many were the jokes she made about + them. Of course they heard of her jests, and shook their heads saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘She is an ill-natured little cat, and the man that marries her will find + that it is she who will hold the reins and drive the horse.’ + </p> + <p> + It was not long before Denis began to agree with them, and as he always + liked to be master wherever he went, he became afraid of Tephany’s sharp + tongue, and instead of laughing as before when she made fun of other + people he grew red and uncomfortable, thinking that his turn would come + next. + </p> + <p> + So matters went on till one evening Denis told Tephany that he really + could not stay a moment, as he had promised to go to a dance that was to + be held in the next village. + </p> + <p> + Tephany’s face fell; she had worked hard all day, and had been counting on + a quiet hour with Denis. She did her best to persuade him to remain with + her, but he would not listen, and at last she grew angry. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I know why you are so anxious not to miss the dance,’ she said; ‘it + is because Aziliez of Pennenru will be there.’ + </p> + <p> + Now Aziliez was the loveliest girl for miles round, and she and Denis had + known each other from childhood. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes, Aziliez will be there,’ answered Denis, who was quite pleased to + see her jealous, ‘and naturally one would go a long way to watch her + dance.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go then!’ cried Tephany, and entering the house she slammed the door + behind her. + </p> + <p> + Lonely and miserable she sat down by the fire and stared into the red + embers. Then, flinging the feather from her hair, she put her head on her + hands, and sobbed passionately. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the use of being clever when it is beauty that men want? That is + what I ought to have asked for. But it is too late, Denis will never come + back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Since you wish it so much you shall have beauty,’ said a voice at her + side, and looking round she beheld the old woman leaning on her stick. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fasten this necklace round your neck, and as long as you wear it you will + be the most beautiful woman in the world,’ continued the fairy. With a + little shriek of joy Tephany took the necklace, and snapping the clasp ran + to the mirror which hung in the corner. Ah, this time she was not afraid + of Aziliez or of any other girl, for surely none could be as fair and + white as she. And with the sight of her face a thought came to her, and + putting on hastily her best dress and her buckled shoes she hurried off to + the dance. + </p> + <p> + On the way she met a beautiful carriage with a young man seated in it. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a lovely maiden!’ he exclaimed, as Tephany approached. ‘Why, there + is not a girl in my own country that can be compared to her. She, and no + other, shall be my bride.’ + </p> + <p> + The carriage was large and barred the narrow road, so Tephany was forced, + much against her will, to remain where she was. But she looked the young + man full in the face as she answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Go your way, noble lord, and let me go mine. I am only a poor peasant + girl, accustomed to milk, and make hay and spin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Peasant you may be, but I will make you a great lady,’ said he, taking + her hand and trying to lead her to the carriage. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t want to be a great lady, I only want to be the wife of Denis,’ + she replied, throwing off his hand and running to the ditch which divided + the road from the cornfield, where he hoped to hide. Unluckily the young + man guessed what she was doing, and signed to his attendants, who seized + her and put her in the coach. The door was banged, and the horses whipped + up into a gallop. + </p> + <p> + At the end of an hour they arrived at a splendid castle, and Tephany, who + would not move, was lifted out and carried into the hall, while a priest + was sent for to perform the marriage ceremony. The young man tried to win + a smile from her by telling of all the beautiful things she should have as + his wife, but Tephany did not listen to him, and looked about to see if + there was any means by which she could escape. It did not seem easy. The + three great doors were closely barred, and the one through which she had + entered shut with a spring, but her feather was still in her hair, and by + its aid she detected a crack in the wooden panelling, through which a + streak of light could be dimly seen. Touching the copper pin which + fastened her dress, the girl sent every one in the hall to count the + cabbages, while she herself passed through the little door, not knowing + whither she was going. + </p> + <p> + By this time night had fallen, and Tephany was very tired. Thankfully she + found herself at the gate of a convent, and asked if she might stay there + till morning. But the portress answered roughly that it was no place for + beggars, and bade her begone, so the poor girl dragged herself slowly + along the road, till a light and the bark of a dog told her that she was + near a farm. + </p> + <p> + In front of the house was a group of people; two or three women and the + sons of the farmer. When their mother heard Tephany’s request to be given + a bed the good wife’s heart softened, and she was just going to invite her + inside, when the young men, whose heads were turned by the girl’s beauty, + began to quarrel as to which should do most for her. From words they came + to blows, and the women, frightened at the disturbance, pelted Tephany + with insulting names. She quickly ran down the nearest path, hoping to + escape them in the darkness of the trees, but in an instant she heard + their footsteps behind her. Wild with fear her legs trembled under her, + when suddenly she bethought herself of her necklace. With a violent effort + she burst the clasp and flung it round the neck of a pig which was + grunting in a ditch, and as she did so she heard the footsteps cease from + pursuing her and run after the pig, for her charm had vanished. + </p> + <p> + On she went, scarcely knowing where she was going, till she found herself, + to her surprise and joy, close to her aunt’s house. For several days she + felt so tired and unhappy that she could hardly get through her work, and + to make matters worse Denis scarcely ever came near her. + </p> + <p> + ‘He was too busy,’ he said, ‘and really it was only rich people who could + afford to waste time in talking.’ + </p> + <p> + As the days went on Tephany grew paler and paler, till everybody noticed + it except her aunt. The water-pot was almost too heavy for her now, but + morning and evening she carried it to the spring, though the effort to + lift it to her shoulder was often too much for her. + </p> + <p> + ‘How could I have been so foolish,’ she whispered to herself, when she + went down as usual at sunset. ‘It was not freedom to see Denis that I + should have asked for, for he was soon weary of me, nor a quick tongue, + for he was afraid of it, nor beauty, for that brought me nothing but + trouble, but riches which make life easy both for oneself and others. Ah! + if I only dared to beg this gift from the fairy, I should be wiser than + before and know how to choose better.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be satisfied,’ said the voice of the old woman, who seemed to be standing + unseen at Tephany’s elbow. ‘If you look in your right-hand pocket when you + go home you will find a small box. Rub your eyes with the ointment it + contains, and you will see that you yourself contain a priceless + treasure.’ + </p> + <p> + Tephany did not in the least understand what she meant, but ran back to + the farm as fast as she could, and began to fumble joyfully in her + right-hand pocket. Sure enough, there was the little box with the precious + ointment. She was in the act of rubbing her eyes with it when Barbaik + Bourhis entered the room. Ever since she had been obliged to leave her + work and pass her time, she did not know why, in counting cabbages, + everything had gone wrong, and she could not get a labourer to stay with + her because of her bad temper. When, therefore, she saw her niece standing + quietly before her mirror, Barbaik broke out: + </p> + <p> + ‘So this is what you do when I am out in the fields! Ah! it is no wonder + if the farm is ruined. Are you not ashamed, girl, to behave so?’ + </p> + <p> + Tephany tried to stammer some excuse, but her aunt was half mad with rage, + and a box on the ears was her only answer. At this Tephany, hurt, + bewildered and excited, could control herself no longer, and turning away + burst into tears. But what was her surprise when she saw that each + tear-drop was a round and shining pearl. Barbaik, who also beheld this + marvel, uttered a cry of astonishment, and threw herself on her knees to + pick them up from the floor. + </p> + <p> + She was still gathering them when the door opened and in came Denis. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pearls! Are they really pearls?’ he asked, falling on his knees also, and + looking up at Tephany he perceived others still more beautiful rolling + down the girl’s cheeks. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care not to let any of the neighbours hear of it, Denis,’ said + Barbaik. ‘Of course you shall have your share, but nobody else shall get a + single one. Cry on, my dear, cry on,’ she continued to Tephany. It is for + your good as well as ours,’ and she held out her apron to catch them, and + Denis his hat. + </p> + <p> + But Tephany could hardly bear any more. She felt half choked at the sight + of their greediness, and wanted to rush from the hall, and though Barbaik + caught her arm to prevent this, and said all sorts of tender words which + she thought would make the girl weep the more, Tephany with a violent + effort forced back her tears, and wiped her eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is she finished already?’ cried Barbaik, in a tone of disappointment. + ‘Oh, try again, my dear. Do you think it would do any good to beat her a + little?’ she added to Denis, who shook his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is enough for the first time. I will go into the town and find out + the value of each pearl.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I will go with you,’ said Barbaik, who never trusted anyone and was + afraid of being cheated. So the two went out, leaving Tephany behind them. + </p> + <p> + She sat quite still on her chair, her hands clasped tightly together, as + if she was forcing something back. At last she raised her eyes, which had + been fixed on the ground, and beheld the fairy standing in a dark corner + by the hearth, observing her with a mocking look. The girl trembled and + jumped up, then, taking the feather, the pin, and the box, she held them + out to the old woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here they are, all of them,’ she cried; ‘they belong to you. Let me never + see them again, but I have learned the lesson that they taught me. Others + may have riches, beauty and wit, but as for me I desire nothing but to be + the poor peasant girl I always was, working hard for those she loves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, you have learned your lesson,’ answered the fairy, ‘and now you + shall lead a peaceful life and marry the man you love. For after all it + was not yourself you thought of but him.’ + </p> + <p> + Never again did Tephany see the old woman, but she forgave Denis for + selling her tears, and in time he grew to be a good husband, who did his + own share of work. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par E. Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Groac’h of the Isle of Lok + </h2> + <p> + In old times, when all kinds of wonderful things happened in Brittany, + there lived in the village of Lanillis, a young man named Houarn Pogamm + and a girl called Bellah Postik. They were cousins, and as their mothers + were great friends, and constantly in and out of each other’s houses, they + had often been laid in the same cradle, and had played and fought over + their games. + </p> + <p> + ‘When they are grown up they will marry,’ said the mothers; but just as + every one was beginning to think of wedding bells, the two mothers died, + and the cousins, who had no money, went as servants in the same house. + This was better than being parted, of course, but not so good as having a + little cottage of their own, where they could do as they liked, and soon + they might have been heard bewailing to each other the hardness of their + lots. + </p> + <p> + ‘If we could only manage to buy a cow and get a pig to fatten,’ grumbled + Houarn, ‘I would rent a bit of ground from the master, and then we could + be married.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ answered Bellah, with a deep sigh; ‘but we live in such hard times, + and at the last fair the price of pigs had risen again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall have long to wait, that is quite clear,’ replied Houarn, turning + away to his work. + </p> + <p> + Whenever they met they repeated their grievances, and at length Houarn’s + patience was exhausted, and one morning he came to Bellah and told her + that he was going away to seek his fortune. + </p> + <p> + The girl was very unhappy as she listened to this, and felt sorry that she + had not tried to make the best of things. She implored Houarn not to leave + her, but he would listen to nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘The birds,’ he said, ‘continue flying until they reach a field of corn, + and the bees do not stop unless they find the honey-giving flowers, and + why should a man have less sense than they? Like them, I shall seek till I + get what I want—that is, money to buy a cow and a pig to fatten. And + if you love me, Bellah, you won’t attempt to hinder a plan which will + hasten our marriage.’ + </p> + <p> + The girl saw it was useless to say more, so she answered sadly: + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, go then, since you must. But first I will divide with you all that + my parents left me,’ and going to her room, she opened a small chest, and + took from it a bell, a knife, and a little stick. + </p> + <p> + ‘This bell,’ she said, ‘can be heard at any distance, however far, but it + only rings to warn us that our friends are in great danger. The knife + frees all it touches from the spells that have been laid on them; while + the stick will carry you wherever you want to go. I will give you the + knife to guard you against the enchantments of wizards, and the bell to + tell me of your perils. The stick I shall keep for myself, so that I can + fly to you if ever you have need of me.’ + </p> + <p> + Then they cried for a little on each other’s necks, and Houarn started for + the mountains. + </p> + <p> + But in those days, as in these, beggars abounded, and through every + village he passed they followed Houarn in crowds, mistaking him for a + gentleman, because there were no holes in his clothes. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no fortune to be made here,’ he thought to himself; ‘it is a + place for spending, and not earning. I see I must go further,’ and he + walked on to Pont-aven, a pretty little town built on the bank of a river. + </p> + <p> + He was sitting on a bench outside an inn, when he heard two men who were + loading their mules talking about the Groac’h of the island of Lok. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is a Groac’h?’ asked he. ‘I have never come across one.’ And the men + answered that it was the name given to the fairy that dwelt in the lake, + and that she was rich—oh! richer than all the kings in the world put + together. Many had gone to the island to try and get possession of her + treasures, but no one had ever come back. + </p> + <p> + As he listened Houarn’s mind was made up. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will go, and return too,’ he said to the muleteers. They stared at him + in astonishment, and besought him not to be so mad and to throw away his + life in such a foolish manner; but he only laughed, and answered that if + they could tell him of any other way in which to procure a cow and a pig + to fatten, he would think no more about it. But the men did not know how + this was to be done, and, shaking their heads over his obstinacy, left him + to his fate. + </p> + <p> + So Houarn went down to the sea, and found a boatman who engaged to take + him to the isle of Lok. + </p> + <p> + The island was large, and lying almost across it was a lake, with a narrow + opening to the sea. Houarn paid the boatman and sent him away, and then + proceeded to walk round the lake. At one end he perceived a small skiff, + painted blue and shaped like a swan, lying under a clump of yellow broom. + As far as he could see, the swan’s head was tucked under its wing, and + Houarn, who had never beheld a boat of the sort, went quickly towards it + and stepped in, so as to examine it the better. But no sooner was he on + board than the swan woke suddenly up; his head emerged from under his + wing, his feet began to move in the water, and in another moment they were + in the middle of the lake. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the young man had recovered from his surprise, he prepared to + jump into the lake and swim to shore. But the bird had guessed his + intentions, and plunged beneath the water, carrying Houarn with him to the + palace of the Groac’h. + </p> + <p> + Now, unless you have been under the sea and beheld all the wonders that + lie there, you can never have an idea what the Groac’h’s palace was like. + It was all made of shells, blue and green and pink and lilac and white, + shading into each other till you could not tell where one colour ended and + the other began. The staircases were of crystal, and every separate stair + sang like a woodland bird as you put your foot on it. Round the palace + were great gardens full of all the plants that grow in the sea, with + diamonds for flowers. + </p> + <p> + In a large hall the Groac’h was lying on a couch of gold. The pink and + white of her face reminded you of the shells of her palace, while her long + black hair was intertwined with strings of coral, and her dress of green + silk seemed formed out of the sea. At the sight of her Houarn stopped, + dazzled by her beauty. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come in,’ said the Groac’h, rising to her feet. ‘Strangers and handsome + youths are always welcome here. Do not be shy, but tell me how you found + your way, and what you want.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My name is Houarn,’ he answered, ‘Lanillis is my home, and I am trying to + earn enough money to buy a little cow and a pig to fatten.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you can easily get that,’ replied she; ‘it is nothing to worry + about. Come in and enjoy yourself.’ And she beckoned him to follow her + into a second hall whose floors and walls were formed of pearls, while + down the sides there were tables laden with fruit and wines of all kinds; + and as he ate and drank, the Groac’h talked to him and told him how the + treasures he saw came from shipwrecked vessels, and were brought to her + palace by a magic current of water. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not wonder,’ exclaimed Houarn, who now felt quite at home—‘I + do not wonder that the people on the earth have so much to say about you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The rich are always envied.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For myself,’ he added, with a laugh, ‘I only ask for the half of your + wealth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You can have it, if you will, Houarn,’ answered the fairy. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ cried he. + </p> + <p> + ‘My husband, Korandon, is dead,’ she replied, ‘and if you wish it, I will + marry you.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man gazed at her in surprise. Could any one so rich and so + beautiful really wish to be his wife? He looked at her again, and Bellah + was forgotten as he answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘A man would be mad indeed to refuse such an offer. I can only accept it + with joy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then the sooner it is done the better,’ said the Groac’h, and gave orders + to her servants. After that was finished, she begged Houarn to accompany + her to a fish-pond at the bottom of the garden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come lawyer, come miller, come tailor, come singer!’ cried she, holding + out a net of steel; and at each summons a fish appeared and jumped into + the net. When it was full she went into a large kitchen and threw them all + into a golden pot; but above the bubbling of the water Houarn seemed to + hear the whispering of little voices. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is it whispering in the golden pot, Groac’h?’ he inquired at last. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is nothing but the noise of the wood sparkling,’ she answered; but it + did not sound the least like that to Houarn. + </p> + <p> + ‘There it is again,’ he said, after a short pause. + </p> + <p> + ‘The water is getting hot, and it makes the fish jump,’ she replied; but + soon the noise grew louder and like cries. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ asked Houarn, beginning to feel uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just the crickets on the hearth,’ said she, and broke into a song which + drowned the cries from the pot. + </p> + <p> + But though Houarn held his peace, he was not as happy as before. Something + seemed to have gone wrong, and then he suddenly remembered Bellah. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it possible I can have forgotten her so soon? What a wretch I am!’ he + thought to himself; and he remained apart and watched the Groac’h while + she emptied the fish into a plate, and bade him eat his dinner while she + fetched wine from her cellar in a cave. + </p> + <p> + Houarn sat down and took out the knife which Bellah had given him, but as + soon as the blade touched the fish the enchantment ceased, and four men + stood before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Houarn, save us, we entreat you, and save yourself too!’ murmured they, + not daring to raise their voices. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, it must have been you who were crying out in the pot just now!’ + exclaimed Houarn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it was us,’ they answered. ‘Like you, we came to the isle of Lok to + seek our fortunes, and like you we consented to marry the Groac’h, and no + sooner was the ceremony over than she turned us into fishes, as she had + done to all our forerunners, who are in the fish-pond still, where you + will shortly join them.’ + </p> + <p> + On hearing this Houarn leaped into the air, as if he already felt himself + frizzling in the golden pot. He rushed to the door, hoping to escape that + way; but the Groac’h, who had heard everything, met him on the threshold. + Instantly she threw the steel net over his head, and the eyes of a little + green frog peeped through the meshes. + </p> + <p> + ‘You shall go and play with the rest,’ she said, carrying him off to the + fish-pond. + </p> + <p> + It was at this very moment that Bellah, who was skimming the milk in the + farm dairy, heard the fairy bell tinkle violently. + </p> + <p> + At the sound she grew pale, for she knew it meant that Houarn was in + danger; and, hastily, changing the rough dress she wore for her work, she + left the farm with the magic stick in her hand. + </p> + <p> + Her knees were trembling under her, but she ran as fast as she could to + the cross roads, where she drove her stick into the ground, murmuring as + she did so a verse her mother had taught her: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Little staff of apple-tree, + Over the earth and over the sea, + Up in the air be guide to me, + Everywhere to wander free, +</pre> + <p> + and immediately the stick became a smart little horse, with a rosette at + each ear and a feather on his forehead. He stood quite still while Bellah + scrambled up, then he started off, his pace growing quicker and quicker, + till at length the girl could hardly see the trees and houses as they + flashed past. But, rapid as the pace was, it was not rapid enough for + Bellah, who stooped and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘The swallow is less swift than the wind, the wind is less swift than the + lightning. But you, my horse, if you love me, must be swifter than them + all, for there is a part of my heart that suffers—the best part of + my heart that is in danger.’ + </p> + <p> + And the horse heard her, and galloped like a straw carried along by a + tempest till they reached the foot of a rock called the Leap of the Deer. + There he stopped, for no horse or mule that ever was born could climb that + rock, and Bellah knew it, so she began to sing again: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Horse of Leon, given to me, + Over the earth and over the sea, + Up in the air be guide to me, + Everywhere to wander free, +</pre> + <p> + and when she had finished, the horse’s fore legs grew shorter and spread + into wings, his hind legs became claws, feathers sprouted all over his + body, and she sat on the back of a great bird, which bore her to the + summit of the rock. Here she found a nest made of clay and lined with + dried moss, and in the centre a tiny man, black and wrinkled, who gave a + cry of surprise at the sight of Bellah. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! you are the pretty girl who was to come and save me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To save you!’ repeated Bellah. ‘But who are you, my little friend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am the husband of the Groac’h of the isle of Lok, and it is owing to + her that I am here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what are you doing in this nest?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sitting on six eggs of stone, and I shall not be set free till they + are hatched.’ + </p> + <p> + On hearing this Bellah began to laugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor little cock!’ she said, ‘and how am I to deliver you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By delivering Houarn, who is in the power of the Groac’h.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! tell me how I can manage that, and if I have to walk round the whole + of Brittany on my bended knees I will do it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, first you must dress yourself as a young man, and then go and seek + the Groac’h. When you have found her you must contrive to get hold of the + net of steel that hangs from her waist, and shut her up in it for ever.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But where am I to find a young man’s clothes?’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will show you,’ he replied, and as he spoke he pulled out three of his + red hairs and blew them away, muttering something the while. In the + twinkling of an eye the four hairs changed into four tailors, of whom the + first carried a cabbage, the second a pair of scissors, the third a + needle, and the fourth an iron. Without waiting for orders, they sat down + in the nest and, crossing their legs comfortably, began to prepare the + suit of clothes for Bellah. + </p> + <p> + With one of the leaves of the cabbage they made her a coat, and another + served for a waistcoat; but it took two for the wide breeches which were + then in fashion. The hat was cut from the heart of the cabbage, and a pair + of shoes from the thick stem. And when Bellah had put them all on you + would have taken her for a gentleman dressed in green velvet, lined with + white satin. + </p> + <p> + She thanked the little men gratefully, and after a few more instructions, + jumped on the back of her great bird, and was borne away to the isle of + Lok. Once there, she bade him transform himself back into a stick, and + with it in her hand she stepped into the blue boat, which conducted her to + the palace of shells. + </p> + <p> + The Groac’h seemed overjoyed to see her, and told her that never before + had she beheld such a handsome young man. Very soon she led her visitor + into the great hall, where wine and fruit were always waiting, and on the + table lay the magic knife, left there by Houarn. Unseen by the Groac’h, + Bellah hid it in a pocket of her green coat, and then followed her hostess + into the garden, and to the pond which contained the fish, their sides + shining with a thousand different colours. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! what beautiful, beautiful creatures!’ said she. ‘I’m sure I should + never be tired of watching them.’ And she sat down on the bank, with her + elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands, her eyes fixed on the + fishes as they flashed past. + </p> + <p> + ‘Would you not like to stay here always?’ asked the Groac’h; and Bellah + answered that she desired nothing better. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you have only to marry me,’ said the Groac’h. ‘Oh! don’t say no, for + I have fallen deeply in love with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I won’t say “No,”’ replied Bellah, with a laugh, ‘but you must + promise first to let me catch one of those lovely fish in your net.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not so easy as it looks,’ rejoined the Groac’h, smiling, ‘but take + it, and try your luck.’ + </p> + <p> + Bellah took the net which the Groac’h held out, and, turning rapidly, + flung it over the witch’s head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Become in body what you are in soul!’ cried she, and in an instant the + lovely fairy of the sea was a toad, horrible to look upon. She struggled + hard to tear the net asunder, but it was no use. Bellah only drew it the + tighter, and, flinging the sorceress into a pit, she rolled a great stone + across the mouth, and left her. + </p> + <p> + As she drew near the pond she saw a great procession of fishes advancing + to meet her, crying in hoarse tones: + </p> + <p> + ‘This is our lord and master, who has saved us from the net of steel and + the pot of gold!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And who will restore you to your proper shapes,’ said Bellah, drawing the + knife from her pocket. But just as she was going to touch the foremost + fish, her eyes fell on a green frog on his knees beside her, his little + paws crossed over his little heart. Bellah felt as if fingers were + tightening round her throat, but she managed to cry: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this you, my Houarn? Is this you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is I,’ croaked the little frog; and as the knife touched him he was a + man again, and, springing up, he clasped her in his arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘But we must not forget the others,’ she said at last, and began to + transform the fishes to their proper shapes. There were so many of them + that it took quite a long time. Just as she had finished there arrived the + little dwarf from the Deer’s Leap in a car drawn by six cockchafers, which + once had been the six stone eggs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here I am!’ he exclaimed. ‘You have broken the spell that held me, and + now come and get your reward,’ and, dismounting from his chariot, he led + them down into the caves filled with gold and jewels, and bade Bellah and + Houarn take as much as they wanted. + </p> + <p> + When their pockets were full, Bellah ordered her stick to become a winged + carriage, large enough to bear them and the men they had rescued back to + Lanillis. + </p> + <p> + There they were married the next day, but instead of setting up + housekeeping with the little cow and pig to fatten that they had so long + wished for, they were able to buy lands for miles round for themselves, + and gave each man who had been delivered from the Groac’h a small farm, + where he lived happily to the end of his days. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par E. Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Escape of the Mouse + </h2> + <p> + Manawyddan the prince and his friend Pryderi were wanderers, for the + brother of Manawyddan had been slain, and his throne taken from him. Very + sorrowful was Manawyddan, but Pryderi was stout of heart, and bade him be + of good cheer, as he knew a way out of his trouble. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what may that be?’ asked Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is that thou marry my mother Rhiannon and become lord of the fair + lands that I will give her for dowry. Never did any lady have more wit + than she, and in her youth none was more lovely; even yet she is good to + look upon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art the best friend that ever a man had,’ said Manawyddan. ‘Let us + go now to seek Rhiannon, and the lands where she dwells.’ + </p> + <p> + Then they set forth, but the news of their coming ran swifter still, and + Rhiannon and Kieva, wife of Pryderi, made haste to prepare a feast for + them. And Manawyddan found that Pryderi had spoken the truth concerning + his mother, and asked if she would take him for her husband. Right gladly + did she consent, and without delay they were married, and rode away to the + hunt, Rhiannon and Manawyddan, Kieva and Pryderi, and they would not be + parted from each other by night or by day, so great was the love between + them. + </p> + <p> + One day, when they were returned, they were sitting out in a green place, + and suddenly the crash of thunder struck loudly on their ears, and a wall + of mist fell between them, so that they were hidden one from the other. + Trembling they sat till the darkness fled and the light shone again upon + them, but in the place where they were wont to see cattle, and herds, and + dwellings, they beheld neither house nor beast, nor man nor smoke; neither + was any one remaining in the green place save these four only. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whither have they gone, and my host also?’ cried Manawyddan, and they + searched the hall, and there was no man, and the castle, and there was + none, and in the dwellings that were left was nothing save wild beasts. + For a year these four fed on the meat that Manawyddan and Pryderi killed + out hunting, and the honey of the bees that sucked the mountain heather. + For a time they desired nothing more, but when the next year began they + grew weary. + </p> + <p> + ‘We cannot spend our lives thus,’ said Manawyddan at last, ‘let us go into + England and learn some trade by which we may live.’ So they left Wales, + and went to Hereford, and there they made saddles, while Manawyddan + fashioned blue enamel ornaments to put on their trappings. And so greatly + did the townsfolk love these saddles, that no others were bought + throughout the whole of Hereford, till the saddlers banded together and + resolved to slay Manawyddan and his companions. + </p> + <p> + When Pryderi heard of it, he was very wroth, and wished to stay and fight. + But the counsels of Manawyddan prevailed, and they moved by night to + another city. + </p> + <p> + ‘What craft shall we follow?’ asked Pryderi. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will make shields,’ answered Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘But do we know anything of that craft?’ answered Pryderi. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will try it,’ said Manawyddan, and they began to make shields, and + fashioned them after the shape of the shields they had seen; and these + likewise they enamelled. And so greatly did they prosper that no man in + the town bought a shield except they had made it, till at length the + shield-makers banded together as the saddlers had done, and resolved to + slay them. But of this they had warning, and by night betook themselves to + another town. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us take to making shoes,’ said Manawyddan, ‘for there are not any + among the shoemakers bold enough to fight us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know nothing of making shoes,’ answered Pryderi, who in truth despised + so peaceful a craft. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I know,’ replied Manawyddan, ‘and I will teach thee to stitch. We + will buy the leather ready dressed, and will make the shoes from it. + </p> + <p> + Then straightway he sought the town for the best leather, and for a + goldsmith to fashion the clasps, and he himself watched till it was done, + so that he might learn for himself. Soon he became known as ‘The Maker of + Gold Shoes,’ and prospered so greatly, that as long as one could be bought + from him not a shoe was purchased from the shoemakers of the town. And the + craftsmen were wroth, and banded together to slay them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pryderi,’ said Manawyddan, when he had received news of it, ‘we will not + remain in England any longer. Let us set forth to Dyved.’ + </p> + <p> + So they journeyed until they came to their lands at Narberth. There they + gathered their dogs round them, and hunted for a year as before. + </p> + <p> + After that a strange thing happened. One morning Pryderi and Manawyddan + rose up to hunt, and loosened their dogs, which ran before them, till they + came to a small bush. At the bush, the dogs shrank away as if frightened, + and returned to their masters, their hair brisling on their backs. + </p> + <p> + ‘We must see what is in that bush,’ said Pryderi, and what was in it was a + boar, with a skin as white as the snow on the mountains. And he came out, + and made a stand as the dogs rushed on him, driven on by the men. Long he + stood at bay; then at last he betook himself to flight, and fled to a + castle which was newly built, in a place where no building had ever been + known. Into the castle he ran, and the dogs after him, and long though + their masters looked and listened, they neither saw nor heard aught + concerning dogs or boar. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will go into the castle and get tidings of the dogs,’ said Pryderi at + last. + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly,’ answered Manawyddan, ‘thou wouldst do unwisely, for whosoever has + cast a spell over this land has set this castle here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot give up my dogs,’ replied Pryderi, and to the castle he went. + </p> + <p> + But within was neither man nor beast; neither boar nor dogs, but only a + fountain with marble round it, and on the edge a golden bowl, richly + wrought, which pleased Pryderi greatly. In a moment he forgot about his + dogs, and went up to the bowl and took hold of it, and his hands stuck to + the bowl, and his feet to the marble slab, and despair took possession of + him. + </p> + <p> + Till the close of day Manawyddan waited for him, and when the sun was fast + sinking, he went home, thinking that he had strayed far. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are thy friend and thy dogs?’ said Rhiannon, and he told her what + had befallen Pryderi. + </p> + <p> + ‘A good friend hast thou lost,’ answered Rhiannon, and she went up to the + castle and through the gate, which was open. There, in the centre of the + courtyard, she beheld Pryderi standing, and hastened towards him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What dost thou here?’ she asked, laying her hand on the bowl, and as she + spoke she too stuck fast, and was not able to utter a word. Then thunder + was heard and a veil of darkness descended upon them, and the castle + vanished and they with it. + </p> + <p> + When Kieva, the wife of Pryderi, found that neither her husband nor his + mother returned to her, she was in such sorrow that she cared not whether + she lived or died. Manawyddan was grieved also in his heart, and said to + her: + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not fitting that we should stay here, for he have lost our dogs and + cannot get food. Let us go into England—it is easier for us to live + there.’ So they set forth. + </p> + <p> + ‘What craft wilt thou follow?’ asked Kieva as they went along. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall make shoes as once I did,’ replied he; and he got all the finest + leather in the town and caused gilded clasps to be made for the shoes, + till everyone flocked to buy, and all the shoemakers in the town were idle + and banded together in anger to kill him. But luckily Manawyddan got word + of it, and he and Kieva left the town one night and proceeded to Narberth, + taking with him a sheaf of wheat, which he sowed in three plots of ground. + And while the wheat was growing up, he hunted and fished, and they had + food enough and to spare. Thus the months passed until the harvest; and + one evening Manawyddan visited the furthest of his fields of wheat; and + saw that it was ripe. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow I will reap this,’ said he; but on the morrow when he went to + reap the wheat he found nothing but the bare straw. + </p> + <p> + Filled with dismay he hastened to the second field, and there the corn was + ripe and golden. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow I will reap this,’ he said, but on the morrow the ears had + gone, and there was nothing but the bare straw. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, there is still one field left,’ he said, and when he looked at it, + it was still fairer than the other two. ‘To-night I will watch here,’ + thought he, ‘for whosoever carried off the other corn will in like manner + take this, and I will know who it is.’ So he hid himself and waited. + </p> + <p> + The hours slid by, and all was still, so still that Manawyddan well-nigh + dropped asleep. But at midnight there arose the loudest tumult in the + world, and peeping out he beheld a mighty host of mice, which could + neither be numbered nor measured. Each mouse climbed up a straw till it + bent down with its weight, and then it bit off one of the ears, and + carried it away, and there was not one of the straws that had not got a + mouse to it. + </p> + <p> + Full of wrath he rushed at the mice, but he could no more come up with + them than if they had been gnats, or birds of the air, save one only which + lingered behind the rest, and this mouse Manawyddan came up with. Stooping + down he seized it by the tail, and put it in his glove, and tied a piece + of string across the opening of the glove, so that the mouse could not + escape. When he entered the hall where Kieva was sitting, he lighted a + fire, and hung the glove up on a peg. + </p> + <p> + ‘What hast thou there?’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘A thief,’ he answered, ‘that I caught robbing me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What kind of a thief may it be which thou couldst put in thy glove?’ said + Kieva. + </p> + <p> + ‘That I will tell thee,’ he replied, and then he showed her how his fields + of corn had been wasted, and how he had watched for the mice. + </p> + <p> + ‘And one was less nimble than the rest, and is now in my glove. To-morrow + I will hang it, and I only wish I had them all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a marvel, truly,’ said she, ‘yet it would be unseemly for a man of + thy dignity to hang a reptile such as this. Do not meddle with it, but let + it go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Woe betide me,’ he cried, ‘if I would not hang them all if I could catch + them, and such as I have I will hang.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Verily,’ said she, ‘there is no reason I should succour this reptile, + except to prevent discredit unto thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I knew any cause that I should succour it, I would take thy counsel,’ + answered Manawyddan, ‘but as I know of none, I am minded to destroy it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do so then,’ said Kieva. + </p> + <p> + So he went up a hill and set up two forks on the top, and while he was + doing this he saw a scholar coming towards him, whose clothes were + tattered. Now it was seven years since Manawyddan had seen man or beast in + that place, and the sight amazed him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good day to thee, my lord,’ said the scholar. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good greeting to thee, scholar. Whence dost thou come?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From singing in England; but wherefore dost thou ask?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because for seven years no man hath visited this place.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wander where I will,’ answered the scholar. ‘And what work art thou + upon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am about to hang a thief that I caught robbing me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What manner of thief is that?’ inquired the scholar. ‘I see a creature in + thy hand like upon a mouse, and ill does it become a man of thy rank to + touch a reptile like this. Let it go free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not let it go free,’ cried Manawyddan. ‘I caught it robbing me, + and it shall suffer the doom of a thief.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lord!’ said the scholar, ‘sooner than see a man like thee at such a work, + I would give thee a pound which I have received as alms to let it go + free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not let it go free, neither will I sell it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As thou wilt, lord,’ answered the scholar, and he went his way. + </p> + <p> + Manawyddan was placing the cross-beam on the two forked sticks, where the + mouse was to hang, when a priest rode past. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-day to thee, lord; and what art thou doing?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What manner of thief, lord?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A creature in the form of a mouse. It has been robbing me, and it shall + suffer the doom of a thief.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lord,’ said the priest, ‘sooner than see thee touch this reptile, I would + purchase its freedom.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will neither sell it nor set it free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true that a mouse is worth nothing, but rather than see thee defile + thyself with touching such a reptile as this, I will give thee three + pounds for it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not take any price for it. It shall be hanged as it deserves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Willingly, my lord, if it is thy pleasure.’ And the priest went his way. + </p> + <p> + Then Manawyddan noosed the string about the mouse’s neck, and was about to + draw it tight when a bishop, with a great following and horses bearing + huge packs, came by. + </p> + <p> + ‘What work art thou upon?’ asked the bishop, drawing rein. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But is not that a mouse that I see in thine hand?’ asked the bishop. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; that is the thief,’ answered Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, since I have come at the doom of this reptile, I will ransom it of + thee for seven pounds, rather than see a man of thy rank touch it. Loose + it, and let it go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not let it loose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will give thee four and twenty pounds to set it free,’ said the bishop. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not set it free for as much again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou wilt not set it free for this, I will give thee all the horses + thou seest and the seven loads of baggage.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not set it free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then tell me at what price thou wilt loose it, and I will give it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The spell must be taken off Rhiannon and Pryderi,’ said Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘That shall be done.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But not yet will I loose the mouse. The charm that has been cast over all + my lands must be taken off likewise.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This shall be done also.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But not yet will I loose the mouse till I know who she is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She is my wife,’ answered the bishop. + </p> + <p> + ‘And wherefore came she to me?’ asked Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘To despoil thee,’ replied the bishop, ‘for it is I who cast the charm + over thy lands, to avenge Gwawl the son of Clud my friend. And it was I + who threw the spell upon Pryderi to avenge Gwawl for the trick that had + been played on him in the game of Badger in the Bag. And not only was I + wroth, but my people likewise, and when it was known that thou wast come + to dwell in the land, they besought me much to change them into mice, that + they might eat thy corn. The first and the second nights it was the men of + my own house that destroyed thy two fields, but on the third night my wife + and her ladies came to me and begged me to change them also into the shape + of mice, that they might take part in avenging Gwawl. Therefore I changed + them. Yet had she not been ill and slow of foot, thou couldst not have + overtaken her. Still, since she was caught, I will restore thee Pryderi + and Rhiannon, and will take the charm from off thy lands. I have told thee + who she is; so now set her free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not set her free,’ answered Manawyddan, ‘till thou swear that no + vengeance shall be taken for his, either upon Pryderi, or upon Rhiannon, + or on me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will grant thee this boon; and thou hast done wisely to ask it, for on + thy head would have lit all the trouble. Set now my wife free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not set her free till Pryderi and Rhiannon are with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Behold, here they come,’ said the bishop. + </p> + <p> + Then Manawyddan held out his hands and greeted Pryderi and Rhiannon, and + they seated themselves joyfully on the grass. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, lord, hast thou not received all thou didst ask?’ said the bishop. + ‘Set now my wife free!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That I will gladly,’ answered Manawyddan, unloosing the cord from her + neck, and as he did so the bishop struck her with his staff, and she + turned into a young woman, the fairest that ever was seen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look around upon thy land,’ said he, ‘and thou wilt see it all tilled and + peopled, as it was long ago.’ And Manawyddan looked, and saw corn growing + in the fields, and cows and sheep grazing on the hill-side, and huts for + the people to dwell in. And he was satisfied in his soul, but one more + question he put to the bishop. + </p> + <p> + ‘What spell didst thou lay upon Pryderi and Rhiannon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pryderi has had the knockers of the gate of my palace hung about him, and + Rhiannon has carried the collars of my asses around her neck,’ said the + bishop with a smile. + </p> + <p> + From the ‘Mabinogion.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Believing Husbands + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there dwelt in the land of Erin a young man who was + seeking a wife, and of all the maidens round about none pleased him as + well as the only daughter of a farmer. The girl was willing and the father + was willing, and very soon they were married and went to live at the farm. + By and bye the season came when they must cut the peats and pile them up + to dry, so that they might have fires in the winter. So on a fine day the + girl and her husband, and the father and his wife all went out upon the + moor. + </p> + <p> + They worked hard for many hours, and at length grew hungry, so the young + woman was sent home to bring them food, and also to give the horses their + dinner. When she went into the stables, she suddenly saw the heavy + pack-saddle of the speckled mare just over her head, and she jumped and + said to herself: + </p> + <p> + ‘Suppose that pack-saddle were to fall and kill me, how dreadful it would + be!’ and she sat down just under the pack-saddle she was so much afraid + of, and began to cry. + </p> + <p> + Now the others out on the moor grew hungrier and hungrier. + </p> + <p> + ‘What can have become of her?’ asked they, and at length the mother + declared that she would wait no longer, and must go and see what had + happened. + </p> + <p> + As the bride was nowhere in the kitchen or the dairy, the old woman went + into the stable, where she found her daughter weeping bitterly. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter, my dove?’ and the girl answered, between her sobs: + </p> + <p> + ‘When I came in and saw the pack-saddle over my head, I thought how + dreadful it would be if it fell and killed me,’ and she cried louder than + before. + </p> + <p> + The old woman struck her hands together: ‘Ah, to think of it! if that were + to be, what should I do?’ and she sat down by her daughter, and they both + wrung their hands and let their tears flow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Something strange must have occurred,’ exclaimed the old farmer on the + moor, who by this time was not only hungry, but cross. ‘I must go after + them.’ And he went and found them in the stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ replied his wife, ‘when our daughter came home, did she not see the + pack-saddle over her head, and she thought how dreadful it would be if it + were to fall and kill her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, to think of it!’ exclaimed he, striking his hands together, and he + sat down beside them and wept too. + </p> + <p> + As soon as night fell the young man returned full of hunger, and there + they were, all crying together in the stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘When thy wife came home,’ answered the farmer, ‘she saw the pack-saddle + over her head, and she thought how dreadful it would be if it were to fall + and kill her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, but it didn’t fall,’ replied the young man, and he went off to the + kitchen to get some supper, leaving them to cry as long as they liked. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he got up with the sun, and said to the old man and to + the old woman and to his wife: + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell: my foot shall not return to the house till I have found other + three people as silly as you,’ and he walked away till he came to the + town, and seeing the door of a cottage standing open wide, he entered. No + man was present, but only some women spinning at their wheels. + </p> + <p> + ‘You do not belong to this town,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘You speak truth,’ they answered, ‘nor you either?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not,’ replied he, ‘but is it a good place to live in?’ + </p> + <p> + The women looked at each other. + </p> + <p> + ‘The men of the town are so silly that we can make them believe anything + we please,’ said they. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, here is a gold ring,’ replied he, ‘and I will give it to the one + amongst you who can make her husband believe the most impossible thing,’ + and he left them. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the first husband came home his wife said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art sick!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Am I?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, thou art,’ she answered; ‘take off thy clothes and lie down.’ + </p> + <p> + So he did, and when he was in his bed his wife went to him and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art dead.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, am I?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art,’ said she; ‘shut thine eyes and stir neither hand nor foot.’ + </p> + <p> + And dead he felt sure he was. + </p> + <p> + Soon the second man came home, and his wife said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘You are not my husband!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, am I not?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, it is not you,’ answered she, so he went away and slept in the wood. + </p> + <p> + When the third man arrived his wife gave him his supper, and after that he + went to bed, just as usual. The next morning a boy knocked at the door, + bidding him attend the burial of the man who was dead, and he was just + going to get up when his wife stopped him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Time enough,’ said she, and he lay still till he heard the funeral + passing the window. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now rise, and be quick,’ called the wife, and the man jumped out of bed + in a great hurry, and began to look about him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, where are my clothes?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Silly that you are, they are on your back, of course,’ answered the + woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are they?’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘They are,’ said she, ‘and make haste lest the burying be ended before you + get there.’ + </p> + <p> + Then off he went, running hard, and when the mourners saw a man coming + towards them with nothing on but his nightshirt, they forgot in their + fright what they were there for, and fled to hide themselves. And the + naked man stood alone at the head of the coffin. + </p> + <p> + Very soon a man came out of the wood and spoke to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not I,’ answered the naked man. ‘I do not know you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But why are you naked?’ asked the first man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Am I naked? My wife told me that I had all my clothes on,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘And my wife told me that I myself was dead,’ said the man in the coffin. + </p> + <p> + But at the sound of his voice the two men were so terrified that they ran + straight home, and the man in the coffin got up and followed them, and it + was his wife that gained the gold ring, as he had been sillier than the + other two. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Hoodie-Crow. + </h2> + <p> + Once there lived a farmer who had three daughters, and good useful girls + they were, up with the sun, and doing all the work of the house. One + morning they all ran down to the river to wash their clothes, when a + hoodie came round and sat on a tree close by. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wilt thou wed me, thou farmer’s daughter?’ he said to the eldest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed I won’t wed thee,’ she answered, ‘an ugly brute is the hoodie.’ + And the bird, much offended, spread his wings and flew away. But the + following day he came back again, and said to the second girl: + </p> + <p> + ‘Wilt thou wed me, farmer’s daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed I will not,’ answered she, ‘an ugly brute is the hoodie.’ And the + hoodie was more angry than before, and went away in a rage. However, after + a night’s rest he was in a better temper, and thought that he might be + more lucky the third time, so back he went to the old place. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wilt thou wed me, farmer’s daughter?’ he said to the youngest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed I will wed thee; a pretty creature is the hoodie,’ answered she, + and on the morrow they were married. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have something to ask thee,’ said the hoodie when they were far away in + his own house. ‘Wouldst thou rather I should be a hoodie by day and a man + by night, or a man by day and a hoodie by night?’ + </p> + <p> + The girl was surprised at his words, for she did not know that he could be + anything but a hoodie at all times. + </p> + <p> + Still she said nothing of this, and only replied, ‘I would rather thou + wert a man by day and a hoodie by night,’ And so he was; and a handsomer + man or a more beautiful hoodie never was seen. The girl loved them both, + and never wished for things to be different. + </p> + <p> + By and bye they had a son, and very pleased they both were. But in the + night soft music was heard stealing close towards the house, and every man + slept, and the mother slept also. When they woke again it was morning, and + the baby was gone. High and low they looked for it, but nowhere could they + find it, and the farmer, who had come to see his daughter, was greatly + grieved, as he feared it might be thought that he had stolen it, because + he did not want the hoodie for a son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + The next year the hoodie’s wife had another son, and this time a watch was + set at every door. But it was no use. In vain they determined that, come + what might, they would not close their eyes; at the first note of music + they all fell asleep, and when the farmer arrived in the morning to see + his grandson, he found them all weeping, for while they had slept the baby + had vanished. + </p> + <p> + Well, the next year it all happened again, and the hoodie’s wife was so + unhappy that her husband resolved to take her away to another house he + had, and her sisters with her for company. So they set out in a coach + which was big enough to hold them, and had not gone very far when the + hoodie suddenly said: + </p> + <p> + ‘You are sure you have not forgotten anything?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have forgotten my coarse comb,’ answered the wife, feeling in her + pocket, and as she spoke the coach changed into a withered faggot, and the + man became a hoodie again, and flew away. + </p> + <p> + The two sisters returned home, but the wife followed the hoodie. Sometimes + she would see him on a hill-top, and then would hasten after him, hoping + to catch him. But by the time she had got to the top of the hill, he would + be in the valley on the other side. When night came, and she was tired, + she looked about for some place to rest, and glad she was to see a little + house full of light straight in front of her, and she hurried towards it + as fast as she could. + </p> + <p> + At the door stood a little boy, and the sight of him filled her heart with + pleasure, she did not know why. A woman came out, and bade her welcome, + and set before her food, and gave her a soft bed to lie on. And the + hoodie’s wife lay down, and so tired was she, that it seemed to her but a + moment before the sun rose, and she awoke again. From hill to hill she + went after the hoodie, and sometimes she saw him on the top; but when she + got to the top, he had flown into the valley, and when she reached the + valley he was on the top of another hill—and so it happened till + night came round again. Then she looked round for some place to rest in, + and she beheld a little house of light before her, and fast she hurried + towards it. At the door stood a little boy, and her heart was filled with + pleasure at the sight of him, she did not know why. After that a woman + bade her enter, and set food before her, and gave her a soft bed to lie + in. And when the sun rose she got up, and left the house, in search of the + hoodie. This day everything befell as on the two other days, but when she + reached the small house, the woman bade her keep awake, and if the hoodie + flew into the room, to try to seize him. + </p> + <p> + But the wife had walked far, and was very tired, and strive as she would, + she fell sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + Many hours she slept, and the hoodie entered through a window, and let + fall a ring on her hand. The girl awoke with a start, and leant forward to + grasp him, but he was already flying off, and she only seized a feather + from his wing. And when dawn came, she got up and told the woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘He has gone over the hill of poison,’ said she, ‘and there you cannot + follow him without horse-shoes on your hands and feet. But I will help + you. Put on this suit of men’s clothes, and go down this road till you + come to the smithy, and there you can learn to make horse-shoes for + yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + The girl thanked her, and put on the cloths and went down the road to do + her bidding. So hard did she work, that in a few days she was able to make + the horse-shoes. Early one morning she set out for the hill of poison. On + her hands and feet she went, but even with the horse-shoes on she had to + be very careful not to stumble, lest some poisoned thorns should enter + into her flesh, and she should die. But when at last she was over, it was + only to hear that her husband was to be married that day to the daughter + of a great lord. + </p> + <p> + Now there was to be a race in the town, and everyone meant to be there, + except the stranger who had come over the hill of poison—everyone, + that is, but the cook, who was to make the bridal supper. Greatly he loved + races, and sore was his heart to think that one should be run without his + seeing it, so when he beheld a woman whom he did not know coming along the + street, hope sprang up in him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you cook the wedding feast in place of me?’ he said, ‘and I will pay + you well when I return from the race.’ + </p> + <p> + Gladly she agreed, and cooked the feast in a kitchen that looked into the + great hall, where the company were to eat it. After that she watched the + seat where the bridegroom was sitting, and taking a plateful of the broth, + she dropped the ring and the feather into it, and set if herself before + him. + </p> + <p> + With the first spoonful he took up the ring, and a thrill ran through him; + in the second he beheld the feather and rose from his chair. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who has cooked this feast?’ asked he, and the real cook, who had come + back from the race, was brought before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘He may be the cook, but he did not cook this feast,’ said the bridegroom, + and then inquiry was made, and the girl was summoned to the great hall. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my married wife,’ he declared, ‘and no one else will I have,’ and + at that very moment the spells fell off him, and never more would he be a + hoodie. Happy indeed were they to be together again, and little did they + mind that the hill of poison took long to cross, for she had to go some + way forwards, and then throw the horse-shoes back for him to put on. + Still, at last they were over, and they went back the way she had come, + and stopped at the three houses in order to take their little sons to + their own home. + </p> + <p> + But the story never says who had stolen them, nor what the coarse comb had + to do with it. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Brownie of the Lake + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived in France a man whose name was Jalm Riou. You + might have walked a whole day without meeting anyone happier or more + contented, for he had a large farm, plenty of money, and above all, a + daughter called Barbaik, the most graceful dancer and the best-dressed + girl in the whole country side. When she appeared on holidays in her + embroidered cap, five petticoats, each one a little shorter than the + other, and shoes with silver buckles, the women were all filled with envy, + but little cared Barbaik what they might whisper behind her back as long + as she knew that her clothes were finer than anyone else’s and that she + had more partners than any other girl. + </p> + <p> + Now amongst all the young men who wanted to marry Barbaik, the one whose + heart was most set on her was her father’s head man, but as his manners + were rough and he was exceedingly ugly she would have nothing to say to + him, and, what was worse, often made fun of him with the rest. + </p> + <p> + Jegu, for that was his name, of course heard of this, and it made him very + unhappy. Still he would not leave the farm, and look for work elsewhere, + as he might have done, for then he would never see Barbaik at all, and + what was life worth to him without that? + </p> + <p> + One evening he was bringing back his horses from the fields, and stopped + at a little lake on the way home to let them drink. He was tired with a + long day’s work, and stood with his hand on the mane of one of the + animals, waiting till they had done, and thinking all the while of + Barbaik, when a voice came out of the gorse close by. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter, Jegu? You mustn’t despair yet.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man glanced up in surprise, and asked who was there. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is I, the brownie of the lake,’ replied the voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘But where are you?’ inquired Jegu. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look close, and you will see me among the reeds in the form of a little + green frog. I can take,’ he added proudly, ‘any shape I choose, and even, + which is much harder, be invisible if I want to.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then show yourself to me in the shape in which your family generally + appear,’ replied Jegu. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly, if you wish,’ and the frog jumped on the back of one of the + horses, and changed into a little dwarf, all dressed in green. + </p> + <p> + This transformation rather frightened Jegu, but the brownie bade him have + no fears, for he would not do him any harm; indeed, he hoped that Jegu + might find him of some use. + </p> + <p> + ‘But why should you take all this interest in me?’ asked the peasant + suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because of a service you did me last winter, which I have never + forgotten,’ answered the little fellow. ‘You know, I am sure, that the + korigans[FN#3: The spiteful fairies.] who dwell in the White Corn country + have declared war on my people, because they say that they are the friends + of man. We were therefore obliged to take refuge in distant lands, and to + hide ourselves at first under different animal shapes. Since that time, + partly from habit and partly to amuse ourselves, we have continued to + transform ourselves, and it was in this way that I got to know you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How?’ exclaimed Jegu, filled with astonishment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you remember when you were digging in the field near the river, three + months ago, you found a robin redbreast caught in a net? + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ answered Jegu, ‘I remember it very well, and I opened the net and + let him go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I was that robin redbreast, and ever since I have vowed to be your + friend, and as you want to marry Barbaik, I will prove the truth of what I + say by helping you to do so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! my little brownie, if you can do that, there is nothing I won’t give + you, except my soul.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then let me alone,’ rejoined the dwarf, ‘and I promise you that in a very + few months you shall be master of the farm and of Barbaik.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how are you going to do it?’ exclaimed Jegu wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my affair. Perhaps I may tell you later. Meanwhile you just eat + and sleep, and don’t worry yourself about anything.’ + </p> + <p> + Jegu declared that nothing could be easier, and then taking off his hat, + he thanked the dwarf heartily, and led his horses back to the farm. + </p> + <p> + Next morning was a holiday, and Barbaik was awake earlier than usual, as + she wished to get through her work as soon as possible, and be ready to + start for a dance which was to be held some distance off. She went first + to the cow-house, which it was her duty to keep clean, but to her + amazement she found fresh straw put down, the racks filled with hay, the + cows milked, and the pails standing neatly in a row. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course, Jegu must have done this in the hope of my giving him a + dance,’ she thought to herself, and when she met him outside the door she + stopped and thanked him for his help. To be sure, Jegu only replied + roughly that he didn’t know what she was talking about, but this answer + made her feel all the more certain that it was he and nobody else. + </p> + <p> + The same thing took place every day, and never had the cow-house been so + clean nor the cows so fat. Morning and evening Barbaik found her earthen + pots full of milk and a pound of butter freshly churned, ornamented with + leaves. At the end of a few weeks she grew so used to this state of + affairs that she only got up just in time to prepare breakfast. + </p> + <p> + Soon even this grew to be unnecessary, for a day arrived when, coming + downstairs, she discovered that the house was swept, the furniture + polished, the fire lit, and the food ready, so that she had nothing to do + except to ring the great bell which summoned the labourers from the fields + to come and eat it. This, also, she thought was the work of Jegu, and she + could not help feeling that a husband of this sort would be very useful to + a girl who liked to lie in bed and to amuse herself. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, Barbaik had only to express a wish for it to be satisfied. If the + wind was cold or the sun was hot and she was afraid to go out lest her + complexion should be spoilt, she need only to run down to the spring close + by and say softly, ‘I should like my churns to be full, and my wet linen + to be stretched on the hedge to dry,’ and she need never give another + thought to the matter. + </p> + <p> + If she found the rye bread too hard to bake, or the oven taking too long + to heat, she just murmured, ‘I should like to see my six loaves on the + shelf above the bread box,’ and two hours after there they were. + </p> + <p> + If she was too lazy to walk all the way to market along a dirty road, she + would say out loud the night before, ‘Why am I not already back from + Morlaix with my milk pot empty, my butter bowl inside it, a pound of wild + cherries on my wooden plate, and the money I have gained in my apron + pocket?’ and in the morning when she got up, lo and behold! there were + standing at the foot of her bed the empty milk pot with the butter bowl + inside, the black cherries on the wooden plate, and six new pieces of + silver in the pocket of her apron. And she believed that all this was + owing to Jegu, and she could no longer do without him, even in her + thoughts. + </p> + <p> + When things had reached this pass, the brownie told the young man that he + had better ask Barbaik to marry him, and this time the girl did not turn + rudely away, but listened patiently to the end. In her eyes he was as ugly + and awkward as ever, but he would certainly make a most useful husband, + and she could sleep every morning till breakfast time, just like a young + lady, and as for the rest of the day, it would not be half long enough for + all she meant to do. She would wear the beautiful dresses that came when + she wished for them, and visit her neighbours, who would be dying of envy + all the while, and she would be able to dance as much as she wished. Jegu + would always be there to work for her and save for her, and watch over + her. So, like a well-brought-up girl, Barbaik answered that it should be + as her father pleased, knowing quite well that old Riou had often said + that after he was dead there was no one so capable of carrying on the + farm. + </p> + <p> + The marriage took place the following month, and a few days later the old + man died quite suddenly. Now Jegu had everything to see to himself, and + somehow it did not seem so easy as when the farmer was alive. But once + more the brownie stepped in, and was better than ten labourers. It was he + who ploughed and sowed and reaped, and if, as happened, occasionally, it + was needful to get the work done quickly, the brownie called in some of + his friends, and as soon as it was light a host of little dwarfs might + have been seen in the fields, busy with hoe, fork or sickle. But by the + time the people were about all was finished, and the little fellows had + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + And all the payment the brownie ever asked for was a bowl of broth. From + the very day of her marriage Barbaik had noted with surprise and rage that + things ceased to be done for her as they had been done all the weeks and + months before. She complained to Jegu of his laziness, and he only stared + at her, not understanding what she was talking about. But the brownie, who + was standing by, burst out laughing, and confessed that all the good + offices she spoke of had been performed by him, for the sake of Jegu, but + that now he had other business to do, and it was high time that she looked + after her house herself. + </p> + <p> + Barbaik was furious. Each morning when she was obliged to get up before + dawn to milk the cows and go to market, and each evening when she had to + sit up till midnight in order to churn the butter, her heart was filled + with rage against the brownie who had caused her to expect a life of ease + and pleasure. But when she looked at Jegu and beheld his red face, + squinting eyes, and untidy hair, her anger was doubled. + </p> + <p> + ‘If it had not been for you, you miserable dwarf!’ she would say between + her teeth, ‘if it had not been for you I should never have married that + man, and I should still have been going to dances, where the young men + would have brought me present of nuts and cherries, and told me that I was + the prettiest girl in the parish. While now I can receive no presents + except from my husband. I can never dance, except with my husband. Oh, you + wretched dwarf, I will never, never forgive you!’ + </p> + <p> + In spite of her fierce words, no one knew better than Barbaik how to put + her pride in her pocket when it suited her, and after receiving an + invitation to a wedding, she begged the brownie to get her a horse to ride + there. To her great joy he consented, bidding her set out for the city of + the dwarfs and to tell them exactly what she wanted. Full of excitement, + Barbaik started on her journey. It was not long, and when she reached the + town she went straight to the dwarfs, who were holding counsel in a wide + green place, and said to them, ‘Listen, my friends! I have come to beg you + to lend me a black horse, with eyes, a mouth, ears, bridle and saddle.’ + </p> + <p> + She had hardly spoken when the horse appeared, and mounting on his back + she started for the village where the wedding was to be held. + </p> + <p> + At first she was so delighted with the chance of a holiday from the work + which she hated, that she noticed nothing, but very soon it struck her as + odd that as she passed along the roads full of people they all laughed as + they looked at her horse. At length she caught some words uttered by one + man to another. ‘Why, the farmer’s wife has sold her horse’s tail!’ and + turned in her saddle. Yes; it was true. Her horse had no tail! She had + forgotten to ask for one, and the wicked dwarfs had carried out her orders + to the letter! + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, at any rate, I shall soon be there,’ she thought, and shaking the + reins, tried to urge the horse to a gallop. But it was of no use; he + declined to move out of a walk; and she was forced to hear all the jokes + that were made upon her. + </p> + <p> + In the evening she returned to the farm more angry than ever, and quite + determined to revenge herself on the brownie whenever she had the chance, + which happened to be very soon. + </p> + <p> + It was the spring, and just the time of year when the dwarfs held their + fete, so one day the brownie asked Jegu if he might bring his friends to + have supper in the great barn, and whether he would allow them to dance + there. Of course, Jegu was only too pleased to be able to do anything for + the brownie, and he ordered Barbaik to spread her best table-cloths in the + barn, and to make a quantity of little loaves and pancakes, and, besides, + to keep all the milk given by the cows that morning. He expected she would + refuse, as he knew she hated the dwarfs, but she said nothing, and + prepared the supper as he had bidden her. + </p> + <p> + When all was ready, the dwarfs, in new green suits, came bustling in, very + happy and merry, and took their seats at the table. But in a moment they + all sprang up with a cry, and ran away screaming, for Barbaik had placed + pans of hot coals under their feet, and all their poor little toes were + burnt. + </p> + <p> + ‘You won’t forget that in a hurry,’ she said, smiling grimly to herself, + but in a moment they were back again with large pots of water, which they + poured on the fire. Then they joined hands and danced round it, singing: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Wicked traitress, Barne Riou, + Our poor toes are burned by you; + Now we hurry from your hall— + Bad luck light upon you all. +</pre> + <p> + That evening they left the country for ever, and Jegu, without their help, + grew poorer and poorer, and at last died of misery, while Barbaik was glad + to find work in the market of Morlaix. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par E. Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Winning of Olwen + </h2> + <p> + There was once a king and queen who had a little boy, and they called his + name Kilweh. The queen, his mother, fell ill soon after his birth, and as + she could not take care of him herself she sent him to a woman she knew up + in the mountains, so that he might learn to go out in all weathers, and + bear heat and cold, and grow tall and strong. Kilweh was quite happy with + his nurse, and ran races and climbed hills with the children who were his + playfellows, and in the winter, when the snow lay on the ground, sometimes + a man with a harp would stop and beg for shelter, and in return would sing + them songs of strange things that had happened in the years gone by. + </p> + <p> + But long before this changes had taken place in the court of Kilweh’s + father. Soon after she had sent her baby away the queen became much worse, + and at length, seeing that she was going to die, she called her husband to + her and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Never again shall I rise from this bed, and by and bye thou wilt take + another wife. But lest she should make thee forget thy son, I charge thee + that thou take not a wife until thou see a briar with two blossoms upon my + grave.’ And this he promised her. Then she further bade him to see to her + grave that nothing might grow thereon. This likewise he promised her, and + soon she died, and for seven years the king sent a man every morning to + see that nothing was growing on the queen’s grave, but at the end of seven + years he forgot. + </p> + <p> + One day when the king was out hunting he rode past the place where the + queen lay buried, and there he saw a briar growing with two blossoms on + it. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is time that I took a wife,’ said he, and after long looking he found + one. But he did not tell her about his son; indeed he hardly remembered + that he had one till she heard it at last from an old woman whom she had + gone to visit. And the new queen was very pleased, and sent messengers to + fetch the boy, and in his father’s court he stayed, while the years went + by till one day the queen told him that a prophecy had foretold that he + was to win for his wife Olwen the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr. + </p> + <p> + When he heard this Kilweh felt proud and happy. Surely he must be a man + now, he thought, or there would be no talk of a wife for him, and his mind + dwelt all day upon his promised bride, and what she would be like when he + beheld her. + </p> + <p> + ‘What aileth thee, my son?’ asked his father at last, when Kilweh had + forgotten something he had been bidden to do, and Kilweh blushed red as he + answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘My stepmother says that none but Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden + Penkawr, shall be my wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That will be easily fulfilled,’ replied his father. ‘Arthur the king is + thy cousin. Go therefore unto him and beg him to cut thy hair, and to + grant thee this boon.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the youth pricked forth upon a dapple grey horse of four years old, + with a bridle of linked gold, and gold upon his saddle. In his hand he + bore two spears of silver with heads of steel; a war-horn of ivory was + slung round his shoulder, and by his side hung a golden sword. Before him + were two brindled white-breasted greyhounds with collars of rubies round + their necks, and the one that was on the left side bounded across to the + right side, and the one on the right to the left, and like two + sea-swallows sported round him. And his horse cast up four sods with his + four hoofs, like four swallows in the air about his head, now above, now + below. About him was a robe of purple, and an apple of gold was at each + corner, and every one of the apples was of the value of a hundred cows. + And the blades of grass bent not beneath him, so light were his horse’s + feet as he journeyed toward the gate of Arthur’s palace. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is there a porter?’ cried Kilweh, looking round for someone to open the + gate. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is; and I am Arthur’s porter every first day of January,’ answered + a man coming out to him. ‘The rest of the year there are other porters, + and among them Pennpingyon, who goes upon his head to save his feet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, open the portal, I say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, that I may not do, for none can enter save the son of a king or a + pedlar who has goods to sell. But elsewhere there will be food for thy + dogs and hay for thy horse, and for thee collops cooked and peppered, and + sweet wine shall be served in the guest chamber.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That will not do for me,’ answered Kilweh. ‘If thou wilt not open the + gate I will send up three shouts that shall be heard from Cornwall unto + the north, and yet again to Ireland.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whatsoever clamour thou mayest make,’ spake Glewlwyd the porter, ‘thou + shalt not enter until I first go and speak with Arthur.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Glewlwyd went into the hall, and Arthur said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Hast thou news from the gate?’ and the porter answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Far have I travelled, both in this island and elsewhere, and many kingly + men have I seen; but never yet have I beheld one equal in majesty to him + who now stands at the door.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If walking thou didst enter here, return thou running,’ replied Arthur, + ‘and let everyone that opens and shuts the eye show him respect and serve + him, for it is not meet to keep such a man in the wind and rain.’ So + Glewlwyd unbarred the gate and Kilweh rode in upon his charger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Greeting unto thee, O ruler of this land,’ cried he, ‘and greeting no + less to the lowest than to the highest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Greeting to thee also,’ answered Arthur. ‘Sit thou between two of my + warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels before thee and all that belongs + to one born to be a king, while thou remainest in my palace.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not come,’ replied Kilweh, ‘for meat and drink, but to obtain a + boon, and if thou grant it me I will pay it back, and will carry thy + praise to the four winds of heaven. But if thou wilt not grant it to me, + then I will proclaim thy discourtesy wherever thy name is known.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What thou askest that shalt thou receive,’ said Arthur, ‘as far as the + wind dries and the rain moistens, and the sun revolves and the sea + encircles and the earth extends. Save only my ship and my mantle, my word + and my lance, my shield and my dagger, and Guinevere my wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would that thou bless my hair,’ spake Kilweh, and Arthur answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘That shall be granted thee.’ + </p> + <p> + Forthwith he bade his men fetch him a comb of gold and a scissors with + loops of silver, and he combed the hair of Kilweh his guest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me who thou art,’ he said, ‘for my heart warms to thee, and I feel + thou art come of my blood.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am Kilweh, son of Kilydd,’ replied the youth. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then my cousin thou art in truth,’ replied Arthur, ‘and whatsoever boon + thou mayest ask thou shalt receive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The boon I crave is that thou mayest win for me Olwen, the daughter of + Yspaddaden Penkawr, and this boon I seek likewise at the hands of thy + warriors. From Sol, who can stand all day upon one foot; from Ossol, who, + if he were to find himself on the top of the highest mountain in the + world, could make it into a level plain in the beat of a bird’s wing; from + Cluse, who, though he were buried under the earth, could yet hear the ant + leave her nest fifty miles away: from these and from Kai and from Bedwyr + and from all thy mighty men I crave this boon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘O Kilweh,’ said Arthur, ‘never have I heard of the maiden of whom thou + speakest, nor of her kindred, but I will send messengers to seek her if + thou wilt give me time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From this night to the end of the year right willingly will I grant + thee,’ replied Kilweh; but when the end of the year came and the + messengers returned Kilweh was wroth, and spoke rough words to Arthur. + </p> + <p> + It was Kai, the boldest of the warriors and the swiftest of foot—he + would could pass nine nights without sleep, and nine days beneath the + water—that answered him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Rash youth that thou art, darest thou speak thus to Arthur? Come with us, + and we will not part company till we have won that maiden, or till thou + confess that there is none such in the world.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Arthur summoned his five best men and bade them go with Kilweh. There + was Bedwyr the one-handed, Kai’s comrade and brother in arms, the swiftest + man in Britain save Arthur; there was Kynddelig, who knew the paths in a + land where he had never been as surely as he did those of his own country; + there was Gwrhyr, that could speak all tongues; and Gwalchmai the son of + Gwyar, who never returned till he had gained what he sought; and last of + all there was Menw, who could weave a spell over them so that none might + see them, while they could see everyone. + </p> + <p> + So these seven journeyed together till they reached a vast open plain in + which was a fair castle. But though it seemed so close it was not until + the evening of the third day that they really drew near to it, and in + front of it a flock of sheep was spread, so many in number that there + seemed no end to them. A shepherd stood on a mound watching over them, and + by his side was a dog, as large as a horse nine winters old. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whose is this castle, O herdsmen?’ asked the knights. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stupid are ye truly,’ answered the herdsman. ‘All the world knows that + this is the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And who art thou?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am called Custennin, brother of Yspaddaden, and ill has he treated me. + And who are you, and what do you here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We come from Arthur the king, to seek Olwen the daughter of Yspaddaden,’ + but at this news the shepherd gave a cry: + </p> + <p> + ‘O men, be warned and turn back while there is yet time. Others have gone + on that quest, but none have escaped to tell the tale,’ and he rose to his + feet as if to leave them. Then Kilweh held out to him a ring of gold, and + he tried to put it on his finger, but it was too small, so he placed it in + his glove, and went home and gave it to his wife. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whence came this ring?’ asked she, ‘for such good luck is not wont to + befall thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The man to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here in the evening,’ + answered the shepherd; ‘he is Kilweh, son of Kilydd, cousin to king + Arthur, and he has come to seek Olwen.’ And when the wife heard that she + knew that Kilweh was her nephew, and her heart yearned after him, half + with joy at the thought of seeing him, and half with sorrow for the doom + she feared. + </p> + <p> + Soon they heard steps approaching, and Kai and the rest entered into the + house and ate and drank. After that the woman opened a chest, and out of + it came a youth with curling yellow hair. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a pity to hid him thus,’ said Gwrhyr, ‘for well I know that he has + done no evil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Three and twenty of my sons has Yspaddaden slain, and I have no more hope + of saving this one,’ replied she, and Kai was full of sorrow and answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let him come with me and be my comrade, and he shall never be slain + unless I am slain also.’ And so it was agreed. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is your errand here?’ asked the woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘We seek Olwen the maiden for this youth,’ answered Kai; ‘does she ever + come hither so that she may be seen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She comes every Saturday to wash her hair, and in the vessel where she + washes she leaves all her rings, and never does she so much as send a + messenger to fetch them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will she come if she is bidden?’ asked Kai, pondering. + </p> + <p> + ‘She will come; but unless you pledge me your faith that you will not harm + her I will not fetch her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We pledge it,’ said they, and the maiden came. + </p> + <p> + A fair sight was she in a robe of flame-coloured silk, with a collar of + ruddy gold about her neck, bright with emeralds and rubies. More yellow + was her head than the flower of the broom, and her skin was whiter than + the foam of the wave, and fairer were her hands than the blossoms of the + wood anemone. Four white trefoils sprang up where she trod, and therefore + was she called Olwen. + </p> + <p> + She entered, and sat down on a bench beside Kilweh, and he spake to her: + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, maiden, since first I heard thy name I have loved thee—wilt + thou not come away with me from this evil place?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That I cannot do,’ answered she, ‘for I have given my word to my father + not to go without his knowledge, for his life will only last till I am + betrothed. Whatever is, must be, but this counsel I will give you. Go, and + ask me of my father, and whatsoever he shall required of thee grant it, + and thou shalt win me; but if thou deny him anything thou wilt not obtain + me, and it will be well for thee if thou escape with thy life.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All this I promise,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + So she returned to the castle, and all Arthur’s men went after her, and + entered the hall. + </p> + <p> + ‘Greeting to thee, Yspaddaden Penkawr,’ said they. ‘We come to ask thy + daughter Olwen for Kilweh, son of Kilydd.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come hither to-morrow and I will answer you,’ replied Yspaddaden Penkawr, + and as they rose to leave the hall he caught up one of the three poisoned + darts that lay beside him and flung it in their midst. But Bedwyr saw and + caught it, and flung it back so hard that it pierced the knee of + Yspaddaden. + </p> + <p> + ‘A gentle son-in-law, truly!’ he cried, writhing with pain. ‘I shall ever + walk the worse for this rudeness. Cursed be the smith who forged it, and + the anvil on which it was wrought!’ + </p> + <p> + That night the men slept in the house of Custennin the herdsman, and the + next day they proceeded to the castle, and entered the hall, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Yspaddaden Penkawr, give us thy daughter and thou shalt keep her dower. + And unless thou wilt do this we will slay thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Her four great grandmothers and her four great grandfathers yet live,’ + answered Yspaddaden Penkawr; ‘it is needful that I take counsel with + them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be it so; we will go to meat,’ but as they turned he took up the second + dart that lay by his side and cast it after them. And Menw caught it, and + flung it at him, and wounded him in the chest, so that it came out at his + back. + </p> + <p> + ‘A gentle son-in-law, truly!’ cried Yspaddaden, ‘the iron pains me like + the bite of a horse-leech. Cursed be the hearth whereon it was heated, and + the smith who formed it!’ The third day Arthur’s men returned to the + palace into the presence of Yspaddaden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shoot not at me again,’ said he, ‘unless you desire death. But lift up my + eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyes, that I may see my son-in-law.’ + Then they arose, and as they did so Yspaddaden Penkawr took the third + poisoned dart and cast it at them. And Kilweh caught it, and flung it + back, and it passed through his eyeball, and came out on the other side of + his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘A gentle son-in-law, truly! Cursed be the fire in which it was forged and + the man who fashioned it!’ + </p> + <p> + The next day Arthur’s men came again to the palace and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Shoot not at us any more unless thou desirest more pain than even now + thou hast, but give us thy daughter without more words.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is he that seeks my daughter? Let him come hither so that I may see + him.’ And Kilweh sat himself in a chair and spoke face to face with him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it thou that seekest my daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is I,’ answered Kilweh. + </p> + <p> + ‘First give me thy word that thou wilt do nothing towards me that is not + just, and when thou hast won for me that which I shall ask, then thou + shalt wed my daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I promise right willingly,’ said Kilweh. ‘Name what thou wilt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Seest thou yonder hill? Well, in one day it shall be rooted up and + ploughed and sown, and the grain shall ripen, and of that wheat I will + bake the cakes for my daughter’s wedding.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest deem it will + not be easy,’ answered Kilweh, thinking of Ossol, under whose feet the + highest mountain became straightway a plain, but Yspaddaden paid no heed, + and continued: + </p> + <p> + ‘Seest thou that field yonder? When my daughter was born nine bushels of + flax were sown therein, and not one blade has sprung up. I require thee to + sow fresh flax in the ground that my daughter may wear a veil spun from it + on the day of her wedding.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will be easy for me to compass this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Though thou compass this there is that which thou wilt not compass. For + thou must bring me the basket of Gwyddneu Garanhir which will give meat to + the whole world. It is for thy wedding feast. Thou must also fetch me the + drinking-horn that is never empty, and the harp that never ceases to play + until it is bidden. Also the comb and scissors and razor that lie between + the two ears of Trwyth the boar, so that I may arrange my hair for the + wedding. And though thou get this yet there is that which thou wilt not + get, for Trwyth the boar will not let any man take from him the comb and + the scissors, unless Drudwyn the whelp hunt him. But no leash in the world + can hold Drudwyn save the leash of Cant Ewin, and no collar will hold the + leash except the collar of Canhastyr.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will be easy for me to compass this, though thou mayest think it will + not be easy,’ Kilweh answered him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Though thou get all these things yet there is that which thou wilt not + get. Throughout the world there is none that can hunt with this dog save + Mabon the son of Modron. He was taken from his mother when three nights + old, and it is not know where he now is, nor whether he is living or dead, + and though thou find him yet the boar will never be slain save only with + the sword of Gwrnach the giant, and if thou obtain it not neither shalt + thou obtain my daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Horses shall I have, and knights from my lord Arthur. And I shall gain + thy daughter, and thou shalt lose thy life.’ + </p> + <p> + The speech of Kilweh the son of Kilydd with Yspaddaden Penkawr was ended. + </p> + <p> + Then Arthur’s men set forth, and Kilweh with them, and journeyed till they + reached the largest castle in the world, and a black man came out to meet + them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whence comest thou, O man?’ asked they, ‘and whose is that castle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is the castle of Gwrnach the giant, as all the world knows,’ + answered the man, ‘but no guest ever returned thence alive, and none may + enter the gate except a craftsman, who brings his trade.’ But little did + Arthur’s men heed his warning, and they went straight to the gate. + </p> + <p> + ‘Open!’ cried Gwrhyr. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not open,’ replied the porter. + </p> + <p> + ‘And wherefore?’ asked Kai. + </p> + <p> + ‘The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is + revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the giant, and save for a craftsman who + brings his trade the gate will not be opened to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Verily, then, I may enter,’ said Kai, ‘for there is no better burnisher + of swords than I.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This will I tell Gwrnach the giant, and I will bring thee his answer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bid the man come before me,’ cried Gwrnach, when the porter had told his + tale, ‘for my sword stands much in need of polishing,’ so Kai passed in + and saluted Gwrnach the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it true what I hear of thee, that thou canst burnish swords?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true,’ answered Kai. Then was the sword of Gwrnach brought to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall it be burnished white or blue?’ said Kai, taking a whetstone from + under his arm. + </p> + <p> + ‘As thou wilt,’ answered the giant, and speedily did Kai polish half the + sword. The giant marvelled at his skill, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a wonder that such a man as thou shouldst be without a companion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a companion, noble sir, but he has no skill in this art.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is his name?’ asked the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him how he may know him. The + head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, and + descend upon its shaft again.’ So the porter opened the gate and Bedwyr + entered. + </p> + <p> + Now there was much talk amongst those who remained without when the gate + closed upon Bedwyr, and Goreu, son of Custennin, prevailed with the + porter, and he and his companions got in also and hid themselves. + </p> + <p> + By this time the whole of the sword was polished, and Kai gave it into the + hand of Gwrnach the giant, who felt it and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Thy work is good; I am content.’ + </p> + <p> + Then said Kai: + </p> + <p> + ‘It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword; give it to me that I may + take out the wooden sides of it and put in new ones.’ And he took the + scabbard in one hand and the sword in the other, and came and stood behind + the giant, as if he would have sheathed the sword in the scabbard. But + with it he struck a blow at the head of the giant, and it rolled from his + body. After that they despoiled the castle of its gold and jewels, and + returned, bearing the sword of the giant, to Arthur’s court. + </p> + <p> + They told Arthur how they had sped, and they all took counsel together, + and agreed that they must set out on the quest for Mabon the son of + Modron, and Gwrhyr, who knew the languages of beasts and of birds, went + with them. SO they journeyed until they came to the nest of an ousel, and + Gwrhyr spoke to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me if thou knowest aught of Mabon the son of Modron, who was taken + when three nights old from between his mother and the wall.’ + </p> + <p> + And the ousel answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘When I first came here I was a young bird, and there was a smith’s anvil + in this place. But from that time no work has been done upon it, save that + every evening I have pecked at it, till now there is not so much as the + size of a nut remaining thereof. Yet all that time I have never once heard + of the man you name. Still, there is a race of beasts older than I, and I + will guide you to them.’ + </p> + <p> + So the ousel flew before them, till she reached the stag of Redynvre; but + when they inquired of the stag whether he knew aught of Mabon he shook his + head. + </p> + <p> + ‘When first I came hither,’ said he, ‘the plain was bare save for one oak + sapling, which grew up to be an oak with a hundred branches. All that is + left of that oak is a withered stump, but never once have I heard of the + man you name. Nevertheless, as you are Arthur’s men, I will guide you to + the place where there is an animal older than I’; and the stag ran before + them till he reached the owl of Cwm Cawlwyd. But when they inquired of the + owl if he knew aught of Mabon he shook his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘When first I came hither,’ said he, ‘the valley was a wooded glen; then a + race of men came and rooted it up. After that there grew a second wood, + and then a third, which you see. Look at my wings also—are they not + withered stumps? Yet until to-day I have never heard of the man you name. + Still, I will guide you to the oldest animal in the world, and the one + that has travelled most, the eagle of Gwern Abbey.’ And he flew before + them, as fast as his old wings would carry him, till he reached the eagle + of Gwern Abbey, but when they inquired of the eagle whether he knew aught + of Mabon he shook his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I first came hither,’ said the eagle, ‘there was a rock here, and + every evening I pecked at the stars from the top of it. Now, behold, it is + not even a span high! But only once have I heard of the man you name, and + that was when I went in search of food as far as Llyn Llyw. I swooped down + upon a salmon, and struck my claws into him, but he drew me down under + water till scarcely could I escape him. Then I summoned all my kindred to + destroy him, but he made peace with me, and I took fifty fish spears from + his back. Unless he may know something of the man whom you seek I cannot + tell who may. But I will guide you to the place where he is.’ + </p> + <p> + So they followed the eagle, who flew before them, though so high was he in + the sky, it was often hard to mark his flight. At length he stopped above + a deep pool in a river. + </p> + <p> + ‘Salmon of Llyn Llyw,’ he called, ‘I have come to thee with an embassy + from Arthur to inquire if thou knowest aught concerning Mabon the son of + Modron.’ And the salmon answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘As much as I know I will tell thee. With every tide I go up the river, + till I reach the walls of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong as + I never found elsewhere. And that you may see that what I say is true let + two of you go thither on my shoulders.’ So Kai and Gwrhyr went upon the + shoulders of the salmon, and were carried under the walls of the prison, + from which proceeded the sound of great weeping. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is it that thus laments in this house of stone?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is I, Mabon the son of Modron.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will silver or gold bring thy freedom, or only battle and fighting?’ + asked Gwrhyr again. + </p> + <p> + ‘By fighting alone shall I be set free,’ said Mabon. + </p> + <p> + Then they sent a messenger to Arthur to tell him that Mabon was found, and + he brought all his warriors to the castle of Gloucester and fell fiercely + upon it; while Kai and Bedwyr went on the shoulders of the salmon to the + gate of the dungeon, and broke it down and carried away Mabon. And he now + being free returned home with Arthur. + </p> + <p> + After this, on a certain day, as Gwythyr was walking across a mountain he + heard a grievous cry, and he hastened towards it. In a little valley he + saw the heather burning and the fire spreading fast towards the anthill, + and all the ants were hurrying to and fro, not knowing whither to go. + Gwythyr had pity on them, and put out the fire, and in gratitude the ants + brought him the nine bushels of flax seed which Yspaddaden Penkawr + required of Kilweh. And many of the other marvels were done likewise by + Arthur and his knights, and at last it came to the fight with Trwyth the + board, to obtain the comb and the scissors and the razor that lay between + his ears. But hard was the boar to catch, and fiercely did he fight when + Arthur’s men gave him battle, so that many of them were slain. + </p> + <p> + Up and down the country went Trwyth the boar, and Arthur followed after + him, till they came to the Severn sea. There three knights caught his feet + unawares and plunged him into the water, while one snatched the razor from + him, and another seized the scissors. But before they laid hold of the + comb he had shaken them all off, and neither man nor horse nor dog could + reach him till he came to Cornwall, whither Arthur had sworn he should not + go. Thither Arthur followed after him with his knights, and if it had been + hard to win the razor and the scissors, the struggle for the comb was + fiercer still, but at length Arthur prevailed, and the boar was driven + into the sea. And whether he was drowned or where he went no man knows to + this day. + </p> + <p> + In the end all the marvels were done, and Kilweh set forward, and with him + Goreu, the son of Custennin, to Yspaddaden Penkawr, bearing in their hands + the razor, the scissors and the comb, and Yspaddaden Penkawr was shaved by + Kaw. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is thy daughter mine now?’ asked Kilweh. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is thine,’ answered Yspaddaden, ‘but it is Arthur and none other who + has won her for thee. Of my own free will thou shouldst never have had + her, for now I must lose my life.’ And as he spake Goreu the son of + Custennin cut off his head, as if had been ordained, and Arthur’s hosts + returned each man to his own country. + </p> + <p> + From the ‘Mabinogion.’ + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lilac Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 3454-h.htm or 3454-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/5/3454/ + +Produced by J.C. Byers, L.M. 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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 + + +Title: The Lilac Fairy Book + +Author: Andrew Lang + +Posting Date: February 9, 2009 [EBook #3454] +Release Date: October, 2002 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by J.C. Byers, and L.M. Shaffer + + + + + +THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK + +Edited by Andrew Lang + + + +Preface + + + +'What cases are you engaged in at present?' 'Are you stopping many teeth +just now?' 'What people have you converted lately?' Do ladies put these +questions to the men--lawyers, dentists, clergymen, and so forth--who +happen to sit next them at dinner parties? + +I do not know whether ladies thus indicate their interest in the +occupations of their casual neighbours at the hospitable board. But if +they do not know me, or do not know me well, they generally ask 'Are +you writing anything now?' (as if they should ask a painter 'Are you +painting anything now?' or a lawyer 'Have you any cases at present?'). +Sometimes they are more definite and inquire 'What are you writing now?' +as if I must be writing something--which, indeed, is the case, though +I dislike being reminded of it. It is an awkward question, because the +fair being does not care a bawbee what I am writing; nor would she +be much enlightened if I replied 'Madam, I am engaged on a treatise +intended to prove that Normal is prior to Conceptional Totemism'--though +that answer would be as true in fact as obscure in significance. The +best plan seems to be to answer that I have entirely abandoned mere +literature, and am contemplating a book on 'The Causes of Early Blight +in the Potato,' a melancholy circumstance which threatens to deprive us +of our chief esculent root. The inquirer would never be undeceived. +One nymph who, like the rest, could not keep off the horrid topic of my +occupation, said 'You never write anything but fairy books, do you?' A +French gentleman, too, an educationist and expert in portraits of Queen +Mary, once sent me a newspaper article in which he had written that I +was exclusively devoted to the composition of fairy books, and nothing +else. He then came to England, visited me, and found that I knew rather +more about portraits of Queen Mary than he did. + +In truth I never did write any fairy books in my life, except 'Prince +Prigio,' 'Prince Ricardo,' and 'Tales from a Fairy Court'--that of the +aforesaid Prigio. I take this opportunity of recommending these fairy +books--poor things, but my own--to parents and guardians who may never +have heard of them. They are rich in romantic adventure, and the Princes +always marry the right Princesses and live happy ever afterwards; +while the wicked witches, stepmothers, tutors and governesses are never +cruelly punished, but retire to the country on ample pensions. I hate +cruelty: I never put a wicked stepmother in a barrel and send her +tobogganing down a hill. It is true that Prince Ricardo did kill the +Yellow Dwarf; but that was in fair fight, sword in hand, and the dwarf, +peace to his ashes! died in harness. + +The object of these confessions is not only that of advertising my own +fairy books (which are not 'out of print'; if your bookseller says so, +the truth is not in him), but of giving credit where credit is due. +The fairy books have been almost wholly the work of Mrs. Lang, who +has translated and adapted them from the French, German, Portuguese, +Italian, Spanish, Catalan, and other languages. + +My part has been that of Adam, according to Mark Twain, in the Garden +of Eden. Eve worked, Adam superintended. I also superintend. I find out +where the stories are, and advise, and, in short, superintend. I do not +write the stories out of my own head. The reputation of having written +all the fairy books (an European reputation in nurseries and the United +States of America) is 'the burden of an honour unto which I was not +born.' It weighs upon and is killing me, as the general fash of being +the wife of the Lord of Burleigh, Burleigh House by Stamford Town, was +too much for the village maiden espoused by that peer. + +Nobody really wrote most of the stories. People told them in all parts +of the world long before Egyptian hieroglyphics or Cretan signs or +Cyprian syllabaries, or alphabets were invented. They are older than +reading and writing, and arose like wild flowers before men had any +education to quarrel over. The grannies told them to the grandchildren, +and when the grandchildren became grannies they repeated the same old +tales to the new generation. Homer knew the stories and made up the +'Odyssey' out of half a dozen of them. All the history of Greece till +about 800 B.C. is a string of the fairy tales, all about Theseus and +Heracles and Oedipus and Minos and Perseus is a Cabinet des Fes, a +collection of fairy tales. Shakespeare took them and put bits of +them into 'King Lear' and other plays; he could not have made them up +himself, great as he was. Let ladies and gentlemen think of this when +they sit down to write fairy tales, and have them nicely typed, and send +them to Messrs. Longman & Co. to be published. They think that to +write a new fairy tale is easy work. They are mistaken: the thing is +impossible. Nobody can write a new fairy tale; you can only mix up and +dress up the old, old stories, and put the characters into new dresses, +as Miss Thackeray did so well in 'Five Old Friends.' If any big girl +of fourteen reads this preface, let her insist on being presented with +'Five Old Friends.' + +But the three hundred and sixty-five authors who try to write new fairy +tales are very tiresome. They always begin with a little boy or girl who +goes out and meets the fairies of polyanthuses and gardenias and apple +blossoms: 'Flowers and fruits, and other winged things.' These fairies +try to be funny, and fail; or they try to preach, and succeed. Real +fairies never preach or talk slang. At the end, the little boy or girl +wakes up and finds that he has been dreaming. + +Such are the new fairy stories. May we be preserved from all the sort of +them! + +Our stories are almost all old, some from Ireland, before that island +was as celebrated for her wrongs as for her verdure; some from Asia, +made, I dare say, before the Aryan invasion; some from Moydart, +Knoydart, Morar and Ardnamurchan, where the sea streams run like great +clear rivers and the saw-edged hills are blue, and men remember Prince +Charlie. Some are from Portugal, where the golden fruits grow in the +Garden of the Hesperides; and some are from wild Wales, and were told at +Arthur's Court; and others come from the firesides of the kinsmen of +the Welsh, the Bretons. There are also modern tales by a learned +Scandinavian named Topelius. + +All the stories were translated or adapted by Mrs. Lang, except 'The +Jogi's Punishment' and 'Moti,' done by Major Campbell out of the Pushtoo +language; 'How Brave Walter hunted Wolves,' which, with 'Little Lasse' +and 'The Raspberry Worm,' was done from Topelius by Miss Harding; and +'The Sea King's Gift,' by Miss Christie, from the same author. + +It has been suggested to the Editor that children and parents and +guardians would like 'The Grey True Ghost-Story Book.' He knows that the +children would like it well, and he would gladly give it to them; but +about the taste of fond anxious mothers and kind aunts he is not quite +so certain. Before he was twelve the Editor knew true ghost stories +enough to fill a volume. They were a pure joy till bedtime, but then, +and later, were not wholly a source of unmixed pleasure. At that time +the Editor was not afraid of the dark, for he thought, 'If a ghost is +here, we can't see him.' But when older and better informed persons said +that ghosts brought their own light with them (which is too true), then +one's emotions were such as parents do not desire the young to endure. +For this reason 'The Grey True Ghost-Story Book' is never likely to be +illustrated by Mr. Ford. + + + +Contents + + The Shifty Lad + The False Prince and the True + The Jogi's Punishment + The Heart of a Monkey + The Fairy Nurse + A Lost Paradise + How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves + The Ring of the Waterfalls + A French Puck + The Three Crowns + The Story of a Very Bad Boy + The Brown Bear of Norway + Little Lasse + 'Moti' + The Enchanted Deer + A Fish Story + The Wonderful Tune + The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother + The One-Handed Girl + The Bones of Djulung + The Sea Ring's Gift + The Raspberry Worm + The Stones of Plouhinec + The Castle of Kerglas + The Battle of the Birds + The Lady of the Fountain + The Four Gifts + The Groac'h of the Isle of Lok + The Escape of the Mouse + The Believing. Husbands + The Hoodie-Crow + The Brownie of the Lake + The Winning of Olwen + + + + +The Shifty Lad + + + +In the land of Erin there dwelt long ago a widow who had an only son. +He was a clever boy, so she saved up enough money to send him to school, +and, as soon as he was old enough, to apprentice him to any trade that +he would choose. But when the time came, he said he would not be bound +to any trade, and that he meant to be a thief. + +Now his mother was very sorrowful when she heard of this, but she knew +quite well that if she tried to stop his having his own way he would +only grow more determined to get it. So all the answer she made was that +the end of thieves was hanging at the bridge of Dublin, and then she +left him alone, hoping that when he was older he might become more +sensible. + +One day she was going to church to hear a sermon from a great preacher, +and she begged the Shifty Lad, as the neighbours called him from the +tricks he played, to come with her. But he only laughed and declared +that he did not like sermons, adding: + +'However, I will promise you this, that the first trade you hear named +after you come out from church shall be my trade for the rest of my +life.' + +These words gave a little comfort to the poor woman, and her heart was +lighter than before as she bade him farewell. + +When the Shifty Lad thought that the hour had nearly come for the sermon +to be over, he hid himself in some bushes in a little path that led +straight to his mother's house, and, as she passed along, thinking of +all the good things she had heard, a voice shouted close to her ear +'Robbery! Robbery! Robbery!' The suddenness of it made her jump. The +naughty boy had managed to change his voice, so that she did not know +it for his, and he had concealed himself so well that, though she peered +about all round her, she could see no one. As soon as she had turned +the corner the Shifty Lad came out, and by running very fast through +the wood he contrived to reach home before his mother, who found him +stretched out comfortably before the fire. + +'Well, have you got any news to tell me?' asked he. + +'No, nothing; for I left the church at once, and did not stop to speak +to anyone.' + +'Oh, then no one has mentioned a trade to you?' he said in tones of +disappointment. + +'Ye--es,' she replied slowly. 'At least, as I walked down the path a +voice cried out "Robbery! Robbery! Robbery!" but that was all.' + +'And quite enough too,' answered the boy. 'What did I tell you? That is +going to be my trade.' + +'Then your end will be hanging at the bridge of Dublin,' said she. But +there was no sleep for her that night, for she lay in the dark thinking +about her son. + +'If he is to be a thief at all, he had better be a good one. And who is +there that can teach him?' the mother asked herself. But an idea came +to her, and she arose early, before the sun was up, and set off for the +home of the Black Rogue, or Gallows Bird, who was such a wonderful thief +that, though all had been robbed by him, no one could catch him. + +'Good-morning to you,' said the woman as she reached the place where the +Black Gallows Bird lived when he was not away on his business. 'My son +has a fancy to learn your trade. Will you be kind enough to teach him?' + +'If he is clever, I don't mind trying,' answered the Black Gallows Bird; +'and, of course, if ANY one can turn him into a first-rate thief, it +is I. But if he is stupid, it is of no use at all; I can't bear stupid +people.' + +'No, he isn't stupid,' said the woman with a sigh. 'So to-night, after +dark, I will send him to you.' + +The Shifty Lad jumped for joy when his mother told him where she had +been. + +'I will become the best thief in all Erin!' he cried, and paid no heed +when his mother shook her head and murmured something about 'the bridge +of Dublin.' + +Every evening after dark the Shifty Lad went to the home of the Black +Gallows Bird, and many were the new tricks he learned. By-and-by he was +allowed to go out with the Bird and watch him at work, and at last there +came a day when his master though that he had grown clever enough to +help in a big robbery. + +'There is a rich farmer up there on the hill, who has just sold all his +fat cattle for much money and has bought some lean ones which will cost +him little. Now it happens that, while he has received the money for the +fat cattle, he has not yet paid the price of the thin ones, which he has +in the cowhouse. To-morrow he will go to the market with the money in +his hand, so to-night we must get at the chest. When all is quiet we +will hide in the loft.' + +There was no moon, and it was the night of Hallowe'en, and everyone +was burning nuts and catching apples in a tub of water with their hands +tied, and playing all sorts of other games, till the Shifty Lad grew +quite tired of waiting for them to get to bed. The Black Gallows Bird, +who was more accustomed to the business, tucked himself up on the hay +and went to sleep, telling the boy to wake him when the merry-makers had +departed. But the Shifty Lad, who could keep still no longer, crept down +to the cowshed and loosened the heads of the cattle which were tied, and +they began to kick each other and bellow, and made such a noise that the +company in the farmhouse ran out to tie them up again. Then the Shifty +Lad entered the room and picked up a big handful of nuts, and returned +to the loft, where the Black Rogue was still sleeping. At first the +Shifty Lad shut his eyes too, but very soon he sat up, and taking a big +needle and thread from his pocket, he sewed the hem of the Black Gallows +Bird's coat to a heavy piece of bullock's hide that was hanging at his +back. + +By this time the cattle were all tied up again, but as the people could +not find their nuts they sat round the fire and began to tell stories. + +'I will crack a nut,' said the Shifty Lad. + +'You shall not,' cried the Black Gallows Bird; 'they will hear you.' + +'I don't care,' answered the Shifty Lad. 'I never spend Hallowe'en yet +without cracking a nut'; and he cracked one. + +'Some one is cracking nuts up there,' said one of the merry-makers in +the farmhouse. 'Come quickly, and we will see who it is.' + +He spoke loudly, and the Black Gallows Bird heard, and ran out of the +loft, dragging the big leather hide after him which the Shifty Lad had +sewed to his coat. + +'He is stealing my hide!' shouted the farmer, and they all darted after +him; but he was too swift for them, and at last he managed to tear the +hide from his coat, and then he flew like a hare till he reached his old +hiding-place. But all this took a long time, and meanwhile the Shifty +Lad got down from the loft, and searched the house till he found the +chest with the gold and silver in it, concealed behind a load of straw +and covered with loaves of bread and a great cheese. The Shifty Lad +slung the money bags round his shoulders and took the bread and the +cheese under his arm, then set out quietly for the Black Rogue's house. + +'Here you are at last, you villain!' cried his master in great wrath. +'But I will be revenged on you.' + +'It is all right,' replied the Shifty Lad calmly. 'I have brought what +you wanted'; and he laid the things he was carrying down on the ground. + +'Ah! you are the better thief,' said the Black Rogue's wife; and the +Black Rogue added: + +'Yes, it is you who are the clever boy'; and they divided the spoil and +the Black Gallows Bird had one half and the Shifty Lad the other half. + +A few weeks after that the Black Gallows Bird had news of a wedding that +was to be held near the town; and the bridegroom had many friends and +everybody sent him a present. Now a rich farmer who lived up near the +moor thought that nothing was so useful to a young couple when they +first began to keep house as a fine fat sheep, so he bade his shepherd +go off to the mountain where the flock were feeding, and bring him +back the best he could find. And the shepherd chose out the largest and +fattest of the sheep and the one with the whitest fleece; then he tied +its feet together and put it across his shoulder, for he had a long way +to go. + +That day, the Shifty Lad happened to be wandering over the moor, when he +saw the man with the sheep on his shoulder walking along the road which +led past the Black Rogue's house. The sheep was heavy and the man was +in no hurry, so he came slowly and the boy knew that he himself could +easily get back to his master before the shepherd was even in sight. + +'I will wager,' he cried, as he pushed quickly through the bushes which +hid the cabin--'I will wager that I will steal the sheep from the man +that is coming before he passes here.' + +'Will you indeed?' said the Gallows Bird. 'I will wager you a hundred +silver pieces that you can do nothing of the sort.' + +'Well, I will try it, anyway,' replied the boy, and disappeared in the +bushes. He ran fast till he entered a wood through which the shepherd +must go, and then he stopped, and taking off one of his shoes smeared it +with mud and set it in the path. When this was done he slipped behind a +rock and waited. + +Very soon the man came up, and seeing the shoe lying there, he stooped +and looked at it. + +'It is a good shoe,' he said to himself, 'but very dirty. Still, if I +had the fellow, I would be at the trouble of cleaning it'; so he threw +the shoe down again and went on. + +The Shifty Lad smiled as he heard him, and, picking up the shoe, he +crept round by a short way and laid the other shoe on the path. A few +minutes after the shepherd arrived, and beheld the second shoe lying on +the path. + +'Why, that is the fellow of the dirty shoe!' he exclaimed when he saw +it. 'I will go back and pick up the other one, and then I shall have a +pair of good shoes,' and he put the sheep on the grass and returned to +fetch the shoe. Then the Shifty Lad put on his shoes, and, picking up +the sheep, carried it home. And the Black Rogue paid him the hundred +marks of his wager. + +When the shepherd reached the farmhouse that night he told his tale to +his master, who scolded him for being stupid and careless, and bade him +go the next day to the mountain and fetch him a kid, and he would send +that as a wedding gift. But the Shifty Lad was on the look-out, and hid +himself in the wood, and the moment the man drew near with the kid on +his shoulders began to bleat like a sheep, and no one, not even the +sheep's own mother, could have told the difference. + +'Why, it must have got its feet loose, and have strayed after all,' +thought the man; and he put the kid on the grass and hurried off in the +direction of the bleating. Then the boy ran back and picked up the kid, +and took it to the Black Gallows Bird. + +The shepherd could hardly believe his eyes when he returned from seeking +the sheep and found that the kid had vanished. He was afraid to go home +and tell the same tale that he had told yesterday; so he searched the +wood through and through till night was nearly come. Then he felt that +there was no help for it, and he must go home and confess to his master. + +Of course, the farmer was very angry at this second misfortune; but this +time he told him to drive one of the big bulls from the mountain, and +warned him that if he lost THAT he would lose his place also. Again the +Shifty Lad, who was on the watch, perceived him pass by, and when he saw +the man returning with the great bull he cried to the Black Rogue: + +'Be quick and come into the wood, and we will try to get the bull also.' + +'But how can we do that?' asked the Black Rogue. + +'Oh, quite easily! You hide yourself out there and baa like a sheep, and +I will go in the other direction and bleat like a kid. It will be all +right, I assure you.' + +The shepherd was walking slowly, driving the bull before him, when he +suddenly heard a loud baa amongst the bushes far away on one side of the +path, and a feeble bleat answering it from the other side. + +'Why, it must be the sheep and the kid that I lost,' said he. 'Yes, +surely it must'; and tying the bull hastily to a tree, he went off +after the sheep and the kid, and searched the wood till he was tired. Of +course by the time he came back the two thieves had driven the bull home +and killed him for meat, so the man was obliged to go to his master and +confess that he had been tricked again. + +After this the Black Rogue and the Shifty Lad grew bolder and bolder, +and stole great quantities of cattle and sold them and grew quite rich. +One day they were returning from the market with a large sum of money in +their pockets when they passed a gallows erected on the top of a hill. + +'Let us stop and look at that gallows,' exclaimed the Shifty Lad. 'I +have never seen one so close before. Yet some say that it is the end of +all thieves.' + +There was no one in sight, and they carefully examined every part of it. + +'I wonder how it feels to be hanged,' said the Shifty Lad. 'I should +like to know, in case they ever catch me. I'll try first, and then you +can do so.' + +As he spoke he fastened the loose cord about his neck, and when it was +quite secure he told the Black Rogue to take the other end of the rope +and draw him up from the ground. + +'When I am tired of it I will shake my legs, and then you must let me +down,' said he. + +The Black Rogue drew up the rope, but in half a minute the Shifty Lad's +legs began to shake, and he quickly let it down again. + +'You can't imagine what a funny feeling hanging gives you,' murmured +the Shifty Lad, who looked rather purple in the face and spoke in an odd +voice. 'I don't think you have every tried it, or you wouldn't have let +me go up first. Why, it is the pleasantest thing I have ever done. I was +shaking my legs from sheer delight, and if you had been there you would +have shaken your legs too.' + +'Well, let me try, if it is so nice,' answered the Black Rogue. 'But be +sure you tie the knot securely, for I don't want to fall down and break +my neck.' + +'Oh, I will see to that!' replied the Shifty Lad. 'When you are tired, +just whistle, and I'll let you down.' + +So the Black Rogue was drawn up, and as soon as he was as high as the +rope would allow him to go the Shifty Lad called to him: + +'Don't forest to whistle when you want to come down; but if you are +enjoying yourself as I did, shake your legs.' + +And in a moment the Black Rogue's legs began to shake and to kick, and +the Shifty Lad stood below, watching him and laughing heartily. + +'Oh, how funny you are! If you could only see yourself! Oh, you ARE +funny! But when you have had enough, whistle and you shall be let down'; +and he rocked again with laughter. + +But no whistle came, and soon the legs ceased to shake and to kick, for +the Black Gallows Bird was dead, as the Shifty Lad intended he should +be. + +Then he went home to the Black Rogue's wife, and told her that her +husband was dead, and that he was ready to marry her if she liked. But +the woman had been fond of the Black Rogue, thief though he was, and she +shrank from the Shifty Lad in horror, and set the people after him, +and he had to fly to another part of the country where none knew of his +doings. + +Perhaps if the Shifty Lad's mother knew anything of this, she may have +thought that by this time her son might be tired of stealing, and ready +to try some honest trade. But in reality he loved the tricks and danger, +and life would have seemed very dull without them. So he went on just as +before, and made friends whom he taught to be as wicked as himself, till +they took to robbing the king's storehouses, and by the advice of the +Wise Man the king sent out soldiers to catch the band of thieves. + +For a long while they tried in vain to lay hands on them. The Shifty Lad +was too clever for them all, and if they laid traps he laid better ones. +At last one night he stole upon some soldiers while they were asleep in +a barn and killed them, and persuaded the villagers that if THEY did not +kill the other soldiers before morning they would certainly be killed +themselves. Thus it happened that when the sun rose not a single soldier +was alive in the village. + +Of course this news soon reached the king's ears, and he was very angry, +and summoned the Wise Man to take counsel with him. And this was the +counsel of the Wise Man--that he should invite all the people in the +countryside to a ball, and among them the bold and impudent thief would +be sure to come, and would be sure to ask the king's daughter to dance +with him. + +'Your counsel is good,' said the king, who made his feast and prepared +for his ball; and all the people of the countryside were present, and +the Shifty Lad came with them. + +When everyone had eaten and drunk as much as they wanted they went into +the ballroom. There was a great throng, and while they were pressing +through the doorway the Wise Man, who had a bottle of black ointment +hidden in his robes, placed a tiny dot on the cheek of the Shifty Lad +near his ear. The Shifty Lad felt nothing, but as he approached the +king's daughter to ask her to be his partner he caught sight of the +black dot in a silver mirror. Instantly he guessed who had put it +there and why, but he said nothing, and danced so beautifully that the +princess was quite delighted with him. At the end of the dance he bowed +low to his partner and left her, to mingle with the crowd that was +filling the doorway. As he passed the Wise Man he contrived not only to +steal the bottle but to place two black dots on his face, and one on the +faces of twenty other men. Then he slipped the bottle back in the Wise +Man's robe. + +By-and-by he went up to the king's daughter again, and begged for the +honour of another dance. She consented, and while he was stooping to +tie the ribbons on his shoe she took out from her pocket another bottle, +which the Wizard had given her, and put a black dot on his cheek. But +she was not as skilful as the Wise Man, and the Shifty Lad felt the +touch of her fingers; so as soon as the dance was over he contrived to +place a second black dot on the faces of the twenty men and two more on +the Wizard, after which he slipped the bottle into her pocket. + +At length the ball came to an end, and then the king ordered all the +doors to be shut, and search made for a man with two black dots on his +cheek. The chamberlain went among the guests, and soon found such a man, +but just as he was going to arrest him and bring him before the king his +eye fell on another with the same mark, and another, and another, till +he had counted twenty--besides the Wise Man--on whose face were found +spots. + +Not knowing what to do, the chamberlain hurried back with his tale +to the king, who immediately sent for the Wise Man, and then for his +daughter. + +'The thief must have stolen your bottle,' said the king to the Wizard. + +'No, my lord, it is here,' answered the Wise Man, holding it out. + +'Then he must have got yours,' he cried, turning to his daughter. + +'Indeed, father, it is safe in my pocket,' replied she, taking it out as +she spoke; and they all three looked at each other and remained silent. + +'Well,' said the king at last, 'the man who has done this is cleverer +than most men, and if he will make himself known to me he shall marry +the princess and govern half my kingdom while I am alive, and the whole +of it when I am dead. Go and announce this in the ballroom,' he added to +an attendant, 'and bring the fellow hither.' + +So the attendant went into the ballroom and did as the king had bidden +him, when, to his surprise, not one man, but twenty, stepped forward, +all with black dots on their faces. + +'I am the person you want,' they all exclaimed at once, and the +attendant, as much bewildered as the chamberlain had been, desired them +to follow him into the king's presence. + +But the question was too difficult for the king to decide, so he called +together his council. For hours they talked, but to no purpose, and in +the end they hit upon a plan which they might just as well have thought +of at the beginning. + +And this was the plan. A child was to be brought to the palace, and next +the king's daughter would give her an apple. Then the child was to take +the apple and be led into a room where the twenty men with the black +dots were sitting in a ring. And to whomsoever the child gave the apple, +that man should marry the king's daughter. + +'Of course,' said the king, 'it may not be the right man, after all, but +then again it MAY be. Anyhow, it is the best we can do.' + +The princess herself led the child into the room where the twenty men +were now seated. She stood in the centre of the ring for a moment, +looking at one man after another, and then held out the apple to the +Shifty Lad, who was twisting a shaving of wood round his finger, and had +the mouthpiece of a bagpipe hanging from his neck. + +'You ought not to have anything which the others have not got,' said +the chamberlain, who had accompanied the princess; and he bade the +child stand outside for a minute, while he took away the shaving and the +mouthpiece, and made the Shifty Lad change his place. Then he called the +child in, but the little girl knew him again, and went straight up to +him with the apple. + +'This is the man whom the child has twice chosen,' said the chamberlain, +signing to the Shifty Lad to kneel before the king. 'It was all quite +fair; we tried it twice over.' In this way the Shifty Lad won the king's +daughter, and they were married the next day. + +A few days later the bride and bridegroom were taking a walk together, +and the path led down to the river, and over the river was a bridge. + +'And what bridge may this be?' asked the Shifty Lad; and the princess +told him that this was the bridge of Dublin. + +'Is it indeed?' cried he. 'Well, now, many is the time that my mother +has said, when I played her a trick, that my end would be that I should +hang on the bridge of Dublin.' + +'Oh, if you want to fulfil her prophecies,' laughed the princess, 'you +have only to let me tie my handkerchief round your ankle, and I will +hold you as you hang over the wall of the bridge.' + +'That would be fine fun,' said he; 'but you are not strong enough to +hold me up.' + +'Oh, yes, I am,' said the princess; 'just try.' So at last he let her +bind the handkerchief round his ankle and hang him over the wall, and +they both laughed and jested at the strength of the princess. + +'Now pull me up again,' called he; but as he spoke a great cry arose +that the palace was burning. The princess turned round with a start, and +let go her handkerchief, and the Shifty Lad fell, and struck his head on +a stone, and died in an instant. + +So his mother's prophecy had come true, after all. + +West Highland Tales. + + + + +The False Prince and the True + + +The king had just awakened from his midday sleep, for it was summer, and +everyone rose early and rested from twelve to three, as they do in hot +countries. He had dressed himself in cool white clothes, and was passing +through the hall on his way to the council chamber, when a number of +young nobles suddenly appeared before him, and one amongst them stepped +forward and spoke. + +'Sire, this morning we were all playing tennis in the court, the prince +and this gentleman with the rest, when there broke out some dispute +about the game. The prince lost his temper, and said many insulting +things to the other, who was playing against him, till at length the +gentleman whom you see there struck him violently in the face, so that +the blood ran from his mouth and nose. We were all so horrified at the +sight, that we should most likely have killed the man then and there, +for daring to lay hands on the prince, had not his grandfather the duke +stepped between and commanded us to lay the affair before you.' + +The king had listened attentively to the story, and when it was ended he +said: + +'I suppose the prince had no arms with him, or else he would have used +them?' + +'Yes, sire, he had arms; he always carries a dagger in his belt. But +when he saw the blood pouring from his face, he went to a corner of the +court and began to cry, which was the strangest thing of all.' + +On hearing this the king walked to the window and stood for a few +minutes with his back to the room, where the company of young men +remained silent. Then he came back, his face white and stern. + +'I tell you,' he said, 'and it is the solemn truth, that I would rather +you had told me that the prince was dead, though he is my only son, than +know that he would suffer such an injury without attempting to avenge +it. As for the gentleman who struck him, he will be brought before my +judges, and will plead his own cause, but I hardly think he can escape +death, after having assaulted the heir to the crown.' + +The young man raised his head as if to reply, but the king would not +listen, and commanded his guards to put him under arrest, adding, +however, that if the prisoner wished to visit any part of the city, he +was at liberty to do so properly guarded, and in fifteen days he would +be brought to trial before the highest judges in the land. + +The young man left the king's presence, surrounded by soldiers, and +accompanied by many of his friends, for he was a great favourite. By +their advice he spent the fourteen days that remained to him going about +to seek counsel from wise men of all sorts, as to how he might escape +death, but no one could help him, for none could find any excuse for the +blow he had given to the prince. + +The fourteenth night had come, and in despair the prisoner went out to +take his last walk through the city. He wandered on hardly knowing +where he went, and his face was so white and desperate that none of his +companions dared speak to him. The sad little procession had passed some +hours in this manner, when, near the gate of a monastery, an old woman +appeared round a corner, and suddenly stood before the young man. She +was bent almost double, and was so wizened and wrinkled that she looked +at least ninety; only her eyes were bright and quick as those of a girl. + +'Sir,' she said, 'I know all that has happened to you, and how you are +seeking if in any wise you can save your life. But there is none that +can answer that question save only I myself, if you will promise to do +all I ask.' + +At her words the prisoner felt as if a load had all at once been rolled +off him. + +'Oh, save me, and I will do anything!' he cried. 'It is so hard to leave +the world and go out into the darkness.' + +'You will not need to do that,' answered the old woman, 'you have only +got to marry me, and you will soon be free.' + +'Marry you?' exclaimed he, 'but--but--I am not yet twenty, and you +--why, you must be a hundred at least! Oh, no, it is quite impossible.' + +He spoke without thinking, but the flash of anger which darted from her +eyes made him feel uncomfortable. However, all she said was: + +'As you like; since you reject me, let the crows have you,' and hurried +away down the street. + +Left to himself, the full horror of his coming death rushed upon the +young man, and he understood that he had thrown away his sole chance of +life. Well, if he must, he must, he said to himself, and began to run as +fast as he could after the old crone, who by this time could scarcely be +seen, even in the moonlight. Who would have believed a woman past ninety +could walk with such speed? It seemed more like flying! But at length, +breathless and exhausted, he reached her side, and gasped out: + +'Madam, pardon me for my hasty words just now; I was wrong, and will +thankfully accept the offer you made me.' + +'Ah, I thought you would come to your senses,' answered she, in rather +an odd voice. 'We have no time to lose--follow me at once,' and they +went on silently and swiftly till they stopped at the door of a small +house in which the priest lived. Before him the old woman bade the +prisoner swear that she should be his wife, and this he did in the +presence of witnesses. Then, begging the priest and the guards to leave +them alone for a little, she told the young man what he was to do, when +the next morning he was brought before the king and the judges. + +The hall was full to overflowing when the prisoner entered it, and all +marvelled at the brightness of his face. The king inquired if he had any +excuse to plead for the high treason he had committed by striking the +heir to the throne, and, if so, to be quick in setting it forth. With a +low bow the youth made answer in a clear voice: + +'O my lord and gracious king, and you, nobles and wise men of the land, +I leave my cause without fear in your hands, knowing that you will +listen and judge rightly, and that you will suffer me to speak to the +end, before you give judgment. + +'For four years, you, O king, had been married to the queen and yet had +no children, which grieved you greatly. The queen saw this, and likewise +that your love was going from her, and thought night and day of some +plan that might put an end to this evil. At length, when you were +away fighting in distant countries, she decided what she would do, and +adopted in secret the baby of a poor quarryman, sending a messenger to +tell you that you had a son. No one suspected the truth except a priest +to whom the queen confessed the truth, and in a few weeks she fell ill +and died, leaving the baby to be brought up as became a prince. And now, +if your highness will permit me, I will speak of myself.' + +'What you have already told me,' answered the king, 'is so strange that +I cannot imagine what more there is to tell, but go on with your story.' + +'One day, shortly after the death of the queen,' continued the young +man, 'your highness was hunting, and outstripped all your attendants +while chasing the deer. You were in a part of the country which you did +not know, so seeing an orchard all pink and white with apple-blossoms, +and a girl tossing a ball in one corner, you went up to her to ask your +way. But when she turned to answer you, you were so struck with her +beauty that all else fled from your mind. Again and again you rode back +to see her, and at length persuaded her to marry you. She only thought +you a poor knight, and agreed that as you wished it, the marriage should +be kept secret. + +'After the ceremony you gave her three rings and a charm with a cross +on it, and then put her in a cottage in the forest, thinking to hide the +matter securely. + +'For some months you visited the cottage every week; but a rebellion +broke out in a distant part of the kingdom, and called for your +presence. When next you rode up to the cottage, it was empty, and none +could inform you whither your bride had gone. That, sire, I can now +tell you,' and the young man paused and looked at the king, who +coloured deeply. 'She went back to her father the old duke, once your +chamberlain, and the cross on her breast revealed at once who you were. +Fierce was his anger when he heard his daughter's tale, and he vowed +that he would hide her safely from you, till the day when you would +claim her publicly as your queen. + +'By and bye I was born, and was brought up by my grandfather in one of +his great houses. Here are the rings you gave to my mother, and here is +the cross, and these will prove if I am your son or not.' + +As he spoke the young man laid the jewels at the feet of the king, and +the nobles and the judges pressed round to examine them. The king alone +did not move from his seat, for he had forgotten the hall of justice and +all about him, and saw only the apple-orchard, as it was twenty years +ago, and the beautiful girl playing at ball. A sudden silence round him +made him look up, and he found the eyes of the assembly fixed on him. + +'It is true; it is he who is my son, and not the other,' he said with +an effort, 'and let every man present swear to acknowledge him as king, +after my death.' + +Therefore one by one they all knelt before him and took the oath, and +a message was sent to the false prince, forbidding him ever again to +appear at court, though a handsome pension was granted him. + +At last the ceremony was over, and the king, signing to his newly found +son to follow him, rose and went into another room. + +'Tell me how you knew all that,' he said, throwing himself into a carved +chair filled with crimson cushions, and the prince told of his meeting +with the old woman who had brought him the jewels from his mother, and +how he had sworn before a priest to marry her, though he did not want to +do it, on account of the difference in their ages, and besides, he would +rather receive a bride chosen by the king himself. But the king frowned, +and answered sharply: + +'You swore to marry her if she saved your life, and, come what may, +you must fulfil your promise.' Then, striking a silver shield that hung +close by, he said to the equerry who appeared immediately: + +'Go and seek the priest who lives near the door of the prison, and ask +him where you can find the old woman who visited him last night; and +when you have found her, bring her to the palace.' + +It took some time to discover the whereabouts of the old woman, but at +length it was accomplished, and when she arrived at the palace with the +equerry, she was received with royal honours, as became the bride of +the prince. The guards looked at each other with astonished eyes, as the +wizened creature, bowed with age, passed between their lines; but they +were more amazed still at the lightness of her step as she skipped up +the steps to the great door before which the king was standing, with the +prince at his side. If they both felt a shock at the appearance of the +aged lady they did not show it, and the king, with a grave bow, took her +band, and led her to the chapel, where a bishop was waiting to perform +the marriage ceremony. + +For the next few weeks little was seen of the prince, who spent all his +days in hunting, and trying to forget the old wife at home. As for the +princess, no one troubled himself about her, and she passed the days +alone in her apartments, for she had absolutely declined the services of +the ladies-in-waiting whom the king had appointed for her. + +One night the prince returned after a longer chase than usual, and he +was so tired that he went up straight to bed. Suddenly he was awakened +by a strange noise in the room, and suspecting that a robber might have +stolen in, he jumped out of bed, and seized his sword, which lay ready +to his hand. Then he perceived that the noise proceeded from the next +room, which belonged to the princess, and was lighted by a burning +torch. Creeping softly to the door, he peeped through it, and beheld +her lying quietly, with a crown of gold and pearls upon her head, her +wrinkles all gone, and her face, which was whiter than the snow, as +fresh as that of a girl of fourteen. Could that really be his wife--that +beautiful, beautiful creature? + +The prince was still gazing in surprise when the lady opened her eyes +and smiled at him. + +'Yes, I really am your wife,' she said, as if she had guessed his +thoughts, 'and the enchantment is ended. Now I must tell you who I am, +and what befell to cause me to take the shape of an old woman. + +'The king of Granada is my father, and I was born in the palace which +overlooks the plain of the Vega. I was only a few months old when a +wicked fairy, who had a spite against my parents, cast a spell over +me, bending my back and wrinkling my skin till I looked as if I was a +hundred years old, and making me such an object of disgust to everyone, +that at length the king ordered my nurse to take my away from the +palace. She was the only person who cared about me, and we lived +together in this city on a small pension allowed me by the king. + +'When I was about three an old man arrived at our house, and begged my +nurse to let him come in and rest, as he could walk no longer. She saw +that he was very ill, so put him to bed and took such care of him that +by and bye he was as strong as ever. In gratitude for her goodness to +him, he told her that he was a wizard and could give her anything she +chose to ask for, except life or death, so she answered that what she +longed for most in the world was that my wrinkled skin should disappear, +and that I should regain the beauty with which I was born. To this he +replied that as my misfortune resulted from a spell, this was rather +difficult, but he would do his best, and at any rate he could promise +that before my fifteenth birthday I should be freed from the enchantment +if I could get a man who would swear to marry me as I was. + +'As you may suppose, this was not easy, as my ugliness was such that +no one would look at me a second time. My nurse and I were almost in +despair, as my fifteenth birthday was drawing near, and I had never so +much as spoken to a man. At last we received a visit from the wizard, +who told us what had happened at court, and your story, bidding me to +put myself in your way when you had lost all hope, and offer to save you +if you would consent to marry me. + +'That is my history, and now you must beg the king to send messengers at +once to Granada, to inform my father of our marriage, and I think,' she +added with a smile, 'that he will not refuse us his blessing.' + +Adapted from the Portuguese. + + + + +The Jogi's Punishment + + +Once upon a time there came to the ancient city of Rahmatabad a +jogi[FN#1: A Hindu holy man.] of holy appearance, who took up his abode +under a tree outside the city, where he would sit for days at a time +fasting from food and drink, motionless except for the fingers that +turned restlessly his string of beads. The fame of such holiness as this +soon spread, and daily the citizens would flock to see him, eager to +get his blessing, to watch his devotions, or to hear his teaching, if +he were in the mood to speak. Very soon the rajah himself heard of the +jogi, and began regularly to visit him to seek his counsel and to ask +his prayers that a son might be vouchsafed to him. Days passed by, and +at last the rajah became so possessed with the thought of the holy man +that he determined if possible to get him all to himself. So he built in +the neighbourhood a little shrine, with a room or two added to it, and a +small courtyard closely walled up; and, when all was ready, besought the +jogi to occupy it, and to receive no other visitors except himself and +his queen and such pupils as the jogi might choose, who would hand down +his teaching. To this the jogi consented; and thus he lived for some +time upon the king's bounty, whilst the fame of his godliness grew day +by day. + +Now, although the rajah of Rahmatabad had no son, he possessed a +daughter, who as she grew up became the most beautiful creature that eye +ever rested upon. Her father had long before betrothed her to the son of +the neighbouring rajah of Dilaram, but as yet she had not been married +to him, and lived the quiet life proper to a maiden of her beauty and +position. The princess had of course heard of the holy man and of his +miracles and his fasting, and she was filled with curiosity to see and +to speak to him; but this was difficult, since she was not allowed to go +out except into the palace grounds, and then was always closely guarded. +However, at length she found an opportunity, and made her way one +evening alone to the hermit's shrine. + +Unhappily, the hermit was not really as holy as he seemed; for no sooner +did he see the princess than he fell in love with her wonderful beauty, +and began to plot in his heart how he could win her for his wife. But +the maiden was not only beautiful, she was also shrewd; and as soon as +she read in the glance of the jogi the love that filled his soul, she +sprang to her feet, and, gathering her veil about her, ran from the +place as fast as she could. The jogi tried to follow, but he was no +match for her; so, beside himself with rage at finding that he could not +overtake her, he flung at her a lance, which wounded her in the leg. The +brave princess stooped for a second to pluck the lance out of the wound, +and then ran on until she found herself safe at home again. There she +bathed and bound up the wound secretly, and told no one how naughty she +had been, for she knew that her father would punish her severely. + +Next day, when the king went to visit the jogi, the holy man would +neither speak to nor look at him. + +'What is the matter?' asked the king. 'Won't you speak to me to-day?' + +'I have nothing to say that you would care to hear,' answered the jogi. + +'Why?' said the king. 'Surely you know that I value all that you say, +whatever it may be.' + +But still the jogi sat with his face turned away, and the more the king +pressed him the more silent and mysterious he became. At last, after +much persuasion, he said: + +'Let me tell you, then, that there is in this city a creature which, +if you do not put an end to it, will kill every single person in the +place.' + +The king, who was easily frightened, grew pale. + +'What?' he gasped--'what is this dreadful thing? How am I to know it +and to catch it? Only counsel me and help me, and I will do all that you +advise.' + +'Ah!' replied the jogi, 'it is indeed dreadful. It is in the shape of a +beautiful girl, but it is really an evil spirit. Last evening it came to +visit me, and when I looked upon it its beauty faded into hideousness, +its teeth became horrible fangs, its eyes glared like coals of fire, +great claws sprang from its slender fingers, and were I not what I am it +might have consumed me.' + +The king could hardly speak from alarm, but at last he said: + +'How am I to distinguish this awful thing when I see it?' + +'Search,' said the jogi, 'for a lovely girl with a lance wound in her +leg, and when she is found secure her safely and come and tell me, and I +will advise you what to do next.' + +Away hurried the king, and soon set all his soldiers scouring the +country for a girl with a lance wound in her left. For two days the +search went on, and then it was somehow discovered that the only person +with a lance wound in the leg was the princess herself. The king, +greatly agitated, went off to tell the jogi, and to assure him that +there must be some mistake. But of course the jogi was prepared for +this, and had his answer ready. + +'She is not really your daughter, who was stolen away at her birth, but +an evil spirit that has taken her form,' said he solemnly. 'You can do +what you like, but if you don't take my advice she will kill you all.' +And so solemn he appeared, and so unshaken in his confidence, that the +king's wisdom was blinded, and he declared that he would do whatever the +jogi advised, and believe whatever he said. So the jogi directed him to +send him secretly two carpenters; and when they arrived he set them to +make a great chest, so cunningly jointed and put together that neither +air nor water could penetrate it. There and then the chest was made, +and, when it was ready, the jogi bade the king to bring the princess +by night; and they two thrust the poor little maiden into the chest and +fastened it down with long nails, and between them carried it to the +river and pushed it out into the stream. + +As soon as the jogi got back from this deed he called two of his pupils, +and pretended that it had been revealed to him that there should be +found floating on the river a chest with something of great price within +it; and he bade them go and watch for it at such a place far down the +stream, and when the chest came slowly along, bobbing and turning in the +tide, they were to seize it and secretly and swiftly bring it to him, +for he was now determined to put the princess to death himself. The +pupils set off at once, wondering at the strangeness of their errand, +and still more at the holiness of the jogi to whom such secrets were +revealed. + +It happened that, as the next morning was dawning, the gallant young +prince of Dilaram was hunting by the banks of the river, with a great +following of wazirs, attendants, and huntsmen, and as he rode he saw +floating on the river a large chest, which came slowly along, bobbing +and turning in the tide. Raising himself in his saddle, he gave an +order, and half a dozen men plunged into the water and drew the chest +out on to the river bank, where every one crowded around to see what +it could contain. The prince was certainly not the least curious among +them; but he was a cautious young man, and, as he prepared to open the +chest himself, he bade all but a few stand back, and these few to draw +their swords, so as to be prepared in case the chest should hold some +evil beast, or djinn, or giant. When all were ready and expectant, the +prince with his dagger forced open the lid and flung it back, and there +lay, living and breathing, the most lovely maiden he had ever seen in +his life. + +Although she was half stifled from her confinement in the chest, the +princess speedily revived, and, when she was able to sit up, the prince +began to question her as to who she was and how she came to be shut +up in the chest and set afloat upon the water; and she, blushing and +trembling to find herself in the presence of so many strangers, told him +that she was the princess of Rahmatabad, and that she had been put into +the chest by her own father. When he on his part told her that he +was the prince of Dilaram, the astonishment of the young people was +unbounded to find that they, who had been betrothed without ever having +seen one another, should have actually met for the first time in such +strange circumstances. In fact, the prince was so moved by her beauty +and modest ways that he called up his wazirs and demanded to be married +at once to this lovely lady who had so completely won his heart. And +married they were then and there upon the river bank, and went home to +the prince's palace, where, when the story was told, they were welcomed +by the old rajah, the prince's father, and the remainder of the day was +given over to feasting and rejoicing. But when the banquet was over, the +bride told her husband that now, on the threshold of their married +life, she had more to relate of her adventures than he had given her +the opportunity to tell as yet; and then, without hiding anything, she +informed him of all that happened to her from the time she had stolen +out to visit the wicked jogi. + +In the morning the prince called his chief wazir and ordered him to shut +up in the chest in which the princess had been found a great monkey that +lived chained up in the palace, and to take the chest back to the river +and set it afloat once more and watch what became of it. So the monkey +was caught and put into the chest, and some of the prince's servants +took it down to the river and pushed it off into the water. Then they +followed secretly a long way off to see what became of it. + +Meanwhile the jogi's two pupils watched and watched for the chest until +they were nearly tired of watching, and were beginning to wonder whether +the jogi was right after all, when on the second day they spied the +great chest coming floating on the river, slowly bobbing and turning in +the tide; and instantly a great joy and exultation seized them, for they +thought that here indeed was further proof of the wonderful wisdom of +their master. With some difficulty they secured the chest, and carried +it back as swiftly and secretly as possible to the jogi's house. As soon +as they brought in the chest, the jogi, who had been getting very cross +and impatient, told them to put it down, and to go outside whilst he +opened the magic chest. + +'And even if you hear cries and sounds, however alarming, you must on +no account enter,' said the jogi, walking over to a closet where lay the +silken cord that was to strangle the princess. + +And the two pupils did as they were told, and went outside and shut +close all the doors. Presently they heard a great outcry within and the +jogi's voice crying aloud for help; but they dared not enter, for had +they not been told that whatever the noise, they must not come in? So +they sat outside, waiting and wondering; and at last all grew still +and quiet, and remained so for such a long time that they determined +to enter and see if all was well. No sooner had they opened the door +leading into the courtyard than they were nearly upset by a huge monkey +that came leaping straight to the doorway and escaped past them into +the open fields. Then they stepped into the room, and there they saw the +jogi's body lying torn to pieces on the threshold of his dwelling! + +Very soon the story spread, as stories will, and reached the ears of the +princess and her husband, and when she knew that her enemy was dead she +made her peace with her father. + +From Major Campbell, Feroshepore. + + + + +The Heart of a Monkey + + +A long time ago a little town made up of a collection of low huts stood +in a tiny green valley at the foot of a cliff. Of course the people had +taken great care to build their houses out of reach of the highest tide +which might be driven on shore by a west wind, but on the very edge of +the town there had sprung up a tree so large that half its boughs hung +over the huts and the other half over the deep sea right under the +cliff, where sharks loved to come and splash in the clear water. The +branches of the tree itself were laden with fruit, and every day at +sunrise a big grey monkey might have been seen sitting in the topmost +branches having his breakfast, and chattering to himself with delight. + +After he had eaten all the fruit on the town side of the tree the monkey +swung himself along the branches to the part which hung over the water. +While he was looking out for a nice shady place where he might perch +comfortably he noticed a shark watching him from below with greedy eyes. + +'Can I do anything for you, my friend?' asked the monkey politely. + +'Oh! if you only would thrown me down some of those delicious things, +I should be so grateful,' answered the shark. 'After you have lived on +fish for fifty years you begin to feel you would like a change. And I am +so very, very tired of the taste of salt.' + +'Well, I don't like salt myself,' said the monkey; 'so if you will open +your mouth I will throw this beautiful juicy kuyu into it,' and, as he +spoke, he pulled one off the branch just over his head. But it was not +so easy to hit the shark's mouth as he supposed, even when the creature +had turned on his back, and the first kuyu only struck one of his teeth +and rolled into the water. However, the second time the monkey had +better luck, and the fruit fell right in. + +'Ah, how good!' cried the shark. 'Send me another, please.' And the +monkey grew tired of picking the kuyu long before the shark was tired of +eating them. + +'It is getting late, and I must be going home to my children,' he said, +at length, 'but if you are here at the same time to-morrow I will give +you another treat.' + +'Thank you, thank you,' said the shark, showing all his great ugly teeth +as he grinned with delight; 'you can't guess how happy you have made +me,' and he swam away into the shadow, hoping to sleep away the time +till the monkey came again. + +For weeks the monkey and the shark breakfasted together, and it was +a wonder that the tree had any fruit left for them. They became fast +friends, and told each other about their homes and their children, and +how to teach them all they ought to know. By and bye the monkey became +rather discontented with his green house in a grove of palms beyond the +town, and longed to see the strange things under the sea which he had +heard of from the shark. The shark perceived this very clearly, and +described greater marvels, and the monkey as he listened grew more and +more gloomy. + +Matters were in this state when one day the shark said: 'I really hardly +know how to thank you for all your kindness to me during these weeks. +Here I have nothing of my own to offer you, but if you would only +consent to come home with me, how gladly would I give you anything that +might happen to take your fancy.' + +'I should like nothing better,' cried the monkey, his teeth chattering, +as they always did when he was pleased. 'But how could I get there? Not +by water. Ugh! It makes me ill to think of it!' + +'Oh! don't let that trouble you,' replied the shark, 'you have only to +sit on my back and I will undertake that not a drop of water shall touch +you.' + +So it was arranged, and directly after breakfast next morning the shark +swam close up under the tree and the monkey dropped neatly on his back, +without even a splash. After a few minutes--for at first he felt a +little frightened at his strange position--the monkey began to enjoy +himself vastly, and asked the shark a thousand questions about the fish +and the sea-weeds and the oddly-shaped things that floated past them, +and as the shark always gave him some sort of answer, the monkey never +guessed that many of the objects they saw were as new to his guide as to +himself. + +The sun had risen and set six times when the shark suddenly said, 'My +friend, we have now performed half our journey, and it is time that I +should tell you something.' + +'What is it?' asked the monkey. 'Nothing unpleasant, I hope, for you +sound rather grave?' + +'Oh, no! Nothing at all. It is only that shortly before we left I heard +that the sultan of my country is very ill, and that the only thing to +cure him is a monkey's heart.' + +'Poor man, I am very sorry for him,' replied the monkey; 'but you were +unwise not to tell me till we had started.' + +'What do you mean?' asked the shark; but the monkey, who now understood +the whole plot, did not answer at once, for he was considering what he +should say. + +'Why are you so silent?' inquired the shark again. + +'I was thinking what a pity it was you did not tell me while I was still +on land, and then I would have brought my heart with me.' + +'Your heart! Why isn't your heart here?' said the shark, with a puzzled +expression. + +'Oh, no! Of course not. Is it possible you don't know that when we +leave home we always hang up our hearts on trees, to prevent their being +troublesome? However, perhaps you won't believe that, and will just +think I have invented it because I am afraid, so let us go on to your +country as fast as we can, and when we arrive you can look for my heart, +and if you find it you can kill me.' + +The monkey spoke in such a calm, indifferent way that the shark was +quite deceived, and began to wish he had not been in such a hurry. + +'But there is no use going on if your heart is not with you,' he said at +last. 'We had better turn back to the town, and then you can fetch it.' + +Of course, this was just what the monkey wanted, but he was careful not +to seem too pleased. + +'Well, I don't know,' he remarked carelessly, 'it is such a long way; +but you may be right.' + +'I am sure I am,' answered the shark, 'and I will swim as quickly as +I can,' and so he did, and in three days they caught sight of the kuyu +tree hanging over the water. + +With a sigh of relief the monkey caught hold of the nearest branch and +swung himself up. + +'Wait for me here,' he called out to the shark. 'I am so hungry I must +have a little breakfast, and then I will go and look for my heart,' and +he went further and further into the branches so that the shark could +not see him. Then he curled himself up and went to sleep. + +'Are you there?' cried the shark, who was soon tired of swimming about +under the cliff, and was in haste to be gone. + +The monkey awoke with a start, but did not answer. + +'Are you there?' called the shark again, louder than before, and in a +very cross voice. + +'Oh, yes. I am here,' replied the monkey; 'but I wish you had not +wakened me up. I was having such a nice nap.' + +'Have you got it?' asked the shark. 'It is time we were going.' + +'Going where?' inquired the monkey. + +'Why, to my country, of course, with your heart. You CAN'T have +forgotten!' + +'My dear friend,' answered the monkey, with a chuckle, 'I think you must +be going a little mad. Do you take me for a washerman's donkey?' + +'Don't talk nonsense,' exclaimed the shark, who did not like being +laughed at. 'What do you mean about a washerman's donkey? And I wish you +would be quick, or we may be too late to save the sultan.' + +'Did you really never hear of the washerman's donkey?' asked the monkey, +who was enjoying himself immensely. 'Why, he is the beast who has no +heart. And as I am not feeling very well, and am afraid to start while +the sun is so high lest I should get a sunstroke, if you like, I will +come a little nearer and tell you his story.' + +'Very well,' said the shark sulkily, 'if you won't come, I suppose I may +as well listen to that as do nothing.' + +So the monkey began. + +'A washerman once lived in the great forest on the other side of the +town, and he had a donkey to keep him company and to carry him wherever +he wanted to go. For a time they got on very well, but by and bye the +donkey grew lazy and ungrateful for her master's kindness, and ran away +several miles into the heart of the forest, where she did nothing but +eat and eat and eat, till she grew so fat she could hardly move. + +'One day as she was tasting quite a new kind of grass and wondering if +it was as good as what she had had for dinner the day before, a hare +happened to pass by. + +'"Well, that is a fat creature," thought she, and turned out of her path +to tell the news to a lion who was a friend of hers. Now the lion had +been very ill, and was not strong enough to go hunting for himself, and +when the hare came and told him that a very fat donkey was to be found +only a few hundred yards off, tears of disappointment and weakness +filled his eyes. + +'"What is the good of telling me that?" he asked, in a weepy voice; "you +know I cannot even walk as far as that palm." + +'"Never mind," answered the hare briskly. "If you can't go to your +dinner your dinner shall come to you," and nodding a farewell to the +lion she went back to the donkey. + +'"Good morning," said she, bowing politely to the donkey, who lifted her +head in surprise. "Excuse my interrupting you, but I have come on very +important business." + +'"Indeed," answered the donkey, "it is most kind of you to take the +trouble. May I inquire what the business is?" + +'"Certainly," replied the hare. "It is my friend the lion who has heard +so much of your charms and good qualities that he has sent me to beg +that you will give him your paw in marriage. He regrets deeply that he +is unable to make the request in person, but he has been ill and is too +weak to move." + +'"Poor fellow! How sad!" said the donkey. "But you must tell him that +I feel honoured by his proposal, and will gladly consent to be Queen of +the Beasts." + +'"Will you not come and tell him so yourself?" asked the hare. + +'Side by side they went down the road which led to the lion's house. It +took a long while, for the donkey was so fat with eating she could only +walk very slowly, and the hare, who could have run the distance in about +five minutes, was obliged to creep along till she almost dropped with +fatigue at not being able to go at her own pace. When at last they +arrived the lion was sitting up at the entrance, looking very pale and +thin. The donkey suddenly grew shy and hung her head, but the lion put +on his best manners and invited both his visitors to come in and make +themselves comfortable. + +'Very soon the hare got up and said, "Well, as I have another engagement +I will leave you to make acquaintance with your future husband," and +winking at the lion she bounded away. + +'The donkey expected that as soon as they were left alone the lion would +begin to speak of their marriage, and where they should live, but as +he said nothing she looked up. To her surprise and terror she saw him +crouching in the corner, his eyes glaring with a red light, and with a +loud roar he sprang towards her. But in that moment the donkey had had +time to prepare herself, and jumping on one side dealt the lion such a +hard kick that he shrieked with the pain. Again and again he struck at +her with his claws, but the donkey could bite too, as well as the lion, +who was very weak after his illness, and at last a well-planted kick +knocked him right over, and he rolled on the floor, groaning with pain. +The donkey did not wait for him to get up, but ran away as fast as she +could and was lost in the forest. + +'Now the hare, who knew quite well what would happen, had not gone to do +her business, but hid herself in some bushes behind the cave, where she +could hear quite clearly the sounds of the battle. When all was quiet +again she crept gently out, and stole round the corner. + +'"Well, lion, have you killed her?" asked she, running swiftly up the +path. + +'"Killed her, indeed!" answered the lion sulkily, "it is she who has +nearly killed me. I never knew a donkey could kick like that, though I +took care she should carry away the marks of my claws." + +'"Dear me! Fancy such a great fat creature being able to fight!" cried +the hare. "But don't vex yourself. Just lie still, and your wounds +will soon heal," and she bade her friend, good bye, and returned to her +family. + +'Two or three weeks passed, and only bare places on the donkey's back +showed where the lion's claws had been, while, on his side, the lion +had recovered from his illness and was now as strong as ever. He was +beginning to think that it was almost time for him to begin hunting +again, when one morning a rustle was heard in the creepers outside, and +the hare's head peeped through. + +'"Ah! there is no need to ask how you are," she said. "Still you mustn't +overtire yourself, you know. Shall I go and bring you your dinner?" + +'"If you will bring me that donkey I will tear it in two," cried the +lion savagely, and the hare laughed and nodded and went on her errand. + +'This time the donkey was much further than before, and it took longer +to find her. At last the hare caught sight of four hoofs in the air, and +ran towards them. The donkey was lying on a soft cool bed of moss near a +stream, rolling herself backwards and forwards from pleasure. + +'"Good morning," said the hare politely, and the donkey got slowly on to +her legs, and looked to see who her visitor could be. + +'"Oh, it is you, is it?" she exclaimed. "Come and have a chat. What news +have you got?" + +'"I mustn't stay," answered the hare; "but I promised the lion to beg +you to pay him a visit, as he is not well enough to call on you." + +'"Well, I don't know," replied the donkey gloomily, "the last time we +went he scratched me very badly, and really I was quite afraid." + +'"He was only trying to kiss you," said the hare, "and you bit him, and +of course that made him cross." + +'"If I were sure of that," hesitated the donkey. + +'"Oh, you may be quite sure," laughed the hare. "I have a large +acquaintance among lions. But let us be quick," and rather unwillingly +the donkey set out. + +'The lion saw them coming and hid himself behind a large tree. As the +donkey went past, followed by the hare, he sprang out, and with one blow +of his paw stretched the poor foolish creature dead before him. + +'"Take this meat and skin it and roast it," he said to the hare; "but my +appetite is not so good as it was, and the only part I want for myself +is the heart. The rest you can either eat yourself or give away to your +friends." + +'"Thank you," replied the hare, balancing the donkey on her back as +well as she was able, and though the legs trailed along the ground she +managed to drag it to an open space some distance off, where she made +a fire and roasted it. As soon as it was cooked the hare took out the +heart and had just finished eating it when the lion, who was tired of +waiting, came up. + +'"I am hungry," said he. "Bring me the creature's heart; it is just what +I want for supper." + +'"But there is no heart," answered the hare, looking up at the lion with +a puzzled face. + +'"What nonsense!" said the lion. "As if every beast had not got a heart. +What do you mean?" + +'"This is a washerman's donkey," replied the hare gravely. + +'"Well, and suppose it is?" + +'"Oh, fie!" exclaimed the hare. "You, a lion and a grown-up person, and +ask questions like that. If the donkey had had a heart would she be here +now? The first time she came she knew you were trying to kill her, and +ran away. Yet she came back a second time. Well, if she had had a heart +would she have come back a second time? Now would she?" + +'And the lion answered slowly, "No, she would not." + +'So you think I am a washerman's donkey?' said the monkey to the shark, +when the story was ended. 'You are wrong; I am not. And as the sun +is getting low in the sky, it is time for you to begin your homeward +journey. You will have a nice cool voyage, and I hope you will find the +sultan better. Farewell!' And the monkey disappeared among the green +branches, and was gone. + +From 'Swahili Tales,' by Edward Steere, LL.D. + + + + +The Fairy Nurse + + +There was once a little farmer and his wife living near Coolgarrow. They +had three children, and my story happened while the youngest was a baby. +The wife was a good wife enough, but her mind was all on her family and +her farm, and she hardly ever went to her knees without falling asleep, +and she thought the time spent in the chapel was twice as long as it +need be. So, friends, she let her man and her two children go before +her one day to Mass, while she called to consult a fairy man about a +disorder one of her cows had. She was late at the chapel, and was sorry +all the day after, for her husband was in grief about it, and she was +very fond of him. + +Late that night he was wakened up by the cries of his children calling +out 'Mother! Mother!' When he sat up and rubbed his eyes, there was no +wife by his side, and when he asked the little ones what was become of +their mother, they said they saw the room full of nice little men and +women, dressed in white and red and green, and their mother in the +middle of them, going out by the door as if she was walking in her +sleep. Out he ran, and searched everywhere round the house but, neither +tale nor tidings did he get of her for many a day. + +Well, the poor man was miserable enough, for he was as fond of his woman +as she was of him. It used to bring the salt tears down his cheeks +to see his poor children neglected and dirty, as they often were, and +they'd be bad enough only for a kind neighbour that used to look in +whenever she could spare time. The infant was away with a nurse. + +About six weeks after--just as he was going out to his work one +morning--a neighbour, that used to mind women when they were ill, came +up to him, and kept step by step with him to the field, and this is what +she told him. + +'Just as I was falling asleep last night, I heard a horse's tramp on +the grass and a knock at the door, and there, when I came out, was a +fine-looking dark man, mounted on a black horse, and he told me to get +ready in all haste, for a lady was in great want of me. As soon as I put +on my cloak and things, he took me by the hand, and I was sitting behind +him before I felt myself stirring. "Where are we going, sir?" says I. +"You'll soon know," says he; and he drew his fingers across my eyes, +and not a ray could I see. I kept a tight grip of him, and I little knew +whether he was going backwards or forwards, or how long we were about +it, till my hand was taken again, and I felt the ground under me. The +fingers went the other way across my eyes, and there we were before +a castle door, and in we went through a big hall and great rooms all +painted in fine green colours, with red and gold bands and ornaments, +and the finest carpets and chairs and tables and window curtains, and +grand ladies and gentlemen walking about. At last we came to a bedroom, +with a beautiful lady in bed, with a fine bouncing boy beside her. The +lady clapped her hands, and in came the Dark Man and kissed her and the +baby, and praised me, and gave me a bottle of green ointment to rub the +child all over. + +'Well, the child I rubbed, sure enough; but my right eye began to smart, +and I put up my finger and gave it a rub, and then stared, for never +in all my life was I so frightened. The beautiful room was a big, rough +cave, with water oozing over the edges of the stones and through the +clay; and the lady, and the lord, and the child weazened, poverty-bitten +creatures--nothing but skin and bone--and the rich dresses were old +rags. I didn't let on that I found any difference, and after a bit says +the Dark Man, "Go before me to the hall door, and I will be with you in +a few moments, and see you safe home." Well, just as I turned into the +outside cave, who should I see watching near the door but poor Molly. +She looked round all terrified, and says she to me in a whisper, "I'm +brought here to nurse the child of the king and queen of the fairies; +but there is one chance of saving me. All the court will pass the cross +near Templeshambo next Friday night, on a visit to the fairies of Old +Ross. If John can catch me by the hand or cloak when I ride by, and has +courage not to let go his grip, I'll be safe. Here's the king. Don't +open your mouth to answer. I saw what happened with the ointment." + +'The Dark Man didn't once cast his eye towards Molly, and he seemed to +have no suspicion of me. When we came out I looked about me, and where +do you think we were but in the dyke of the Rath of Cromogue. I was +on the horse again, which was nothing but a big rag-weed, and I was +in dread every minute I'd fall off; but nothing happened till I found +myself in my own cabin. The king slipped five guineas into my hand as +soon as I was on the ground, and thanked me, and bade me good night. I +hope I'll never see his face again. I got into bed, and couldn't sleep +for a long time; and when I examined my five guineas this morning, that +I left in the table drawer the last thing, I found five withered leaves +of oak--bad luck to the giver!' + +Well, you may all think the fright, and the joy, and the grief the +poor man was in when the woman finished her story. They talked and they +talked, but we needn't mind what they said till Friday night came, when +both were standing where the mountain road crosses the one going to +Ross. + +There they stood, looking towards the bridge of Thuar, in the dead of +the night, with a little moonlight shining from over Kilachdiarmid. At +last she gave a start, and "By this and by that," says she, "here they +come, bridles jingling and feathers tossing!" He looked, but could see +nothing; and she stood trembling and her eyes wide open, looking down +the way to the ford of Ballinacoola. "I see your wife," says she, +"riding on the outside just so as to rub against us. We'll walk on +quietly, as if we suspected nothing, and when we are passing I'll give +you a shove. If you don't do YOUR duty then, woe be with you!" + +Well, they walked on easy, and the poor hearts beating in both their +breasts; and though he could see nothing, he heard a faint jingle and +trampling and rustling, and at last he got the push that she promised. +He spread out his arms, and there was his wife's waist within them, and +he could see her plain; but such a hullabulloo rose as if there was an +earthquake, and he found himself surrounded by horrible-looking things, +roaring at him and striving to pull his wife away. But he made the sign +of the cross and bid them begone in God's name, and held his wife as if +it was iron his arms were made of. Bedad, in one moment everything was +as silent as the grave, and the poor woman lying in a faint in the arms +of her husband and her good neighbour. Well, all in good time she was +minding her family and her business again; and I'll go bail, after the +fright she got, she spent more time on her knees, and avoided fairy men +all the days of the week, and particularly on Sunday. + +It is hard to have anything to do with the good people without getting +a mark from them. My brave nurse didn't escape no more than another. +She was one Thursday at the market of Enniscorthy, when what did she see +walking among the tubs of butter but the Dark Man, very hungry-looking, +and taking a scoop out of one tub and out of another. 'Oh, sir,' says +she, very foolish, 'I hope your lady is well, and the baby.' 'Pretty +well, thank you,' says he, rather frightened like. 'How do I look in +this new suit?' says he, getting to one side of her. 'I can't see you +plain at all, sir,' says she. 'Well, now?' says he, getting round her +back to the other side. 'Musha, indeed, sir, your coat looks no +better than a withered dock-leaf.' 'Maybe, then,' says he, 'it will be +different now,' and he struck the eye next him with a switch. Friends, +she never saw a glimmer after with that one till the day of her death. + +'Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts,' by Patrick Kennedy. + + + + +A Lost Paradise + + +In the middle of a great forest there lived a long time ago a +charcoal-burner and his wife. They were both young and handsome and +strong, and when they got married, they thought work would never fail +them. But bad times came, and they grew poorer and poorer, and the +nights in which they went hungry to bed became more and more frequent. + +Now one evening the king of that country was hunting near the +charcoal-burner's hut. As he passed the door, he heard a sound of +sobbing, and being a good-natured man he stopped to listen, thinking +that perhaps he might be able to give some help. + +'Were there ever two people so unhappy!' said a woman's voice. 'Here we +are, ready to work like slaves the whole day long, and no work can we +get. And it is all because of the curiosity of old mother Eve! If she +had only been like me, who never want to know anything, we should all +have been as happy as kings to-day, with plenty to eat, and warm +clothes to wear. Why--' but at this point a loud knock interrupted her +lamentations. + +'Who is there?' asked she. + +'I!' replied somebody. + +'And who is "I"?' + +'The king. Let me in.' + +Full of surprise the woman jumped up and pulled the bar away from the +door. As the king entered, he noticed that there was no furniture in +the room at all, not even a chair, so he pretended to be in too great +a hurry to see anything around him, and only said 'You must not let me +disturb you. I have no time to stay, but you seemed to be in trouble. +Tell me; are you very unhappy?' + +'Oh, my lord, we can find no work and have eaten nothing for two days!' +answered she. 'Nothing remains for us but to die of hunger.' + +'No, no, you shan't do that,' cried the king, 'or if you do, it will be +your own fault. You shall come with me into my palace, and you will feel +as if you were in Paradise, I promise you. In return, I only ask one +thing of you, that you shall obey my orders exactly.' + +The charcoal-burner and his wife both stared at him for a moment, as +if they could hardly believe their ears; and, indeed, it was not to be +wondered at! Then they found their tongues, and exclaimed together: + +'Oh, yes, yes, my lord! we will do everything you tell us. How could we +be so ungrateful as to disobey you, when you are so kind?' + +The king smiled, and his eyes twinkled. + +'Well, let us start at once,' said he. 'Lock your door, and put the key +in your pocket.' + +The woman looked as if she thought this was needless, seeing it was +quite, quite certain they would never come back. But she dared not say +so, and did as the king told her. + +After walking through the forest for a couple of miles, they all +three reached the palace, and by the king's orders servants led the +charcoal-burner and his wife into rooms filled with beautiful things +such as they had never even dreamed of. First they bathed in green +marble baths where the water looked like the sea, and then they put on +silken clothes that felt soft and pleasant. When they were ready, one +of the king's special servants entered, and took them into a small hall, +where dinner was laid, and this pleased them better than anything else. + +They were just about to sit down to the table when the king walked in. + +'I hope you have been attended to properly,' said he, 'and that you will +enjoy your dinner. My steward will take care you have all you want, and +I wish you to do exactly as you please. Oh, by the bye, there is one +thing! You notice that soup-tureen in the middle of the table? Well, be +careful on no account to lift the lid. If once you take off the cover, +there is an end of your good fortune.' Then, bowing to his guests, he +left the room. + +'Did you hear what he said?' inquired the charcoal-burner in an +awe-stricken voice. 'We are to have what we want, and do what we please. +Only we must not touch the soup-tureen.' + +'No, of course we won't,' answered the wife. 'Why should we wish to? +But all the same it is rather odd, and one can't help wondering what is +inside.' + +For many days life went on like a beautiful dream to the +charcoal-burner and his wife. Their beds were so comfortable, they could +hardly make up their minds to get up, their clothes were so lovely they +could scarcely bring themselves to take them off; their dinners were so +good that they found it very difficult to leave off eating. Then outside +the palace were gardens filled with rare flowers and fruits and singing +birds, or if they desired to go further, a golden coach, painted with +wreaths of forget-me-nots and lined with blue satin, awaited their +orders. Sometimes it happened that the king came to see them, and he +smiled as he glanced at the man, who was getting rosier and plumper each +day. But when his eyes rested on the woman, they took on a look which +seemed to say 'I knew it,' though this neither the charcoal-burner nor +his wife ever noticed. + +'Why are you so silent?' asked the man one morning when dinner had +passed before his wife had uttered one word. 'A little while ago you +used to be chattering all the day long, and now I have almost forgotten +the sound of your voice.' + +'Oh, nothing; I did not feel inclined to talk, that was all!' She +stopped, and added carelessly after a pause, 'Don't you ever wonder what +is in that soup-tureen?' + +'No, never,' replied the man. 'It is no affair of ours,' and the +conversation dropped once more, but as time went on, the woman spoke +less and less, and seemed so wretched that her husband grew quite +frightened about her. As to her food, she refused one thing after +another. + +'My dear wife,' said the man at last, 'you really must eat something. +What in the world is the matter with you? If you go on like this you +will die.' + +'I would rather die than not know what is in that tureen,' she burst +forth so violently that the husband was quite startled. + +'Is that it?' cried he; 'are you making yourself miserable because of +that? Why, you know we should be turned out of the palace, and sent away +to starve.' + +'Oh no, we shouldn't. The king is too good-natured. Of course he didn't +mean a little thing like this! Besides, there is no need to lift the lid +off altogether. Just raise one corner so that I may peep. We are quite +alone: nobody will ever know.' + +The man hesitated: it did seem a 'little thing,' and if it was to make +his wife contented and happy it was well worth the risk. So he took +hold of the handle of the cover and raised it very slowly and carefully, +while the woman stooped down to peep. Suddenly she startled back with a +scream, for a small mouse had sprung from the inside of the tureen, and +had nearly hit her in the eye. Round and round the room it ran, round +and round they both ran after it, knocking down chairs and vases in +their efforts to catch the mouse and put it back in the tureen. In the +middle of all the noise the door opened, and the mouse ran out between +the feet of the king. In one instant both the man and his wife were +hiding under the table, and to all appearance the room was empty. + +'You may as well come out,' said the king, 'and hear what I have to +say.' + +'I know what it is,' answered the charcoal-burner, hanging his head. The +mouse has escaped.' + +'A guard of soldiers will take you back to your hut,' said the king. +'Your wife has the key.' + +'Weren't they silly?' cried the grandchildren of the charcoal-burners +when they heard the story. 'How we wish that we had had the chance! WE +should never have wanted to know what was in the soup-tureen!' + +From 'Litterature Orale de l'Auvergne,' par Paul Sebillot. + + + + +How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves + + +A little back from the high road there stands a house which is called +'Hemgard.' Perhaps you remember the two beautiful mountain ash trees by +the reddish-brown palings, and the high gate, and the garden with the +beautiful barberry bushes which are always the first to become grown +in spring, and which in summer are weighed down with their beautiful +berries. + +Behind the garden there is a hedge with tall aspens which rustle in the +morning wind, behind the hedge is a road, behind the road is a wood, and +behind the wood the wide world. + +But on the other side of the garden there is a lake, and beyond the lake +is a village, and all around stretch meadows and fields, now yellow, now +green. + +In the pretty house, which has white window-frames, a neat porch and +clean steps, which are always strewn with finely-cut juniper leaves, +Walter's parents live. His brother Frederick, his sister Lotta, old +Lena, Jonah, Caro and Bravo, Putte and Murre, and Kuckeliku. + +Caro lives in the dog house, Bravo in the stable, Putte with the +stableman, Murre a little here and a little there, and Kuckeliku lives +in the hen house, that is his kingdom. + +Walter is six years old, and he must soon begin to go to school. +He cannot read yet, but he can do many other things. He can turn +cartwheels, stand on his head, ride see-saw, throw snowballs, play ball, +crow like a cock, eat bread and butter and drink sour milk, tear his +trousers, wear holes in his elbows, break the crockery in pieces, throw +balls through the windowpanes, draw old men on important papers, walk +over the flower-beds, eat himself sick with gooseberries, and be well +after a whipping. For the rest he has a good heart but a bad memory, +and forgets his father's and his mother's admonitions, and so often gets +into trouble and meets with adventures, as you shall hear, but first of +all I must tell you how brave he was and how he hunted wolves. + +Once in the spring, a little before Midsummer, Walter heard that there +were a great many wolves in the wood, and that pleased him. He was +wonderfully brave when he was in the midst of his companions or at home +with his brothers and sister, then he used often to say 'One wolf is +nothing, there ought to be at least four.' + +When he wrestled with Klas Bogenstrom or Frithiof Waderfelt and struck +them in the back, he would say 'That is what I shall do to a wolf!' and +when he shot arrows at Jonas and they rattled against his sheepskin coat +he would say: 'That is how I should shoot you if you were a wolf!' + +Indeed, some thought that the brave boy boasted a little; but one must +indeed believe him since he said so himself. So Jonas and Lena used to +say of him 'Look, there goes Walter, who shoots the wolves.' And other +boys and girls would say 'Look, there goes brave Walter, who is brave +enough to fight with four.' + +There was no one so fully convinced of this as Walter himself, and one +day he prepared himself for a real wolf hunt. He took with him his drum, +which had holes in one end since the time he had climbed up on it to +reach a cluster of rowan berries, and his tin sabre, which was a little +broken, because he had with incredible courage fought his way through a +whole unfriendly army of gooseberry bushes. + +He did not forget to arm himself quite to the teeth with his pop-gun, +his bow, and his air-pistol. He had a burnt cork in his pocket to +blacken his moustache, and a red cock's feather to put in his cap to +make himself look fierce. He had besides in his trouser pocket a clasp +knife with a bone handle, to cut off the ears of the wolves as soon as +he had killed them, for he thought it would be cruel to do that while +they were still living. + +It was such a good thing that Jonas was going with corn to the mill, for +Walter got a seat on the load, while Caro ran barking beside them. As +soon as they came to the wood Walter looked cautiously around him to +see perchance there was a wolf in the bushes, and he did not omit to +ask Jonas if wolves were afraid of a drum. 'Of course they are' (that is +understood) said Jonas. Thereupon Walter began to beat his drum with all +his might while they were going through the wood. + +When they came to the mill Walter immediately asked if there had been +any wolves in the neighbourhood lately. + +'Alas! yes,' said the miller, 'last night the wolves have eaten our +fattest ram there by the kiln not far from here.' + +'Ah!' said Walter, 'do you think that there were many?' + +'We don't know,' answered the miller. + +'Oh, it is all the same,' said Walter. 'I only asked so that I should +know if I should take Jonas with me. + +'I could manage very well alone with three, but if there were more, I +might not have time to kill them all before they ran away.' + +'In Walter's place I should go quite alone, it is more manly,' said +Jonas. + +'No, it is better for you to come too,' said Walter. 'Perhaps there are +many.' + +'No, I have not time,' said Jonas, 'and besides, there are sure not to +be more than three. Walter can manage them very well alone.' + +'Yes,' said Walter, 'certainly I could; but, you see, Jonas, it might +happen that one of them might bite me in the back, and I should have +more trouble in killing them. If I only knew that there were not more +than two I should not mind, for them I should take one in each hand and +give them a good shaking, like Susanna once shook me.' + +'I certainly think that there will not be more than two,' said Jonas, +'there are never more than two when they slay children and rams; Walter +can very well shake them without me.' + +'But, you see, Jonas,' said Walter, 'if there are two, it might still +happen that one of them escapes and bites me in the leg, for you see +I am not so strong in the left hand as in the right. You can very well +come with me, and take a good stick in case there are really two. Look, +if there is only one, I shall take him so with both my hands and thrown +him living on to his back, and he can kick as much as he likes, I shall +hold him fast.' + +'Now, when I really think over the thing,' said Jonas, 'I am almost sure +there will not be more than one. What would two do with one ram? There +will certainly not be more than one.' + +'But you should come with me all the same, Jonas,' said Walter. 'You see +I can very well manage one, but I am not quite accustomed to wolves yet, +and he might tear holes in my new trousers.' + +'Well, just listen,' said Jonas, 'I am beginning to think that Walter +is not so brave as people say. First of all Walter would fight against +four, and then against three, then two, and then one, and now Walter +wants help with one. Such a thing must never be; what would people say? +Perhaps they would think that Walter is a coward?' + +'That's a lie,' said Walter, 'I am not at all frightened, but it is +more amusing when there are two. I only want someone who will see how I +strike the wolf and how the dust flies out of his skin.' + +'Well, then, Walter can take the miller's little Lisa with him. She can +sit on a stone and look on,' said Jonas. + +'No, she would certainly be frightened,' said Walter, 'and how would +it do for a girl to go wolf-hunting? Come with me, Jonas, and you shall +have the skin, and I will be content with the ears and the tail.' + +'No, thank you,' said Jonas, 'Walter can keep the skin for himself. Now +I see quite well that he is frightened. Fie, shame on him!' + +This touched Walter's pride very near. 'I shall show that I am not +frightened,' he said; and so he took his drum, sabre, cock's feather, +clasp-knife, pop-gun and air-pistol, and went off quite alone to the +wood to hunt wolves. + +It was a beautiful evening, and the birds were singing in all the +branches. Walter went very slowly and cautiously. At every step he +looked all round him to see if perchance there was anything lurking +behind the stones. He quite thought something moved away there in the +ditch. Perhaps it was a wolf. 'It is better for me to beat the drum a +little before I go there,' thought Walter. + +Br-r-r, so he began to beat his drum. Then something moved again. Caw! +caw! a crow flew up from the ditch. Walter immediately regained courage. +'It was well I took my drum with me,' he thought, and went straight on +with courageous steps. Very soon he came quite close to the kiln, where +the wolves had killed the ram. But the nearer he came the more dreadful +he thought the kiln looked. It was so gray and old. Who knew how many +wolves there might be hidden there? Perhaps the very ones which killed +the ram were still sitting there in a corner. Yes, it was not at +all safe here, and there were no other people to be seen in the +neighbourhood. It would be horrible to be eaten up here in the daylight, +thought Walter to himself; and the more he thought about it the uglier +and grayer the old kiln looked, and the more horrible and dreadful it +seemed to become the food of wolves. + +'Shall I go back and say that I struck one wolf and it escaped?' thought +Walter. 'Fie!' said his conscience, 'Do you not remember that a lie is +one of the worst sins, both in the sight of God and man? If you tell a +lie to-day and say you struck a wolf, to-morrow surely it will eat you +up.' + +'No, I will go to the kiln,' thought Walter, and so he went. But he +did not go quite near. He went only so near that he could see the ram's +blood which coloured the grass red, and some tufts of wool which the +wolves had torn from the back of the poor animal. + +It looked so dreadful. + +'I wonder what the ram thought when they ate him up,' thought Walter +to himself; and just then a cold shiver ran through him from his collar +right down to his boots. + +'It is better for me to beat the drum,' he thought to himself again, and +so he began to beat it. But it sounded horrid, and an echo came out +from the kiln that seemed almost like the howl of a wolf. The drumsticks +stiffened in Walter's hands, and he thought now they are coming...! + +Yes, sure enough, just then a shaggy, reddish-brown wolf's head looked +out from under the kiln! + +What did Walter do now? Yes, the brave Walter who alone could manage +four, threw his drum far away, took to his heels and ran, and ran as +fast as he could back to the mill. + +But, alas! the wolf ran after him. Walter looked back; the wolf was +quicker than he and only a few steps behind him. Then Walter ran faster. +But fear got the better of him, he neither heard nor saw anything more. +He ran over sticks, stones and ditches; he lost drum-sticks, sabre, +bow, and air-pistol, and in his terrible hurry he tripped over a tuft of +grass. There he lay, and the wolf jumped on to him.... + +It was a gruesome tale! Now you may well believe that it was all over +with Walter and all his adventures. That would have been a pity. But do +not be surprised if it was not quite so bad as that, for the wolf was +quite a friendly one. He certainly jumped on to Walter, but he only +shook his coat and rubbed his nose against his face; and Walter +shrieked. Yes, he shrieked terribly! + +Happily Jonas heard his cry of distress, for Walter was quite near the +mill now, and he ran and helped him up. + +'What has happened?' he asked. 'Why did Walter scream so terribly?' + +'A wolf! A wolf!' cried Walter, and that was all he could say. + +'Where is the wolf?' said Jonas. 'I don't see any wolf.' + +'Take care, he is here, he has bitten me to death,' groaned Walter. + +Then Jonas began to laugh; yes, he laughed so that he nearly burst his +skin belt. + +Well, well, was that the wolf? Was that the wolf which Walter was to +take by the neck and shake and throw down on its back, no matter how +much it struggled? Just look a little closer at him: he is your old +friend, your own good old Caro. I quite expect he found a leg of the ram +in the kiln. When Walter beat his drum, Caro crept out, and when Walter +ran away, Caro ran after him, as he so often does when Walter wants to +romp and play. + +'Down, Caro! you ought to be rather ashamed to have put such a great +hero to flight!' + +Walter got up feeling very foolish. + +'Down, Caro!' he said, both relieved and annoyed. + +'It was only a dog, then if it had been a wolf I certainly should have +killed him....' + +'If Walter would listen to my advice, and boast a little less, and do a +little more,' said Jonas, consolingly. 'Walter is not a coward, is he?' + +'I! You shall see, Jonas, when we next meet a bear. You see I like so +much better to fight with bears.' + +'Indeed!' laughed Jonas. 'Are you at it again? + +'Dear Walter, remember that it is only cowards who boast; a really brave +man never talks of his bravery.' + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + +The King of the Waterfalls + + +When the young king of Easaidh Ruadh came into his kingdom, the first +thing he thought of was how he could amuse himself best. The sports that +all his life had pleased him best suddenly seemed to have grown dull, +and he wanted to do something he had never done before. At last his face +brightened. + +'I know!' he said. 'I will go and play a game with the Gruagach.' Now +the Gruagach was a kind of wicked fairy, with long curly brown hair, and +his house was not very far from the king's house. + +But though the king was young and eager, he was also prudent, and his +father had told him on his deathbed to be very careful in his dealings +with the 'good people,' as the fairies were called. Therefore before +going to the Gruagach the king sought out a wise man of the countryside. + +'I am wanting to play a game with the curly-haired Gruagach,' said he. + +'Are you, indeed?' replied the wizard. 'If you will take my counsel, you +will play with someone else.' + +'No; I will play with the Gruagach,' persisted the king. + +'Well, if you must, you must, I suppose,' answered the wizard; 'but if +you win that game, ask as a prize the ugly crop-headed girl that stands +behind the door.' + +'I will,' said the king. + +So before the sun rose he got up and went to the house of the Gruagach, +who was sitting outside. + +'O king, what has brought you here to-day?' asked the Gruagach. 'But +right welcome you are, and more welcome will you be still if you will +play a game with me.' + +'That is just what I want,' said the king, and they played; and +sometimes it seemed as if one would win, and sometimes the other, but in +the end it was the king who was the winner. + +'And what is the prize that you will choose?' inquired the Gruagach. + +'The ugly crop-headed girl that stands behind the door,' replied the +king. + +'Why, there are twenty others in the house, and each fairer than she!' +exclaimed the Gruagach. + +'Fairer they may be, but it is she whom I wish for my wife, and none +other,' and the Gruagach saw that the king's mind was set upon her, so +he entered his house, and bade all the maidens in it come out one by +one, and pass before the king. + +One by one they came; tall and short, dark and fair, plump and thin, and +each said 'I am she whom you want. You will be foolish indeed if you do +not take me.' + +But he took none of them, neither short nor tall, dark nor fair, plump +nor thin, till at the last the crop-headed girl came out. + +'This is mine,' said the king, though she was so ugly that most men +would have turned from her. 'We will be married at once, and I will +carry you home.' And married they were, and they set forth across a +meadow to the king's house. As they went, the bride stooped and picked +a sprig of shamrock, which grew amongst the grass, and when she stood +upright again her ugliness had all gone, and the most beautiful woman +that ever was seen stood by the king's side. + +The next day, before the sun rose, the king sprang from his bed, and +told his wife he must have another game with the Gruagach. + +'If my father loses that game, and you win it,' said she, 'accept +nothing for your prize but the shaggy young horse with the stick +saddle.' + +'I will do that,' answered the king, and he went. + +'Does your bride please you?' asked the Gruagach, who was standing at +his own door. + +'Ah! does she not!' answered the king quickly. 'Otherwise I should be +hard indeed to please. But will you play a game to-day?' + +'I will,' replied the Gruagach, and they played, and sometimes it seemed +as if one would win, and sometimes the other, but in the end the king +was the winner. + +'What is the prize that you will choose?' asked the Gruagach. + +'The shaggy young horse with the stick saddle,' answered the king, but +he noticed that the Gruagach held his peace, and his brow was dark as he +led out the horse from the stable. Rough was its mane and dull was its +skin, but the king cared nothing for that, and throwing his leg over the +stick saddle, rode away like the wind. + +On the third morning the king got up as usual before dawn, and as soon +as he had eaten food he prepared to go out, when his wife stopped +him. 'I would rather,' she said, 'that you did not go to play with the +Gruagach, for though twice you have won yet some day he will win, and +then he will put trouble upon you.' + +'Oh! I must have one more game,' cried the king; 'just this one.' And he +went off to the house of the Gruagach. + +Joy filled the heart of the Gruagach when he saw him coming, and without +waiting to talk they played their game. Somehow or other, the king's +strength and skill had departed from him, and soon the Gruagach was the +victor. + +'Choose your prize,' said the king, when the game was ended, 'but do not +be too hard on me, or ask what I cannot give.' + +'The prize I choose,' answered the Gruagach, 'is that the crop-headed +creature should take thy head and thy neck, if thou dost not get for +me the Sword of Light that hangs in the house of the king of the oak +windows.' + +'I will get it,' replied the young man bravely; but as soon as he was +out of sight of the Gruagach he pretended no more, and his face grew +dark and his steps lagging. + +'You have brought nothing with you to-night,' said the queen, who was +standing on the steps awaiting him. She was so beautiful that the king +was fain to smile when he looked at her, but then he remembered what had +happened, and his heart grew heavy again. + +'What is it? What is the matter? Tell me thy sorrow that I may bear it +with thee, or, it may be, help thee!' Then the king told her everything +that had befallen him, and she stroked his hair the while. + +'That is nothing to grieve about,' she said when the tale was finished. +'You have the best wife in Erin, and the best horse in Erin. Only do as +I bid you, and all will go well.' And the king suffered himself to be +comforted. + +He was still sleeping when the queen rose and dressed herself, to make +everything ready for her husband's journey; and the first place she went +to was the stable, where she fed and watered the shaggy brown horse and +put the saddle on it. Most people thought this saddle was of wood, and +did not see the little sparkles of gold and silver that were hidden in +it. She strapped it lightly on the horse's back, and then led it down +before the house, where the king waited. + +'Good luck to you, and victories in all your battles,' she said, as she +kissed him before he mounted. 'I need not be telling you anything. Take +the advice of the horse, and see you obey it.' + +So he waved his hand and set out on his journey, and the wind was not +swifter than the brown horse--no, not even the March wind which raced it +and could not catch it. But the horse never stopped nor looked behind, +till in the dark of the night he reached the castle of the king of the +oak windows. + +'We are at the end of the journey,' said the horse, 'and you will find +the Sword of Light in the king's own chamber. If it comes to you without +scrape or sound, the token is a good one. At this hour the king is +eating his supper, and the room is empty, so none will see you. The +sword has a knob at the end, and take heed that when you grasp it, you +draw it softly out of its sheath. Now go! I will be under the window.' + +Stealthily the young man crept along the passage, pausing now and then +to make sure that no man was following him, and entered the king's +chamber. A strange white line of light told him where the sword was, and +crossing the room on tiptoe, he seized the knob, and drew it slowly out +of the sheath. The king could hardly breathe with excitement lest it +should make some noise, and bring all the people in the castle running +to see what was the matter. But the sword slid swiftly and silently +along the case till only the point was left touching it. Then a low +sound was heard, as of the edge of a knife touching a silver plate, and +the king was so startled that he nearly dropped the knob. + +'Quick! quick!' cried the horse, and the king scrambled hastily through +the small window, and leapt into the saddle. + +'He has heard and he will follow,' said the horse; 'but we have a good +start,' And on they sped, on and on, leaving the winds behind them. + +At length the horse slackened its pace. 'Look and see who is behind +you,' it said; and the young man looked. + +'I see a swarm of brown horses racing madly after us,' he answered. + +'We are swifter than those,' said the horse, and flew on again. + +'Look again, O king! Is anyone coming now?' + +'A swarm of black horses, and one has a white face, and on that horse a +man is seated. He is the king of the oak windows.' + +'That is my brother, and swifter still than I,' said the horse, 'and he +will fly past me with a rush. Then you must have your sword ready, and +take off the head of the man who sits on him, as he turns and looks at +you. And there is no sword in the world that will cut off his head, save +only that one.' + +'I will do it,' replied the king; and he listened with all his might, +till he judged that the white-faced horse was close to him. Then he sat +up very straight and made ready. + +The next moment there was a rushing noise as of a mighty tempest, and +the young man caught a glimpse of a face turned towards him. Almost +blindly he struck, not knowing whether he had killed or only wounded +the rider. But the head rolled off, and was caught in the brown horse's +mouth. + +'Jump on my brother, the black horse, and go home as fast as you can, +and I will follow as quickly as I may,' cried the brown horse; and +leaping forward the king alighted on the back of the black horse, but +so near the tail that he almost fell off again. But he stretched out his +arm and clutched wildly at the mane and pulled himself into the saddle. + +Before the sky was streaked with red he was at home again, and the queen +was sitting waiting till he arrived, for sleep was far from her eyes. +Glad was she to see him enter, but she said little, only took her harp +and sang softly the songs which he loved, till he went to bed, soothed +and happy. + +It was broad day when he woke, and he sprang up saying: + +'Now I must go to the Gruagach, to find out if the spells he laid on me +are loose.' + +'Have a care,' answered the queen, 'for it is not with a smile as on the +other days that he will greet you. Furiously he will meet you, and will +ask you in his wrath if you have got the sword, and you will reply that +you have got it. Next he will want to know how you got it, and to this +you must say that but for the knob you had not got it at all. Then he +will raise his head to look at the knob, and you must stab him in the +mole which is on the right side of his neck; but take heed, for if you +miss the mole with the point of the sword, then my death and your death +are certain. He is brother to the king of the oak windows, and sure +will he be that the king must be head, or the sword would not be in your +hands.' After that she kissed him, and bade him good speed. + +'Didst thou get the sword?' asked the Gruagach, when they met in the +usual place. + +'I got the sword.' + +'And how didst thou get it?' + +'If it had not had a knob on the top, then I had not got it,' answered +the king. + +'Give me the sword to look at,' said the Gruagach, peering forward; but +like a flash the king had drawn it from under his nose and pierced the +mole, so that the Gruagach rolled over on the ground. + +'Now I shall be at peace,' thought the king. But he was wrong, for when +he reached home he found his servants tied together back to back with +cloths bound round their mouths, so that they could not speak. He +hastened to set them free, and he asked who had treated them in so evil +a manner. + +'No sooner had you gone than a great giant came, and dealt with us as +you see, and carried off your wife and your two horses,' said the men. + +'Then my eyes will not close nor will my head lay itself down till I +fetch my wife and horses home again,' answered he, and he stopped and +noted the tracks of the horses on the grass, and followed after them +till he arrived at the wood, when the darkness fell. + +'I will sleep here,' he said to himself, 'but first I will make a fire,' +And he gathered together some twigs that were lying about, and then took +two dry sticks and rubbed them together till the fire came, and he sat +by it. + +The twigs cracked and the flame blazed up, and a slim yellow dog pushed +through the bushes and laid his head on the king's knee, and the king +stroked his head. + +'Wuf, wuf,' said the dog. 'Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy +horses when the giant drove them last night through the forest.' + +'That is why I have come,' answered the king; and suddenly his heart +seemed to fail him and he felt that he could not go on. + +'I cannot fight that giant,' he cried, looking at the dog with a white +face. 'I am afraid, let me turn homewards.' + +'No, don't do that,' replied the dog. 'Eat and sleep, and I will watch +over you.' So the king ate and lay down, and slept till the sun waked +him. + +'It is time for you to start on your way,' said the dog, 'and if danger +presses, call on me, and I will help you.' + +'Farewell, then,' answered the king; 'I will not forget that promise,' +and on he went, and on, and on, till he reached a tall cliff with many +sticks lying about. + +'It is almost night,' he thought; 'I will make a fire and rest,' and +thus he did, and when the flames blazed up, the hoary hawk of the grey +rock flew on to a bough above him. + +'Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed here +with the giant,' said the hawk. + +'Never shall I find them,' answered the king, 'and nothing shall I get +for all my trouble.' + +'Oh, take heart,' replied the hawk; 'things are never so bad but what +they might be worse. Eat and sleep and I will watch thee,' and the +king did as he was bidden by the hawk, and by the morning he felt brave +again. + +'Farewell,' said the bird, 'and if danger presses call to me, and I will +help you.' + +On he walked, and on and on, till as dusk was falling he came to a great +river, and on the bank there were sticks lying about. + +'I will make myself a fire,' he thought, and thus he did, and by and +bye a smooth brown head peered at him from the water, and a long body +followed it. + +'Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed the +river last night,' said the otter. + +'I have sought them and not found them,' answered the king, 'and nought +shall I get for my trouble.' + +'Be not so downcast,' replied the otter; 'before noon to-morrow thou +shalt behold thy wife. But eat and sleep and I will watch over thee.' So +the king did as the otter bid him, and when the sun rose he woke and saw +the otter lying on the bank. + +'Farewell,' cried the otter as he jumped into the water, 'and if danger +presses, call to me and I will help you.' + +For many hours the king walked, and at length he reached a high rock, +which was rent into two by a great earthquake. Throwing himself on the +ground he looked over the side, and right at the very bottom he saw his +wife and his horses. His heart gave a great bound, and all his fears +left him, but he was forced to be patient, for the sides of the rock +were smooth, and not even a goat could find foothold. So he got up +again, and made his way round through the wood, pushing by trees, +scrambling over rocks, wading through streams, till at last he was on +flat ground again, close to the mouth of the cavern. + +His wife gave a shriek of joy when he came in, and then burst into +tears, for she was tired and very frightened. But her husband did not +understand why she wept, and he was tired and bruised from his climb, +and a little cross too. + +'You give me but a sorry welcome,' grumbled he, 'when I have half-killed +myself to get to you.' + +'Do not heed him,' said the horses to the weeping woman; 'put him in +front of us, where he will be safe, and give him food, for he is weary.' +And she did as the horses told her, and he ate and rested, till by and +bye a long shadow fell over them, and their hearts beat with fear, for +they knew that the giant was coming. + +'I smell a stranger,' cried the giant, as he entered; but it was dark +inside the chasm, and he did not see the king, who was crouching down +between the feet of the horses. + +'A stranger, my lord! no stranger ever comes here, not even the sun!' +and the king's wife laughed gaily as she went up to the giant and +stroked the huge hand which hung down by his side. + +'Well, I perceive nothing, certainly,' answered he, 'but it is very odd. +However, it is time that the horses were fed;' and he lifted down +an armful of hay from a shelf of rock and held out a handful to each +animal, who moved forward to meet him, leaving the king behind. As soon +as the giant's hands were near their mouths they each made a snap, and +began to bit them, so that his groans and shrieks might have been heard +a mile off. Then they wheeled round and kicked him till they could +kick no more. At length the giant crawled away, and lay quivering in a +corner, and the queen went up to him. + +'Poor thing! poor thing!' she said, 'they seem to have gone mad; it was +awful to behold.' + +'If I had had my soul in my body they would certainly have killed me,' +groaned the giant. + +'It was lucky indeed,' answered the queen; 'but tell me, where is thy +soul, that I may take care of it?' + +'Up there, in the Bonnach stone,' answered the giant, pointing to a +stone which was balanced loosely on an edge of rock. 'But now leave me, +that I may sleep, for I have far to go to-morrow.' + +Soon snores were heard from the corner where the giant lay, and then +the queen lay down too, and the horses, and the king was hidden between +them, so that none could see him. + +Before the dawn the giant rose and went out, and immediately the queen +ran up to the Bonnach stone, and tugged and pushed at it till it was +quite steady on its ledge, and could not fall over. And so it was in the +evening when the giant came home; and when they saw his shadow, the king +crept down in front of the horses. + +'Why, what have you done to the Bonnach stone?' asked the giant. + +'I feared lest it should fall over, and be broken, with your soul in +it,' said the queen, 'so I put it further back on the ledge.' + +'It is not there that my soul is,' answered he, 'it is on the threshold. +But it is time the horses were fed;' and he fetched the hay, and gave it +to them, and they bit and kicked him as before, till he lay half dead on +the ground. + +Next morning he rose and went out, and the queen ran to the threshold +of the cave, and washed the stones, and pulled up some moss and little +flowers that were hidden in the crannies, and by and bye when dusk had +fallen the giant came home. + +'You have been cleaning the threshold,' said he. + +'And was I not right to do it, seeing that your soul is in it?' asked +the queen. + +'It is not there that my soul is,' answered the giant. 'Under the +threshold is a stone, and under the stone is a sheep, and in the sheep's +body is a duck, and in the duck is an egg, and in the egg is my soul. +But it is late, and I must feed the horses;' and he brought them the +hay, but they only bit and kicked him as before, and if his soul had +been within him, they would have killed him outright. + +It was still dark when the giant got up and went his way, and then +the king and the queen ran forward to take up the threshold, while +the horses looked on. But sure enough! just as the giant had said, +underneath the threshold was the flagstone, and they pulled and tugged +till the stone gave way. Then something jumped out so suddenly, that it +nearly knocked them down, and as it fled past, they saw it was a sheep. + +'If the slim yellow dog of the greenwood were only here, he would soon +have that sheep,' cried the king; and as he spoke, the slim yellow dog +appeared from the forest, with the sheep in his mouth. With a blow from +the king, the sheep fell dead, and they opened its body, only to be +blinded by a rush of wings as the duck flew past. + +'If the hoary hawk of the rock were only here, he would soon have that +duck,' cried the king; and as he spoke the hoary hawk was seen hovering +above them, with the duck in his mouth. They cut off the duck's head +with a swing of the king's sword, and took the egg out of its body, +but in his triumph the king held it carelessly, and it slipped from his +hand, and rolled swiftly down the hill right into the river. + +'If the brown otter of the stream were only here, he would soon have +that egg,' cried the king; and the next minute there was the brown +otter, dripping with water, holding the egg in his mouth. But beside the +brown otter, a huge shadow came stealing along--the shadow of the giant. + +The king stood staring at it, as if he were turned into stone, but the +queen snatched the egg from the otter and crushed it between her two +hands. And after that the shadow suddenly shrank and was still, and they +knew that the giant was dead, because they had found his soul. + +Next day they mounted the two horses and rode home again, visiting their +friends the brown otter and the hoary hawk and the slim yellow dog by +the way. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + +A French Puck + + +Among the mountain pastures and valleys that lie in the centre of France +there dwelt a mischievous kind of spirit, whose delight it was to play +tricks on everybody, and particularly on the shepherds and the cowboys. +They never knew when they were safe from him, as he could change himself +into a man, woman or child, a stick, a goat, a ploughshare. Indeed, +there was only one thing whose shape he could not take, and that was a +needle. At least, he could transform himself into a needle, but try as +he might he never was able to imitate the hole, so every woman would +have found him out at once, and this he knew. + +Now the hour oftenest chosen by this naughty sprite (whom we will +call Puck) for performing his pranks was about midnight, just when the +shepherds and cowherds, tired out with their long day's work, were sound +asleep. Then he would go into the cowsheds and unfasten the chains that +fixed each beast in its own stall, and let them fall with a heavy clang +to the ground. The noise was so loud that it was certain to awaken the +cowboys, however fatigued they might be, and they dragged themselves +wearily to the stable to put back the chains. But no sooner had they +returned to their beds than the same thing happened again, and so on +till the morning. Or perhaps Puck would spend his night in plaiting +together the manes and tails of two of the horses, so that it would take +the grooms hours of labour to get them right in the morning, while Puck, +hidden among the hay in the loft, would peep out to watch them, enjoying +himself amazingly all the time. + +One evening more than eighty years ago a man named William was passing +along the bank of a stream when he noticed a sheep who was bleating +loudly. William thought it must have strayed from the flock, and that he +had better take it home with him till he could discover its owner. So +he went up to where it was standing, and as it seemed so tired that it +could hardly walk, he hoisted it on his shoulders and continued on +his way. The sheep was pretty heavy, but the good man was merciful and +staggered along as best he could under his load. + +'It is not much further,' he thought to himself as he reached an avenue +of walnut trees, when suddenly a voice spoke out from over his head, and +made him jump. + +'Where are you?' said the voice, and the sheep answered: + +'Here on the shoulders of a donkey.' + +In another moment the sheep was standing on the ground and William was +running towards home as fast as his legs would carry him. But as he +went, a laugh, which yet was something of a bleat, rang in his ears, and +though he tried not to hear, the words reached him, 'Oh, dear! What fun +I have had, to be sure!' + +Puck was careful not always to play his tricks in the same place, but +visited one village after another, so that everyone trembled lest he +should be the next victim. After a bit he grew tired of cowboys and +shepherds, and wondered if there was no one else to give him some sport. +At length he was told of a young couple who were going to the nearest +town to buy all that they needed for setting up house. Quite certain +that they would forget something which they could not do without, Puck +waited patiently till they were jogging along in their cart on their +return journey, and changed himself into a fly in order to overhear +their conversation. + +For a long time it was very dull--all about their wedding day next +month, and who were to be invited. This led the bride to her wedding +dress, and she gave a little scream. + +'Just think! Oh! how could I be so stupid! I have forgotten to buy the +different coloured reels of cotton to match my clothes!' + +'Dear, dear!' exclaimed the young man. 'That is unlucky; and didn't you +tell me that the dressmaker was coming in to-morrow?' + +'Yes, I did,' and then suddenly she gave another little scream, which +had quite a different sound from the first. 'Look! Look!' + +The bridegroom looked, and on one side of the road he saw a large ball +of thread of all colours--of all the colours, that is, of the dresses +that were tied on to the back of the cart. + +'Well, that is a wonderful piece of good fortune,' cried he, as he +sprang out to get it. 'One would think a fairy had put it there on +purpose.' + +'Perhaps she has,' laughed the girl, and as she spoke she seemed to hear +an echo of her laughter coming from the horse, but of course that was +nonsense. + +The dressmaker was delighted with the thread that was given her. It +matched the stuffs so perfectly, and never tied itself in knots, or +broke perpetually, as most thread did. She finished her work much +quicker than she expected and the bride said she was to be sure to come +to the church and see her in her wedding dress. + +There was a great crowd assembled to witness the ceremony, for the young +people were immense favourites in the neighbourhood, and their parents +were very rich. The doors were open, and the bride could be seen from +afar, walking under the chestnut avenue. + +'What a beautiful girl!' exclaimed the men. 'What a lovely dress!' +whispered the women. But just as she entered the church and took the +hand of the bridegroom, who was waiting for her, a loud noise was heard. + +'Crick! crack! Crick! crack!' and the wedding garments fell to the +ground, to the great confusion of the wearer. + +Not that the ceremony was put off for a little thing like that! Cloaks +in profusion were instantly offered to the young bride, but she was so +upset that she could hardly keep from tears. One of the guests, more +curious than the rest, stayed behind to examine the dress, determined, +if she could, to find out the cause of the disaster. + +'The thread must have been rotten,' she said to herself. 'I will see if +I can break it.' But search as she would she could find none. + +The thread had vanished! + +From 'Litterature Orale de l'Auvergne,' par Paul Sebillot. + + + + +The Three Crowns + + +There was once a king who had three daughters. The two eldest were very +proud and quarrelsome, but the youngest was as good as they were bad. +Well, three princes came to court them, and two of them were exactly +like the eldest ladies, and one was just as lovable as the youngest. One +day they were all walking down to a lake that lay at the bottom of the +lawn when they met a poor beggar. The king wouldn't give him anything, +and the eldest princesses wouldn't give him anything, nor their +sweethearts; but the youngest daughter and her true love did give him +something, and kind words along with it, and that was better than all. + +When they got to the edge of the lake what did they find but the +beautifullest boat you ever saw in your life; and says the eldest, 'I'll +take a sail in this fine boat'; and says the second eldest, 'I'll take a +sail in this fine boat'; and says the youngest, 'I won't take a sail in +that fine boat, for I am afraid it's an enchanted one.' But the others +persuaded her to go in, and her father was just going in after her, when +up sprung on the deck a little man only seven inches high, and ordered +him to stand back. Well, all the men put their hands to their swords; +and if the same swords were only playthings, they weren't able to draw +them, for all strength that was left their arms. Seven Inches loosened +the silver chain that fastened the boat, and pushed away, and after +grinning at the four men, says he to them. 'Bid your daughters and your +brides farewell for awhile. You,' says he to the youngest, 'needn't +fear, you'll recover your princess all in good time, and you and she +will be as happy as the day is long. Bad people, if they were rolling +stark naked in gold, would not be rich. Good-bye.' Away they sailed, and +the ladies stretched out their hands, but weren't able to say a word. + +Well, they weren't crossing the lake while a cat 'ud be lickin' her ear, +and the poor men couldn't stir hand or foot to follow them. They saw +Seven Inches handing the three princesses out of the boat, and letting +them down by a basket into a draw-well, but king nor princes ever saw an +opening before in the same place. When the last lady was out of sight, +the men found the strength in their arms and legs again. Round the lake +they ran, and never drew rein till they came to the well and windlass; +and there was the silk rope rolled on the axle, and the nice white +basket hanging to it. 'Let me down,' says the youngest prince. 'I'll die +or recover them again.' 'No,' says the second daughter's sweetheart, 'it +is my turn first.' And says the other, 'I am the eldest.' So they gave +way to him, and in he got into the basket, and down they let him. First +they lost sight of him, and then, after winding off a hundred perches of +the silk rope, it slackened, and they stopped turning. They waited two +hours, and then they went to dinner, because there was no pull made at +the rope. + +Guards were set till next morning, and then down went the second prince, +and sure enough, the youngest of all got himself let down on the third +day. He went down perches and perches, while it was as dark about him +as if he was in a big pot with a cover on. At last he saw a glimmer far +down, and in a short time he felt the ground. Out he came from the big +lime-kiln, and, lo! and behold you, there was a wood, and green fields, +and a castle in a lawn, and a bright sky over all. 'It's in Tir-na-n-Oge +I am,' says he. 'Let's see what sort of people are in the castle.' On he +walked, across fields and lawn, and no one was there to keep him out or +let him into the castle; but the big hall-door was wide open. He went +from one fine room to another that was finer, and at last he reached the +handsomest of all, with a table in the middle. And such a dinner as was +laid upon it! The prince was hungry enough, but he was too mannerly to +eat without being invited. So he sat by the fire, and he did not wait +long till he heard steps, and in came Seven Inches with the youngest +sister by the hand. Well, prince and princess flew into one another's +arms, and says the little man, says he, 'Why aren't you eating?' 'I +think, sir,' says the prince, 'it was only good manner to wait to be +asked.' 'The other princes didn't think so,' says he. 'Each o' them fell +to without leave, and only gave me the rough words when I told them they +were making more free than welcome. Well, I don't think they feel much +hunger now. There they are, good marble instead of flesh and blood,' +says he, pointing to two statues, one in one corner, and the other in +the other corner of the room. The prince was frightened, but he was +afraid to say anything, and Seven Inches made him sit down to dinner +between himself and his bride; and he'd be as happy as the day is long, +only for the sight of the stone men in the corner. Well, that day went +by, and when the next came, says Seven Inches to him, 'Now, you'll have +to set out that way,' pointing to the sun, 'and you'll find the second +princess in a giant's castle this evening, when you'll be tired and +hungry, and the eldest princess to-morrow evening; and you may as well +bring them here with you. You need not ask leave of their masters; and +perhaps if they ever get home, they'll look on poor people as if they +were flesh and blood like themselves.' + +Away went the prince, and bedad! it's tired and hungry he was when he +reached the first castle, at sunset. Oh, wasn't the second princess glad +to see him! And what a good supper she gave him. But she heard the giant +at the gate, and she hid the prince in a closet. Well, when he came in, +he snuffed, an' he snuffed, and says he, 'By the life, I smell fresh +meat.' 'Oh,' says the princess, 'it's only the calf I got killed +to-day.' 'Ay, ay,' says he, 'is supper ready?' 'It is,' says she; and +before he rose from the table he ate three-quarters of a calf, and a +flask of wine. 'I think,' says he, when all was done, 'I smell fresh +meat still.' 'It's sleepy you are,' says she; 'go to bed.' 'When will +you marry me?' says the giant. 'You're putting me off too long.' 'St. +Tibb's Eve,' says she. 'I wish I knew how far off that is,' says he; and +he fell asleep, with his head in the dish. + +Next day, he went out after breakfast, and she sent the prince to the +castle where the eldest sister was. The same thing happened there; but +when the giant was snoring, the princess wakened up the prince, and they +saddled two steeds in the stables and rode into the field on them. But +the horses' heels struck the stones outside the gate, and up got the +giant and strode after them. He roared and he shouted, and the more he +shouted, the faster ran the horses, and just as the day was breaking he +was only twenty perches behind. But the prince didn't leave the castle +of Seven Inches without being provided with something good. He reined +in his steed, and flung a short, sharp knife over his shoulder, and up +sprung a thick wood between the giant and themselves. They caught the +wind that blew before them, and the wind that blew behind them did not +catch them. At last they were near the castle where the other sister +lived; and there she was, waiting for them under a high hedge, and a +fine steed under her. + +But the giant was now in sight, roaring like a hundred lions, and the +other giant was out in a moment, and the chase kept on. For every two +springs the horses gave, the giants gave three, and at last they were +only seventy perches off. Then the prince stopped again, and flung the +second knife behind him. Down went all the flat field, till there was a +quarry between them a quarter of a mile deep, and the bottom filled with +black water; and before the giants could get round it, the prince and +princesses were inside the kingdom of the great magician, where the high +thorny hedge opened of itself to everyone that he chose to let in. There +was joy enough between the three sisters, till the two eldest saw their +lovers turned into stone. But while they were shedding tears for them, +Seven Inches came in, and touched them with his rod. So they were flesh, +and blood, and life once more, and there was great hugging and kissing, +and all sat down to breakfast, and Seven Inches sat at the head of the +table. + +When breakfast was over, he took them into another room, where there +was nothing but heaps of gold, and silver, and diamonds, and silks, +and satins; and on a table there was lying three sets of crowns: a gold +crown was in a silver crown, and that was lying in a copper crown. +He took up one set of crowns, and gave it to the eldest princess; and +another set, and gave it to the second youngest princess; and another, +and gave it to the youngest of all; and says he, 'Now you may all go to +the bottom of the pit, and you have nothing to do but stir the basket, +and the people that are watching above will draw you up. But remember, +ladies, you are to keep your crows safe, and be married in them, all +the same day. If you be married separately, or if you be married without +your crowns, a curse will follow--mind what I say.' + +So they took leave of him with great respect, and walked arm-in-arm to +the bottom of the draw-well. There was a sky and a sun over them, and +a great high wall, covered with ivy, rose before them, and was so high +they could not see to the top of it; and there was an arch in this wall, +and the bottom of the draw-well was inside the arch. The youngest +pair went last; and says the princess to the prince, 'I'm sure the two +princes don't mean any good to you. Keep these crowns under your cloak, +and if you are obliged to stay last, don't get into the basket, but put +a big stone, or any heavy thing inside, and see what will happen.' + +As soon as they were inside the dark cave, they put in the eldest +princess first, and stirred the basket, and up she went. Then the basket +was let down again, and up went the second princess, and then up went +the youngest; but first she put her arms round her prince's neck, and +kissed him, and cried a little. At last it came to the turn of the +youngest prince, and instead of going into the basket he put in a big +stone. He drew on one side and listened, and after the basket was drawn +up about twenty perches, down came it and the stone like thunder, and +the stone was broken into little bits. + +Well, the poor prince had nothing for it but to walk back to the castle; +and through it and round it he walked, and the finest of eating and +drinking he got, and a bed of bog-down to sleep on, and long walks he +took through gardens and lawns, but not a sight could he get, high or +low, of Seven Inches. He, before a week, got tired of it, he was so +lonesome for his true love; and at the end of a month he didn't know +what to do with himself. + +One morning he went into the treasure room, and took notice of a +beautiful snuff-box on the table that he didn't remember seeing there +before. He took it in his hands and opened it, and out Seven Inches +walked on the table. 'I think, prince,' says he, 'you're getting a +little tired of my castle?' 'Ah!' says the other, 'if I had my princess +here, and could see you now and then, I'd never know a dismal day.' +'Well, you're long enough here now, and you're wanted there above. +Keep your bride's crowns safe, and whenever you want my help, open this +snuff-box. Now take a walk down the garden, and come back when you're +tired.' + +The prince was going down a gravel walk with a quickset hedge on each +side, and his eyes on the ground, and he was thinking of one thing +and another. At last he lifted his eyes, and there he was outside of +a smith's gate that he often passed before, about a mile away from the +palace of his betrothed princess. The clothes he had on him were as +ragged as you please, but he had his crowns safe under his old cloak. + +Then the smith came out, and says he, 'It's a shame for a strong, big +fellow like you to be lazy, and so much work to be done. Are you any +good with hammer and tongs? Come in and bear a hand, an I'll give you +diet and lodging, and a few pence when you earn them.' 'Never say't +twice,' says the prince. 'I want nothing but to be busy.' So he took the +hammer, and pounded away at the red-hot bar that the smith was turning +on the anvil to make into a set of horse-shoes. + +They hadn't been long at work when a tailor came in, and he sat down +and began to talk. 'You all heard how the two princess were loth to +be married till the youngest would be ready with her crowns and her +sweetheart. But after the windlass loosened accidentally when they were +pulling up her bridegroom that was to be, there was no more sign of a +well, or a rope, or a windlass, than there is on the palm of your hand. +So the princes that were courting the eldest ladies wouldn't give +peace or ease to their lovers nor the king till they got consent to the +marriage, and it was to take place this morning. Myself went down out o' +curiousity, and to be sure I was delighted with the grand dresses of +the two brides, and the three crowns on their heads--gold, silver, and +copper, one inside the other. The youngest was standing by mournful +enough, and all was ready. The two bridegrooms came in as proud and +grand as you please, and up they were walking to the altar rails, when +the boards opened two yards wide under their feet, and down they went +among the dead men and the coffins in the vaults. Oh, such shrieks as +the ladies gave! and such running and racing and peeping down as there +was! but the clerk soon opened the door of the vault, and up came the +two princes, their fine clothes covered an inch thick with cobwebs and +mould. + +So the king said they should put off the marriage. 'For,' says he, 'I +see there is no use in thinking of it till the youngest gets her three +crowns, and is married with the others. I'll give my youngest daughter +for a wife to whoever brings three crowns to me like the others; and if +he doesn't care to be married, some other one will, and I'll make his +fortune.' + +'I wish,' says the smith, 'I could do it; but I was looking at the +crowns after the princesses got home, and I don't think there's a black +or a white smith on the face of the earth that could imitate them.' +'Faint heart never won fair lady,' says the prince. 'Go to the palace +and ask for a quarter of a pound of gold, a quarter of a pound of +silver, and a quarter of a pound of copper. Get one crown for a pattern, +and my head for a pledge, I'll give you out the very things that are +wanted in the morning.' 'Are you in earnest?' says the smith. 'Faith, I +am so,' says he. 'Go! you can't do worse than lose.' + +To make a long story short, the smith got the quarter of a pound of +gold, and the quarter of a pound of silver, and the quarter of a pound +of copper, and gave them and the pattern crown to the prince. He shut +the forge door at nightfall, and the neighbours all gathered in the +yard, and they heard him hammering, hammering, hammering, from that to +daybreak; and every now and then he'd throw out through the window bits +of gold, silver, and copper; and the idlers scrambled for them, and +cursed one another, and prayed for the good luck of the workman. + +Well, just as the sun was thinking to rise, he opened the door, and +brought out the three crowns he got from his true love, and such +shouting and huzzaing as there was! The smith asked him to go along with +him to the palace, but he refused; so off set the smith, and the whole +townland with him; and wasn't the king rejoiced when he saw the crowns! +'Well,' says he to the smith, 'you're a married man. What's to be done?' +'Faith, your majesty, I didn't make them crowns at all. It was a big +fellow that took service with me yesterday.' 'Well, daughter, will +you marry the fellow that made these crowns?' 'Let me see them first, +father,' said she; but when she examined them she knew them right well, +and guessed it was her true love that sent them. 'I will marry the man +that these crowns came from,' says she. + +'Well,' says the king to the elder of the two princes, 'go up to the +smith's forge, take my best coaches, and bring home the bridegroom.' He +did not like doing this, he was so proud, but he could not refuse. +When he came to the forge he saw the prince standing at the door, and +beckoned him over to the coach. 'Are you the fellow,' says he, 'that +made these crowns?' 'Yes,' says the other. 'Then,' says he, 'maybe you'd +give yourself a brushing, and get into that coach; the king wants to see +you. I pity the princess.' The young prince got into the carriage, and +while they were on the way he opened the snuff-box, and out walked Seven +Inches, and stood on his thigh. 'Well,' says he, 'what trouble is on you +now?' 'Master,' says the other, 'please let me go back to my forge, and +let this carriage be filled with paving stones.' No sooner said than +done. The prince was sitting in his forge, and the horses wondered what +was after happening to the carriage. + +When they came into the palace yard, the king himself opened the +carriage door, for respect to his new son-in-law. As soon as he turned +the handle, a shower of small stones fell on his powdered wig and his +silk coat, and down he fell under them. There was great fright and some +laughter, and the king, after he wiped the blood from his forehead, +looked very cross at the eldest prince. 'My lord,' says he, 'I'm very +sorry for this accident, but I'm not to blame. I saw the young smith get +into the carriage, and we never stopped a minute since.' 'It's uncivil +you were to him. Go,' says he to the other prince, 'and bring the young +smith here, and be polite.' 'Never fear,' says he. + +But there's some people that couldn't be good-natured if they tried, and +not a bit civiller was the new messenger than the old, and when the king +opened the carriage door a second time, it's shower of mud that came +down on him. 'There's no use,' says he, 'going on this way. The fox +never got a better messenger than himself.' + +So he changed his clothes, and washed himself, and out he set to the +prince's forge and asked him to sit along with himself. The prince +begged to be allowed to sit in the other carriage, and when they were +half-way he opened his snuff-box. 'Master,' says he, 'I'd wish to be +dressed now according to my rank.' 'You shall be that,' says Seven +Inches. 'And now I'll bid you farewell. Continue as good and kind as you +always were; love your wife; and that's all the advice I'll give you.' +So Seven Inches vanished; and when the carriage door was opened in the +yard, out walks the prince as fine as hands could make him, and the +first thing he did was to run over to his bride and embrace her. + +Every one was full of joy but the two other princes. There was not much +delay about the marriages, and they were all celebrated on the one day. +Soon after, the two elder couples went to their own courts, but the +youngest pair stayed with the old king, and they were as happy as the +happiest married couple you ever heard of in a story. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + +The Story of a Very Bad Boy + + +Once upon a time there lived in a little village in the very middle of +France a widow and her only son, a boy about fifteen, whose name was +Antoine, though no one ever called him anything but Toueno-Boueno. They +were very poor indeed, and their hut shook about their ears on windy +nights, till they expected the walls to fall in and crush them, but +instead of going to work as a boy of his age ought to do, Toueno-Boueno +did nothing but lounge along the street, his eyes fixed on the ground, +seeing nothing that went on round him. + +'You are very, very stupid, my dear child,' his mother would sometimes +say to him, and then she would add with a laugh, 'Certainly you will +never catch a wolf by the tail.' + +One day the old woman bade Antoine go into the forest and collect enough +dry leaves to make beds for herself and him. Before he had finished it +began to rain heavily, so he hid himself in the hollow trunk of a tree, +where he was so dry and comfortable that he soon fell fast asleep. By +and by he was awakened by a noise which sounded like a dog scratching +at the door, and he suddenly felt frightened, why he did not know. Very +cautiously he raised his head, and right above him he saw a big hairy +animal, coming down tail foremost. + +'It is the wolf that they talk so much about,' he said to himself, and +he made himself as small as he could and shrunk into a corner. + +The wolf came down the inside of the tree, slowly, slowly; Antoine +felt turned to stone, so terrified was he, and hardly dared to breathe. +Suddenly an idea entered his mind, which he thought might save him +still. He remembered to have heard from his mother that a wolf could +neither bend his back nor turn his head, so as to look behind him, and +quick as lightning he stretched up his hand, and seizing the wolf's +tail, pulled it towards him. + +Then he left the tree and dragged the animal to his mother's house. + +'Mother, you have often declared that I was too stupid to catch a wolf +by the tail. Now see,' he cried triumphantly. + +'Well, well, wonders will never cease,' answered the good woman, who +took care to keep at a safe distance. 'But as you really have got him, +let us see if we can't put him to some use. Fetch the skin of the ram +which died last week out of the chest, and we will sew the wolf up in +it. He will make a splendid ram, and to-morrow we will drive him to the +fair and sell him.' + +Very likely the wolf, who was cunning and clever, may have understood +what she said, but he thought it best to give no sign, and suffered the +skin to be sewn upon him. + +'I can always get away if I choose,' thought he, 'it is better not to +be in a hurry;' so he remained quite still while the skin was drawn over +his head, which made him very hot and uncomfortable, and resisted the +temptation to snap off the fingers or noses that were so close to his +mouth. + +The fair was at its height next day when Toueno-Boueno arrived with his +wolf in ram's clothing. All the farmers crowded round him, each offering +a higher price than the last. Never had they beheld such a beautiful +beast, said they, and at last, after much bargaining, he was handed over +to three brothers for a good sum of money. + +It happened that these three brothers owned large flocks of sheep, +though none so large and fine as the one they had just bought. + +'My flock is the nearest,' observed the eldest brother; 'we will leave +him in the fold for the night, and to-morrow we will decide which +pastures will be best for him.' And the wolf grinned as he listened, and +held up his head a little higher than before. + +Early next morning the young farmer began to go his rounds, and the +sheep-fold was the first place he visited. To his horror, the sheep were +all stretched out dead before him, except one, which the wolf had eaten, +bones and all. Instantly the truth flashed upon him. It was no ram that +lay curled up in the corner pretending to be asleep (for in reality he +could bend back and turn his head as much as he liked), but a wolf who +was watching him out of the corner of his eye, and might spring upon him +at any moment. So the farmer took no notice, and only thought that here +was a fine chance of revenging himself on his next brother for a trick +which he had played, and merely told him that the ram would not eat the +grass in that field, and it might be well to drive him to the pasture by +the river, where his own flock was feeding. The second brother eagerly +swallowed the bait, and that evening the wolf was driven down to the +field where the young man kept the sheep which had been left him by +his father. By the next morning they also were all dead, but the second +brother likewise held his peace, and allowed the sheep which belonged +to the youngest to share the fate of the other two. Then they met and +confessed to each other their disasters, and resolved to take the +animal as fast as possible back to Toueno-Boueno, who should get a sound +thrashing. + +Antoine was sitting on a plum tree belonging to a neighbour, eating +the ripe fruit, when he saw the three young farmers coming towards him. +Swinging himself down, he flew home to the hut, crying breathlessly, +'Mother, mother, the farmers are close by with the wolf. They have found +out all about it, and will certainly kill me, and perhaps you too. But +if you do as I tell you, I may be able to save us both. Lie down on +the floor, and pretend to be dead, and be sure not to speak, whatever +happens. + +Thus when the three brothers, each armed with a whip, entered the hut a +few seconds later, they found a woman extended on the floor, and Toueno +kneeling at her side, whistling loudly into her ears. + +'What are you doing now, you rascal?' asked the eldest. + +'What am I doing? Oh, my poor friends, I am the most miserable creature +in the world! I have lost the best of mothers, and I don't know what +will become of me,' and he hid his face in his hands and sobbed again. + +'But what are you whistling like that for?' + +'Well, it is the only chance. This whistle has been known to bring the +dead back to life, and I hoped--' here he buried his face in his hands +again, but peeping between his fingers he saw that the brother had +opened their six eyes as wide as saucers. + +'Look!' he suddenly exclaimed with a cry, 'Look! I am sure I felt her +body move! And now her nostrils are twitching. Ah! the whistle has +not lost its power after all,' and stooping down, Toueno whistled more +loudly than before, so that the old woman's feet and hands showed signs +of life, and she soon was able to life her head. + +The farmers were so astonished at her restoration, that it was some +time before they could speak. At length the eldest turned to the boy and +said: + +'Now listen to me. There is no manner of doubt that you are a young +villain. You sold us a ram knowing full well that it was a wolf, and +we came here to-day to pay you out for it. But if you will give us that +whistle, we will pardon what you have done, and will leave you alone.' + +'It is my only treasure, and I set great store by it,' answered the boy, +pretending to hesitate. 'But as you wish for it so much, well, I suppose +I can't refuse,' and he held out the whistle, which the eldest brother +put in his pocket. + +Armed with the precious whistle, the three brothers returned home full +of joy, and as they went the youngest said to the others, 'I have such +a good idea! Our wives are all lazy and grumbling, and make our lives a +burden. Let us give them a lesson, and kill them as soon as we get in. +Of course we can restore them to life at once, but they will have had a +rare fright.' + +'Ah, how clever you are,' answered the other two. 'Nobody else would +have thought of that.' + +So gaily the three husbands knocked down their three wives, who fell +dead to the ground. Then one by one the men tried the whistle, and blew +so loudly that it seemed as if their lungs would burst, but the women +lay stark and stiff and never moved an eyelid. The husbands grew pale +and cold, for they had never dreamed of this, nor meant any harm, and +after a while they understood that their efforts were of no use, and +that once more the boy had tricked them. With stern faces they rose to +their feet, and taking a large sack they retraced their steps to the +hut. + +This time there was no escape. Toueno had been asleep, and only opened +his eyes as they entered. Without a word on either side they thrust +him into the sack, and tying up the mouth, the eldest threw it over his +shoulder. After that they all set out to the river, where they intended +to drown the boy. + +But the river was a long way off, and the day was very hot, and Antoine +was heavy, heavier than a whole sheaf of corn. They carried him in +turns, but even so they grew very tired and thirsty, and when a little +tavern came in sight on the roadside, they thankfully flung the sack +down on a bench and entered to refresh themselves. They never noticed +that a beggar was sitting in the shade at the end of the bench, but +Toueno's sharp ears caught the sound of someone eating, and as soon as +the farmers had gone into the inn he began to groan softly. + +'What is the matter?' asked the beggar, drawing a little nearer. 'Why +have they shut you up, poor boy?' + +'Because they wanted to make me a bishop, and I would not consent,' +answered Toueno. + +'Dear me,' exclaimed the beggar, 'yet it isn't such a bad thing to be a +bishop.' + +'I don't say it is,' replied the young rascal, 'but I should never like +it. However, if you have any fancy for wearing a mitre, you need only +untie the sack, and take my place.' + +'I should like nothing better,' said the man, as he stooped to undo the +big knot. + +So it was the beggar and not Toueno-Boueno who was flung into the water. + +The next morning the three wives were buried, and on returning from the +cemetery, their husbands met Toueno-Boueno driving a magnificent +flock of sheep. At the sight of him the three farmers stood still with +astonishment. + +'What! you scoundrel!' they cried at last, 'we drowned you yesterday, +and to-day we find you again, as well as ever!' + +'It does seem odd, doesn't it?' answered he. 'But perhaps you don't know +that beneath this world there lies another yet more beautiful and far, +far richer. Well, it was there that you sent me when you flung me into +the river, and though I felt a little strange at first, yet I soon began +to look about me, and to see what was happening. There I noticed that +close to the place where I had fallen, a sheep fair was being held, and +a bystander told me that every day horses or cattle were sold somewhere +in the town. If I had only had the luck to be thrown into the river on +the side of the horse fair I might have made my fortune! As it was, I +had to content myself with buying these sheep, which you can get for +nothing.' + +'And do you know exactly the spot in the river which lies over the horse +fair?' + +'As if I did not know it, when I have seen it with my own eyes.' + +'Then if you do not want us to avenge our dead flocks and our murdered +wives, you will have to throw us into the river just over the place of +the horse fair.' + +'Very well; only you must get three sacks and come with me to that rock +which juts into the river. I will throw you in from there, and you will +fall nearly on to the horses' backs.' + +So he threw them in, and as they were never seen again, no one ever knew +into which fair they had fallen. + +From 'Litterature Orale de L'Auvergne,' par Paul Sebillot. + + + + +The Brown Bear of Norway + + +There was once a king in Ireland, and he had three daughters, and very +nice princesses they were. And one day, when they and their father were +walking on the lawn, the king began to joke with them, and to ask them +whom they would like to be married to. 'I'll have the king of Ulster for +a husband,' says one; 'and I'll have the king of Munster,' says another; +'and,' says the youngest, 'I'll have no husband but the Brown Bear of +Norway.' For a nurse of hers used to be telling her of an enchanted +prince that she called by that name, and she fell in love with him, and +his name was the first name on her tongue, for the very night before she +was dreaming of him. Well, one laughed, and another laughed, and they +joked with the princess all the rest of the evening. But that very night +she woke up out of her sleep in a great hall that was lighted up with +a thousand lamps; the richest carpets were on the floor, and the walls +were covered with cloth of gold and silver, and the place was full of +grand company, and the very beautiful prince she saw in her dreams was +there, and it wasn't a moment till he was on one knee before her, and +telling her how much he loved her, and asking her wouldn't she be his +queen. Well, she hadn't the heart to refuse him, and married they were +the same evening. + +'Now, my darling,' says he, when they were left by themselves, 'you +must know that I am under enchantment. A sorceress, that had a beautiful +daughter, wished me for her son-in-law; but the mother got power over +me, and when I refused to wed her daughter she made me take the form of +a bear by day, and I was to continue so till a lady would marry me of +her own free will, and endure five years of great trials after.' + +Well, when the princess woke in the morning, she missed her husband from +her side, and spent the day very sadly. But as soon as the lamps were +lighted in the grand hall, where she was sitting on a sofa covered with +silk, the folding doors flew open, and he was sitting by her side the +next minute. So they spent another happy evening, but he warned her that +whenever she began to tire of him, or ceased to have faith in him, +they would be parted for ever, and he'd be obliged to marry the witch's +daughter. + +She got used to find him absent by day, and they spent a happy +twelvemonth together, and at last a beautiful little boy was born; and +happy as she was before, she was twice as happy now, for she had her +child to keep her company in the day when she couldn't see her husband. + +At last, one evening, when herself, and himself, and her child were +sitting with a window open because it was a sultry night, in flew an +eagle, took the infant's sash in his beak, and flew up in the air with +him. She screamed, and was going to throw herself out the window after +him, but the prince caught her, and looked at her very seriously. She +bethought of what he said soon after their marriage, and she stopped the +cries and complaints that were on her tongue. She spent her days very +lonely for another twelvemonth, when a beautiful little girl was sent to +her. Then she thought to herself she'd have a sharp eye about her this +time; so she never would allow a window to be more than a few inches +open. + +But all her care was in vain. Another evening, when they were all so +happy, and the prince dandling the baby, a beautiful greyhound stood +before them, took the child out of the father's hand, and was out of +the door before you could wink. This time she shouted and ran out of +the room, but there were some of the servants in the next room, and all +declared that neither child nor dog passed out. She felt, somehow, as if +it was her husband's fault, but still she kept command over herself, and +didn't once reproach him. + +When the third child was born she would hardly allow a window or a door +to be left open for a moment; but she wasn't the nearer to keep the +child to herself. They were sitting one evening by the fire, when a +lady appeared standing by them. The princess opened her eyes in a great +fright and stared at her, and while she was doing so, the lady wrapped +a shawl round the baby that was sitting in its father's lap, and either +sank through the ground with it or went up through the wide chimney. +This time the mother kept her bed for a month. + +'My dear,' said she to her husband, when she was beginning to recover, +'I think I'd feel better if I was to see my father and mother and +sisters once more. If you give me leave to go home for a few days I'd +be glad.' 'Very well,' said he, 'I will do that, and whenever you feel +inclined to return, only mention your wish when you lie down at night.' +The next morning when she awoke she found herself in her own old chamber +in her father's palace. She rang the bell, and in a short time she had +her mother and father and married sisters about her, and they laughed +till they cried for joy at finding her safe back again. + +In time she told them all that had happened to her, and they didn't know +what to advise her to do. She was as fond of her husband as ever, and +said she was sure that he couldn't help letting the children go; but +still she was afraid beyond the world to have another child torn from +her. Well, the mother and sisters consulted a wise woman that used to +bring eggs to the castle, for they had great faith in her wisdom. She +said the only plan was to secure the bear's skin that the prince was +obliged to put on every morning, and get it burned, and then he couldn't +help being a man night and day, and the enchantment would be at an end. + +So they all persuaded her to do that, and she promised she would; and +after eight days she felt so great a longing to see her husband again +that she made the wish the same night, and when she woke three hours +after, she was in her husband's palace, and he himself was watching over +her. There was great joy on both sides, and they were happy for many +days. + +Now she began to think how she never minded her husband leaving her in +the morning, and how she never found him neglecting to give her a sweet +drink out of a gold cup just as she was going to bed. + +One night she contrived not to drink any of it, though she pretended to +do so; and she was wakeful enough in the morning, and saw her husband +passing out through a panel in the wainscot, though she kept her eyelids +nearly closed. The next night she got a few drops of the sleepy posset +that she saved the evening before put into her husband's night drink, +and that made him sleep sound enough. She got up after midnight, passed +through the panel, and found a Beautiful brown bear's hide hanging in +the corner. Then she stole back, and went down to the parlour fire, and +put the hide into the middle of it till it was all fine ashes. She then +lay down by her husband, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and fell asleep. + +If she was to live a hundred years she'd never forget how she wakened +next morning, and found her husband looking down on her with misery and +anger in his face. 'Unhappy woman,' said he, 'you have separated us for +ever! Why hadn't you patience for five years? I am now obliged, whether +I like or no, to go a three days' journey to the witch's castle, and +marry her daughter. The skin that was my guard you have burned it, and +the egg-wife that gave you the counsel was the witch herself. I won't +reproach you: your punishment will be severe without it. Farewell for +ever!' + +He kissed her for the last time, and was off the next minute, walking +as fast as he could. She shouted after him, and then seeing there was no +use, she dressed herself and pursued him. He never stopped, nor stayed, +nor looked back, and still she kept him in sight; and when he was on the +hill she was in the hollow, and when he was in the hollow she was on +the hill. Her life was almost leaving her, when, just as the sun was +setting, he turned up a lane, and went into a little house. She crawled +up after him, and when she got inside there was a beautiful little boy +on his knees, and he kissing and hugging him. 'Here, my poor darling,' +says he, 'is your eldest child, and there,' says he, pointing to a woman +that was looking on with a smile on her face, 'is the eagle that carried +him away.' She forgot all her sorrows in a moment, hugging her child, +and laughing and crying over him. The woman washed their feet, and +rubbed them with an ointment that took all the soreness out of their +bones, and made them as fresh as a daisy. Next morning, just before +sunrise, he was up, and prepared to be off, 'Here,' said he to her, 'is +a thing which may be of use to you. It's a scissors, and whatever stuff +you cut with it will be turned into silk. The moment the sun rises, I'll +lose all memory of yourself and the children, but I'll get it at sunset +again. Farewell!' But he wasn't far gone till she was in sight of him +again, leaving her boy behind. It was the same to-day as yesterday: +their shadows went before them in the morning and followed them in the +evening. He never stopped, and she never stopped, and as the sun was +setting he turned up another lane, and there they found their little +daughter. It was all joy and comfort again till morning, and then the +third day's journey commenced. + +But before he started he gave her a comb, and told her that whenever she +used it, pearls and diamonds would fall from her hair. Still he had his +memory from sunset to sunrise; but from sunrise to sunset he travelled +on under the charm, and never threw his eye behind. This night they +came to where the youngest baby was, and the next morning, just before +sunrise, the prince spoke to her for the last time. 'Here, my poor +wife,' said he, 'is a little hand-reel, with gold thread that has no +end, and the half of our marriage ring. If you ever get to my house, +and put your half-ring to mine, I shall recollect you. There is a wood +yonder, and the moment I enter it I shall forget everything that ever +happened between us, just as if I was born yesterday. Farewell, dear +wife and child, for ever!' Just then the sun rose, and away he walked +towards the wood. She saw it open before him and close after him, and +when she came up, she could no more get in than she could break +through a stone wall. She wrung her hands and shed tears, but then she +recollected herself, and cried out, 'Wood, I charge you by my three +magic gifts, the scissors, the comb, and the reel--to let me through'; +and it opened, and she went along a walk till she came in sight of a +palace, and a lawn, and a woodman's cottage on the edge of the wood +where it came nearest the palace. + +She went into the lodge, and asked the woodman and his wife to take her +into their service. They were not willing at first; but she told them +she would ask no wages, and would give them diamonds, and pearls, and +silk stuffs, and gold thread whenever they wished for them, and then +they agreed to let her stay. + +It wasn't long till she heard how a young prince, that was just arrived, +was living in the palace of the young mistress. He seldom stirred +abroad, and every one that saw him remarked how silent and sorrowful he +went about, like a person that was searching for some lost thing. + +The servants and conceited folk at the big house began to take notice +of the beautiful young woman at the lodge, and to annoy her with their +impudence. The head footman was the most troublesome, and at last she +invited him to come and take tea with her. Oh, how rejoiced he was, and +how he bragged of it in the servants' hall! Well, the evening came, and +the footman walked into the lodge, and was shown to her sitting-room; +for the lodge-keeper and his wife stood in great awe of her, and gave +her two nice rooms for herself. Well, he sat down as stiff as a ramrod, +and was talking in a grand style about the great doings at the castle, +while she was getting the tea and toast ready. 'Oh,' says she to him, +'would you put your hand out at the window and cut me off a sprig or two +of honeysuckle?' He got up in great glee, and put out his hand and head; +and said she, 'By the virtue of my magic gifts, let a pair of horns +spring out of your head, and sing to the lodge.' Just as she wished, so +it was. They sprung from the front of each ear, and met at the back. Oh, +the poor wretch! And how he bawled and roared! and the servants that he +used to be boasting to were soon flocking from the castle, and grinning, +and huzzaing, and beating tunes on tongs and shovels and pans; and he +cursing and swearing, and the eyes ready to start out of his head, and +he so black in the face, and kicking out his legs behind him like mad. + +At last she pitied him, and removed the charm, and the horns dropped +down on the ground, and he would have killed her on the spot, only he +was as weak as water, and his fellow-servants came in and carried him up +to the big house. Well, some way or other the story came to the ears of +the prince, and he strolled down that way. She had only the dress of a +countrywoman on her as she sat sewing at the window, but that did not +hide her beauty, and he was greatly puzzled after he had a good look, +just as a body is puzzled to know whether something happened to him when +he was young or if he only dreamed it. Well, the witch's daughter heard +about it too, and she came to see the strange girl; and what did she +find her doing but cutting out the pattern of a gown from brown paper; +and as she cut away, the paper became the richest silk she ever saw. The +witch's daughter looked on with greedy eyes, and, says she, 'What would +you be satisfied to take for that scissors?' 'I'll take nothing,' says +she, 'but leave to spend one night outside the prince's chamber.' Well, +the proud lady fired up, and was going to say something dreadful; but +the scissors kept on cutting, and the silk growing richer and richer +every inch. So she promised what the girl had asked her. + +When night came on she was let into the palace and lay down till the +prince was in such a dead sleep that all she did couldn't awake him. +She sung this verse to him, sighing and sobbing, and kept singing it the +night long, and it was all in vain: + +Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore to thee; +Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + +At the first dawn the proud lady was in the chamber, and led her away, +and the footman of the horns put out his tongue at her as she was +quitting the palace. + +So there was no luck so far; but the next day the prince passed by again +and looked at her, and saluted her kindly, as a prince might a farmer's +daughter, and passed one; and soon the witch's daughter passed by, and +found her combing her hair, and pearls and diamonds dropping from it. + +Well, another bargain was made, and the princess spent another night of +sorrow, and she left the castle at daybreak, and the footman was at his +post and enjoyed his revenge. + +The third day the prince went by, and stopped to talk with the strange +woman. He asked her could he do anything to serve her, and she said he +might. She asked him did he ever wake at night. He said that he often +did, but that during the last two nights he was listening to a sweet +song in his dreams, and could not wake, and that the voice was one that +he must have known and loved in some other world long ago. Says she, +'Did you drink any sleepy posset either of these evenings before you +went to bed?' 'I did,' said he. 'The two evenings my wife gave me +something to drink, but I don't know whether it was a sleepy posset or +not.' 'Well, prince,' said she, 'as you say you would wish to oblige me, +you can do it by not tasting any drink to-night.' 'I will not,' says he, +and then he went on his walk. + +Well, the great lady came soon after the prince, and found the stranger +using her hand-reel and winding threads of gold off it, and the third +bargain was made. + +That evening the prince was lying on his bed at twilight, and his mind +much disturbed; and the door opened, and in his princess walked, and +down she sat by his bedside and sung: + +Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore to thee; +Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + +'Brown Bear of Norway!' said he. 'I don't understand you.' 'Don't you +remember, prince, that I was your wedded wife for four years?' 'I do +not,' said he, 'but I'm sure I wish it was so.' 'Don't you remember our +three babes that are still alive?' 'Show me them. My mind is all a heap +of confusion.' 'Look for the half of our marriage ring, that hangs at +your neck, and fit it to this.' He did so, and the same moment the charm +was broken. His full memory came back on him, and he flung his arms +round his wife's neck, and both burst into tears. + +Well, there was a great cry outside, and the castle walls were heard +splitting and cracking. Everyone in the castle was alarmed, and made +their way out. The prince and princess went with the rest, and by the +time all were safe on the lawn, down came the building, and made the +ground tremble for miles round. No one ever saw the witch and her +daughter afterwards. It was not long till the prince and princess had +their children with them, and then they set out for their own palace. +The kings of Ireland and of Munster and Ulster, and their wives, soon +came to visit them, and may every one that deserves it be as happy as +the Brown Bear of Norway and his family. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + +Little Lasse + + +There was once a little boy whose name was Lars, and because he was so +little he was called Little Lasse; he was a brave little man, for he +sailed round the world in a pea-shell boat. + +It was summer time, when the pea shells grew long and green in the +garden. Little Lasse crept into the pea bed where the pea stalks rose +high above his cap, and he picked seventeen large shells, the longest +and straightest he could find. + +Little Lasse thought, perhaps, that no one saw him; but that was +foolish, for God sees everywhere. + +Then the gardener came with his gun over his shoulder, and he heard +something rustling in the pea bed. + +'I think that must be a sparrow,' he said. 'Ras! Ras!' but no sparrows +flew out, for Little Lasse had no wings, only two small legs. 'Wait! I +will load my gun and shoot the sparrows,' said the gardener. + +Then Little Lasse was frightened, and crept out on to the path. + +'Forgive me, dear gardener!' he said. 'I wanted to get some fine boats.' + +'Well, I will this time,' said the gardener. 'But another time Little +Lasse must ask leave to go and look for boats in the pea bed.' + +'I will,' answered Lasse; and he went off to the shore. Then he opened +the shells with a pin, split them carefully in two, and broke small +little bits of sticks for the rowers' seats. Then he took the peas which +were in the shells and put them in the boats for cargo. Some of the +shells got broken, some remained whole, and when all were ready Lasse +had twelve boats. But they should not be boats, they should be large +warships. He had three liners, three frigates, three brigs and three +schooners. The largest liner was called Hercules, and the smallest +schooner The Flea. Little Lasse put all the twelve into the water, and +they floated as splendidly and as proudly as any great ships over the +waves of the ocean. + +And now the ships must sail round the world. The great island over there +was Asia; that large stone Africa; the little island America; the small +stones were Polynesia; and the shore from which the ships sailed out was +Europe. The whole fleet set off and sailed far away to other parts of +the world. The ships of the line steered a straight course to Asia, the +frigates sailed to Africa, the brigs to America, and the schooners to +Polynesia. But Little Lasse remained in Europe, and threw small stones +out into the great sea. + +Now, there was on the shore of Europe a real boat, father's own, a +beautiful white-painted boat, and Little Lasse got into it. Father and +mother had forbidden this, but Little Lasse forgot. He thought he should +very much like to travel to some other part of the world. + +'I shall row out a little way--only a very little way,' he thought. The +pea-shell boats had travelled so far that they only looked like little +specks on the ocean. 'I shall seize Hercules on the coast of Asia,' said +Lasse, 'and then row home again to Europe.' + +He shook the rope that held the boat, and, strange to say, the rope +became loose. Ditsch, ratsch, a man is a man, and so Little Lasse manned +the boat. + +Now he would row--and he could row, for he had rowed so often on the +step sat home, when the steps pretended to be a boat and father's big +stick an oar. But when Little Lasse wanted to row there were no oars +to be found in the boat. The oars were locked up in the boat-house, and +Little Lasse had not noticed that the boat was empty. It is not so easy +as one thinks to row to Asia without oars. + +What could Little Lasse do now? The boat was already some distance out +on the sea, and the wind, which blew from land, was driving it still +further out. Lasse was frightened and began to cry. But there was no +one on the shore to hear him. Only a big crow perched alone in the birch +tree; and the gardener's black cat sat under the birch tree, waiting to +catch the crow. Neither of them troubled themselves in the least about +Little Lasse, who was drifting out to sea. + +Ah! how sorry Little Lasse was now that he had been disobedient and got +into the boat, when father and mother had so often forbidden him to do +so! Now it was too late, he could not get back to land. Perhaps he would +be lost out on the great sea. What should he do? + +When he had shouted until he was tired and no one heard him, he put +his two little hands together and said, 'Good God, do not be angry with +Little Lasse.' And then he went to sleep. For although it was daylight, +old Nukku Matti was sitting on the shores of the 'Land of Nod,' and was +fishing for little children with his long fishing rod. He heard the low +words which Little Lasse said to God, and he immediately drew the boat +to himself and laid Little Lasse to sleep on a bed of rose leaves. + +Then Nukku Matti said to one of the Dreams, 'Play with Little Lasse, so +that he does not feel lonesome.' + +It was a little dream-boy, so little, so little, that he was less than +Lasse himself; he had blue eyes and fair hair, a red cap with a silver +band, and white coat with pearls on the collar. He came to Little Lasse +and said, 'Would you like to sail round the world?' + +'Yes,' said Lasse in his sleep, 'I should like to.' + +'Come, then,' said the dream-boy, 'and let us sail in your pea-shell +boats. You shall sail in Hercules and I shall sail in The Flea.' + +So they sailed away from the 'Land of Nod,' and in a little while +Hercules and The Flea were on the shores of Asia away at the other end +of the world, where the Ice Sea flows through Behring Straits into the +Pacific Ocean. A long way off in the winter mist they could see the +explorer Nordenskiold with his ship Vega trying to find an opening +between the ice. It was so cold, so cold; the great icebergs glittered +strangely, and the huge whales now lived under the ice, for they could +not make a hole through with their awkward heads. All around on the +dreary shore there was snow and snow as far as the eye could see; little +grey men in shaggy skins moved about, and drove in small sledges through +the snow drifts, but the sledges were drawn by dogs. + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy. + +'No,' said Little Lasse. 'I am so afraid that the whales would swallow +us up, and the big dogs bite us. Let us sail instead to another part of +the world.' + +'Very well,' said the dream-boy with the red cap and the silver band; +'it is not far to America'--and at the same moment they were there. + +The sun was shining and it was very warm. Tall palm trees grew in long +rows on the shore and bore coconuts in their top branches. Men red as +copper galloped over the immense green prairies and shot their arrows +at the buffaloes, who turned against them with their sharp horns. An +enormous cobra which had crept up the stem of a tall palm tree threw +itself on to a little llama that was grazing at the foot. Knaps! it was +all over the little llama. + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy. + +'No,' said Little Lasse. 'I am so afraid that the buffaloes will butt +us, and the great serpent eat us up. Let us travel to another part of +the world.' + +'Very well,' said the dream-boy with the white coat, 'it is only a +little way to Polynesia'--and then they were there. + +It was very warm there, as warm as in a hot bath in Finland. Costly +spices grew on the shores: the pepper plant, the cinnamon tree, ginger, +saffron; the coffee plant and the tea plant. Brown people with long ears +and thick lips, and hideously painted faces, hunted a yellow-spotted +tiger among the high bamboos on the shore, and the tiger turned on them +and stuck its claws into one of the brown men. Then all the others took +to flight. + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy. + +'No,' said Little Lasse. 'Don't you see the tiger away there by the +pepper plant? Let us travel to another part of the world.' + +'We can do so,' said the dream-boy with the blue eyes. 'We are not far +from Africa'--and as he said that they were there. + +They anchored at the mouth of a great river where the shores were +as green as the greenest velvet. A little distance from the river an +immense desert stretched away. The air was yellow; the sun shone so hot, +so hot as if it would burn the earth to ashes, and the people were as +black as the blackest jet. They rode across the desert on tall camels; +the lions roared with thirst, and the great crocodiles with their grey +lizard heads and sharp white teeth gaped up out of the river. + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy. + +'No,' said Little Lasse. 'The sun would burn us, and the lions and the +crocodiles would eat us up. Let us travel to another part of the world.' + +'We can travel back to Europe,' said the dream-boy with the fair hair. +And with that they were there. + +They came to a shore where it was all so cool and familiar and friendly. +There stood the tall birch tree with its drooping leaves; at the top sat +the old crow, and at its foot crept the gardener's black cat. Not far +away was a house which Little Lasse had seen before; near the house +there was a garden, and in the garden a pea bed with long pea shells. +An old gardener with a green coat walked about and wondered if the +cucumbers were ripe. Fylax was barking on the steps, and when he saw +Little Lasse he wagged his tail. Old Stina was milking the cows in the +farmyard, and there was a very familiar lady in a check woollen shawl +on her way to the bleaching green to see if the clothes were bleached. +There was, too, a well-known gentleman in a yellow summer coat, with a +long pipe in his mouth; he was going to see if the reapers had cut the +rye. A boy and a girl were running on the shore and calling out, 'Little +Lasse! Come home for bread-and-butter!' + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy, and he blinked his blue eyes +roguishly. + +'Come with me, and I shall ask mother to give you some bread-and-butter +and a glass of milk,' said Little Lasse. + +'Wait a little,' said the dream-boy. And now Little Lasse saw that the +kitchen door was open, and from within there was heard a low, pleasant +frizzling, like that which is heard when one whisks yellow batter with a +wooden ladle into a hot frying-pan. + +'Perhaps we should sail back to Polynesia now?' said the happy +dream-boy. + +'No; they are frying pancakes in Europe just now,' said Little Lasse; +and he wanted to jump ashore, but he could not. The dream-boy had tied +him with a chain of flowers, so that he could not move. And now all +the little dreams came about him, thousands and thousands of little +children, and they made a ring around him and sang a little song: + + The world is very, very wide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + And though you've sailed beyond the tide, + You can never tell how wide + It is on the other side, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + You have found it cold and hot, + Little Lasse, Lasse; + But in no land is God not, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + Many men live there as here, + But they all to God are dear, + Little Lasse, Lasse. + When His angel is your guide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + Then no harm can e'er betide, + Even on the other side + Where the wild beasts wander. + But tell us now, + Whene'er you roam, + Do you not find the best is home + Of all the lands you've looked upon, + Lasse, Little Lasse? + +When the dreams had sung their song they skipped away, and Nukku Matti +carried Lasse back to the boat. He lay there for a long time quite +still, and he still heard the frying-pan frizzling at home of the fire, +the frizzling was very plain, Little Lasse heard it quite near him; and +so he woke up and rubbed his eyes. + +There he lay in the boat, where he had fallen asleep. The wind had +turned, and the boat had drifted out with one wind and drifted in with +another while Little Lasse slept, and what Lasse thought was frizzling +in a frying-pan was the low murmur of the waves as they washed against +the stones on the shore. But he was not altogether wrong, for the clear +blue sea is like a great pan in which God's sun all day makes cakes for +good children. + +Little Lasse rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked around him. +Everything was the same as before; the crow in the birch tree, the cat +on the grass, and the pea-shell fleet on the shore. Some of the ships +had foundered, and some had drifted back to land. Hercules had come back +with its cargo from Asia, The Flea had arrived from Polynesia, and the +other parts of the world were just where they were before. + +Little Lasse did not know what to think. He had so often been in that +grotto in the 'Land of Nod' and did not know what tricks dreams can +play. But Little Lasse did not trouble his head with such things; he +gathered together his boats and walked up the shore back to the house. + +His brother and sister ran to meet him, and called out from the +distance, 'Where have you been so long, Lasse? Come home and get some +bread-and-butter.' The kitchen door stood open, and inside was heard a +strange frizzling. + +The gardener was near the gate, watering the dill and parsley, the +carrots and parsnips. + +'Well,' he said, 'where has Little Lasse been so long?' + +Little Lasse straightened himself up stiff, and answered: 'I have sailed +round the world in a pea-shell boat.' + +'Oh!' said the gardener. + +He has forgotten Dreamland. But you have not forgotten it; you know that +it exists. You know the beautiful grotto and the bright silver walls +whose lustre never fades, the sparkling diamonds which never grow dim, +the music which never ceases its low, soft murmur through the sweet +evening twilight. The airy fairy fancies of happy Dreamland never grow +old; they, like the glorious stars above us, are always young. Perhaps +you have caught a glimpse of their ethereal wings as they flew around +your pillow. Perhaps you have met the same dream-boy with the blue eyes +and the fair hair, the one who wore the red cap with the silver band and +the white coat with pearls on the collar. Perhaps he has taken you to +see all the countries of the world and the peoples, the cold waste lands +and the burning deserts, the many coloured men and the wild creatures +in the sea and in the woods, so that you may earn many things, but come +gladly home again. Yes, who knows? Perhaps you also have sailed round +the wide world once in a pea-shell boat. + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + +'Moti' + + +Once upon a time there was a youth called Moti, who was very big and +strong, but the clumsiest creature you can imagine. So clumsy was he +that he was always putting his great feet into the bowls of sweet milk +or curds which his mother set out on the floor to cool, always smashing, +upsetting, breaking, until at last his father said to him: + +'Here, Moti, are fifty silver pieces which are the savings of years; +take them and go and make your living or your fortune if you can.' + +Then Moti started off one early spring morning with his thick staff over +his shoulder, singing gaily to himself as he walked along. + +In one way and another he got along very well until a hot evening when +he came to a certain city where he entered the travellers' 'serai' or +inn to pass the night. Now a serai, you must know, is generally just a +large square enclosed by a high wall with an open colonnade along the +inside all round to accommodate both men and beasts, and with perhaps +a few rooms in towers at the corners for those who are too rich or too +proud to care about sleeping by their own camels and horses. Moti, of +course, was a country lad and had lived with cattle all his life, and +he wasn't rich and he wasn't proud, so he just borrowed a bed from the +innkeeper, set it down beside an old buffalo who reminded him of home, +and in five minutes was fast asleep. + +In the middle of the night he woke, feeling that he had been disturbed, +and putting his hand under his pillow found to his horror that his bag +of money had been stolen. He jumped up quietly and began to prowl around +to see whether anyone seemed to be awake, but, though he managed to +arouse a few men and beasts by falling over them, he walked in the +shadow of the archways round the whole serai without coming across a +likely thief. He was just about to give it up when he overheard two men +whispering, and one laughed softly, and peering behind a pillar, he saw +two Afghan horsedealers counting out his bag of money! Then Moti went +back to bed! + +In the morning Moti followed the two Afghans outside the city to the +horsemarket in which they horses were offered for sale. Choosing the +best-looking horse amongst them he went up to it and said: + +'Is this horse for sale? may I try it?' and, the merchants assenting, he +scrambled up on its back, dug in his heels, and off they flew. Now Moti +had never been on a horse in his life, and had so much ado to hold on +with both hands as well as with both legs that the animal went just +where it liked, and very soon broke into a break-neck gallop and made +straight back to the serai where it had spent the last few nights. + +'This will do very well,' thought Moti as they whirled in at the +entrance. As soon as the horse had arrived at its table it stopped of +its own accord and Moti immediately rolled off; but he jumped up at +once, tied the beast up, and called for some breakfast. Presently the +Afghans appeared, out of breath and furious, and claimed the horse. + +'What do you mean?' cried Moti, with his mouth full of rice, 'it's my +horse; I paid you fifty pieces of silver for it--quite a bargain, I'm +sure!' + +'Nonsense! it is our horse,' answered one of the Afghans beginning to +untie the bridle. + +'Leave off,' shouted Moti, seizing his staff; 'if you don't let my horse +alone I'll crack your skulls! you thieves! I know you! Last night you +took my money, so to-day I took your horse; that's fair enough!' + +Now the Afghans began to look a little uncomfortable, but Moti seemed so +determined to keep the horse that they resolved to appeal to the law, so +they went off and laid a complaint before the king that Moti had stolen +one of their horses and would not give it up nor pay for it. + +Presently a soldier came to summon Moti to the king; and, when he +arrived and made his obeisance, the king began to question him as to why +he had galloped off with the horse in this fashion. But Moti declared +that he had got the animal in exchange for fifty pieces of silver, +whilst the horse merchants vowed that the money they had on them was +what they had received for the sale of other horses; and in one way and +another the dispute got so confusing that the king (who really thought +that Moti had stolen the horse) said at last, 'Well, I tell you what +I will do. I will lock something into this box before me, and if he +guesses what it is, the horse is his, and if he doesn't then it is +yours.' + +To this Moti agreed, and the king arose and went out alone by a +little door at the back of the Court, and presently came back clasping +something closely wrapped up in a cloth under his robe, slipped it into +the little box, locked the box, and set it up where all might see. + +'Now,' said the king to Moti, 'guess!' + +It happened that when the king had opened the door behind him, Moti +noticed that there was a garden outside: without waiting for the king's +return he began to think what could be got out of the garden small +enough to be shut in the box. 'Is it likely to be a fruit or a flower? +No, not a flower this time, for he clasped it too tight. Then it must +be a fruit or a stone. Yet not a stone, because he wouldn't wrap a dirty +stone in his nice clean cloth. Then it is a fruit! And a fruit without +much scent, or else he would be afraid that I might smell it. Now what +fruit without much scent is in season just now? When I know that I shall +have guessed the riddle!' + +As has been said before, Moti was a country lad, and was accustomed +to work in his father's garden. He knew all the common fruits, so he +thought he ought to be able to guess right; but so as not to let it +seem too easy, he gazed up at the ceiling with a puzzled expression, and +looked down at the floor with an air or wisdom and his fingers pressed +against his forehead, and then he said, slowly, with his eyes on the +king,-- + +'It is freshly plucked! It is round and it is red! It is a pomegranate!' + +Now the king knew nothing about fruits except that they were good to +eat; and, as for seasons, he asked for whatever fruit he wanted whenever +he wanted it, and saw that he got it; so to him Moti's guess was like +a miracle, and clear proof not only of his wisdom but of his innocence, +for it was a pomegranate that he had put into the box. Of course when +the king marvelled and praised Moti's wisdom, everybody else did so too; +and, whilst the Afghans went off crestfallen, Moti took the horse and +entered the king's service. + +Very soon after this, Moti, who continued to live in the serai, came +back one wet and stormy evening to find that his precious horse had +strayed. Nothing remained of him but a broken halter cord, and no one +knew what had become of him. After inquiring of everyone who was likely +to know, Moti seized the cord and his big staff and sallied out to +look for him. Away and away he tramped out of the city and into the +neighbouring forest, tracking hoof-marks in the mud. Presently it +grew late, but still Moti wandered on until suddenly in the gathering +darkness he came right upon a tiger who was contentedly eating his +horse. + +'You thief!' shrieked Moti, and ran up and, just as the tiger, in +astonishment, dropped a bone--whack! came Moti's staff on his head with +such good will that the beast was half stunned and could hardly breathe +or see. Then Moti continued to shower upon him blows and abuse until the +poor tiger could hardly stand, whereupon his tormentor tied the end of +the broken halter round his neck and dragged him back to the serai. + +'If you had my horse,' he said, 'I will at least have you, that's fair +enough!' And he tied him up securely by the head and heels, much as he +used to tie the horse; then, the night being far gone, he flung himself +beside him and slept soundly. + +You cannot imagine anything like the fright of the people in the +serai, when they woke up and found a tiger--very battered but still +a tiger--securely tethered amongst themselves and their beasts! Men +gathered in groups talking and exclaiming, and finding fault with the +innkeeper for allowing such a dangerous beast into the serai, and all +the while the innkeeper was just as troubled as the rest, and none dared +go near the place where the tiger stood blinking miserably on everyone, +and where Moti lay stretched out snoring like thunder. + +At last news reached the king that Moti had exchanged his horse for a +live tiger; and the monarch himself came down, half disbelieving the +tale, to see if it were really true. Someone at last awaked Moti with +the news that his royal master was come; and he arose yawning, and was +soon delightedly explaining and showing off his new possession. The +king, however, did not share his pleasure at all, but called up a +soldier to shoot the tiger, much to the relief of all the inmates of the +serai except Moti. If the king, however, was before convinced that Moti +was one of the wisest of men, he was now still more convinced that he +was the bravest, and he increased his pay a hundredfold, so that our +hero thought that he was the luckiest of men. + +A week or two after this incident the king sent for Moti, who on arrival +found his master in despair. A neighbouring monarch, he explained, who +had many more soldiers than he, had declared war against him, and he was +at his wits' end, for he had neither money to buy him off nor soldiers +enough to fight him--what was he to do? + +'If that is all, don't you trouble,' said Moti. 'Turn out your men, and +I'll go with them, and we'll soon bring this robber to reason.' + +The king began to revive at these hopeful words, and took Moti off to +his stable where he bade him choose for himself any horse he liked. +There were plenty of fine horses in the stalls, but to the king's +astonishment Moti chose a poor little rat of a pony that was used to +carry grass and water for the rest of the stable. + +'But why do you choose that beast?' said the king. + +'Well, you see, your majesty,' replied Moti, 'there are so many chances +that I may fall off, and if I choose one of your fine big horses I shall +have so far to fall that I shall probably break my leg or my arm, if not +my neck, but if I fall off this little beast I can't hurt myself much.' + +A very comical sight was Moti when he rode out to the war. The only +weapon he carried was his staff, and to help him to keep his balance +on horseback he had tied to each of his ankles a big stone that nearly +touched the ground as he sat astride the little pony. The rest of the +king's cavalry were not very numerous, but they pranced along in armour +on fine horses. Behind them came a great rabble of men on foot armed +with all sorts of weapons, and last of all was the king with his +attendants, very nervous and ill at ease. So the army started. + +They had not very far to go, but Moti's little pony, weighted with a +heavy man and two big rocks, soon began to lag behind the cavalry, +and would have lagged behind the infantry too, only they were not very +anxious to be too early in the fight, and hung back so as to give Moti +plenty of time. The young man jogged along more and more slowly for some +time, until at last, getting impatient at the slowness of the pony, +he gave him such a tremendous thwack with his staff that the pony +completely lost his temper and bolted. First one stone became untied +and rolled away in a cloud of dust to one side of the road, whilst Moti +nearly rolled off too, but clasped his steed valiantly by its ragged +mane, and, dropping his staff, held on for dear life. Then, fortunately +the other rock broke away from his other leg and rolled thunderously +down a neighbouring ravine. Meanwhile the advanced cavalry had barely +time to draw to one side when Moti came dashing by, yelling bloodthirsty +threats to his pony: + +'You wait till I get hold of you! I'll skin you alive! I'll wring your +neck! I'll break every bone in your body!' The cavalry thought that +this dreadful language was meant for the enemy, and were filled with +admiration of his courage. Many of their horses too were quite upset by +this whirlwind that galloped howling through their midst, and in a few +minutes, after a little plunging and rearing and kicking, the whole +troop were following on Moti's heels. + +Far in advance, Moti continued his wild career. Presently in his course +he came to a great field of castor-oil plants, ten or twelve feet high, +big and bushy, but quite green and soft. Hoping to escape from the back +of his fiery steed Moti grasped one in passing, but its roots gave +way, and he dashed on, with the whole plant looking like a young tree +flourishing in his grip. + +The enemy were in battle array, advancing over the plain, their king +with them confident and cheerful, when suddenly from the front came a +desperate rider at a furious gallop. + +'Sire!' he cried, 'save yourself! the enemy are coming!' + +'What do you mean?' said the king. + +'Oh, sire!' panted the messenger, 'fly at once, there is no time to +lose. Foremost of the enemy rides a mad giant at a furious gallop. He +flourishes a tree for a club and is wild with anger, for as he goes he +cries, "You wait till I get hold of you! I'll skin you alive! I'll wring +your neck! I'll break every bone in your body!" Others ride behind, and +you will do well to retire before this whirlwind of destruction comes +upon you.' + +Just then out of a cloud of dust in the distance the king saw Moti +approaching at a hard gallop, looking indeed like a giant compared with +the little beast he rode, whirling his castor-oil plant, which in the +distance might have been an oak tree, and the sound of his revilings and +shoutings came down upon the breeze! Behind him the dust cloud moved +to the sound of the thunder of hoofs, whilst here and there flashed the +glitter of steel. The sight and the sound struck terror into the king, +and, turning his horse, he fled at top speed, thinking that a regiment +of yelling giants was upon him; and all his force followed him as fast +as they might go. One fat officer alone could not keep up on foot with +that mad rush, and as Moti came galloping up he flung himself on the +ground in abject fear. This was too much for Moti's excited pony, who +shied so suddenly that Moti went flying over his head like a sky rocket, +and alighted right on the top of his fat foe. + +Quickly regaining his feet Moti began to swing his plant round his head +and to shout: + +'Where are your men? Bring them up and I'll kill them. My regiments! +Come on, the whole lot of you! Where's your king? Bring him to me. Here +are all my fine fellows coming up and we'll each pull up a tree by the +roots and lay you all flat and your houses and towns and everything +else! Come on!' + +But the poor fat officer could do nothing but squat on his knees with +his hands together, gasping. At last, when he got his breath, Moti sent +him off to bring his king, and to tell him that if he was reasonable his +life should be spared. Off the poor man went, and by the time the troops +of Moti's side had come up and arranged themselves to look as formidable +as possible, he returned with his king. The latter was very humble and +apologetic, and promised never to make war any more, to pay a large sum +of money, and altogether do whatever his conqueror wished. + +So the armies on both sides went rejoicing home, and this was really +the making of the fortune of clumsy Moti, who lived long and contrived +always to be looked up to as a fountain of wisdom, valour, and +discretion by all except his relations, who could never understand what +he had done to be considered so much wiser than anyone else. + +A Pushto Story. + + + + +The Enchanted Deer + + +A young man was out walking one day in Erin, leading a stout cart-horse +by the bridle. He was thinking of his mother and how poor they were +since his father, who was a fisherman, had been drowned at sea, and +wondering what he should do to earn a living for both of them. Suddenly +a hand was laid on his shoulder, and a voice said to him: + +'Will you sell me your horse, son of the fisherman?' and looking up he +beheld a man standing in the road with a gun in his hand, a falcon on +his shoulder, and a dog by his side. + +'What will you give me for my horse?' asked the youth. 'Will you give me +your gun, and your dog, and your falcon?' + +'I will give them,' answered the man, and he took the horse, and the +youth took the gun and the dog and the falcon, and went home with them. +But when his mother heard what he had done she was very angry, and beat +him with a stick which she had in her hand. + +'That will teach you to sell my property,' said she, when her arm was +quite tired, but Ian her son answered her nothing, and went off to his +bed, for he was very sore. + +That night he rose softly, and left the house carrying the gun with him. +'I will not stay here to be beaten,' thought he, and he walked and +he walked and he walked, till it was day again, and he was hungry and +looked about him to see if he could get anything to eat. Not very far +off was a farm-house, so he went there, and knocked at the door, and the +farmer and his wife begged him to come in, and share their breakfast. + +'Ah, you have a gun,' said the farmer as the young man placed it in a +corner. 'That is well, for a deer comes every evening to eat my corn, +and I cannot catch it. It is fortune that has sent you to me.' + +'I will gladly remain and shoot the deer for you,' replied the youth, +and that night he hid himself and watched till the deer came to the +cornfield; then he lifted his gun to his shoulder and was just going +to pull the trigger, when, behold! instead of a deer, a woman with long +black hair was standing there. At this sight his gun almost dropped from +his hand in surprise, but as he looked, there was the deer eating the +corn again. And thrice this happened, till the deer ran away over the +moor, and the young man after her. + +On they went, on and on and one, till they reached a cottage which was +thatched with heather. With a bound the deer sprang on the roof, and lay +down where none could see her, but as she did so she called out, 'Go in, +fisher's son, and eat and drink while you may.' So he entered and found +food and wine on the table, but no man, for the house belonged to some +robbers, who were still away at their wicked business. + +After Ian, the fisher's son, had eaten all he wanted, he hid himself +behind a great cask, and very soon he heard a noise, as of men coming +through the heather, and the small twigs snapping under their feet. +From his dark corner he could see into the room, and he counted four and +twenty of them, all big, cross-looking men. + +'Some one has been eating our dinner,' cried they, 'and there was hardly +enough for ourselves.' + +'It is the man who is lying under the cask,' answered the leader. 'Go +and kill him, and then come and eat your food and sleep, for we must be +off betimes in the morning.' + +So four of them killed the fisher's son and left him, and then went to +bed. + +By sunrise they were all out of the house, for they had far to go. And +when they had disappeared the deer came off the roof, to where the dead +man lay, and she shook her head over him, and wax fell from her ear, and +he jumped up as well as ever. + +'Trust me and eat as you did before, and no harm shall happen to you,' +said she. So Ian ate and drank, and fell sound asleep under the cask. +In the evening the robbers arrived very tired, and crosser than they +had been yesterday, for their luck had turned and they had brought back +scarcely anything. + +'Someone has eaten our dinner again,' cried they. + +'It is the man under the barrel,' answered the captain. 'Let four of you +go and kill him, but first slay the other four who pretended to kill him +last night and didn't because he is still alive.' + +Then Ian was killed a second time, and after the rest of the robbers had +eaten, they lay down and slept till morning. + +No sooner were their faces touched with the sun's rays than they were up +and off. Then the deer entered and dropped the healing wax on the dead +man, and he was as well as ever. By this time he did not mind what +befell him, so sure was he that the deer would take care of him, and +in the evening that which had happened before happened again--the four +robbers were put to death and the fisher's son also, but because there +was no food left for them to eat, they were nearly mad with rage, and +began to quarrel. From quarrelling they went on to fighting, and fought +so hard that by and bye they were all stretched dead on the floor. + +Then the deer entered, and the fisher's son was restored to life, and +bidding him follow her, she ran on to a little white cottage where dwelt +an old woman and her son, who was thin and dark. + +'Here I must leave you,' said the deer, 'but to-morrow meet me at +midday in the church that is yonder.' And jumping across the stream, she +vanished into a wood. + +Next day he set out for the church, but the old woman of the cottage had +gone before him, and had stuck an enchanted stick called 'the spike of +hurt' in a crack of the door, so that he would brush against it as he +stepped across the threshold. Suddenly he felt so sleepy that he could +not stand up, and throwing himself on the ground he sank into a deep +slumber, not knowing that the dark lad was watching him. Nothing could +waken him, not even the sound of sweetest music, nor the touch of a lady +who bent over him. A sad look came on her face, as she saw it was no +use, and at last she gave it up, and lifting his arm, wrote her name +across the side--'the daughter of the king of the town under the +waves.' + +'I will come to-morrow,' she whispered, though he could not hear her, +and she went sorrowfully away. + +Then he awoke, and the dark lad told him what had befallen him, and he +was very grieved. But the dark lad did not tell him of the name that was +written underneath his arm. + +On the following morning the fisher's son again went to the church, +determined that he would not go to sleep, whatever happened. But in his +hurry to enter he touched with his hand the spike of hurt, and sank down +where he stood, wrapped in slumber. A second time the air was filled +with music, and the lady came in, stepping softly, but though she laid +his head on her knee, and combed his hair with a golden comb, his eyes +opened not. Then she burst into tears, and placing a beautifully wrought +box in his pocket she went her way. + +The next day the same thing befell the fisher's son, and this time +the lady wept more bitterly than before, for she said it was the last +chance, and she would never be allowed to come any more, for home she +must go. + +As soon as the lady had departed the fisher's son awoke, and the dark +lad told him of her visit, and how he would never see her as long as he +lived. At this the fisher's son felt the cold creeping up to his heart, +yet he knew the fault had not been his that sleep had overtaken him. + +'I will search the whole world through till I find her,' cried he, and +the dark lad laughed as he heard him. But the fisher's son took no heed, +and off he went, following the sun day after day, till his shoes were in +holes and his feet were sore from the journey. Nought did he see but +the birds that made their nests in the trees, not so much as a goat or +a rabbit. On and on and on he went, till suddenly he came upon a little +house, with a woman standing outside it. + +'All hail, fisher's son!' said she. 'I know what you are seeking; enter +in and rest and eat, and to-morrow I will give you what help I can, and +send you on your way.' + +Gladly did Ian the fisher's son accept her offer, and all that day he +rested, and the woman gave him ointment to put on his feet, which healed +his sores. At daybreak he got up, ready to be gone, and the woman bade +him farewell, saying: + +'I have a sister who dwells on the road which you must travel. It is a +long road, and it would take you a year and a day to reach it, but put +on these old brown shoes with holes all over them, and you will be there +before you know it. Then shake them off, and turn their toes to the +known, and their heels to the unknown, and they will come home of +themselves.' + +The fisher's son did as the woman told him, and everything happened just +as she had said. But at parting the second sister said to him, as she +gave him another pair of shoes: + +'Go to my third sister, for she has a son who is keeper of the birds of +the air, and sends them to sleep when night comes. He is very wise, and +perhaps he can help you.' + +Then the young man thanked her, and went to the third sister. + +The third sister was very kind, but had no counsel to give him, so he +ate and drank and waited till her son came home, after he had sent all +the birds to sleep. He thought a long while after his mother had told +him the young man's story, and at last he said that he was hungry, and +the cow must be killed, as he wanted some supper. So the cow was killed +and the meat cooked, and a bag made of its red skin. + +'Now get into the bag,' bade the son, and the young man got in and took +his gun with him, but the dog and the falcon he left outside. The keeper +of the birds drew the string at the top of the bag, and left it to +finish his supper, when in flew an eagle through the open door, and +picked the bag up in her claws and carried it through the air to an +island. There was nothing to eat on the island, and the fisher's son +thought he would die of food, when he remembered the box that the lady +had put in his pocket. He opened the lid, and three tiny little birds +flew out, and flapping their wings they asked, + +'Good master, is there anything we can do for thee?' + +'Bear me to the kingdom of the king under the waves,' he answered, and +one little bird flew on to his head, and the others perched on each of +his shoulders, and he shut his eyes, and in a moment there he was in +the country under the sea. Then the birds flew away, and the young man +looked about him, his heart beating fast at the thought that here dwelt +the lady whom he had sought all the world over. + +He walked on through the streets, and presently he reached the house of +a weaver who was standing at his door, resting from his work. + +'You are a stranger here, that is plain,' said the weaver, 'but come in, +and I will give you food and drink.' And the young man was glad, for he +knew not where to go, and they sat and talked till it grew late. + +'Stay with me, I pray, for I love company and am lonely,' observed the +weaver at last, and he pointed to a bed in a corner, where the fisher's +son threw himself, and slept till dawn. + +'There is to be a horse-race in the town to-day,' remarked the weaver, +'and the winner is to have the king's daughter to wife.' The young +man trembled with excitement at the news, and his voice shook as he +answered: + +'That will be a prize indeed, I should like to see the race.' + +'Oh, that is quite easy--anyone can go,' replied the weaver. 'I would +take you myself, but I have promised to weave this cloth for the king.' + +'That is a pity,' returned the young man politely, but in his heart he +rejoiced, for he wished to be alone. + +Leaving the house, he entered a grove of trees which stood behind, and +took the box from his pocket. He raised the lid, and out flew the three +little birds. + +'Good master, what shall we do for thee?' asked they, and he answered, +'Bring me the finest horse that ever was seen, and the grandest dress, +and glass shoes.' + +'They are here, master,' said the birds, and so they were, and never had +the young man seen anything so splendid. + +Mounting the horse he rode into the ground where the horses were +assembling for the great race, and took his place among them. Many +good beasts were there which had won many races, but the horse of the +fisher's son left them all behind, and he was first at the winning post. +The king's daughter waited for him in vain to claim his prize, for +he went back to the wood, and got off his horse, and put on his old +clothes, and bade the box place some gold in his pockets. After that +he went back to the weaver's house, and told him that the gold had been +given him by the man who had won the race, and that the weaver might +have it for his kindness to him. + +Now as nobody had appeared to demand the hand of the princess, the king +ordered another race to be run, and the fisher's son rode into the field +still more splendidly dressed than he was before, and easily distanced +everybody else. But again he left the prize unclaimed, and so it +happened on the third day, when it seemed as if all the people in +the kingdom were gathered to see the race, for they were filled with +curiosity to know who the winner could be. + +'If he will not come of his own free will, he must be brought,' said the +king, and the messengers who had seen the face of the victor were sent +to seek him in every street of the town. This took many days, and when +at last they found the young man in the weaver's cottage, he was so +dirty and ugly and had such a strange appearance, that they declared he +could not be the winner they had been searching for, but a wicked robber +who had murdered ever so many people, but had always managed to escape. + +'Yes, it must be the robber,' said the king, when the fisher's son was +led into his presence; 'build a gallows at once and hang him in the +sight of all my subjects, that they may behold him suffer the punishment +of his crimes.' + +So the gallows was built upon a high platform, and the fisher's son +mounted the steps up to it, and turned at the top to make the speech +that was expected from every doomed man, innocent or guilt. As he spoke +he happened to raise his arm, and the king's daughter, who was there at +her father's side, saw the name which she had written under it. With +a shriek she sprang from her seat, and the eyes of the spectators were +turned towards her. + +'Stop! stop!' she cried, hardly knowing what she said. 'If that man +is hanged there is not a soul in the kingdom but shall die also.' And +running up to where the fisher's son was standing, she took him by the +hand, saying, + +'Father, this is no robber or murderer, but the victor in the three +races, and he loosed the spells that were laid upon me.' + +Then, without waiting for a reply, she conducted him into the palace, +and he bathed in a marble bath, and all the dirt that the fairies had +put upon him disappeared like magic, and when he had dressed himself in +the fine garments the princess had sent to him, he looked a match for +any king's daughter in Erin. He went down into the great hall where she +was awaiting him, and they had much to tell each other but little +time to tell it in, for the king her father, and the princes who were +visiting him, and all the people of the kingdom were still in their +places expecting her return. + +'How did you find me out?' she whispered as they went down the passage. + +'The birds in the box told me,' answered he, but he could say no more, +as they stepped out into the open space that was crowded with people. +There the princes stopped. + +'O kings!' she said, turning towards them, 'if one of you were killed +to-day, the rest would fly; but this man put his trust in me, and had +his head cut off three times. Because he has done this, I will marry him +rather than one of you, who have come hither to wed me, for many kings +here sought to free me from the spells, but none could do it save Ian +the fisher's son.' + +From 'Popular Tales of the West Highlands.' + + + + +A Fish Story + + +Perhaps you think that fishes were always fishes, and never lived +anywhere except in the water, but if you went to Australia and talked to +the black people in the sandy desert in the centre of the country, you +would learn something quite different. They would tell you that long, +long ago you would have met fishes on the land, wandering from place to +place, and hunting all sorts of animals, and if you consider how fishes +are made, you will understand how difficult this must have been and how +clever they were to do it. Indeed, so clever were they that they might +have been hunting still if a terrible thing had not happened. + +One day the whole fish tribe came back very tired from a hunting +expedition, and looked about for a nice, cool spot in which to pitch +their camp. It was very hot, and they thought that they could not find +a more comfortable place than under the branches of a large tree which +grew by the bank of a river. So they made their fire to cook some food, +right on the edge of a steep bank, which had a deep pool of water lying +beneath it at the bottom. While the food was cooking they all stretched +themselves lazily out under the tree, and were just dropping off to +sleep when a big black cloud which they had never noticed spread over +the sun, and heavy drops of rain began to fall, so that the fire was +almost put out, and that, you know, is a very serious thing in savage +countries where they have no matches, for it is very hard to light it +again. To make matters worse, an icy wind began to blow, and the poor +fishes were chilled right through their bodies. + +'This will never do,' said Thuggai, the oldest of the fish tribe. 'We +shall die of cold unless we can light the fire again,' and he bade his +sons rub two sticks together in the hope of kindling a flame, but though +they rubbed till they were tired, not a spark could they produce. + +'Let me try,' cried Biernuga, the bony fish, but he had no better luck, +and no more had Kumbal, the bream, nor any of the rest. + +'It is no use,' exclaimed Thuggai, at last. 'The wood is too wet. We +must just sit and wait till the sun comes out again and dries it.' +Then a very little fish indeed, not more than four inches long and the +youngest of the tribe, bowed himself before Thuggai, saying, 'Ask my +father, Guddhu the cod, to light the fire. He is skilled in magic more +than most fishes.' So Thuggai asked him, and Guddhu stripped some pieces +of bark off a tree, and placed them on top of the smouldering ashes. +Then he knelt by the side of the fire and blew at it for a long while, +till slowly the feeble red glow became a little stronger and the edges +of the bark showed signs of curling up. When the rest of the tribe saw +this they pressed close, keeping their backs towards the piercing wind, +but Guddhu told them they must go to the other side, as he wanted the +wind to fan his fire. By and by the spark grew into a flame, and a merry +crackling was heard. + +'More wood,' cried Guddhi, and they all ran and gathered wood and heaped +it on the flames, which leaped and roared and sputtered. + +'We shall soon be warm now,' said the people one to another. 'Truly +Guddhu is great'; and they crowded round again, closer and closer. +Suddenly, with a shriek, a blast of wind swept down from the hills +and blew the fire out towards them. They sprang back hurriedly, quite +forgetting where they stood, and all fell down the bank, each tumbling +over the other, till they rolled into the pool that lay below. Oh, how +cold it was in that dark water on which the sun never shone! Then in an +instant they felt warm again, for the fire, driven by the strong wind, +had followed them right down to the bottom of the pool, where it burned +as brightly as ever. And the fishes gathered round it as they had done +on the top of the cliff, and found the flames as hot as before, and that +fire never went out, like those upon land, but kept burning for ever. +So now you know why, if you dive deep down below the cold surface of +the water on a frosty day, you will find it comfortable and pleasant +underneath, and be quite sorry that you cannot stay there. + +Australian Folk Tale. + + + + +The Wonderful Tune. + + +Maurice Connor was the king, and that's no small word, of all the pipers +in Munster. He could play jig and reel without end, and Ollistrum's +March, and the Eagle's Whistle, and the Hen's Concert, and odd tunes of +every sort and kind. But he knew one far more surprising than the rest, +which had in it the power to set everything dead or alive dancing. + +In what way he learned it is beyond my knowledge for he was mighty +cautious about telling how he came by so wonderful a tune. At the very +first note of that tune the shoes began shaking upon the feet of all how +heard it--old or young, it mattered not--just as if the shoes had the +ague; then the feet began going, going, going from under them, and at +last up and away with them, dancing like mad, whisking here, there, and +everywhere, like a straw in a storm--there was no halting while the +music lasted. + +Not a fair, nor a wedding, nor a feast in the seven parishes round, was +counted worth the speaking of without 'blind Maurice and his pipes.' +His mother, poor woman, used to lead him about from one place to another +just like a dog. + +Down through Iveragh, Maurice Connor and his mother were taking their +rounds. Beyond all other places Iveragh is the place for stormy coasts +and steep mountains, as proper a spot it is as any in Ireland to get +yourself drowned, or your neck broken on the land, should you prefer +that. But, notwithstanding, in Ballinskellig Bay there is a neat bit of +ground, well fitted for diversion, and down from it, towards the water, +is a clean smooth piece of strand, the dead image of a calm summer's sea +on a moonlight night, with just the curl of the small waves upon it. + +Here is was that Maurice's music had brought from all parts a great +gathering of the young men and the young women; for 'twas not every day +the strand of Trafraska was stirred up by the voice of a bagpipe. The +dance began; and as pretty a dance it was as ever was danced. 'Brave +music,' said everybody, 'and well done,' when Maurice stopped. + +'More power to your elbow, Maurice, and a fair wind in the bellows,' +cried Paddy Dorman, a hump-backed dancing master, who was there to keep +order. ''Tis a pity,' said he, 'if we'd let the piper run dry after such +music; 'twould be a disgrace to Iveragh, that didn't come on it since +the week of the three Sundays.' So, as well became him, for he was +always a decent man, says he, 'Did you drink, piper?' + +'I will, sir,' said Maurice, answering the question on the safe side, +for you never yet knew piper or schoolmaster who refused his drink. + +'What will you drink, Maurice?' says Paddy. + +'I'm no ways particular,' says Maurice; 'I drink anything, barring +raw water; but if it's all the same to you, Mister Dorman, may be you +wouldn't lend me the loan of a glass of whisky.' + +'I've no glass, Maurice,' said Paddy; 'I've only the bottle.' + +'Let that be no hindrance,' answered Maurice; 'my mouth just holds a +glass to the drop; often I've tried it sure.' + +So Paddy Dorman trusted him with the bottle--more fool was he; and, to +his cost, he found that though Maurice's mouth might not hold more than +the glass at one time, yet, owing to the hole in his throat, it took +many a filling. + +'That was no bad whisky neither,' says Maurice, handing back the empty +bottle. + +'By the holy frost, then!' says Paddy, ''tis but cold comfort there's in +that bottle now; and 'tis your word we must take for the strength of +the whisky, for you've left us no sample to judge by'; and to be sure +Maurice had not. + +Now I need not tell any gentleman or lady that if he or she was to drink +an honest bottle of whisky at one pull, it is not at all the same thing +as drinking a bottle of water; and in the whole course of my life I +never knew more than five men who could do so without being the worse. +Of these Maurice Connor was not one, though he had a stiff head enough +of his own. Don't think I blame him for it; but true is the word that +says, 'When liquor's in sense is out'; and puff, at a breath, out he +blasted his wonderful tune. + +'Twas really then beyond all belief or telling the dancing. Maurice +himself could not keep quiet; staggering now on one leg, now on the +other, and rolling about like a ship in a cross sea, trying to humour +the tune. There was his mother, too, moving her old bones as light as +the youngest girl of them all; but her dancing, no, nor the dancing +of all the rest, is not worthy the speaking about to the work that was +going on down upon the strand. Every inch of it covered with all manner +of fish jumping and plunging about to the music, and every moment more +and more would tumble in and out of the water, charmed by the wonderful +tune. Crabs of monstrous size spun round and round on one claw with the +nimbleness of a dancing master, and twirled and tossed their other claws +about like limbs that did not belong to them. It was a sight surprising +to behold. But perhaps you may have heard of Father Florence Conry, as +pleasant a man as one would wish to drink with of a hot summer's day; +and he had rhymed out all about the dancing fishes so neatly that it +would be a thousand pities not to give you his verses; so here they are +in English: + + The big seals in motion, + Like waves of the ocean, + Or gouty feet prancing, + Came heading the gay fish, + Crabs, lobsters, and cray-fish, + Determined on dancing. + + The sweet sounds they followed, + The gasping cod swallow'd-- + 'Twas wonderful, really; + And turbot and flounder, + 'Mid fish that were rounder, + Just caper'd as gaily. + + John-dories came tripping; + Dull hake, by their skipping, + To frisk it seem'd given; + Bright mackrel went springing, + Like small rainbows winging + Their flight up to heaven. + + The whiting and haddock + Left salt water paddock + This dance to be put in; + Where skate with flat faces + Edged out some old plaices; + But soles kept their footing. + + Sprats and herrings in powers + Of silvery showers + All number out-numbered; + And great ling so lengthy + Was there in such plenty + The shore was encumber'd. + + The scallop and oyster + Their two shells did roister, + Like castanets flitting; + While limpets moved clearly, + And rocks very nearly + With laughter were splitting. + +Never was such a hullabaloo in this world, before or since; 'twas as if +heaven and earth were coming together; and all out of Maurice Connor's +wonderful tune! + +In the height of all these doings, what should there be dancing among +the outlandish set of fishes but a beautiful young woman--as beautiful +as the dawn of day! She had a cocked hat upon her head; from under it +her long green hair--just the colour of the sea--fell down behind, +without hindrance to her dancing. Her teeth were like rows of pearls; +her lips for all the world looked like red coral; and she had a shining +gown pale green as the hollow of the wave, with little rows of purple +and red seaweeds settled out upon it; for you never yet saw a lady, +under the water or over the water, who had not a good notion of dressing +herself out. + +Up she danced at last to Maurice, who was flinging his feet from under +him as fast as hops--for nothing in this world could keep still while +that tune of his was going on--and says she to him, chanting it out with +a voice as sweet as honey: + + I'm a lady of honour + Who live in the sea; + Come down, Maurice Connor, + And be married to me. + Silver plates and gold dishes + You shall have, and shall be + The king of the fishes, + When you're married to me. + +Drink was strong in Maurice's head, and out he chanted in return for her +great civility. It is not every lady, may be, that would be after making +such an offer to a blind piper; therefore 'twas only right in him to +give her as good as she gave herself, so says Maurice: + + I'm obliged to you, madam: + Off a gold dish or plate, + If a king, and I had 'em, + I could dine in great state. + With your own father's daughter + I'd be sure to agree, + But to drink the salt water + Wouldn't do so with me! + +The lady looked at him quite amazed, and swinging her head from side to +side like a great scholar, 'Well,' says she, 'Maurice, if you're not a +poet, where is poetry to be found?' + +In this way they kept on at it, framing high compliments; one answering +the other, and their feet going with the music as fast as their tongues. +All the fish kept dancing, too; Maurice heard the clatter and was +afraid to stop playing lest it might be displeasing to the fish, and not +knowing what so many of them may take it into their heads to do to him +if they got vexed. + +Well, the lady with the green hair kept on coaxing Maurice with soft +speeches, till at last she over persuaded him to promise to marry her, +and be king over the fishes, great and small. Maurice was well fitted +to be their king, if they wanted one that could make them dance; and he +surely would drink, barring the salt water, with any fish of them all. + +When Maurice's mother saw him with that unnatural thing in the form of a +green-haired lady as his guide, and he and she dancing down together +so lovingly to the water's edge, through the thick of the fishes, she +called out after him to stop and come back. 'Oh, then,' says she, 'as +if I was not widow enough before, there he is going away from me to be +married to that scaly woman. And who knows but 'tis grandmother I may be +to a hake or a cod--Lord help and pity me, but 'tis a mighty unnatural +thing! And my be 'tis boiling and eating my own grandchild I'll be, with +a bit of salt butter, and I not knowing it! Oh, Maurice, Maurice, if +there's any love or nature left in you, come back to your own ould +mother, who reared you like a decent Christian!' Then the poor woman +began to cry and sob so finely that it would do anyone good to hear her. + +Maurice was not long getting to the rim of the water. There he kept +playing and dancing on as if nothing was the matter, and a great +thundering wave coming in towards him ready to swallow him up alive; but +as he could not see it, he did not fear it. His mother it was who saw +it plainly through the big tears that were rolling down her cheeks; and +though she saw it, and her heart was aching as much as ever mother's +heart ached for a son, she kept dancing, dancing all the time for the +bare life of her. Certain it was she could not help it, for Maurice +never stopped playing that wonderful tune of his. + +He only turned his ear to the sound of his mother's voice, fearing it +might put him out in his steps, and all the answer he made back was, +'Whisht with you mother--sure I'm going to be king over the fishes down +in the sea, and for a token of luck, and a sign that I'm alive and well, +I'll send you in, every twelvemonth on this day, a piece of burned wood +to Trafraska.' Maurice had not the power to say a word more, for the +strange lady with the green hair, seeing the wave just upon them, +covered him up with herself in a thing like a cloak with a big hood to +it, and the wave curling over twice as high as their heads, burst upon +the strand, with a rush and a roar that might be heard as far as Cape +Clear. + +That day twelvemonth the piece of burned wood came ashore in Trafraska. +It was a queer thing for Maurice to think of sending all the way +from the bottom of the sea. A gown or a pair of shoes would have been +something like a present for his poor mother; but he had said it, and +he kept his word. The bit of burned wood regularly came ashore on the +appointed day for as good, ay, and better than a hundred years. The +day is now forgotten, and may be that is the reason why people say how +Maurice Connor has stopped sending the luck-token to his mother. Poor +woman, she did not live to get as much as one of them; for what through +the loss of Maurice, and the fear of eating her own grandchildren, she +died in three weeks after the dance. Some say it was the fatigue that +killed her, but whichever it was, Mrs. Connor was decently buried with +her own people. + +Seafaring people have often heard, off the coast of Kerry, on a still +night, the sound of music coming up from the water; and some, who have +had good ears, could plainly distinguish Maurice Connor's voice singing +these words to his pipes-- + + Beautiful shore, with thy spreading strand, + Thy crystal water, and diamond sand; + Never would I have parted from thee, + But for the sake of my fair ladie. + +From 'Fairy Tales and Traditions of the South of Ireland.' + + + + +The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother + + +There was once a rich old man who had two sons, and as his wife was +dead, the elder lived with him, and helped him to look after his +property. For a long time all went well; the young man got up very early +in the morning, and worked hard all day, and at the end of every week +his father counted up the money they had made, and rubbed his hands with +delight, as he saw how big the pile of gold in the strong iron chest was +becoming. 'It will soon be full now, and I shall have to buy a larger +one,' he said to himself, and so busy was he with the thought of his +money, that he did not notice how bright his son's face had grown, nor +how he sometimes started when he was spoken to, as if his mind was far +away. + +One day, however, the old man went to the city on business, which he had +not done for three years at least. It was market day, and he met with +many people he knew, and it was getting quite late when he turned into +the inn yard, and bade an ostler saddle his horse, and bring it round +directly. While he was waiting in the hall, the landlady came up for a +gossip, and after a few remarks about the weather and the vineyards she +asked him how he liked his new daughter-in-law, and whether he had been +surprised at the marriage. + +The old man stared as he listened to her. 'Daughter-in-law? Marriage?' +said he. 'I don't know what you are talking about! I've got no +daughter-in-law, and nobody has been married lately, that I ever heard +of.' + +Now this was exactly what the landlady, who was very curious, wanted to +find out; but she put on a look of great alarm, and exclaimed: + +'Oh, dear! I hope I have not made mischief. I had no idea--or, of +course, I would not have spoken--but'--and here she stopped and fumbled +with her apron, as if she was greatly embarrassed. + +'As you have said so much you will have to say a little more,' retorted +the old man, a suspicion of what she meant darting across him; and the +woman, nothing loth, answered as before. + +'Ah, it was not all for buying or selling that your handsome son has +been coming to town every week these many months past. And not by the +shortest way, either! No, it was over the river he rode, and across the +hill and past the cottage of Miguel the vine-keeper, whose daughter, +they say, is the prettiest girl in the whole country side, though she is +too white for my taste,' and then the landlady paused again, and glanced +up at the farmer, to see how he was taking it. She did not learn much. +He was looking straight before him, his teeth set. But as she ceased to +talk, he said quietly, 'Go on.' + +'There is not much more to tell,' replied the landlady, for she suddenly +remembered that she must prepare supper for the hungry men who always +stopped at the inn on market days, before starting for home, 'but one +fine morning they both went to the little church on top of the hill, +and were married. My cousin is servant to the priest, and she found out +about it and told me. But good-day to you, sir; here is your horse, and +I must hurry off to the kitchen.' + +It was lucky that the horse was sure-footed and knew the road, for his +bridle hung loose on his neck, and his master took no heed of the way +he was going. When the farm-house was reached, the man led the animal to +the stable, and then went to look for his son. + +'I know everything--you have deceived me. Get out of my sight at once--I +have done with you,' he stammered, choking with passion as he came up to +the young man, who was cutting a stick in front of the door, whistling +gaily the while. + +'But, father--' + +'You are no son of mine; I have only one now. Begone, or it will be the +worse for you,' and as he spoke he lifted up his whip. + +The young man shrank back. He feared lest his father should fall down in +a fit, his face was so red and his eyes seemed bursting from his head. +But it was no use staying: perhaps next morning the old man might listen +to reason, though in his heart the son felt that he would never take +back his words. So he turned slowly away, and walked heavily along a +path which ended in a cave on the side of his hill, and there he sat +through the night, thinking of what had happened. + +Yes, he had been wrong, there was no doubt of that, and he did not quite +know how it had come about. He had meant to have told his father all +about it, and he was sure, quite sure, that if once the old man had seen +his wife, he would have forgiven her poverty on account of her great +beauty and goodness. But he had put it off from day to day, hoping +always for a better opportunity, and now this was the end! + +If the son had no sleep that night, no more had the father, and as soon +as the sun rose, he sent a messenger into the great city with orders to +bring back the younger brother. When he arrived the farmer did not waste +words, but informed him that he was now his only heir, and would inherit +all his lands and money, and that he was to come and live at home, and +to help manage the property. + +Though very pleased at the thought of becoming such a rich man--for the +brothers had never cared much for each other--the younger would rather +have stayed where he was, for he soon got tired of the country, and +longed for a town life. However, this he kept to himself, and made the +best of things, working hard like his brother before him. + +In this way the years went on, but the crops were not so good as they +had been, and the old man gave orders that some fine houses he was +building in the city should be left unfinished, for it would take all +the savings to complete them. As to the elder son, he would never even +hear his name mentioned, and died at last without ever seeing his face, +leaving to the younger, as he had promised, all his lands, as well as +his money. + +Meanwhile, the son whom he had disinherited had grown poorer and poorer. +He and his wife were always looking out for something to do, and never +spent a penny that they could help, but luck was against them, and at +the time of his father's death they had hardly bread to eat or clothes +to cover them. If there had been only himself, he would have managed +to get on somehow, but he could not bear to watch his children becoming +weaker day by day, and swallowing his pride, at length he crossed the +mountains to his old home where his brother was living. + +It was the first time for long that the two men had come face to face, +and they looked at each other in silence. Then tears rose in the eyes of +the elder, but winking them hastily away, he said: + +'Brother, it is not needful that I should tell you how poor I am; you +can see that for yourself. I have not come to beg for money, but only +to ask if you will give me those unfinished houses of yours in the city, +and I will make them watertight, so that my wife and children can live +in them, and that will save our rent. For as they are, they profit you +nothing.' + +And the younger brother listened and pitied him, and gave him the houses +that he asked for, and the elder went away happy. + +For some years things went on as they were, and then the rich brother +began to feel lonely, and thought to himself that he was getting older, +and it was time for him to be married. The wife he chose was very +wealthy, but she was also very greedy, and however much she had, she +always wanted more. She was, besides, one of those unfortunate people +who invariably fancy that the possessions of other people must be better +than their own. Many a time her poor husband regretted the day that he +had first seen her, and often her meanness and shabby ways put him to +shame. But he had not the courage to rule her, and she only got worse +and worse. + +After she had been married a few months the bride wanted to go into the +city and buy herself some new dresses. She had never been there before, +and when she had finished her shopping, she thought she would pay a +visit to her unknown sister-in-law, and rest for a bit. The house +she was seeking was in a broad street, and ought to have been very +magnificent, but the carved stone portico enclosed a mean little door +of rough wood, while a row of beautiful pillars led to nothing. The +dwelling on each side were in the same unfinished condition, and water +trickled down the walls. Most people would have considered it a wretched +place, and turned their backs on it as soon as they could, but this lady +saw that by spending some money the houses could be made as splendid as +they were originally intended to be, and she instantly resolved to get +them for herself. + +Full of this idea she walked up the marble staircase, and entered +the little room where her sister-in-law sat, making clothes for her +children. The bride seemed full of interest in the houses, and asked +a great many questions about them, so that her new relations liked her +much better than they expected, and hoped they might be good friends. +However, as soon as she reached home, she went straight to her husband, +and told him that he must get back those houses from his brother, as +they would exactly suit her, and she could easily make them into a +palace as fine as the king's. But her husband only told her that she +might buy houses in some other part of the town, for she could not have +those, as he had long since made a gift of them to his brother, who had +lived there for many years past. + +At this answer the wife grew very angry. She began to cry, and made such +a noise that all the neighbours heard her and put their heads out of the +windows, to see what was the matter. 'It was absurd,' she sobbed out, +'quite unjust. Indeed, if you came to think of it, the gift was worth +nothing, as when her husband made it he was a bachelor, and since then +he had been married, and she had never given her consent to any such +thing.' And so she lamented all day and all night, till the poor man +was nearly worried to death; and at last he did what she wished, and +summoned his brother in a court of law to give up the houses which, he +said, had only been lent to him. But when the evidence on both sides had +been heard, the judge decided in favour of the poor man, which made the +rich lady more furious than ever, and she determined not to rest until +she had gained the day. If one judge would not give her the houses +another should, and so time after time the case was tried over again, +till at last it came before the highest judge of all, in the city of +Evora. Her husband was heartily tired and ashamed of the whole affair, +but his weakness in not putting a stop to it in the beginning had got +him into this difficulty, and now he was forced to go on. + +On the same day the two brothers set out on their journey to the city, +the rich one on horseback, with plenty of food in his knapsack, the poor +one on foot with nothing but a piece of bread and four onions to eat +on the way. The road was hilly and neither could go very fast, and when +night fell, they were both glad to see some lights in a window a little +distance in front of them. + +The lights turned out to have been placed there by a farmer, who +had planned to have a particularly good supper as it was his wife's +birthday, and bade the rich man enter and sit down, while he himself +took the horse to the stable. The poor man asked timidly if he might +spend the night in a corner, adding that he had brought his own supper +with him. Another time permission might have been refused him, for the +farmer was no lover of humble folk, but now he gave the elder brother +leave to come in, pointing out a wooden chair where he could sit. + +Supper was soon served, and very glad the younger brother was to eat it, +for his long ride had made him very hungry. The farmer's wife, however, +would touch nothing, and at last declared that the only supper she +wanted was one of the onions the poor man was cooking at the fire. Of +course he gave it to her, though he would gladly have eaten it himself, +as three onions are not much at the end of a long day's walk, and soon +after they all went to sleep, the poor man making himself as comfortable +as he could in his corner. + +A few hours later the farmer was aroused by the cries and groans of his +wife. + +'Oh, I feel so ill, I'm sure I'm going to die,' wept she. 'It was that +onion, I know it was. I wish I had never eaten it. It must have been +poisoned.' + +'If the man has poisoned you he shall pay for it,' said her husband, and +seizing a thick stick he ran downstairs and began to beat the poor +man, who had been sound asleep, and had nothing to defend himself +with. Luckily, the noise aroused the younger brother, who jumped up and +snatched the stick from the farmer's hand, saying: + +'We are both going to Evora to try a law-suit. Come too, and accuse him +there if he has attempted to rob you or murder you, but don't kill him +now, or you will get yourself into trouble.' + +'Well, perhaps you are right,' answered the farmer, 'but the sooner that +fellow has his deserts, the better I shall be pleased,' and without more +words he went to the stables and brought out a horse for himself and +also the black Andalusian mare ridden by the rich man, while the poor +brother, fearing more ill-treatment, started at once on foot. + +Now all that night it had rained heavily, and did not seem likely to +stop, and in some places the road was so thick with mud that it was +almost impossible to get across it. In one spot it was so very bad that +a mule laden with baggage had got stuck in it, and tug as he might, +his master was quite unable to pull him out. The muleteer in despair +appealed to the two horseman, who were carefully skirting the swamp at +some distance off, but they paid no heed to his cries, and he began to +talk cheerfully to his mule, hoping to keep up his spirits, declaring +that if the poor beast would only have a little patience help was sure +to come. + +And so it did, for very soon the poor brother reached the place, +bespattered with mud from head to foot, but ready to do all he could +to help with the mule and his master. First they set about finding some +stout logs of wood to lay down on the marsh so that they could reach the +mule, for by this time his frantic struggles had broken his bridle, and +he was deeper in than ever. Stepping cautiously along the wood, the poor +man contrived to lay hold of the animal's tale, and with a desperate +effort the mule managed to regain his footing on dry ground, but at the +cost of leaving his tail in the poor man's hand. When he saw this the +muleteer's anger knew no bounds, and forgetting that without the help +given him he would have lost his mule altogether, he began to abuse the +poor man, declaring that he had ruined his beast, and the law would make +him pay for it. Then, jumping on the back of the mule, which was so glad +to be out of the choking mud that he did not seem to mind the loss of +his tail, the ungrateful wretch rode on, and that evening reached the +inn at Evora, where the rich man and the farmer had already arrived for +the night. + +Meanwhile the poor brother walked wearily along, wondering what other +dreadful adventures were in store for him. + +'I shall certainly be condemned for one or other of them,' thought he +sadly; 'and after all, if I have to die, I would rather choose my own +death than leave it to my enemies,' and as soon as he entered Evora he +looked about for a place suitable for carrying out the plan he had made. +At length he found what he sought, but as it was too late and too dark +for him to make sure of success, he curled himself up under a doorway, +and slept till morning. + +Although it was winter, the sun rose in a clear sky, and its rays felt +almost warm when the poor man got up and shook himself. He intended it +to be the day of his death, but in spite of that, and of the fact +that he was leaving his wife and children behind him, he felt almost +cheerful. He had struggled so long, and was so very, very tired; but he +would not have minded that if he could have proved his innocence, and +triumphed over his enemies. However, they had all been too clever for +him, and he had no strength to fight any more. So he mounted the stone +steps that led to the battlements of the city, and stopped for a moment +to gaze about him. + +It happened that an old sick man who lived near by had begged to be +carried out and to be laid at the foot of the wall so that the beams of +the rising sun might fall upon him, and he would be able to talk with +his friends as they passed by to their work. Little did he guess that +on top of the battlements, exactly over his head, stood a man who was +taking his last look at the same sun, before going to his death that +awaited him. But so it was; and as the steeple opposite was touched by +the golden light, the poor man shut his eyes and sprang forward. The +wall was high, and he flew rapidly through the air, but it was not the +ground he touched, only the body of the sick man, who rolled over and +died without a groan. As for the other, he was quite unhurt, and was +slowly rising to his feet when his arms were suddenly seized and held. + +'You have killed our father, do you see? do you see?' cried two young +men, 'and you will come with us this instant before the judge, and +answer for it.' + +'Your father? but I don't know him. What do you mean?' asked the poor +man, who was quite bewildered with his sudden rush through the air, and +could not think why he should be accused of this fresh crime. But he got +no reply, and was only hurried through the streets to the court-house, +where his brother, the muleteer, and the farmer had just arrived, all as +angry as ever, all talking at once, till the judge entered and ordered +them to be silent. + +'I will hear you one by one,' he said, and motioned the younger brother +to begin. + +He did not take long to state his case. The unfinished houses were his, +left him with the rest of the property by his father, and his brother +refused to give them up. In answer, the poor man told, in a few words, +how he had begged the houses from his brother, and produced the deed of +gift which made him their owner. + +The judge listened quietly and asked a few questions; then he gave his +verdict. + +'The houses shall remain the property of the man to whom they were +given, and to whom they belong. And as you,' he added, turning to the +younger brother, 'brought this accusation knowing full well it was +wicked and unjust, I order you, besides losing the houses, to pay a +thousand pounds damages to your brother.' + +The rich man heard the judge with rage in his heart, the poor man with +surprise and gratitude. But he was not safe yet, for now it was the turn +of the farmer. The judge could hardly conceal a smile at the story, +and inquired if the wife was dead before the farmer left the house, and +received for answer that he was in such a hurry for justice to be done +that he had not waited to see. Then the poor man told his tale, and once +more judgment was given in his favour, while twelve hundred pounds +was ordered to be paid him. As for the muleteer, he was informed very +plainly that he had proved himself mean and ungrateful for the help that +had been given him, and as a punishment he must pay to the poor man a +fine of fifty pounds, and hand him over the mule till his tail had grown +again. + +Lastly, there came the two sons of the sick man. + +'This is the wretch who killed our father,' they said, 'and we demand +that he should die also.' + +'How did you kill him?' asked the judge, turning to the accused, and the +poor man told how he had leaped from the wall, not knowing that anyone +was beneath. + +'Well, this is my judgment,' replied the judge, when they had all +spoken: 'Let the accused sit under the wall, and let the sons of the +dead man jump from the top and fall on him and kill him, and if they +will not to this, then they are condemned to pay eight hundred pounds +for their false accusation.' + +The young men looked at each other, and slowly shook their heads. + +'We will pay the fine,' said they, and the judge nodded. + +So the poor man rode the mule home, and brought back to his family +enough money to keep them in comfort to the end of their days. + +Adapted from the Portuguese. + + + + +The One-Handed Girl + + +An old couple once lived in a hut under a grove of palm trees, and they +had one son and one daughter. They were all very happy together for many +years, and then the father became very ill, and felt he was going to +die. He called his children to the place where he lay on the floor--for +no one had any beds in that country--and said to his son, 'I have +no herds of cattle to leave you--only the few things there are in the +house--for I am a poor man, as you know. But choose: will you have my +blessing or my property?' + +'Your property, certainly,' answered the son, and his father nodded. + +'And you?' asked the old man of the girl, who stood by her brother. + +'I will have blessing,' she answered, and her father gave her much +blessing. + +That night he died, and his wife and son and daughter mourned for him +seven days, and gave him a burial according to the custom of his people. +But hardly was the time of mourning over, than the mother was attacked +by a disease which was common in that country. + +'I am going away from you,' she said to her children, in a faint voice; +'but first, my son, choose which you will have: blessing or property.' + +'Property, certainly,' answered the son. + +'And you, my daughter?' + +'I will have blessing,' said the girl; and her mother gave her much +blessing, and that night she died. + +When the days of mourning were ended, the brother bade his sister put +outside the hut all that belonged to his father and his mother. So the +girl put them out, and he took them away, save only a small pot and a +vessel in which she could clean her corn. But she had no corn to clean. + +She sat at home, sad and hungry, when a neighbour knocked at the door. + +'My pot has cracked in the fire, lend me yours to cook my supper in, and +I will give you a handful of corn in return.' + +And the girl was glad, and that night she was able to have supper +herself, and next day another woman borrowed her pot, and then another +and another, for never were known so many accidents as befell the +village pots at that time. She soon grew quite fat with all the corn she +earned with the help of her pot, and then one evening she picked up a +pumpkin seed in a corner, and planted it near her well, and it sprang +up, and gave her many pumpkins. + +At last it happened that a youth from her village passed through the +place where the girl's brother was, and the two met and talked. + +'What news is there of my sister?' asked the young man, with whom things +had gone badly, for he was idle. + +'She is fat and well-liking,' replied the youth, 'for the women borrow +her mortar to clean their corn, and borrow her pot to cook it in, and +for al this they give her more food than she can eat.' And he went his +way. + +Now the brother was filled with envy at the words of the man, and he set +out at once, and before dawn he had reached the hut, and saw the pot and +the mortar were standing outside. He slung them over his shoulders and +departed, pleased with his own cleverness; but when his sister awoke +and sought for the pot to cook her corn for breakfast, she could find it +nowhere. At length she said to herself, + +'Well, some thief must have stolen them while I slept. I will go and see +if any of my pumpkins are ripe.' And indeed they were, and so many that +the tree was almost broken by the weight of them. So she ate what she +wanted and took the others to the village, and gave them in exchange for +corn, and the women said that no pumpkins were as sweet as these, and +that she was to bring every day all that she had. In this way she earned +more than she needed for herself, and soon was able to get another +mortar and cooking pot in exchange for her corn. Then she thought she +was quite rich. + +Unluckily someone else thought so too, and this was her brother's wife, +who had heard all about the pumpkin tree, and sent her slave with a +handful of grain to buy her a pumpkin. At first the girl told him that +so few were left that she could not spare any; but when she found that +he belonged to her brother, she changed her mind, and went out to the +tree and gathered the largest and the ripest that was there. + +'Take this one,' she said to the slave, 'and carry it back to your +mistress, but tell her to keep the corn, as the pumpkin is a gift.' + +The brother's wife was overjoyed at the sight of the fruit, and when she +tasted it, she declared it was the nicest she had ever eaten. Indeed, +all night she thought of nothing else, and early in the morning she +called another slave (for she was a rich woman) and bade him go and ask +for another pumpkin. But the girl, who had just been out to look at her +tree, told him that they were all eaten, so he went back empty-handed to +his mistress. + +In the evening her husband returned from hunting a long way off, and +found his wife in tears. + +'What is the matter?' asked he. + +'I sent a slave with some grain to your sister to buy some pumpkins, but +she would not sell me any, and told me there were none, though I know +she lets other people buy them.' + +'Well, never mind now--go to sleep,' said he, 'and to-morrow I will go +and pull up the pumpkin tree, and that will punish her for treating you +so badly.' + +So before sunrise he got up and set out for his sister's house, and +found her cleaning some corn. + +'Why did you refuse to sell my wife a pumpkin yesterday when she wanted +one?' he asked. + +'The old ones are finished, and the new ones are not yet come,' answered +the girl. 'When her slave arrived two days ago, there were only four +left; but I gave him one, and would take no corn for it.' + +'I do not believe you; you have sold them all to other people. I shall +go and cut down the pumpkin,' cried her brother in a rage. + +'If you cut down the pumpkin you shall cut off my hand with it,' +exclaimed the girl, running up to her tree and catching hold of it. But +her brother followed, and with one blow cut off the pumpkin and her hand +too. + +Then he went into the house and took away everything he could find, and +sold the house to a friend of his who had long wished to have it, and +his sister had no home to go to. + +Meanwhile she had bathed her arm carefully, and bound on it some healing +leaves that grew near by, and wrapped a cloth round the leaves, and went +to hide in the forest, that her brother might not find her again. + +For seven days she wandered about, eating only the fruit that hung from +the trees above her, and every night she climbed up and tucked herself +safely among the creepers which bound together the big branches, so that +neither lions nor tigers nor panthers might get at her. + +When she woke up on the seventh morning she saw from her perch smoke +coming up from a little town on the edge of the forest. The sight of +the huts made her feel more lonely and helpless than before. She longed +desperately for a draught of milk from a gourd, for there were no +streams in that part, and she was very thirsty, but how was she to earn +anything with only one hand? And at this thought her courage failed, and +she began to cry bitterly. + +It happened that the king's son had come out from the town very early to +shoot birds, and when the sun grew hot he left tired. + +'I will lie here and rest under this tree,' he said to his attendants. +'You can go and shoot instead, and I will just have this slave to stay +with me!' Away they went, and the young man fell asleep, and slept long. +Suddenly he was awakened by something wet and salt falling on his face. + +'What is that? Is it raining?' he said to his slave. 'Go and look.' + +'No, master, it is not raining,' answered the slave. + +'Then climb up the tree and see what it is,' and the slave climbed up, +and came back and told his master that a beautiful girl was sitting up +there, and that it must have been her tears which had fallen on the face +of the king's son. + +'Why was she crying?' inquired the prince. + +'I cannot tell--I did not dare to ask her; but perhaps she would tell +you.' And the master, greatly wondering, climbed up the tree. + +'What is the matter with you?' said he gently, and, as she only sobbed +louder, he continued: + +'Are you a woman, or a spirit of the woods?' + +'I am a woman,' she answered slowly, wiping her eyes with a leaf of the +creeper that hung about her. + +'Then why do you cry?' he persisted. + +'I have many things to cry for,' she replied, 'more than you could ever +guess.' + +'Come home with me,' said the prince; 'it is not very far. Come home to +my father and mother. I am a king's son.' + +'Then why are you here?' she said, opening her eyes and staring at him. + +'Once every month I and my friends shoot birds in the forest,' he +answered, 'but I was tired and bade them leave me to rest. And you--what +are you doing up in this tree?' + +At that she began to cry again, and told the king's son all that had +befallen her since the death of her mother. + +'I cannot come down with you, for I do not like anyone to see me,' she +ended with a sob. + +'Oh! I will manage all that,' said the king's son, and swinging himself +to a lower branch, he bade his slave go quickly into the town, and bring +back with him four strong men and a curtained litter. When the man +was gone, the girl climbed down, and hid herself on the ground in some +bushes. Very soon the slave returned with the litter, which was placed +on the ground close to the bushes where the girl lay. + +'Now go, all of you, and call my attendants, for I do not wish to say +here any longer,' he said to the men, and as soon as they were out of +sight he bade the girl get into the litter, and fasten the curtains +tightly. Then he got in on the other side, and waited till his +attendants came up. + +'What is the matter, O son of a king?' asked they, breathless with +running. + +'I think I am ill; I am cold,' he said, and signing to the bearers, he +drew the curtains, and was carried through the forest right inside his +own house. + +'Tell my father and mother that I have a fever, and want some gruel,' +said he, 'and bid them send it quickly.' + +So the slave hastened to the king's palace and gave his message, which +troubled both the king and the queen greatly. A pot of hot gruel was +instantly prepared, and carried over to the sick man, and as soon as the +council which was sitting was over, the king and his ministers went to +pay him a visit, bearing a message from the queen that she would follow +a little later. + +Now the prince had pretended to be ill in order to soften his parent's +hearts, and the next day he declared he felt better, and, getting into +his litter, was carried to the palace in state, drums being beaten all +along the road. + +He dismounted at the foot of the steps and walked up, a great parasol +being held over his head by a slave. Then he entered the cool, dark room +where his father and mother were sitting, and said to them: + +'I saw a girl yesterday in the forest whom I wish to marry, and, unknown +to my attendants, I brought her back to my house in a litter. Give me +your consent, I beg, for no other woman pleases me as well, even though +she has but one hand!' + +Of course the king and queen would have preferred a daughter-in-law +with two hands, and one who could have brought riches with her, but they +could not bear to say 'No' to their son, so they told him it should be +as he chose, and that the wedding feast should be prepared immediately. + +The girl could scarcely believe her good fortune, and, in gratitude for +all the kindness shown her, was so useful and pleasant to her husband's +parents that they soon loved her. + +By and bye a baby was born to her, and soon after that the prince was +sent on a journey by his father to visit some of the distant towns of +the kingdom, and to set right things that had gone wrong. + +No sooner had he started than the girl's brother, who had wasted all the +riches his wife had brought him in recklessness and folly, and was now +very poor, chanced to come into the town, and as he passed he heard a +man say, 'Do you know that the king's son has married a woman who has +lost one of her hands?' On hearing these words the brother stopped and +asked, 'Where did he find such a woman?' + +'In the forest,' answered the man, and the cruel brother guessed at once +it must be his sister. + +A great rage took possession of his soul as he thought of the girl whom +he had tried to ruin being after all so much better off than himself, +and he vowed that he would work her ill. Therefore that very afternoon +he made his way to the palace and asked to see the king. + +When he was admitted to his presence, he knelt down and touched the +ground with his forehead, and the king bade him stand up and tell +wherefore he had come. + +'By the kindness of your heart have you been deceived, O king,' said he. +'Your son has married a girl who has lost a hand. Do you know why she +had lost it? She was a witch, and has wedded three husbands, and each +husband she has put to death with her arts. Then the people of the town +cut off her hand, and turned her into the forest. And what I say is +true, for her town is my town also.' + +The king listened, and his face grew dark. Unluckily he had a hasty +temper, and did not stop to reason, and, instead of sending to the town, +and discovering people who knew his daughter-in-law and could have told +him how hard she had worked and how poor she had been, he believed all +the brother's lying words, and made the queen believe them too. Together +they took counsel what they should do, and in the end they decided that +they also would put her out of the town. But this did not content the +brother. + +'Kill her,' he said. 'It is no more than she deserves for daring to +marry the king's son. Then she can do no more hurt to anyone.' + +'We cannot kill her,' answered they; 'if we did, our son would assuredly +kill us. Let us do as the others did, and put her out of the town. And +with this the envious brother was forced to be content. + +The poor girl loved her husband very much, but just then the baby was +more to her than all else in the world, and as long as she had him with +her, she did not very much mind anything. So, taking her son on her arm, +and hanging a little earthen pot for cooking round her neck, she left +her house with its great peacock fans and slaves and seats of ivory, and +plunged into the forest. + +For a while she walked, not knowing whither she went, then by and bye +she grew tired, and sat under a tree to rest and to hush her baby to +sleep. Suddenly she raised her eyes, and saw a snake wriggling from +under the bushes towards her. + +'I am a dead woman,' she said to herself, and stayed quite still, for +indeed she was too frightened to move. In another minute the snake had +reached her side, and to her surprise he spoke. + +'Open your earthen pot, and let me go in. Save me from sun, and I will +save you from rain,' and she opened the pot, and when the snake had +slipped in, she put on the cover. Soon she beheld another snake coming +after the other one, and when it had reached her it stopped and said, +'Did you see a small grey snake pass this way just now?' + +'Yes,' she answered, 'it was going very quickly.' + +'Ah, I must hurry and catch it up,' replied the second snake, and it +hastened on. + +When it was out of sight, a voice from the pot said: + +'Uncover me,' and she lifted the lid, and the little grey snake slid +rapidly to the ground. + +'I am safe now,' he said. 'But tell me, where are you going?' + +'I cannot tell you, for I do not know,' she answered. 'I am just +wandering in the wood.' + +'Follow me, and let us go home together,' said the snake, and the girl +followed his through the forest and along the green paths, till they +came to a great lake, where they stopped to rest. + +'The sun is hot,' said the snake, 'and you have walked far. Take your +baby and bathe in that cool place where the boughs of the tree stretch +far over the water.' + +'Yes, I will,' answered she, and they went in. The baby splashed and +crowed with delight, and then he gave a spring and fell right in, down, +down, down, and his mother could not find him, though she searched all +among the reeds. + +Full of terror, she made her way back to the bank, and called to the +snake, 'My baby is gone!--he is drowned, and never shall I see him +again.' + +'Go in once more,' said the snake, 'and feel everywhere, even among the +trees that have their roots in the water, lest perhaps he may be held +fast there.' + +Swiftly she went back and felt everywhere with her whole hand, even +putting her fingers into the tiniest crannies, where a crab could hardly +have taken shelter. + +'No, he is not here,' she cried. 'How am I to live without him?' But the +snake took no notice, and only answered, 'Put in your other arm too.' + +'What is the use of that?' she asked, 'when it has no hand to feel +with?' but all the same she did as she was bid, and in an instant the +wounded arm touched something round and soft, lying between two stones +in a clump of reeds. + +'My baby, my baby!' she shouted, and lifted him up, merry and laughing, +and not a bit hurt or frightened. + +'Have you found him this time?' asked the snake. + +'Yes, oh, yes!' she answered, 'and, why--why--I have got my hand back +again!' and from sheer joy she burst into tears. + +The snake let her weep for a little while, and then he said-- + +'Now we will journey on to my family, and we will all repay you for the +kindness you showed to me.' + +'You have done more than enough in giving me back my hand,' replied the +girl; but the snake only smiled. + +'Be quick, lest the sun should set,' he answered, and began to wriggle +along so fast that the girl could hardly follow him. + +By and bye they arrived at the house in a tree where the snake lived, +when he was not travelling with his father and mother. And he told them +all his adventures, and how he had escaped from his enemy. The father +and mother snake could not do enough to show their gratitude. They made +their guest lie down on a hammock woven of the strong creepers +which hung from bough to bough, till she was quite rested after her +wanderings, while they watched the baby and gave him milk to drink from +the cocoa-nuts which they persuaded their friends the monkeys to crack +for them. They even managed to carry small fruit tied up in their tails +for the baby's mother, who felt at last that she was safe and at peace. +Not that she forgot her husband, for she often thought of him and longed +to show him her son, and in the night she would sometimes lie awake and +wonder where he was. + + + +In this manner many weeks passed by. + +And what was the prince doing? + +Well, he had fallen very ill when he was on the furthest border of the +kingdom, and he was nursed by some kind people who did not know who he +was, so that the king and queen heard nothing about him. When he was +better he made his way home again, and into his father's palace, where +he found a strange man standing behind the throne with the peacock's +feathers. This was his wife's brother, whom the king had taken into high +favour, though, of course, the prince was quite ignorant of what had +happened. + +For a moment the king and queen stared at their son, as if he had been +unknown to them; he had grown so thin and weak during his illness that +his shoulders were bowed like those of an old man. + +'Have you forgotten me so soon?' he asked. + +At the sound of his voice they gave a cry and ran towards him, and +poured out questions as to what had happened, and why he looked like +that. But the prince did not answer any of them. + +'How is my wife?' he said. There was a pause. + +Then the queen replied: + +'She is dead.' + +'Dead!' he repeated, stepping a little backwards. 'And my child?' + +'He is dead too.' + +The young man stood silent. Then he said, 'Show me their graves.' + +At these words the king, who had been feeling rather uncomfortable, took +heart again, for had he not prepared two beautiful tombs for his son to +see, so that he might never, never guess what had been done to his wife? +All these months the king and queen had been telling each other how good +and merciful they had been not to take her brother's advice and to put +her to death. But now, this somehow did not seem so certain. + +Then the king led the way to the courtyard just behind the palace, and +through the gate into a beautiful garden where stood two splendid +tombs in a green space under the trees. The prince advanced alone, and, +resting his head against the stone, he burst into tears. His father and +mother stood silently behind with a curious pang in their souls which +they did not quite understand. Could it be that they were ashamed of +themselves? + +But after a while the prince turned round, and walking past them in to +the palace he bade the slaves bring him mourning. For seven days no +one saw him, but at the end of them he went out hunting, and helped his +father rule his people. Only no one dared to speak to him of his wife +and son. + +At last one morning, after the girl had been lying awake all night +thinking of her husband, she said to her friend the snake: + +'You have all shown me much kindness, but now I am well again, and want +to go home and hear some news of my husband, and if he still mourns for +me!' Now the heart of the snake was sad at her words, but he only said: + +'Yes, thus it must be; go and bid farewell to my father and mother, but +if they offer you a present, see that you take nothing but my father's +ring and my mother's casket.' + +So she went to the parent snakes, who wept bitterly at the thought of +losing her, and offered her gold and jewels as much as she could carry +in remembrance of them. But the girl shook her head and pushed the +shining heap away from her. + +'I shall never forget you, never,' she said in a broken voice, 'but the +only tokens I will accept from you are that little ring and this old +casket.' + +The two snakes looked at each other in dismay. The ring and the casket +were the only things they did not want her to have. Then after a short +pause they spoke. + +'Why do you want the ring and casket so much? Who has told you of them?' + +'Oh, nobody; it is just my fancy,' answered she. But the old snakes +shook their heads and replied: + +'Not so; it is our son who told you, and, as he said, so it must be. If +you need food, or clothes, or a house, tell the ring and it will find +them for you. And if you are unhappy or in danger, tell the casket and +it will set things right.' Then they both gave her their blessing, and +she picked up her baby and went her way. + +She walked for a long time, till at length she came near the town where +her husband and his father dwelt. Here she stopped under a grove of palm +trees, and told the ring that she wanted a house. + +'It is ready, mistress,' whispered a queer little voice which made +her jump, and, looking behind her, she saw a lovely palace made of the +finest woods, and a row of slaves with tall fans bowing before the door. +Glad indeed was she to enter, for she was very tired, and, after eating +a good supper of fruit and milk which she found in one of the rooms, she +flung herself down on a pile of cushions and went to sleep with her baby +beside her. + +Here she stayed quietly, and every day the baby grew taller and +stronger, and very soon he could run about and even talk. Of course the +neighbours had a great deal to say about the house which had been built +so quickly--so very quickly--on the outskirts of the town, and invented +all kinds of stories about the rich lady who lived in it. And by and +bye, when the king returned with his son from the wars, some of these +tales reached his ears. + +'It is really very odd about that house under the palms,' he said to the +queen; 'I must find out something of the lady whom no one ever sees. I +daresay it is not a lady at all, but a gang of conspirators who want to +get possession of my throne. To-morrow I shall take my son and my chief +ministers and insist on getting inside.' + +Soon after sunrise next day the prince's wife was standing on a little +hill behind the house, when she saw a cloud of dust coming through the +town. A moment afterwards she heard faintly the roll of the drums that +announced the king's presence, and saw a crowd of people approaching the +grove of palms. Her heart beat fast. Could her husband be among them? +In any case they must not discover her there; so just bidding the ring +prepare some food for them, she ran inside, and bound a veil of golden +gauze round her head and face. Then, taking the child's hand, she went +to the door and waited. + +In a few minutes the whole procession came up, and she stepped forward +and begged them to come in and rest. + +'Willingly,' answered the king; 'go first, and we will follow you.' + +They followed her into a long dark room, in which was a table covered +with gold cups and baskets filled with dates and cocoa-nuts and all +kinds of ripe yellow fruits, and the king and the prince sat upon +cushions and were served by slaves, while the ministers, among whom she +recognised her own brother, stood behind. + +'Ah, I owe all my misery to him,' she said to herself. 'From the first +he has hated me,' but outwardly she showed nothing. And when the king +asked her what news there was in the town she only answered: + +'You have ridden far; eat first, and drink, for you must be hungry and +thirsty, and then I will tell you my news.' + +'You speak sense,' answered the king, and silence prevailed for some +time longer. Then he said: + +'Now, lady, I have finished, and am refreshed, therefore tell me, I pray +you, who you are, and whence you come? But, first, be seated.' + +She bowed her head and sat down on a big scarlet cushion, drawing her +little boy, who was asleep in a corner, on to her knee, and began to +tell the story of her life. As her brother listened, he would fain have +left the house and hidden himself in the forest, but it was his duty to +wave the fan of peacock's feathers over the king's head to keep off the +flies, and he knew he would be seized by the royal guards if he tried +to desert his post. He must stay where he was, there was no help for +it, and luckily for him the king was too much interested in the tale to +notice that the fan had ceased moving, and that flies were dancing right +on the top of his thick curly hair. + +The story went on, but the story-teller never once looked at the prince, +even through her veil, though he on his side never moved his eyes from +her. When she reached the part where she had sat weeping in the tree, +the king's son could restrain himself no longer. + +'It is my wife,' he cried, springing to where she sat with the sleeping +child in her lap. 'They have lied to me, and you are not dead after all, +nor the boy either! But what has happened? Why did they lie to me? +and why did you leave my house where you were safe?' And he turned and +looked fiercely at his father. + +'Let me finish my tale first, and then you will know,' answered she, +throwing back her veil, and she told how her brother had come to the +palace and accused her of being a witch, and had tried to persuade the +king to slay her. 'But he would not do that,' she continued softly, 'and +after all, if I had stayed on in your house, I should never have met the +snake, nor have got my hand back again. So let us forget all about it, +and be happy once more, for see! our son is growing quite a big boy.' + +'And what shall be done to your brother?' asked the king, who was glad +to think that someone had acted in this matter worse than himself. + +'Put him out of the town,' answered she. + +From 'Swaheli Tales,' by E. Steere. + + + + +The Bones of Djulung + + +In a beautiful island that lies in the southern seas, where chains of +gay orchids bind the trees together, and the days and nights are equally +long and nearly equally hot, there once lived a family of seven sisters. +Their father and mother were dead, and they had no brothers, so the +eldest girl ruled over the rest, and they all did as she bade them. One +sister had to clean the house, a second carried water from the spring +in the forest, a third cooked their food, while to the youngest fell the +hardest task of all, for she had to cut and bring home the wood which +was to keep the fire continually burning. This was very hot and tiring +work, and when she had fed the fire and heaped up in a corner the sticks +that were to supply it till the next day, she often threw herself down +under a tree, and went sound asleep. + +One morning, however, as she was staggering along with her bundle on her +back, she thought that the river which flowed past their hut looked so +cool and inviting that she determined to bathe in it, instead of taking +her usual nap. Hastily piling up her load by the fire, and thrusting +some sticks into the flame, she ran down to the river and jumped in. How +delicious it was diving and swimming and floating in the dark forest, +where the trees were so thick that you could hardly see the sun! But +after a while she began to look about her, and her eyes fell on a little +fish that seemed made out of a rainbow, so brilliant were the colours he +flashed out. + +'I should like him for a pet,' thought the girl, and the next time the +fish swam by, she put out her hand and caught him. Then she ran along +the grassy path till she came to a cave in front of which a stream fell +over some rocks into a basin. Here she put her little fish, whose name +was Djulung-djulung, and promising to return soon and bring him some +dinner, she went away. + +By the time she got home, the rice for their dinner was ready cooked, +and the eldest sister gave the other six their portions in wooden bowls. +But the youngest did not finish hers, and when no one was looking, stole +off to the fountain in the forest where the little fish was swimming +about. + +'See! I have not forgotten you,' she cried, and one by one she let +the grains of rice fall into the water, where the fish gobbled them up +greedily, for he had never tasted anything so nice. + +'That is all for to-day,' she said at last, 'but I will come again +to-morrow,' and biding him good-bye she went down the path. + +Now the girl did not tell her sisters about the fish, but every day she +saved half of her rice to give him, and called him softly in a little +song she had made for herself. If she sometimes felt hungry, no one knew +of it, and, indeed, she did not mind that much, when she saw how the +fish enjoyed it. And the fish grew fat and big, but the girl grew thin +and weak, and the loads of wood felt heavier every day, and at last her +sisters noticed it. + +Then they took counsel together, and watched her to see what she did, +and one of them followed her to the fountain where Djulung lived, +and saw her give him all the rice she had saved from her breakfast. +Hastening home the sister told the others what she had witnessed, and +that a lovely fat fish might be had for the catching. So the eldest +sister went and caught him, and he was boiled for supper, but the +youngest sister was away in the woods, and did not know anything about +it. + +Next morning she went as usual to the cave, and sang her little song, +but no Djulung came to answer it; twice and thrice she sang, then threw +herself on her knees by the edge, and peered into the dark water, but +the trees cast such a deep shadow that her eyes could not pierce it. + +'Djulung cannot be dead, or his body would be floating on the surface,' +she said to herself, and rising to her feet she set out homewards, +feeling all of a sudden strangely tired. + +'What is the matter with me?' she thought, but somehow or other she +managed to reach the hut, and threw herself down in a corner, where she +slept so soundly that for days no one was able to wake her. + +At length, one morning early, a cock began to crow so loud that +she could sleep no longer and as he continued to crow she seemed to +understand what he was saying, and that he was telling her that Djulung +was dead, killed and eaten by her sisters, and that his bones lay buried +under the kitchen fire. Very softly she got up, and took up the large +stone under the fire, and creeping out carried the bones to the cave +by the fountain, where she dug a hole and buried them anew. And as she +scooped out the hole with a stick she sang a song, bidding the bones +grow till they became a tree--a tree that reached up so high into the +heavens that its leaves would fall across the sea into another island, +whose king would pick them up. + +As there was no Djulung to give her rice to, the girl soon became fat +again, and as she was able to do her work as of old, her sisters did not +trouble about her. They never guessed that when she went into the forest +to gather her sticks, she never failed to pay a visit to the tree, which +grew taller and more wonderful day by day. Never was such a tree seen +before. Its trunk was of iron, its leaves were of silk, its flowers of +gold, and its fruit of diamonds, and one evening, though the girl did +not know it, a soft breeze took one of the leaves, and blew it across +the sea to the feet of one of the king's attendants. + +'What a curious leaf! I have never beheld one like it before. I must +show it to the king,' he said, and when the king saw it he declared he +would never rest until he had found the tree which bore it, even if he +had to spend the rest of his life in visiting the islands that lay all +round. Happily for him, he began with the island that was nearest, and +here in the forest he suddenly saw standing before him the iron tree, +its boughs covered with shining leaves like the one he carried about +him. + +'But what sort of a tree is it, and how did it get here?' he asked of +the attendants he had with him. No one could answer him, but as they +were about to pass out of the forest a little boy went by, and the king +stopped and inquired if there was anyone living in the neighbourhood +whom he might question. + +'Seven girls live in a hut down there,' replied the boy, pointing with +his finger to where the sun was setting. + +'Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,' said the king, and the +boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of +jewels round his neck, had sent for them. + +Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but +the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed +behind, to finish the work she was doing. The king welcomed the girls +eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as +they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing. +'And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure +no one does,' added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was +all that the king wanted of them. + +'But the boy told me there were seven of you, and there are only six +here,' said the king. + +'Oh, the youngest is at home, but she is always half asleep, and is of +no use except to cut wood for the fire,' replied they in a breath. + +'That may be, but perhaps she dreams,' answered the king. 'Anyway, I +will speak to her also.' Then he signed to one of his attendants, who +followed the path that the boy had taken to the hut. + +Soon the man returned, with the girl walking behind him. And as soon as +she reached the tree it bowed itself to the earth before her, and she +stretched out her hand and picked some of its leaves and flowers and +gave them to the king. + +'The maiden who can work such wonders is fitted to be the wife of the +greatest chief,' he said, and so he married her, and took her with him +across the sea to his own home, where they lived happily for ever after. + +From 'Folk Lore,' by A. F. Mackenzie. + + + + +The Sea King's Gift + + +There was once a fisherman who was called Salmon, and his Christian name +was Matte. He lived by the shore of the big sea; where else could he +live? He had a wife called Maie; could you find a better name for her? +In winter they dwelt in a little cottage by the shore, but in spring +they flitted to a red rock out in the sea and stayed there the whole +summer until it was autumn. The cottage on the rock was even smaller +than the other; it had a wooden bolt instead of an iron lock to the +door, a stone hearth, a flagstaff, and a weather-cock on the roof. + +The rock was called Ahtola, and was not larger than the market-place +of a town. Between the crevices there grew a little rowan tree and four +alder bushes. Heaven only knows how they ever came there; perhaps they +were brought by the winter storms. Besides that, there flourished some +tufts of velvety grass, some scattered reeds, two plants of the yellow +herb called tansy, four of a red flower, and a pretty white one; but the +treasures of the rock consisted of three roots of garlic, which Maie had +put in a cleft. Rock walls sheltered them on the north side, and the +sun shone on them on the south. This does not seem much, but it sufficed +Maie for a herb plot. + +All good things go in threes, so Matte and his wife fished for salmon in +spring, for herring in summer, and for cod in winter. When on Saturdays +the weather was fine and the wind favourable, they sailed to the nearest +town, sold their fish, and went to church on Sunday. But it often +happened that for weeks at a time they were quite alone on the rock +Ahtola, and had nothing to look at except their little yellow-brown dog, +which bore the grand name of Prince, their grass tufts, their bushes and +blooms, the sea bays and fish, a stormy sky and the blue, white-crested +waves. For the rock lay far away from the land, and there were no +green islets or human habitations for miles round, only here and there +appeared a rock of the same red stone as Ahtola, besprinkled day and +night with the ocean spray. + +Matte and Maie were industrious, hard-working folk, happy and contented +in their poor hut, and they thought themselves rich when they were able +to salt as many casks of fish as they required for winter and yet have +some left over with which to buy tobacco for the old man, and a pound or +two of coffee for his wife, with plenty of burned corn and chicory in it +to give it a flavour. Besides that, they had bread, butter, fish, a beer +cask, and a buttermilk jar; what more did they require? All would have +gone well had not Maie been possessed with a secret longing which never +let her rest; and this was, how she could manage to become the owner of +a cow. + +'What would you do with a cow?' asked Matte. 'She could not swim so far, +and our boat is not large enough to bring her over here; and even if we +had her, we have nothing to feed her on.' + +'We have four alder bushes and sixteen tufts of grass,' rejoined Maie. + +'Yes, of course,' laughed Matte, 'and we have also three plants of +garlic. Garlic would be fine feeding for her.' + +'Every cow likes salt herring,' rejoined his wife. 'Even Prince is fond +of fish.' + +'That may be,' said her husband. 'Methinks she would soon be a dear cow +if we had to feed her on salt herring. All very well for Prince, who +fights with the gulls over the last morsel. Put the cow out of your +head, mother, we are very well off as we are.' + +Maie sighed. She knew well that her husband was right, but she could not +give up the idea of a cow. The buttermilk no longer tasted as good as +usual in the coffee; she thought of sweet cream and fresh butter, and of +how there was nothing in the world to be compared with them. + +One day as Matte and his wife were cleaning herring on the shore they +heard Prince barking, and soon there appeared a gaily painted boat with +three young men in it, steering towards the rock. They were students, on +a boating excursion, and wanted to get something to eat. + +'Bring us a junket, good mother,' cried they to Maie. + +'Ah! if only I had such a thing!' sighed Maie. + +'A can of fresh milk, then,' said the students; 'but it must not be +skim.' + +'Yes, if only I had it!' sighed the old woman, still more deeply. + +'What! haven't you got a cow?' + +Maie was silent. This question so struck her to the heart that she could +not reply. + +'We have no cow,' Matte answered; 'but we have good smoked herring, and +can cook them in a couple of hours.' + +'All right, then, that will do,' said the students, as they flung +themselves down on the rock, while fifty silvery-white herring were +turning on the spit in front of the fire. + +'What's the name of this little stone in the middle of the ocean?' asked +one of them. + +'Ahtola,' answered the old man. + +'Well, you should want for nothing when you live in the Sea King's +dominion.' + +Matte did not understand. He had never read Kalevala and knew nothing of +the sea gods of old, but the students proceeded to explain to him.[FN#2: +Kalevala is a collection of old Finnish songs about gods and heroes.] + +'Ahti,' said they, 'is a mighty king who lives in his dominion of +Ahtola, and has a rock at the bottom of the sea, and possesses besides a +treasury of good things. He rules over all fish and animals of the deep; +he has the finest cows and the swiftest horses that ever chewed grass +at the bottom of the ocean. He who stands well with Ahti is soon a rich +man, but one must beware in dealing with him, for he is very changeful +and touchy. Even a little stone thrown into the water might offend him, +and then as he takes back his gift, he stirs up the sea into a storm +and drags the sailors down into the depths. Ahti owns also the fairest +maidens, who bear the train of his queen Wellamos, and at the sound of +music they comb their long, flowing locks, which glisten in the water.' + +'Oh!' cried Matte, 'have your worships really seen all that?' + +'We have as good as seen it,' said the students. 'It is all printed in a +book, and everything printed is true.' + +'I'm not so sure of that,' said Matte, as he shook his head. + +But the herring were now ready, and the students ate enough for six, +and gave Prince some cold meat which they happened to have in the boat. +Prince sat on his hind legs with delight and mewed like a pussy cat. +When all was finished, the students handed Matte a shining silver coin, +and allowed him to fill his pipe with a special kind of tobacco. They +then thanked him for his kind hospitality and went on their journey, +much regretted by Prince, who sat with a woeful expression and whined on +the shore as long as he could see a flip of the boat's white sail in the +distance. + +Maie had never uttered a word, but thought the more. She had good ears, +and had laid to heart the story about Ahti. 'How delightful,' thought +she to herself, 'to possess a fairy cow! How delicious every morning and +evening to draw milk from it, and yet have no trouble about the feeding, +and to keep a shelf near the window for dishes of milk and junkets! But +this will never be my luck.' + +'What are you thinking of?' asked Matte. + +'Nothing,' said his wife; but all the time she was pondering over some +magic rhymes she had heard in her childhood from an old lame man, which +were supposed to bring luck in fishing. + +'What if I were to try?' thought she. + +Now this was Saturday, and on Saturday evenings Matte never set the +herring-net, for he did not fish on Sunday. Towards evening, however, +his wife said: + +'Let us set the herring-net just this once.' + +'No,' said her husband, 'it is a Saturday night.' + +'Last night was so stormy, and we caught so little,' urged his wife; +'to-night the sea is like a mirror, and with the wind in this direction +the herring are drawing towards land.' + +'But there are streaks in the north-western sky, and Prince was eating +grass this evening,' said the old man. + +'Surely he has not eaten my garlic,' exclaimed the old woman. + +'No; but there will be rough weather by to-morrow at sunset,' rejoined +Matte. + +'Listen to me,' said his wife, 'we will set only one net close to the +shore, and then we shall be able to finish up our half-filled cask, +which will spoil if it stands open so long.' + +The old man allowed himself to be talked over, and so they rowed out +with the net. When they reached the deepest part of the water, she began +to hum the words of the magic rhyme, altering the words to suit the +longing of her heart: + + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + Finest treasures have I heard, + And glittering fish belong to thee. + The richest pearls beyond compare + Are stored up in thy realm below, + And Ocean's cows so sleek and fair + Feed on the grass in thy green meadow. + + King of the waters, far and near, + I ask not of thy golden store, + I wish not jewels of pearl to wear, + Nor silver either, ask I for, + But one is odd and even is two, + So give me a cow, sea-king so bold, + And in return I'll give to you + A slice of the moon, and the sun's gold. + +'What's that you're humming?' asked the old man. + +'Oh, only the words of an old rhyme that keeps running in my head,' +answered the old woman; and she raised her voice and went on: + + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give one onto me. + +'That's a stupid sort of song,' said Matte. 'What else should one beg of +the sea-king but fish? But such songs are not for Sunday.' + +His wife pretended not to hear him, and sang and sang the same tune all +the time they were on the water. Matte heard nothing more as he sat and +rowed the heavy boat, while thinking of his cracked pipe and the fine +tobacco. Then they returned to the island, and soon after went to bed. + +But neither Matte nor Maie could sleep a wink; the one thought of how he +had profaned Sunday, and the other of Ahti's cow. + +About midnight the fisherman sat up, and said to his wife: + +'Dost thou hear anything?' + +'No,' said she. + +'I think the twirling of the weathercock on the roof bodes ill,' said +he; 'we shall have a storm.' + +'Oh, it is nothing but your fancy,' said his wife. + +Matte lay down, but soon rose again. + +'The weathercock is squeaking now,' said he. + +'Just fancy! Go to sleep,' said his wife; and the old man tried to. + +For the third time he jumped out of bed. + +'Ho! how the weather-cock is roaring at the pitch of its voice, as if it +had a fire inside it! We are going to have a tempest, and must bring in +the net.' + +Both rose. The summer night was as dark as if it had been October, the +weather-cock creaked, and the storm was raging in every direction. As +they went out the sea lay around them as white as now, and the spray +was dashing right over the fisher-hut. In all his life Matte had never +remembered such a night. To launch the boat and put to sea to rescue the +net was a thing not to be thought of. The fisherman and his wife stood +aghast on the doorstep, holding on fast by the doorpost, while the foam +splashed over their faces. + +'Did I not tell thee that there is no luck in Sunday fishing?' said +Matte sulkily; and his wife was so frightened that she never even once +thought of Ahti's cows. + +As there was nothing to be done, they went in. Their eyes were heavy for +lack of slumber, and they slept as soundly as if there had not been such +a thing as an angry sea roaring furiously around their lonely dwelling. +When they awoke, the sun was high in the heavens, the tempest had cased, +and only the swell of the sea rose in silvery heavings against the red +rock. + +'What can that be?' said the old woman, as she peeped out of the door. + +'It looks like a big seal,' said Matte. + +'As sure as I live, it's a cow!' exclaimed Maie. And certainly it was a +cow, a fine red cow, fat and flourishing, and looking as if it had been +fed all its days on spinach. It wandered peacefully up and down the +shore, and never so much as even looked at the poor little tufts of +grass, as if it despised such fare. + +Matte could not believe his eyes. But a cow she seemed, and a cow she +was found to be; and when the old woman began to milk her, every pitcher +and pan, even to the baler, was soon filled with the most delicious +milk. + +The old man troubled his head in vain as to how she came there, and +sallied forth to seek for his lost net. He had not proceeded far when he +found it cast up on the shore, and so full of fish that not a mesh was +visible. + +'It is all very fine to possess a cow,' said Matte, as he cleaned the +fish; 'but what are we going to feed her on?' + +'We shall find some means,' said his wife; and the cow found the means +herself. She went out and cropped the seaweed which grew in great +abundance near the shore, and always kept in good condition. Every one +Prince alone excepted, thought she was a clever beast; but Prince barked +at her, for he had now got a rival. + +From that day the red rock overflowed with milk and junkets, and every +net was filled with fish. Matte and Maie grew fat on this fine living, +and daily became richer. She churned quantities of butter, and he hired +two men to help him in his fishing. The sea lay before him like a big +fish tank, out of which he hauled as many as he required; and the cow +continued to fend for herself. In autumn, when Matte and Maie went +ashore, the cow went to sea, and in spring, when they returned to the +rock, there she stood awaiting them. + +'We shall require a better house,' said Maie the following summer; 'the +old one is too small for ourselves and the men.' + +'Yes,' said Matte. So he built a large cottage, with a real lock to the +door, and a store-house for fish as well; and he and his men caught such +quantities of fish that they sent tons of salmon, herring, and cod to +Russian and Sweden. + +'I am quite overworked with so many folk,' said Maie; 'a girl to help me +would not come amiss.' + +'Get one, then,' said her husband; and so they hired a girl. + +Then Maie said: 'We have too little milk for all these folk. Now that +I have a servant, with the same amount of trouble she could look after +three cows.' + +'All right, then,' said her husband, somewhat provoked, 'you can sing a +song to the fairies.' + +This annoyed Maie, but nevertheless she rowed out to sea on Sunday night +and sang as before: + + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give three unto me. + +The following morning, instead of one, three cows stood on the island, +and they all ate seaweed and fended for themselves like the first one. + +'Art thou satisfied now?' said Matte to his wife. + +'I should be quite satisfied,' said his wife, 'if only I had two +servants to help, and if I had some finer clothes. Don't you know that I +am addressed as Madam?' + +'Well, well,' said her husband. So Maie got several servants and clothes +fit for a great lady. + +'Everything would now be perfect if only we had a little better dwelling +for summer. You might build us a two-storey house, and fetch soil to +make a garden. Then you might make a little arbour up there to let +us have a sea-view; and we might have a fiddler to fiddle to us of an +evening, and a little steamer to take us to church in stormy weather.' + +'Anything more?' asked Matte; but he did everything that his wife +wished. The rock Ahtola became so grand and Maie so grand that all the +sea-urchins and herring were lost in wonderment. Even Prince was fed +on beefsteaks and cream scones till at last he was as round as a butter +jar. + +'Are you satisfied now?' asked Matte. + +'I should be quite satisfied,' said Maie, 'if only I had thirty cows. At +least that number is required for such a household.' + +'Go to the fairies,' said Matte. + +His wife set out in the new steamer and sang to the sea-king. Next +morning thirty cows stood on the shore, all finding food for themselves. + +'Know'st thou, good man, that we are far too cramped on this wretched +rock, and where am I to find room for so many cows?' + +'There is nothing to be done but to pump out the sea.' + +'Rubbish!' said his wife. 'Who can pump out the sea?' + +'Try with thy new steamer, there is a pump in it.' + +Maie knew well that her husband was only making fun of her, but still +her mind was set upon the same subject. 'I never could pump the sea +out,' thought she, 'but perhaps I might fill it up, if I were to make +a big dam. I might heap up sand and stones, and make our island as big +again.' + +Maie loaded her boat with stones and went out to sea. The fiddler was +with her, and fiddled so finely that Ahti and Wellamos and all the sea's +daughters rose to the surface of the water to listen to the music. + +'What is that shining so brightly in the waves?' asked Maie. + +'That is sea foam glinting in the sunshine,' answered the fiddler. + +'Throw out the stones,' said Maie. + +The people in the boat began to throw out the stones, splash, splash, +right and left, into the foam. One stone hit the nose of Wellamos's +chief lady-in-waiting, another scratched the sea queen herself on the +cheek, a third plumped close to Ahti's head and tore off half of the +sea-king's beard; then there was a commotion in the sea, the waves +bubbled and bubbled like boiling water in a pot. + +'Whence comes this gust of wind?' said Maie; and as she spoke the sea +opened and swallowed up the steamer. Maie sank to the bottom like a +stone, but, stretching out her arms and legs, she rose to the surface, +where she found the fiddler's fiddle, and used it as a float. At the +same moment she saw close beside her the terrible head of Ahti, and he +had only half a beard!' + +'Why did you throw stones at me?' roared the sea-king. + +'Oh, your majesty, it was a mistake! Put some bear's grease on your +beard and that will soon make it grow again.' + +'Dame, did I not give you all you asked for--nay, even more?' + +'Truly, truly, your majesty. Many thanks for the cows.' + +'Well, where is the gold from the sun and the silver from the moon that +you promised me?' + +'Ah, your majesty, they have been scattered day and night upon the sea, +except when the sky was overcast,' slyly answered Maie. + +'I'll teach you!' roared the sea-king; and with that he gave the fiddle +such a 'puff' that it sent the old woman up like a sky-rocket on to her +island. There Prince lay, as famished as ever, gnawing the carcase of +a crow. There sat Matte in his ragged grey jacket, quite alone, on the +steps of the old hut, mending a net. + +'Heavens, mother,' said he, 'where are you coming from at such a +whirlwind pace, and what makes you in such a dripping condition?' + +Maie looked around her amazed, and said, 'Where is our two-storey +house?' + +'What house?' asked her husband. + +'Our big house, and the flower garden, and the men and the maids, and +the thirty beautiful cows, and the steamer, and everything else?' + +'You are talking nonsense, mother,' said he. 'The students have quite +turned your head, for you sang silly songs last evening while we were +rowing, and then you could not sleep till early morning. We had stormy +weather during the night, and when it was past I did not wish to waken +you, so rowed out alone to rescue the net.' + +'But I've seen Ahti,' rejoined Maie. + +'You've been lying in bed, dreaming foolish fancies, mother, and then in +your sleep you walked into the water.' + +'But there is the fiddle,' said Maie. + +'A fine fiddle! It is only an old stick. No, no, old woman, another time +we will be more careful. Good luck never attends fishing on a Sunday.' + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + +The Raspberry Worm + + +'Phew!' cried Lisa. + +'Ugh!' cried Aina. + +'What now?' cried the big sister. + +'A worm!' cried Lisa. + +'On the raspberry!' cried Aina. + +'Kill it!' cried Otto. + +'What a fuss over a poor little worm!' said the big sister scornfully. + +'Yes, when we had cleaned the raspberries so carefully,' said Lisa. + +'It crept out from that very large one,' put in Aina. + +'And supposing someone had eaten the raspberry,' said Lisa. + +'Then they would have eaten the worm, too,' said Aina. + +'Well, what harm?' said Otto. + +'Eat a worm!' cried Lisa. + +'And kill him with one bite!' murmured Aina. + +'Just think of it!' said Otto laughing. + +'Now it is crawling on the table,' cried Aina again. + +'Blow it away!' said the big sister. + +'Tramp on it!' laughed Otto. + +But Lisa took a raspberry leaf, swept the worm carefully on to the +leaf and carried it out into the yard. Then Aina noticed that a sparrow +sitting on the fence was just ready to pounce on the poor little worm, +so she took up the leaf, carried it out into the wood and hid it under a +raspberry bush where the greedy sparrow could not find it. Yes, and +what more is there to tell about a raspberry worm? Who would give three +straws for such a miserable little thing? Yes, but who would not like +to live in such a pretty home as it lives in; in such a fresh fragrant +dark-red cottage, far away in the quiet wood among flowers and green +leaves! + +Now it was just dinner time, so they all had a dinner of raspberries +and cream. 'Be careful with the sugar, Otto,' said the big sister; but +Otto's plate was like a snowdrift in winter, with just a little red +under the snow. + +Soon after dinner the big sister said: 'Now we have eaten up the +raspberries and we have none left to make preserve for the winter; it +would be fine if we could get two baskets full of berries, then we could +clean them this evening, and to-morrow we could cook them in the big +preserving pan, and then we should have raspberry jam to eat on our +bread!' + +'Come, let us go to the wood and pick,' said Lisa. + +'Yes, let us,' said Aina. 'You take the yellow basket and I will take +the green one.' + +'Don't get lost, and come back safely in the evening,' said the big +sister. + +'Greetings to the raspberry worm,' said Otto, mockingly. 'Next time I +meet him I shall do him the honour of eating him up.' + +So Aina and Lisa went off to the wood. Ah! how delightful it was there, +how beautiful! It was certainly tiresome sometimes climbing over the +fallen trees, and getting caught in the branches, and waging war with +the juniper bushes and the midges, but what did that matter? The girls +climbed well in their short dresses, and soon they were deep in the +wood. + +There were plenty of bilberries and elder berries, but no raspberries. +They wandered on and on, and at last they came... No, it could not be +true!... they came to a large raspberry wood. The wood had been on fire +once, and now raspberry bushes had grown up, and there were raspberry +bushes and raspberry bushes as far as the eye could see. Every bush was +weighted to the ground with the largest, dark red, ripe raspberries, +such a wealth of berries as two little berry pickers had never found +before! + +Lisa picked, Aina picked. Lisa ate, Aina ate, and in a little while +their baskets were full. + +'Now we shall go home,' said Aina. 'No, let us gather a few more,' said +Lisa. So they put the baskets down on the ground and began to fill their +pinafores, and it was not long before their pinafores were full, too. + +'Now we shall go home,' said Lina. 'Yes, now we shall go home,' said +Aina. Both girls took a basket in one hand and held up her apron in the +other and then turned to go home. But that was easier said than done. +They had never been so far in the great wood before, they could not find +any road nor path, and soon the girls noticed that they had lost their +way. + +The worst of it was that the shadows of the tress were becoming so long +in the evening sunlight, the birds were beginning to fly home, and the +day was closing in. At last the sun went down behind the pine tops, and +it was cool and dusky in the great wood. + +The girls became anxious but went steadily on, expecting that the wood +would soon end, and that they would see the smoke from the chimneys of +their home. + +After they had wandered on for a long time it began to grow dark. At +last they reached a great plain overgrown with bushes, and when they +looked around them, they saw, as much as they could in the darkness, +that they were among the same beautiful raspberry bushes from which they +had picked their baskets and their aprons full. Then they were so tired +that they sat down on a stone and began to cry. + +'I am so hungry,' said Lisa. + +'Yes,' said Aina, 'if we had only two good meat sandwiches now.' + +As she said that, she felt something in her hand, and when she looked +down, she saw a large sandwich of bread and chicken, and at the same +time Lisa said: 'How very queer! I have a sandwich in my hand.' + +'And I, too,' said Aina. 'Will you dare to eat it?' + +'Of course I will,' said Lisa. 'Ah, if we only had a good glass of milk +now!' + +Just as she said that she felt a large glass of milk between her +fingers, and at the same time Aina cried out, 'Lisa! Lisa! I have a +glass of milk in my hand! Isn't it queer?' + +The girls, however, were very hungry, so they ate and drank with a good +appetite. When they had finished Aina yawned, stretched out her arms and +said: 'Oh, if only we had a nice soft bed to sleep on now!' + +Scarcely had she spoken before she felt a nice soft bed by her side, and +there beside Lisa was one too. This seemed to the girls more and more +wonderful, but tired and sleepy as they were, they thought no more about +it, but crept into the little beds, drew the coverlets over their heads +and were soon asleep. + +When they awoke the sun was high in the heavens, the wood was beautiful +in the summer morning, and the birds were flying about in the branches +and the tree tops. + +At first the girls were filled with wonder when they saw that they had +slept in the wood among the raspberry bushes. They looked at each other, +they looked at their beds, which were of the finest flax covered over +with leaves and moss. At last Lisa said: 'Are you awake, Aina?' + +'Yes,' said Aina. + +'But I am still dreaming,' said Lisa. + +'No,' said Aina, 'but there is certainly some good fairy living among +these raspberry bushes. Ah, if we had only a hot cup of coffee now, and +a nice piece of white bread to dip into it!' + +Scarcely had she finished speaking when she saw beside her a little +silver tray with a gilt coffee-pot, two cups of rare porcelain, a sugar +basin of fine crystal, silver sugar tongs, and some good fresh white +bread. The girls poured out the beautiful coffee, put in the cream and +sugar, and tasted it; never in their lives had they drunk such beautiful +coffee. + +'Now I should like to know very much who has given us all this,' said +Lisa gratefully. + +'I have, my little girls,' said a voice just then from the bushes. + +The children looked round wonderingly, and saw a little kind-looking old +man, in a white coat and a red cap, limping out from among the bushes, +for he was lame in his left foot; neither Lisa nor Aina could utter a +word, they were so filled with surprise. + +'Don't be afraid, little girls,' he said smiling kindly at them; he +could not laugh properly because his mouth was crooked. 'Welcome to my +kingdom! Have you slept well and eaten well and drunk well?' he asked. + +'Yes, indeed we have,' said both the girls, 'but tell us...' and they +wanted to ask who the old man was, but were afraid to. + +'I will tell you who I am,' said the old man; 'I am the raspberry king, +who reigns over all this kingdom of raspberry bushes, and I have lived +here for more than a thousand years. But the great spirit who rules over +the woods, and the sea, and the sky, did not want me to become proud of +my royal power and my long life. Therefore he decreed that one day in +every hundred years I should change into a little raspberry worm, and +live in that weak and helpless form from sunrise to sunset. During that +time my life is dependent on the little worm's life, so that a bird can +eat me, a child can pick me with the berries and trample under foot my +thousand years of life. Now yesterday was just my transformation day, +and I was taken with the raspberry and would have been trampled to death +if you had not saved my life. Until sunset I lay helpless in the grass, +and when I was swept away from your table I twisted one of my feet, and +my mouth became crooked with terror; but when evening came and I could +take my own form again, I looked for you to thank you and reward you. +Then I found you both here in my kingdom, and tried to meet you both as +well as I could without frightening you. Now I will send a bird from my +wood to show you the way home. Good-bye, little children, thank you +for your kind hearts; the raspberry king can show that he is not +ungrateful.' The children shook hands with the old man and thanked him, +feeling very glad that they had saved the little raspberry worm. They +were just going when the old man turned round, smiled mischievously with +his crooked mouth, and said: 'Greetings to Otto from me, and tell him +when I meet him again I shall do him the honour of eating him up.' + +'Oh, please don't do that,' cried both the girls, very frightened. + +'Well, for your sake I will forgive him,' said the old man, 'I am not +revengeful. Greetings to Otto and tell him that he may expect a gift +from me, too. Good-bye.' + +The two girls, light of heart, now took their berries and ran off +through the wood after the bird; and soon it began to get lighter in the +wood and they wondered how they could have lost their way yesterday, it +seemed so easy and plain now. + +One can imagine what joy there was when the two reached home. Everyone +had been looking for them, and the big sister had not been able to +sleep, for she thought the wolves had eaten them up. + +Otto met them; he had a basket in his hand and said: 'Look, here is +something that an old man has just left for you.' + +When the girls looked into the basket they saw a pair of most beautiful +bracelets of precious stones, dark red, and made in the shape of a ripe +raspberry and with an inscription: 'To Lisa and Aina'; beside them there +was a diamond breast pin in the shape of a raspberry worm: on it was +inscribed 'Otto, never destroy the helpless!' + +Otto felt rather ashamed: he quite understood what it meant, but he +thought that the old man's revenge was a noble one. + +The raspberry king had also remembered the big sister, for when she went +in to set the table for dinner, she found eleven big baskets of most +beautiful raspberries, and no one knew how they had come there, but +everyone guessed. + +And so there was such a jam-making as had never been seen before, and if +you like to go and help in it, you might perhaps get a little, for they +must surely be making jam still to this very day. + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + +The Stones of Plouhinec + + +Perhaps some of you may have read a book called 'Kenneth; or the +Rear-Guard of the Grand Army' of Napoleon. If so, you will remember how +the two Scotch children found in Russia were taken care of by the +French soldiers and prevented as far as possible from suffering from the +horrors of the terrible Retreat. One of the soldiers, a Breton, often +tried to make them forget how cold and hungry they were by telling +them tales of his native country, Brittany, which is full of wonderful +things. The best and warmest place round the camp fire was always +given to the children, but even so the bitter frost would cause them to +shiver. It was then that the Breton would begin: 'Plouhinec is a small +town near Hennebonne by the sea,' and would continue until Kenneth or +Effie would interrupt him with an eager question. Then he forgot how his +mother had told him the tale, and was obliged to begin all over again, +so the story lasted a long while, and by the time it was ended the +children were ready to be rolled up in what ever coverings could be +found, and go to sleep. It is this story that I am going to tell to you. + +Plouhinec is a small town near Hennebonne by the sea. Around it +stretches a desolate moor, where no corn can be grown, and the grass is +so coarse that no beast grows fat on it. Here and there are scattered +groves of fir trees, and small pebbles are so thick on the ground that +you might almost take it for a beach. On the further side, the fairies, +or korigans, as the people called them, had set up long long ago two +rows of huge stones; indeed, so tall and heavy were they, that it seemed +as if all the fairies in the world could not have placed them upright. + +Not far off them this great stone avenue, and on the banks of the little +river Intel, there lived a man named Marzinne and his sister Rozennik. +They always had enough black bread to eat, and wooden shoes or sabots +to wear, and a pig to fatten, so the neighbours thought them quite rich; +and what was still better, they thought themselves rich also. + +Rozennik was a pretty girl, who knew how to make the best of everything, +and she could, if she wished, have chosen a husband from the young men +of Plouhinec, but she cared for none of them except Bernez, whom she had +played with all her life, and Bernez, though he worked hard, was so very +very poor that Marzinne told him roughly he must look elsewhere for a +wife. But whatever Marzinne might say Rozennik smiled and nodded to +him as before, and would often turn her head as she passed, and sing +snatches of old songs over her shoulder. + +Christmas Eve had come, and all the men who worked under Marzinne or on +the farms round about were gathered in the large kitchen to eat the +soup flavoured with honey followed by rich puddings, to which they were +always invited on this particular night. In the middle of the table was +a large wooden bowl, with wooden spoons placed in a circle round it, so +that each might dip in his turn. The benches were filled, and Marzinne +was about to give the signal, when the door was suddenly thrown open, +and an old man came in, wishing the guests a good appetite for their +supper. There was a pause, and some of the faces looked a little +frightened; for the new-comer was well known to them as a beggar, who +was also said to be a wizard who cast spells over the cattle, and caused +the corn to grow black, and old people to die, of what, nobody knew. +Still, it was Christmas Eve, and besides it was as well not to offend +him, so the farmer invited him in, and gave him a seat at the table and +a wooden spoon like the rest. + +There was not much talk after the beggar's entrance, and everyone was +glad when the meal came to an end, and the beggar asked if he might +sleep in the stable, as he should die of cold if he were left outside. +Rather unwillingly Marzinne gave him leave, and bade Bernez take the +key and unlock the door. There was certainly plenty of room for a dozen +beggars, for the only occupants of the stable were an old donkey and a +thin ox; and as the night was bitter, the wizard lay down between them +for warmth, with a sack of reeds for a pillow. + +He had walked far that day, and even wizards get tired sometimes, so in +spite of the hard floor he was just dropping off to sleep, when midnight +struck from the church tower of Plouhinec. At this sound the donkey +raised her head and shook her ears, and turned towards the ox. + +'Well, my dear cousin,' said she, 'and how have you fared since last +Christmas Eve, when we had a conversation together?' + +Instead of answering at once, the ox eyed the beggar with a long look of +disgust. + +'What is the use of talking,' he replied roughly, 'when a +good-for-nothing creature like that can hear all we say?' + +'Oh, you mustn't lose time in grumbling,' rejoined the donkey gaily, +'and don't you see that the wizard is asleep?' + +'His wicked pranks do not make him rich, certainly,' said the ox, 'and +he isn't even clever enough to have found out what a piece of luck might +befall him a week hence.' + +'What piece of luck?' asked the donkey. + +'Why, don't you know,' inquired the ox, 'that once very hundred years +the stones on Plouhinec heath go down to drink at the river, and that +while they are away the treasures underneath them are uncovered?' + +'Ah, I remember now,' replied the donkey, 'but the stones return so +quickly to their places, that you certainly would be crushed to death +unless you have in your hands a bunch of crowsfoot and of five-leaved +trefoil.' + +'Yes, but that is not enough,' said the ox; 'even supposing you get +safely by, the treasure you have brought with you will crumble into dust +if you do not give in exchange a baptised soul. It is needful that a +Christian should die before you can enjoy the wealth of Plouhinec.' + +The donkey was about to ask some further questions, when she suddenly +found herself unable to speak: the time allowed them for conversation +was over. + +'Ah, my dear creatures,' thought the beggar, who had of course heard +everything, 'you are going to make me richer than the richest men of +Vannes or Lorient. But I have no time to lose; to-morrow I must begin to +hunt for the precious plants.' + +He did not dare to seek too near Plouhinec, lest somebody who knew the +story might guess what he was doing, so he went away further towards the +south, where the air was softer and the plants are always green. From +the instant it was light, till the last rays had faded out of the sky, +he searched every inch of ground where the magic plants might grow; he +scarcely gave himself a minute to eat and drink, but at length he found +the crowsfoot in a little hollow! Well, that was certainly a great deal, +but after all, the crowsfoot was of no use without the trefoil, and +there was so little time left. + +He had almost give up hope, when on the very last day before it was +necessary that he should start of Plouhinec, he came upon a little +clump of trefoil, half hidden under a rock. Hardly able to breathe from +excitement, he sat down and hunted eagerly through the plant which +he had torn up. Leaf after leaf he threw aside in disgust, and he had +nearly reached the end when he gave a cry of joy--the five-leaved +trefoil was in his hand. + +The beggar scrambled to his feet, and without a pause walked quickly +down the road that led northwards. The moon was bright, and for some +hours he kept steadily on, not knowing how many miles he had gone, nor +even feeling tired. By and bye the sun rose, and the world began to +stir, and stopping at a farmhouse door, he asked for a cup of milk and +slice of bread and permission to rest for a while in the porch. Then he +continued his journey, and so, towards sunset on New Year's Eve, he came +back to Plouhinec. + +As he was passing the long line of stones, he saw Bernez working with a +chisel on the tallest of them all. + +'What are you doing there?' called the wizard, 'do you mean to hollow +out for yourself a bed in that huge column?' + +'No,' replied Bernez quietly, 'but as I happened to have no work to do +to-day, I thought I would just carve a cross on this stone. The holy +sign can never come amiss.' + +'I believe you think it will help you to win Rozennik,' laughed the old +man. + +Bernez ceased his task for a moment to look at him. + +'Ah, so you know about that,' replied he; 'unluckily Marzinne wants a +brother-in-law who has more pounds than I have pence.' + +'And suppose I were to give you more pounds than Marzinne ever dreamed +of?' whispered the sorcerer glancing round to make sure that no one +overheard him. + +'You?' + +'Yes, I.' + +'And what am I to do to gain the money,' inquired Bernez, who knew quite +well that the Breton peasant gives nothing for nothing. + +'What I want of you only needs a little courage,' answered the old man. + +'If that is all, tell me what I have got to do, and I will do it,' cried +Bernez, letting fall his chisel. 'If I have to risk thirty deaths, I am +ready.' + +When the beggar knew that Bernez would give him no trouble, he told him +how, during that very night, the treasures under the stones would be +uncovered, and how in a very few minutes they could take enough to make +them both rich for life. But he kept silence as to the fate that awaited +the man who was without the crowsfoot and the trefoil, and Bernez +thought that nothing but boldness and quickness were necessary. So he +said: + +'Old man, I am grateful, indeed, for the chance you have given me, and +there will always be a pint of my blood at your service. Just let me +finish carving this cross. It is nearly done, and I will join you in the +fir wood at whatever hour you please.' + +'You must be there without fail an hour before midnight,' answered the +wizard, and went on his way. + +As the hour struck from the great church at Plouhinec, Bernez entered +the wood. He found the beggar already there with a bag in each hand, and +a third slung round his neck. + +'You are punctual,' said the old man, 'but we need not start just yet. +You had better sit down and think what you will do when your pockets are +filled with gold and silver and jewels.' + +'Oh, it won't take me long to plan out that,' returned Bernez with a +laugh. 'I shall give Rozennik everything she can desire, dresses of all +sorts, from cotton to silk, and good things of all kinds to eat, from +white bread to oranges.' + +'The silver you find will pay for all that, and what about the gold?' + +'With the gold I shall make rich Rozennik's relations and every friend +of hers in the parish,' replied he. + +'So much for the gold; and the jewels?' + +'Then,' cried Bernez, 'I will divide the jewels amongst everybody in the +world, so that they may be wealthy and happy; and I will tell them that +it is Rozennik who would have it so.' + +'Hush! it is close on midnight--we must go,' whispered the wizard, and +together they crept to the edge of the wood. + +With the first stroke of twelve a great noise arose over the silent +heath, and the earth seemed to rock under the feet of the two watchers. +The next moment by the light of the moon they beheld the huge stones +near them leave their places and go down the slope leading to the river, +knocking against each other in their haste. Passing the spot where stood +Bernez and the beggar, they were lost in the darkness. It seemed as if a +procession of giants had gone by. + +'Quick,' said the wizard, in a low voice, and he rushed towards the +empty holes, which even in the night shone brightly from the treasures +within them. Flinging himself on his knees, the old man began filling +the wallets he had brought, listening intently all the time for the +return of the stones up the hill, while Bernez more slowly put handfuls +of all he could see into his pockets. + +The sorcerer had just closed his third wallet, and was beginning to +wonder if he could carry away any more treasures when a low murmur as of +a distant storm broke upon his ears. + +The stones had finished drinking, and were hastening back to their +places. + +On they came, bent a little forward, the tallest of them all at their +head, breaking everything that stood in their way. At the sight Bernez +stood transfixed with horror, and said, + +'We are lost! They will crush us to death.' + +'Not me!' answered the sorcerer, holding up the crowsfoot and the +five-leaved trefoil, 'for these will preserve me. But in order to keep +my riches, I was obliged to sacrifice a Christian to the stones, and +an evil fate threw you in my way.' And as he spoke he stretched out +the magic herbs to the stones, which were advancing rapidly. As +if acknowledging a power greater than theirs, the monstrous things +instantly parted to the right and left of the wizard, but closed their +ranks again as they approached Bernez. + +The young man did not try to escape, he knew it was useless, and sank +on his knees and closed his eyes. But suddenly the tall stone that was +leading stopped straight in front of Bernez, so that no other could get +past. + +It was the stone on which Bernez had carved the cross, and it was now a +baptized stone, and had power to save him. + +So the stone remained before the young man till the rest had taken their +places, and then, darting like a bird to its own hole, came upon the +beggar, who, thinking himself quite safe, was staggering along under the +weight of his treasures. + +Seeing the stone approaching, he held out the magic herbs which he +carried, but the baptized stone was no longer subject to the spells +that bound the rest, and passed straight on its way, leaving the wizard +crushed into powder in the heather. + +Then Bernez went home, and showed his wealth to Marzinne, who this +time did not refuse him as a brother-in-law, and he and Rozennik were +married, and lived happy for ever after. + +From 'Le Royer Breton,' par Emile Souvestre. + + + + +The Castle of Kerglas + + +Peronnik was a poor idiot who belonged to nobody, and he would have died +of starvation if it had not been for the kindness of the village people, +who gave him food whenever he chose to ask for it. And as for a bed, +when night came, and he grew sleepy, he looked about for a heap of +straw, and making a hole in it, crept in, like a lizard. Idiot though he +was, he was never unhappy, but always thanked gratefully those who fed +him, and sometimes would stop for a little and sing to them. For he +could imitate a lark so well, that no one knew which was Peronnik and +which was the bird. + +He had been wandering in a forest one day for several hours, and when +evening approached, he suddenly felt very hungry. Luckily, just at +that place the trees grew thinner, and he could see a small farmhouse +a little way off. Peronnik went straight towards it, and found the +farmer's wife standing at the door holding in her hands the large bowl +out of which her children had eaten their supper. + +'I am hungry, will you give me something to eat?' asked the boy. + +'If you can find anything here, you are welcome to it,' answered she, +and, indeed, there was not much left, as everybody's spoon had dipped +in. But Peronnik ate what was there with a hearty appetite, and thought +that he had never tasted better food. + +'It is made of the finest flour and mixed with the richest milk and +stirred by the best cook in all the countryside,' and though he said it +to himself, the woman heard him. + +'Poor innocent,' she murmured, 'he does not know what he is saying, but +I will cut him a slice of that new wheaten loaf,' and so she did, and +Peronnik ate up every crumb, and declared that nobody less than the +bishop's baker could have baked it. This flattered the farmer's wife +so much that she gave him some butter to spread on it, and Peronnik was +still eating it on the doorstep when an armed knight rode up. + +'Can you tell me the way to the castle of Kerglas?' asked he. + +'To Kerglas? are you really going to Kerglas?' cried the woman, turning +pale. + +'Yes; and in order to get there I have come from a country so far off +that it has taken me three months' hard riding to travel as far as +this.' + +'And why do you want to go to Kerglas?' said she. + +'I am seeking the basin of gold and the lance of diamonds which are in +the castle,' he answered. Then Peronnik looked up. + +'The basin and the lance are very costly things,' he said suddenly. + +'More costly and precious than all the crowns in the world,' replied the +stranger, 'for not only will the basin furnish you with the best food +that you can dream of, but if you drink of it, it will cure you of any +illness however dangerous, and will even bring the dead back to life, if +it touches their mouths. As to the diamond lance, that will cut through +any stone or metal.' + +'And to whom do these wonders belong?' asked Peronnik in amazement. + +'To a magician named Rogear who lives in the castle,' answered the +woman. 'Every day he passes along here, mounted on a black mare, with +a colt thirteen months old trotting behind. But no one dares to attack +him, as he always carries his lance.' + +'That is true,' said the knight, 'but there is a spell laid upon him +which forbids his using it within the castle of Kerglas. The moment he +enters, the basin and lance are put away in a dark cellar which no +key but one can open. And that is the place where I wish to fight the +magician.' + +'You will never overcome him, Sir Knight,' replied the woman, shaking +her head. 'More than a hundred gentlemen have ridden past this house +bent on the same errand, and not one has ever come back.' + +'I know that, good woman,' returned the knight, 'but then they did not +have, like me, instructions from the hermit of Blavet.' + +'And what did the hermit tell you?' asked Peronnik. + +'He told me that I should have to pass through a wood full of all sorts +of enchantments and voices, which would try to frighten me and make me +lose my way. Most of those who have gone before me have wandered they +know not where, and perished from cold, hunger, or fatigue.' + +'Well, suppose you get through safely?' said the idiot. + +'If I do,' continued the knight, 'I shall then meet a sort of fairy +armed with a needle of fire which burns to ashes all it touches. This +dwarf stands guarding an apple-tree, from which I am bound to pluck an +apple.' + +'And next?' inquired Peronnik. + +'Next I shall find the flower that laughs, protected by a lion whose +mane is formed of vipers. I must pluck that flower, and go on to the +lake of the dragons and fight the black man who holds in his hand the +iron ball which never misses its mark and returns of its own accord to +its master. After that, I enter the valley of pleasure, where some who +conquered all the other obstacles have left their bones. If I can win +through this, I shall reach a river with only one ford, where a lady +in black will be seated. She will mount my horse behind me, and tell me +what I am to do next.' + +He paused, and the woman shook her head. + +'You will never be able to do all that,' said she, but he bade her +remembered that these were only matters for men, and galloped away down +the path she pointed out. + +The farmer's wife sighed and, giving Peronnik some more food, bade him +good-night. The idiot rose and was opening the gate which led into the +forest when the farmer himself came up. + +'I want a boy to tend my cattle,' he said abruptly, 'as the one I had +has run away. Will you stay and do it?' and Peronnik, though he loved +his liberty and hated work, recollected the good food he had eaten, and +agreed to stop. + +At sunrise he collected his herd carefully and led them to the rich +pasture which lay along the borders of the forest, cutting himself a +hazel wand with which to keep them in order. + +His task was not quite so easy as it looked, for the cows had a way of +straying into the wood, and by the time he had brought one back another +was off. He had gone some distance into the trees, after a naughty black +cow which gave him more trouble than all the rest, when he heard the +noise of horse's feet, and peeping through the leaves he beheld the +giant Rogear seated on his mare, with the colt trotting behind. Round +the giant's neck hung the golden bowl suspended from a chain, and in his +hand he grasped the diamond lance, which gleamed like fire. But as soon +as he was out of sight the idiot sought in vain for traces of the path +he had taken. + +This happened not only once but many times, till Peronnik grew so used +to him that he never troubled to hide. But on each occasion he saw him +the desire to possess the bowl and the lance became stronger. + +One evening the boy was sitting alone on the edge of the forest, when a +man with a white beard stopped beside him. 'Do you want to know the way +to Kerglas?' asked the idiot, and the man answered 'I know it well.' + +'You have been there without being killed by the magician?' cried +Peronnik. + +'Oh! he had nothing to fear from me,' replied the white-bearded man, 'I +am Rogear's elder brother, the wizard Bryak. When I wish to visit him I +always pass this way, and as even I cannot go through the enchanted wood +without losing myself, I call the colt to guide me.' Stooping down as he +spoke he traced three circles on the ground and murmured some words very +low, which Peronnik could not hear. Then he added aloud: + + Colt, free to run and free to eat. + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, + +and instantly the colt appeared, frisking and jumping to the wizard, who +threw a halter over his neck and leapt on his back. + +Peronnik kept silence at the farm about this adventure, but he +understood very well that if he was ever to get to Kerglas he must first +catch the colt which knew the way. Unhappily he had not heard the magic +words uttered by the wizard, and he could not manage to draw the three +circles, so if he was to summon the colt at all he must invent some +other means of doing it. + +All day long, while he was herding the cows, he thought and thought how +he was to call the colt, for he felt sure that once on its back he could +overcome the other dangers. Meantime he must be ready in case a chance +should come, and he made his preparations at night, when everyone was +asleep. Remembering what he had seen the wizard do, he patched up an +old halter that was hanging in a corner of the stable, twisted a rope +of hemp to catch the colt's feet, and a net such as is used for snaring +birds. Next he sewed roughly together some bits of cloth to serve as a +pocket, and this he filled with glue and lark's feathers, a string of +beads, a whistle of elder wood, and a slice of bread rubbed over with +bacon fat. Then he went out to the path down which Rogear, his mare, and +the colt always rode, and crumbled the bread on one side of it. + +Punctual to their hour all three appeared, eagerly watched by Peronnik, +who lay hid in the bushes close by. Suppose it was useless; suppose the +mare, and not the colt, ate the crumbs? Suppose--but no! the mare and +her rider went safely by, vanishing round a corner, while the colt, +trotting along with its head on the ground, smelt the bread, and began +greedily to lick up the pieces. Oh, how good it was! Why had no one ever +given it that before, and so absorbed was the little beast, sniffing +about after a few more crumbs, that it never heard Peronnik creep up +till it felt the halter on its neck and the rope round its feet, and--in +another moment--some one on its back. + +Going as fast as the hobbles would allow, the colt turned into one of +the wildest parts of the forest, while its rider sat trembling at the +strange sights he saw. Sometimes the earth seemed to open in front of +them and he was looking into a bottomless pit; sometimes the trees burst +into flames and he found himself in the midst of a fire; often in the +act of crossing a stream the water rose and threatened to sweep him +away; and again, at the foot of a mountain, great rocks would roll +towards him, as if they would crush him and his colt beneath their +weight. To his dying day Peronnik never knew whether these things were +real or if he only imagined them, but he pulled down his knitted cap so +as to cover his eyes, and trusted the colt to carry him down the right +road. + +At last the forest was left behind, and they came out on a wide plain +where the air blew fresh and strong. The idiot ventured to peep out, and +found to his relief that the enchantments seemed to have ended, though +a thrill of horror shot through him as he noticed the skeletons of men +scattered over the plain, beside the skeletons of their horses. And what +were those grey forms trotting away in the distance? Were they--could +they be--wolves? + +But vast through the plain seemed, it did not take long to cross, and +very soon the colt entered a sort of shady park in which was standing a +single apple-tree, its branches bowed down to the ground with the weight +of its fruit. In front was the korigan--the little fairy man--holding in +his hand the fiery sword, which reduced to ashes everything it touched. +At the sight of Peronnik he uttered a piercing scream, and raised his +sword, but without appearing surprised the youth only lifted his cap, +though he took care to remain at a little distance. + +'Do not be alarmed, my prince,' said Peronnik, 'I am just on my way to +Kerglas, as the noble Rogear has begged me to come to him on business.' + +'Begged you to come!' repeated the dwarf, 'and who, then, are you?' + +'I am the new servant he has engaged, as you know very well,' answered +Peronnik. + +'I do not know at all,' rejoined the korigan sulkily, 'and you may be a +robber for all I can tell.' + +'I am so sorry,' replied Peronnik, 'but I may be wrong in calling myself +a servant, for I am only a bird-catcher. But do not delay me, I pray, +for his highness the magician expects me, and, as you see, has lent me +his colt so that I may reach the castle all the quicker.' + +At these words the korigan cast his eyes for the first time on the colt, +which he knew to be the one belonging to the magician, and began to +think that the young man was speaking the truth. After examining the +horse, he studied the rider, who had such an innocent, and indeed +vacant, air that he appeared incapable of inventing a story. Still, the +dwarf did not feel quite sure that all was right, and asked what the +magician wanted with a bird-catcher. + +'From what he says, he wants one very badly,' replied Peronnik, 'as he +declares that all his grain and all the fruit in his garden at Kerglas +are eaten up by the birds.' + +'And how are you going to stop that, my fine fellow?' inquired the +korigan; and Peronnik showed him the snare he had prepared, and remarked +that no bird could possible escape from it. + +'That is just what I should like to be sure of,' answered the korigan. +'My apples are completely eaten up by blackbirds and thrushes. Lay your +snare, and if you can manage to catch them, I will let you pass.' + +'That is a fair bargain,' and as he spoke Peronnik jumped down and +fastened his colt to a tree; then, stopping, he fixed one end of the net +to the trunk of the apple tree, and called to the korigan to hold the +other while he took out the pegs. The dwarf did as he was bid, when +suddenly Peronnik threw the noose over his neck and drew it close, and +the korigan was held as fast as any of the birds he wished to snare. + +Shrieking with rage, he tried to undo the cord, but he only pulled the +knot tighter. He had put down the sword on the grass, and Peronnik had +been careful to fix the net on the other side of the tree, so that it +was now easy for him to pluck an apple and to mount his horse, without +being hindered by the dwarf, whom he left to his fate. + +When they had left the plain behind them, Peronnik and his steed found +themselves in a narrow valley in which was a grove of trees, full of +all sorts of sweet-smelling things--roses of every colour, yellow broom, +pink honeysuckle--while above them all towered a wonderful scarlet pansy +whose face bore a strange expression. This was the flower that laughs, +and no one who looked at it could help laughing too. Peronnik's heart +beat high at the thought that he had reached safely the second trial, +and he gazed quite calmly at the lion with the mane of vipers twisting +and twirling, who walked up and down in front of the grove. + +The young man pulled up and removed his cap, for, idiot though he was, +he knew that when you have to do with people greater than yourself, a +cap is more useful in the hand than on the head. Then, after wishing all +kinds of good fortune to the lion and his family, he inquired if he was +on the right road to Kerglas. + +'And what is your business at Kerglas?' asked the lion with a growl, and +showing his teeth. + +'With all respect,' answered Peronnik, pretending to be very frightened, +'I am the servant of a lady who is a friend of the noble Rogear and +sends him some larks for a pasty.' + +'Larks?' cried the lion, licking his long whiskers. 'Why, it must be a +century since I have had any! Have you a large quantity with you?' + +'As many as this bag will hold,' replied Peronnik, opening, as he spoke, +the bag which he had filled with feathers and glue; and to prove what he +said, he turned his back on the lion and began to imitate the song of a +lark. + +'Come,' exclaimed the lion, whose mouth watered, 'show me the birds! I +should like to see if they are fat enough for my master.' + +'I would do it with pleasure,' answered the idiot, 'but if I once open +the bag they will all fly away.' + +'Well, open it wide enough for me to look in,' said the lion, drawing a +little nearer. + +Now this was just what Peronnik had been hoping for, so he held the bag +while the lion opened it carefully and put his head right inside, so +that he might get a good mouthful of larks. But the mass of feathers and +glue stuck to him, and before he could pull his head out again Peronnik +had drawn tight the cord, and tied it in a knot that no man could untie. +Then, quickly gathering the flower that laughs, he rode off as fast as +the colt could take him. + +The path soon led to the lake of the dragons, which he had to swim +across. The colt, who was accustomed to it, plunged into the water +without hesitation; but as soon as the dragons caught sight of Peronnik +they approached from all parts of the lake in order to devour him. + +This time Peronnik did not trouble to take off his cap, but he threw the +beads he carried with him into the water, as you throw black corn to a +duck, and with each bead that he swallowed a dragon turned on his back +and died, so that the idiot reached the other side without further +trouble. + +The valley guarded by the black man now lay before him, and from afar +Peronnik beheld him, chained by one foot to a rock at the entrance, and +holding the iron ball which never missed its mark and always returned +to its master's hand. In his head the black man had six eyes that were +never all shut at once, but kept watch one after the other. At this +moment they were all open, and Peronnik knew well that if the black +man caught a glimpse of him he would cast his ball. So, hiding the colt +behind a thicket of bushes, he crawled along a ditch and crouched close +to the very rock to which the black man was chained. + +The day was hot, and after a while the man began to grow sleepy. Two of +his eyes closed, and Peronnik sang gently. In a moment a third eye shut, +and Peronnik sang on. The lid of a fourth eye dropped heavily, and then +those of the fifth and the sixth. The black man was asleep altogether. + +Then, on tiptoe, the idiot crept back to the colt which he led over soft +moss past the black man into the vale of pleasure, a delicious garden +full of fruits that dangled before your mouth, fountains running with +wine, and flowers chanting in soft little voices. Further on, tables +were spread with food, and girls dancing on the grass called to him to +join them. + +Peronnik heard, and, scarcely knowing what he did drew the colt into a +slower pace. He sniffed greedily the smell of the dishes, and raised his +head the better to see the dancers. Another instant and he would have +stopped altogether and been lost, like others before him, when suddenly +there came to him like a vision the golden bowl and the diamond lance. +Drawing his whistle from his pocket, he blew it loudly, so as to drown +the sweet sounds about him, and ate what was left of his bread and bacon +to still the craving of the magic fruits. His eyes he fixed steadily on +the ears of the colt, that he might not see the dancers. + +In this way he was able to reach the end of the garden, and at length +perceived the castle of Kerglas, with the river between them which had +only one ford. Would the lady be there, as the old man had told him? +Yes, surely that was she, sitting on a rock, in a black satin dress, and +her face the colour of a Moorish woman's. The idiot rode up, and took +off his cap more politely than ever, and asked if she did not wish to +cross the river. + +'I was waiting for you to help me do so,' answered she. 'Come near, that +I may get up behind you.' + +Peronnik did as she bade him, and by the help of his arm she jumped +nimbly on to the back of the colt. + +'Do you know how to kill the magician?' asked the lady, as they were +crossing the ford. + +'I thought that, being a magician, he was immortal, and that no one +could kill him,' replied Peronnik. + +'Persuade him to taste that apple, and he will die, and if that is not +enough I will touch him with my finger, for I am the plague,' answered +she. + +'But if I kill him, how am I to get the golden bowl and the diamond +lance that are hidden in the cellar without a key?' rejoined Peronnik. + +'The flower that laughs opens all doors and lightens all darkness,' said +the lady; and as she spoke, they reached the further bank, and advanced +towards the castle. + +In front of the entrance was a sort of tent supported on poles, and +under it the giant was sitting, basking in the sun. As soon as he +noticed the colt bearing Peronnik and the lady, he lifted his head, and +cried in a voice of thunder: + +'Why, it is surely the idiot, riding my colt thirteen months old!' + +'Greatest of magicians, you are right,' answered Peronnik. + +'And how did you manage to catch him?' asked the giant. + +'By repeating what I learnt from your brother Bryak on the edge of the +forest,' replied the idiot. 'I just said-- + + Colt, free to run and free to eat, + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, + +and it came directly.' + +'You know my brother, then?' inquired the giant. 'Tell me why he sent +you here.' + +'To bring you two gifts which he has just received from the country of +the Moors,' answered Peronnik: 'the apple of delight and the woman of +submission. If you eat the apple you will not desire anything else, and +if you take the woman as your servant you will never wish for another.' + +'Well, give me the apple, and bid the woman get down,' answered Rogear. + +The idiot obeyed, but at the first taste of the apple the giant +staggered, and as the long yellow finger of the woman touched him he +fell dead. + +Leaving the magician where he lay, Peronnik entered the palace, bearing +with him the flower that laughs. Fifty doors flew open before him, and +at length he reached a long flight of steps which seemed to lead into +the bowels of the earth. Down these he went till he came to a silver +door without a bar or key. Then he held up high the flower that laughs, +and the door slowly swung back, displaying a deep cavern, which was as +bright as the day from the shining of the golden bowl and the diamond +lance. The idiot hastily ran forward and hung the bowl round his neck +from the chain which was attached to it, and took the lance in his hand. +As he did so, the ground shook beneath him, and with an awful rumbling +the palace disappeared, and Peronnik found himself standing close to the +forest where he led the cattle to graze. + +Though darkness was coming on, Peronnik never thought of entering +the farm, but followed the road which led to the court of the duke +of Brittany. As he passed through the town of Vannes he stopped at a +tailor's shop, and bought a beautiful costume of brown velvet and a +white horse, which he paid for with a handful of gold that he had picked +up in the corridor of the castle of Kerglas. Thus he made his way to the +city of Nantes, which at that moment was besieged by the French. + +A little way off, Peronnik stopped and looked about him. For miles round +the country was bare, for the enemy had cut down every tree and burnt +every blade of corn; and, idiot though he might be, Peronnik was able +to grasp that inside the gates men were dying of famine. He was still +gazing with horror, when a trumpeter appeared on the walls, and, after +blowing a loud blast, announced that the duke would adopt as his heir +the man who could drive the French out of the country. + +On the four sides of the city the trumpeter blew his blast, and the last +time Peronnik, who had ridden up as close as he might, answered him. + +'You need blow no more,' said he, 'for I myself will free the town from +her enemies.' And turning to a soldier who came running up, waving his +sword, he touched him with the magic lance, and he fell dead on the +spot. The men who were following stood still, amazed. Their comrade's +armour had not been pierced, of that they were sure, yet he was dead, as +if he had been struck to the heart. But before they had time to recover +from their astonishment, Peronnik cried out: + +'You see how my foes will fare; now behold what I can do for my +friends,' and, stooping down, he laid the golden bowl against the mouth +of the soldier, who sat up as well as ever. Then, jumping his horse +across the trench, he entered the gate of the city, which had opened +wide enough to receive him. + +The news of these marvels quickly spread through the town, and put fresh +spirit into the garrison, so that they declared themselves able to fight +under the command of the young stranger. And as the bowl restored all +the dead Bretons to life, Peronnik soon had an army large enough to +drive away the French, and fulfilled his promise of delivering his +country. + +As to the bowl and the lance, no one knows what became of them, but some +say that Bryak the sorcerer managed to steal them again, and that any +one who wishes to possess them must seek them as Peronnik did. + +From 'Le Foyer Breton,' par Emile Souvestre. + + + + +The Battle of the Birds + + +There was to be a great battle between all the creatures of the earth +and the birds of the air. News of it went abroad, and the son of the +king of Tethertown said that when the battle was fought he would be +there to see it, and would bring back word who was to be king. But in +spite of that, he was almost too late, and every fight had been fought +save the last, which was between a snake and a great black raven. Both +struck hard, but in the end the snake proved the stronger, and would +have twisted himself round the neck of the raven till he died had not +the king's son drawn his sword, and cut off the head of the snake at a +single blow. And when the raven beheld that his enemy was dead, he was +grateful, and said: + +'For thy kindness to me this day, I will show thee a sight. So come up +now on the root of my two wings.' The king's son did as he was bid, and +before the raven stopped flying, they had passed over seven bens and +seven glens and seven mountain moors. + +'Do you see that house yonder?' said the raven at last. 'Go straight +for it, for a sister of mine dwells there, and she will make you right +welcome. And if she asks, "Wert thou at the battle of the birds?" answer +that thou wert, and if she asks, "Didst thou see my likeness?" answer +that thou sawest it, but be sure thou meetest me in the morning at this +place.' + +The king's son followed what the raven told him and that night he had +meat of each meat, and drink of each drink, warm water for his feet, and +a soft bed to lie in. + +Thus it happened the next day, and the next, but on the fourth meeting, +instead of meeting the raven, in his place the king's son found waiting +for him the handsomest youth that ever was seen, with a bundle in his +hand. + +'Is there a raven hereabouts?' asked the king's son, and the youth +answered: + +'I am that raven, and I was delivered by thee from the spells that bound +me, and in reward thou wilt get this bundle. Go back by the road thou +camest, and lie as before, a night in each house, but be careful not to +unloose the bundle till thou art in the place wherein thou wouldst most +wish to dwell.' + +Then the king's son set out, and thus it happened as it had happened +before, till he entered a thick wood near his father's house. He had +walked a long way and suddenly the bundle seemed to grow heavier; first +he put it down under a tree, and next he thought he would look at it. + +The string was easy to untie, and the king's son soon unfastened the +bundle. What was it he saw there? Why, a great castle with an orchard +all about it, and in the orchard fruit and flowers and birds of very +kind. It was all ready for him to dwell in, but instead of being in the +midst of the forest, he did wish he had left the bundle unloosed till he +had reached the green valley close to his father's palace. Well, it was +no use wishing, and with a sigh he glanced up, and beheld a huge giant +coming towards him. + +'Bad is the place where thou hast built thy house, king's son,' said the +giant. + +'True; it is not here that I wish to be,' answered the king's son. + +'What reward wilt thou give me if I put it back in the bundle?' asked +the giant. + +'What reward dost thou ask?' answered the king's son. + +'The first boy thou hast when he is seven years old,' said the giant. + +'If I have a boy thou shalt get him,' answered the king's son, and as he +spoke the castle and the orchard were tied up in the bundle again. + +'Now take thy road, and I will take mine,' said the giant. 'And if thou +forgettest thy promise, I will remember it.' + +Light of heart the king's son went on his road, till he came to the +green valley near his father's palace. Slowly he unloosed the bundle, +fearing lest he should find nothing but a heap of stones or rags. But +no! all was as it had been before, and as he opened the castle door +there stood within the most beautiful maiden that ever was seen. + +'Enter, king's son,' said she, 'all is ready, and we will be married at +once,' and so they were. + +The maiden proved a good wife, and the king's son, now himself a king, +was so happy that he forgot all about the giant. Seven years and a day +had gone by, when one morning, while standing on the ramparts, he beheld +the giant striding towards the castle. Then he remembered his promise, +and remembered, too, that he had told the queen nothing about it. Now he +must tell her, and perhaps she might help him in his trouble. + +The queen listened in silence to his tale, and after he had finished, +she only said: + +'Leave thou the matter between me and the giant,' and as she spoke, the +giant entered the hall and stood before them. + +'Bring out your son,' cried he to the king, 'as you promised me seven +years and a day since.' + +The king glanced at his wife, who nodded, so he answered: + +'Let his mother first put him in order,' and the queen left the hall, +and took the cook's son and dressed him in the prince's clothes, and led +him up to the giant, who held his hand, and together they went out along +the road. They had not walked far when the giant stopped and stretched +out a stick to the boy. + +'If your father had that stick, what would he do with it?' asked he. + +'If my father had that stick, he would beat the dogs and cats that steal +the king's meat,' replied the boy. + +'Thou art the cook's son!' cried the giant. 'Go home to thy mother'; and +turning his back he strode straight to the castle. + +'If you seek to trick me this time, the highest stone will soon be the +lowest,' said he, and the king and queen trembled, but they could not +bear to give up their boy. + +'The butler's son is the same age as ours,' whispered the queen; 'he +will not know the difference,' and she took the child and dressed him in +the prince's clothes, and the giant let him away along the road. Before +they had gone far he stopped, and held out a stick. + +'If thy father had that rod, what would he do with it?' asked the giant. + +'He would beat the dogs and cats that break the king's glasses,' +answered the boy. + +'Thou art the son of the butler!' cried the giant. 'Go home to thy +mother'; and turning round he strode back angrily to the castle. + +'Bring out thy son at once,' roared he, 'or the stone that is highest +will be lowest,' and this time the real prince was brought. + +But though his parents wept bitterly and fancied the child was suffering +all kinds of dreadful things, the giant treated him like his own son, +though he never allowed him to see his daughters. The boy grew to be +a big boy, and one day the giant told him that he would have to amuse +himself alone for many hours, as he had a journey to make. So the boy +wandered to the top of the castle, where he had never been before. There +he paused, for the sound of music broke upon his ears, and opening a +door near him, he beheld a girl sitting by the window, holding a harp. + +'Haste and begone, I see the giant close at hand,' she whispered +hurriedly, 'but when he is asleep, return hither, for I would speak with +thee.' And the prince did as he was bid, and when midnight struck he +crept back to the top of the castle. + +'To-morrow,' said the girl, who was the giant's daughter, 'to-morrow +thou wilt get the choice of my two sisters to marry, but thou must +answer that thou wilt not take either, but only me. This will anger him +greatly, for he wishes to betroth me to the son of the king of the Green +City, whom I like not at all.' + +Then they parted, and on the morrow, as the girl had said, the giant +called his three daughters to him, and likewise the young prince to whom +he spoke. + +'Now, O son of the king of Tethertown, the time has come for us to part. +Choose one of my two elder daughters to wife, and thou shalt take her to +your father's house the day after the wedding.' + +'Give me the youngest instead,' replied the youth, and the giant's face +darkened as he heard him. + +'Three things must thou do first,' said he. + +'Say on, I will do them,' replied the prince, and the giant left the +house, and bade him follow to the byre, where the cows were kept. + +'For a hundred years no man has swept this byre,' said the giant, 'but +if by nightfall, when I reach home, thou has not cleaned it so that a +golden apple can roll through it from end to end, thy blood shall pay +for it.' + +All day long the youth toiled, but he might as well have tried to empty +the ocean. At length, when he was so tired he could hardly move, the +giant's youngest daughter stood in the doorway. + +'Lay down thy weariness,' said she, and the king's son, thinking he +could only die once, sank on the floor at her bidding, and fell sound +asleep. When he woke the girl had disappeared, and the byre was so clean +that a golden apple could roll from end to end of it. He jumped up in +surprise, and at that moment in came the giant. + +'Hast thou cleaned the byre, king's son?' asked he. + +'I have cleaned it,' answered he. + +'Well, since thou wert so active to-day, to-morrow thou wilt thatch this +byre with a feather from every different bird, or else thy blood shall +pay for it,' and he went out. + +Before the sun was up, the youth took his bow and his quiver and set off +to kill the birds. Off to the moor he went, but never a bird was to be +seen that day. At last he got so tired with running to and fro that he +gave up heart. + +'There is but one death I can die,' thought he. Then at midday came the +giant's daughter. + +'Thou art tired, king's son?' asked she. + +'I am,' answered he; 'all these hours have I wandered, and there fell +but these two blackbirds, both of one colour.' + +'Lay down thy weariness on the grass,' said she, and he did as she bade +him, and fell fast asleep. + +When he woke the girl had disappeared, and he got up, and returned to +the byre. As he drew near, he rubbed his eyes hard, thinking he was +dreaming, for there it was, beautifully thatched, just as the giant had +wished. At the door of the house he met the giant. + +'Hast thou thatched the byre, king's son?' + +'I have thatched it.' + +'Well, since thou hast been so active to-day, I have something else for +thee! Beside the loch thou seest over yonder there grows a fir tree. +On the top of the fir tree is a magpie's nest, and in the nest are five +eggs. Thou wilt bring me those eggs for breakfast, and if one is cracked +or broken, thy blood shall pay for it.' + +Before it was light next day, the king's son jumped out of bed and ran +down to the loch. The tree was not hard to find, for the rising sun +shone red on the trunk, which was five hundred feet from the ground to +its first branch. Time after time he walked round it, trying to find +some knots, however small, where he could put his feet, but the bark was +quite smooth, and he soon saw that if he was to reach the top at all, it +must be by climbing up with his knees like a sailor. But then he was a +king's son and not a sailor, which made all the difference. + +However, it was no use standing there staring at the fir, at least he +must try to do his best, and try he did till his hands and knees were +sore, for as soon as he had struggled up a few feet, he slid back again. +Once he climbed a little higher than before, and hope rose in his heart, +then down he came with such force that his hands and knees smarted worse +than ever. + +'This is no time for stopping,' said the voice of the giant's daughter, +as he leant against the trunk to recover his breath. + +'Alas! I am no sooner up than down,' answered he. + +'Try once more,' said she, and she laid a finger against the tree and +bade him put his foot on it. Then she placed another finger a little +higher up, and so on till he reached the top, where the magpie had built +her nest. + +'Make haste now with the nest,' she cried, 'for my father's breath is +burning my back,' and down he scrambled as fast as he could, but the +girl's little finger had caught in a branch at the top, and she was +obliged to leave it there. But she was too busy to pay heed to this, for +the sun was getting high over the hills. + +'Listen to me,' she said. 'This night my two sisters and I will be +dressed in the same garments, and you will not know me. But when my +father says 'Go to thy wife, king's son,' come to the one whose right +hand has no little finger.' + +So he went and gave the eggs to the giant, who nodded his head. + +'Make ready for thy marriage,' cried he, 'for the wedding shall take +place this very night, and I will summon thy bride to greet thee.' Then +his three daughters were sent for, and they all entered dressed in green +silk of the same fashion, and with golden circlets round their heads. +The king's son looked from one to another. Which was the youngest? +Suddenly his eyes fell on the hand of the middle one, and there was no +little finger. + +'Thou hast aimed well this time too,' said the giant, as the king's son +laid his hand on her shoulder, 'but perhaps we may meet some other way'; +and though he pretended to laugh, the bride saw a gleam in his eye which +warned her of danger. + +The wedding took place that very night, and the hall was filled with +giants and gentlemen, and they danced till the house shook from top to +bottom. At last everyone grew tired, and the guests went away, and the +king's son and his bride were left alone. + +'If we stay here till dawn my father will kill thee,' she whispered, +'but thou art my husband and I will save thee, as I did before,' and +she cut an apple into nine pieces, and put two pieces at the head of +the bed, and two pieces at the foot, and two pieces at the door of the +kitchen, and two at the big door, and one outside the house. And when +this was done, and she heard the giant snoring, she and the king's son +crept out softly and stole across to the stable, where she led out the +blue-grey mare and jumped on its back, and her husband mounted behind +her. Not long after, the giant awoke. + + 'Are you asleep?' asked he. + +'Not yet,' answered the apple at the head of the bed, and the giant +turned over, and soon was snoring as loudly as before. By and bye he +called again. + +'Are you asleep?' + +'Not yet,' said the apple at the foot of the bed, and the giant was +satisfied. After a while, he called a third time, 'Are you asleep?' + +'Not yet,' replied the apple in the kitchen, but when in a few minutes, +he put the question for the fourth time and received an answer from the +apple outside the house door, he guessed what had happened, and ran to +the room to look for himself. + +The bed was cold and empty! + +'My father's breath is burning my back,' cried the girl, 'put thy hand +into the ear of the mare, and whatever thou findest there, throw it +behind thee.' And in the mare's ear there was a twig of sloe tree, and +as he threw it behind him there sprung up twenty miles of thornwood so +thick that scarce a weasel could go through it. And the giant, who was +striding headlong forwards, got caught in it, and it pulled his hair and +beard. + +'This is one of my daughter's tricks,' he said to himself, 'but if I had +my big axe and my wood-knife, I would not be long making a way through +this,' and off he went home and brought back the axe and the wood-knife. + +It took him but a short time to cut a road through the blackthorn, and +then he laid the axe and the knife under a tree. + +'I will leave them there till I return,' he murmured to himself, but a +hoodie crow, which was sitting on a branch above, heard him. + +'If thou leavest them,' said the hoodie, 'we will steal them.' + +'You will,' answered the giant, 'and I must take them home.' So he took +them home, and started afresh on his journey. + +'My father's breath is burning my back,' cried the girl at midday. 'Put +thy finger in the mare's ear and throw behind thee whatever thou findest +in it,' and the king's son found a splinter of grey stone, and threw it +behind him, and in a twinkling twenty miles of solid rock lay between +them and the giant. + +'My daughter's tricks are the hardest things that ever met me,' said +the giant, 'but if I had my lever and my crowbar, I would not be long in +making my way through this rock also,' but as he had got them, he had to +go home and fetch them. Then it took him but a short time to hew his way +through the rock. + +'I will leave the tools here,' he murmured aloud when he had finished. + +'If thou leavest them, we will steal them,' said a hoodie who was +perched on a stone above him, and the giant answered: + +'Steal them if thou wilt; there is no time to go back.' + +'My father's breath is burning my back,' cried the girl; 'look in the +mare's ear, king's son, or we are lost,' and he looked, and found a tiny +bladder full of water, which he threw behind him, and it became a +great lock. And the giant, who was striding on so fast, could not stop +himself, and he walked right into the middle and was drowned. + +The blue-grey mare galloped on like the wind, and the next day the +king's son came in sight of his father's house. + +'Get down and go in,' said the bride, 'and tell them that thou hast +married me. But take heed that neither man nor beast kiss thee, for then +thou wilt cease to remember me at all.' + +'I will do thy bidding,' answered he, and left her at the gate. All who +met him bade him welcome, and he charged his father and mother not to +kiss him, but as he greeted them his old greyhound leapt on his neck, +and kissed him on the mouth. And after that he did not remember the +giant's daughter. + +All that day she sat on a well which was near the gate, waiting, +waiting, but the king's son never came. In the darkness she climbed up +into an oak tree that shadowed the well, and there she lay all night, +waiting, waiting. + +On the morrow, at midday, the wife of a shoemaker who dwelt near the +well went to draw water for her husband to drink, and she saw the shadow +of the girl in the tree, and thought it was her own shadow. + +'How handsome I am, to be sure,' said she, gazing into the well, and as +she stopped to behold herself better, the jug struck against the stones +and broke in pieces, and she was forced to return to her husband without +the water, and this angered him. + +'Thou hast turned crazy,' said he in wrath. 'Go thou, my daughter, and +fetch me a drink,' and the girl went, and the same thing befell her as +had befallen her mother. + +'Where is the water?' asked the shoemaker, when she came back, and as +she held nothing save the handle of the jug he went to the well himself. +He too saw the reflection of the woman in the tree, but looked up to +discover whence it came, and there above him sat the most beautiful +woman in the world. + +'Come down,' he said, 'for a while thou canst stay in my house,' and +glad enough the girl was to come. + +Now the king of the country was about to marry, and the young men about +the court thronged the shoemaker's shop to buy fine shoes to wear at the +wedding. + +'Thou hast a pretty daughter,' said they when they beheld the girl +sitting at work. + +'Pretty she is,' answered the shoemaker, 'but no daughter of mine.' + +'I would give a hundred pounds to marry her,' said one. + +'And I,' 'And I,' cried the others. + +'That is no business of mine,' answered the shoemaker, and the young men +bade him ask her if she would choose one of them for a husband, and to +tell them on the morrow. Then the shoemaker asked her, and the girl said +that she would marry the one who would bring his purse with him. So the +shoemaker hurried to the youth who had first spoken, and he came back, +and after giving the shoemaker a hundred pounds for his news, he sought +the girl, who was waiting for him. + +'Is it thou?' inquired she. 'I am thirsty, give me a drink from the well +that is yonder.' And he poured out the water, but he could not move from +the place where he was; and there he stayed till many hours had passed +by. + +'Take away that foolish boy,' cried the girl to the shoemaker at last, +'I am tired of him,' and then suddenly he was able to walk, and betook +himself to his home, but he did not tell the others what had happened to +him. + +Next day there arrived one of the other young men, and in the evening, +when the shoemaker had gone out and they were alone, she said to him, +'See if the latch is on the door.' The young man hastened to do her +bidding, but as soon as he touched the latch, his fingers stuck to it, +and there he had to stay for many hours, till the shoemaker came back, +and the girl let him go. Hanging his head, he went home, but he told no +one what had befallen him. + +Then was the turn of the third man, and his foot remained fastened to +the floor, till the girl unloosed it. And thankfully, he ran off, and +was not seen looking behind him. + +'Take the purse of gold,' said the girl to the shoemaker, 'I have no +need of it, and it will better thee.' And the shoemaker took it and told +the girl he must carry the shoes for the wedding up to the castle. + +'I would fain get a sight of the king's son before he marries,' sighed +she. + +'Come with me, then,' answered he; 'the servants are all my friends, and +they will let you stand in the passage down which the king's son will +pass, and all the company too.' + +Up they went to the castle, and when the young men saw the girl standing +there, they led her into the hall where the banquet was laid out and +poured her out some wine. She was just raising the glass to drink when a +flame went up out of it, and out of the flame sprang two pigeons, one of +gold and one of silver. They flew round and round the head of the girl, +when three grains of barley fell on the floor, and the silver pigeon +dived down, and swallowed them. + +'If thou hadst remembered how I cleaned the byre, thou wouldst have +given me my share,' cooed the golden pigeon, and as he spoke three more +grains fell, and the silver pigeon ate them as before. + +'If thou hadst remembered how I thatched the byre, thou wouldst have +given me my share,' cooed the golden pigeon again; and as he spoke three +more grains fell, and for the third time they were eaten by the silver +pigeon. + +'If thou hadst remembered how I got the magpie's nest, thou wouldst have +given me my share,' cooed the golden pigeon. + +Then the king's son understood that they had come to remind him of what +he had forgotten, and his lost memory came back, and he knew his wife, +and kissed her. But as the preparations had been made, it seemed a pity +to waste them, so they were married a second time, and sat down to the +wedding feast. + +From 'Tales of the West Highlands.' + + + + +The Lady of the Fountain. + + +In the centre of the great hall in the castle of Caerleon upon Usk, king +Arthur sat on a seat of green rushes, over which was thrown a covering +of flame-coloured silk, and a cushion of red satin lay under his elbow. +With him were his knights Owen and Kynon and Kai, while at the far +end, close to the window, were Guenevere the queen and her maidens +embroidering white garments with strange devices of gold. + +'I am weary,' said Arthur, 'and till my food is prepared I would fain +sleep. You yourselves can tell each other tales, and Kai will fetch you +from the kitchen a flagon of mean and some meat.' + +And when they had eaten and drunk, Kynon, the oldest among them, began +his story. + +'I was the only son of my father and mother, and much store they set by +me, but I was not content to stay with them at home, for I thought no +deed in all the world was too mighty for me. None could hold me back, +and after I had won many adventures in my own land, I bade farewell +to my parents and set out to see the world. Over mountains, through +deserts, across rivers I went, till I reached a fair valley full of +trees, with a path running by the side of a stream. I walked along that +path all the day, and in the evening I came to a castle in front of +which stood two youths clothed in yellow, each grasping an ivory bow, +with arrows made of the bones of the whale, and winged with peacock's +feathers. By their sides hung golden daggers with hilts of the bones of +the whale. + +'Near these young men was a man richly dressed, who turned and went with +me towards the castle, where all the dwellers were gathered in the hall. +In one window I beheld four and twenty damsels, and the least fair of +them was fairer than Guenevere at her fairest. Some took my horse, and +others unbuckled my armour, and washed it, with my sword and spear, till +it all shone like silver. Then I washed myself and put on a vest and +doublet which they brought me, and I and the man that entered with me +sat down before a table of silver, and a goodlier feast I never had. + +'All this time neither the man nor the damsels had spoken one word, but +when our dinner was half over, and my hunger was stilled, the man began +to ask who I was. Then I told him my name and my father's name, and why +I came there, for indeed I had grown weary of gaining the mastery over +all men at home, and sought if perchance there was one who could gain +the mastery over me. And at this the man smiled and answered: + +'"If I did not fear to distress thee too much, I would show thee what +thou seekest." His words made me sorrowful and fearful of myself, which +the man perceived, and added, "If thou meanest truly what thou sayest, +and desirest earnestly to prove thy valour, and not to boast vainly that +none can overcome thee, I have somewhat to show thee. But to-night thou +must sleep in the this castle, and in the morning see that thou rise +early and follow the road upwards through the valley, until thou +reachest a wood. In the wood is a path branching to the right; go along +this path until thou comest to a space of grass with a mound in the +middle of it. On the top of the mound stands a black man, larger than +any two white men; his eye is in the centre of his forehead and he has +only one foot. He carries a club of iron, and two white men could hardly +lift it. Around him graze a thousand beasts, all of different kinds, for +he is the guardian of that wood, and it is he who will tell thee which +way to go in order to find the adventure thou art in quest of." + +'So spake the man, and long did that night seem to me, and before dawn +I rose and put on my armour, and mounted my horse and rode on till I +reached the grassy space of which he had told me. There was the black +man on top of the mound, as he had said, and in truth he was mightier +in all ways than I had thought him to be. As for the club, Kai, it would +have been a burden for four of our warriors. He waited for me to speak, +and I asked him what power he held over the beasts that thronged so +close about him. + +'"I will show thee, little man," he answered, and with his club he +struck a stag on the head till he brayed loudly. And at his braying the +animals came running, numerous as the stars in the sky, so that scarce +was I able to stand among them. Serpents were there also, and dragons, +and beasts of strange shapes, with horns in places where never saw I +horns before. And the black man only looked at them and bade them go +and feed. And they bowed themselves before him, as vassals before their +lord. + +'"Now, little man, I have answered thy question and showed thee my +power," said he. "Is there anything else thou wouldest know?" Then I +inquired of him my way, but he grew angry, and, as I perceived, would +fain have hindered me; but at the last, after I had told him who I was, +his anger passed from him. + +'"Take that path," said he, "that leads to the head of this grassy +glade, and go up the wood till thou reachest the top. There thou wilt +find an open space, and in the midst of it a tall tree. Under the tree +is a fountain, and by the fountain a marble slab, and on the slab a bowl +of silver, with a silver chain. Dip the bowl in the fountain, and throw +the water on the slab, and thou wilt hear a might peal of thunder, till +heaven and earth seem trembling with the noise. After the thunder will +come hail, so fierce that scarcely canst thou endure it and live, for +the hailstones are both large and thick. Then the sun will shine again, +but every leaf of the tree will by lying on the ground. Next a flight +of birds will come and alight on the tree, and never didst thou hear a +strain so sweet as that which they will sing. And at the moment in which +their song sounds sweetest thou wilt hear a murmuring and complaining +coming towards thee along the valley, and thou wilt see a knight in +black velvet bestriding a black horse, bearing a lance with a black +pennon, and he will spur his steed so as to fight thee. If thou turnest +to flee, he will overtake thee. And if thou abidest were thou art, he +will unhorse thee. And if thou dost not find trouble in that adventure, +thou needest not to seek it during the rest of thy life." + +'So I bade the black man farewell, and took my way to the top of the +wood, and there I found everything just as I had been told. I went up to +the tree beneath which stood the fountain, and filling the silver bowl +with water, emptied it on the marble slab. Thereupon the thunder came, +louder by far than I had expected to hear it, and after the thunder came +the shower, but heavier by far than I had expected to feel it, for, of a +truth I tell thee, Kai, not one of those hailstones would be stopped by +skin or by flesh till it had reached the bone. I turned my horse's flank +towards the shower, and, bending over his neck, held my shield so that +it might cover his head and my own. When the hail had passed, I looked +on the tree and not a single leaf was left on it, and the sky was blue +and the sun shining, while on the branches were perched birds of very +kind, who sang a song sweeter than any that has come to my ears, either +before or since. + +'Thus, Kai, I stood listening to the birds, when lo, a murmuring voice +approached me, saying: + +'"O knight, what has brought thee hither? What evil have I done to thee, +that thou shouldest do so much to me, for in all my lands neither man +nor beast that met that shower has escaped alive." Then from the valley +appeared the knight on the black horse, grasping the lance with the +black pennon. Straightway we charged each other, and though I fought +my best, he soon overcame me, and I was thrown to the ground, while the +knight seized the bridle of my horse, and rode away with it, leaving me +where I was, without even despoiling me of my armour. + +'Sadly did I go down the hill again, and when I reached the glade where +the black man was, I confess to thee, Kai, it was a marvel that I did +not melt into a liquid pool, so great was my shame. That night I slept +at the castle where I had been before, and I was bathed and feasted, and +none asked me how I had fared. The next morning when I arose I found a +bay horse saddled for me, and, girdling on my armour, I returned to my +own court. The horse is still in the stable, and I would not part with +it for any in Britain. + +'But of a truth, Kai, no man ever confessed an adventure so much to his +own dishonour, and strange indeed it seems that none other man have I +ever met that knew of the black man, and the knight and the shower.' + +'Would it not be well,' said Owen, 'to go and discover the place?' + +'By the hand of my friend,' answered Kai, 'often dost thou utter that +with thy tongue which thou wouldest not make good with thy deeds.' + +'In truth,' said Guenevere the queen, who had listened to the tale, +'thou wert better hanged, Kai, than use such speech towards a man like +Owen.' + +'I meant nothing, lady,' replied Kai; 'thy praise of Owen is not greater +than mine.' And as he spoke Arthur awoke, and asked if he had not slept +for a little. + +'Yes, lord,' answered Owen, 'certainly thou hast slept.' + +'Is it time for us to go to meat?' + +'It is, lord,' answered Owen. + +Then the horn for washing themselves was sounded, and after that the +king and his household sat down to eat. And when they had finished, Owen +left them, and made ready his horse and his arms. + +With the first rays of the sun he set forth, and travelled through +deserts and over mountains and across rivers, and all befell him which +had befallen Kynon, till he stood under the leafless tree listening +to the song of the birds. Then he heard the voice, and turning to look +found the knight galloping to meet him. Fiercely they fought till their +lances were broken, and then they drew their swords, and a blow from +Owen cut through the knight's helmet, and pierced his skull. + +Feeling himself wounded unto death the knight fled, and Owen pursued him +till they came to a splendid castle. Here the knight dashed across the +bridge that spanned the moat, and entered the gate, but as soon as he +was safe inside, the drawbridge was pulled up and caught Owen's horse in +the middle, so that half of him was inside and half out, and Owen could +not dismount and knew not what to do. + +While he was in this sore plight a little door in the castle gate +opened, and he could see a street facing him, with tall houses. Then a +maiden with curling hair of gold looked through the little door and bade +Owen open the gate. + +'By my troth!' cried Owen, 'I can no more open it from here than thou +art able to set me free.' + +'Well,' said she, 'I will do my best to release thee if thou wilt do +as I tell thee. Take this ring and put it on with the stone inside thy +hand, and close thy fingers tight, for as long as thou dost conceal it, +it will conceal thee. When the men inside have held counsel together, +they will come to fetch thee to thy death, and they will be much grieved +not to find thee. I will stand on the horse block yonder and thou canst +see me though I cannot see thee. Therefore draw near and place thy hand +on my shoulder and follow me wheresoever I go.' + +Upon that she went away from Owen, and when the men came out from the +castle to seek him and did not find him they were sorely grieved, and +they returned to the castle. + +Then Owen went to the maiden and placed his hand on her shoulder, and +she guided him to a large room, painted all over with rich colours, and +adorned with images of gold. Here she gave him meat and drink, and water +to wash with and garments to wear, and he lay down upon a soft bed, with +scarlet and fur to cover him, and slept gladly. + +In the middle of the night he woke hearing a great outcry, and he jumped +up and clothed himself and went into the hall, where the maiden was +standing. + +'What is it?' he asked, and she answered that the knight who owned the +castle was dead, and they were bearing his body to the church. Never had +Owen beheld such vast crowds, and following the dead knight was the most +beautiful lady in the world, whose cry was louder than the shout of the +men, or the braying of the trumpets. And Owen looked on her and loved +her. + +'Who is she?' he asked the damsel. 'That is my mistress, the countess of +the fountain, and the wife of him whom thou didst slay yesterday.' + +'Verily,' said Owen, 'she is the woman that I love best.' + +'She shall also love thee not a little,' said the maiden. + +Then she left Owen, and after a while went into the chamber of her +mistress, and spoke to her, but the countess answered her nothing. + +'What aileth thee, mistress?' inquired the maiden. + +'Why hast thou kept far from me in my grief, Luned?' answered the +countess, and in her turn the damsel asked: + +'Is it well for thee to mourn so bitterly for the dead, or for anything +that is gone from thee?' + +'There is no man in the world equal to him,' replied the countess, +her cheeks growing red with anger. 'I would fain banish thee for such +words.' + +'Be not angry, lady,' said Luned, 'but listen to my counsel. Thou +knowest well that alone thou canst not preserve thy lands, therefore +seek some one to help thee.' + +'And how can I do that?' asked the countess. + +'I will tell thee,' answered Luned. 'Unless thou canst defend the +fountain all will be lost, and none can defend the fountain except a +knight of Arthur's court. There will I go to seek him, and woe betide me +if I return without a warrior that can guard the fountain, as well as he +who kept it before.' + +'Go then,' said the countess, 'and make proof of that which thou hast +promised.' + +So Luned set out, riding on a white palfrey, on pretence of journeying +to King Arthur's court, but instead of doing that she hid herself for as +many days as it would have taken her to go and come, and then she left +her hiding-place, and went into the countess. + +'What news from the court?' asked her mistress, when she had given Luned +a warm greeting. + +'The best of news,' answered the maiden, 'for I have gained the object +of my mission. When wilt thou that I present to thee the knight who has +returned with me?' + +'To-morrow at midday,' said the countess, 'and I will cause all the +people in the town to come together.' + +Therefore the next day at noon Owen put on his coat of mail, and over it +he wore a splendid mantle, while on his feet were leather shoes fastened +with clasps of gold. And he followed Luned to the chamber of her +mistress. + +Right glad was the countess to see them, but she looked closely at Owen +and said: + +'Luned, this knight has scarcely the air of a traveller.' + +'What harm is there in that, lady?' answered Luned. + +'I am persuaded,' said the countess, 'that this man and no other chased +the soul from the body of my lord.' + +'Had he not been stronger than thy lord,' replied the damsel, 'he could +not have taken his life, and for that, and for all things that are past, +there is no remedy.' + +'Leave me, both of you,' said the countess, 'and I will take counsel.' + +Then they went out. + +The next morning the countess summoned her subjects to meet in the +courtyard of the castle, and told them that now that her husband was +dead there was none to defend her lands. + +'So choose you which it shall be,' she said. 'Either let one of you take +me for a wife, or give me your consent to take a new lord for myself, +that my lands be not without a master.' + +At her words the chief men of the city withdrew into one corner and took +counsel together, and after a while the leader came forward and said +that they had decided that it was best, for the peace and safety of +all, that she should choose a husband for herself. Thereupon Owen was +summoned to her presence, and he accepted with joy the hand that she +offered him, and they were married forthwith, and the men of the earldom +did him homage. + +From that day Owen defended the fountain as the earl before him had +done, and every knight that came by was overthrown by him, and his +ransom divided among his barons. In this way three years passed, and no +man in the world was more beloved than Owen. + +Now at the end of the three years it happened that Gwalchmai the knight +was with Arthur, and he perceived the king to be very sad. + +'My lord, has anything befallen thee?' he asked. + +'Oh, Gwalchmai, I am grieved concerning Owen, whom I have lost these +three years, and if a fourth year passes without him I can live no +longer. And sure am I that the tale told by Kynon the son of Clydno +caused me to lose him. I will go myself with the men of my household to +avenge him if he is dead, to free him if he is in prison, to bring him +back if he is alive.' + +Then Arthur and three thousand men of his household set out in quest of +Owen, and took Kynon for their guide. When Arthur reached the castle, +the youths were shooting in the same place, and the same yellow man was +standing by, and as soon as he beheld Arthur he greeted him and invited +him in, and they entered together. So vast was the castle that the +king's three thousand men were of no more account than if they had been +twenty. + +At sunrise Arthur departed thence, with Kynon for his guide, and reached +the black man first, and afterwards the top of the wooded hill, with the +fountain and the bowl and the tree. + +'My lord,' said Kai, 'let me throw the water on the slab, and receive +the first adventure that may befall.' + +'Thou mayest do so,' answered Arthur, and Kai threw the water. + +Immediately all happened as before; the thunder and the shower of +hail which killed many of Arthur's men; the song of the birds and the +appearance of the black knight. And Kai met him and fought him, and was +overthrown by him. Then the knight rode away, and Arthur and his men +encamped where they stood. + +In the morning Kai again asked leave to meet the knight and to try to +overcome him, which Arthur granted. But once more he was unhorsed, and +the black knight's lance broke his helmet and pierced the skin even to +the bone, and humbled in spirit he returned to the camp. + +After this every one of the knights gave battle, but none came out +victor, and at length there only remained Arthur himself and Gwalchmai. + +'Oh, let me fight him, my lord,' cried Gwalchmai, as he saw Arthur +taking up his arms. + +'Well, fight then,' answered Arthur, and Gwalchmai threw a robe over +himself and his horse, so that none knew him. All that day they fought, +and neither was able to throw the other, and so it was on the next day. +On the third day the combat was so fierce that they fell both to the +ground at once, and fought on their feet, and at last the black knight +gave his foe such a blow on his head that his helmet fell from his face. + +'I did not know it was thee, Gwalchmai,' said the black knight. 'Take my +sword and my arms.' + +'No,' answered Gwalchmai, 'it is thou, Owen, who art the victor, take +thou my sword'; but Owen would not. + +'Give me your swords,' said Arthur from behind them, 'for neither of +you has vanquished the other,' and Owen turned and put his arms round +Arthur's neck. + +The next day Arthur would have given orders to his men to make ready to +go back whence they came, but Owen stopped him. + +'My lord,' he said, 'during the three years that I have been absent from +thee I have been preparing a banquet for thee, knowing full well that +thou wouldst come to seek me. Tarry with me, therefore, for a while, +thou and thy men.' + +So they rode to the castle of the countess of the fountain, and spent +three months in resting and feasting. And when it was time for them to +depart Arthur besought the countess that she would allow Owen to go +with him to Britain for the space of three months. With a sore heart she +granted permission, and so content was Owen to be once more with his old +companions that three years instead of three months passed away like a +dream. + +One day Owen sat at meat in the castle of Caerleon upon Usk, when a +damsel on a bay horse entered the hall, and riding straight up to the +place where Owen sat she stooped and drew the ring from off his hand. + +'Thus shall be treated the traitor and the faithless,' said she, and +turning her horse's head she rode out of the hall. + +At her words Owen remembered all that he had forgotten, and sorrowful +and ashamed he went to his own chamber and made ready to depart. At the +dawn he set out, but he did not go back to the castle, for his heart was +heavy, but he wandered far into wild places till his body was weak and +thin, and his hair was long. The wild beasts were his friends, and he +slept by their side, but in the end he longed to see the face of a man +again, and he came down into a valley and fell asleep by a lake in the +lands of a widowed countess. + +Now it was the time when the countess took her walk, attended by her +maidens, and when they saw a man lying by the lake they shrank back in +terror, for he lay so still that they thought he was dead. But when they +had overcome their fright, they drew near him, and touched him, and saw +that there was life in him. Then the countess hastened to the castle, +and brought from it a flask full of precious ointment and gave it to one +of her maidens. + +'Take that horse which is grazing yonder,' she said, 'and a suit of +men's garments, and place them near the man, and pour some of this +ointment near his heart. If there is any life in him that will bring it +back. But if he moves, hide thyself in the bushes near by, and see what +he does.' + +The damsel took the flask and did her mistress' bidding. Soon the man +began to move his arms, and then rose slowly to his feet. Creeping +forward step by step he took the garments from off the saddle and put +them on him, and painfully he mounted the horse. When he was seated the +damsel came forth and greeted him, and glad was he when he saw her and +inquired what castle that was before him. + +'It belongs to a widowed countess,' answered the maiden. 'Her husband +left her two earldoms, but it is all that remains of her broad lands, +for they have been torn from her by a young earl, because she would not +marry him.' + +'That is a pity,' replied Owen, but he said no more, for he was too weak +to talk much. Then the maiden guided him to the castle, and kindled a +fire, and brought him food. And there he stayed and was tended for three +months, till he was handsomer than ever he was. + +At noon one day Owen heard a sound of arms outside the castle, and he +asked of the maiden what it was. + +'It is the earl of whom I spoke to thee,' she answered, 'who has come +with a great host to carry off my mistress.' + +'Beg of her to lend me a horse and armour,' said Owen, and the maiden +did so, but the countess laughed somewhat bitterly as she answered: + +'Nay, but I will give them to him, and such a horse and armour and +weapons as he has never had yet, though I know not what use they will be +to him. Yet mayhap it will save them from falling into the hands of my +enemies.' + +The horse was brought out and Owen rode forth with two pages behind him, +and they saw the great host encamped before them. + +'Where is the earl?' said he, and the pages answered: + +'In yonder troop where are four yellow standards.' + +'Await me,' said Owen, 'at the gate of the castle, and he cried a +challenge to the earl, who came to meet him. Hard did they fight, but +Owen overthrew his enemy and drove him in front to the castle gate and +into the hall. + +'Behold the reward of thy blessed balsam,' said he, as he bade the earl +kneel down before her, and made him swear that he would restore all that +he had taken from her. + +After that he departed, and went into the deserts, and as he was passing +through a wood he heard a loud yelling. Pushing aside the bushes he +beheld a lion standing on a great mound, and by it a rock. Near the rock +was a lion seeking to reach the mound, and each time he moved out darted +a serpent from the rock to prevent him. Then Owen unsheathed his +sword, and cut off the serpent's head and went on his way, and the lion +followed and played about him, as if he had been a greyhound. And much +more useful was he than a greyhound, for in the evening he brought large +logs in his mouth to kindle a fire, and killed a fat buck for dinner. + +Owen made his fire and skinned the buck, and put some of it to roast, +and gave the rest to the lion for supper. While he was waiting for the +meat to cook he heard a sound of deep sighing close to him, and he said: + +'Who are thou?' + +'I am Luned,' replied a voice from a cave so hidden by bushes and green +hanging plants that Owen had not seen it. + +'And what dost thou here?' cried he. + +'I am held captive in this cave on account of the knight who married +the countess and left her, for the pages spoke ill of him, and because I +told them that no man living was his equal they dragged me here and said +I should die unless he should come to deliver me by a certain day, and +that is no further than the day after to-morrow. His name is Owen the +son of Urien, but I have none to send to tell him of my danger, or of a +surety he would deliver me.' + +Owen held his peace, but gave the maiden some of the meat, and bade her +be of good cheer. Then, followed by the lion, he set out for a great +castle on the other side of the plain, and men came and took his horse +and placed it in a manger, and the lion went after and lay down on the +straw. Hospitable and kind were all within the castle, but so full of +sorrow that it might have been thought death was upon them. At length, +when they had eaten and drunk, Owen prayed the earl to tell him the +reason of their grief. + +'Yesterday,' answered the earl, 'my two sons were seized, while thy were +hunting, by a monster who dwells on those mountains yonder, and he vows +that he will not let them go unless I give him my daughter to wife.' + +'That shall never be,' said Owen; 'but what form hath this monster?' + +'In shape he is a man, but in stature he is a giant,' replied the earl, +'and it were better by far that he should slay my sons than that I +should give up my daughter.' + +Early next morning the dwellers in the castle were awakened by a great +clamour, and they found that the giant had arrived with the two young +men. Swiftly Owen put on his armour and went forth to meet the giant, +and the lion followed at his heels. And when the great beast beheld the +hard blows which the giant dealt his master he flew at his throat, and +much trouble had the monster in beating him off. + +'Truly,' said the giant, 'I should find no difficulty in fighting thee, +if it were not for that lion.' When he heard that Owen felt shame that +he could not overcome the giant with his own sword, so he took the lion +and shut him up in one of the towers of the castle, and returned to the +fight. But from the sound of the blows the lion knew that the combat +was going ill for Owen, so he climbed up till he reached the top of +the tower, where there was a door on to the roof, and from the tower he +sprang on to the walls, and from the walls to the ground. Then with a +loud roar he leaped upon the giant, who fell dead under the blow of his +paw. + +Now the gloom of the castle was turned into rejoicing, and the earl +begged Owen to stay with him till he could make him a feast, but the +knight said he had other work to do, and rode back to the place where he +had left Luned, and the lion followed at his heels. When he came there +he saw a great fire kindled, and two youths leading out the maiden to +cast her upon the pile. + +'Stop!' he cried, dashing up to them. 'What charge have you against +her?' + +'She boasted that no man in the world was equal to Owen,' said they, +'and we shut her in a cave, and agreed that none should deliver her but +Owen himself, and that if he did not come by a certain day she should +die. And now the time has past and there is no sign of him.' + +'In truth he is a good knight, and had he but known that the maid was in +peril he would have come to save her,' said Owen; 'but accept me in his +stead, I entreat you.' + +'We will,' replied they, and the fight began. + +The youths fought well and pressed hard on Owen, and when the lion saw +that he came to help his master. But the youths made a sign for the +fight to stop, and said: + +'Chieftain, it was agreed we should give battle to thee alone, and it is +harder for us to contend with yonder beast than with thee.' + +Then Owen shut up the lion in the cave where the maiden had been in +prison, and blocked up the front with stones. But the fight with the +giant had sorely tried him, and the youths fought well, and pressed him +harder than before. And when the lion saw that he gave a loud roar, and +burst through the stones, and sprang upon the youths and slew them. And +so Luned was delivered at the last. + +Then the maiden rode back with Owen to the lands of the lady of the +fountain. And he took the lady with him to Arthur's court, where they +lived happily till they died. + +From the 'Mabinogion.' + + + + +The Four Gifts + + +In the old land of Brittany, once called Cornwall, there lived a woman +named Barbaik Bourhis, who spent all her days in looking after her farm +with the help of her niece Tephany. Early and late the two might be +seen in the fields or in the dairy, milking cows, making butter, feeding +fowls; working hard themselves and taking care that others worked too. +Perhaps it might have been better for Barbaik if she had left herself a +little time to rest and to think about other things, for soon she grew +to love money for its own sake, and only gave herself and Tephany the +food and clothes they absolutely needed. And as for poor people she +positively hated them, and declared that such lazy creatures had no +business in the world. + +Well, this being the sort of person Barbaik was, it is easy to guess at +her anger when one day she found Tephany talking outside the cowhouse to +young Denis, who was nothing more than a day labourer from the village +of Plover. Seizing her niece by the arm, she pulled her sharply away, +exclaiming: + +'Are you not ashamed, girl, to waste your time over a man who is as poor +as a rat, when there are a dozen more who would be only too happy to buy +you rings of silver, if you would let them?' + +'Denis is a good workman, as you know very well,' answered Tephany, red +with anger, 'and he puts by money too, and soon he will be able to take +a farm for himself.' + +'Nonsense,' cried Barbaik, 'he will never save enough for a farm till +he is a hundred. I would sooner see you in your grave than the wife of a +man who carries his whole fortune on his back.' + +'What does fortune matter when one is young and strong?' asked Tephany, +but her aunt, amazed at such words, would hardly let her finish. + +'What does fortune matter?' repeated Barbaik, in a shocked voice. 'Is it +possible that you are really so foolish as to despise money? If this is +what you learn from Denis, I forbid you to speak to him, and I will have +him turned out of the farm if he dares to show his face here again. Now +go and wash the clothes and spread them out to dry.' + +Tephany did not dare to disobey, but with a heavy heart went down the +path to the river. + +'She is harder than these rocks,' said the girl to herself, 'yes, a +thousand times harder. For the rain at least can at last wear away the +stone, but you might cry for ever, and she would never care. Talking to +Denis is the only pleasure I have, and if I am not to see him I may as +well enter a convent.' + +Thinking these thoughts she reached the bank, and began to unfold the +large packet of linen that had to be washed. The tap of a stick made her +look up, and standing before her she saw a little old woman, whose face +was strange to her. + +'You would like to sit down and rest, granny?' asked Tephany, pushing +aside her bundle. + +'When the sky is all the roof you have, you rest where you will,' +replied the old woman in trembling tones. + +'Are you so lonely, then?' inquired Tephany, full of pity. 'Have you no +friends who would welcome you into their houses?' + +The old woman shook her head. + +'They all died long, long ago,' she answered, 'and the only friends I +have are strangers with kind hearts.' + +The girl did not speak for a moment, then held out the small loaf and +some bacon intended for her dinner. + +'Take this,' she said; 'to-day at any rate you shall dine well,' and the +old woman took it, gazing at Tephany the while. + +'Those who help others deserve to be helped,' she answered; 'your eyes +are still red because that miser Barbaik has forbidden you to speak to +the young man from Plover. But cheer up, you are a good girl, and I will +give you something that will enable you to see him once every day.' + +'You?' cried Tephany, stupefied at discovering that the beggar knew all +about her affairs, but the old woman did not hear her. + +'Take this long copper pin,' she went on, 'and every time you stick it +in your dress Mother Bourhis will be obliged to leave the house in order +to go and count her cabbages. As long as the pin is in your dress you +will be free, and your aunt will not come back until you have put it in +its case again.' Then, rising, she nodded to Tephany and vanished. + +The girl stood where she was, as still as a stone. If it had not been +for the pin in her hands she would have thought she was dreaming. But by +that token she knew it was no common old woman who had given it to her, +but a fairy, wise in telling what would happen in the days to come. Then +suddenly Tephany's eyes fell on the clothes, and to make up for lost +time she began to wash them with great vigour. + +Next evening, at the moment when Denis was accustomed to wait for her in +the shadow of the cowhouse, Tephany stuck the pin in her dress, and at +the very same instant Barbaik took up her sabots or wooden shoes and +went through the orchard and past to the fields, to the plot where the +cabbages grew. With a heart as light as her footsteps, the girl ran from +the house, and spent her evening happily with Denis. And so it was for +many days after that. Then, at last, Tephany began to notice something, +and the something made her very sad. + +At first, Denis seemed to find the hours that they were together fly as +quickly as she did, but when he had taught her all the songs he knew, +and told her all the plans he had made for growing rich and a great +man, he had nothing more to say to her, for he, like a great many other +people, was fond of talking himself, but not of listening to any one +else. Sometimes, indeed, he never came at all, and the next evening +he would tell Tephany that he had been forced to go into the town on +business, but though she never reproached him she was not deceived and +saw plainly that he no longer cared for her as he used to do. + +Day by day her heart grew heavier and her cheeks paler, and one evening, +when she had waited for him in vain, she put her water-pot on her +shoulder and went slowly down to the spring. On the path in front of her +stood the fairy who had given her the pin, and as she glanced at Tephany +she gave a little mischievous laugh and said: + +'Why, my pretty maiden hardly looks happier than she did before, in +spite of meeting her lover whenever she pleases.' + +'He has grown tired of me,' answered Tephany in a trembling voice, 'and +he makes excuses to stay away. Ah! granny dear, it is not enough to be +able to see him, I must be able to amuse him and to keep him with me. He +is so clever, you know. Help me to be clever too.' + +'Is that what you want?' cried the old woman. 'Well, take this feather +and stick it in your hair, and you will be as wise as Solomon himself.' + +Blushing with pleasure Tephany went home and stuck the feather into the +blue ribbon which girls always wear in that part of the country. In +a moment she heard Denis whistling gaily, and as her aunt was safely +counting her cabbages, she hurried out to meet him. The young man was +struck dumb by her talk. There was nothing that she did not seem to +know, and as for songs she not only could sing those from every part of +Brittany, but could compose them herself. Was this really the quiet +girl who had been so anxious to learn all he could teach her, or was it +somebody else? Perhaps she had gone suddenly mad, and there was an evil +spirit inside her. But in any case, night after night he came back, only +to find her growing wiser and wiser. Soon the neighbours whispered their +surprise among themselves, for Tephany had not been able to resist the +pleasure of putting the feather in her hair for some of the people who +despised her for her poor clothes, and many were the jokes she made +about them. Of course they heard of her jests, and shook their heads +saying: + +'She is an ill-natured little cat, and the man that marries her will +find that it is she who will hold the reins and drive the horse.' + +It was not long before Denis began to agree with them, and as he always +liked to be master wherever he went, he became afraid of Tephany's sharp +tongue, and instead of laughing as before when she made fun of other +people he grew red and uncomfortable, thinking that his turn would come +next. + +So matters went on till one evening Denis told Tephany that he really +could not stay a moment, as he had promised to go to a dance that was to +be held in the next village. + +Tephany's face fell; she had worked hard all day, and had been counting +on a quiet hour with Denis. She did her best to persuade him to remain +with her, but he would not listen, and at last she grew angry. + +'Oh, I know why you are so anxious not to miss the dance,' she said; 'it +is because Aziliez of Pennenru will be there.' + +Now Aziliez was the loveliest girl for miles round, and she and Denis +had known each other from childhood. + +'Oh yes, Aziliez will be there,' answered Denis, who was quite pleased +to see her jealous, 'and naturally one would go a long way to watch her +dance.' + +'Go then!' cried Tephany, and entering the house she slammed the door +behind her. + +Lonely and miserable she sat down by the fire and stared into the red +embers. Then, flinging the feather from her hair, she put her head on +her hands, and sobbed passionately. + +'What is the use of being clever when it is beauty that men want? That +is what I ought to have asked for. But it is too late, Denis will never +come back.' + +'Since you wish it so much you shall have beauty,' said a voice at her +side, and looking round she beheld the old woman leaning on her stick. + +'Fasten this necklace round your neck, and as long as you wear it you +will be the most beautiful woman in the world,' continued the fairy. +With a little shriek of joy Tephany took the necklace, and snapping the +clasp ran to the mirror which hung in the corner. Ah, this time she was +not afraid of Aziliez or of any other girl, for surely none could be as +fair and white as she. And with the sight of her face a thought came +to her, and putting on hastily her best dress and her buckled shoes she +hurried off to the dance. + +On the way she met a beautiful carriage with a young man seated in it. + +'What a lovely maiden!' he exclaimed, as Tephany approached. 'Why, there +is not a girl in my own country that can be compared to her. She, and no +other, shall be my bride.' + +The carriage was large and barred the narrow road, so Tephany was +forced, much against her will, to remain where she was. But she looked +the young man full in the face as she answered: + +'Go your way, noble lord, and let me go mine. I am only a poor peasant +girl, accustomed to milk, and make hay and spin.' + +'Peasant you may be, but I will make you a great lady,' said he, taking +her hand and trying to lead her to the carriage. + +'I don't want to be a great lady, I only want to be the wife of Denis,' +she replied, throwing off his hand and running to the ditch which +divided the road from the cornfield, where he hoped to hide. Unluckily +the young man guessed what she was doing, and signed to his attendants, +who seized her and put her in the coach. The door was banged, and the +horses whipped up into a gallop. + +At the end of an hour they arrived at a splendid castle, and Tephany, +who would not move, was lifted out and carried into the hall, while +a priest was sent for to perform the marriage ceremony. The young man +tried to win a smile from her by telling of all the beautiful things she +should have as his wife, but Tephany did not listen to him, and looked +about to see if there was any means by which she could escape. It did +not seem easy. The three great doors were closely barred, and the one +through which she had entered shut with a spring, but her feather was +still in her hair, and by its aid she detected a crack in the wooden +panelling, through which a streak of light could be dimly seen. Touching +the copper pin which fastened her dress, the girl sent every one in the +hall to count the cabbages, while she herself passed through the little +door, not knowing whither she was going. + +By this time night had fallen, and Tephany was very tired. Thankfully +she found herself at the gate of a convent, and asked if she might stay +there till morning. But the portress answered roughly that it was no +place for beggars, and bade her begone, so the poor girl dragged herself +slowly along the road, till a light and the bark of a dog told her that +she was near a farm. + +In front of the house was a group of people; two or three women and +the sons of the farmer. When their mother heard Tephany's request to be +given a bed the good wife's heart softened, and she was just going to +invite her inside, when the young men, whose heads were turned by the +girl's beauty, began to quarrel as to which should do most for her. From +words they came to blows, and the women, frightened at the disturbance, +pelted Tephany with insulting names. She quickly ran down the nearest +path, hoping to escape them in the darkness of the trees, but in an +instant she heard their footsteps behind her. Wild with fear her legs +trembled under her, when suddenly she bethought herself of her necklace. +With a violent effort she burst the clasp and flung it round the neck +of a pig which was grunting in a ditch, and as she did so she heard the +footsteps cease from pursuing her and run after the pig, for her charm +had vanished. + +On she went, scarcely knowing where she was going, till she found +herself, to her surprise and joy, close to her aunt's house. For several +days she felt so tired and unhappy that she could hardly get through her +work, and to make matters worse Denis scarcely ever came near her. + +'He was too busy,' he said, 'and really it was only rich people who +could afford to waste time in talking.' + +As the days went on Tephany grew paler and paler, till everybody noticed +it except her aunt. The water-pot was almost too heavy for her now, but +morning and evening she carried it to the spring, though the effort to +lift it to her shoulder was often too much for her. + +'How could I have been so foolish,' she whispered to herself, when she +went down as usual at sunset. 'It was not freedom to see Denis that I +should have asked for, for he was soon weary of me, nor a quick tongue, +for he was afraid of it, nor beauty, for that brought me nothing but +trouble, but riches which make life easy both for oneself and others. +Ah! if I only dared to beg this gift from the fairy, I should be wiser +than before and know how to choose better.' + +'Be satisfied,' said the voice of the old woman, who seemed to be +standing unseen at Tephany's elbow. 'If you look in your right-hand +pocket when you go home you will find a small box. Rub your eyes with +the ointment it contains, and you will see that you yourself contain a +priceless treasure.' + +Tephany did not in the least understand what she meant, but ran back +to the farm as fast as she could, and began to fumble joyfully in +her right-hand pocket. Sure enough, there was the little box with the +precious ointment. She was in the act of rubbing her eyes with it when +Barbaik Bourhis entered the room. Ever since she had been obliged to +leave her work and pass her time, she did not know why, in counting +cabbages, everything had gone wrong, and she could not get a labourer +to stay with her because of her bad temper. When, therefore, she saw her +niece standing quietly before her mirror, Barbaik broke out: + +'So this is what you do when I am out in the fields! Ah! it is no wonder +if the farm is ruined. Are you not ashamed, girl, to behave so?' + +Tephany tried to stammer some excuse, but her aunt was half mad with +rage, and a box on the ears was her only answer. At this Tephany, hurt, +bewildered and excited, could control herself no longer, and turning +away burst into tears. But what was her surprise when she saw that each +tear-drop was a round and shining pearl. Barbaik, who also beheld this +marvel, uttered a cry of astonishment, and threw herself on her knees to +pick them up from the floor. + +She was still gathering them when the door opened and in came Denis. + +'Pearls! Are they really pearls?' he asked, falling on his knees also, +and looking up at Tephany he perceived others still more beautiful +rolling down the girl's cheeks. + +'Take care not to let any of the neighbours hear of it, Denis,' said +Barbaik. 'Of course you shall have your share, but nobody else shall get +a single one. Cry on, my dear, cry on,' she continued to Tephany. It +is for your good as well as ours,' and she held out her apron to catch +them, and Denis his hat. + +But Tephany could hardly bear any more. She felt half choked at the +sight of their greediness, and wanted to rush from the hall, and though +Barbaik caught her arm to prevent this, and said all sorts of tender +words which she thought would make the girl weep the more, Tephany with +a violent effort forced back her tears, and wiped her eyes. + +'Is she finished already?' cried Barbaik, in a tone of disappointment. +'Oh, try again, my dear. Do you think it would do any good to beat her a +little?' she added to Denis, who shook his head. + +'That is enough for the first time. I will go into the town and find out +the value of each pearl.' + +'Then I will go with you,' said Barbaik, who never trusted anyone and +was afraid of being cheated. So the two went out, leaving Tephany behind +them. + +She sat quite still on her chair, her hands clasped tightly together, +as if she was forcing something back. At last she raised her eyes, which +had been fixed on the ground, and beheld the fairy standing in a dark +corner by the hearth, observing her with a mocking look. The girl +trembled and jumped up, then, taking the feather, the pin, and the box, +she held them out to the old woman. + +'Here they are, all of them,' she cried; 'they belong to you. Let me +never see them again, but I have learned the lesson that they taught me. +Others may have riches, beauty and wit, but as for me I desire nothing +but to be the poor peasant girl I always was, working hard for those she +loves.' + +'Yes, you have learned your lesson,' answered the fairy, 'and now you +shall lead a peaceful life and marry the man you love. For after all it +was not yourself you thought of but him.' + +Never again did Tephany see the old woman, but she forgave Denis for +selling her tears, and in time he grew to be a good husband, who did his +own share of work. + +From 'Le Foyer Breton,' par E. Souvestre. + + + + +The Groac'h of the Isle of Lok + + +In old times, when all kinds of wonderful things happened in Brittany, +there lived in the village of Lanillis, a young man named Houarn Pogamm +and a girl called Bellah Postik. They were cousins, and as their mothers +were great friends, and constantly in and out of each other's houses, +they had often been laid in the same cradle, and had played and fought +over their games. + +'When they are grown up they will marry,' said the mothers; but just as +every one was beginning to think of wedding bells, the two mothers died, +and the cousins, who had no money, went as servants in the same house. +This was better than being parted, of course, but not so good as having +a little cottage of their own, where they could do as they liked, and +soon they might have been heard bewailing to each other the hardness of +their lots. + +'If we could only manage to buy a cow and get a pig to fatten,' grumbled +Houarn, 'I would rent a bit of ground from the master, and then we could +be married.' + +'Yes,' answered Bellah, with a deep sigh; 'but we live in such hard +times, and at the last fair the price of pigs had risen again.' + +'We shall have long to wait, that is quite clear,' replied Houarn, +turning away to his work. + +Whenever they met they repeated their grievances, and at length Houarn's +patience was exhausted, and one morning he came to Bellah and told her +that he was going away to seek his fortune. + +The girl was very unhappy as she listened to this, and felt sorry that +she had not tried to make the best of things. She implored Houarn not to +leave her, but he would listen to nothing. + +'The birds,' he said, 'continue flying until they reach a field of corn, +and the bees do not stop unless they find the honey-giving flowers, and +why should a man have less sense than they? Like them, I shall seek till +I get what I want--that is, money to buy a cow and a pig to fatten. And +if you love me, Bellah, you won't attempt to hinder a plan which will +hasten our marriage.' + +The girl saw it was useless to say more, so she answered sadly: + +'Well, go then, since you must. But first I will divide with you all +that my parents left me,' and going to her room, she opened a small +chest, and took from it a bell, a knife, and a little stick. + +'This bell,' she said, 'can be heard at any distance, however far, but +it only rings to warn us that our friends are in great danger. The knife +frees all it touches from the spells that have been laid on them; while +the stick will carry you wherever you want to go. I will give you the +knife to guard you against the enchantments of wizards, and the bell to +tell me of your perils. The stick I shall keep for myself, so that I can +fly to you if ever you have need of me.' + +Then they cried for a little on each other's necks, and Houarn started +for the mountains. + +But in those days, as in these, beggars abounded, and through every +village he passed they followed Houarn in crowds, mistaking him for a +gentleman, because there were no holes in his clothes. + +'There is no fortune to be made here,' he thought to himself; 'it is a +place for spending, and not earning. I see I must go further,' and he +walked on to Pont-aven, a pretty little town built on the bank of a +river. + +He was sitting on a bench outside an inn, when he heard two men who were +loading their mules talking about the Groac'h of the island of Lok. + +'What is a Groac'h?' asked he. 'I have never come across one.' And the +men answered that it was the name given to the fairy that dwelt in the +lake, and that she was rich--oh! richer than all the kings in the world +put together. Many had gone to the island to try and get possession of +her treasures, but no one had ever come back. + +As he listened Houarn's mind was made up. + +'I will go, and return too,' he said to the muleteers. They stared at +him in astonishment, and besought him not to be so mad and to throw away +his life in such a foolish manner; but he only laughed, and answered +that if they could tell him of any other way in which to procure a cow +and a pig to fatten, he would think no more about it. But the men did +not know how this was to be done, and, shaking their heads over his +obstinacy, left him to his fate. + +So Houarn went down to the sea, and found a boatman who engaged to take +him to the isle of Lok. + +The island was large, and lying almost across it was a lake, with a +narrow opening to the sea. Houarn paid the boatman and sent him away, +and then proceeded to walk round the lake. At one end he perceived a +small skiff, painted blue and shaped like a swan, lying under a clump of +yellow broom. As far as he could see, the swan's head was tucked under +its wing, and Houarn, who had never beheld a boat of the sort, went +quickly towards it and stepped in, so as to examine it the better. +But no sooner was he on board than the swan woke suddenly up; his head +emerged from under his wing, his feet began to move in the water, and in +another moment they were in the middle of the lake. + +As soon as the young man had recovered from his surprise, he prepared +to jump into the lake and swim to shore. But the bird had guessed his +intentions, and plunged beneath the water, carrying Houarn with him to +the palace of the Groac'h. + +Now, unless you have been under the sea and beheld all the wonders that +lie there, you can never have an idea what the Groac'h's palace was +like. It was all made of shells, blue and green and pink and lilac and +white, shading into each other till you could not tell where one colour +ended and the other began. The staircases were of crystal, and every +separate stair sang like a woodland bird as you put your foot on it. +Round the palace were great gardens full of all the plants that grow in +the sea, with diamonds for flowers. + +In a large hall the Groac'h was lying on a couch of gold. The pink and +white of her face reminded you of the shells of her palace, while her +long black hair was intertwined with strings of coral, and her dress +of green silk seemed formed out of the sea. At the sight of her Houarn +stopped, dazzled by her beauty. + +'Come in,' said the Groac'h, rising to her feet. 'Strangers and handsome +youths are always welcome here. Do not be shy, but tell me how you found +your way, and what you want.' + +'My name is Houarn,' he answered, 'Lanillis is my home, and I am trying +to earn enough money to buy a little cow and a pig to fatten.' + +'Well, you can easily get that,' replied she; 'it is nothing to worry +about. Come in and enjoy yourself.' And she beckoned him to follow her +into a second hall whose floors and walls were formed of pearls, while +down the sides there were tables laden with fruit and wines of all +kinds; and as he ate and drank, the Groac'h talked to him and told him +how the treasures he saw came from shipwrecked vessels, and were brought +to her palace by a magic current of water. + +'I do not wonder,' exclaimed Houarn, who now felt quite at home--'I do +not wonder that the people on the earth have so much to say about you.' + +'The rich are always envied.' + +'For myself,' he added, with a laugh, 'I only ask for the half of your +wealth.' + +'You can have it, if you will, Houarn,' answered the fairy. + +'What do you mean?' cried he. + +'My husband, Korandon, is dead,' she replied, 'and if you wish it, I +will marry you.' + +The young man gazed at her in surprise. Could any one so rich and so +beautiful really wish to be his wife? He looked at her again, and Bellah +was forgotten as he answered: + +'A man would be mad indeed to refuse such an offer. I can only accept it +with joy.' + +'Then the sooner it is done the better,' said the Groac'h, and gave +orders to her servants. After that was finished, she begged Houarn to +accompany her to a fish-pond at the bottom of the garden. + +'Come lawyer, come miller, come tailor, come singer!' cried she, holding +out a net of steel; and at each summons a fish appeared and jumped into +the net. When it was full she went into a large kitchen and threw them +all into a golden pot; but above the bubbling of the water Houarn seemed +to hear the whispering of little voices. + +'Who is it whispering in the golden pot, Groac'h?' he inquired at last. + +'It is nothing but the noise of the wood sparkling,' she answered; but +it did not sound the least like that to Houarn. + +'There it is again,' he said, after a short pause. + +'The water is getting hot, and it makes the fish jump,' she replied; but +soon the noise grew louder and like cries. + +'What is it?' asked Houarn, beginning to feel uncomfortable. + +'Just the crickets on the hearth,' said she, and broke into a song which +drowned the cries from the pot. + +But though Houarn held his peace, he was not as happy as before. +Something seemed to have gone wrong, and then he suddenly remembered +Bellah. + +'Is it possible I can have forgotten her so soon? What a wretch I am!' +he thought to himself; and he remained apart and watched the Groac'h +while she emptied the fish into a plate, and bade him eat his dinner +while she fetched wine from her cellar in a cave. + +Houarn sat down and took out the knife which Bellah had given him, but +as soon as the blade touched the fish the enchantment ceased, and four +men stood before him. + +'Houarn, save us, we entreat you, and save yourself too!' murmured they, +not daring to raise their voices. + +'Why, it must have been you who were crying out in the pot just now!' +exclaimed Houarn. + +'Yes, it was us,' they answered. 'Like you, we came to the isle of Lok +to seek our fortunes, and like you we consented to marry the Groac'h, +and no sooner was the ceremony over than she turned us into fishes, as +she had done to all our forerunners, who are in the fish-pond still, +where you will shortly join them.' + +On hearing this Houarn leaped into the air, as if he already felt +himself frizzling in the golden pot. He rushed to the door, hoping to +escape that way; but the Groac'h, who had heard everything, met him on +the threshold. Instantly she threw the steel net over his head, and the +eyes of a little green frog peeped through the meshes. + +'You shall go and play with the rest,' she said, carrying him off to the +fish-pond. + +It was at this very moment that Bellah, who was skimming the milk in the +farm dairy, heard the fairy bell tinkle violently. + +At the sound she grew pale, for she knew it meant that Houarn was in +danger; and, hastily, changing the rough dress she wore for her work, +she left the farm with the magic stick in her hand. + +Her knees were trembling under her, but she ran as fast as she could to +the cross roads, where she drove her stick into the ground, murmuring as +she did so a verse her mother had taught her: + + Little staff of apple-tree, + Over the earth and over the sea, + Up in the air be guide to me, + Everywhere to wander free, + +and immediately the stick became a smart little horse, with a rosette +at each ear and a feather on his forehead. He stood quite still while +Bellah scrambled up, then he started off, his pace growing quicker and +quicker, till at length the girl could hardly see the trees and houses +as they flashed past. But, rapid as the pace was, it was not rapid +enough for Bellah, who stooped and said: + +'The swallow is less swift than the wind, the wind is less swift than +the lightning. But you, my horse, if you love me, must be swifter than +them all, for there is a part of my heart that suffers--the best part +of my heart that is in danger.' + +And the horse heard her, and galloped like a straw carried along by +a tempest till they reached the foot of a rock called the Leap of the +Deer. There he stopped, for no horse or mule that ever was born could +climb that rock, and Bellah knew it, so she began to sing again: + + Horse of Leon, given to me, + Over the earth and over the sea, + Up in the air be guide to me, + Everywhere to wander free, + +and when she had finished, the horse's fore legs grew shorter and spread +into wings, his hind legs became claws, feathers sprouted all over his +body, and she sat on the back of a great bird, which bore her to the +summit of the rock. Here she found a nest made of clay and lined with +dried moss, and in the centre a tiny man, black and wrinkled, who gave a +cry of surprise at the sight of Bellah. + +'Ah! you are the pretty girl who was to come and save me!' + +'To save you!' repeated Bellah. 'But who are you, my little friend?' + +'I am the husband of the Groac'h of the isle of Lok, and it is owing to +her that I am here.' + +'But what are you doing in this nest?' + +'I am sitting on six eggs of stone, and I shall not be set free till +they are hatched.' + +On hearing this Bellah began to laugh. + +'Poor little cock!' she said, 'and how am I to deliver you?' + +'By delivering Houarn, who is in the power of the Groac'h.' + +'Ah! tell me how I can manage that, and if I have to walk round the +whole of Brittany on my bended knees I will do it!' + +'Well, first you must dress yourself as a young man, and then go and +seek the Groac'h. When you have found her you must contrive to get hold +of the net of steel that hangs from her waist, and shut her up in it for +ever.' + +'But where am I to find a young man's clothes?' asked she. + +'I will show you,' he replied, and as he spoke he pulled out three of +his red hairs and blew them away, muttering something the while. In the +twinkling of an eye the four hairs changed into four tailors, of whom +the first carried a cabbage, the second a pair of scissors, the third +a needle, and the fourth an iron. Without waiting for orders, they sat +down in the nest and, crossing their legs comfortably, began to prepare +the suit of clothes for Bellah. + +With one of the leaves of the cabbage they made her a coat, and another +served for a waistcoat; but it took two for the wide breeches which were +then in fashion. The hat was cut from the heart of the cabbage, and a +pair of shoes from the thick stem. And when Bellah had put them all on +you would have taken her for a gentleman dressed in green velvet, lined +with white satin. + +She thanked the little men gratefully, and after a few more +instructions, jumped on the back of her great bird, and was borne away +to the isle of Lok. Once there, she bade him transform himself back into +a stick, and with it in her hand she stepped into the blue boat, which +conducted her to the palace of shells. + +The Groac'h seemed overjoyed to see her, and told her that never before +had she beheld such a handsome young man. Very soon she led her visitor +into the great hall, where wine and fruit were always waiting, and +on the table lay the magic knife, left there by Houarn. Unseen by the +Groac'h, Bellah hid it in a pocket of her green coat, and then followed +her hostess into the garden, and to the pond which contained the fish, +their sides shining with a thousand different colours. + +'Oh! what beautiful, beautiful creatures!' said she. 'I'm sure I should +never be tired of watching them.' And she sat down on the bank, with +her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands, her eyes fixed on the +fishes as they flashed past. + +'Would you not like to stay here always?' asked the Groac'h; and Bellah +answered that she desired nothing better. + +'Then you have only to marry me,' said the Groac'h. 'Oh! don't say no, +for I have fallen deeply in love with you.' + +'Well, I won't say "No,"' replied Bellah, with a laugh, 'but you must +promise first to let me catch one of those lovely fish in your net.' + +'It is not so easy as it looks,' rejoined the Groac'h, smiling, 'but +take it, and try your luck.' + +Bellah took the net which the Groac'h held out, and, turning rapidly, +flung it over the witch's head. + +'Become in body what you are in soul!' cried she, and in an instant the +lovely fairy of the sea was a toad, horrible to look upon. She struggled +hard to tear the net asunder, but it was no use. Bellah only drew it +the tighter, and, flinging the sorceress into a pit, she rolled a great +stone across the mouth, and left her. + +As she drew near the pond she saw a great procession of fishes advancing +to meet her, crying in hoarse tones: + +'This is our lord and master, who has saved us from the net of steel and +the pot of gold!' + +'And who will restore you to your proper shapes,' said Bellah, drawing +the knife from her pocket. But just as she was going to touch the +foremost fish, her eyes fell on a green frog on his knees beside her, +his little paws crossed over his little heart. Bellah felt as if fingers +were tightening round her throat, but she managed to cry: + +'Is this you, my Houarn? Is this you?' + +'It is I,' croaked the little frog; and as the knife touched him he was +a man again, and, springing up, he clasped her in his arms. + +'But we must not forget the others,' she said at last, and began to +transform the fishes to their proper shapes. There were so many of them +that it took quite a long time. Just as she had finished there arrived +the little dwarf from the Deer's Leap in a car drawn by six cockchafers, +which once had been the six stone eggs. + +'Here I am!' he exclaimed. 'You have broken the spell that held me, and +now come and get your reward,' and, dismounting from his chariot, he led +them down into the caves filled with gold and jewels, and bade Bellah +and Houarn take as much as they wanted. + +When their pockets were full, Bellah ordered her stick to become a +winged carriage, large enough to bear them and the men they had rescued +back to Lanillis. + +There they were married the next day, but instead of setting up +housekeeping with the little cow and pig to fatten that they had so long +wished for, they were able to buy lands for miles round for themselves, +and gave each man who had been delivered from the Groac'h a small farm, +where he lived happily to the end of his days. + +From 'Le Foyer Breton,' par E. Souvestre. + + + + +The Escape of the Mouse + + +Manawyddan the prince and his friend Pryderi were wanderers, for the +brother of Manawyddan had been slain, and his throne taken from him. +Very sorrowful was Manawyddan, but Pryderi was stout of heart, and bade +him be of good cheer, as he knew a way out of his trouble. + +'And what may that be?' asked Manawyddan. + +'It is that thou marry my mother Rhiannon and become lord of the fair +lands that I will give her for dowry. Never did any lady have more wit +than she, and in her youth none was more lovely; even yet she is good to +look upon.' + +'Thou art the best friend that ever a man had,' said Manawyddan. 'Let us +go now to seek Rhiannon, and the lands where she dwells.' + +Then they set forth, but the news of their coming ran swifter still, and +Rhiannon and Kieva, wife of Pryderi, made haste to prepare a feast for +them. And Manawyddan found that Pryderi had spoken the truth concerning +his mother, and asked if she would take him for her husband. Right +gladly did she consent, and without delay they were married, and rode +away to the hunt, Rhiannon and Manawyddan, Kieva and Pryderi, and they +would not be parted from each other by night or by day, so great was the +love between them. + +One day, when they were returned, they were sitting out in a green +place, and suddenly the crash of thunder struck loudly on their ears, +and a wall of mist fell between them, so that they were hidden one from +the other. Trembling they sat till the darkness fled and the light shone +again upon them, but in the place where they were wont to see cattle, +and herds, and dwellings, they beheld neither house nor beast, nor man +nor smoke; neither was any one remaining in the green place save these +four only. + +'Whither have they gone, and my host also?' cried Manawyddan, and they +searched the hall, and there was no man, and the castle, and there was +none, and in the dwellings that were left was nothing save wild beasts. +For a year these four fed on the meat that Manawyddan and Pryderi killed +out hunting, and the honey of the bees that sucked the mountain heather. +For a time they desired nothing more, but when the next year began they +grew weary. + +'We cannot spend our lives thus,' said Manawyddan at last, 'let us go +into England and learn some trade by which we may live.' So they +left Wales, and went to Hereford, and there they made saddles, while +Manawyddan fashioned blue enamel ornaments to put on their trappings. +And so greatly did the townsfolk love these saddles, that no others +were bought throughout the whole of Hereford, till the saddlers banded +together and resolved to slay Manawyddan and his companions. + +When Pryderi heard of it, he was very wroth, and wished to stay and +fight. But the counsels of Manawyddan prevailed, and they moved by night +to another city. + +'What craft shall we follow?' asked Pryderi. + +'We will make shields,' answered Manawyddan. + +'But do we know anything of that craft?' answered Pryderi. + +'We will try it,' said Manawyddan, and they began to make shields, and +fashioned them after the shape of the shields they had seen; and these +likewise they enamelled. And so greatly did they prosper that no man +in the town bought a shield except they had made it, till at length the +shield-makers banded together as the saddlers had done, and resolved to +slay them. But of this they had warning, and by night betook themselves +to another town. + +'Let us take to making shoes,' said Manawyddan, 'for there are not any +among the shoemakers bold enough to fight us.' + +'I know nothing of making shoes,' answered Pryderi, who in truth +despised so peaceful a craft. + +'But I know,' replied Manawyddan, 'and I will teach thee to stitch. We +will buy the leather ready dressed, and will make the shoes from it. + +Then straightway he sought the town for the best leather, and for a +goldsmith to fashion the clasps, and he himself watched till it was +done, so that he might learn for himself. Soon he became known as 'The +Maker of Gold Shoes,' and prospered so greatly, that as long as one +could be bought from him not a shoe was purchased from the shoemakers +of the town. And the craftsmen were wroth, and banded together to slay +them. + +'Pryderi,' said Manawyddan, when he had received news of it, 'we will +not remain in England any longer. Let us set forth to Dyved.' + +So they journeyed until they came to their lands at Narberth. There they +gathered their dogs round them, and hunted for a year as before. + +After that a strange thing happened. One morning Pryderi and Manawyddan +rose up to hunt, and loosened their dogs, which ran before them, till +they came to a small bush. At the bush, the dogs shrank away as if +frightened, and returned to their masters, their hair brisling on their +backs. + +'We must see what is in that bush,' said Pryderi, and what was in it was +a boar, with a skin as white as the snow on the mountains. And he came +out, and made a stand as the dogs rushed on him, driven on by the men. +Long he stood at bay; then at last he betook himself to flight, and fled +to a castle which was newly built, in a place where no building had ever +been known. Into the castle he ran, and the dogs after him, and long +though their masters looked and listened, they neither saw nor heard +aught concerning dogs or boar. + +'I will go into the castle and get tidings of the dogs,' said Pryderi at +last. + +'Truly,' answered Manawyddan, 'thou wouldst do unwisely, for whosoever +has cast a spell over this land has set this castle here.' + +'I cannot give up my dogs,' replied Pryderi, and to the castle he went. + +But within was neither man nor beast; neither boar nor dogs, but only +a fountain with marble round it, and on the edge a golden bowl, richly +wrought, which pleased Pryderi greatly. In a moment he forgot about his +dogs, and went up to the bowl and took hold of it, and his hands +stuck to the bowl, and his feet to the marble slab, and despair took +possession of him. + +Till the close of day Manawyddan waited for him, and when the sun was +fast sinking, he went home, thinking that he had strayed far. + +'Where are thy friend and thy dogs?' said Rhiannon, and he told her what +had befallen Pryderi. + +'A good friend hast thou lost,' answered Rhiannon, and she went up to +the castle and through the gate, which was open. There, in the centre of +the courtyard, she beheld Pryderi standing, and hastened towards him. + +'What dost thou here?' she asked, laying her hand on the bowl, and as +she spoke she too stuck fast, and was not able to utter a word. Then +thunder was heard and a veil of darkness descended upon them, and the +castle vanished and they with it. + +When Kieva, the wife of Pryderi, found that neither her husband nor +his mother returned to her, she was in such sorrow that she cared not +whether she lived or died. Manawyddan was grieved also in his heart, and +said to her: + +'It is not fitting that we should stay here, for he have lost our dogs +and cannot get food. Let us go into England--it is easier for us to live +there.' So they set forth. + +'What craft wilt thou follow?' asked Kieva as they went along. + +'I shall make shoes as once I did,' replied he; and he got all the +finest leather in the town and caused gilded clasps to be made for the +shoes, till everyone flocked to buy, and all the shoemakers in the +town were idle and banded together in anger to kill him. But luckily +Manawyddan got word of it, and he and Kieva left the town one night and +proceeded to Narberth, taking with him a sheaf of wheat, which he sowed +in three plots of ground. And while the wheat was growing up, he hunted +and fished, and they had food enough and to spare. Thus the months +passed until the harvest; and one evening Manawyddan visited the +furthest of his fields of wheat; and saw that it was ripe. + +'To-morrow I will reap this,' said he; but on the morrow when he went to +reap the wheat he found nothing but the bare straw. + +Filled with dismay he hastened to the second field, and there the corn +was ripe and golden. + +'To-morrow I will reap this,' he said, but on the morrow the ears had +gone, and there was nothing but the bare straw. + +'Well, there is still one field left,' he said, and when he looked +at it, it was still fairer than the other two. 'To-night I will watch +here,' thought he, 'for whosoever carried off the other corn will in +like manner take this, and I will know who it is.' So he hid himself and +waited. + +The hours slid by, and all was still, so still that Manawyddan well-nigh +dropped asleep. But at midnight there arose the loudest tumult in the +world, and peeping out he beheld a mighty host of mice, which could +neither be numbered nor measured. Each mouse climbed up a straw till +it bent down with its weight, and then it bit off one of the ears, and +carried it away, and there was not one of the straws that had not got a +mouse to it. + +Full of wrath he rushed at the mice, but he could no more come up with +them than if they had been gnats, or birds of the air, save one only +which lingered behind the rest, and this mouse Manawyddan came up with. +Stooping down he seized it by the tail, and put it in his glove, and +tied a piece of string across the opening of the glove, so that the +mouse could not escape. When he entered the hall where Kieva was +sitting, he lighted a fire, and hung the glove up on a peg. + +'What hast thou there?' asked she. + +'A thief,' he answered, 'that I caught robbing me.' + +'What kind of a thief may it be which thou couldst put in thy glove?' +said Kieva. + +'That I will tell thee,' he replied, and then he showed her how his +fields of corn had been wasted, and how he had watched for the mice. + +'And one was less nimble than the rest, and is now in my glove. +To-morrow I will hang it, and I only wish I had them all.' + +'It is a marvel, truly,' said she, 'yet it would be unseemly for a man +of thy dignity to hang a reptile such as this. Do not meddle with it, +but let it go.' + +'Woe betide me,' he cried, 'if I would not hang them all if I could +catch them, and such as I have I will hang.' + +'Verily,' said she, 'there is no reason I should succour this reptile, +except to prevent discredit unto thee.' + +'If I knew any cause that I should succour it, I would take thy +counsel,' answered Manawyddan, 'but as I know of none, I am minded to +destroy it.' + +'Do so then,' said Kieva. + +So he went up a hill and set up two forks on the top, and while he +was doing this he saw a scholar coming towards him, whose clothes were +tattered. Now it was seven years since Manawyddan had seen man or beast +in that place, and the sight amazed him. + +'Good day to thee, my lord,' said the scholar. + +'Good greeting to thee, scholar. Whence dost thou come?' + +'From singing in England; but wherefore dost thou ask?' + +'Because for seven years no man hath visited this place.' + +'I wander where I will,' answered the scholar. 'And what work art thou +upon?' + +'I am about to hang a thief that I caught robbing me!' + +'What manner of thief is that?' inquired the scholar. 'I see a creature +in thy hand like upon a mouse, and ill does it become a man of thy rank +to touch a reptile like this. Let it go free.' + +'I will not let it go free,' cried Manawyddan. 'I caught it robbing me, +and it shall suffer the doom of a thief.' + +'Lord!' said the scholar, 'sooner than see a man like thee at such a +work, I would give thee a pound which I have received as alms to let it +go free.' + +'I will not let it go free, neither will I sell it.' + +'As thou wilt, lord,' answered the scholar, and he went his way. + +Manawyddan was placing the cross-beam on the two forked sticks, where +the mouse was to hang, when a priest rode past. + +'Good-day to thee, lord; and what art thou doing?' + +'I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.' + +'What manner of thief, lord?' + +'A creature in the form of a mouse. It has been robbing me, and it shall +suffer the doom of a thief.' + +'Lord,' said the priest, 'sooner than see thee touch this reptile, I +would purchase its freedom.' + +'I will neither sell it nor set it free.' + +'It is true that a mouse is worth nothing, but rather than see thee +defile thyself with touching such a reptile as this, I will give thee +three pounds for it.' + +'I will not take any price for it. It shall be hanged as it deserves.' + +'Willingly, my lord, if it is thy pleasure.' And the priest went his +way. + +Then Manawyddan noosed the string about the mouse's neck, and was +about to draw it tight when a bishop, with a great following and horses +bearing huge packs, came by. + +'What work art thou upon?' asked the bishop, drawing rein. + +'Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.' + +'But is not that a mouse that I see in thine hand?' asked the bishop. + +'Yes; that is the thief,' answered Manawyddan. + +'Well, since I have come at the doom of this reptile, I will ransom it +of thee for seven pounds, rather than see a man of thy rank touch it. +Loose it, and let it go.' + +'I will not let it loose.' + +'I will give thee four and twenty pounds to set it free,' said the +bishop. + +'I will not set it free for as much again.' + +'If thou wilt not set it free for this, I will give thee all the horses +thou seest and the seven loads of baggage.' + +'I will not set it free.' + +'Then tell me at what price thou wilt loose it, and I will give it.' + +'The spell must be taken off Rhiannon and Pryderi,' said Manawyddan. + +'That shall be done.' + +'But not yet will I loose the mouse. The charm that has been cast over +all my lands must be taken off likewise.' + +'This shall be done also.' + +'But not yet will I loose the mouse till I know who she is.' + +'She is my wife,' answered the bishop. + +'And wherefore came she to me?' asked Manawyddan. + +'To despoil thee,' replied the bishop, 'for it is I who cast the charm +over thy lands, to avenge Gwawl the son of Clud my friend. And it was I +who threw the spell upon Pryderi to avenge Gwawl for the trick that had +been played on him in the game of Badger in the Bag. And not only was I +wroth, but my people likewise, and when it was known that thou wast come +to dwell in the land, they besought me much to change them into mice, +that they might eat thy corn. The first and the second nights it was +the men of my own house that destroyed thy two fields, but on the third +night my wife and her ladies came to me and begged me to change them +also into the shape of mice, that they might take part in avenging +Gwawl. Therefore I changed them. Yet had she not been ill and slow of +foot, thou couldst not have overtaken her. Still, since she was caught, +I will restore thee Pryderi and Rhiannon, and will take the charm from +off thy lands. I have told thee who she is; so now set her free.' + +'I will not set her free,' answered Manawyddan, 'till thou swear that no +vengeance shall be taken for his, either upon Pryderi, or upon Rhiannon, +or on me.' + +'I will grant thee this boon; and thou hast done wisely to ask it, for +on thy head would have lit all the trouble. Set now my wife free.' + +'I will not set her free till Pryderi and Rhiannon are with me.' + +'Behold, here they come,' said the bishop. + +Then Manawyddan held out his hands and greeted Pryderi and Rhiannon, and +they seated themselves joyfully on the grass. + +'Ah, lord, hast thou not received all thou didst ask?' said the bishop. +'Set now my wife free!' + +'That I will gladly,' answered Manawyddan, unloosing the cord from her +neck, and as he did so the bishop struck her with his staff, and she +turned into a young woman, the fairest that ever was seen. + +'Look around upon thy land,' said he, 'and thou wilt see it all tilled +and peopled, as it was long ago.' And Manawyddan looked, and saw corn +growing in the fields, and cows and sheep grazing on the hill-side, and +huts for the people to dwell in. And he was satisfied in his soul, but +one more question he put to the bishop. + +'What spell didst thou lay upon Pryderi and Rhiannon?' + +'Pryderi has had the knockers of the gate of my palace hung about him, +and Rhiannon has carried the collars of my asses around her neck,' said +the bishop with a smile. + +From the 'Mabinogion.' + + + + +The Believing Husbands + + +Once upon a time there dwelt in the land of Erin a young man who was +seeking a wife, and of all the maidens round about none pleased him +as well as the only daughter of a farmer. The girl was willing and the +father was willing, and very soon they were married and went to live at +the farm. By and bye the season came when they must cut the peats and +pile them up to dry, so that they might have fires in the winter. So +on a fine day the girl and her husband, and the father and his wife all +went out upon the moor. + +They worked hard for many hours, and at length grew hungry, so the young +woman was sent home to bring them food, and also to give the horses +their dinner. When she went into the stables, she suddenly saw the heavy +pack-saddle of the speckled mare just over her head, and she jumped and +said to herself: + +'Suppose that pack-saddle were to fall and kill me, how dreadful it +would be!' and she sat down just under the pack-saddle she was so much +afraid of, and began to cry. + +Now the others out on the moor grew hungrier and hungrier. + +'What can have become of her?' asked they, and at length the mother +declared that she would wait no longer, and must go and see what had +happened. + +As the bride was nowhere in the kitchen or the dairy, the old woman went +into the stable, where she found her daughter weeping bitterly. + +'What is the matter, my dove?' and the girl answered, between her sobs: + +'When I came in and saw the pack-saddle over my head, I thought how +dreadful it would be if it fell and killed me,' and she cried louder +than before. + +The old woman struck her hands together: 'Ah, to think of it! if that +were to be, what should I do?' and she sat down by her daughter, and +they both wrung their hands and let their tears flow. + +'Something strange must have occurred,' exclaimed the old farmer on the +moor, who by this time was not only hungry, but cross. 'I must go after +them.' And he went and found them in the stable. + +'What is the matter?' asked he. + +'Oh!' replied his wife, 'when our daughter came home, did she not see +the pack-saddle over her head, and she thought how dreadful it would be +if it were to fall and kill her.' + +'Ah, to think of it!' exclaimed he, striking his hands together, and he +sat down beside them and wept too. + +As soon as night fell the young man returned full of hunger, and there +they were, all crying together in the stable. + +'What is the matter?' asked he. + +'When thy wife came home,' answered the farmer, 'she saw the pack-saddle +over her head, and she thought how dreadful it would be if it were to +fall and kill her.' + +'Well, but it didn't fall,' replied the young man, and he went off to +the kitchen to get some supper, leaving them to cry as long as they +liked. + +The next morning he got up with the sun, and said to the old man and to +the old woman and to his wife: + +'Farewell: my foot shall not return to the house till I have found other +three people as silly as you,' and he walked away till he came to the +town, and seeing the door of a cottage standing open wide, he entered. +No man was present, but only some women spinning at their wheels. + +'You do not belong to this town,' said he. + +'You speak truth,' they answered, 'nor you either?' + +'I do not,' replied he, 'but is it a good place to live in?' + +The women looked at each other. + +'The men of the town are so silly that we can make them believe anything +we please,' said they. + +'Well, here is a gold ring,' replied he, 'and I will give it to the one +amongst you who can make her husband believe the most impossible thing,' +and he left them. + +As soon as the first husband came home his wife said to him: + +'Thou art sick!' + +'Am I?' asked he. + +'Yes, thou art,' she answered; 'take off thy clothes and lie down.' + +So he did, and when he was in his bed his wife went to him and said: + +'Thou art dead.' + +'Oh, am I?' asked he. + +'Thou art,' said she; 'shut thine eyes and stir neither hand nor foot.' + +And dead he felt sure he was. + +Soon the second man came home, and his wife said to him: + +'You are not my husband!' + +'Oh, am I not?' asked he. + +'No, it is not you,' answered she, so he went away and slept in the +wood. + +When the third man arrived his wife gave him his supper, and after that +he went to bed, just as usual. The next morning a boy knocked at the +door, bidding him attend the burial of the man who was dead, and he was +just going to get up when his wife stopped him. + +'Time enough,' said she, and he lay still till he heard the funeral +passing the window. + +'Now rise, and be quick,' called the wife, and the man jumped out of bed +in a great hurry, and began to look about him. + +'Why, where are my clothes?' asked he. + +'Silly that you are, they are on your back, of course,' answered the +woman. + +'Are they?' said he. + +'They are,' said she, 'and make haste lest the burying be ended before +you get there.' + +Then off he went, running hard, and when the mourners saw a man coming +towards them with nothing on but his nightshirt, they forgot in their +fright what they were there for, and fled to hide themselves. And the +naked man stood alone at the head of the coffin. + +Very soon a man came out of the wood and spoke to him. + +'Do you know me?' + +'Not I,' answered the naked man. 'I do not know you.' + +'But why are you naked?' asked the first man. + +'Am I naked? My wife told me that I had all my clothes on,' answered he. + +'And my wife told me that I myself was dead,' said the man in the +coffin. + +But at the sound of his voice the two men were so terrified that they +ran straight home, and the man in the coffin got up and followed them, +and it was his wife that gained the gold ring, as he had been sillier +than the other two. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + +The Hoodie-Crow. + + +Once there lived a farmer who had three daughters, and good useful girls +they were, up with the sun, and doing all the work of the house. One +morning they all ran down to the river to wash their clothes, when a +hoodie came round and sat on a tree close by. + +'Wilt thou wed me, thou farmer's daughter?' he said to the eldest. + +'Indeed I won't wed thee,' she answered, 'an ugly brute is the hoodie.' +And the bird, much offended, spread his wings and flew away. But the +following day he came back again, and said to the second girl: + +'Wilt thou wed me, farmer's daughter?' + +'Indeed I will not,' answered she, 'an ugly brute is the hoodie.' And +the hoodie was more angry than before, and went away in a rage. However, +after a night's rest he was in a better temper, and thought that he +might be more lucky the third time, so back he went to the old place. + +'Wilt thou wed me, farmer's daughter?' he said to the youngest. + +'Indeed I will wed thee; a pretty creature is the hoodie,' answered she, +and on the morrow they were married. + +'I have something to ask thee,' said the hoodie when they were far away +in his own house. 'Wouldst thou rather I should be a hoodie by day and a +man by night, or a man by day and a hoodie by night?' + +The girl was surprised at his words, for she did not know that he could +be anything but a hoodie at all times. + +Still she said nothing of this, and only replied, 'I would rather thou +wert a man by day and a hoodie by night,' And so he was; and a handsomer +man or a more beautiful hoodie never was seen. The girl loved them both, +and never wished for things to be different. + +By and bye they had a son, and very pleased they both were. But in the +night soft music was heard stealing close towards the house, and every +man slept, and the mother slept also. When they woke again it was +morning, and the baby was gone. High and low they looked for it, but +nowhere could they find it, and the farmer, who had come to see his +daughter, was greatly grieved, as he feared it might be thought that he +had stolen it, because he did not want the hoodie for a son-in-law. + +The next year the hoodie's wife had another son, and this time a watch +was set at every door. But it was no use. In vain they determined that, +come what might, they would not close their eyes; at the first note of +music they all fell asleep, and when the farmer arrived in the morning +to see his grandson, he found them all weeping, for while they had slept +the baby had vanished. + +Well, the next year it all happened again, and the hoodie's wife was so +unhappy that her husband resolved to take her away to another house he +had, and her sisters with her for company. So they set out in a coach +which was big enough to hold them, and had not gone very far when the +hoodie suddenly said: + +'You are sure you have not forgotten anything?' + +'I have forgotten my coarse comb,' answered the wife, feeling in her +pocket, and as she spoke the coach changed into a withered faggot, and +the man became a hoodie again, and flew away. + +The two sisters returned home, but the wife followed the hoodie. +Sometimes she would see him on a hill-top, and then would hasten after +him, hoping to catch him. But by the time she had got to the top of the +hill, he would be in the valley on the other side. When night came, and +she was tired, she looked about for some place to rest, and glad she was +to see a little house full of light straight in front of her, and she +hurried towards it as fast as she could. + +At the door stood a little boy, and the sight of him filled her heart +with pleasure, she did not know why. A woman came out, and bade her +welcome, and set before her food, and gave her a soft bed to lie on. And +the hoodie's wife lay down, and so tired was she, that it seemed to her +but a moment before the sun rose, and she awoke again. From hill to hill +she went after the hoodie, and sometimes she saw him on the top; but +when she got to the top, he had flown into the valley, and when she +reached the valley he was on the top of another hill--and so it happened +till night came round again. Then she looked round for some place to +rest in, and she beheld a little house of light before her, and fast she +hurried towards it. At the door stood a little boy, and her heart was +filled with pleasure at the sight of him, she did not know why. After +that a woman bade her enter, and set food before her, and gave her +a soft bed to lie in. And when the sun rose she got up, and left the +house, in search of the hoodie. This day everything befell as on the +two other days, but when she reached the small house, the woman bade her +keep awake, and if the hoodie flew into the room, to try to seize him. + +But the wife had walked far, and was very tired, and strive as she +would, she fell sound asleep. + +Many hours she slept, and the hoodie entered through a window, and let +fall a ring on her hand. The girl awoke with a start, and leant forward +to grasp him, but he was already flying off, and she only seized a +feather from his wing. And when dawn came, she got up and told the +woman. + +'He has gone over the hill of poison,' said she, 'and there you cannot +follow him without horse-shoes on your hands and feet. But I will help +you. Put on this suit of men's clothes, and go down this road till you +come to the smithy, and there you can learn to make horse-shoes for +yourself.' + +The girl thanked her, and put on the cloths and went down the road to +do her bidding. So hard did she work, that in a few days she was able +to make the horse-shoes. Early one morning she set out for the hill of +poison. On her hands and feet she went, but even with the horse-shoes +on she had to be very careful not to stumble, lest some poisoned thorns +should enter into her flesh, and she should die. But when at last she +was over, it was only to hear that her husband was to be married that +day to the daughter of a great lord. + +Now there was to be a race in the town, and everyone meant to be there, +except the stranger who had come over the hill of poison--everyone, that +is, but the cook, who was to make the bridal supper. Greatly he loved +races, and sore was his heart to think that one should be run without +his seeing it, so when he beheld a woman whom he did not know coming +along the street, hope sprang up in him. + +'Will you cook the wedding feast in place of me?' he said, 'and I will +pay you well when I return from the race.' + +Gladly she agreed, and cooked the feast in a kitchen that looked into +the great hall, where the company were to eat it. After that she watched +the seat where the bridegroom was sitting, and taking a plateful of the +broth, she dropped the ring and the feather into it, and set if herself +before him. + +With the first spoonful he took up the ring, and a thrill ran through +him; in the second he beheld the feather and rose from his chair. + +'Who has cooked this feast?' asked he, and the real cook, who had come +back from the race, was brought before him. + +'He may be the cook, but he did not cook this feast,' said the +bridegroom, and then inquiry was made, and the girl was summoned to the +great hall. + +'That is my married wife,' he declared, 'and no one else will I have,' +and at that very moment the spells fell off him, and never more would he +be a hoodie. Happy indeed were they to be together again, and little did +they mind that the hill of poison took long to cross, for she had to go +some way forwards, and then throw the horse-shoes back for him to put +on. Still, at last they were over, and they went back the way she had +come, and stopped at the three houses in order to take their little sons +to their own home. + +But the story never says who had stolen them, nor what the coarse comb +had to do with it. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + +The Brownie of the Lake + + +Once upon a time there lived in France a man whose name was Jalm Riou. +You might have walked a whole day without meeting anyone happier or more +contented, for he had a large farm, plenty of money, and above all, a +daughter called Barbaik, the most graceful dancer and the best-dressed +girl in the whole country side. When she appeared on holidays in her +embroidered cap, five petticoats, each one a little shorter than the +other, and shoes with silver buckles, the women were all filled with +envy, but little cared Barbaik what they might whisper behind her back +as long as she knew that her clothes were finer than anyone else's and +that she had more partners than any other girl. + +Now amongst all the young men who wanted to marry Barbaik, the one whose +heart was most set on her was her father's head man, but as his manners +were rough and he was exceedingly ugly she would have nothing to say to +him, and, what was worse, often made fun of him with the rest. + +Jegu, for that was his name, of course heard of this, and it made him +very unhappy. Still he would not leave the farm, and look for work +elsewhere, as he might have done, for then he would never see Barbaik at +all, and what was life worth to him without that? + +One evening he was bringing back his horses from the fields, and stopped +at a little lake on the way home to let them drink. He was tired with +a long day's work, and stood with his hand on the mane of one of the +animals, waiting till they had done, and thinking all the while of +Barbaik, when a voice came out of the gorse close by. + +'What is the matter, Jegu? You mustn't despair yet.' + +The young man glanced up in surprise, and asked who was there. + +'It is I, the brownie of the lake,' replied the voice. + +'But where are you?' inquired Jegu. + +'Look close, and you will see me among the reeds in the form of a little +green frog. I can take,' he added proudly, 'any shape I choose, and +even, which is much harder, be invisible if I want to.' + +'Then show yourself to me in the shape in which your family generally +appear,' replied Jegu. + +'Certainly, if you wish,' and the frog jumped on the back of one of the +horses, and changed into a little dwarf, all dressed in green. + +This transformation rather frightened Jegu, but the brownie bade him +have no fears, for he would not do him any harm; indeed, he hoped that +Jegu might find him of some use. + +'But why should you take all this interest in me?' asked the peasant +suspiciously. + +'Because of a service you did me last winter, which I have never +forgotten,' answered the little fellow. 'You know, I am sure, that +the korigans[FN#3: The spiteful fairies.] who dwell in the White Corn +country have declared war on my people, because they say that they are +the friends of man. We were therefore obliged to take refuge in distant +lands, and to hide ourselves at first under different animal shapes. +Since that time, partly from habit and partly to amuse ourselves, we +have continued to transform ourselves, and it was in this way that I got +to know you.' + +'How?' exclaimed Jegu, filled with astonishment. + +'Do you remember when you were digging in the field near the river, +three months ago, you found a robin redbreast caught in a net? + +'Yes,' answered Jegu, 'I remember it very well, and I opened the net and +let him go.' + +'Well, I was that robin redbreast, and ever since I have vowed to be +your friend, and as you want to marry Barbaik, I will prove the truth of +what I say by helping you to do so.' + +'Ah! my little brownie, if you can do that, there is nothing I won't +give you, except my soul.' + +'Then let me alone,' rejoined the dwarf, 'and I promise you that in a +very few months you shall be master of the farm and of Barbaik.' + +'But how are you going to do it?' exclaimed Jegu wonderingly. + +'That is my affair. Perhaps I may tell you later. Meanwhile you just eat +and sleep, and don't worry yourself about anything.' + +Jegu declared that nothing could be easier, and then taking off his hat, +he thanked the dwarf heartily, and led his horses back to the farm. + +Next morning was a holiday, and Barbaik was awake earlier than usual, as +she wished to get through her work as soon as possible, and be ready to +start for a dance which was to be held some distance off. She went +first to the cow-house, which it was her duty to keep clean, but to her +amazement she found fresh straw put down, the racks filled with hay, the +cows milked, and the pails standing neatly in a row. + +'Of course, Jegu must have done this in the hope of my giving him a +dance,' she thought to herself, and when she met him outside the door +she stopped and thanked him for his help. To be sure, Jegu only replied +roughly that he didn't know what she was talking about, but this answer +made her feel all the more certain that it was he and nobody else. + +The same thing took place every day, and never had the cow-house been so +clean nor the cows so fat. Morning and evening Barbaik found her earthen +pots full of milk and a pound of butter freshly churned, ornamented +with leaves. At the end of a few weeks she grew so used to this state of +affairs that she only got up just in time to prepare breakfast. + +Soon even this grew to be unnecessary, for a day arrived when, coming +downstairs, she discovered that the house was swept, the furniture +polished, the fire lit, and the food ready, so that she had nothing to +do except to ring the great bell which summoned the labourers from the +fields to come and eat it. This, also, she thought was the work of Jegu, +and she could not help feeling that a husband of this sort would be very +useful to a girl who liked to lie in bed and to amuse herself. + +Indeed, Barbaik had only to express a wish for it to be satisfied. If +the wind was cold or the sun was hot and she was afraid to go out lest +her complexion should be spoilt, she need only to run down to the spring +close by and say softly, 'I should like my churns to be full, and my +wet linen to be stretched on the hedge to dry,' and she need never give +another thought to the matter. + +If she found the rye bread too hard to bake, or the oven taking too long +to heat, she just murmured, 'I should like to see my six loaves on the +shelf above the bread box,' and two hours after there they were. + +If she was too lazy to walk all the way to market along a dirty road, +she would say out loud the night before, 'Why am I not already back from +Morlaix with my milk pot empty, my butter bowl inside it, a pound of +wild cherries on my wooden plate, and the money I have gained in my +apron pocket?' and in the morning when she got up, lo and behold! there +were standing at the foot of her bed the empty milk pot with the butter +bowl inside, the black cherries on the wooden plate, and six new pieces +of silver in the pocket of her apron. And she believed that all this +was owing to Jegu, and she could no longer do without him, even in her +thoughts. + +When things had reached this pass, the brownie told the young man that +he had better ask Barbaik to marry him, and this time the girl did not +turn rudely away, but listened patiently to the end. In her eyes he was +as ugly and awkward as ever, but he would certainly make a most useful +husband, and she could sleep every morning till breakfast time, just +like a young lady, and as for the rest of the day, it would not be +half long enough for all she meant to do. She would wear the beautiful +dresses that came when she wished for them, and visit her neighbours, +who would be dying of envy all the while, and she would be able to dance +as much as she wished. Jegu would always be there to work for her and +save for her, and watch over her. So, like a well-brought-up girl, +Barbaik answered that it should be as her father pleased, knowing quite +well that old Riou had often said that after he was dead there was no +one so capable of carrying on the farm. + +The marriage took place the following month, and a few days later the +old man died quite suddenly. Now Jegu had everything to see to himself, +and somehow it did not seem so easy as when the farmer was alive. But +once more the brownie stepped in, and was better than ten labourers. +It was he who ploughed and sowed and reaped, and if, as happened, +occasionally, it was needful to get the work done quickly, the brownie +called in some of his friends, and as soon as it was light a host of +little dwarfs might have been seen in the fields, busy with hoe, fork or +sickle. But by the time the people were about all was finished, and the +little fellows had disappeared. + +And all the payment the brownie ever asked for was a bowl of broth. From +the very day of her marriage Barbaik had noted with surprise and rage +that things ceased to be done for her as they had been done all the +weeks and months before. She complained to Jegu of his laziness, and he +only stared at her, not understanding what she was talking about. But +the brownie, who was standing by, burst out laughing, and confessed that +all the good offices she spoke of had been performed by him, for the +sake of Jegu, but that now he had other business to do, and it was high +time that she looked after her house herself. + +Barbaik was furious. Each morning when she was obliged to get up before +dawn to milk the cows and go to market, and each evening when she had to +sit up till midnight in order to churn the butter, her heart was filled +with rage against the brownie who had caused her to expect a life of +ease and pleasure. But when she looked at Jegu and beheld his red face, +squinting eyes, and untidy hair, her anger was doubled. + +'If it had not been for you, you miserable dwarf!' she would say between +her teeth, 'if it had not been for you I should never have married that +man, and I should still have been going to dances, where the young men +would have brought me present of nuts and cherries, and told me that +I was the prettiest girl in the parish. While now I can receive no +presents except from my husband. I can never dance, except with my +husband. Oh, you wretched dwarf, I will never, never forgive you!' + +In spite of her fierce words, no one knew better than Barbaik how to +put her pride in her pocket when it suited her, and after receiving an +invitation to a wedding, she begged the brownie to get her a horse to +ride there. To her great joy he consented, bidding her set out for the +city of the dwarfs and to tell them exactly what she wanted. Full of +excitement, Barbaik started on her journey. It was not long, and when +she reached the town she went straight to the dwarfs, who were holding +counsel in a wide green place, and said to them, 'Listen, my friends! I +have come to beg you to lend me a black horse, with eyes, a mouth, ears, +bridle and saddle.' + +She had hardly spoken when the horse appeared, and mounting on his back +she started for the village where the wedding was to be held. + +At first she was so delighted with the chance of a holiday from the work +which she hated, that she noticed nothing, but very soon it struck +her as odd that as she passed along the roads full of people they all +laughed as they looked at her horse. At length she caught some words +uttered by one man to another. 'Why, the farmer's wife has sold her +horse's tail!' and turned in her saddle. Yes; it was true. Her horse +had no tail! She had forgotten to ask for one, and the wicked dwarfs had +carried out her orders to the letter! + +'Well, at any rate, I shall soon be there,' she thought, and shaking +the reins, tried to urge the horse to a gallop. But it was of no use; he +declined to move out of a walk; and she was forced to hear all the jokes +that were made upon her. + +In the evening she returned to the farm more angry than ever, and +quite determined to revenge herself on the brownie whenever she had the +chance, which happened to be very soon. + +It was the spring, and just the time of year when the dwarfs held their +fete, so one day the brownie asked Jegu if he might bring his friends to +have supper in the great barn, and whether he would allow them to dance +there. Of course, Jegu was only too pleased to be able to do anything +for the brownie, and he ordered Barbaik to spread her best table-cloths +in the barn, and to make a quantity of little loaves and pancakes, +and, besides, to keep all the milk given by the cows that morning. He +expected she would refuse, as he knew she hated the dwarfs, but she said +nothing, and prepared the supper as he had bidden her. + +When all was ready, the dwarfs, in new green suits, came bustling in, +very happy and merry, and took their seats at the table. But in a moment +they all sprang up with a cry, and ran away screaming, for Barbaik had +placed pans of hot coals under their feet, and all their poor little +toes were burnt. + +'You won't forget that in a hurry,' she said, smiling grimly to herself, +but in a moment they were back again with large pots of water, which +they poured on the fire. Then they joined hands and danced round it, +singing: + + Wicked traitress, Barne Riou, + Our poor toes are burned by you; + Now we hurry from your hall-- + Bad luck light upon you all. + +That evening they left the country for ever, and Jegu, without their +help, grew poorer and poorer, and at last died of misery, while Barbaik +was glad to find work in the market of Morlaix. + +From 'Le Foyer Breton,' par E. Souvestre. + + + + +The Winning of Olwen + + +There was once a king and queen who had a little boy, and they called +his name Kilweh. The queen, his mother, fell ill soon after his birth, +and as she could not take care of him herself she sent him to a woman +she knew up in the mountains, so that he might learn to go out in all +weathers, and bear heat and cold, and grow tall and strong. Kilweh was +quite happy with his nurse, and ran races and climbed hills with the +children who were his playfellows, and in the winter, when the snow +lay on the ground, sometimes a man with a harp would stop and beg for +shelter, and in return would sing them songs of strange things that had +happened in the years gone by. + +But long before this changes had taken place in the court of Kilweh's +father. Soon after she had sent her baby away the queen became much +worse, and at length, seeing that she was going to die, she called her +husband to her and said: + +'Never again shall I rise from this bed, and by and bye thou wilt take +another wife. But lest she should make thee forget thy son, I charge +thee that thou take not a wife until thou see a briar with two blossoms +upon my grave.' And this he promised her. Then she further bade him +to see to her grave that nothing might grow thereon. This likewise he +promised her, and soon she died, and for seven years the king sent a man +every morning to see that nothing was growing on the queen's grave, but +at the end of seven years he forgot. + +One day when the king was out hunting he rode past the place where the +queen lay buried, and there he saw a briar growing with two blossoms on +it. + +'It is time that I took a wife,' said he, and after long looking he +found one. But he did not tell her about his son; indeed he hardly +remembered that he had one till she heard it at last from an old woman +whom she had gone to visit. And the new queen was very pleased, and sent +messengers to fetch the boy, and in his father's court he stayed, while +the years went by till one day the queen told him that a prophecy +had foretold that he was to win for his wife Olwen the daughter of +Yspaddaden Penkawr. + +When he heard this Kilweh felt proud and happy. Surely he must be a man +now, he thought, or there would be no talk of a wife for him, and his +mind dwelt all day upon his promised bride, and what she would be like +when he beheld her. + +'What aileth thee, my son?' asked his father at last, when Kilweh had +forgotten something he had been bidden to do, and Kilweh blushed red as +he answered: + +'My stepmother says that none but Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden +Penkawr, shall be my wife.' + +'That will be easily fulfilled,' replied his father. 'Arthur the king +is thy cousin. Go therefore unto him and beg him to cut thy hair, and to +grant thee this boon.' + +Then the youth pricked forth upon a dapple grey horse of four years old, +with a bridle of linked gold, and gold upon his saddle. In his hand he +bore two spears of silver with heads of steel; a war-horn of ivory was +slung round his shoulder, and by his side hung a golden sword. Before +him were two brindled white-breasted greyhounds with collars of rubies +round their necks, and the one that was on the left side bounded across +to the right side, and the one on the right to the left, and like two +sea-swallows sported round him. And his horse cast up four sods with his +four hoofs, like four swallows in the air about his head, now above, now +below. About him was a robe of purple, and an apple of gold was at each +corner, and every one of the apples was of the value of a hundred cows. +And the blades of grass bent not beneath him, so light were his horse's +feet as he journeyed toward the gate of Arthur's palace. + +'Is there a porter?' cried Kilweh, looking round for someone to open the +gate. + +'There is; and I am Arthur's porter every first day of January,' +answered a man coming out to him. 'The rest of the year there are other +porters, and among them Pennpingyon, who goes upon his head to save his +feet.' + +'Well, open the portal, I say.' + +'No, that I may not do, for none can enter save the son of a king or a +pedlar who has goods to sell. But elsewhere there will be food for thy +dogs and hay for thy horse, and for thee collops cooked and peppered, +and sweet wine shall be served in the guest chamber.' + +'That will not do for me,' answered Kilweh. 'If thou wilt not open the +gate I will send up three shouts that shall be heard from Cornwall unto +the north, and yet again to Ireland.' + +'Whatsoever clamour thou mayest make,' spake Glewlwyd the porter, 'thou +shalt not enter until I first go and speak with Arthur.' + +Then Glewlwyd went into the hall, and Arthur said to him: + +'Hast thou news from the gate?' and the porter answered: + +'Far have I travelled, both in this island and elsewhere, and many +kingly men have I seen; but never yet have I beheld one equal in majesty +to him who now stands at the door.' + +'If walking thou didst enter here, return thou running,' replied Arthur, +'and let everyone that opens and shuts the eye show him respect and +serve him, for it is not meet to keep such a man in the wind and rain.' +So Glewlwyd unbarred the gate and Kilweh rode in upon his charger. + +'Greeting unto thee, O ruler of this land,' cried he, 'and greeting no +less to the lowest than to the highest.' + +'Greeting to thee also,' answered Arthur. 'Sit thou between two of my +warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels before thee and all that belongs +to one born to be a king, while thou remainest in my palace.' + +'I am not come,' replied Kilweh, 'for meat and drink, but to obtain a +boon, and if thou grant it me I will pay it back, and will carry thy +praise to the four winds of heaven. But if thou wilt not grant it to me, +then I will proclaim thy discourtesy wherever thy name is known.' + +'What thou askest that shalt thou receive,' said Arthur, 'as far as +the wind dries and the rain moistens, and the sun revolves and the sea +encircles and the earth extends. Save only my ship and my mantle, my +word and my lance, my shield and my dagger, and Guinevere my wife.' + +'I would that thou bless my hair,' spake Kilweh, and Arthur answered: + +'That shall be granted thee.' + +Forthwith he bade his men fetch him a comb of gold and a scissors with +loops of silver, and he combed the hair of Kilweh his guest. + +'Tell me who thou art,' he said, 'for my heart warms to thee, and I feel +thou art come of my blood.' + +'I am Kilweh, son of Kilydd,' replied the youth. + +'Then my cousin thou art in truth,' replied Arthur, 'and whatsoever boon +thou mayest ask thou shalt receive.' + +'The boon I crave is that thou mayest win for me Olwen, the daughter of +Yspaddaden Penkawr, and this boon I seek likewise at the hands of thy +warriors. From Sol, who can stand all day upon one foot; from Ossol, +who, if he were to find himself on the top of the highest mountain in +the world, could make it into a level plain in the beat of a bird's +wing; from Cluse, who, though he were buried under the earth, could yet +hear the ant leave her nest fifty miles away: from these and from Kai +and from Bedwyr and from all thy mighty men I crave this boon.' + +'O Kilweh,' said Arthur, 'never have I heard of the maiden of whom thou +speakest, nor of her kindred, but I will send messengers to seek her if +thou wilt give me time.' + +'From this night to the end of the year right willingly will I grant +thee,' replied Kilweh; but when the end of the year came and the +messengers returned Kilweh was wroth, and spoke rough words to Arthur. + +It was Kai, the boldest of the warriors and the swiftest of foot--he +would could pass nine nights without sleep, and nine days beneath the +water--that answered him: + +'Rash youth that thou art, darest thou speak thus to Arthur? Come with +us, and we will not part company till we have won that maiden, or till +thou confess that there is none such in the world.' + +Then Arthur summoned his five best men and bade them go with Kilweh. +There was Bedwyr the one-handed, Kai's comrade and brother in arms, the +swiftest man in Britain save Arthur; there was Kynddelig, who knew the +paths in a land where he had never been as surely as he did those of +his own country; there was Gwrhyr, that could speak all tongues; and +Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, who never returned till he had gained what +he sought; and last of all there was Menw, who could weave a spell over +them so that none might see them, while they could see everyone. + +So these seven journeyed together till they reached a vast open plain in +which was a fair castle. But though it seemed so close it was not until +the evening of the third day that they really drew near to it, and in +front of it a flock of sheep was spread, so many in number that there +seemed no end to them. A shepherd stood on a mound watching over them, +and by his side was a dog, as large as a horse nine winters old. + +'Whose is this castle, O herdsmen?' asked the knights. + +'Stupid are ye truly,' answered the herdsman. 'All the world knows that +this is the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr.' + +'And who art thou?' + +'I am called Custennin, brother of Yspaddaden, and ill has he treated +me. And who are you, and what do you here?' + +'We come from Arthur the king, to seek Olwen the daughter of +Yspaddaden,' but at this news the shepherd gave a cry: + +'O men, be warned and turn back while there is yet time. Others have +gone on that quest, but none have escaped to tell the tale,' and he rose +to his feet as if to leave them. Then Kilweh held out to him a ring of +gold, and he tried to put it on his finger, but it was too small, so he +placed it in his glove, and went home and gave it to his wife. + +'Whence came this ring?' asked she, 'for such good luck is not wont to +befall thee.' + +'The man to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here in the evening,' +answered the shepherd; 'he is Kilweh, son of Kilydd, cousin to king +Arthur, and he has come to seek Olwen.' And when the wife heard that she +knew that Kilweh was her nephew, and her heart yearned after him, half +with joy at the thought of seeing him, and half with sorrow for the doom +she feared. + +Soon they heard steps approaching, and Kai and the rest entered into the +house and ate and drank. After that the woman opened a chest, and out of +it came a youth with curling yellow hair. + +'It is a pity to hid him thus,' said Gwrhyr, 'for well I know that he +has done no evil.' + +'Three and twenty of my sons has Yspaddaden slain, and I have no more +hope of saving this one,' replied she, and Kai was full of sorrow and +answered: + +'Let him come with me and be my comrade, and he shall never be slain +unless I am slain also.' And so it was agreed. + +'What is your errand here?' asked the woman. + +'We seek Olwen the maiden for this youth,' answered Kai; 'does she ever +come hither so that she may be seen?' + +'She comes every Saturday to wash her hair, and in the vessel where she +washes she leaves all her rings, and never does she so much as send a +messenger to fetch them.' + +'Will she come if she is bidden?' asked Kai, pondering. + +'She will come; but unless you pledge me your faith that you will not +harm her I will not fetch her.' + +'We pledge it,' said they, and the maiden came. + +A fair sight was she in a robe of flame-coloured silk, with a collar of +ruddy gold about her neck, bright with emeralds and rubies. More yellow +was her head than the flower of the broom, and her skin was whiter than +the foam of the wave, and fairer were her hands than the blossoms of +the wood anemone. Four white trefoils sprang up where she trod, and +therefore was she called Olwen. + +She entered, and sat down on a bench beside Kilweh, and he spake to her: + +'Ah, maiden, since first I heard thy name I have loved thee--wilt thou +not come away with me from this evil place?' + +'That I cannot do,' answered she, 'for I have given my word to my father +not to go without his knowledge, for his life will only last till I am +betrothed. Whatever is, must be, but this counsel I will give you. Go, +and ask me of my father, and whatsoever he shall required of thee grant +it, and thou shalt win me; but if thou deny him anything thou wilt not +obtain me, and it will be well for thee if thou escape with thy life.' + +'All this I promise,' said he. + +So she returned to the castle, and all Arthur's men went after her, and +entered the hall. + +'Greeting to thee, Yspaddaden Penkawr,' said they. 'We come to ask thy +daughter Olwen for Kilweh, son of Kilydd.' + +'Come hither to-morrow and I will answer you,' replied Yspaddaden +Penkawr, and as they rose to leave the hall he caught up one of the +three poisoned darts that lay beside him and flung it in their midst. +But Bedwyr saw and caught it, and flung it back so hard that it pierced +the knee of Yspaddaden. + +'A gentle son-in-law, truly!' he cried, writhing with pain. 'I shall +ever walk the worse for this rudeness. Cursed be the smith who forged +it, and the anvil on which it was wrought!' + +That night the men slept in the house of Custennin the herdsman, and the +next day they proceeded to the castle, and entered the hall, and said: + +'Yspaddaden Penkawr, give us thy daughter and thou shalt keep her dower. +And unless thou wilt do this we will slay thee.' + +'Her four great grandmothers and her four great grandfathers yet live,' +answered Yspaddaden Penkawr; 'it is needful that I take counsel with +them.' + +'Be it so; we will go to meat,' but as they turned he took up the second +dart that lay by his side and cast it after them. And Menw caught it, +and flung it at him, and wounded him in the chest, so that it came out +at his back. + +'A gentle son-in-law, truly!' cried Yspaddaden, 'the iron pains me like +the bite of a horse-leech. Cursed be the hearth whereon it was heated, +and the smith who formed it!' The third day Arthur's men returned to the +palace into the presence of Yspaddaden. + +'Shoot not at me again,' said he, 'unless you desire death. But lift +up my eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyes, that I may see my +son-in-law.' Then they arose, and as they did so Yspaddaden Penkawr took +the third poisoned dart and cast it at them. And Kilweh caught it, and +flung it back, and it passed through his eyeball, and came out on the +other side of his head. + +'A gentle son-in-law, truly! Cursed be the fire in which it was forged +and the man who fashioned it!' + +The next day Arthur's men came again to the palace and said: + +'Shoot not at us any more unless thou desirest more pain than even now +thou hast, but give us thy daughter without more words.' + +'Where is he that seeks my daughter? Let him come hither so that I may +see him.' And Kilweh sat himself in a chair and spoke face to face with +him. + +'Is it thou that seekest my daughter?' + +'It is I,' answered Kilweh. + +'First give me thy word that thou wilt do nothing towards me that is not +just, and when thou hast won for me that which I shall ask, then thou +shalt wed my daughter.' + +'I promise right willingly,' said Kilweh. 'Name what thou wilt.' + +'Seest thou yonder hill? Well, in one day it shall be rooted up and +ploughed and sown, and the grain shall ripen, and of that wheat I will +bake the cakes for my daughter's wedding.' + +'It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest deem it +will not be easy,' answered Kilweh, thinking of Ossol, under whose feet +the highest mountain became straightway a plain, but Yspaddaden paid no +heed, and continued: + +'Seest thou that field yonder? When my daughter was born nine bushels of +flax were sown therein, and not one blade has sprung up. I require thee +to sow fresh flax in the ground that my daughter may wear a veil spun +from it on the day of her wedding.' + +'It will be easy for me to compass this.' + +'Though thou compass this there is that which thou wilt not compass. For +thou must bring me the basket of Gwyddneu Garanhir which will give meat +to the whole world. It is for thy wedding feast. Thou must also fetch me +the drinking-horn that is never empty, and the harp that never ceases to +play until it is bidden. Also the comb and scissors and razor that lie +between the two ears of Trwyth the boar, so that I may arrange my hair +for the wedding. And though thou get this yet there is that which thou +wilt not get, for Trwyth the boar will not let any man take from him the +comb and the scissors, unless Drudwyn the whelp hunt him. But no leash +in the world can hold Drudwyn save the leash of Cant Ewin, and no collar +will hold the leash except the collar of Canhastyr.' + +'It will be easy for me to compass this, though thou mayest think it +will not be easy,' Kilweh answered him. + +'Though thou get all these things yet there is that which thou wilt not +get. Throughout the world there is none that can hunt with this dog save +Mabon the son of Modron. He was taken from his mother when three nights +old, and it is not know where he now is, nor whether he is living or +dead, and though thou find him yet the boar will never be slain save +only with the sword of Gwrnach the giant, and if thou obtain it not +neither shalt thou obtain my daughter.' + +'Horses shall I have, and knights from my lord Arthur. And I shall gain +thy daughter, and thou shalt lose thy life.' + +The speech of Kilweh the son of Kilydd with Yspaddaden Penkawr was +ended. + +Then Arthur's men set forth, and Kilweh with them, and journeyed till +they reached the largest castle in the world, and a black man came out +to meet them. + +'Whence comest thou, O man?' asked they, 'and whose is that castle?' + +'That is the castle of Gwrnach the giant, as all the world knows,' +answered the man, 'but no guest ever returned thence alive, and none may +enter the gate except a craftsman, who brings his trade.' But little did +Arthur's men heed his warning, and they went straight to the gate. + +'Open!' cried Gwrhyr. + +'I will not open,' replied the porter. + +'And wherefore?' asked Kai. + +'The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is +revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the giant, and save for a craftsman who +brings his trade the gate will not be opened to-night.' + +'Verily, then, I may enter,' said Kai, 'for there is no better burnisher +of swords than I.' + +'This will I tell Gwrnach the giant, and I will bring thee his answer.' + +'Bid the man come before me,' cried Gwrnach, when the porter had told +his tale, 'for my sword stands much in need of polishing,' so Kai passed +in and saluted Gwrnach the giant. + +'Is it true what I hear of thee, that thou canst burnish swords?' + +'It is true,' answered Kai. Then was the sword of Gwrnach brought to +him. + +'Shall it be burnished white or blue?' said Kai, taking a whetstone from +under his arm. + +'As thou wilt,' answered the giant, and speedily did Kai polish half the +sword. The giant marvelled at his skill, and said: + +'It is a wonder that such a man as thou shouldst be without a +companion.' + +'I have a companion, noble sir, but he has no skill in this art.' + +'What is his name?' asked the giant. + +'Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him how he may know him. The +head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, +and descend upon its shaft again.' So the porter opened the gate and +Bedwyr entered. + +Now there was much talk amongst those who remained without when the +gate closed upon Bedwyr, and Goreu, son of Custennin, prevailed with the +porter, and he and his companions got in also and hid themselves. + +By this time the whole of the sword was polished, and Kai gave it into +the hand of Gwrnach the giant, who felt it and said: + +'Thy work is good; I am content.' + +Then said Kai: + +'It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword; give it to me that I may +take out the wooden sides of it and put in new ones.' And he took the +scabbard in one hand and the sword in the other, and came and stood +behind the giant, as if he would have sheathed the sword in the +scabbard. But with it he struck a blow at the head of the giant, and it +rolled from his body. After that they despoiled the castle of its gold +and jewels, and returned, bearing the sword of the giant, to Arthur's +court. + +They told Arthur how they had sped, and they all took counsel together, +and agreed that they must set out on the quest for Mabon the son of +Modron, and Gwrhyr, who knew the languages of beasts and of birds, went +with them. SO they journeyed until they came to the nest of an ousel, +and Gwrhyr spoke to her. + +'Tell me if thou knowest aught of Mabon the son of Modron, who was taken +when three nights old from between his mother and the wall.' + +And the ousel answered: + +'When I first came here I was a young bird, and there was a smith's +anvil in this place. But from that time no work has been done upon it, +save that every evening I have pecked at it, till now there is not so +much as the size of a nut remaining thereof. Yet all that time I have +never once heard of the man you name. Still, there is a race of beasts +older than I, and I will guide you to them.' + +So the ousel flew before them, till she reached the stag of Redynvre; +but when they inquired of the stag whether he knew aught of Mabon he +shook his head. + +'When first I came hither,' said he, 'the plain was bare save for one +oak sapling, which grew up to be an oak with a hundred branches. All +that is left of that oak is a withered stump, but never once have I +heard of the man you name. Nevertheless, as you are Arthur's men, I will +guide you to the place where there is an animal older than I'; and the +stag ran before them till he reached the owl of Cwm Cawlwyd. But when +they inquired of the owl if he knew aught of Mabon he shook his head. + +'When first I came hither,' said he, 'the valley was a wooded glen; +then a race of men came and rooted it up. After that there grew a second +wood, and then a third, which you see. Look at my wings also--are they +not withered stumps? Yet until to-day I have never heard of the man you +name. Still, I will guide you to the oldest animal in the world, and +the one that has travelled most, the eagle of Gwern Abbey.' And he flew +before them, as fast as his old wings would carry him, till he reached +the eagle of Gwern Abbey, but when they inquired of the eagle whether he +knew aught of Mabon he shook his head. + +'When I first came hither,' said the eagle, 'there was a rock here, and +every evening I pecked at the stars from the top of it. Now, behold, it +is not even a span high! But only once have I heard of the man you +name, and that was when I went in search of food as far as Llyn Llyw. I +swooped down upon a salmon, and struck my claws into him, but he drew me +down under water till scarcely could I escape him. Then I summoned all +my kindred to destroy him, but he made peace with me, and I took fifty +fish spears from his back. Unless he may know something of the man whom +you seek I cannot tell who may. But I will guide you to the place where +he is.' + +So they followed the eagle, who flew before them, though so high was he +in the sky, it was often hard to mark his flight. At length he stopped +above a deep pool in a river. + +'Salmon of Llyn Llyw,' he called, 'I have come to thee with an embassy +from Arthur to inquire if thou knowest aught concerning Mabon the son of +Modron.' And the salmon answered: + +'As much as I know I will tell thee. With every tide I go up the river, +till I reach the walls of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong +as I never found elsewhere. And that you may see that what I say is true +let two of you go thither on my shoulders.' So Kai and Gwrhyr went upon +the shoulders of the salmon, and were carried under the walls of the +prison, from which proceeded the sound of great weeping. + +'Who is it that thus laments in this house of stone?' + +'It is I, Mabon the son of Modron.' + +'Will silver or gold bring thy freedom, or only battle and fighting?' +asked Gwrhyr again. + +'By fighting alone shall I be set free,' said Mabon. + +Then they sent a messenger to Arthur to tell him that Mabon was found, +and he brought all his warriors to the castle of Gloucester and fell +fiercely upon it; while Kai and Bedwyr went on the shoulders of the +salmon to the gate of the dungeon, and broke it down and carried away +Mabon. And he now being free returned home with Arthur. + +After this, on a certain day, as Gwythyr was walking across a mountain +he heard a grievous cry, and he hastened towards it. In a little valley +he saw the heather burning and the fire spreading fast towards the +anthill, and all the ants were hurrying to and fro, not knowing whither +to go. Gwythyr had pity on them, and put out the fire, and in gratitude +the ants brought him the nine bushels of flax seed which Yspaddaden +Penkawr required of Kilweh. And many of the other marvels were done +likewise by Arthur and his knights, and at last it came to the fight +with Trwyth the board, to obtain the comb and the scissors and the razor +that lay between his ears. But hard was the boar to catch, and fiercely +did he fight when Arthur's men gave him battle, so that many of them +were slain. + +Up and down the country went Trwyth the boar, and Arthur followed after +him, till they came to the Severn sea. There three knights caught his +feet unawares and plunged him into the water, while one snatched the +razor from him, and another seized the scissors. But before they laid +hold of the comb he had shaken them all off, and neither man nor horse +nor dog could reach him till he came to Cornwall, whither Arthur had +sworn he should not go. Thither Arthur followed after him with his +knights, and if it had been hard to win the razor and the scissors, the +struggle for the comb was fiercer still, but at length Arthur prevailed, +and the boar was driven into the sea. And whether he was drowned or +where he went no man knows to this day. + +In the end all the marvels were done, and Kilweh set forward, and with +him Goreu, the son of Custennin, to Yspaddaden Penkawr, bearing in their +hands the razor, the scissors and the comb, and Yspaddaden Penkawr was +shaved by Kaw. + +'Is thy daughter mine now?' asked Kilweh. + +'She is thine,' answered Yspaddaden, 'but it is Arthur and none other +who has won her for thee. Of my own free will thou shouldst never have +had her, for now I must lose my life.' And as he spake Goreu the son of +Custennin cut off his head, as if had been ordained, and Arthur's hosts +returned each man to his own country. + + +From the 'Mabinogion.' + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lilac Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 3454.txt or 3454.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/5/3454/ + +Produced by J.C. Byers, and L.M. Shaffer + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.12.12.00*END* + + + + + +This etext was scanned by jcbyers@capitalnet.com, typed and +proofread by L.M. Shaffer. + + + + + +The Lilac Fairy Book + +Edited by Andrew Lang + + + + +Preface + + + +'What cases are you engaged in at present?' 'Are you stopping +many teeth just now?' 'What people have you converted lately?' +Do ladies put these questions to the men--lawyers, dentists, +clergymen, and so forth--who happen to sit next them at +dinner parties? + +I do not know whether ladies thus indicate their interest in the +occupations of their casual neighbours at the hospitable board. +But if they do not know me, or do not know me well, they +generally ask 'Are you writing anything now?' (as if they should +ask a painter 'Are you painting anything now?' or a lawyer 'Have +you any cases at present?'). Sometimes they are more definite and +inquire 'What are you writing now?' as if I must be writing +something--which, indeed, is the case, though I dislike being +reminded of it. It is an awkward question, because the fair being +does not care a bawbee what I am writing; nor would she be much +enlightened if I replied 'Madam, I am engaged on a treatise +intended to prove that Normal is prior to Conceptional Totemism'- +-though that answer would be as true in fact as obscure in +significance. The best plan seems to be to answer that I have +entirely abandoned mere literature, and am contemplating a book +on 'The Causes of Early Blight in the Potato,' a melancholy +circumstance which threatens to deprive us of our chief esculent +root. The inquirer would never be undeceived. One nymph who, like +the rest, could not keep off the horrid topic of my occupation, +said 'You never write anything but fairy books, do you?' A French +gentleman, too, an educationist and expert in portraits of Queen +Mary, once sent me a newspaper article in which he had written +that I was exclusively devoted to the composition of fairy books, +and nothing else. He then came to England, visited me, and found +that I knew rather more about portraits of Queen Mary than he +did. + +In truth I never did write any fairy books in my life, except +'Prince Prigio,' 'Prince Ricardo,' and 'Tales from a Fairy +Court'--that of the aforesaid Prigio. I take this opportunity of +recommending these fairy books--poor things, but my own--to +parents and guardians who may never have heard of them. They are +rich in romantic adventure, and the Princes always marry the +right Princesses and live happy ever afterwards; while the wicked +witches, stepmothers, tutors and governesses are never cruelly +punished, but retire to the country on ample pensions. I hate +cruelty: I never put a wicked stepmother in a barrel and send her +tobogganing down a hill. It is true that Prince Ricardo did kill +the Yellow Dwarf; but that was in fair fight, sword in hand, and +the dwarf, peace to his ashes! died in harness. + +The object of these confessions is not only that of advertising +my own fairy books (which are not 'out of print'; if your +bookseller says so, the truth is not in him), but of giving +credit where credit is due. The fairy books have been almost +wholly the work of Mrs. Lang, who has translated and adapted them +from the French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, +and other languages. + +My part has been that of Adam, according to Mark Twain, in the +Garden of Eden. Eve worked, Adam superintended. I also +superintend. I find out where the stories are, and advise, and, +in short, superintend. I do not write the stories out of my own +head. The reputation of having written all the fairy books (an +European reputation in nurseries and the United States of +America) is 'the burden of an honour unto which I was not born.' +It weighs upon and is killing me, as the general fash of being +the wife of the Lord of Burleigh, Burleigh House by Stamford +Town, was too much for the village maiden espoused by that peer. + +Nobody really wrote most of the stories. People told them in all +parts of the world long before Egyptian hieroglyphics or Cretan +signs or Cyprian syllabaries, or alphabets were invented. They +are older than reading and writing, and arose like wild flowers +before men had any education to quarrel over. The grannies told +them to the grandchildren, and when the grandchildren became +grannies they repeated the same old tales to the new generation. +Homer knew the stories and made up the 'Odyssey' out of half a +dozen of them. All the history of Greece till about 800 B.C. is a +string of the fairy tales, all about Theseus and Heracles and +Oedipus and Minos and Perseus is a Cabinet des Fes, a collection +of fairy tales. Shakespeare took them and put bits of them into +'King Lear' and other plays; he could not have made them up +himself, great as he was. Let ladies and gentlemen think of this +when they sit down to write fairy tales, and have them nicely +typed, and send them to Messrs. Longman & Co. to be published. +They think that to write a new fairy tale is easy work. They are +mistaken: the thing is impossible. Nobody can write a new fairy +tale; you can only mix up and dress up the old, old stories, and +put the characters into new dresses, as Miss Thackeray did so +well in 'Five Old Friends.' If any big girl of fourteen reads +this preface, let her insist on being presented with 'Five Old +Friends.' + +But the three hundred and sixty-five authors who try to write new +fairy tales are very tiresome. They always begin with a little +boy or girl who goes out and meets the fairies of polyanthuses +and gardenias and apple blossoms: 'Flowers and fruits, and other +winged things.' These fairies try to be funny, and fail; or they +try to preach, and succeed. Real fairies never preach or talk +slang. At the end, the little boy or girl wakes up and finds that +he has been dreaming. + +Such are the new fairy stories. May we be preserved from all the +sort of them! + +Our stories are almost all old, some from Ireland, before that +island was as celebrated for her wrongs as for her verdure; some +from Asia, made, I dare say, before the Aryan invasion; some from +Moydart, Knoydart, Morar and Ardnamurchan, where the sea streams +run like great clear rivers and the saw-edged hills are blue, and +men remember Prince Charlie. Some are from Portugal, where the +golden fruits grow in the Garden of the Hesperides; and some are +from wild Wales, and were told at Arthur's Court; and others come +from the firesides of the kinsmen of the Welsh, the Bretons. +There are also modern tales by a learned Scandinavian named +Topelius. + +All the stories were translated or adapted by Mrs. Lang, except +'The Jogi's Punishment' and 'Moti,' done by Major Campbell out of +the Pushtoo language; 'How Brave Walter hunted Wolves,' which, +with 'Little Lasse' and 'The Raspberry Worm,' was done from +Topelius by Miss Harding; and 'The Sea King's Gift,' by Miss +Christie, from the same author. + +It has been suggested to the Editor that children and parents and +guardians would like ' The Grey True Ghost-Story Book.' He knows +that the children would like it well, and he would gladly give it +to them; but about the taste of fond anxious mothers and kind +aunts he is not quite so certain. Before he was twelve the Editor +knew true ghost stories enough to fill a volume. They were a pure +joy till bedtime, but then, and later, were not wholly a source +of unmixed pleasure. At that time the Editor was not afraid of +the dark, for he thought, ' If a ghost is here, we can't see +him.' But when older and better informed persons said that ghosts +brought their own light with them (which is too true), then one's +emotions were such as parents do not desire the young to endure. +For this reason 'The Grey True Ghost-Story Book' is never likely +to be illustrated by Mr. Ford. + + + + Contents + + + +The Shifty Lad +The False Prince and the True +The Jogi's Punishment +The Heart of a Monkey +The Fairy Nurse +A Lost Paradise +How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves +The Ring of the Waterfalls +A French Puck +The Three Crowns +The Story of a Very Bad Boy +The Brown Bear of Norway +Little Lasse +'Moti' +The Enchanted Deer +A Fish Story +The Wonderful Tune +The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother +The One-Handed Girl +The Bones of Djulung +The Sea Ring's Gift +The Raspberry Worm +The Stones of Plouhinec +The Castle of Kerglas +The Battle of the Birds +The Lady of the Fountain +The Four Gifts +The Groac'h of the Isle of Lok +The Escape of the Mouse +The Believing. Husbands +The Hoodie-Crow +The Brownie of the Lake +The Winning of Olwen + + + + + + + The Shifty Lad + + + + +In the land of Erin there dwelt long ago a widow who had an only +son. He was a clever boy, so she saved up enough money to send +him to school, and, as soon as he was old enough, to apprentice +him to any trade that he would choose. But when the time came, he +said he would not be bound to any trade, and that he meant to be +a thief. + +Now his mother was very sorrowful when she heard of this, but she +knew quite well that if she tried to stop his having his own way +he would only grow more determined to get it. So all the answer +she made was that the end of thieves was hanging at the bridge of +Dublin, and then she left him alone, hoping that when he was +older he might become more sensible. + +One day she was going to church to hear a sermon from a great +preacher, and she begged the Shifty Lad, as the neighbours called +him from the tricks he played, to come with her. But he only +laughed and declared that he did not like sermons, adding: + +'However, I will promise you this, that the first trade you hear +named after you come out from church shall be my trade for the +rest of my life.' + +These words gave a little comfort to the poor woman, and her +heart was lighter than before as she bade him farewell. + +When the Shifty Lad thought that the hour had nearly come for the +sermon to be over, he hid himself in some bushes in a little path +that led straight to his mother's house, and, as she passed +along, thinking of all the good things she had heard, a voice +shouted close to her ear 'Robbery! Robbery! Robbery!' The +suddenness of it made her jump. The naughty boy had managed to +change his voice, so that she did not know it for his, and he had +concealed himself so well that, though she peered about all round +her, she could see no one. As soon as she had turned the corner +the Shifty Lad came out, and by running very fast through the +wood he contrived to reach home before his mother, who found him +stretched out comfortably before the fire. + +'Well, have you got any news to tell me?' asked he. + +'No, nothing; for I left the church at once, and did not stop to +speak to anyone.' + +'Oh, then no one has mentioned a trade to you?' he said in tones +of disappointment. + +'Ye--es,' she replied slowly. 'At least, as I walked down the +path a voice cried out "Robbery! Robbery! Robbery!" but that was +all.' + +'And quite enough too,' answered the boy. 'What did I tell you? +That is going to be my trade.' + +'Then your end will be hanging at the bridge of Dublin,' said +she. But there was no sleep for her that night, for she lay in +the dark thinking about her son. + + 'If he is to be a thief at all, he had better be a good one. And +who is there that can teach him?' the mother asked herself. But +an idea came to her, and she arose early, before the sun was up, +and set off for the home of the Black Rogue, or Gallows Bird, who +was such a wonderful thief that, though all had been robbed by +him, no one could catch him. + +'Good-morning to you,' said the woman as she reached the place +where the Black Gallows Bird lived when he was not away on his +business. 'My son has a fancy to learn your trade. Will you be +kind enough to teach him?' + +'If he is clever, I don't mind trying,' answered the Black +Gallows Bird; 'and, of course, if ANY one can turn him into a +first-rate thief, it is I. But if he is stupid, it is of no use +at all; I can't bear stupid people.' + +'No, he isn't stupid,' said the woman with a sigh. 'So to-night, +after dark, I will send him to you.' + +The Shifty Lad jumped for joy when his mother told him where she +had been. + +'I will become the best thief in all Erin!' he cried, and paid no +heed when his mother shook her head and murmured something about +'the bridge of Dublin.' + + Every evening after dark the Shifty Lad went to the home of the +Black Gallows Bird, and many were the new tricks he learned. By- +and-by he was allowed to go out with the Bird and watch him at +work, and at last there came a day when his master though that he +had grown clever enough to help in a big robbery. + +'There is a rich farmer up there on the hill, who has just sold +all his fat cattle for much money and has bought some lean ones +which will cost him little. Now it happens that, while he has +received the money for the fat cattle, he has not yet paid the +price of the thin ones, which he has in the cowhouse. To-morrow +he will go to the market with the money in his hand, so to-night +we must get at the chest. When all is quiet we will hide in the +loft.' + +There was no moon, and it was the night of Hallowe'en, and +everyone was burning nuts and catching apples in a tub of water +with their hands tied, and playing all sorts of other games, till +the Shifty Lad grew quite tired of waiting for them to get to +bed. The Black Gallows Bird, who was more accustomed to the +business, tucked himself up on the hay and went to sleep, telling +the boy to wake him when the merry-makers had departed. But the +Shifty Lad, who could keep still no longer, crept down to the +cowshed and loosened the heads of the cattle which were tied, and +they began to kick each other and bellow, and made such a noise +that the company in the farmhouse ran out to tie them up again. +Then the Shifty Lad entered the room and picked up a big handful +of nuts, and returned to the loft, where the Black Rogue was +still sleeping. At first the Shifty Lad shut his eyes too, but +very soon he sat up, and taking a big needle and thread from his +pocket, he sewed the hem of the Black Gallows Bird's coat to a +heavy piece of bullock's hide that was hanging at his back. + +By this time the cattle were all tied up again, but as the people +could not find their nuts they sat round the fire and began to +tell stories. + +'I will crack a nut,' said the Shifty Lad. + +'You shall not,' cried the Black Gallows Bird; 'they will hear +you.' + +'I don't care,' answered the Shifty Lad. 'I never spend +Hallowe'en yet without cracking a nut'; and he cracked one. + + 'Some one is cracking nuts up there,' said one of the merry- +makers in the farmhouse. 'Come quickly, and we will see who it +is.' + +He spoke loudly, and the Black Gallows Bird heard, and ran out of +the loft, dragging the big leather hide after him which the +Shifty Lad had sewed to his coat. + +'He is stealing my hide!' shouted the farmer, and they all darted +after him; but he was too swift for them, and at last he managed +to tear the hide from his coat, and then he flew like a hare till +he reached his old hiding-place. But all this took a long time, +and meanwhile the Shifty Lad got down from the loft, and searched +the house till he found the chest with the gold and silver in it, +concealed behind a load of straw and covered with loaves of bread +and a great cheese. The Shifty Lad slung the money bags round his +shoulders and took the bread and the cheese under his arm, then +set out quietly for the Black Rogue's house. + +'Here you are at last, you villain!' cried his master in great +wrath. 'But I will be revenged on you.' + +'It is all right,' replied the Shifty Lad calmly. 'I have brought +what you wanted'; and he laid the things he was carrying down on +the ground. + +'Ah! you are the better thief,' said the Black Rogue's wife; and +the Black Rogue added: + +'Yes, it is you who are the clever boy'; and they divided the +spoil and the Black Gallows Bird had one half and the Shifty Lad +the other half. + + A few weeks after that the Black Gallows Bird had news of a +wedding that was to be held near the town; and the bridegroom had +many friends and everybody sent him a present. Now a rich farmer +who lived up near the moor thought that nothing was so useful to +a young couple when they first began to keep house as a fine fat +sheep, so he bade his shepherd go off to the mountain where the +flock were feeding, and bring him back the best he could find. +And the shepherd chose out the largest and fattest of the sheep +and the one with the whitest fleece; then he tied its feet +together and put it across his shoulder, for he had a long way to +go. + +That day, the Shifty Lad happened to be wandering over the moor, +when he saw the man with the sheep on his shoulder walking along +the road which led past the Black Rogue's house. The sheep was +heavy and the man was in no hurry, so he came slowly and the boy +knew that he himself could easily get back to his master before +the shepherd was even in sight. + +'I will wager,' he cried, as he pushed quickly through the bushes +which hid the cabin--'I will wager that I will steal the sheep +from the man that is coming before he passes here.' + +'Will you indeed?' said the Gallows Bird. 'I will wager you a +hundred silver pieces that you can do nothing of the sort.' + +'Well, I will try it, anyway,' replied the boy, and disappeared +in the bushes. He ran fast till he entered a wood through which +the shepherd must go, and then he stopped, and taking off one of +his shoes smeared it with mud and set it in the path. When this +was done he slipped behind a rock and waited. + +Very soon the man came up, and seeing the shoe lying there, he +stooped and looked at it. + +'It is a good shoe,' he said to himself, 'but very dirty. Still, +if I had the fellow, I would be at the trouble of cleaning it'; +so he threw the shoe down again and went on. + +The Shifty Lad smiled as he heard him, and, picking up the shoe, +he crept round by a short way and laid the other shoe on the +path. A few minutes after the shepherd arrived, and beheld the +second shoe lying on the path. + +'Why, that is the fellow of the dirty shoe!' he exclaimed when he +saw it. 'I will go back and pick up the other one, and then I +shall have a pair of good shoes,' and he put the sheep on the +grass and returned to fetch the shoe. Then the Shifty Lad put on +his shoes, and, picking up the sheep, carried it home. And the +Black Rogue paid him the hundred marks of his wager. + +When the shepherd reached the farmhouse that night he told his +tale to his master, who scolded him for being stupid and +careless, and bade him go the next day to the mountain and fetch +him a kid, and he would send that as a wedding gift. But the +Shifty Lad was on the look-out, and hid himself in the wood, and +the moment the man drew near with the kid on his shoulders began +to bleat like a sheep, and no one, not even the sheep's own +mother, could have told the difference. + +'Why, it must have got its feet loose, and have strayed after +all,' thought the man; and he put the kid on the grass and +hurried off in the direction of the bleating. Then the boy ran +back and picked up the kid, and took it to the Black Gallows +Bird. + +The shepherd could hardly believe his eyes when he returned from +seeking the sheep and found that the kid had vanished. He was +afraid to go home and tell the same tale that he had told +yesterday; so he searched the wood through and through till night +was nearly come. Then he felt that there was no help for it, and +he must go home and confess to his master. + +Of course, the farmer was very angry at this second misfortune; +but this time he told him to drive one of the big bulls from the +mountain, and warned him that if he lost THAT he would lose his +place also. Again the Shifty Lad, who was on the watch, perceived +him pass by, and when he saw the man returning with the great +bull he cried to the Black Rogue: + +'Be quick and come into the wood, and we will try to get the bull +also.' + +'But how can we do that?' asked the Black Rogue. + +'Oh, quite easily! You hide yourself out there and baa like a +sheep, and I will go in the other direction and bleat like a kid. +It will be all right, I assure you.' + + The shepherd was walking slowly, driving the bull before him, +when he suddenly heard a loud baa amongst the bushes far away on +one side of the path, and a feeble bleat answering it from the +other side. + +'Why, it must be the sheep and the kid that I lost,' said he. +'Yes, surely it must'; and tying the bull hastily to a tree, he +went off after the sheep and the kid, and searched the wood till +he was tired. Of course by the time he came back the two thieves +had driven the bull home and killed him for meat, so the man was +obliged to go to his master and confess that he had been tricked +again. + +After this the Black Rogue and the Shifty Lad grew bolder and +bolder, and stole great quantities of cattle and sold them and +grew quite rich. One day they were returning from the market with +a large sum of money in their pockets when they passed a gallows +erected on the top of a hill. + +'Let us stop and look at that gallows,' exclaimed the Shifty Lad. +'I have never seen one so close before. Yet some say that it is +the end of all thieves.' + +There was no one in sight, and they carefully examined every part +of it. + +'I wonder how it feels to be hanged,' said the Shifty Lad. 'I +should like to know, in case they ever catch me. I'll try first, +and then you can do so.' + +As he spoke he fastened the loose cord about his neck, and when +it was quite secure he told the Black Rogue to take the other end +of the rope and draw him up from the ground. + +'When I am tired of it I will shake my legs, and then you must +let me down,' said he. + +The Black Rogue drew up the rope, but in half a minute the Shifty +Lad's legs began to shake, and he quickly let it down again. + +'You can't imagine what a funny feeling hanging gives you,' +murmured the Shifty Lad, who looked rather purple in the face and +spoke in an odd voice. 'I don't think you have every tried it, or +you wouldn't have let me go up first. Why, it is the pleasantest +thing I have ever done. I was shaking my legs from sheer delight, +and if you had been there you would have shaken your legs too.' + +'Well, let me try, if it is so nice,' answered the Black Rogue. +'But be sure you tie the knot securely, for I don't want to fall +down and break my neck.' + +'Oh, I will see to that!' replied the Shifty Lad. 'When you are +tired, just whistle, and I'll let you down.' + +So the Black Rogue was drawn up, and as soon as he was as high as +the rope would allow him to go the Shifty Lad called to him: + +'Don't forest to whistle when you want to come down; but if you +are enjoying yourself as I did, shake your legs.' + +And in a moment the Black Rogue's legs began to shake and to +kick, and the Shifty Lad stood below, watching him and laughing +heartily. + +'Oh, how funny you are! If you could only see yourself! Oh, you +ARE funny! But when you have had enough, whistle and you shall be +let down'; and he rocked again with laughter. + +But no whistle came, and soon the legs ceased to shake and to +kick, for the Black Gallows Bird was dead, as the Shifty Lad +intended he should be. + +Then he went home to the Black Rogue's wife, and told her that +her husband was dead, and that he was ready to marry her if she +liked. But the woman had been fond of the Black Rogue, thief +though he was, and she shrank from the Shifty Lad in horror, and +set the people after him, and he had to fly to another part of +the country where none knew of his doings. + + Perhaps if the Shifty Lad's mother knew anything of this, she +may have thought that by this time her son might be tired of +stealing, and ready to try some honest trade. But in reality he +loved the tricks and danger, and life would have seemed very dull +without them. So he went on just as before, and made friends whom +he taught to be as wicked as himself, till they took to robbing +the king's storehouses, and by the advice of the Wise Man the +king sent out soldiers to catch the band of thieves. + +For a long while they tried in vain to lay hands on them. The +Shifty Lad was too clever for them all, and if they laid traps he +laid better ones. At last one night he stole upon some soldiers +while they were asleep in a barn and killed them, and persuaded +the villagers that if THEY did not kill the other soldiers before +morning they would certainly be killed themselves. Thus it +happened that when the sun rose not a single soldier was alive in +the village. + +Of course this news soon reached the king's ears, and he was very +angry, and summoned the Wise Man to take counsel with him. And +this was the counsel of the Wise Man--that he should invite all +the people in the countryside to a ball, and among them the bold +and impudent thief would be sure to come, and would be sure to +ask the king's daughter to dance with him. + +'Your counsel is good,' said the king, who made his feast and +prepared for his ball; and all the people of the countryside were +present, and the Shifty Lad came with them. + +When everyone had eaten and drunk as much as they wanted they +went into the ballroom. There was a great throng, and while they +were pressing through the doorway the Wise Man, who had a bottle +of black ointment hidden in his robes, placed a tiny dot on the +cheek of the Shifty Lad near his ear. The Shifty Lad felt +nothing, but as he approached the king's daughter to ask her to +be his partner he caught sight of the black dot in a silver +mirror. Instantly he guessed who had put it there and why, but he +said nothing, and danced so beautifully that the princess was +quite delighted with him. At the end of the dance he bowed low to +his partner and left her, to mingle with the crowd that was +filling the doorway. As he passed the Wise Man he contrived not +only to steal the bottle but to place two black dots on his face, +and one on the faces of twenty other men. Then he slipped the +bottle back in the Wise Man's robe. + +By-and-by he went up to the king's daughter again, and begged for +the honour of another dance. She consented, and while he was +stooping to tie the ribbons on his shoe she took out from her +pocket another bottle, which the Wizard had given her, and put a +black dot on his cheek. But she was not as skilful as the Wise +Man, and the Shifty Lad felt the touch of her fingers; so as soon +as the dance was over he contrived to place a second black dot on +the faces of the twenty men and two more on the Wizard, after +which he slipped the bottle into her pocket. + + At length the ball came to an end, and then the king ordered all +the doors to be shut, and search made for a man with two black +dots on his cheek. The chamberlain went among the guests, and +soon found such a man, but just as he was going to arrest him and +bring him before the king his eye fell on another with the same +mark, and another, and another, till he had counted twenty-- +besides the Wise Man--on whose face were found spots. + +Not knowing what to do, the chamberlain hurried back with his +tale to the king, who immediately sent for the Wise Man, and then +for his daughter. + +'The thief must have stolen your bottle,' said the king to the +Wizard. + +'No, my lord, it is here,' answered the Wise Man, holding it out. + +'Then he must have got yours,' he cried, turning to his daughter. + +'Indeed, father, it is safe in my pocket,' replied she, taking it +out as she spoke; and they all three looked at each other and +remained silent. + +'Well,' said the king at last, 'the man who has done this is +cleverer than most men, and if he will make himself known to me +he shall marry the princess and govern half my kingdom while I am +alive, and the whole of it when I am dead. Go and announce this +in the ballroom,' he added to an attendant, 'and bring the fellow +hither.' + +So the attendant went into the ballroom and did as the king had +bidden him, when, to his surprise, not one man, but twenty, +stepped forward, all with black dots on their faces. + +'I am the person you want,' they all exclaimed at once, and the +attendant, as much bewildered as the chamberlain had been, +desired them to follow him into the king's presence. + +But the question was too difficult for the king to decide, so he +called together his council. For hours they talked, but to no +purpose, and in the end they hit upon a plan which they might +just as well have thought of at the beginning. + +And this was the plan. A child was to be brought to the palace, +and next the king's daughter would give her an apple. Then the +child was to take the apple and be led into a room where the +twenty men with the black dots were sitting in a ring. And to +whomsoever the child gave the apple, that man should marry the +king's daughter. + +'Of course,' said the king, 'it may not be the right man, after +all, but then again it MAY be. Anyhow, it is the best we can do.' + +The princess herself led the child into the room where the twenty +men were now seated. She stood in the centre of the ring for a +moment, looking at one man after another, and then held out the +apple to the Shifty Lad, who was twisting a shaving of wood round +his finger, and had the mouthpiece of a bagpipe hanging from his +neck. + +'You ought not to have anything which the others have not got,' +said the chamberlain, who had accompanied the princess; and he +bade the child stand outside for a minute, while he took away the +shaving and the mouthpiece, and made the Shifty Lad change his +place. Then he called the child in, but the little girl knew him +again, and went straight up to him with the apple. + +'This is the man whom the child has twice chosen,' said the +chamberlain, signing to the Shifty Lad to kneel before the king. +'It was all quite fair; we tried it twice over.' In this way the +Shifty Lad won the king's daughter, and they were married the +next day. + + A few days later the bride and bridegroom were taking a walk +together, and the path led down to the river, and over the river +was a bridge. + +'And what bridge may this be?' asked the Shifty Lad; and the +princess told him that this was the bridge of Dublin. + +'Is it indeed?' cried he. 'Well, now, many is the time that my +mother has said, when I played her a trick, that my end would be +that I should hang on the bridge of Dublin.' + +'Oh, if you want to fulfil her prophecies,' laughed the princess, +'you have only to let me tie my handkerchief round your ankle, +and I will hold you as you hang over the wall of the bridge.' + +'That would be fine fun,' said he; 'but you are not strong enough +to hold me up.' + +'Oh, yes, I am,' said the princess; 'just try.' So at last he let +her bind the handkerchief round his ankle and hang him over the +wall, and they both laughed and jested at the strength of the +princess. + +'Now pull me up again,' called he; but as he spoke a great cry +arose that the palace was burning. The princess turned round with +a start, and let go her handkerchief, and the Shifty Lad fell, +and struck his head on a stone, and died in an instant. + +So his mother's prophecy had come true, after all. + +West Highland Tales. + + + + + + + The False Prince and the True + + + + +The king had just awakened from his midday sleep, for it was +summer, and everyone rose early and rested from twelve to three, +as they do in hot countries. He had dressed himself in cool white +clothes, and was passing through the hall on his way to the +council chamber, when a number of young nobles suddenly appeared +before him, and one amongst them stepped forward and spoke. + +'Sire, this morning we were all playing tennis in the court, the +prince and this gentleman with the rest, when there broke out +some dispute about the game. The prince lost his temper, and said +many insulting things to the other, who was playing against him, +till at length the gentleman whom you see there struck him +violently in the face, so that the blood ran from his mouth and +nose. We were all so horrified at the sight, that we should most +likely have killed the man then and there, for daring to lay +hands on the prince, had not his grandfather the duke stepped +between and commanded us to lay the affair before you.' + +The king had listened attentively to the story, and when it was +ended he said: + +'I suppose the prince had no arms with him, or else he would have +used them?' + +'Yes, sire, he had arms; he always carries a dagger in his belt. +But when he saw the blood pouring from his face, he went to a +corner of the court and began to cry, which was the strangest +thing of all.' + +On hearing this the king walked to the window and stood for a few +minutes with his back to the room, where the company of young men +remained silent. Then he came back, his face white and stern. + +'I tell you,' he said, 'and it is the solemn truth, that I would +rather you had told me that the prince was dead, though he is my +only son, than know that he would suffer such an injury without +attempting to avenge it. As for the gentleman who struck him, he +will be brought before my judges, and will plead his own cause, +but I hardly think he can escape death, after having assaulted +the heir to the crown.' + +The young man raised his head as if to reply, but the king would +not listen, and commanded his guards to put him under arrest, +adding, however, that if the prisoner wished to visit any part of +the city, he was at liberty to do so properly guarded, and in +fifteen days he would be brought to trial before the highest +judges in the land. + +The young man left the king's presence, surrounded by soldiers, +and accompanied by many of his friends, for he was a great +favourite. By their advice he spent the fourteen days that +remained to him going about to seek counsel from wise men of all +sorts, as to how he might escape death, but no one could help +him, for none could find any excuse for the blow he had given to +the prince. + +The fourteenth night had come, and in despair the prisoner went +out to take his last walk through the city. He wandered on hardly +knowing where he went, and his face was so white and desperate +that none of his companions dared speak to him. The sad little +procession had passed some hours in this manner, when, near the +gate of a monastery, an old woman appeared round a corner, and +suddenly stood before the young man. She was bent almost double, +and was so wizened and wrinkled that she looked at least ninety; +only her eyes were bright and quick as those of a girl. + +'Sir,' she said, 'I know all that has happened to you, and how +you are seeking if in any wise you can save your life. But there +is none that can answer that question save only I myself, if you +will promise to do all I ask.' + +At her words the prisoner felt as if a load had all at once been +rolled off him. + +'Oh, save me, and I will do anything!' he cried. 'It is so hard +to leave the world and go out into the darkness.' + +'You will not need to do that,' answered the old woman, 'you have +only got to marry me, and you will soon be free.' + +'Marry you?' exclaimed he, 'but--but--I am not yet twenty, and +you --why, you must be a hundred at least! Oh, no, it is quite +impossible.' + +He spoke without thinking, but the flash of anger which darted +from her eyes made him feel uncomfortable. However, all she said +was: + +'As you like; since you reject me, let the crows have you,' and +hurried away down the street. + +Left to himself, the full horror of his coming death rushed upon +the young man, and he understood that he had thrown away his sole +chance of life. Well, if he must, he must, he said to himself, +and began to run as fast as he could after the old crone, who by +this time could scarcely be seen, even in the moonlight. Who +would have believed a woman past ninety could walk with such +speed? It seemed more like flying! But at length, breathless and +exhausted, he reached her side, and gasped out: + +'Madam, pardon me for my hasty words just now; I was wrong, and +will thankfully accept the offer you made me.' + +'Ah, I thought you would come to your senses,' answered she, in +rather an odd voice. 'We have no time to lose--follow me at +once,' and they went on silently and swiftly till they stopped at +the door of a small house in which the priest lived. Before him +the old woman bade the prisoner swear that she should be his +wife, and this he did in the presence of witnesses. Then, begging +the priest and the guards to leave them alone for a little, she +told the young man what he was to do, when the next morning he +was brought before the king and the judges. + +The hall was full to overflowing when the prisoner entered it, +and all marvelled at the brightness of his face. The king +inquired if he had any excuse to plead for the high treason he +had committed by striking the heir to the throne, and, if so, to +be quick in setting it forth. With a low bow the youth made +answer in a clear voice: + +'O my lord and gracious king, and you, nobles and wise men of the +land, I leave my cause without fear in your hands, knowing that +you will listen and judge rightly, and that you will suffer me to +speak to the end, before you give judgment. + +'For four years, you, O king, had been married to the queen and +yet had no children, which grieved you greatly. The queen saw +this, and likewise that your love was going from her, and thought +night and day of some plan that might put an end to this evil. At +length, when you were away fighting in distant countries, she +decided what she would do, and adopted in secret the baby of a +poor quarryman, sending a messenger to tell you that you had a +son. No one suspected the truth except a priest to whom the queen +confessed the truth, and in a few weeks she fell ill and died, +leaving the baby to be brought up as became a prince. And now, if +your highness will permit me, I will speak of myself.' + +'What you have already told me,' answered the king, 'is so +strange that I cannot imagine what more there is to tell, but go +on with your story.' + +'One day, shortly after the death of the queen,' continued the +young man, 'your highness was hunting, and outstripped all your +attendants while chasing the deer. You were in a part of the +country which you did not know, so seeing an orchard all pink and +white with apple-blossoms, and a girl tossing a ball in one +corner, you went up to her to ask your way. But when she turned +to answer you, you were so struck with her beauty that all else +fled from your mind. Again and again you rode back to see her, +and at length persuaded her to marry you. She only thought you a +poor knight, and agreed that as you wished it, the marriage +should be kept secret. + +'After the ceremony you gave her three rings and a charm with a +cross on it, and then put her in a cottage in the forest, +thinking to hide the matter securely. + +'For some months you visited the cottage every week; but a +rebellion broke out in a distant part of the kingdom, and called +for your presence. When next you rode up to the cottage, it was +empty, and none could inform you whither your bride had gone. +That, sire, I can now tell you,' and the young man paused and +looked at the king, who coloured deeply. 'She went back to her +father the old duke, once your chamberlain, and the cross on her +breast revealed at once who you were. Fierce was his anger when +he heard his daughter's tale, and he vowed that he would hide her +safely from you, till the day when you would claim her publicly +as your queen. + +'By and bye I was born, and was brought up by my grandfather in +one of his great houses. Here are the rings you gave to my +mother, and here is the cross, and these will prove if I am your +son or not.' + +As he spoke the young man laid the jewels at the feet of the +king, and the nobles and the judges pressed round to examine +them. The king alone did not move from his seat, for he had +forgotten the hall of justice and all about him, and saw only the +apple-orchard, as it was twenty years ago, and the beautiful girl +playing at ball. A sudden silence round him made him look up, and +he found the eyes of the assembly fixed on him. + +'It is true; it is he who is my son, and not the other,' he said +with an effort, 'and let every man present swear to acknowledge +him as king, after my death.' + +Therefore one by one they all knelt before him and took the oath, +and a message was sent to the false prince, forbidding him ever +again to appear at court, though a handsome pension was granted +him. + +At last the ceremony was over, and the king, signing to his newly +found son to follow him, rose and went into another room. + +'Tell me how you knew all that,' he said, throwing himself into a +carved chair filled with crimson cushions, and the prince told of +his meeting with the old woman who had brought him the jewels +from his mother, and how he had sworn before a priest to marry +her, though he did not want to do it, on account of the +difference in their ages, and besides, he would rather receive a +bride chosen by the king himself. But the king frowned, and +answered sharply: + +'You swore to marry her if she saved your life, and, come what +may, you must fulfil your promise.' Then, striking a silver +shield that hung close by, he said to the equerry who appeared +immediately: + +'Go and seek the priest who lives near the door of the prison, +and ask him where you can find the old woman who visited him last +night; and when you have found her, bring her to the palace.' + +It took some time to discover the whereabouts of the old woman, +but at length it was accomplished, and when she arrived at the +palace with the equerry, she was received with royal honours, as +became the bride of the prince. The guards looked at each other +with astonished eyes, as the wizened creature, bowed with age, +passed between their lines; but they were more amazed still at +the lightness of her step as she skipped up the steps to the +great door before which the king was standing, with the prince at +his side. If they both felt a shock at the appearance of the aged +lady they did not show it, and the king, with a grave bow, took +her band, and led her to the chapel, where a bishop was waiting +to perform the marriage ceremony. + +For the next few weeks little was seen of the prince, who spent +all his days in hunting, and trying to forget the old wife at +home. As for the princess, no one troubled himself about her, and +she passed the days alone in her apartments, for she had +absolutely declined the services of the ladies-in-waiting whom +the king had appointed for her. + +One night the prince returned after a longer chase than usual, +and he was so tired that he went up straight to bed. Suddenly he +was awakened by a strange noise in the room, and suspecting that +a robber might have stolen in, he jumped out of bed, and seized +his sword, which lay ready to his hand. Then he perceived that +the noise proceeded from the next room, which belonged to the +princess, and was lighted by a burning torch. Creeping softly to +the door, he peeped through it, and beheld her lying quietly, +with a crown of gold and pearls upon her head, her wrinkles all +gone, and her face, which was whiter than the snow, as fresh as +that of a girl of fourteen. Could that really be his wife--that +beautiful, beautiful creature? + +The prince was still gazing in surprise when the lady opened her +eyes and smiled at him. + +'Yes, I really am your wife,' she said, as if she had guessed his +thoughts, 'and the enchantment is ended. Now I must tell you who +I am, and what befell to cause me to take the shape of an old +woman. + +'The king of Granada is my father, and I was born in the palace +which overlooks the plain of the Vega. I was only a few months +old when a wicked fairy, who had a spite against my parents, cast +a spell over me, bending my back and wrinkling my skin till I +looked as if I was a hundred years old, and making me such an +object of disgust to everyone, that at length the king ordered my +nurse to take my away from the palace. She was the only person +who cared about me, and we lived together in this city on a small +pension allowed me by the king. + +'When I was about three an old man arrived at our house, and +begged my nurse to let him come in and rest, as he could walk no +longer. She saw that he was very ill, so put him to bed and took +such care of him that by and bye he was as strong as ever. In +gratitude for her goodness to him, he told her that he was a +wizard and could give her anything she chose to ask for, except +life or death, so she answered that what she longed for most in +the world was that my wrinkled skin should disappear, and that I +should regain the beauty with which I was born. To this he +replied that as my misfortune resulted from a spell, this was +rather difficult, but he would do his best, and at any rate he +could promise that before my fifteenth birthday I should be freed +from the enchantment if I could get a man who would swear to +marry me as I was. + +'As you may suppose, this was not easy, as my ugliness was such +that no one would look at me a second time. My nurse and I were +almost in despair, as my fifteenth birthday was drawing near, and +I had never so much as spoken to a man. At last we received a +visit from the wizard, who told us what had happened at court, +and your story, bidding me to put myself in your way when you had +lost all hope, and offer to save you if you would consent to +marry me. + +'That is my history, and now you must beg the king to send +messengers at once to Granada, to inform my father of our +marriage, and I think,' she added with a smile, 'that he will not +refuse us his blessing.' + +Adapted from the Portuguese. + + + + + + + The Jogi's Punishment + + + + +Once upon a time there came to the ancient city of Rahmatabad a +jogi[FN#1: A Hindu holy man.] of holy appearance, who took up +his abode under a tree outside the city, where he would sit for +days at a time fasting from food and drink, motionless except for +the fingers that turned restlessly his string of beads. The fame +of such holiness as this soon spread, and daily the citizens +would flock to see him, eager to get his blessing, to watch his +devotions, or to hear his teaching, if he were in the mood to +speak. Very soon the rajah himself heard of the jogi, and began +regularly to visit him to seek his counsel and to ask his prayers +that a son might be vouchsafed to him. Days passed by, and at +last the rajah became so possessed with the thought of the holy +man that he determined if possible to get him all to himself. So +he built in the neighbourhood a little shrine, with a room or two +added to it, and a small courtyard closely walled up; and, when +all was ready, besought the jogi to occupy it, and to receive no +other visitors except himself and his queen and such pupils as +the jogi might choose, who would hand down his teaching. To this +the jogi consented; and thus he lived for some time upon the +king's bounty, whilst the fame of his godliness grew day by day. + +Now, although the rajah of Rahmatabad had no son, he possessed a +daughter, who as she grew up became the most beautiful creature +that eye ever rested upon. Her father had long before betrothed +her to the son of the neighbouring rajah of Dilaram, but as yet +she had not been married to him, and lived the quiet life proper +to a maiden of her beauty and position. The princess had of +course heard of the holy man and of his miracles and his fasting, +and she was filled with curiosity to see and to speak to him; but +this was difficult, since she was not allowed to go out except +into the palace grounds, and then was always closely guarded. +However, at length she found an opportunity, and made her way one +evening alone to the hermit's shrine. + +Unhappily, the hermit was not really as holy as he seemed; for no +sooner did he see the princess than he fell in love with her +wonderful beauty, and began to plot in his heart how he could win +her for his wife. But the maiden was not only beautiful, she was +also shrewd; and as soon as she read in the glance of the jogi +the love that filled his soul, she sprang to her feet, and, +gathering her veil about her, ran from the place as fast as she +could. The jogi tried to follow, but he was no match for her; so, +beside himself with rage at finding that he could not overtake +her, he flung at her a lance, which wounded her in the leg. The +brave princess stooped for a second to pluck the lance out of the +wound, and then ran on until she found herself safe at home +again. There she bathed and bound up the wound secretly, and told +no one how naughty she had been, for she knew that her father +would punish her severely. + +Next day, when the king went to visit the jogi, the holy man +would neither speak to nor look at him. + +'What is the matter?' asked the king. 'Won't you speak to me to- +day?' + +'I have nothing to say that you would care to hear,' answered the +jogi. + +'Why?' said the king. 'Surely you know that I value all that you +say, whatever it may be.' + +But still the jogi sat with his face turned away, and the more +the king pressed him the more silent and mysterious he became. At +last, after much persuasion, he said: + +'Let me tell you, then, that there is in this city a creature +which, if you do not put an end to it, will kill every single +person in the place.' + +The king, who was easily frightened, grew pale. + +'What?' he gasped--'what is this dreadful thing? How am I to know +it and to catch it? Only counsel me and help me, and I will do +all that you advise.' + +'Ah!' replied the jogi, 'it is indeed dreadful. It is in the +shape of a beautiful girl, but it is really an evil spirit. Last +evening it came to visit me, and when I looked upon it its beauty +faded into hideousness, its teeth became horrible fangs, its eyes +glared like coals of fire, great claws sprang from its slender +fingers, and were I not what I am it might have consumed me.' + +The king could hardly speak from alarm, but at last he said: + +'How am I to distinguish this awful thing when I see it?' + +'Search,' said the jogi, 'for a lovely girl with a lance wound in +her leg, and when she is found secure her safely and come and +tell me, and I will advise you what to do next.' + +Away hurried the king, and soon set all his soldiers scouring the +country for a girl with a lance wound in her left. For two days +the search went on, and then it was somehow discovered that the +only person with a lance wound in the leg was the princess +herself. The king, greatly agitated, went off to tell the jogi, +and to assure him that there must be some mistake. But of course +the jogi was prepared for this, and had his answer ready. + +'She is not really your daughter, who was stolen away at her +birth, but an evil spirit that has taken her form,' said he +solemnly. 'You can do what you like, but if you don't take my +advice she will kill you all.' And so solemn he appeared, and so +unshaken in his confidence, that the king's wisdom was blinded, +and he declared that he would do whatever the jogi advised, and +believe whatever he said. So the jogi directed him to send him +secretly two carpenters; and when they arrived he set them to +make a great chest, so cunningly jointed and put together that +neither air nor water could penetrate it. There and then the +chest was made, and, when it was ready, the jogi bade the king to +bring the princess by night; and they two thrust the poor little +maiden into the chest and fastened it down with long nails, and +between them carried it to the river and pushed it out into the +stream. + +As soon as the jogi got back from this deed he called two of his +pupils, and pretended that it had been revealed to him that there +should be found floating on the river a chest with something of +great price within it; and he bade them go and watch for it at +such a place far down the stream, and when the chest came slowly +along, bobbing and turning in the tide, they were to seize it and +secretly and swiftly bring it to him, for he was now determined +to put the princess to death himself. The pupils set off at once, +wondering at the strangeness of their errand, and still more at +the holiness of the jogi to whom such secrets were revealed. + +It happened that, as the next morning was dawning, the gallant +young prince of Dilaram was hunting by the banks of the river, +with a great following of wazirs, attendants, and huntsmen, and +as he rode he saw floating on the river a large chest, which came +slowly along, bobbing and turning in the tide. Raising himself in +his saddle, he gave an order, and half a dozen men plunged into +the water and drew the chest out on to the river bank, where +every one crowded around to see what it could contain. The prince +was certainly not the least curious among them; but he was a +cautious young man, and, as he prepared to open the chest +himself, he bade all but a few stand back, and these few to draw +their swords, so as to be prepared in case the chest should hold +some evil beast, or djinn, or giant. When all were ready and +expectant, the prince with his dagger forced open the lid and +flung it back, and there lay, living and breathing, the most +lovely maiden he had ever seen in his life. + +Although she was half stifled from her confinement in the chest, +the princess speedily revived, and, when she was able to sit up, +the prince began to question her as to who she was and how she +came to be shut up in the chest and set afloat upon the water; +and she, blushing and trembling to find herself in the presence +of so many strangers, told him that she was the princess of +Rahmatabad, and that she had been put into the chest by her own +father. When he on his part told her that he was the prince of +Dilaram, the astonishment of the young people was unbounded to +find that they, who had been betrothed without ever having seen +one another, should have actually met for the first time in such +strange circumstances. In fact, the prince was so moved by her +beauty and modest ways that he called up his wazirs and demanded +to be married at once to this lovely lady who had so completely +won his heart. And married they were then and there upon the +river bank, and went home to the prince's palace, where, when the +story was told, they were welcomed by the old rajah, the prince's +father, and the remainder of the day was given over to feasting +and rejoicing. But when the banquet was over, the bride told her +husband that now, on the threshold of their married life, she had +more to relate of her adventures than he had given her the +opportunity to tell as yet; and then, without hiding anything, +she informed him of all that happened to her from the time she +had stolen out to visit the wicked jogi. + +In the morning the prince called his chief wazir and ordered him +to shut up in the chest in which the princess had been found a +great monkey that lived chained up in the palace, and to take the +chest back to the river and set it afloat once more and watch +what became of it. So the monkey was caught and put into the +chest, and some of the prince's servants took it down to the +river and pushed it off into the water. Then they followed +secretly a long way off to see what became of it. + +Meanwhile the jogi's two pupils watched and watched for the chest +until they were nearly tired of watching, and were beginning to +wonder whether the jogi was right after all, when on the second +day they spied the great chest coming floating on the river, +slowly bobbing and turning in the tide; and instantly a great joy +and exultation seized them, for they thought that here indeed was +further proof of the wonderful wisdom of their master. With some +difficulty they secured the chest, and carried it back as swiftly +and secretly as possible to the jogi's house. As soon as they +brought in the chest, the jogi, who had been getting very cross +and impatient, told them to put it down, and to go outside whilst +he opened the magic chest. + +'And even if you hear cries and sounds, however alarming, you +must on no account enter,' said the jogi, walking over to a +closet where lay the silken cord that was to strangle the +princess. + +And the two pupils did as they were told, and went outside and +shut close all the doors. Presently they heard a great outcry +within and the jogi's voice crying aloud for help; but they dared +not enter, for had they not been told that whatever the noise, +they must not come in? So they sat outside, waiting and +wondering; and at last all grew still and quiet, and remained so +for such a long time that they determined to enter and see if all +was well. No sooner had they opened the door leading into the +courtyard than they were nearly upset by a huge monkey that came +leaping straight to the doorway and escaped past them into the +open fields. Then they stepped into the room, and there they saw +the jogi's body lying torn to pieces on the threshold of his +dwelling! + +Very soon the story spread, as stories will, and reached the ears +of the princess and her husband, and when she knew that her enemy +was dead she made her peace with her father. + +From Major Campbell, Feroshepore. + + + + + + + The Heart of a Monkey + + + + +A long time ago a little town made up of a collection of low huts +stood in a tiny green valley at the foot of a cliff. Of course +the people had taken great care to build their houses out of +reach of the highest tide which might be driven on shore by a +west wind, but on the very edge of the town there had sprung up a +tree so large that half its boughs hung over the huts and the +other half over the deep sea right under the cliff, where sharks +loved to come and splash in the clear water. The branches of the +tree itself were laden with fruit, and every day at sunrise a big +grey monkey might have been seen sitting in the topmost branches +having his breakfast, and chattering to himself with delight. + +After he had eaten all the fruit on the town side of the tree the +monkey swung himself along the branches to the part which hung +over the water. While he was looking out for a nice shady place +where he might perch comfortably he noticed a shark watching him +from below with greedy eyes. + +'Can I do anything for you, my friend?' asked the monkey +politely. + +'Oh! if you only would thrown me down some of those delicious +things, I should be so grateful,' answered the shark. 'After you +have lived on fish for fifty years you begin to feel you would +like a change. And I am so very, very tired of the taste of +salt.' + +'Well, I don't like salt myself,' said the monkey; 'so if you +will open your mouth I will throw this beautiful juicy kuyu into +it,' and, as he spoke, he pulled one off the branch just over his +head. But it was not so easy to hit the shark's mouth as he +supposed, even when the creature had turned on his back, and the +first kuyu only struck one of his teeth and rolled into the +water. However, the second time the monkey had better luck, and +the fruit fell right in. + +'Ah, how good!' cried the shark. 'Send me another, please.' And +the monkey grew tired of picking the kuyu long before the shark +was tired of eating them. + +'It is getting late, and I must be going home to my children,' he +said, at length, 'but if you are here at the same time to-morrow +I will give you another treat.' + +'Thank you, thank you,' said the shark, showing all his great +ugly teeth as he grinned with delight; 'you can't guess how happy +you have made me,' and he swam away into the shadow, hoping to +sleep away the time till the monkey came again. + +For weeks the monkey and the shark breakfasted together, and it +was a wonder that the tree had any fruit left for them. They +became fast friends, and told each other about their homes and +their children, and how to teach them all they ought to know. By +and bye the monkey became rather discontented with his green +house in a grove of palms beyond the town, and longed to see the +strange things under the sea which he had heard of from the +shark. The shark perceived this very clearly, and described +greater marvels, and the monkey as he listened grew more and more +gloomy. + +Matters were in this state when one day the shark said: 'I really +hardly know how to thank you for all your kindness to me during +these weeks. Here I have nothing of my own to offer you, but if +you would only consent to come home with me, how gladly would I +give you anything that might happen to take your fancy.' + +'I should like nothing better,' cried the monkey, his teeth +chattering, as they always did when he was pleased. 'But how +could I get there? Not by water. Ugh! It makes me ill to think of +it!' + +'Oh! don't let that trouble you,' replied the shark, 'you have +only to sit on my back and I will undertake that not a drop of +water shall touch you.' + +So it was arranged, and directly after breakfast next morning the +shark swam close up under the tree and the monkey dropped neatly +on his back, without even a splash. After a few minutes--for at +first he felt a little frightened at his strange position--the +monkey began to enjoy himself vastly, and asked the shark a +thousand questions about the fish and the sea-weeds and the +oddly-shaped things that floated past them, and as the shark +always gave him some sort of answer, the monkey never guessed +that many of the objects they saw were as new to his guide as to +himself. + +The sun had risen and set six times when the shark suddenly said, +'My friend, we have now performed half our journey, and it is +time that I should tell you something.' + +'What is it?' asked the monkey. 'Nothing unpleasant, I hope, for +you sound rather grave?' + +'Oh, no! Nothing at all. It is only that shortly before we left I +heard that the sultan of my country is very ill, and that the +only thing to cure him is a monkey's heart.' + +'Poor man, I am very sorry for him,' replied the monkey; 'but you +were unwise not to tell me till we had started.' + +'What do you mean?' asked the shark; but the monkey, who now +understood the whole plot, did not answer at once, for he was +considering what he should say. + +'Why are you so silent?' inquired the shark again. + +'I was thinking what a pity it was you did not tell me while I +was still on land, and then I would have brought my heart with +me.' + +'Your heart! Why isn't your heart here?' said the shark, with a +puzzled expression. + +'Oh, no! Of course not. Is it possible you don't know that when +we leave home we always hang up our hearts on trees, to prevent +their being troublesome? However, perhaps you won't believe that, +and will just think I have invented it because I am afraid, so +let us go on to your country as fast as we can, and when we +arrive you can look for my heart, and if you find it you can kill +me.' + +The monkey spoke in such a calm, indifferent way that the shark +was quite deceived, and began to wish he had not been in such a +hurry. + +'But there is no use going on if your heart is not with you,' he +said at last. 'We had better turn back to the town, and then you +can fetch it.' + +Of course, this was just what the monkey wanted, but he was +careful not to seem too pleased. + +'Well, I don't know,' he remarked carelessly, 'it is such a long +way; but you may be right.' + +'I am sure I am,' answered the shark, 'and I will swim as quickly +as I can,' and so he did, and in three days they caught sight of +the kuyu tree hanging over the water. + +With a sigh of relief the monkey caught hold of the nearest +branch and swung himself up. + +'Wait for me here,' he called out to the shark. 'I am so hungry I +must have a little breakfast, and then I will go and look for my +heart,' and he went further and further into the branches so that +the shark could not see him. Then he curled himself up and went +to sleep. + +'Are you there?' cried the shark, who was soon tired of swimming +about under the cliff, and was in haste to be gone. + +The monkey awoke with a start, but did not answer. + +'Are you there?' called the shark again, louder than before, and +in a very cross voice. + +'Oh, yes. I am here,' replied the monkey; 'but I wish you had not +wakened me up. I was having such a nice nap.' + +'Have you got it?' asked the shark. 'It is time we were going.' + +'Going where?' inquired the monkey. + +'Why, to my country, of course, with your heart. You CAN'T have +forgotten!' + +'My dear friend,' answered the monkey, with a chuckle, 'I think +you must be going a little mad. Do you take me for a washerman's +donkey?' + +'Don't talk nonsense,' exclaimed the shark, who did not like +being laughed at. 'What do you mean about a washerman's donkey? +And I wish you would be quick, or we may be too late to save the +sultan.' + +'Did you really never hear of the washerman's donkey?' asked the +monkey, who was enjoying himself immensely. 'Why, he is the beast +who has no heart. And as I am not feeling very well, and am +afraid to start while the sun is so high lest I should get a +sunstroke, if you like, I will come a little nearer and tell you +his story.' + +'Very well,' said the shark sulkily, 'if you won't come, I +suppose I may as well listen to that as do nothing.' + +So the monkey began. + +'A washerman once lived in the great forest on the other side of +the town, and he had a donkey to keep him company and to carry +him wherever he wanted to go. For a time they got on very well, +but by and bye the donkey grew lazy and ungrateful for her +master's kindness, and ran away several miles into the heart of +the forest, where she did nothing but eat and eat and eat, till +she grew so fat she could hardly move. + +'One day as she was tasting quite a new kind of grass and +wondering if it was as good as what she had had for dinner the +day before, a hare happened to pass by. + +'"Well, that is a fat creature," thought she, and turned out of +her path to tell the news to a lion who was a friend of hers. Now +the lion had been very ill, and was not strong enough to go +hunting for himself, and when the hare came and told him that a +very fat donkey was to be found only a few hundred yards off, +tears of disappointment and weakness filled his eyes. + +'"What is the good of telling me that?" he asked, in a weepy +voice; "you know I cannot even walk as far as that palm." + +'"Never mind," answered the hare briskly. "If you can't go to +your dinner your dinner shall come to you," and nodding a +farewell to the lion she went back to the donkey. + +'"Good morning," said she, bowing politely to the donkey, who +lifted her head in surprise. "Excuse my interrupting you, but I +have come on very important business." + +'"Indeed," answered the donkey, "it is most kind of you to take +the trouble. May I inquire what the business is?" + +'"Certainly," replied the hare. "It is my friend the lion who has +heard so much of your charms and good qualities that he has sent +me to beg that you will give him your paw in marriage. He regrets +deeply that he is unable to make the request in person, but he +has been ill and is too weak to move." + +'"Poor fellow! How sad!" said the donkey. "But you must tell him +that I feel honoured by his proposal, and will gladly consent to +be Queen of the Beasts." + +'"Will you not come and tell him so yourself?" asked the hare. + +'Side by side they went down the road which led to the lion's +house. It took a long while, for the donkey was so fat with +eating she could only walk very slowly, and the hare, who could +have run the distance in about five minutes, was obliged to creep +along till she almost dropped with fatigue at not being able to +go at her own pace. When at last they arrived the lion was +sitting up at the entrance, looking very pale and thin. The +donkey suddenly grew shy and hung her head, but the lion put on +his best manners and invited both his visitors to come in and +make themselves comfortable. + +'Very soon the hare got up and said, "Well, as I have another +engagement I will leave you to make acquaintance with your future +husband," and winking at the lion she bounded away. + +'The donkey expected that as soon as they were left alone the +lion would begin to speak of their marriage, and where they +should live, but as he said nothing she looked up. To her +surprise and terror she saw him crouching in the corner, his eyes +glaring with a red light, and with a loud roar he sprang towards +her. But in that moment the donkey had had time to prepare +herself, and jumping on one side dealt the lion such a hard kick +that he shrieked with the pain. Again and again he struck at her +with his claws, but the donkey could bite too, as well as the +lion, who was very weak after his illness, and at last a well- +planted kick knocked him right over, and he rolled on the floor, +groaning with pain. The donkey did not wait for him to get up, +but ran away as fast as she could and was lost in the forest. + +'Now the hare, who knew quite well what would happen, had not +gone to do her business, but hid herself in some bushes behind +the cave, where she could hear quite clearly the sounds of the +battle. When all was quiet again she crept gently out, and stole +round the corner. + +'"Well, lion, have you killed her?" asked she, running swiftly up +the path. + +'"Killed her, indeed!" answered the lion sulkily, "it is she who +has nearly killed me. I never knew a donkey could kick like that, +though I took care she should carry away the marks of my claws." + +'"Dear me! Fancy such a great fat creature being able to fight!" +cried the hare. "But don't vex yourself. Just lie still, and your +wounds will soon heal," and she bade her friend, good bye, and +returned to her family. + +'Two or three weeks passed, and only bare places on the donkey's +back showed where the lion's claws had been, while, on his side, +the lion had recovered from his illness and was now as strong as +ever. He was beginning to think that it was almost time for him +to begin hunting again, when one morning a rustle was heard in +the creepers outside, and the hare's head peeped through. + +'"Ah! there is no need to ask how you are," she said. "Still you +mustn't overtire yourself, you know. Shall I go and bring you +your dinner?" + +'"If you will bring me that donkey I will tear it in two," cried +the lion savagely, and the hare laughed and nodded and went on +her errand. + +'This time the donkey was much further than before, and it took +longer to find her. At last the hare caught sight of four hoofs +in the air, and ran towards them. The donkey was lying on a soft +cool bed of moss near a stream, rolling herself backwards and +forwards from pleasure. + +'"Good morning," said the hare politely, and the donkey got +slowly on to her legs, and looked to see who her visitor could +be. + +'"Oh, it is you, is it?" she exclaimed. "Come and have a chat. +What news have you got?" + +'"I mustn't stay," answered the hare; "but I promised the lion to +beg you to pay him a visit, as he is not well enough to call on +you." + +'"Well, I don't know," replied the donkey gloomily, "the last +time we went he scratched me very badly, and really I was quite +afraid." + +'"He was only trying to kiss you," said the hare, "and you bit +him, and of course that made him cross." + +'"If I were sure of that," hesitated the donkey. + +'"Oh, you may be quite sure," laughed the hare. "I have a large +acquaintance among lions. But let us be quick," and rather +unwillingly the donkey set out. + +'The lion saw them coming and hid himself behind a large tree. As +the donkey went past, followed by the hare, he sprang out, and +with one blow of his paw stretched the poor foolish creature dead +before him. + +'"Take this meat and skin it and roast it," he said to the hare; +"but my appetite is not so good as it was, and the only part I +want for myself is the heart. The rest you can either eat +yourself or give away to your friends." + +'"Thank you," replied the hare, balancing the donkey on her back +as well as she was able, and though the legs trailed along the +ground she managed to drag it to an open space some distance off, +where she made a fire and roasted it. As soon as it was cooked +the hare took out the heart and had just finished eating it when +the lion, who was tired of waiting, came up. + +'"I am hungry," said he. "Bring me the creature's heart; it is +just what I want for supper." + +'"But there is no heart," answered the hare, looking up at the +lion with a puzzled face. + +'"What nonsense!" said the lion. "As if every beast had not got a +heart. What do you mean?" + +'"This is a washerman's donkey," replied the hare gravely. + +'"Well, and suppose it is?" + +'"Oh, fie!" exclaimed the hare. "You, a lion and a grown-up +person, and ask questions like that. If the donkey had had a +heart would she be here now? The first time she came she knew you +were trying to kill her, and ran away. Yet she came back a second +time. Well, if she had had a heart would she have come back a +second time? Now would she?" + +'And the lion answered slowly, "No, she would not." + +'So you think I am a washerman's donkey?' said the monkey to the +shark, when the story was ended. 'You are wrong; I am not. And as +the sun is getting low in the sky, it is time for you to begin +your homeward journey. You will have a nice cool voyage, and I +hope you will find the sultan better. Farewell!' And the monkey +disappeared among the green branches, and was gone. + +From 'Swahili Tales,' by Edward Steere, LL.D. + + + + + + + The Fairy Nurse + + + + +There was once a little farmer and his wife living near +Coolgarrow. They had three children, and my story happened while +the youngest was a baby. The wife was a good wife enough, but her +mind was all on her family and her farm, and she hardly ever went +to her knees without falling asleep, and she thought the time +spent in the chapel was twice as long as it need be. So, friends, +she let her man and her two children go before her one day to +Mass, while she called to consult a fairy man about a disorder +one of her cows had. She was late at the chapel, and was sorry +all the day after, for her husband was in grief about it, and she +was very fond of him. + +Late that night he was wakened up by the cries of his children +calling out 'Mother! Mother!' When he sat up and rubbed his eyes, +there was no wife by his side, and when he asked the little ones +what was become of their mother, they said they saw the room full +of nice little men and women, dressed in white and red and green, +and their mother in the middle of them, going out by the door as +if she was walking in her sleep. Out he ran, and searched +everywhere round the house but, neither tale nor tidings did he +get of her for many a day. + +Well, the poor man was miserable enough, for he was as fond of +his woman as she was of him. It used to bring the salt tears down +his cheeks to see his poor children neglected and dirty, as they +often were, and they'd be bad enough only for a kind neighbour +that used to look in whenever she could spare time. The infant +was away with a nurse. + +About six weeks after--just as he was going out to his work one +morning--a neighbour, that used to mind women when they were ill, +came up to him, and kept step by step with him to the field, and +this is what she told him. + +'Just as I was falling asleep last night, I heard a horse's tramp +on the grass and a knock at the door, and there, when I came out, +was a fine-looking dark man, mounted on a black horse, and he +told me to get ready in all haste, for a lady was in great want +of me. As soon as I put on my cloak and things, he took me by the +hand, and I was sitting behind him before I felt myself stirring. +"Where are we going, sir?" says I. "You'll soon know," says he; +and he drew his fingers across my eyes, and not a ray could I +see. I kept a tight grip of him, and I little knew whether he was +going backwards or forwards, or how long we were about it, till +my hand was taken again, and I felt the ground under me. The +fingers went the other way across my eyes, and there we were +before a castle door, and in we went through a big hall and great +rooms all painted in fine green colours, with red and gold bands +and ornaments, and the finest carpets and chairs and tables and +window curtains, and grand ladies and gentlemen walking about. At +last we came to a bedroom, with a beautiful lady in bed, with a +fine bouncing boy beside her. The lady clapped her hands, and in +came the Dark Man and kissed her and the baby, and praised me, +and gave me a bottle of green ointment to rub the child all over. + +'Well, the child I rubbed, sure enough; but my right eye began to +smart, and I put up my finger and gave it a rub, and then stared, +for never in all my life was I so frightened. The beautiful room +was a big, rough cave, with water oozing over the edges of the +stones and through the clay; and the lady, and the lord, and the +child weazened, poverty-bitten creatures--nothing but skin and +bone--and the rich dresses were old rags. I didn't let on that I +found any difference, and after a bit says the Dark Man, "Go +before me to the hall door, and I will be with you in a few +moments, and see you safe home." Well, just as I turned into the +outside cave, who should I see watching near the door but poor +Molly. She looked round all terrified, and says she to me in a +whisper, "I'm brought here to nurse the child of the king and +queen of the fairies; but there is one chance of saving me. All +the court will pass the cross near Templeshambo next Friday +night, on a visit to the fairies of Old Ross. If John can catch +me by the hand or cloak when I ride by, and has courage not to +let go his grip, I'll be safe. Here's the king. Don't open your +mouth to answer. I saw what happened with the ointment." + +'The Dark Man didn't once cast his eye towards Molly, and he +seemed to have no suspicion of me. When we came out I looked +about me, and where do you think we were but in the dyke of the +Rath of Cromogue. I was on the horse again, which was nothing but +a big rag-weed, and I was in dread every minute I'd fall off; but +nothing happened till I found myself in my own cabin. The king +slipped five guineas into my hand as soon as I was on the ground, +and thanked me, and bade me good night. I hope I'll never see his +face again. I got into bed, and couldn't sleep for a long time; +and when I examined my five guineas this morning, that I left in +the table drawer the last thing, I found five withered leaves of +oak--bad luck to the giver!' + +Well, you may all think the fright, and the joy, and the grief +the poor man was in when the woman finished her story. They +talked and they talked, but we needn't mind what they said till +Friday night came, when both were standing where the mountain +road crosses the one going to Ross. + +There they stood, looking towards the bridge of Thuar, in the +dead of the night, with a little moonlight shining from over +Kilachdiarmid. At last she gave a start, and "By this and by +that," says she, "here they come, bridles jingling and feathers +tossing!" He looked, but could see nothing; and she stood +trembling and her eyes wide open, looking down the way to the +ford of Ballinacoola. "I see your wife," says she, "riding on the +outside just so as to rub against us. We'll walk on quietly, as +if we suspected nothing, and when we are passing I'll give you a +shove. If you don't do YOUR duty then, woe be with you!" + +Well, they walked on easy, and the poor hearts beating in both +their breasts; and though he could see nothing, he heard a faint +jingle and trampling and rustling, and at last he got the push +that she promised. He spread out his arms, and there was his +wife's waist within them, and he could see her plain; but such a +hullabulloo rose as if there was an earthquake, and he found +himself surrounded by horrible-looking things, roaring at him and +striving to pull his wife away. But he made the sign of the cross +and bid them begone in God's name, and held his wife as if it was +iron his arms were made of. Bedad, in one moment everything was +as silent as the grave, and the poor woman lying in a faint in +the arms of her husband and her good neighbour. Well, all in good +time she was minding her family and her business again; and I'll +go bail, after the fright she got, she spent more time on her +knees, and avoided fairy men all the days of the week, and +particularly on Sunday. + +It is hard to have anything to do with the good people without +getting a mark from them. My brave nurse didn't escape no more +than another. She was one Thursday at the market of Enniscorthy, +when what did she see walking among the tubs of butter but the +Dark Man, very hungry-looking, and taking a scoop out of one tub +and out of another. 'Oh, sir,' says she, very foolish, 'I hope +your lady is well, and the baby.' 'Pretty well, thank you,' says +he, rather frightened like. 'How do I look in this new suit?' +says he, getting to one side of her. 'I can't see you plain at +all, sir,' says she. 'Well, now?' says he, getting round her back +to the other side. 'Musha, indeed, sir, your coat looks no better +than a withered dock-leaf.' 'Maybe, then,' says he, 'it will be +different now,' and he struck the eye next him with a switch. +Friends, she never saw a glimmer after with that one till the day +of her death. + +'Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts,' by Patrick Kennedy. + + + + + + + A Lost Paradise + + + + +In the middle of a great forest there lived a long time ago a +charcoal-burner and his wife. They were both young and handsome +and strong, and when they got married, they thought work would +never fail them. But bad times came, and they grew poorer and +poorer, and the nights in which they went hungry to bed became +more and more frequent. + +Now one evening the king of that country was hunting near the +charcoal-burner's hut. As he passed the door, he heard a sound of +sobbing, and being a good-natured man he stopped to listen, +thinking that perhaps he might be able to give some help. + +'Were there ever two people so unhappy!' said a woman's voice. +'Here we are, ready to work like slaves the whole day long, and +no work can we get. And it is all because of the curiosity of old +mother Eve! If she had only been like me, who never want to know +anything, we should all have been as happy as kings to-day, with +plenty to eat, and warm clothes to wear. Why--' but at this point +a loud knock interrupted her lamentations. + +'Who is there?' asked she. + +'I!' replied somebody. + +'And who is "I"?' + +'The king. Let me in.' + +Full of surprise the woman jumped up and pulled the bar away from +the door. As the king entered, he noticed that there was no +furniture in the room at all, not even a chair, so he pretended +to be in too great a hurry to see anything around him, and only +said 'You must not let me disturb you. I have no time to stay, +but you seemed to be in trouble. Tell me; are you very unhappy?' + +'Oh, my lord, we can find no work and have eaten nothing for two +days!' answered she. 'Nothing remains for us but to die of +hunger.' + +'No, no, you shan't do that,' cried the king, 'or if you do, it +will be your own fault. You shall come with me into my palace, +and you will feel as if you were in Paradise, I promise you. In +return, I only ask one thing of you, that you shall obey my +orders exactly.' + +The charcoal-burner and his wife both stared at him for a moment, +as if they could hardly believe their ears; and, indeed, it was +not to be wondered at! Then they found their tongues, and +exclaimed together: + +'Oh, yes, yes, my lord! we will do everything you tell us. How +could we be so ungrateful as to disobey you, when you are so +kind?' + +The king smiled, and his eyes twinkled. + +'Well, let us start at once,' said he. 'Lock your door, and put +the key in your pocket.' + +The woman looked as if she thought this was needless, seeing it +was quite, quite certain they would never come back. But she +dared not say so, and did as the king told her. + +After walking through the forest for a couple of miles, they all +three reached the palace, and by the king's orders servants led +the charcoal-burner and his wife into rooms filled with beautiful +things such as they had never even dreamed of. First they bathed +in green marble baths where the water looked like the sea, and +then they put on silken clothes that felt soft and pleasant. When +they were ready, one of the king's special servants entered, and +took them into a small hall, where dinner was laid, and this +pleased them better than anything else. + +They were just about to sit down to the table when the king +walked in. + +'I hope you have been attended to properly,' said he, 'and that +you will enjoy your dinner. My steward will take care you have +all you want, and I wish you to do exactly as you please. Oh, by +the bye, there is one thing! You notice that soup-tureen in the +middle of the table? Well, be careful on no account to lift the +lid. If once you take off the cover, there is an end of your good +fortune.' Then, bowing to his guests, he left the room. + +'Did you hear what he said?' inquired the charcoal-burner in an +awe-stricken voice. 'We are to have what we want, and do what we +please. Only we must not touch the soup-tureen.' + +'No, of course we won't,' answered the wife. 'Why should we wish +to? But all the same it is rather odd, and one can't help +wondering what is inside.' + +For many days life went on like a beautiful dream to the +charcoal- burner and his wife. Their beds were so comfortable, +they could hardly make up their minds to get up, their clothes +were so lovely they could scarcely bring themselves to take them +off; their dinners were so good that they found it very difficult +to leave off eating. Then outside the palace were gardens filled +with rare flowers and fruits and singing birds, or if they +desired to go further, a golden coach, painted with wreaths of +forget-me-nots and lined with blue satin, awaited their orders. +Sometimes it happened that the king came to see them, and he +smiled as he glanced at the man, who was getting rosier and +plumper each day. But when his eyes rested on the woman, they +took on a look which seemed to say 'I knew it,' though this +neither the charcoal-burner nor his wife ever noticed. + +'Why are you so silent?' asked the man one morning when dinner +had passed before his wife had uttered one word. 'A little while +ago you used to be chattering all the day long, and now I have +almost forgotten the sound of your voice.' + +'Oh, nothing; I did not feel inclined to talk, that was all!' She +stopped, and added carelessly after a pause, 'Don't you ever +wonder what is in that soup-tureen?' + +'No, never,' replied the man. 'It is no affair of ours,' and the +conversation dropped once more, but as time went on, the woman +spoke less and less, and seemed so wretched that her husband grew +quite frightened about her. As to her food, she refused one thing +after another. + +'My dear wife,' said the man at last, 'you really must eat +something. What in the world is the matter with you? If you go on +like this you will die.' + +'I would rather die than not know what is in that tureen,' she +burst forth so violently that the husband was quite startled. + +'Is that it?' cried he; 'are you making yourself miserable +because of that? Why, you know we should be turned out of the +palace, and sent away to starve.' + +'Oh no, we shouldn't. The king is too good-natured. Of course he +didn't mean a little thing like this! Besides, there is no need +to lift the lid off altogether. Just raise one corner so that I +may peep. We are quite alone: nobody will ever know.' + +The man hesitated: it did seem a 'little thing,' and if it was to +make his wife contented and happy it was well worth the risk. So +he took hold of the handle of the cover and raised it very slowly +and carefully, while the woman stooped down to peep. Suddenly she +startled back with a scream, for a small mouse had sprung from +the inside of the tureen, and had nearly hit her in the eye. +Round and round the room it ran, round and round they both ran +after it, knocking down chairs and vases in their efforts to +catch the mouse and put it back in the tureen. In the middle of +all the noise the door opened, and the mouse ran out between the +feet of the king. In one instant both the man and his wife were +hiding under the table, and to all appearance the room was empty. + +'You may as well come out,' said the king, 'and hear what I have +to say.' + +'I know what it is,' answered the charcoal-burner, hanging his +head. The mouse has escaped.' + +'A guard of soldiers will take you back to your hut,' said the +king. 'Your wife has the key.' + +'Weren't they silly?' cried the grandchildren of the charcoal- +burners when they heard the story. 'How we wish that we had had +the chance! WE should never have wanted to know what was in the +soup-tureen!' + +From 'Litterature Orale de l'Auvergne,' par Paul Sebillot. + + + + + + + How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves + + + + +A little back from the high road there stands a house which is +called 'Hemgard.' Perhaps you remember the two beautiful mountain +ash trees by the reddish-brown palings, and the high gate, and +the garden with the beautiful barberry bushes which are always +the first to become grown in spring, and which in summer are +weighed down with their beautiful berries. + +Behind the garden there is a hedge with tall aspens which rustle +in the morning wind, behind the hedge is a road, behind the road +is a wood, and behind the wood the wide world. + +But on the other side of the garden there is a lake, and beyond +the lake is a village, and all around stretch meadows and fields, +now yellow, now green. + +In the pretty house, which has white window-frames, a neat porch +and clean steps, which are always strewn with finely-cut juniper +leaves, Walter's parents live. His brother Frederick, his sister +Lotta, old Lena, Jonah, Caro and Bravo, Putte and Murre, and +Kuckeliku. + +Caro lives in the dog house, Bravo in the stable, Putte with the +stableman, Murre a little here and a little there, and Kuckeliku +lives in the hen house, that is his kingdom. + +Walter is six years old, and he must soon begin to go to school. +He cannot read yet, but he can do many other things. He can turn +cartwheels, stand on his head, ride see-saw, throw snowballs, +play ball, crow like a cock, eat bread and butter and drink sour +milk, tear his trousers, wear holes in his elbows, break the +crockery in pieces, throw balls through the windowpanes, draw old +men on important papers, walk over the flower-beds, eat himself +sick with gooseberries, and be well after a whipping. For the +rest he has a good heart but a bad memory, and forgets his +father's and his mother's admonitions, and so often gets into +trouble and meets with adventures, as you shall hear, but first +of all I must tell you how brave he was and how he hunted wolves. + +Once in the spring, a little before Midsummer, Walter heard that +there were a great many wolves in the wood, and that pleased him. +He was wonderfully brave when he was in the midst of his +companions or at home with his brothers and sister, then he used +often to say 'One wolf is nothing, there ought to be at least +four.' + +When he wrestled with Klas Bogenstrom or Frithiof Waderfelt and +struck them in the back, he would say 'That is what I shall do to +a wolf!' and when he shot arrows at Jonas and they rattled +against his sheepskin coat he would say: 'That is how I should +shoot you if you were a wolf!' + +Indeed, some thought that the brave boy boasted a little; but one +must indeed believe him since he said so himself. So Jonas and +Lena used to say of him 'Look, there goes Walter, who shoots the +wolves.' And other boys and girls would say 'Look, there goes +brave Walter, who is brave enough to fight with four.' + +There was no one so fully convinced of this as Walter himself, +and one day he prepared himself for a real wolf hunt. He took +with him his drum, which had holes in one end since the time he +had climbed up on it to reach a cluster of rowan berries, and his +tin sabre, which was a little broken, because he had with +incredible courage fought his way through a whole unfriendly army +of gooseberry bushes. + +He did not forget to arm himself quite to the teeth with his pop- +gun, his bow, and his air-pistol. He had a burnt cork in his +pocket to blacken his moustache, and a red cock's feather to put +in his cap to make himself look fierce. He had besides in his +trouser pocket a clasp knife with a bone handle, to cut off the +ears of the wolves as soon as he had killed them, for he thought +it would be cruel to do that while they were still living. + +It was such a good thing that Jonas was going with corn to the +mill, for Walter got a seat on the load, while Caro ran barking +beside them. As soon as they came to the wood Walter looked +cautiously around him to see perchance there was a wolf in the +bushes, and he did not omit to ask Jonas if wolves were afraid of +a drum. 'Of course they are' (that is understood) said Jonas. +Thereupon Walter began to beat his drum with all his might while +they were going through the wood. + +When they came to the mill Walter immediately asked if there had +been any wolves in the neighbourhood lately. + +'Alas! yes,' said the miller, 'last night the wolves have eaten +our fattest ram there by the kiln not far from here.' + +'Ah!' said Walter, 'do you think that there were many?' + +'We don't know,' answered the miller. + +'Oh, it is all the same,' said Walter. 'I only asked so that I +should know if I should take Jonas with me. + +'I could manage very well alone with three, but if there were +more, I might not have time to kill them all before they ran +away.' + +'In Walter's place I should go quite alone, it is more manly,' +said Jonas. + +'No, it is better for you to come too,' said Walter. 'Perhaps +there are many.' + +'No, I have not time,' said Jonas, 'and besides, there are sure +not to be more than three. Walter can manage them very well +alone.' + +'Yes,' said Walter, 'certainly I could; but, you see, Jonas, it +might happen that one of them might bite me in the back, and I +should have more trouble in killing them. If I only knew that +there were not more than two I should not mind, for them I should +take one in each hand and give them a good shaking, like Susanna +once shook me.' + +'I certainly think that there will not be more than two,' said +Jonas, 'there are never more than two when they slay children and +rams; Walter can very well shake them without me.' + +'But, you see, Jonas,' said Walter, 'if there are two, it might +still happen that one of them escapes and bites me in the leg, +for you see I am not so strong in the left hand as in the right. +You can very well come with me, and take a good stick in case +there are really two. Look, if there is only one, I shall take +him so with both my hands and thrown him living on to his back, +and he can kick as much as he likes, I shall hold him fast.' + +'Now, when I really think over the thing,' said Jonas, 'I am +almost sure there will not be more than one. What would two do +with one ram? There will certainly not be more than one.' + +'But you should come with me all the same, Jonas,' said Walter. +'You see I can very well manage one, but I am not quite +accustomed to wolves yet, and he might tear holes in my new +trousers.' + +'Well, just listen,' said Jonas, 'I am beginning to think that +Walter is not so brave as people say. First of all Walter would +fight against four, and then against three, then two, and then +one, and now Walter wants help with one. Such a thing must never +be; what would people say? Perhaps they would think that Walter +is a coward?' + +'That's a lie,' said Walter, 'I am not at all frightened, but it +is more amusing when there are two. I only want someone who will +see how I strike the wolf and how the dust flies out of his +skin.' + +'Well, then, Walter can take the miller's little Lisa with him. +She can sit on a stone and look on,' said Jonas. + +'No, she would certainly be frightened,' said Walter, 'and how +would it do for a girl to go wolf-hunting? Come with me, Jonas, +and you shall have the skin, and I will be content with the ears +and the tail.' + +'No, thank you,' said Jonas, 'Walter can keep the skin for +himself. Now I see quite well that he is frightened. Fie, shame +on him!' + +This touched Walter's pride very near. 'I shall show that I am +not frightened,' he said; and so he took his drum, sabre, cock's +feather, clasp-knife, pop-gun and air-pistol, and went off quite +alone to the wood to hunt wolves. + +It was a beautiful evening, and the birds were singing in all the +branches. Walter went very slowly and cautiously. At every step +he looked all round him to see if perchance there was anything +lurking behind the stones. He quite thought something moved away +there in the ditch. Perhaps it was a wolf. 'It is better for me +to beat the drum a little before I go there,' thought Walter. + +Br-r-r, so he began to beat his drum. Then something moved again. +Caw! caw! a crow flew up from the ditch. Walter immediately +regained courage. 'It was well I took my drum with me,' he +thought, and went straight on with courageous steps. Very soon he +came quite close to the kiln, where the wolves had killed the +ram. But the nearer he came the more dreadful he thought the kiln +looked. It was so gray and old. Who knew how many wolves there +might be hidden there? Perhaps the very ones which killed the ram +were still sitting there in a corner. Yes, it was not at all safe +here, and there were no other people to be seen in the +neighbourhood. It would be horrible to be eaten up here in the +daylight, thought Walter to himself; and the more he thought +about it the uglier and grayer the old kiln looked, and the more +horrible and dreadful it seemed to become the food of wolves. + +'Shall I go back and say that I struck one wolf and it escaped?' +thought Walter. 'Fie!' said his conscience, 'Do you not remember +that a lie is one of the worst sins, both in the sight of God and +man? If you tell a lie to-day and say you struck a wolf, to- +morrow surely it will eat you up.' + +'No, I will go to the kiln,' thought Walter, and so he went. But +he did not go quite near. He went only so near that he could see +the ram's blood which coloured the grass red, and some tufts of +wool which the wolves had torn from the back of the poor animal. + +It looked so dreadful. + +'I wonder what the ram thought when they ate him up,' thought +Walter to himself; and just then a cold shiver ran through him +from his collar right down to his boots. + +'It is better for me to beat the drum,' he thought to himself +again, and so he began to beat it. But it sounded horrid, and an +echo came out from the kiln that seemed almost like the howl of a +wolf. The drumsticks stiffened in Walter's hands, and he thought +now they are coming. ...! + +Yes, sure enough, just then a shaggy, reddish-brown wolf's head +looked out from under the kiln! + +What did Walter do now? Yes, the brave Walter who alone could +manage four, threw his drum far away, took to his heels and ran, +and ran as fast as he could back to the mill. + +But, alas! the wolf ran after him. Walter looked back; the wolf +was quicker than he and only a few steps behind him. Then Walter +ran faster. But fear got the better of him, he neither heard nor +saw anything more. He ran over sticks, stones and ditches; he +lost drum-sticks, sabre, bow, and air-pistol, and in his terrible +hurry he tripped over a tuft of grass. There he lay, and the wolf +jumped on to him. ... + +It was a gruesome tale! Now you may well believe that it was all +over with Walter and all his adventures. That would have been a +pity. But do not be surprised if it was not quite so bad as that, +for the wolf was quite a friendly one. He certainly jumped on to +Walter, but he only shook his coat and rubbed his nose against +his face; and Walter shrieked. Yes, he shrieked terribly! + +Happily Jonas heard his cry of distress, for Walter was quite +near the mill now, and he ran and helped him up. + +'What has happened?' he asked. 'Why did Walter scream so +terribly?' + +'A wolf! A wolf!' cried Walter, and that was all he could say. + +'Where is the wolf?' said Jonas. 'I don't see any wolf.' + +'Take care, he is here, he has bitten me to death,' groaned +Walter. + +Then Jonas began to laugh; yes, he laughed so that he nearly +burst his skin belt. + +Well, well, was that the wolf? Was that the wolf which Walter was +to take by the neck and shake and throw down on its back, no +matter how much it struggled? Just look a little closer at him: +he is your old friend, your own good old Caro. I quite expect he +found a leg of the ram in the kiln. When Walter beat his drum, +Caro crept out, and when Walter ran away, Caro ran after him, as +he so often does when Walter wants to romp and play. + +'Down, Caro! you ought to be rather ashamed to have put such a +great hero to flight!' + +Walter got up feeling very foolish. + +'Down, Caro!' he said, both relieved and annoyed. + +'It was only a dog, then if it had been a wolf I certainly should +have killed him. ...' + +'If Walter would listen to my advice, and boast a little less, +and do a little more,' said Jonas, consolingly. 'Walter is not a +coward, is he?' + +'I! You shall see, Jonas, when we next meet a bear. You see I +like so much better to fight with bears.' + +'Indeed!' laughed Jonas. 'Are you at it again? + +'Dear Walter, remember that it is only cowards who boast; a +really brave man never talks of his bravery.' + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + + + + The King of the Waterfalls + + + + +When the young king of Easaidh Ruadh came into his kingdom, the +first thing he thought of was how he could amuse himself best. +The sports that all his life had pleased him best suddenly seemed +to have grown dull, and he wanted to do something he had never +done before. At last his face brightened. + +'I know!' he said. 'I will go and play a game with the Gruagach.' +Now the Gruagach was a kind of wicked fairy, with long curly +brown hair, and his house was not very far from the king's house. + +But though the king was young and eager, he was also prudent, and +his father had told him on his deathbed to be very careful in his +dealings with the 'good people,' as the fairies were called. +Therefore before going to the Gruagach the king sought out a wise +man of the countryside. + +'I am wanting to play a game with the curly-haired Gruagach,' +said he. + +'Are you, indeed?' replied the wizard. 'If you will take my +counsel, you will play with someone else.' + +'No; I will play with the Gruagach,' persisted the king. + +'Well, if you must, you must, I suppose,' answered the wizard; +'but if you win that game, ask as a prize the ugly crop-headed +girl that stands behind the door.' + +'I will,' said the king. + +So before the sun rose he got up and went to the house of the +Gruagach, who was sitting outside. + +'O king, what has brought you here to-day?' asked the Gruagach. +'But right welcome you are, and more welcome will you be still if +you will play a game with me.' + +'That is just what I want,' said the king, and they played; and +sometimes it seemed as if one would win, and sometimes the other, +but in the end it was the king who was the winner. + +'And what is the prize that you will choose?' inquired the +Gruagach. + +'The ugly crop-headed girl that stands behind the door,' replied +the king. + +'Why, there are twenty others in the house, and each fairer than +she!' exclaimed the Gruagach. + +'Fairer they may be, but it is she whom I wish for my wife, and +none other,' and the Gruagach saw that the king's mind was set +upon her, so he entered his house, and bade all the maidens in it +come out one by one, and pass before the king. + +One by one they came; tall and short, dark and fair, plump and +thin, and each said 'I am she whom you want. You will be foolish +indeed if you do not take me.' + +But he took none of them, neither short nor tall, dark nor fair, +plump nor thin, till at the last the crop-headed girl came out. + +'This is mine,' said the king, though she was so ugly that most +men would have turned from her. 'We will be married at once, and +I will carry you home.' And married they were, and they set forth +across a meadow to the king's house. As they went, the bride +stooped and picked a sprig of shamrock, which grew amongst the +grass, and when she stood upright again her ugliness had all +gone, and the most beautiful woman that ever was seen stood by +the king's side. + +The next day, before the sun rose, the king sprang from his bed, +and told his wife he must have another game with the Gruagach. + +'If my father loses that game, and you win it,' said she, 'accept +nothing for your prize but the shaggy young horse with the stick +saddle.' + +'I will do that,' answered the king, and he went. + +'Does your bride please you?' asked the Gruagach, who was +standing at his own door. + +'Ah! does she not!' answered the king quickly. 'Otherwise I +should be hard indeed to please. But will you play a game to- +day?' + +'I will,' replied the Gruagach, and they played, and sometimes it +seemed as if one would win, and sometimes the other, but in the +end the king was the winner. + +'What is the prize that you will choose?' asked the Gruagach. + +'The shaggy young horse with the stick saddle,' answered the +king, but he noticed that the Gruagach held his peace, and his +brow was dark as he led out the horse from the stable. Rough was +its mane and dull was its skin, but the king cared nothing for +that, and throwing his leg over the stick saddle, rode away like +the wind. + +On the third morning the king got up as usual before dawn, and as +soon as he had eaten food he prepared to go out, when his wife +stopped him. 'I would rather,' she said, 'that you did not go to +play with the Gruagach, for though twice you have won yet some +day he will win, and then he will put trouble upon you.' + +'Oh! I must have one more game,' cried the king; 'just this one.' +And he went off to the house of the Gruagach. + +Joy filled the heart of the Gruagach when he saw him coming, and +without waiting to talk they played their game. Somehow or other, +the king's strength and skill had departed from him, and soon the +Gruagach was the victor. + +'Choose your prize,' said the king, when the game was ended, 'but +do not be too hard on me, or ask what I cannot give.' + +'The prize I choose,' answered the Gruagach, 'is that the crop- +headed creature should take thy head and thy neck, if thou dost +not get for me the Sword of Light that hangs in the house of the +king of the oak windows.' + +'I will get it,' replied the young man bravely; but as soon as he +was out of sight of the Gruagach he pretended no more, and his +face grew dark and his steps lagging. + +'You have brought nothing with you to-night,' said the queen, who +was standing on the steps awaiting him. She was so beautiful that +the king was fain to smile when he looked at her, but then he +remembered what had happened, and his heart grew heavy again. + +'What is it? What is the matter? Tell me thy sorrow that I may +bear it with thee, or, it may be, help thee!' Then the king told +her everything that had befallen him, and she stroked his hair +the while. + +'That is nothing to grieve about,' she said when the tale was +finished. 'You have the best wife in Erin, and the best horse in +Erin. Only do as I bid you, and all will go well.' And the king +suffered himself to be comforted. + +He was still sleeping when the queen rose and dressed herself, to +make everything ready for her husband's journey; and the first +place she went to was the stable, where she fed and watered the +shaggy brown horse and put the saddle on it. Most people thought +this saddle was of wood, and did not see the little sparkles of +gold and silver that were hidden in it. She strapped it lightly +on the horse's back, and then led it down before the house, where +the king waited. + +'Good luck to you, and victories in all your battles,' she said, +as she kissed him before he mounted. 'I need not be telling you +anything. Take the advice of the horse, and see you obey it.' + +So he waved his hand and set out on his journey, and the wind was +not swifter than the brown horse--no, not even the March wind +which raced it and could not catch it. But the horse never +stopped nor looked behind, till in the dark of the night he +reached the castle of the king of the oak windows. + +'We are at the end of the journey,' said the horse, 'and you will +find the Sword of Light in the king's own chamber. If it comes to +you without scrape or sound, the token is a good one. At this +hour the king is eating his supper, and the room is empty, so +none will see you. The sword has a knob at the end, and take heed +that when you grasp it, you draw it softly out of its sheath. Now +go! I will be under the window.' + +Stealthily the young man crept along the passage, pausing now and +then to make sure that no man was following him, and entered the +king's chamber. A strange white line of light told him where the +sword was, and crossing the room on tiptoe, he seized the knob, +and drew it slowly out of the sheath. The king could hardly +breathe with excitement lest it should make some noise, and bring +all the people in the castle running to see what was the matter. +But the sword slid swiftly and silently along the case till only +the point was left touching it. Then a low sound was heard, as of +the edge of a knife touching a silver plate, and the king was so +startled that he nearly dropped the knob. + +'Quick! quick!' cried the horse, and the king scrambled hastily +through the small window, and leapt into the saddle. + +'He has heard and he will follow,' said the horse; 'but we have a +good start,' And on they sped, on and on, leaving the winds +behind them. + +At length the horse slackened its pace. 'Look and see who is +behind you,' it said; and the young man looked. + +'I see a swarm of brown horses racing madly after us,' he +answered. + +'We are swifter than those,' said the horse, and flew on again. + +'Look again, O king! Is anyone coming now?' + +'A swarm of black horses, and one has a white face, and on that +horse a man is seated. He is the king of the oak windows.' + +'That is my brother, and swifter still than I,' said the horse, +'and he will fly past me with a rush. Then you must have your +sword ready, and take off the head of the man who sits on him, as +he turns and looks at you. And there is no sword in the world +that will cut off his head, save only that one.' + +'I will do it,' replied the king; and he listened with all his +might, till he judged that the white-faced horse was close to +him. Then he sat up very straight and made ready. + +The next moment there was a rushing noise as of a mighty tempest, +and the young man caught a glimpse of a face turned towards him. +Almost blindly he struck, not knowing whether he had killed or +only wounded the rider. But the head rolled off, and was caught +in the brown horse's mouth. + +'Jump on my brother, the black horse, and go home as fast as you +can, and I will follow as quickly as I may,' cried the brown +horse; and leaping forward the king alighted on the back of the +black horse, but so near the tail that he almost fell off again. +But he stretched out his arm and clutched wildly at the mane and +pulled himself into the saddle. + +Before the sky was streaked with red he was at home again, and +the queen was sitting waiting till he arrived, for sleep was far +from her eyes. Glad was she to see him enter, but she said +little, only took her harp and sang softly the songs which he +loved, till he went to bed, soothed and happy. + +It was broad day when he woke, and he sprang up saying: + +'Now I must go to the Gruagach, to find out if the spells he laid +on me are loose.' + +'Have a care,' answered the queen, 'for it is not with a smile as +on the other days that he will greet you. Furiously he will meet +you, and will ask you in his wrath if you have got the sword, and +you will reply that you have got it. Next he will want to know +how you got it, and to this you must say that but for the knob +you had not got it at all. Then he will raise his head to look at +the knob, and you must stab him in the mole which is on the right +side of his neck; but take heed, for if you miss the mole with +the point of the sword, then my death and your death are certain. +He is brother to the king of the oak windows, and sure will he be +that the king must be head, or the sword would not be in your +hands.' After that she kissed him, and bade him good speed. + +'Didst thou get the sword?' asked the Gruagach, when they met in +the usual place. + +'I got the sword.' + +'And how didst thou get it?' + +'If it had not had a knob on the top, then I had not got it,' +answered the king. + +'Give me the sword to look at,' said the Gruagach, peering +forward; but like a flash the king had drawn it from under his +nose and pierced the mole, so that the Gruagach rolled over on +the ground. + +'Now I shall be at peace,' thought the king. But he was wrong, +for when he reached home he found his servants tied together back +to back with cloths bound round their mouths, so that they could +not speak. He hastened to set them free, and he asked who had +treated them in so evil a manner. + +'No sooner had you gone than a great giant came, and dealt with +us as you see, and carried off your wife and your two horses,' +said the men. + +'Then my eyes will not close nor will my head lay itself down +till I fetch my wife and horses home again,' answered he, and he +stopped and noted the tracks of the horses on the grass, and +followed after them till he arrived at the wood, when the +darkness fell. + +'I will sleep here,' he said to himself, 'but first I will make a +fire,' And he gathered together some twigs that were lying about, +and then took two dry sticks and rubbed them together till the +fire came, and he sat by it. + +The twigs cracked and the flame blazed up, and a slim yellow dog +pushed through the bushes and laid his head on the king's knee, +and the king stroked his head. + +'Wuf, wuf,' said the dog. 'Sore was the plight of thy wife and +thy horses when the giant drove them last night through the +forest.' + +'That is why I have come,' answered the king; and suddenly his +heart seemed to fail him and he felt that he could not go on. + +'I cannot fight that giant,' he cried, looking at the dog with a +white face. 'I am afraid, let me turn homewards.' + +'No, don't do that,' replied the dog. 'Eat and sleep, and I will +watch over you.' So the king ate and lay down, and slept till the +sun waked him. + +'It is time for you to start on your way,' said the dog, 'and if +danger presses, call on me, and I will help you.' + +'Farewell, then,' answered the king; 'I will not forget that +promise,' and on he went, and on, and on, till he reached a tall +cliff with many sticks lying about. + +'It is almost night,' he thought; 'I will make a fire and rest,' +and thus he did, and when the flames blazed up, the hoary hawk of +the grey rock flew on to a bough above him. + +'Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed +here with the giant,' said the hawk. + +'Never shall I find them,' answered the king, 'and nothing shall +I get for all my trouble.' + +'Oh, take heart,' replied the hawk; 'things are never so bad but +what they might be worse. Eat and sleep and I will watch thee,' +and the king did as he was bidden by the hawk, and by the morning +he felt brave again. + +'Farewell,' said the bird, 'and if danger presses call to me, and +I will help you.' + +On he walked, and on and on, till as dusk was falling he came to +a great river, and on the bank there were sticks lying about. + +'I will make myself a fire,' he thought, and thus he did, and by +and bye a smooth brown head peered at him from the water, and a +long body followed it. + +'Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed +the river last night,' said the otter. + +'I have sought them and not found them,' answered the king, 'and +nought shall I get for my trouble.' + +'Be not so downcast,' replied the otter; 'before noon to-morrow +thou shalt behold thy wife. But eat and sleep and I will watch +over thee.' So the king did as the otter bid him, and when the +sun rose he woke and saw the otter lying on the bank. + +'Farewell,' cried the otter as he jumped into the water, 'and if +danger presses, call to me and I will help you.' + +For many hours the king walked, and at length he reached a high +rock, which was rent into two by a great earthquake. Throwing +himself on the ground he looked over the side, and right at the +very bottom he saw his wife and his horses. His heart gave a +great bound, and all his fears left him, but he was forced to be +patient, for the sides of the rock were smooth, and not even a +goat could find foothold. So he got up again, and made his way +round through the wood, pushing by trees, scrambling over rocks, +wading through streams, till at last he was on flat ground again, +close to the mouth of the cavern. + +His wife gave a shriek of joy when he came in, and then burst +into tears, for she was tired and very frightened. But her +husband did not understand why she wept, and he was tired and +bruised from his climb, and a little cross too. + +'You give me but a sorry welcome,' grumbled he, 'when I have +half-killed myself to get to you.' + +'Do not heed him,' said the horses to the weeping woman; 'put him +in front of us, where he will be safe, and give him food, for he +is weary.' And she did as the horses told her, and he ate and +rested, till by and bye a long shadow fell over them, and their +hearts beat with fear, for they knew that the giant was coming. + +'I smell a stranger,' cried the giant, as he entered; but it was +dark inside the chasm, and he did not see the king, who was +crouching down between the feet of the horses. + +'A stranger, my lord! no stranger ever comes here, not even the +sun!' and the king's wife laughed gaily as she went up to the +giant and stroked the huge hand which hung down by his side. + +'Well, I perceive nothing, certainly,' answered he, 'but it is +very odd. However, it is time that the horses were fed;' and he +lifted down an armful of hay from a shelf of rock and held out a +handful to each animal, who moved forward to meet him, leaving +the king behind. As soon as the giant's hands were near their +mouths they each made a snap, and began to bit them, so that his +groans and shrieks might have been heard a mile off. Then they +wheeled round and kicked him till they could kick no more. At +length the giant crawled away, and lay quivering in a corner, and +the queen went up to him. + +'Poor thing! poor thing!' she said, 'they seem to have gone mad; +it was awful to behold.' + +'If I had had my soul in my body they would certainly have killed +me,' groaned the giant. + +'It was lucky indeed,' answered the queen; 'but tell me, where is +thy soul, that I may take care of it?' + +'Up there, in the Bonnach stone,' answered the giant, pointing to +a stone which was balanced loosely on an edge of rock. 'But now +leave me, that I may sleep, for I have far to go to-morrow.' + +Soon snores were heard from the corner where the giant lay, and +then the queen lay down too, and the horses, and the king was +hidden between them, so that none could see him. + +Before the dawn the giant rose and went out, and immediately the +queen ran up to the Bonnach stone, and tugged and pushed at it +till it was quite steady on its ledge, and could not fall over. +And so it was in the evening when the giant came home; and when +they saw his shadow, the king crept down in front of the horses. + +'Why, what have you done to the Bonnach stone?' asked the giant. + +'I feared lest it should fall over, and be broken, with your soul +in it,' said the queen, 'so I put it further back on the ledge.' + +'It is not there that my soul is,' answered he, 'it is on the +threshold. But it is time the horses were fed;' and he fetched +the hay, and gave it to them, and they bit and kicked him as +before, till he lay half dead on the ground. + +Next morning he rose and went out, and the queen ran to the +threshold of the cave, and washed the stones, and pulled up some +moss and little flowers that were hidden in the crannies, and by +and bye when dusk had fallen the giant came home. + +'You have been cleaning the threshold,' said he. + +'And was I not right to do it, seeing that your soul is in it?' +asked the queen. + +'It is not there that my soul is,' answered the giant. 'Under the +threshold is a stone, and under the stone is a sheep, and in the +sheep's body is a duck, and in the duck is an egg, and in the egg +is my soul. But it is late, and I must feed the horses;' and he +brought them the hay, but they only bit and kicked him as before, +and if his soul had been within him, they would have killed him +outright. + +It was still dark when the giant got up and went his way, and +then the king and the queen ran forward to take up the threshold, +while the horses looked on. But sure enough! just as the giant +had said, underneath the threshold was the flagstone, and they +pulled and tugged till the stone gave way. Then something jumped +out so suddenly, that it nearly knocked them down, and as it fled +past, they saw it was a sheep. + +'If the slim yellow dog of the greenwood were only here, he would +soon have that sheep,' cried the king; and as he spoke, the slim +yellow dog appeared from the forest, with the sheep in his mouth. +With a blow from the king, the sheep fell dead, and they opened +its body, only to be blinded by a rush of wings as the duck flew +past. + +'If the hoary hawk of the rock were only here, he would soon have +that duck,' cried the king; and as he spoke the hoary hawk was +seen hovering above them, with the duck in his mouth. They cut +off the duck's head with a swing of the king's sword, and took +the egg out of its body, but in his triumph the king held it +carelessly, and it slipped from his hand, and rolled swiftly down +the hill right into the river. + +'If the brown otter of the stream were only here, he would soon +have that egg,' cried the king; and the next minute there was the +brown otter, dripping with water, holding the egg in his mouth. +But beside the brown otter, a huge shadow came stealing along-- +the shadow of the giant. + +The king stood staring at it, as if he were turned into stone, +but the queen snatched the egg from the otter and crushed it +between her two hands. And after that the shadow suddenly shrank +and was still, and they knew that the giant was dead, because +they had found his soul. + +Next day they mounted the two horses and rode home again, +visiting their friends the brown otter and the hoary hawk and the +slim yellow dog by the way. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + + + + A French Puck + + + + +Among the mountain pastures and valleys that lie in the centre of +France there dwelt a mischievous kind of spirit, whose delight it +was to play tricks on everybody, and particularly on the +shepherds and the cowboys. They never knew when they were safe +from him, as he could change himself into a man, woman or child, +a stick, a goat, a ploughshare. Indeed, there was only one thing +whose shape he could not take, and that was a needle. At least, +he could transform himself into a needle, but try as he might he +never was able to imitate the hole, so every woman would have +found him out at once, and this he knew. + +Now the hour oftenest chosen by this naughty sprite (whom we will +call Puck) for performing his pranks was about midnight, just +when the shepherds and cowherds, tired out with their long day's +work, were sound asleep. Then he would go into the cowsheds and +unfasten the chains that fixed each beast in its own stall, and +let them fall with a heavy clang to the ground. The noise was so +loud that it was certain to awaken the cowboys, however fatigued +they might be, and they dragged themselves wearily to the stable +to put back the chains. But no sooner had they returned to their +beds than the same thing happened again, and so on till the +morning. Or perhaps Puck would spend his night in plaiting +together the manes and tails of two of the horses, so that it +would take the grooms hours of labour to get them right in the +morning, while Puck, hidden among the hay in the loft, would peep +out to watch them, enjoying himself amazingly all the time. + +One evening more than eighty years ago a man named William was +passing along the bank of a stream when he noticed a sheep who +was bleating loudly. William thought it must have strayed from +the flock, and that he had better take it home with him till he +could discover its owner. So he went up to where it was standing, +and as it seemed so tired that it could hardly walk, he hoisted +it on his shoulders and continued on his way. The sheep was +pretty heavy, but the good man was merciful and staggered along +as best he could under his load. + +'It is not much further,' he thought to himself as he reached an +avenue of walnut trees, when suddenly a voice spoke out from over +his head, and made him jump. + +'Where are you?' said the voice, and the sheep answered: + +'Here on the shoulders of a donkey.' + +In another moment the sheep was standing on the ground and +William was running towards home as fast as his legs would carry +him. But as he went, a laugh, which yet was something of a bleat, +rang in his ears, and though he tried not to hear, the words +reached him, 'Oh, dear! What fun I have had, to be sure!' + +Puck was careful not always to play his tricks in the same place, +but visited one village after another, so that everyone trembled +lest he should be the next victim. After a bit he grew tired of +cowboys and shepherds, and wondered if there was no one else to +give him some sport. At length he was told of a young couple who +were going to the nearest town to buy all that they needed for +setting up house. Quite certain that they would forget something +which they could not do without, Puck waited patiently till they +were jogging along in their cart on their return journey, and +changed himself into a fly in order to overhear their +conversation. + +For a long time it was very dull--all about their wedding day +next month, and who were to be invited. This led the bride to her +wedding dress, and she gave a little scream. + +'Just think! Oh! how could I be so stupid! I have forgotten to +buy the different coloured reels of cotton to match my clothes!' + +'Dear, dear!' exclaimed the young man. 'That is unlucky; and +didn't you tell me that the dressmaker was coming in to-morrow?' + +'Yes, I did,' and then suddenly she gave another little scream, +which had quite a different sound from the first. 'Look! Look!' + +The bridegroom looked, and on one side of the road he saw a large +ball of thread of all colours--of all the colours, that is, of +the dresses that were tied on to the back of the cart. + +'Well, that is a wonderful piece of good fortune,' cried he, as +he sprang out to get it. 'One would think a fairy had put it +there on purpose.' + +'Perhaps she has,' laughed the girl, and as she spoke she seemed +to hear an echo of her laughter coming from the horse, but of +course that was nonsense. + +The dressmaker was delighted with the thread that was given her. +It matched the stuffs so perfectly, and never tied itself in +knots, or broke perpetually, as most thread did. She finished her +work much quicker than she expected and the bride said she was to +be sure to come to the church and see her in her wedding dress. + +There was a great crowd assembled to witness the ceremony, for +the young people were immense favourites in the neighbourhood, +and their parents were very rich. The doors were open, and the +bride could be seen from afar, walking under the chestnut avenue. + +'What a beautiful girl!' exclaimed the men. 'What a lovely +dress!' whispered the women. But just as she entered the church +and took the hand of the bridegroom, who was waiting for her, a +loud noise was heard. + +'Crick! crack! Crick! crack!' and the wedding garments fell to +the ground, to the great confusion of the wearer. + +Not that the ceremony was put off for a little thing like that! +Cloaks in profusion were instantly offered to the young bride, +but she was so upset that she could hardly keep from tears. One +of the guests, more curious than the rest, stayed behind to +examine the dress, determined, if she could, to find out the +cause of the disaster. + +'The thread must have been rotten,' she said to herself. 'I will +see if I can break it.' But search as she would she could find +none. + +The thread had vanished! + +From 'Litterature Orale de l'Auvergne,' par Paul Sebillot. + + + + + + + The Three Crowns + + + + +There was once a king who had three daughters. The two eldest +were very proud and quarrelsome, but the youngest was as good as +they were bad. Well, three princes came to court them, and two of +them were exactly like the eldest ladies, and one was just as +lovable as the youngest. One day they were all walking down to a +lake that lay at the bottom of the lawn when they met a poor +beggar. The king wouldn't give him anything, and the eldest +princesses wouldn't give him anything, nor their sweethearts; but +the youngest daughter and her true love did give him something, +and kind words along with it, and that was better than all. + +When they got to the edge of the lake what did they find but the +beautifullest boat you ever saw in your life; and says the +eldest, 'I'll take a sail in this fine boat'; and says the second +eldest, 'I'll take a sail in this fine boat'; and says the +youngest, 'I won't take a sail in that fine boat, for I am afraid +it's an enchanted one.' But the others persuaded her to go in, +and her father was just going in after her, when up sprung on the +deck a little man only seven inches high, and ordered him to +stand back. Well, all the men put their hands to their swords; +and if the same swords were only playthings, they weren't able to +draw them, for all strength that was left their arms. Seven +Inches loosened the silver chain that fastened the boat, and +pushed away, and after grinning at the four men, says he to them. +'Bid your daughters and your brides farewell for awhile. You,' +says he to the youngest, 'needn't fear, you'll recover your +princess all in good time, and you and she will be as happy as +the day is long. Bad people, if they were rolling stark naked in +gold, would not be rich. Good-bye.' Away they sailed, and the +ladies stretched out their hands, but weren't able to say a word. + +Well, they weren't crossing the lake while a cat 'ud be lickin' +her ear, and the poor men couldn't stir hand or foot to follow +them. They saw Seven Inches handing the three princesses out of +the boat, and letting them down by a basket into a draw-well, but +king nor princes ever saw an opening before in the same place. +When the last lady was out of sight, the men found the strength +in their arms and legs again. Round the lake they ran, and never +drew rein till they came to the well and windlass; and there was +the silk rope rolled on the axle, and the nice white basket +hanging to it. 'Let me down,' says the youngest prince. 'I'll die +or recover them again.' 'No,' says the second daughter's +sweetheart, 'it is my turn first.' And says the other, 'I am the +eldest.' So they gave way to him, and in he got into the basket, +and down they let him. First they lost sight of him, and then, +after winding off a hundred perches of the silk rope, it +slackened, and they stopped turning. They waited two hours, and +then they went to dinner, because there was no pull made at the +rope. + +Guards were set till next morning, and then down went the second +prince, and sure enough, the youngest of all got himself let down +on the third day. He went down perches and perches, while it was +as dark about him as if he was in a big pot with a cover on. At +last he saw a glimmer far down, and in a short time he felt the +ground. Out he came from the big lime-kiln, and, lo! and behold +you, there was a wood, and green fields, and a castle in a lawn, +and a bright sky over all. 'It's in Tir-na-n-Oge I am,' says he. +'Let's see what sort of people are in the castle.' On he walked, +across fields and lawn, and no one was there to keep him out or +let him into the castle; but the big hall-door was wide open. He +went from one fine room to another that was finer, and at last he +reached the handsomest of all, with a table in the middle. And +such a dinner as was laid upon it! The prince was hungry enough, +but he was too mannerly to eat without being invited. So he sat +by the fire, and he did not wait long till he heard steps, and in +came Seven Inches with the youngest sister by the hand. Well, +prince and princess flew into one another's arms, and says the +little man, says he, 'Why aren't you eating?' 'I think, sir,' +says the prince, 'it was only good manner to wait to be asked.' +'The other princes didn't think so,' says he. 'Each o' them fell +to without leave, and only gave me the rough words when I told +them they were making more free than welcome. Well, I don't think +they feel much hunger now. There they are, good marble instead of +flesh and blood,' says he, pointing to two statues, one in one +corner, and the other in the other corner of the room. The prince +was frightened, but he was afraid to say anything, and Seven +Inches made him sit down to dinner between himself and his bride; +and he'd be as happy as the day is long, only for the sight of +the stone men in the corner. Well, that day went by, and when the +next came, says Seven Inches to him, 'Now, you'll have to set out +that way,' pointing to the sun, 'and you'll find the second +princess in a giant's castle this evening, when you'll be tired +and hungry, and the eldest princess to-morrow evening; and you +may as well bring them here with you. You need not ask leave of +their masters; and perhaps if they ever get home, they'll look on +poor people as if they were flesh and blood like themselves.' + +Away went the prince, and bedad! it's tired and hungry he was +when he reached the first castle, at sunset. Oh, wasn't the +second princess glad to see him! And what a good supper she gave +him. But she heard the giant at the gate, and she hid the prince +in a closet. Well, when he came in, he snuffed, an' he snuffed, +and says he, 'By the life, I smell fresh meat.' 'Oh,' says the +princess, 'it's only the calf I got killed to-day.' 'Ay, ay,' +says he, 'is supper ready?' 'It is,' says she; and before he rose +from the table he ate three-quarters of a calf, and a flask of +wine. 'I think,' says he, when all was done, 'I smell fresh meat +still.' 'It's sleepy you are,' says she; 'go to bed.' 'When will +you marry me?' says the giant. 'You're putting me off too long.' +'St. Tibb's Eve,' says she. 'I wish I knew how far off that is,' +says he; and he fell asleep, with his head in the dish. + +Next day, he went out after breakfast, and she sent the prince to +the castle where the eldest sister was. The same thing happened +there; but when the giant was snoring, the princess wakened up +the prince, and they saddled two steeds in the stables and rode +into the field on them. But the horses' heels struck the stones +outside the gate, and up got the giant and strode after them. He +roared and he shouted, and the more he shouted, the faster ran +the horses, and just as the day was breaking he was only twenty +perches behind. But the prince didn't leave the castle of Seven +Inches without being provided with something good. He reined in +his steed, and flung a short, sharp knife over his shoulder, and +up sprung a thick wood between the giant and themselves. They +caught the wind that blew before them, and the wind that blew +behind them did not catch them. At last they were near the castle +where the other sister lived; and there she was, waiting for them +under a high hedge, and a fine steed under her. + +But the giant was now in sight, roaring like a hundred lions, and +the other giant was out in a moment, and the chase kept on. For +every two springs the horses gave, the giants gave three, and at +last they were only seventy perches off. Then the prince stopped +again, and flung the second knife behind him. Down went all the +flat field, till there was a quarry between them a quarter of a +mile deep, and the bottom filled with black water; and before the +giants could get round it, the prince and princesses were inside +the kingdom of the great magician, where the high thorny hedge +opened of itself to everyone that he chose to let in. There was +joy enough between the three sisters, till the two eldest saw +their lovers turned into stone. But while they were shedding +tears for them, Seven Inches came in, and touched them with his +rod. So they were flesh, and blood, and life once more, and there +was great hugging and kissing, and all sat down to breakfast, and +Seven Inches sat at the head of the table. + +When breakfast was over, he took them into another room, where +there was nothing but heaps of gold, and silver, and diamonds, +and silks, and satins; and on a table there was lying three sets +of crowns: a gold crown was in a silver crown, and that was lying +in a copper crown. He took up one set of crowns, and gave it to +the eldest princess; and another set, and gave it to the second +youngest princess; and another, and gave it to the youngest of +all; and says he, 'Now you may all go to the bottom of the pit, +and you have nothing to do but stir the basket, and the people +that are watching above will draw you up. But remember, ladies, +you are to keep your crows safe, and be married in them, all the +same day. If you be married separately, or if you be married +without your crowns, a curse will follow--mind what I say.' + +So they took leave of him with great respect, and walked arm-in- +arm to the bottom of the draw-well. There was a sky and a sun +over them, and a great high wall, covered with ivy, rose before +them, and was so high they could not see to the top of it; and +there was an arch in this wall, and the bottom of the draw-well +was inside the arch. The youngest pair went last; and says the +princess to the prince, 'I'm sure the two princes don't mean any +good to you. Keep these crowns under your cloak, and if you are +obliged to stay last, don't get into the basket, but put a big +stone, or any heavy thing inside, and see what will happen.' + +As soon as they were inside the dark cave, they put in the eldest +princess first, and stirred the basket, and up she went. Then the +basket was let down again, and up went the second princess, and +then up went the youngest; but first she put her arms round her +prince's neck, and kissed him, and cried a little. At last it +came to the turn of the youngest prince, and instead of going +into the basket he put in a big stone. He drew on one side and +listened, and after the basket was drawn up about twenty perches, +down came it and the stone like thunder, and the stone was broken +into little bits. + +Well, the poor prince had nothing for it but to walk back to the +castle; and through it and round it he walked, and the finest of +eating and drinking he got, and a bed of bog-down to sleep on, +and long walks he took through gardens and lawns, but not a sight +could he get, high or low, of Seven Inches. He, before a week, +got tired of it, he was so lonesome for his true love; and at the +end of a month he didn't know what to do with himself. + +One morning he went into the treasure room, and took notice of a +beautiful snuff-box on the table that he didn't remember seeing +there before. He took it in his hands and opened it, and out +Seven Inches walked on the table. 'I think, prince,' says he, +'you're getting a little tired of my castle?' 'Ah!' says the +other, 'if I had my princess here, and could see you now and +then, I'd never know a dismal day.' 'Well, you're long enough +here now, and you're wanted there above. Keep your bride's crowns +safe, and whenever you want my help, open this snuff-box. Now +take a walk down the garden, and come back when you're tired.' + +The prince was going down a gravel walk with a quickset hedge on +each side, and his eyes on the ground, and he was thinking of one +thing and another. At last he lifted his eyes, and there he was +outside of a smith's gate that he often passed before, about a +mile away from the palace of his betrothed princess. The clothes +he had on him were as ragged as you please, but he had his crowns +safe under his old cloak. + +Then the smith came out, and says he, 'It's a shame for a strong, +big fellow like you to be lazy, and so much work to be done. Are +you any good with hammer and tongs? Come in and bear a hand, an +I'll give you diet and lodging, and a few pence when you earn +them.' 'Never say't twice,' says the prince. 'I want nothing but +to be busy.' So he took the hammer, and pounded away at the red- +hot bar that the smith was turning on the anvil to make into a +set of horse-shoes. + +They hadn't been long at work when a tailor came in, and he sat +down and began to talk. 'You all heard how the two princess were +loth to be married till the youngest would be ready with her +crowns and her sweetheart. But after the windlass loosened +accidentally when they were pulling up her bridegroom that was to +be, there was no more sign of a well, or a rope, or a windlass, +than there is on the palm of your hand. So the princes that were +courting the eldest ladies wouldn't give peace or ease to their +lovers nor the king till they got consent to the marriage, and it +was to take place this morning. Myself went down out o' +curiousity, and to be sure I was delighted with the grand dresses +of the two brides, and the three crowns on their heads--gold, +silver, and copper, one inside the other. The youngest was +standing by mournful enough, and all was ready. The two +bridegrooms came in as proud and grand as you please, and up they +were walking to the altar rails, when the boards opened two yards +wide under their feet, and down they went among the dead men and +the coffins in the vaults. Oh, such shrieks as the ladies gave! +and such running and racing and peeping down as there was! but +the clerk soon opened the door of the vault, and up came the two +princes, their fine clothes covered an inch thick with cobwebs +and mould. + +So the king said they should put off the marriage. 'For,' says +he, 'I see there is no use in thinking of it till the youngest +gets her three crowns, and is married with the others. I'll give +my youngest daughter for a wife to whoever brings three crowns to +me like the others; and if he doesn't care to be married, some +other one will, and I'll make his fortune.' + +'I wish,' says the smith, 'I could do it; but I was looking at +the crowns after the princesses got home, and I don't think +there's a black or a white smith on the face of the earth that +could imitate them.' 'Faint heart never won fair lady,' says the +prince. 'Go to the palace and ask for a quarter of a pound of +gold, a quarter of a pound of silver, and a quarter of a pound of +copper. Get one crown for a pattern, and my head for a pledge, +I'll give you out the very things that are wanted in the +morning.' 'Are you in earnest?' says the smith. 'Faith, I am so,' +says he. 'Go! you can't do worse than lose.' + +To make a long story short, the smith got the quarter of a pound +of gold, and the quarter of a pound of silver, and the quarter of +a pound of copper, and gave them and the pattern crown to the +prince. He shut the forge door at nightfall, and the neighbours +all gathered in the yard, and they heard him hammering, +hammering, hammering, from that to daybreak; and every now and +then he'd throw out through the window bits of gold, silver, and +copper; and the idlers scrambled for them, and cursed one +another, and prayed for the good luck of the workman. + +Well, just as the sun was thinking to rise, he opened the door, +and brought out the three crowns he got from his true love, and +such shouting and huzzaing as there was! The smith asked him to +go along with him to the palace, but he refused; so off set the +smith, and the whole townland with him; and wasn't the king +rejoiced when he saw the crowns! 'Well,' says he to the smith, +'you're a married man. What's to be done?' 'Faith, your majesty, +I didn't make them crowns at all. It was a big fellow that took +service with me yesterday.' 'Well, daughter, will you marry the +fellow that made these crowns?' 'Let me see them first, father,' +said she; but when she examined them she knew them right well, +and guessed it was her true love that sent them. 'I will marry +the man that these crowns came from,' says she. + +'Well,' says the king to the elder of the two princes, 'go up to +the smith's forge, take my best coaches, and bring home the +bridegroom.' He did not like doing this, he was so proud, but he +could not refuse. When he came to the forge he saw the prince +standing at the door, and beckoned him over to the coach. 'Are +you the fellow,' says he, 'that made these crowns?' 'Yes,' says +the other. 'Then,' says he, 'maybe you'd give yourself a +brushing, and get into that coach; the king wants to see you. I +pity the princess.' The young prince got into the carriage, and +while they were on the way he opened the snuff-box, and out +walked Seven Inches, and stood on his thigh. 'Well,' says he, +'what trouble is on you now?' 'Master,' says the other, 'please +let me go back to my forge, and let this carriage be filled with +paving stones.' No sooner said than done. The prince was sitting +in his forge, and the horses wondered what was after happening to +the carriage. + +When they came into the palace yard, the king himself opened the +carriage door, for respect to his new son-in-law. As soon as he +turned the handle, a shower of small stones fell on his powdered +wig and his silk coat, and down he fell under them. There was +great fright and some laughter, and the king, after he wiped the +blood from his forehead, looked very cross at the eldest prince. +'My lord,' says he, 'I'm very sorry for this accident, but I'm +not to blame. I saw the young smith get into the carriage, and we +never stopped a minute since.' 'It's uncivil you were to him. +Go,' says he to the other prince, 'and bring the young smith +here, and be polite.' 'Never fear,' says he. + +But there's some people that couldn't be good-natured if they +tried, and not a bit civiller was the new messenger than the old, +and when the king opened the carriage door a second time, it's +shower of mud that came down on him. 'There's no use,' says he, +'going on this way. The fox never got a better messenger than +himself.' + +So he changed his clothes, and washed himself, and out he set to +the prince's forge and asked him to sit along with himself. The +prince begged to be allowed to sit in the other carriage, and +when they were half-way he opened his snuff-box. 'Master,' says +he, 'I'd wish to be dressed now according to my rank.' 'You shall +be that,' says Seven Inches. 'And now I'll bid you farewell. +Continue as good and kind as you always were; love your wife; and +that's all the advice I'll give you.' So Seven Inches vanished; +and when the carriage door was opened in the yard, out walks the +prince as fine as hands could make him, and the first thing he +did was to run over to his bride and embrace her. + +Every one was full of joy but the two other princes. There was +not much delay about the marriages, and they were all celebrated +on the one day. Soon after, the two elder couples went to their +own courts, but the youngest pair stayed with the old king, and +they were as happy as the happiest married couple you ever heard +of in a story. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + + + + The Story of a Very Bad Boy + + + + +Once upon a time there lived in a little village in the very +middle of France a widow and her only son, a boy about fifteen, +whose name was Antoine, though no one ever called him anything +but Toueno-Boueno. They were very poor indeed, and their hut +shook about their ears on windy nights, till they expected the +walls to fall in and crush them, but instead of going to work as +a boy of his age ought to do, Toueno-Boueno did nothing but +lounge along the street, his eyes fixed on the ground, seeing +nothing that went on round him. + +'You are very, very stupid, my dear child,' his mother would +sometimes say to him, and then she would add with a laugh, +'Certainly you will never catch a wolf by the tail.' + +One day the old woman bade Antoine go into the forest and collect +enough dry leaves to make beds for herself and him. Before he had +finished it began to rain heavily, so he hid himself in the +hollow trunk of a tree, where he was so dry and comfortable that +he soon fell fast asleep. By and by he was awakened by a noise +which sounded like a dog scratching at the door, and he suddenly +felt frightened, why he did not know. Very cautiously he raised +his head, and right above him he saw a big hairy animal, coming +down tail foremost. + +'It is the wolf that they talk so much about,' he said to +himself, and he made himself as small as he could and shrunk into +a corner. + +The wolf came down the inside of the tree, slowly, slowly; +Antoine felt turned to stone, so terrified was he, and hardly +dared to breathe. Suddenly an idea entered his mind, which he +thought might save him still. He remembered to have heard from +his mother that a wolf could neither bend his back nor turn his +head, so as to look behind him, and quick as lightning he +stretched up his hand, and seizing the wolf's tail, pulled it +towards him. + +Then he left the tree and dragged the animal to his mother's +house. + +'Mother, you have often declared that I was too stupid to catch a +wolf by the tail. Now see,' he cried triumphantly. + +'Well, well, wonders will never cease,' answered the good woman, +who took care to keep at a safe distance. 'But as you really have +got him, let us see if we can't put him to some use. Fetch the +skin of the ram which died last week out of the chest, and we +will sew the wolf up in it. He will make a splendid ram, and to- +morrow we will drive him to the fair and sell him.' + +Very likely the wolf, who was cunning and clever, may have +understood what she said, but he thought it best to give no sign, +and suffered the skin to be sewn upon him. + +'I can always get away if I choose,' thought he, 'it is better +not to be in a hurry;' so he remained quite still while the skin +was drawn over his head, which made him very hot and +uncomfortable, and resisted the temptation to snap off the +fingers or noses that were so close to his mouth. + +The fair was at its height next day when Toueno-Boueno arrived +with his wolf in ram's clothing. All the farmers crowded round +him, each offering a higher price than the last. Never had they +beheld such a beautiful beast, said they, and at last, after much +bargaining, he was handed over to three brothers for a good sum +of money. + +It happened that these three brothers owned large flocks of +sheep, though none so large and fine as the one they had just +bought. + +'My flock is the nearest,' observed the eldest brother; 'we will +leave him in the fold for the night, and to-morrow we will decide +which pastures will be best for him.' And the wolf grinned as he +listened, and held up his head a little higher than before. + +Early next morning the young farmer began to go his rounds, and +the sheep-fold was the first place he visited. To his horror, the +sheep were all stretched out dead before him, except one, which +the wolf had eaten, bones and all. Instantly the truth flashed +upon him. It was no ram that lay curled up in the corner +pretending to be asleep (for in reality he could bend back and +turn his head as much as he liked), but a wolf who was watching +him out of the corner of his eye, and might spring upon him at +any moment. So the farmer took no notice, and only thought that +here was a fine chance of revenging himself on his next brother +for a trick which he had played, and merely told him that the ram +would not eat the grass in that field, and it might be well to +drive him to the pasture by the river, where his own flock was +feeding. The second brother eagerly swallowed the bait, and that +evening the wolf was driven down to the field where the young man +kept the sheep which had been left him by his father. By the next +morning they also were all dead, but the second brother likewise +held his peace, and allowed the sheep which belonged to the +youngest to share the fate of the other two. Then they met and +confessed to each other their disasters, and resolved to take the +animal as fast as possible back to Toueno-Boueno, who should get +a sound thrashing. + +Antoine was sitting on a plum tree belonging to a neighbour, +eating the ripe fruit, when he saw the three young farmers coming +towards him. Swinging himself down, he flew home to the hut, +crying breathlessly, 'Mother, mother, the farmers are close by +with the wolf. They have found out all about it, and will +certainly kill me, and perhaps you too. But if you do as I tell +you, I may be able to save us both. Lie down on the floor, and +pretend to be dead, and be sure not to speak, whatever happens. + +Thus when the three brothers, each armed with a whip, entered the +hut a few seconds later, they found a woman extended on the +floor, and Toueno kneeling at her side, whistling loudly into her +ears. + +'What are you doing now, you rascal?' asked the eldest. + +'What am I doing? Oh, my poor friends, I am the most miserable +creature in the world! I have lost the best of mothers, and I +don't know what will become of me,' and he hid his face in his +hands and sobbed again. + +'But what are you whistling like that for?' + +'Well, it is the only chance. This whistle has been known to +bring the dead back to life, and I hoped--' here he buried his +face in his hands again, but peeping between his fingers he saw +that the brother had opened their six eyes as wide as saucers. + +'Look!' he suddenly exclaimed with a cry, 'Look! I am sure I felt +her body move! And now her nostrils are twitching. Ah! the +whistle has not lost its power after all,' and stooping down, +Toueno whistled more loudly than before, so that the old woman's +feet and hands showed signs of life, and she soon was able to +life her head. + +The farmers were so astonished at her restoration, that it was +some time before they could speak. At length the eldest turned to +the boy and said: + +'Now listen to me. There is no manner of doubt that you are a +young villain. You sold us a ram knowing full well that it was a +wolf, and we came here to-day to pay you out for it. But if you +will give us that whistle, we will pardon what you have done, and +will leave you alone.' + +'It is my only treasure, and I set great store by it,' answered +the boy, pretending to hesitate. 'But as you wish for it so much, +well, I suppose I can't refuse,' and he held out the whistle, +which the eldest brother put in his pocket. + +Armed with the precious whistle, the three brothers returned home +full of joy, and as they went the youngest said to the others, 'I +have such a good idea! Our wives are all lazy and grumbling, and +make our lives a burden. Let us give them a lesson, and kill them +as soon as we get in. Of course we can restore them to life at +once, but they will have had a rare fright.' + +'Ah, how clever you are,' answered the other two. 'Nobody else +would have thought of that.' + +So gaily the three husbands knocked down their three wives, who +fell dead to the ground. Then one by one the men tried the +whistle, and blew so loudly that it seemed as if their lungs +would burst, but the women lay stark and stiff and never moved an +eyelid. The husbands grew pale and cold, for they had never +dreamed of this, nor meant any harm, and after a while they +understood that their efforts were of no use, and that once more +the boy had tricked them. With stern faces they rose to their +feet, and taking a large sack they retraced their steps to the +hut. + +This time there was no escape. Toueno had been asleep, and only +opened his eyes as they entered. Without a word on either side +they thrust him into the sack, and tying up the mouth, the eldest +threw it over his shoulder. After that they all set out to the +river, where they intended to drown the boy. + +But the river was a long way off, and the day was very hot, and +Antoine was heavy, heavier than a whole sheaf of corn. They +carried him in turns, but even so they grew very tired and +thirsty, and when a little tavern came in sight on the roadside, +they thankfully flung the sack down on a bench and entered to +refresh themselves. They never noticed that a beggar was sitting +in the shade at the end of the bench, but Toueno's sharp ears +caught the sound of someone eating, and as soon as the farmers +had gone into the inn he began to groan softly. + +'What is the matter?' asked the beggar, drawing a little nearer. +'Why have they shut you up, poor boy?' + +'Because they wanted to make me a bishop, and I would not +consent,' answered Toueno. + +'Dear me,' exclaimed the beggar, 'yet it isn't such a bad thing +to be a bishop.' + +'I don't say it is,' replied the young rascal, 'but I should +never like it. However, if you have any fancy for wearing a +mitre, you need only untie the sack, and take my place.' + +'I should like nothing better,' said the man, as he stooped to +undo the big knot. + +So it was the beggar and not Toueno-Boueno who was flung into the +water. + +The next morning the three wives were buried, and on returning +from the cemetery, their husbands met Toueno-Boueno driving a +magnificent flock of sheep. At the sight of him the three farmers +stood still with astonishment. + +'What! you scoundrel!' they cried at last, 'we drowned you +yesterday, and to-day we find you again, as well as ever!' + +'It does seem odd, doesn't it?' answered he. 'But perhaps you +don't know that beneath this world there lies another yet more +beautiful and far, far richer. Well, it was there that you sent +me when you flung me into the river, and though I felt a little +strange at first, yet I soon began to look about me, and to see +what was happening. There I noticed that close to the place where +I had fallen, a sheep fair was being held, and a bystander told +me that every day horses or cattle were sold somewhere in the +town. If I had only had the luck to be thrown into the river on +the side of the horse fair I might have made my fortune! As it +was, I had to content myself with buying these sheep, which you +can get for nothing.' + +'And do you know exactly the spot in the river which lies over +the horse fair?' + +'As if I did not know it, when I have seen it with my own eyes.' + +'Then if you do not want us to avenge our dead flocks and our +murdered wives, you will have to throw us into the river just +over the place of the horse fair.' + +'Very well; only you must get three sacks and come with me to +that rock which juts into the river. I will throw you in from +there, and you will fall nearly on to the horses' backs.' + +So he threw them in, and as they were never seen again, no one +ever knew into which fair they had fallen. + +From 'Litterature Orale de L'Auvergne,' par Paul Sebillot. + + + + + + + + The Brown Bear of Norway + + + + +There was once a king in Ireland, and he had three daughters, and +very nice princesses they were. And one day, when they and their +father were walking on the lawn, the king began to joke with +them, and to ask them whom they would like to be married to. +'I'll have the king of Ulster for a husband,' says one; 'and I'll +have the king of Munster,' says another; 'and,' says the +youngest, 'I'll have no husband but the Brown Bear of Norway.' +For a nurse of hers used to be telling her of an enchanted prince +that she called by that name, and she fell in love with him, and +his name was the first name on her tongue, for the very night +before she was dreaming of him. Well, one laughed, and another +laughed, and they joked with the princess all the rest of the +evening. But that very night she woke up out of her sleep in a +great hall that was lighted up with a thousand lamps; the richest +carpets were on the floor, and the walls were covered with cloth +of gold and silver, and the place was full of grand company, and +the very beautiful prince she saw in her dreams was there, and it +wasn't a moment till he was on one knee before her, and telling +her how much he loved her, and asking her wouldn't she be his +queen. Well, she hadn't the heart to refuse him, and married they +were the same evening. + +'Now, my darling,' says he, when they were left by themselves, +'you must know that I am under enchantment. A sorceress, that had +a beautiful daughter, wished me for her son-in-law; but the +mother got power over me, and when I refused to wed her daughter +she made me take the form of a bear by day, and I was to continue +so till a lady would marry me of her own free will, and endure +five years of great trials after.' + +Well, when the princess woke in the morning, she missed her +husband from her side, and spent the day very sadly. But as soon +as the lamps were lighted in the grand hall, where she was +sitting on a sofa covered with silk, the folding doors flew open, +and he was sitting by her side the next minute. So they spent +another happy evening, but he warned her that whenever she began +to tire of him, or ceased to have faith in him, they would be +parted for ever, and he'd be obliged to marry the witch's +daughter. + +She got used to find him absent by day, and they spent a happy +twelvemonth together, and at last a beautiful little boy was +born; and happy as she was before, she was twice as happy now, +for she had her child to keep her company in the day when she +couldn't see her husband. + +At last, one evening, when herself, and himself, and her child +were sitting with a window open because it was a sultry night, in +flew an eagle, took the infant's sash in his beak, and flew up in +the air with him. She screamed, and was going to throw herself +out the window after him, but the prince caught her, and looked +at her very seriously. She bethought of what he said soon after +their marriage, and she stopped the cries and complaints that +were on her tongue. She spent her days very lonely for another +twelvemonth, when a beautiful little girl was sent to her. Then +she thought to herself she'd have a sharp eye about her this +time; so she never would allow a window to be more than a few +inches open. + +But all her care was in vain. Another evening, when they were all +so happy, and the prince dandling the baby, a beautiful greyhound +stood before them, took the child out of the father's hand, and +was out of the door before you could wink. This time she shouted +and ran out of the room, but there were some of the servants in +the next room, and all declared that neither child nor dog passed +out. She felt, somehow, as if it was her husband's fault, but +still she kept command over herself, and didn't once reproach +him. + +When the third child was born she would hardly allow a window or +a door to be left open for a moment; but she wasn't the nearer to +keep the child to herself. They were sitting one evening by the +fire, when a lady appeared standing by them. The princess opened +her eyes in a great fright and stared at her, and while she was +doing so, the lady wrapped a shawl round the baby that was +sitting in its father's lap, and either sank through the ground +with it or went up through the wide chimney. This time the mother +kept her bed for a month. + +'My dear,' said she to her husband, when she was beginning to +recover, 'I think I'd feel better if I was to see my father and +mother and sisters once more. If you give me leave to go home for +a few days I'd be glad.' 'Very well,' said he, 'I will do that, +and whenever you feel inclined to return, only mention your wish +when you lie down at night.' The next morning when she awoke she +found herself in her own old chamber in her father's palace. She +rang the bell, and in a short time she had her mother and father +and married sisters about her, and they laughed till they cried +for joy at finding her safe back again. + +In time she told them all that had happened to her, and they +didn't know what to advise her to do. She was as fond of her +husband as ever, and said she was sure that he couldn't help +letting the children go; but still she was afraid beyond the +world to have another child torn from her. Well, the mother and +sisters consulted a wise woman that used to bring eggs to the +castle, for they had great faith in her wisdom. She said the only +plan was to secure the bear's skin that the prince was obliged to +put on every morning, and get it burned, and then he couldn't +help being a man night and day, and the enchantment would be at +an end. + +So they all persuaded her to do that, and she promised she would; +and after eight days she felt so great a longing to see her +husband again that she made the wish the same night, and when she +woke three hours after, she was in her husband's palace, and he +himself was watching over her. There was great joy on both sides, +and they were happy for many days. + +Now she began to think how she never minded her husband leaving +her in the morning, and how she never found him neglecting to +give her a sweet drink out of a gold cup just as she was going to +bed. + +One night she contrived not to drink any of it, though she +pretended to do so; and she was wakeful enough in the morning, +and saw her husband passing out through a panel in the wainscot, +though she kept her eyelids nearly closed. The next night she got +a few drops of the sleepy posset that she saved the evening +before put into her husband's night drink, and that made him +sleep sound enough. She got up after midnight, passed through the +panel, and found a Beautiful brown bear's hide hanging in the +corner. Then she stole back, and went down to the parlour fire, +and put the hide into the middle of it till it was all fine +ashes. She then lay down by her husband, gave him a kiss on the +cheek, and fell asleep. + +If she was to live a hundred years she'd never forget how she +wakened next morning, and found her husband looking down on her +with misery and anger in his face. 'Unhappy woman,' said he, 'you +have separated us for ever! Why hadn't you patience for five +years? I am now obliged, whether I like or no, to go a three +days' journey to the witch's castle, and marry her daughter. The +skin that was my guard you have burned it, and the egg-wife that +gave you the counsel was the witch herself. I won't reproach you: +your punishment will be severe without it. Farewell for ever!' + +He kissed her for the last time, and was off the next minute, +walking as fast as he could. She shouted after him, and then +seeing there was no use, she dressed herself and pursued him. He +never stopped, nor stayed, nor looked back, and still she kept +him in sight; and when he was on the hill she was in the hollow, +and when he was in the hollow she was on the hill. Her life was +almost leaving her, when, just as the sun was setting, he turned +up a lane, and went into a little house. She crawled up after +him, and when she got inside there was a beautiful little boy on +his knees, and he kissing and hugging him. 'Here, my poor +darling,' says he, 'is your eldest child, and there,' says he, +pointing to a woman that was looking on with a smile on her face, +'is the eagle that carried him away.' She forgot all her sorrows +in a moment, hugging her child, and laughing and crying over him. +The woman washed their feet, and rubbed them with an ointment +that took all the soreness out of their bones, and made them as +fresh as a daisy. Next morning, just before sunrise, he was up, +and prepared to be off, 'Here,' said he to her, 'is a thing which +may be of use to you. It's a scissors, and whatever stuff you cut +with it will be turned into silk. The moment the sun rises, I'll +lose all memory of yourself and the children, but I'll get it at +sunset again. Farewell!' But he wasn't far gone till she was in +sight of him again, leaving her boy behind. It was the same to- +day as yesterday: their shadows went before them in the morning +and followed them in the evening. He never stopped, and she never +stopped, and as the sun was setting he turned up another lane, +and there they found their little daughter. It was all joy and +comfort again till morning, and then the third day's journey +commenced. + +But before he started he gave her a comb, and told her that +whenever she used it, pearls and diamonds would fall from her +hair. Still he had his memory from sunset to sunrise; but from +sunrise to sunset he travelled on under the charm, and never +threw his eye behind. This night they came to where the youngest +baby was, and the next morning, just before sunrise, the prince +spoke to her for the last time. 'Here, my poor wife,' said he, +'is a little hand-reel, with gold thread that has no end, and the +half of our marriage ring. If you ever get to my house, and put +your half-ring to mine, I shall recollect you. There is a wood +yonder, and the moment I enter it I shall forget everything that +ever happened between us, just as if I was born yesterday. +Farewell, dear wife and child, for ever!' Just then the sun rose, +and away he walked towards the wood. She saw it open before him +and close after him, and when she came up, she could no more get +in than she could break through a stone wall. She wrung her hands +and shed tears, but then she recollected herself, and cried out, +'Wood, I charge you by my three magic gifts, the scissors, the +comb, and the reel--to let me through'; and it opened, and she +went along a walk till she came in sight of a palace, and a lawn, +and a woodman's cottage on the edge of the wood where it came +nearest the palace. + +She went into the lodge, and asked the woodman and his wife to +take her into their service. They were not willing at first; but +she told them she would ask no wages, and would give them +diamonds, and pearls, and silk stuffs, and gold thread whenever +they wished for them, and then they agreed to let her stay. + +It wasn't long till she heard how a young prince, that was just +arrived, was living in the palace of the young mistress. He +seldom stirred abroad, and every one that saw him remarked how +silent and sorrowful he went about, like a person that was +searching for some lost thing. + +The servants and conceited folk at the big house began to take +notice of the beautiful young woman at the lodge, and to annoy +her with their impudence. The head footman was the most +troublesome, and at last she invited him to come and take tea +with her. Oh, how rejoiced he was, and how he bragged of it in +the servants' hall! Well, the evening came, and the footman +walked into the lodge, and was shown to her sitting-room; for the +lodge-keeper and his wife stood in great awe of her, and gave her +two nice rooms for herself. Well, he sat down as stiff as a +ramrod, and was talking in a grand style about the great doings +at the castle, while she was getting the tea and toast ready. +'Oh,' says she to him, 'would you put your hand out at the window +and cut me off a sprig or two of honeysuckle?' He got up in great +glee, and put out his hand and head; and said she, 'By the virtue +of my magic gifts, let a pair of horns spring out of your head, +and sing to the lodge.' Just as she wished, so it was. They +sprung from the front of each ear, and met at the back. Oh, the +poor wretch! And how he bawled and roared! and the servants that +he used to be boasting to were soon flocking from the castle, and +grinning, and huzzaing, and beating tunes on tongs and shovels +and pans; and he cursing and swearing, and the eyes ready to +start out of his head, and he so black in the face, and kicking +out his legs behind him like mad. + +At last she pitied him, and removed the charm, and the horns +dropped down on the ground, and he would have killed her on the +spot, only he was as weak as water, and his fellow-servants came +in and carried him up to the big house. Well, some way or other +the story came to the ears of the prince, and he strolled down +that way. She had only the dress of a countrywoman on her as she +sat sewing at the window, but that did not hide her beauty, and +he was greatly puzzled after he had a good look, just as a body +is puzzled to know whether something happened to him when he was +young or if he only dreamed it. Well, the witch's daughter heard +about it too, and she came to see the strange girl; and what did +she find her doing but cutting out the pattern of a gown from +brown paper; and as she cut away, the paper became the richest +silk she ever saw. The witch's daughter looked on with greedy +eyes, and, says she, 'What would you be satisfied to take for +that scissors?' 'I'll take nothing,' says she, 'but leave to +spend one night outside the prince's chamber.' Well, the proud +lady fired up, and was going to say something dreadful; but the +scissors kept on cutting, and the silk growing richer and richer +every inch. So she promised what the girl had asked her. + +When night came on she was let into the palace and lay down till +the prince was in such a dead sleep that all she did couldn't +awake him. She sung this verse to him, sighing and sobbing, and +kept singing it the night long, and it was all in vain: + +Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore +to thee; Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + +At the first dawn the proud lady was in the chamber, and led her +away, and the footman of the horns put out his tongue at her as +she was quitting the palace. + +So there was no luck so far; but the next day the prince passed +by again and looked at her, and saluted her kindly, as a prince +might a farmer's daughter, and passed one; and soon the witch's +daughter passed by, and found her combing her hair, and pearls +and diamonds dropping from it. + +Well, another bargain was made, and the princess spent another +night of sorrow, and she left the castle at daybreak, and the +footman was at his post and enjoyed his revenge. + +The third day the prince went by, and stopped to talk with the +strange woman. He asked her could he do anything to serve her, +and she said he might. She asked him did he ever wake at night. +He said that he often did, but that during the last two nights he +was listening to a sweet song in his dreams, and could not wake, +and that the voice was one that he must have known and loved in +some other world long ago. Says she, 'Did you drink any sleepy +posset either of these evenings before you went to bed?' 'I did,' +said he. 'The two evenings my wife gave me something to drink, +but I don't know whether it was a sleepy posset or not.' 'Well, +prince,' said she, 'as you say you would wish to oblige me, you +can do it by not tasting any drink to-night.' 'I will not,' says +he, and then he went on his walk. + +Well, the great lady came soon after the prince, and found the +stranger using her hand-reel and winding threads of gold off it, +and the third bargain was made. + +That evening the prince was lying on his bed at twilight, and his +mind much disturbed; and the door opened, and in his princess +walked, and down she sat by his bedside and sung: + +Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore +to thee; Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + +'Brown Bear of Norway !' said he. 'I don't understand you.' +'Don't you remember, prince, that I was your wedded wife for four +years?' 'I do not,' said he, 'but I'm sure I wish it was so.' +'Don't you remember our three babes that are still alive?' 'Show +me them. My mind is all a heap of confusion.' 'Look for the half +of our marriage ring, that hangs at your neck, and fit it to +this.' He did so, and the same moment the charm was broken. His +full memory came back on him, and he flung his arms round his +wife's neck, and both burst into tears. + +Well, there was a great cry outside, and the castle walls were +heard splitting and cracking. Everyone in the castle was alarmed, +and made their way out. The prince and princess went with the +rest, and by the time all were safe on the lawn, down came the +building, and made the ground tremble for miles round. No one +ever saw the witch and her daughter afterwards. It was not long +till the prince and princess had their children with them, and +then they set out for their own palace. The kings of Ireland and +of Munster and Ulster, and their wives, soon came to visit them, +and may every one that deserves it be as happy as the Brown Bear +of Norway and his family. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + + + + Little Lasse + + + + +There was once a little boy whose name was Lars, and because he +was so little he was called Little Lasse; he was a brave little +man, for he sailed round the world in a pea-shell boat. + +It was summer time, when the pea shells grew long and green in +the garden. Little Lasse crept into the pea bed where the pea +stalks rose high above his cap, and he picked seventeen large +shells, the longest and straightest he could find. + +Little Lasse thought, perhaps, that no one saw him; but that was +foolish, for God sees everywhere. + +Then the gardener came with his gun over his shoulder, and he +heard something rustling in the pea bed. + +'I think that must be a sparrow,' he said. 'Ras! Ras!' but no +sparrows flew out, for Little Lasse had no wings, only two small +legs. 'Wait! I will load my gun and shoot the sparrows,' said the +gardener. + +Then Little Lasse was frightened, and crept out on to the path. + +'Forgive me, dear gardener!' he said. 'I wanted to get some fine +boats.' + +'Well, I will this time,' said the gardener. 'But another time +Little Lasse must ask leave to go and look for boats in the pea +bed.' + +'I will,' answered Lasse; and he went off to the shore. Then he +opened the shells with a pin, split them carefully in two, and +broke small little bits of sticks for the rowers' seats. Then he +took the peas which were in the shells and put them in the boats +for cargo. Some of the shells got broken, some remained whole, +and when all were ready Lasse had twelve boats. But they should +not be boats, they should be large warships. He had three liners, +three frigates, three brigs and three schooners. The largest +liner was called Hercules, and the smallest schooner The Flea. +Little Lasse put all the twelve into the water, and they floated +as splendidly and as proudly as any great ships over the waves of +the ocean. + +And now the ships must sail round the world. The great island +over there was Asia; that large stone Africa; the little island +America; the small stones were Polynesia; and the shore from +which the ships sailed out was Europe. The whole fleet set off +and sailed far away to other parts of the world. The ships of the +line steered a straight course to Asia, the frigates sailed to +Africa, the brigs to America, and the schooners to Polynesia. But +Little Lasse remained in Europe, and threw small stones out into +the great sea. + +Now, there was on the shore of Europe a real boat, father's own, +a beautiful white-painted boat, and Little Lasse got into it. +Father and mother had forbidden this, but Little Lasse forgot. He +thought he should very much like to travel to some other part of +the world. + +'I shall row out a little way--only a very little way,' he +thought. The pea-shell boats had travelled so far that they only +looked like little specks on the ocean. 'I shall seize Hercules +on the coast of Asia,' said Lasse, 'and then row home again to +Europe.' + +He shook the rope that held the boat, and, strange to say, the +rope became loose. Ditsch, ratsch, a man is a man, and so Little +Lasse manned the boat. + +Now he would row--and he could row, for he had rowed so often on +the step sat home, when the steps pretended to be a boat and +father's big stick an oar. But when Little Lasse wanted to row +there were no oars to be found in the boat. The oars were locked +up in the boat-house, and Little Lasse had not noticed that the +boat was empty. It is not so easy as one thinks to row to Asia +without oars. + +What could Little Lasse do now? The boat was already some +distance out on the sea, and the wind, which blew from land, was +driving it still further out. Lasse was frightened and began to +cry. But there was no one on the shore to hear him. Only a big +crow perched alone in the birch tree; and the gardener's black +cat sat under the birch tree, waiting to catch the crow. Neither +of them troubled themselves in the least about Little Lasse, who +was drifting out to sea. + +Ah! how sorry Little Lasse was now that he had been disobedient +and got into the boat, when father and mother had so often +forbidden him to do so! Now it was too late, he could not get +back to land. Perhaps he would be lost out on the great sea. What +should he do? + +When he had shouted until he was tired and no one heard him, he +put his two little hands together and said, 'Good God, do not be +angry with Little Lasse.' And then he went to sleep. For although +it was daylight, old Nukku Matti was sitting on the shores of the +'Land of Nod,' and was fishing for little children with his long +fishing rod. He heard the low words which Little Lasse said to +God, and he immediately drew the boat to himself and laid Little +Lasse to sleep on a bed of rose leaves. + +Then Nukku Matti said to one of the Dreams, 'Play with Little +Lasse, so that he does not feel lonesome.' + +It was a little dream-boy, so little, so little, that he was less +than Lasse himself; he had blue eyes and fair hair, a red cap +with a silver band, and white coat with pearls on the collar. He +came to Little Lasse and said, 'Would you like to sail round the +world?' + +'Yes,' said Lasse in his sleep, 'I should like to.' + +'Come, then,' said the dream-boy, 'and let us sail in your pea- +shell boats. You shall sail in Hercules and I shall sail in The +Flea.' + +So they sailed away from the 'Land of Nod,' and in a little while +Hercules and The Flea were on the shores of Asia away at the +other end of the world, where the Ice Sea flows through Behring +Straits into the Pacific Ocean. A long way off in the winter mist +they could see the explorer Nordenskiold with his ship Vega +trying to find an opening between the ice. It was so cold, so +cold; the great icebergs glittered strangely, and the huge whales +now lived under the ice, for they could not make a hole through +with their awkward heads. All around on the dreary shore there +was snow and snow as far as the eye could see; little grey men in +shaggy skins moved about, and drove in small sledges through the +snow drifts, but the sledges were drawn by dogs. + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy. + +'No,' said Little Lasse. 'I am so afraid that the whales would +swallow us up, and the big dogs bite us. Let us sail instead to +another part of the world.' + +'Very well,' said the dream-boy with the red cap and the silver +band; 'it is not far to America'--and at the same moment they +were there. + +The sun was shining and it was very warm. Tall palm trees grew in +long rows on the shore and bore coconuts in their top branches. +Men red as copper galloped over the immense green prairies and +shot their arrows at the buffaloes, who turned against them with +their sharp horns. An enormous cobra which had crept up the stem +of a tall palm tree threw itself on to a little llama that was +grazing at the foot. Knaps! it was all over the little llama. + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy. + +'No,' said Little Lasse. 'I am so afraid that the buffaloes will +butt us, and the great serpent eat us up. Let us travel to +another part of the world.' + +'Very well,' said the dream-boy with the white coat, 'it is only +a little way to Polynesia'--and then they were there. + +It was very warm there, as warm as in a hot bath in Finland. +Costly spices grew on the shores: the pepper plant, the cinnamon +tree, ginger, saffron; the coffee plant and the tea plant. Brown +people with long ears and thick lips, and hideously painted +faces, hunted a yellow-spotted tiger among the high bamboos on +the shore, and the tiger turned on them and stuck its claws into +one of the brown men. Then all the others took to flight. + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy. + +'No,' said Little Lasse. 'Don't you see the tiger away there by +the pepper plant? Let us travel to another part of the world.' + +'We can do so,' said the dream-boy with the blue eyes. 'We are +not far from Africa'--and as he said that they were there. + +They anchored at the mouth of a great river where the shores were +as green as the greenest velvet. A little distance from the river +an immense desert stretched away. The air was yellow; the sun +shone so hot, so hot as if it would burn the earth to ashes, and +the people were as black as the blackest jet. They rode across +the desert on tall camels; the lions roared with thirst, and the +great crocodiles with their grey lizard heads and sharp white +teeth gaped up out of the river. + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy. + +'No,' said Little Lasse. 'The sun would burn us, and the lions +and the crocodiles would eat us up. Let us travel to another part +of the world.' + +'We can travel back to Europe,' said the dream-boy with the fair +hair. And with that they were there. + +They came to a shore where it was all so cool and familiar and +friendly. There stood the tall birch tree with its drooping +leaves; at the top sat the old crow, and at its foot crept the +gardener's black cat. Not far away was a house which Little Lasse +had seen before; near the house there was a garden, and in the +garden a pea bed with long pea shells. An old gardener with a +green coat walked about and wondered if the cucumbers were ripe. +Fylax was barking on the steps, and when he saw Little Lasse he +wagged his tail. Old Stina was milking the cows in the farmyard, +and there was a very familiar lady in a check woollen shawl on +her way to the bleaching green to see if the clothes were +bleached. There was, too, a well-known gentleman in a yellow +summer coat, with a long pipe in his mouth; he was going to see +if the reapers had cut the rye. A boy and a girl were running on +the shore and calling out, 'Little Lasse! Come home for bread- +and-butter!' + +'Shall we land here?' asked the dream-boy, and he blinked his +blue eyes roguishly. + +'Come with me, and I shall ask mother to give you some bread-and- +butter and a glass of milk,' said Little Lasse. + +'Wait a little,' said the dream-boy. And now Little Lasse saw +that the kitchen door was open, and from within there was heard a +low, pleasant frizzling, like that which is heard when one whisks +yellow batter with a wooden ladle into a hot frying-pan. + +'Perhaps we should sail back to Polynesia now?' said the happy +dream-boy. + +'No; they are frying pancakes in Europe just now,' said Little +Lasse; and he wanted to jump ashore, but he could not. The dream- +boy had tied him with a chain of flowers, so that he could not +move. And now all the little dreams came about him, thousands and +thousands of little children, and they made a ring around him and +sang a little song: + + The world is very, very wide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + And though you've sailed beyond the tide, + You can never tell how wide + It is on the other side, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + You have found it cold and hot, + Little Lasse, Lasse; + But in no land is God not, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + Many men live there as here, + But they all to God are dear, + Little Lasse, Lasse. + When His angel is your guide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + Then no harm can e'er betide, + Even on the other side + Where the wild beasts wander. + But tell us now, + Whene'er you roam, + Do you not find the best is home + Of all the lands you've looked upon, + Lasse, Little Lasse? + +When the dreams had sung their song they skipped away, and Nukku +Matti carried Lasse back to the boat. He lay there for a long +time quite still, and he still heard the frying-pan frizzling at +home of the fire, the frizzling was very plain, Little Lasse +heard it quite near him; and so he woke up and rubbed his eyes. + +There he lay in the boat, where he had fallen asleep. The wind +had turned, and the boat had drifted out with one wind and +drifted in with another while Little Lasse slept, and what Lasse +thought was frizzling in a frying-pan was the low murmur of the +waves as they washed against the stones on the shore. But he was +not altogether wrong, for the clear blue sea is like a great pan +in which God's sun all day makes cakes for good children. + +Little Lasse rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked around +him. Everything was the same as before; the crow in the birch +tree, the cat on the grass, and the pea-shell fleet on the shore. +Some of the ships had foundered, and some had drifted back to +land. Hercules had come back with its cargo from Asia, The Flea +had arrived from Polynesia, and the other parts of the world were +just where they were before. + +Little Lasse did not know what to think. He had so often been in +that grotto in the 'Land of Nod' and did not know what tricks +dreams can play. But Little Lasse did not trouble his head with +such things; he gathered together his boats and walked up the +shore back to the house. + +His brother and sister ran to meet him, and called out from the +distance, 'Where have you been so long, Lasse? Come home and get +some bread-and-butter.' The kitchen door stood open, and inside +was heard a strange frizzling. + +The gardener was near the gate, watering the dill and parsley, +the carrots and parsnips. + +'Well,' he said, 'where has Little Lasse been so long?' + +Little Lasse straightened himself up stiff, and answered: 'I have +sailed round the world in a pea-shell boat.' + +'Oh!' said the gardener. + +He has forgotten Dreamland. But you have not forgotten it; you +know that it exists. You know the beautiful grotto and the bright +silver walls whose lustre never fades, the sparkling diamonds +which never grow dim, the music which never ceases its low, soft +murmur through the sweet evening twilight. The airy fairy fancies +of happy Dreamland never grow old; they, like the glorious stars +above us, are always young. Perhaps you have caught a glimpse of +their ethereal wings as they flew around your pillow. Perhaps you +have met the same dream-boy with the blue eyes and the fair hair, +the one who wore the red cap with the silver band and the white +coat with pearls on the collar. Perhaps he has taken you to see +all the countries of the world and the peoples, the cold waste +lands and the burning deserts, the many coloured men and the wild +creatures in the sea and in the woods, so that you may earn many +things, but come gladly home again. Yes, who knows? Perhaps you +also have sailed round the wide world once in a pea-shell boat. + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + + + + 'Moti' + + + + +Once upon a time there was a youth called Moti, who was very big +and strong, but the clumsiest creature you can imagine. So clumsy +was he that he was always putting his great feet into the bowls +of sweet milk or curds which his mother set out on the floor to +cool, always smashing, upsetting, breaking, until at last his +father said to him: + +'Here, Moti, are fifty silver pieces which are the savings of +years; take them and go and make your living or your fortune if +you can.' + +Then Moti started off one early spring morning with his thick +staff over his shoulder, singing gaily to himself as he walked +along. + +In one way and another he got along very well until a hot evening +when he came to a certain city where he entered the travellers' +'serai' or inn to pass the night. Now a serai, you must know, is +generally just a large square enclosed by a high wall with an +open colonnade along the inside all round to accommodate both men +and beasts, and with perhaps a few rooms in towers at the corners +for those who are too rich or too proud to care about sleeping by +their own camels and horses. Moti, of course, was a country lad +and had lived with cattle all his life, and he wasn't rich and he +wasn't proud, so he just borrowed a bed from the innkeeper, set +it down beside an old buffalo who reminded him of home, and in +five minutes was fast asleep. + +In the middle of the night he woke, feeling that he had been +disturbed, and putting his hand under his pillow found to his +horror that his bag of money had been stolen. He jumped up +quietly and began to prowl around to see whether anyone seemed to +be awake, but, though he managed to arouse a few men and beasts +by falling over them, he walked in the shadow of the archways +round the whole serai without coming across a likely thief. He +was just about to give it up when he overheard two men +whispering, and one laughed softly, and peering behind a pillar, +he saw two Afghan horsedealers counting out his bag of money! +Then Moti went back to bed! + +In the morning Moti followed the two Afghans outside the city to +the horsemarket in which they horses were offered for sale. +Choosing the best-looking horse amongst them he went up to it and +said: + +'Is this horse for sale? may I try it?' and, the merchants +assenting, he scrambled up on its back, dug in his heels, and off +they flew. Now Moti had never been on a horse in his life, and +had so much ado to hold on with both hands as well as with both +legs that the animal went just where it liked, and very soon +broke into a break-neck gallop and made straight back to the +serai where it had spent the last few nights. + +'This will do very well,' thought Moti as they whirled in at the +entrance. As soon as the horse had arrived at its table it +stopped of its own accord and Moti immediately rolled off; but he +jumped up at once, tied the beast up, and called for some +breakfast. Presently the Afghans appeared, out of breath and +furious, and claimed the horse. + +'What do you mean?' cried Moti, with his mouth full of rice, +'it's my horse; I paid you fifty pieces of silver for it--quite a +bargain, I'm sure!' + +'Nonsense! it is our horse,' answered one of the Afghans +beginning to untie the bridle. + +'Leave off,' shouted Moti, seizing his staff; 'if you don't let +my horse alone I'll crack your skulls! you thieves! I know you! +Last night you took my money, so to-day I took your horse; that's +fair enough!' + +Now the Afghans began to look a little uncomfortable, but Moti +seemed so determined to keep the horse that they resolved to +appeal to the law, so they went off and laid a complaint before +the king that Moti had stolen one of their horses and would not +give it up nor pay for it. + +Presently a soldier came to summon Moti to the king; and, when he +arrived and made his obeisance, the king began to question him as +to why he had galloped off with the horse in this fashion. But +Moti declared that he had got the animal in exchange for fifty +pieces of silver, whilst the horse merchants vowed that the money +they had on them was what they had received for the sale of other +horses; and in one way and another the dispute got so confusing +that the king (who really thought that Moti had stolen the horse) +said at last, 'Well, I tell you what I will do. I will lock +something into this box before me, and if he guesses what it is, +the horse is his, and if he doesn't then it is yours.' + +To this Moti agreed, and the king arose and went out alone by a +little door at the back of the Court, and presently came back +clasping something closely wrapped up in a cloth under his robe, +slipped it into the little box, locked the box, and set it up +where all might see. + +'Now,' said the king to Moti, 'guess!' + +It happened that when the king had opened the door behind him, +Moti noticed that there was a garden outside: without waiting for +the king's return he began to think what could be got out of the +garden small enough to be shut in the box. 'Is it likely to be a +fruit or a flower? No, not a flower this time, for he clasped it +too tight. Then it must be a fruit or a stone. Yet not a stone, +because he wouldn't wrap a dirty stone in his nice clean cloth. +Then it is a fruit! And a fruit without much scent, or else he +would be afraid that I might smell it. Now what fruit without +much scent is in season just now? When I know that I shall have +guessed the riddle!' + +As has been said before, Moti was a country lad, and was +accustomed to work in his father's garden. He knew all the common +fruits, so he thought he ought to be able to guess right; but so +as not to let it seem too easy, he gazed up at the ceiling with a +puzzled expression, and looked down at the floor with an air or +wisdom and his fingers pressed against his forehead, and then he +said, slowly, with his eyes on the king,-- + +'It is freshly plucked! It is round and it is red! It is a +pomegranate!' + +Now the king knew nothing about fruits except that they were good +to eat; and, as for seasons, he asked for whatever fruit he +wanted whenever he wanted it, and saw that he got it; so to him +Moti's guess was like a miracle, and clear proof not only of his +wisdom but of his innocence, for it was a pomegranate that he had +put into the box. Of course when the king marvelled and praised +Moti's wisdom, everybody else did so too; and, whilst the Afghans +went off crestfallen, Moti took the horse and entered the king's +service. + +Very soon after this, Moti, who continued to live in the serai, +came back one wet and stormy evening to find that his precious +horse had strayed. Nothing remained of him but a broken halter +cord, and no one knew what had become of him. After inquiring of +everyone who was likely to know, Moti seized the cord and his big +staff and sallied out to look for him. Away and away he tramped +out of the city and into the neighbouring forest, tracking hoof- +marks in the mud. Presently it grew late, but still Moti wandered +on until suddenly in the gathering darkness he came right upon a +tiger who was contentedly eating his horse. + +'You thief!' shrieked Moti, and ran up and, just as the tiger, in +astonishment, dropped a bone--whack! came Moti's staff on his +head with such good will that the beast was half stunned and +could hardly breathe or see. Then Moti continued to shower upon +him blows and abuse until the poor tiger could hardly stand, +whereupon his tormentor tied the end of the broken halter round +his neck and dragged him back to the serai. + +'If you had my horse,' he said, 'I will at least have you, that's +fair enough!' And he tied him up securely by the head and heels, +much as he used to tie the horse; then, the night being far gone, +he flung himself beside him and slept soundly. + +You cannot imagine anything like the fright of the people in the +serai, when they woke up and found a tiger--very battered but +still a tiger--securely tethered amongst themselves and their +beasts! Men gathered in groups talking and exclaiming, and +finding fault with the innkeeper for allowing such a dangerous +beast into the serai, and all the while the innkeeper was just as +troubled as the rest, and none dared go near the place where the +tiger stood blinking miserably on everyone, and where Moti lay +stretched out snoring like thunder. + +At last news reached the king that Moti had exchanged his horse +for a live tiger; and the monarch himself came down, half +disbelieving the tale, to see if it were really true. Someone at +last awaked Moti with the news that his royal master was come; +and he arose yawning, and was soon delightedly explaining and +showing off his new possession. The king, however, did not share +his pleasure at all, but called up a soldier to shoot the tiger, +much to the relief of all the inmates of the serai except Moti. +If the king, however, was before convinced that Moti was one of +the wisest of men, he was now still more convinced that he was +the bravest, and he increased his pay a hundredfold, so that our +hero thought that he was the luckiest of men. + +A week or two after this incident the king sent for Moti, who on +arrival found his master in despair. A neighbouring monarch, he +explained, who had many more soldiers than he, had declared war +against him, and he was at his wits' end, for he had neither +money to buy him off nor soldiers enough to fight him--what was +he to do? + +'If that is all, don't you trouble,' said Moti. 'Turn out your +men, and I'll go with them, and we'll soon bring this robber to +reason.' + +The king began to revive at these hopeful words, and took Moti +off to his stable where he bade him choose for himself any horse +he liked. There were plenty of fine horses in the stalls, but to +the king's astonishment Moti chose a poor little rat of a pony +that was used to carry grass and water for the rest of the +stable. + +'But why do you choose that beast?' said the king. + +'Well, you see, your majesty,' replied Moti, 'there are so many +chances that I may fall off, and if I choose one of your fine big +horses I shall have so far to fall that I shall probably break my +leg or my arm, if not my neck, but if I fall off this little +beast I can't hurt myself much.' + +A very comical sight was Moti when he rode out to the war. The +only weapon he carried was his staff, and to help him to keep his +balance on horseback he had tied to each of his ankles a big +stone that nearly touched the ground as he sat astride the little +pony. The rest of the king's cavalry were not very numerous, but +they pranced along in armour on fine horses. Behind them came a +great rabble of men on foot armed with all sorts of weapons, and +last of all was the king with his attendants, very nervous and +ill at ease. So the army started. + +They had not very far to go, but Moti's little pony, weighted +with a heavy man and two big rocks, soon began to lag behind the +cavalry, and would have lagged behind the infantry too, only they +were not very anxious to be too early in the fight, and hung back +so as to give Moti plenty of time. The young man jogged along +more and more slowly for some time, until at last, getting +impatient at the slowness of the pony, he gave him such a +tremendous thwack with his staff that the pony completely lost +his temper and bolted. First one stone became untied and rolled +away in a cloud of dust to one side of the road, whilst Moti +nearly rolled off too, but clasped his steed valiantly by its +ragged mane, and, dropping his staff, held on for dear life. +Then, fortunately the other rock broke away from his other leg +and rolled thunderously down a neighbouring ravine. Meanwhile the +advanced cavalry had barely time to draw to one side when Moti +came dashing by, yelling bloodthirsty threats to his pony: + +'You wait till I get hold of you! I'll skin you alive! I'll wring +your neck! I'll break every bone in your body!' The cavalry +thought that this dreadful language was meant for the enemy, and +were filled with admiration of his courage. Many of their horses +too were quite upset by this whirlwind that galloped howling +through their midst, and in a few minutes, after a little +plunging and rearing and kicking, the whole troop were following +on Moti's heels. + +Far in advance, Moti continued his wild career. Presently in his +course he came to a great field of castor-oil plants, ten or +twelve feet high, big and bushy, but quite green and soft. Hoping +to escape from the back of his fiery steed Moti grasped one in +passing, but its roots gave way, and he dashed on, with the whole +plant looking like a young tree flourishing in his grip. + +The enemy were in battle array, advancing over the plain, their +king with them confident and cheerful, when suddenly from the +front came a desperate rider at a furious gallop. + +'Sire!' he cried, 'save yourself! the enemy are coming!' + +'What do you mean?' said the king. + +'Oh, sire!' panted the messenger, 'fly at once, there is no time +to lose. Foremost of the enemy rides a mad giant at a furious +gallop. He flourishes a tree for a club and is wild with anger, +for as he goes he cries, "You wait till I get hold of you! I'll +skin you alive! I'll wring your neck! I'll break every bone in +your body!" Others ride behind, and you will do well to retire +before this whirlwind of destruction comes upon you.' + +Just then out of a cloud of dust in the distance the king saw +Moti approaching at a hard gallop, looking indeed like a giant +compared with the little beast he rode, whirling his castor-oil +plant, which in the distance might have been an oak tree, and the +sound of his revilings and shoutings came down upon the breeze! +Behind him the dust cloud moved to the sound of the thunder of +hoofs, whilst here and there flashed the glitter of steel. The +sight and the sound struck terror into the king, and, turning his +horse, he fled at top speed, thinking that a regiment of yelling +giants was upon him; and all his force followed him as fast as +they might go. One fat officer alone could not keep up on foot +with that mad rush, and as Moti came galloping up he flung +himself on the ground in abject fear. This was too much for +Moti's excited pony, who shied so suddenly that Moti went flying +over his head like a sky rocket, and alighted right on the top of +his fat foe. + +Quickly regaining his feet Moti began to swing his plant round +his head and to shout: + +'Where are your men? Bring them up and I'll kill them. My +regiments! Come on, the whole lot of you! Where's your king? +Bring him to me. Here are all my fine fellows coming up and we'll +each pull up a tree by the roots and lay you all flat and your +houses and towns and everything else! Come on!' + +But the poor fat officer could do nothing but squat on his knees +with his hands together, gasping. At last, when he got his +breath, Moti sent him off to bring his king, and to tell him that +if he was reasonable his life should be spared. Off the poor man +went, and by the time the troops of Moti's side had come up and +arranged themselves to look as formidable as possible, he +returned with his king. The latter was very humble and +apologetic, and promised never to make war any more, to pay a +large sum of money, and altogether do whatever his conqueror +wished. + +So the armies on both sides went rejoicing home, and this was +really the making of the fortune of clumsy Moti, who lived long +and contrived always to be looked up to as a fountain of wisdom, +valour, and discretion by all except his relations, who could +never understand what he had done to be considered so much wiser +than anyone else. + +A Pushto Story. + + + + + + + The Enchanted Deer + + + + +A young man was out walking one day in Erin, leading a stout +cart-horse by the bridle. He was thinking of his mother and how +poor they were since his father, who was a fisherman, had been +drowned at sea, and wondering what he should do to earn a living +for both of them. Suddenly a hand was laid on his shoulder, and a +voice said to him: + +'Will you sell me your horse, son of the fisherman?' and looking +up he beheld a man standing in the road with a gun in his hand, a +falcon on his shoulder, and a dog by his side. + +'What will you give me for my horse?' asked the youth. 'Will you +give me your gun, and your dog, and your falcon?' + +'I will give them,' answered the man, and he took the horse, and +the youth took the gun and the dog and the falcon, and went home +with them. But when his mother heard what he had done she was +very angry, and beat him with a stick which she had in her hand. + +'That will teach you to sell my property,' said she, when her arm +was quite tired, but Ian her son answered her nothing, and went +off to his bed, for he was very sore. + +That night he rose softly, and left the house carrying the gun +with him. 'I will not stay here to be beaten,' thought he, and he +walked and he walked and he walked, till it was day again, and he +was hungry and looked about him to see if he could get anything +to eat. Not very far off was a farm-house, so he went there, and +knocked at the door, and the farmer and his wife begged him to +come in, and share their breakfast. + +'Ah, you have a gun,' said the farmer as the young man placed it +in a corner. 'That is well, for a deer comes every evening to eat +my corn, and I cannot catch it. It is fortune that has sent you +to me.' + +'I will gladly remain and shoot the deer for you,' replied the +youth, and that night he hid himself and watched till the deer +came to the cornfield; then he lifted his gun to his shoulder and +was just going to pull the trigger, when, behold! instead of a +deer, a woman with long black hair was standing there. At this +sight his gun almost dropped from his hand in surprise, but as he +looked, there was the deer eating the corn again. And thrice this +happened, till the deer ran away over the moor, and the young man +after her. + +On they went, on and on and one, till they reached a cottage +which was thatched with heather. With a bound the deer sprang on +the roof, and lay down where none could see her, but as she did +so she called out, 'Go in, fisher's son, and eat and drink while +you may.' So he entered and found food and wine on the table, but +no man, for the house belonged to some robbers, who were still +away at their wicked business. + +After Ian, the fisher's son, had eaten all he wanted, he hid +himself behind a great cask, and very soon he heard a noise, as +of men coming through the heather, and the small twigs snapping +under their feet. From his dark corner he could see into the +room, and he counted four and twenty of them, all big, cross- +looking men. + +'Some one has been eating our dinner,' cried they, 'and there was +hardly enough for ourselves.' + +'It is the man who is lying under the cask,' answered the leader. +'Go and kill him, and then come and eat your food and sleep, for +we must be off betimes in the morning.' + +So four of them killed the fisher's son and left him, and then +went to bed. + +By sunrise they were all out of the house, for they had far to +go. And when they had disappeared the deer came off the roof, to +where the dead man lay, and she shook her head over him, and wax +fell from her ear, and he jumped up as well as ever. + +'Trust me and eat as you did before, and no harm shall happen to +you,' said she. So Ian ate and drank, and fell sound asleep under +the cask. In the evening the robbers arrived very tired, and +crosser than they had been yesterday, for their luck had turned +and they had brought back scarcely anything. + +'Someone has eaten our dinner again,' cried they. + +'It is the man under the barrel,' answered the captain. 'Let four +of you go and kill him, but first slay the other four who +pretended to kill him last night and didn't because he is still +alive.' + +Then Ian was killed a second time, and after the rest of the +robbers had eaten, they lay down and slept till morning. + +No sooner were their faces touched with the sun's rays than they +were up and off. Then the deer entered and dropped the healing +wax on the dead man, and he was as well as ever. By this time he +did not mind what befell him, so sure was he that the deer would +take care of him, and in the evening that which had happened +before happened again--the four robbers were put to death and the +fisher's son also, but because there was no food left for them to +eat, they were nearly mad with rage, and began to quarrel. From +quarrelling they went on to fighting, and fought so hard that by +and bye they were all stretched dead on the floor. + +Then the deer entered, and the fisher's son was restored to life, +and bidding him follow her, she ran on to a little white cottage +where dwelt an old woman and her son, who was thin and dark. + +'Here I must leave you,' said the deer, 'but to-morrow meet me at +midday in the church that is yonder.' And jumping across the +stream, she vanished into a wood. + +Next day he set out for the church, but the old woman of the +cottage had gone before him, and had stuck an enchanted stick +called 'the spike of hurt' in a crack of the door, so that he +would brush against it as he stepped across the threshold. +Suddenly he felt so sleepy that he could not stand up, and +throwing himself on the ground he sank into a deep slumber, not +knowing that the dark lad was watching him. Nothing could waken +him, not even the sound of sweetest music, nor the touch of a +lady who bent over him. A sad look came on her face, as she saw +it was no use, and at last she gave it up, and lifting his arm, +wrote her name across the side-- 'the daughter of the king of the +town under the waves.' + +'I will come to-morrow,' she whispered, though he could not hear +her, and she went sorrowfully away. + +Then he awoke, and the dark lad told him what had befallen him, +and he was very grieved. But the dark lad did not tell him of the +name that was written underneath his arm. + +On the following morning the fisher's son again went to the +church, determined that he would not go to sleep, whatever +happened. But in his hurry to enter he touched with his hand the +spike of hurt, and sank down where he stood, wrapped in slumber. +A second time the air was filled with music, and the lady came +in, stepping softly, but though she laid his head on her knee, +and combed his hair with a golden comb, his eyes opened not. Then +she burst into tears, and placing a beautifully wrought box in +his pocket she went her way. + +The next day the same thing befell the fisher's son, and this +time the lady wept more bitterly than before, for she said it was +the last chance, and she would never be allowed to come any more, +for home she must go. + +As soon as the lady had departed the fisher's son awoke, and the +dark lad told him of her visit, and how he would never see her as +long as he lived. At this the fisher's son felt the cold creeping +up to his heart, yet he knew the fault had not been his that +sleep had overtaken him. + +'I will search the whole world through till I find her,' cried +he, and the dark lad laughed as he heard him. But the fisher's +son took no heed, and off he went, following the sun day after +day, till his shoes were in holes and his feet were sore from the +journey. Nought did he see but the birds that made their nests in +the trees, not so much as a goat or a rabbit. On and on and on he +went, till suddenly he came upon a little house, with a woman +standing outside it. + +'All hail, fisher's son!' said she. 'I know what you are seeking; +enter in and rest and eat, and to-morrow I will give you what +help I can, and send you on your way.' + +Gladly did Ian the fisher's son accept her offer, and all that +day he rested, and the woman gave him ointment to put on his +feet, which healed his sores. At daybreak he got up, ready to be +gone, and the woman bade him farewell, saying: + +'I have a sister who dwells on the road which you must travel. It +is a long road, and it would take you a year and a day to reach +it, but put on these old brown shoes with holes all over them, +and you will be there before you know it. Then shake them off, +and turn their toes to the known, and their heels to the unknown, +and they will come home of themselves.' + +The fisher's son did as the woman told him, and everything +happened just as she had said. But at parting the second sister +said to him, as she gave him another pair of shoes: + +'Go to my third sister, for she has a son who is keeper of the +birds of the air, and sends them to sleep when night comes. He is +very wise, and perhaps he can help you.' + +Then the young man thanked her, and went to the third sister. + +The third sister was very kind, but had no counsel to give him, +so he ate and drank and waited till her son came home, after he +had sent all the birds to sleep. He thought a long while after +his mother had told him the young man's story, and at last he +said that he was hungry, and the cow must be killed, as he wanted +some supper. So the cow was killed and the meat cooked, and a bag +made of its red skin. + +'Now get into the bag,' bade the son, and the young man got in +and took his gun with him, but the dog and the falcon he left +outside. The keeper of the birds drew the string at the top of +the bag, and left it to finish his supper, when in flew an eagle +through the open door, and picked the bag up in her claws and +carried it through the air to an island. There was nothing to eat +on the island, and the fisher's son thought he would die of food, +when he remembered the box that the lady had put in his pocket. +He opened the lid, and three tiny little birds flew out, and +flapping their wings they asked, + +'Good master, is there anything we can do for thee?' + +'Bear me to the kingdom of the king under the waves,' he +answered, and one little bird flew on to his head, and the others +perched on each of his shoulders, and he shut his eyes, and in a +moment there he was in the country under the sea. Then the birds +flew away, and the young man looked about him, his heart beating +fast at the thought that here dwelt the lady whom he had sought +all the world over. + +He walked on through the streets, and presently he reached the +house of a weaver who was standing at his door, resting from his +work. + +'You are a stranger here, that is plain,' said the weaver, 'but +come in, and I will give you food and drink.' And the young man +was glad, for he knew not where to go, and they sat and talked +till it grew late. + +'Stay with me, I pray, for I love company and am lonely,' +observed the weaver at last, and he pointed to a bed in a corner, +where the fisher's son threw himself, and slept till dawn. + +'There is to be a horse-race in the town to-day,' remarked the +weaver, 'and the winner is to have the king's daughter to wife.' +The young man trembled with excitement at the news, and his voice +shook as he answered: + +'That will be a prize indeed, I should like to see the race.' + +'Oh, that is quite easy--anyone can go,' replied the weaver. 'I +would take you myself, but I have promised to weave this cloth +for the king.' + +'That is a pity,' returned the young man politely, but in his +heart he rejoiced, for he wished to be alone. + +Leaving the house, he entered a grove of trees which stood +behind, and took the box from his pocket. He raised the lid, and +out flew the three little birds. + +'Good master, what shall we do for thee?' asked they, and he +answered, 'Bring me the finest horse that ever was seen, and the +grandest dress, and glass shoes.' + +'They are here, master,' said the birds, and so they were, and +never had the young man seen anything so splendid. + +Mounting the horse he rode into the ground where the horses were +assembling for the great race, and took his place among them. +Many good beasts were there which had won many races, but the +horse of the fisher's son left them all behind, and he was first +at the winning post. The king's daughter waited for him in vain +to claim his prize, for he went back to the wood, and got off his +horse, and put on his old clothes, and bade the box place some +gold in his pockets. After that he went back to the weaver's +house, and told him that the gold had been given him by the man +who had won the race, and that the weaver might have it for his +kindness to him. + +Now as nobody had appeared to demand the hand of the princess, +the king ordered another race to be run, and the fisher's son +rode into the field still more splendidly dressed than he was +before, and easily distanced everybody else. But again he left +the prize unclaimed, and so it happened on the third day, when it +seemed as if all the people in the kingdom were gathered to see +the race, for they were filled with curiosity to know who the +winner could be. + +'If he will not come of his own free will, he must be brought,' +said the king, and the messengers who had seen the face of the +victor were sent to seek him in every street of the town. This +took many days, and when at last they found the young man in the +weaver's cottage, he was so dirty and ugly and had such a strange +appearance, that they declared he could not be the winner they +had been searching for, but a wicked robber who had murdered ever +so many people, but had always managed to escape. + +'Yes, it must be the robber,' said the king, when the fisher's +son was led into his presence; 'build a gallows at once and hang +him in the sight of all my subjects, that they may behold him +suffer the punishment of his crimes.' + +So the gallows was built upon a high platform, and the fisher's +son mounted the steps up to it, and turned at the top to make the +speech that was expected from every doomed man, innocent or +guilt. As he spoke he happened to raise his arm, and the king's +daughter, who was there at her father's side, saw the name which +she had written under it. With a shriek she sprang from her seat, +and the eyes of the spectators were turned towards her. + +'Stop! stop!' she cried, hardly knowing what she said. 'If that +man is hanged there is not a soul in the kingdom but shall die +also.' And running up to where the fisher's son was standing, she +took him by the hand, saying, + +'Father, this is no robber or murderer, but the victor in the +three races, and he loosed the spells that were laid upon me.' + +Then, without waiting for a reply, she conducted him into the +palace, and he bathed in a marble bath, and all the dirt that the +fairies had put upon him disappeared like magic, and when he had +dressed himself in the fine garments the princess had sent to +him, he looked a match for any king's daughter in Erin. He went +down into the great hall where she was awaiting him, and they had +much to tell each other but little time to tell it in, for the +king her father, and the princes who were visiting him, and all +the people of the kingdom were still in their places expecting +her return. + +'How did you find me out?' she whispered as they went down the +passage. + +'The birds in the box told me,' answered he, but he could say no +more, as they stepped out into the open space that was crowded +with people. There the princes stopped. + +'O kings!' she said, turning towards them, 'if one of you were +killed to-day, the rest would fly; but this man put his trust in +me, and had his head cut off three times. Because he has done +this, I will marry him rather than one of you, who have come +hither to wed me, for many kings here sought to free me from the +spells, but none could do it save Ian the fisher's son.' + +From 'Popular Tales of the West Highlands.' + + + + + + + A Fish Story + + + + +Perhaps you think that fishes were always fishes, and never lived +anywhere except in the water, but if you went to Australia and +talked to the black people in the sandy desert in the centre of +the country, you would learn something quite different. They +would tell you that long, long ago you would have met fishes on +the land, wandering from place to place, and hunting all sorts of +animals, and if you consider how fishes are made, you will +understand how difficult this must have been and how clever they +were to do it. Indeed, so clever were they that they might have +been hunting still if a terrible thing had not happened. + +One day the whole fish tribe came back very tired from a hunting +expedition, and looked about for a nice, cool spot in which to +pitch their camp. It was very hot, and they thought that they +could not find a more comfortable place than under the branches +of a large tree which grew by the bank of a river. So they made +their fire to cook some food, right on the edge of a steep bank, +which had a deep pool of water lying beneath it at the bottom. +While the food was cooking they all stretched themselves lazily +out under the tree, and were just dropping off to sleep when a +big black cloud which they had never noticed spread over the sun, +and heavy drops of rain began to fall, so that the fire was +almost put out, and that, you know, is a very serious thing in +savage countries where they have no matches, for it is very hard +to light it again. To make matters worse, an icy wind began to +blow, and the poor fishes were chilled right through their +bodies. + +'This will never do,' said Thuggai, the oldest of the fish tribe. +'We shall die of cold unless we can light the fire again,' and he +bade his sons rub two sticks together in the hope of kindling a +flame, but though they rubbed till they were tired, not a spark +could they produce. + +'Let me try,' cried Biernuga, the bony fish, but he had no better +luck, and no more had Kumbal, the bream, nor any of the rest. + +'It is no use,' exclaimed Thuggai, at last. 'The wood is too wet. +We must just sit and wait till the sun comes out again and dries +it.' Then a very little fish indeed, not more than four inches +long and the youngest of the tribe, bowed himself before Thuggai, +saying, 'Ask my father, Guddhu the cod, to light the fire. He is +skilled in magic more than most fishes.' So Thuggai asked him, +and Guddhu stripped some pieces of bark off a tree, and placed +them on top of the smouldering ashes. Then he knelt by the side +of the fire and blew at it for a long while, till slowly the +feeble red glow became a little stronger and the edges of the +bark showed signs of curling up. When the rest of the tribe saw +this they pressed close, keeping their backs towards the piercing +wind, but Guddhu told them they must go to the other side, as he +wanted the wind to fan his fire. By and by the spark grew into a +flame, and a merry crackling was heard. + +'More wood,' cried Guddhi, and they all ran and gathered wood and +heaped it on the flames, which leaped and roared and sputtered. + +'We shall soon be warm now,' said the people one to another. +'Truly Guddhu is great'; and they crowded round again, closer and +closer. Suddenly, with a shriek, a blast of wind swept down from +the hills and blew the fire out towards them. They sprang back +hurriedly, quite forgetting where they stood, and all fell down +the bank, each tumbling over the other, till they rolled into the +pool that lay below. Oh, how cold it was in that dark water on +which the sun never shone! Then in an instant they felt warm +again, for the fire, driven by the strong wind, had followed them +right down to the bottom of the pool, where it burned as brightly +as ever. And the fishes gathered round it as they had done on the +top of the cliff, and found the flames as hot as before, and that +fire never went out, like those upon land, but kept burning for +ever. So now you know why, if you dive deep down below the cold +surface of the water on a frosty day, you will find it +comfortable and pleasant underneath, and be quite sorry that you +cannot stay there. + +Australian Folk Tale. + + + + + + + The Wonderful Tune. + + + + +Maurice Connor was the king, and that's no small word, of all the +pipers in Munster. He could play jig and reel without end, and +Ollistrum's March, and the Eagle's Whistle, and the Hen's +Concert, and odd tunes of every sort and kind. But he knew one +far more surprising than the rest, which had in it the power to +set everything dead or alive dancing. + +In what way he learned it is beyond my knowledge for he was +mighty cautious about telling how he came by so wonderful a tune. +At the very first note of that tune the shoes began shaking upon +the feet of all how heard it--old or young, it mattered not--just +as if the shoes had the ague; then the feet began going, going, +going from under them, and at last up and away with them, dancing +like mad, whisking here, there, and everywhere, like a straw in a +storm-- there was no halting while the music lasted. + +Not a fair, nor a wedding, nor a feast in the seven parishes +round, was counted worth the speaking of without 'blind Maurice +and his pipes.' His mother, poor woman, used to lead him about +from one place to another just like a dog. + +Down through Iveragh, Maurice Connor and his mother were taking +their rounds. Beyond all other places Iveragh is the place for +stormy coasts and steep mountains, as proper a spot it is as any +in Ireland to get yourself drowned, or your neck broken on the +land, should you prefer that. But, notwithstanding, in +Ballinskellig Bay there is a neat bit of ground, well fitted for +diversion, and down from it, towards the water, is a clean smooth +piece of strand, the dead image of a calm summer's sea on a +moonlight night, with just the curl of the small waves upon it. + +Here is was that Maurice's music had brought from all parts a +great gathering of the young men and the young women; for 'twas +not every day the strand of Trafraska was stirred up by the voice +of a bagpipe. The dance began; and as pretty a dance it was as +ever was danced. 'Brave music,' said everybody, 'and well done,' +when Maurice stopped. + +'More power to your elbow, Maurice, and a fair wind in the +bellows,' cried Paddy Dorman, a hump-backed dancing master, who +was there to keep order. ''Tis a pity,' said he, 'if we'd let the +piper run dry after such music; 'twould be a disgrace to Iveragh, +that didn't come on it since the week of the three Sundays.' So, +as well became him, for he was always a decent man, says he, 'Did +you drink, piper?' + +'I will, sir,' said Maurice, answering the question on the safe +side, for you never yet knew piper or schoolmaster who refused +his drink. + +'What will you drink, Maurice?' says Paddy. + +'I'm no ways particular,' says Maurice; 'I drink anything, +barring raw water; but if it's all the same to you, Mister +Dorman, may be you wouldn't lend me the loan of a glass of +whisky.' + +'I've no glass, Maurice,' said Paddy; 'I've only the bottle.' + +'Let that be no hindrance,' answered Maurice; 'my mouth just +holds a glass to the drop; often I've tried it sure.' + +So Paddy Dorman trusted him with the bottle--more fool was he; +and, to his cost, he found that though Maurice's mouth might not +hold more than the glass at one time, yet, owing to the hole in +his throat, it took many a filling. + +'That was no bad whisky neither,' says Maurice, handing back the +empty bottle. + +'By the holy frost, then!' says Paddy, ''tis but cold comfort +there's in that bottle now; and 'tis your word we must take for +the strength of the whisky, for you've left us no sample to judge +by'; and to be sure Maurice had not. + +Now I need not tell any gentleman or lady that if he or she was +to drink an honest bottle of whisky at one pull, it is not at all +the same thing as drinking a bottle of water; and in the whole +course of my life I never knew more than five men who could do so +without being the worse. Of these Maurice Connor was not one, +though he had a stiff head enough of his own. Don't think I blame +him for it; but true is the word that says, 'When liquor's in +sense is out'; and puff, at a breath, out he blasted his +wonderful tune. + +'Twas really then beyond all belief or telling the dancing. +Maurice himself could not keep quiet; staggering now on one leg, +now on the other, and rolling about like a ship in a cross sea, +trying to humour the tune. There was his mother, too, moving her +old bones as light as the youngest girl of them all; but her +dancing, no, nor the dancing of all the rest, is not worthy the +speaking about to the work that was going on down upon the +strand. Every inch of it covered with all manner of fish jumping +and plunging about to the music, and every moment more and more +would tumble in and out of the water, charmed by the wonderful +tune. Crabs of monstrous size spun round and round on one claw +with the nimbleness of a dancing master, and twirled and tossed +their other claws about like limbs that did not belong to them. +It was a sight surprising to behold. But perhaps you may have +heard of Father Florence Conry, as pleasant a man as one would +wish to drink with of a hot summer's day; and he had rhymed out +all about the dancing fishes so neatly that it would be a +thousand pities not to give you his verses; so here they are in +English: + + The big seals in motion, + Like waves of the ocean, + Or gouty feet prancing, + Came heading the gay fish, + Crabs, lobsters, and cray-fish, + Determined on dancing. + + The sweet sounds they followed, + The gasping cod swallow'd-- + 'Twas wonderful, really; + And turbot and flounder, + 'Mid fish that were rounder, + Just caper'd as gaily. + + John-dories came tripping; + Dull hake, by their skipping, + To frisk it seem'd given; + Bright mackrel went springing, + Like small rainbows winging + Their flight up to heaven. + + The whiting and haddock + Left salt water paddock + This dance to be put in; + Where skate with flat faces + Edged out some old plaices; + But soles kept their footing. + + Sprats and herrings in powers + Of silvery showers + All number out-numbered; + And great ling so lengthy + Was there in such plenty + The shore was encumber'd. + + The scallop and oyster + Their two shells did roister, + Like castanets flitting; + While limpets moved clearly, + And rocks very nearly + With laughter were splitting. + +Never was such a hullabaloo in this world, before or since; 'twas +as if heaven and earth were coming together; and all out of +Maurice Connor's wonderful tune! + +In the height of all these doings, what should there be dancing +among the outlandish set of fishes but a beautiful young woman-- +as beautiful as the dawn of day! She had a cocked hat upon her +head; from under it her long green hair--just the colour of the +sea-- fell down behind, without hindrance to her dancing. Her +teeth were like rows of pearls; her lips for all the world looked +like red coral; and she had a shining gown pale green as the +hollow of the wave, with little rows of purple and red seaweeds +settled out upon it; for you never yet saw a lady, under the +water or over the water, who had not a good notion of dressing +herself out. + +Up she danced at last to Maurice, who was flinging his feet from +under him as fast as hops--for nothing in this world could keep +still while that tune of his was going on--and says she to him, +chanting it out with a voice as sweet as honey: + + I'm a lady of honour + Who live in the sea; + Come down, Maurice Connor, + And be married to me. + Silver plates and gold dishes + You shall have, and shall be + The king of the fishes, + When you're married to me. + +Drink was strong in Maurice's head, and out he chanted in return +for her great civility. It is not every lady, may be, that would +be after making such an offer to a blind piper; therefore 'twas +only right in him to give her as good as she gave herself, so +says Maurice: + + I'm obliged to you, madam: + Off a gold dish or plate, + If a king, and I had 'em, + I could dine in great state. + With your own father's daughter + I'd be sure to agree, + But to drink the salt water + Wouldn't do so with me! + +The lady looked at him quite amazed, and swinging her head from +side to side like a great scholar, 'Well,' says she, 'Maurice, if +you're not a poet, where is poetry to be found?' + +In this way they kept on at it, framing high compliments; one +answering the other, and their feet going with the music as fast +as their tongues. All the fish kept dancing, too; Maurice heard +the clatter and was afraid to stop playing lest it might be +displeasing to the fish, and not knowing what so many of them may +take it into their heads to do to him if they got vexed. + +Well, the lady with the green hair kept on coaxing Maurice with +soft speeches, till at last she over persuaded him to promise to +marry her, and be king over the fishes, great and small. Maurice +was well fitted to be their king, if they wanted one that could +make them dance; and he surely would drink, barring the salt +water, with any fish of them all. + +When Maurice's mother saw him with that unnatural thing in the +form of a green-haired lady as his guide, and he and she dancing +down together so lovingly to the water's edge, through the thick +of the fishes, she called out after him to stop and come back. +'Oh, then,' says she, 'as if I was not widow enough before, there +he is going away from me to be married to that scaly woman. And +who knows but 'tis grandmother I may be to a hake or a cod--Lord +help and pity me, but 'tis a mighty unnatural thing! And my be +'tis boiling and eating my own grandchild I'll be, with a bit of +salt butter, and I not knowing it! Oh, Maurice, Maurice, if +there's any love or nature left in you, come back to your own +ould mother, who reared you like a decent Christian!' Then the +poor woman began to cry and sob so finely that it would do anyone +good to hear her. + +Maurice was not long getting to the rim of the water. There he +kept playing and dancing on as if nothing was the matter, and a +great thundering wave coming in towards him ready to swallow him +up alive; but as he could not see it, he did not fear it. His +mother it was who saw it plainly through the big tears that were +rolling down her cheeks; and though she saw it, and her heart was +aching as much as ever mother's heart ached for a son, she kept +dancing, dancing all the time for the bare life of her. Certain +it was she could not help it, for Maurice never stopped playing +that wonderful tune of his. + +He only turned his ear to the sound of his mother's voice, +fearing it might put him out in his steps, and all the answer he +made back was, 'Whisht with you mother--sure I'm going to be king +over the fishes down in the sea, and for a token of luck, and a +sign that I'm alive and well, I'll send you in, every twelvemonth +on this day, a piece of burned wood to Trafraska.' Maurice had +not the power to say a word more, for the strange lady with the +green hair, seeing the wave just upon them, covered him up with +herself in a thing like a cloak with a big hood to it, and the +wave curling over twice as high as their heads, burst upon the +strand, with a rush and a roar that might be heard as far as Cape +Clear. + +That day twelvemonth the piece of burned wood came ashore in +Trafraska. It was a queer thing for Maurice to think of sending +all the way from the bottom of the sea. A gown or a pair of shoes +would have been something like a present for his poor mother; but +he had said it, and he kept his word. The bit of burned wood +regularly came ashore on the appointed day for as good, ay, and +better than a hundred years. The day is now forgotten, and may be +that is the reason why people say how Maurice Connor has stopped +sending the luck-token to his mother. Poor woman, she did not +live to get as much as one of them; for what through the loss of +Maurice, and the fear of eating her own grandchildren, she died +in three weeks after the dance. Some say it was the fatigue that +killed her, but whichever it was, Mrs. Connor was decently buried +with her own people. + +Seafaring people have often heard, off the coast of Kerry, on a +still night, the sound of music coming up from the water; and +some, who have had good ears, could plainly distinguish Maurice +Connor's voice singing these words to his pipes-- + + Beautiful shore, with thy spreading strand, + Thy crystal water, and diamond sand; + Never would I have parted from thee, + But for the sake of my fair ladie. + +From 'Fairy Tales and Traditions of the South of Ireland.' + + + + + + + The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother + + + + +There was once a rich old man who had two sons, and as his wife +was dead, the elder lived with him, and helped him to look after +his property. For a long time all went well; the young man got up +very early in the morning, and worked hard all day, and at the +end of every week his father counted up the money they had made, +and rubbed his hands with delight, as he saw how big the pile of +gold in the strong iron chest was becoming. 'It will soon be full +now, and I shall have to buy a larger one,' he said to himself, +and so busy was he with the thought of his money, that he did not +notice how bright his son's face had grown, nor how he sometimes +started when he was spoken to, as if his mind was far away. + +One day, however, the old man went to the city on business, which +he had not done for three years at least. It was market day, and +he met with many people he knew, and it was getting quite late +when he turned into the inn yard, and bade an ostler saddle his +horse, and bring it round directly. While he was waiting in the +hall, the landlady came up for a gossip, and after a few remarks +about the weather and the vineyards she asked him how he liked +his new daughter-in-law, and whether he had been surprised at the +marriage. + +The old man stared as he listened to her. 'Daughter-in-law? +Marriage?' said he. 'I don't know what you are talking about! +I've got no daughter-in-law, and nobody has been married lately, +that I ever heard of.' + +Now this was exactly what the landlady, who was very curious, +wanted to find out; but she put on a look of great alarm, and +exclaimed: + +'Oh, dear! I hope I have not made mischief. I had no idea--or, of +course, I would not have spoken--but'--and here she stopped and +fumbled with her apron, as if she was greatly embarrassed. + +'As you have said so much you will have to say a little more,' +retorted the old man, a suspicion of what she meant darting +across him; and the woman, nothing loth, answered as before. + +'Ah, it was not all for buying or selling that your handsome son +has been coming to town every week these many months past. And +not by the shortest way, either! No, it was over the river he +rode, and across the hill and past the cottage of Miguel the +vine-keeper, whose daughter, they say, is the prettiest girl in +the whole country side, though she is too white for my taste,' +and then the landlady paused again, and glanced up at the farmer, +to see how he was taking it. She did not learn much. He was +looking straight before him, his teeth set. But as she ceased to +talk, he said quietly, 'Go on.' + +'There is not much more to tell,' replied the landlady, for she +suddenly remembered that she must prepare supper for the hungry +men who always stopped at the inn on market days, before starting +for home, 'but one fine morning they both went to the little +church on top of the hill, and were married. My cousin is servant +to the priest, and she found out about it and told me. But good- +day to you, sir; here is your horse, and I must hurry off to the +kitchen.' + +It was lucky that the horse was sure-footed and knew the road, +for his bridle hung loose on his neck, and his master took no +heed of the way he was going. When the farm-house was reached, +the man led the animal to the stable, and then went to look for +his son. + +'I know everything--you have deceived me. Get out of my sight at +once--I have done with you,' he stammered, choking with passion +as he came up to the young man, who was cutting a stick in front +of the door, whistling gaily the while. + +'But, father--' + +'You are no son of mine; I have only one now. Begone, or it will +be the worse for you,' and as he spoke he lifted up his whip. + +The young man shrank back. He feared lest his father should fall +down in a fit, his face was so red and his eyes seemed bursting +from his head. But it was no use staying: perhaps next morning +the old man might listen to reason, though in his heart the son +felt that he would never take back his words. So he turned slowly +away, and walked heavily along a path which ended in a cave on +the side of his hill, and there he sat through the night, +thinking of what had happened. + +Yes, he had been wrong, there was no doubt of that, and he did +not quite know how it had come about. He had meant to have told +his father all about it, and he was sure, quite sure, that if +once the old man had seen his wife, he would have forgiven her +poverty on account of her great beauty and goodness. But he had +put it off from day to day, hoping always for a better +opportunity, and now this was the end! + +If the son had no sleep that night, no more had the father, and +as soon as the sun rose, he sent a messenger into the great city +with orders to bring back the younger brother. When he arrived +the farmer did not waste words, but informed him that he was now +his only heir, and would inherit all his lands and money, and +that he was to come and live at home, and to help manage the +property. + +Though very pleased at the thought of becoming such a rich man-- +for the brothers had never cared much for each other--the younger +would rather have stayed where he was, for he soon got tired of +the country, and longed for a town life. However, this he kept to +himself, and made the best of things, working hard like his +brother before him. + +In this way the years went on, but the crops were not so good as +they had been, and the old man gave orders that some fine houses +he was building in the city should be left unfinished, for it +would take all the savings to complete them. As to the elder son, +he would never even hear his name mentioned, and died at last +without ever seeing his face, leaving to the younger, as he had +promised, all his lands, as well as his money. + +Meanwhile, the son whom he had disinherited had grown poorer and +poorer. He and his wife were always looking out for something to +do, and never spent a penny that they could help, but luck was +against them, and at the time of his father's death they had +hardly bread to eat or clothes to cover them. If there had been +only himself, he would have managed to get on somehow, but he +could not bear to watch his children becoming weaker day by day, +and swallowing his pride, at length he crossed the mountains to +his old home where his brother was living. + +It was the first time for long that the two men had come face to +face, and they looked at each other in silence. Then tears rose +in the eyes of the elder, but winking them hastily away, he said: + +'Brother, it is not needful that I should tell you how poor I am; +you can see that for yourself. I have not come to beg for money, +but only to ask if you will give me those unfinished houses of +yours in the city, and I will make them watertight, so that my +wife and children can live in them, and that will save our rent. +For as they are, they profit you nothing.' + +And the younger brother listened and pitied him, and gave him the +houses that he asked for, and the elder went away happy. + +For some years things went on as they were, and then the rich +brother began to feel lonely, and thought to himself that he was +getting older, and it was time for him to be married. The wife he +chose was very wealthy, but she was also very greedy, and however +much she had, she always wanted more. She was, besides, one of +those unfortunate people who invariably fancy that the +possessions of other people must be better than their own. Many a +time her poor husband regretted the day that he had first seen +her, and often her meanness and shabby ways put him to shame. But +he had not the courage to rule her, and she only got worse and +worse. + +After she had been married a few months the bride wanted to go +into the city and buy herself some new dresses. She had never +been there before, and when she had finished her shopping, she +thought she would pay a visit to her unknown sister-in-law, and +rest for a bit. The house she was seeking was in a broad street, +and ought to have been very magnificent, but the carved stone +portico enclosed a mean little door of rough wood, while a row of +beautiful pillars led to nothing. The dwelling on each side were +in the same unfinished condition, and water trickled down the +walls. Most people would have considered it a wretched place, and +turned their backs on it as soon as they could, but this lady saw +that by spending some money the houses could be made as splendid +as they were originally intended to be, and she instantly +resolved to get them for herself. + +Full of this idea she walked up the marble staircase, and entered +the little room where her sister-in-law sat, making clothes for +her children. The bride seemed full of interest in the houses, +and asked a great many questions about them, so that her new +relations liked her much better than they expected, and hoped +they might be good friends. However, as soon as she reached home, +she went straight to her husband, and told him that he must get +back those houses from his brother, as they would exactly suit +her, and she could easily make them into a palace as fine as the +king's. But her husband only told her that she might buy houses +in some other part of the town, for she could not have those, as +he had long since made a gift of them to his brother, who had +lived there for many years past. + +At this answer the wife grew very angry. She began to cry, and +made such a noise that all the neighbours heard her and put their +heads out of the windows, to see what was the matter. 'It was +absurd,' she sobbed out, 'quite unjust. Indeed, if you came to +think of it, the gift was worth nothing, as when her husband made +it he was a bachelor, and since then he had been married, and she +had never given her consent to any such thing.' And so she +lamented all day and all night, till the poor man was nearly +worried to death; and at last he did what she wished, and +summoned his brother in a court of law to give up the houses +which, he said, had only been lent to him. But when the evidence +on both sides had been heard, the judge decided in favour of the +poor man, which made the rich lady more furious than ever, and +she determined not to rest until she had gained the day. If one +judge would not give her the houses another should, and so time +after time the case was tried over again, till at last it came +before the highest judge of all, in the city of Evora. Her +husband was heartily tired and ashamed of the whole affair, but +his weakness in not putting a stop to it in the beginning had got +him into this difficulty, and now he was forced to go on. + +On the same day the two brothers set out on their journey to the +city, the rich one on horseback, with plenty of food in his +knapsack, the poor one on foot with nothing but a piece of bread +and four onions to eat on the way. The road was hilly and neither +could go very fast, and when night fell, they were both glad to +see some lights in a window a little distance in front of them. + +The lights turned out to have been placed there by a farmer, who +had planned to have a particularly good supper as it was his +wife's birthday, and bade the rich man enter and sit down, while +he himself took the horse to the stable. The poor man asked +timidly if he might spend the night in a corner, adding that he +had brought his own supper with him. Another time permission +might have been refused him, for the farmer was no lover of +humble folk, but now he gave the elder brother leave to come in, +pointing out a wooden chair where he could sit. + +Supper was soon served, and very glad the younger brother was to +eat it, for his long ride had made him very hungry. The farmer's +wife, however, would touch nothing, and at last declared that the +only supper she wanted was one of the onions the poor man was +cooking at the fire. Of course he gave it to her, though he would +gladly have eaten it himself, as three onions are not much at the +end of a long day's walk, and soon after they all went to sleep, +the poor man making himself as comfortable as he could in his +corner. + +A few hours later the farmer was aroused by the cries and groans +of his wife. + +'Oh, I feel so ill, I'm sure I'm going to die,' wept she. 'It was +that onion, I know it was. I wish I had never eaten it. It must +have been poisoned.' + +'If the man has poisoned you he shall pay for it,' said her +husband, and seizing a thick stick he ran downstairs and began to +beat the poor man, who had been sound asleep, and had nothing to +defend himself with. Luckily, the noise aroused the younger +brother, who jumped up and snatched the stick from the farmer's +hand, saying: + +'We are both going to Evora to try a law-suit. Come too, and +accuse him there if he has attempted to rob you or murder you, +but don't kill him now, or you will get yourself into trouble.' + +'Well, perhaps you are right,' answered the farmer, 'but the +sooner that fellow has his deserts, the better I shall be +pleased,' and without more words he went to the stables and +brought out a horse for himself and also the black Andalusian +mare ridden by the rich man, while the poor brother, fearing more +ill-treatment, started at once on foot. + +Now all that night it had rained heavily, and did not seem likely +to stop, and in some places the road was so thick with mud that +it was almost impossible to get across it. In one spot it was so +very bad that a mule laden with baggage had got stuck in it, and +tug as he might, his master was quite unable to pull him out. The +muleteer in despair appealed to the two horseman, who were +carefully skirting the swamp at some distance off, but they paid +no heed to his cries, and he began to talk cheerfully to his +mule, hoping to keep up his spirits, declaring that if the poor +beast would only have a little patience help was sure to come. + +And so it did, for very soon the poor brother reached the place, +bespattered with mud from head to foot, but ready to do all he +could to help with the mule and his master. First they set about +finding some stout logs of wood to lay down on the marsh so that +they could reach the mule, for by this time his frantic struggles +had broken his bridle, and he was deeper in than ever. Stepping +cautiously along the wood, the poor man contrived to lay hold of +the animal's tale, and with a desperate effort the mule managed +to regain his footing on dry ground, but at the cost of leaving +his tail in the poor man's hand. When he saw this the muleteer's +anger knew no bounds, and forgetting that without the help given +him he would have lost his mule altogether, he began to abuse the +poor man, declaring that he had ruined his beast, and the law +would make him pay for it. Then, jumping on the back of the mule, +which was so glad to be out of the choking mud that he did not +seem to mind the loss of his tail, the ungrateful wretch rode on, +and that evening reached the inn at Evora, where the rich man and +the farmer had already arrived for the night. + +Meanwhile the poor brother walked wearily along, wondering what +other dreadful adventures were in store for him. + +'I shall certainly be condemned for one or other of them,' +thought he sadly; 'and after all, if I have to die, I would +rather choose my own death than leave it to my enemies,' and as +soon as he entered Evora he looked about for a place suitable for +carrying out the plan he had made. At length he found what he +sought, but as it was too late and too dark for him to make sure +of success, he curled himself up under a doorway, and slept till +morning. + +Although it was winter, the sun rose in a clear sky, and its rays +felt almost warm when the poor man got up and shook himself. He +intended it to be the day of his death, but in spite of that, and +of the fact that he was leaving his wife and children behind him, +he felt almost cheerful. He had struggled so long, and was so +very, very tired; but he would not have minded that if he could +have proved his innocence, and triumphed over his enemies. +However, they had all been too clever for him, and he had no +strength to fight any more. So he mounted the stone steps that +led to the battlements of the city, and stopped for a moment to +gaze about him. + +It happened that an old sick man who lived near by had begged to +be carried out and to be laid at the foot of the wall so that the +beams of the rising sun might fall upon him, and he would be able +to talk with his friends as they passed by to their work. Little +did he guess that on top of the battlements, exactly over his +head, stood a man who was taking his last look at the same sun, +before going to his death that awaited him. But so it was; and as +the steeple opposite was touched by the golden light, the poor +man shut his eyes and sprang forward. The wall was high, and he +flew rapidly through the air, but it was not the ground he +touched, only the body of the sick man, who rolled over and died +without a groan. As for the other, he was quite unhurt, and was +slowly rising to his feet when his arms were suddenly seized and +held. + +'You have killed our father, do you see? do you see?' cried two +young men, 'and you will come with us this instant before the +judge, and answer for it.' + +'Your father? but I don't know him. What do you mean?' asked the +poor man, who was quite bewildered with his sudden rush through +the air, and could not think why he should be accused of this +fresh crime. But he got no reply, and was only hurried through +the streets to the court-house, where his brother, the muleteer, +and the farmer had just arrived, all as angry as ever, all +talking at once, till the judge entered and ordered them to be +silent. + +'I will hear you one by one,' he said, and motioned the younger +brother to begin. + +He did not take long to state his case. The unfinished houses +were his, left him with the rest of the property by his father, +and his brother refused to give them up. In answer, the poor man +told, in a few words, how he had begged the houses from his +brother, and produced the deed of gift which made him their +owner. + +The judge listened quietly and asked a few questions; then he +gave his verdict. + +'The houses shall remain the property of the man to whom they +were given, and to whom they belong. And as you,' he added, +turning to the younger brother, 'brought this accusation knowing +full well it was wicked and unjust, I order you, besides losing +the houses, to pay a thousand pounds damages to your brother.' + +The rich man heard the judge with rage in his heart, the poor man +with surprise and gratitude. But he was not safe yet, for now it +was the turn of the farmer. The judge could hardly conceal a +smile at the story, and inquired if the wife was dead before the +farmer left the house, and received for answer that he was in +such a hurry for justice to be done that he had not waited to +see. Then the poor man told his tale, and once more judgment was +given in his favour, while twelve hundred pounds was ordered to +be paid him. As for the muleteer, he was informed very plainly +that he had proved himself mean and ungrateful for the help that +had been given him, and as a punishment he must pay to the poor +man a fine of fifty pounds, and hand him over the mule till his +tail had grown again. + +Lastly, there came the two sons of the sick man. + +'This is the wretch who killed our father,' they said, 'and we +demand that he should die also.' + +'How did you kill him?' asked the judge, turning to the accused, +and the poor man told how he had leaped from the wall, not +knowing that anyone was beneath. + +'Well, this is my judgment,' replied the judge, when they had all +spoken: 'Let the accused sit under the wall, and let the sons of +the dead man jump from the top and fall on him and kill him, and +if they will not to this, then they are condemned to pay eight +hundred pounds for their false accusation.' + +The young men looked at each other, and slowly shook their heads. + +'We will pay the fine,' said they, and the judge nodded. + +So the poor man rode the mule home, and brought back to his +family enough money to keep them in comfort to the end of their +days. + +Adapted from the Portuguese. + + + + + + + + The One-Handed Girl + + + + +An old couple once lived in a hut under a grove of palm trees, +and they had one son and one daughter. They were all very happy +together for many years, and then the father became very ill, and +felt he was going to die. He called his children to the place +where he lay on the floor--for no one had any beds in that +country-- and said to his son, 'I have no herds of cattle to +leave you--only the few things there are in the house--for I am a +poor man, as you know. But choose: will you have my blessing or +my property?' + +'Your property, certainly,' answered the son, and his father +nodded. + +'And you?' asked the old man of the girl, who stood by her +brother. + +'I will have blessing,' she answered, and her father gave her +much blessing. + +That night he died, and his wife and son and daughter mourned for +him seven days, and gave him a burial according to the custom of +his people. But hardly was the time of mourning over, than the +mother was attacked by a disease which was common in that +country. + +'I am going away from you,' she said to her children, in a faint +voice; 'but first, my son, choose which you will have: blessing +or property.' + +'Property, certainly,' answered the son. + +'And you, my daughter?' + +'I will have blessing,' said the girl; and her mother gave her +much blessing, and that night she died. + +When the days of mourning were ended, the brother bade his sister +put outside the hut all that belonged to his father and his +mother. So the girl put them out, and he took them away, save +only a small pot and a vessel in which she could clean her corn. +But she had no corn to clean. + +She sat at home, sad and hungry, when a neighbour knocked at the +door. + +'My pot has cracked in the fire, lend me yours to cook my supper +in, and I will give you a handful of corn in return.' + +And the girl was glad, and that night she was able to have supper +herself, and next day another woman borrowed her pot, and then +another and another, for never were known so many accidents as +befell the village pots at that time. She soon grew quite fat +with all the corn she earned with the help of her pot, and then +one evening she picked up a pumpkin seed in a corner, and planted +it near her well, and it sprang up, and gave her many pumpkins. + +At last it happened that a youth from her village passed through +the place where the girl's brother was, and the two met and +talked. + +'What news is there of my sister?' asked the young man, with whom +things had gone badly, for he was idle. + +'She is fat and well-liking,' replied the youth, 'for the women +borrow her mortar to clean their corn, and borrow her pot to cook +it in, and for al this they give her more food than she can eat.' +And he went his way. + +Now the brother was filled with envy at the words of the man, and +he set out at once, and before dawn he had reached the hut, and +saw the pot and the mortar were standing outside. He slung them +over his shoulders and departed, pleased with his own cleverness; +but when his sister awoke and sought for the pot to cook her corn +for breakfast, she could find it nowhere. At length she said to +herself, + +'Well, some thief must have stolen them while I slept. I will go +and see if any of my pumpkins are ripe.' And indeed they were, +and so many that the tree was almost broken by the weight of +them. So she ate what she wanted and took the others to the +village, and gave them in exchange for corn, and the women said +that no pumpkins were as sweet as these, and that she was to +bring every day all that she had. In this way she earned more +than she needed for herself, and soon was able to get another +mortar and cooking pot in exchange for her corn. Then she thought +she was quite rich. + +Unluckily someone else thought so too, and this was her brother's +wife, who had heard all about the pumpkin tree, and sent her +slave with a handful of grain to buy her a pumpkin. At first the +girl told him that so few were left that she could not spare any; +but when she found that he belonged to her brother, she changed +her mind, and went out to the tree and gathered the largest and +the ripest that was there. + +'Take this one,' she said to the slave, 'and carry it back to +your mistress, but tell her to keep the corn, as the pumpkin is a +gift.' + +The brother's wife was overjoyed at the sight of the fruit, and +when she tasted it, she declared it was the nicest she had ever +eaten. Indeed, all night she thought of nothing else, and early +in the morning she called another slave (for she was a rich +woman) and bade him go and ask for another pumpkin. But the girl, +who had just been out to look at her tree, told him that they +were all eaten, so he went back empty-handed to his mistress. + +In the evening her husband returned from hunting a long way off, +and found his wife in tears. + +'What is the matter?' asked he. + +'I sent a slave with some grain to your sister to buy some +pumpkins, but she would not sell me any, and told me there were +none, though I know she lets other people buy them.' + +'Well, never mind now--go to sleep,' said he, 'and to-morrow I +will go and pull up the pumpkin tree, and that will punish her +for treating you so badly.' + +So before sunrise he got up and set out for his sister's house, +and found her cleaning some corn. + +'Why did you refuse to sell my wife a pumpkin yesterday when she +wanted one?' he asked. + +'The old ones are finished, and the new ones are not yet come,' +answered the girl. 'When her slave arrived two days ago, there +were only four left; but I gave him one, and would take no corn +for it.' + +'I do not believe you; you have sold them all to other people. I +shall go and cut down the pumpkin,' cried her brother in a rage. + +'If you cut down the pumpkin you shall cut off my hand with it,' +exclaimed the girl, running up to her tree and catching hold of +it. But her brother followed, and with one blow cut off the +pumpkin and her hand too. + +Then he went into the house and took away everything he could +find, and sold the house to a friend of his who had long wished +to have it, and his sister had no home to go to. + +Meanwhile she had bathed her arm carefully, and bound on it some +healing leaves that grew near by, and wrapped a cloth round the +leaves, and went to hide in the forest, that her brother might +not find her again. + +For seven days she wandered about, eating only the fruit that +hung from the trees above her, and every night she climbed up and +tucked herself safely among the creepers which bound together the +big branches, so that neither lions nor tigers nor panthers might +get at her. + +When she woke up on the seventh morning she saw from her perch +smoke coming up from a little town on the edge of the forest. The +sight of the huts made her feel more lonely and helpless than +before. She longed desperately for a draught of milk from a +gourd, for there were no streams in that part, and she was very +thirsty, but how was she to earn anything with only one hand? And +at this thought her courage failed, and she began to cry +bitterly. + +It happened that the king's son had come out from the town very +early to shoot birds, and when the sun grew hot he left tired. + +'I will lie here and rest under this tree,' he said to his +attendants. 'You can go and shoot instead, and I will just have +this slave to stay with me!' Away they went, and the young man +fell asleep, and slept long. Suddenly he was awakened by +something wet and salt falling on his face. + +'What is that? Is it raining?' he said to his slave. 'Go and +look.' + +'No, master, it is not raining,' answered the slave. + +'Then climb up the tree and see what it is,' and the slave +climbed up, and came back and told his master that a beautiful +girl was sitting up there, and that it must have been her tears +which had fallen on the face of the king's son. + +'Why was she crying?' inquired the prince. + +'I cannot tell--I did not dare to ask her; but perhaps she would +tell you.' And the master, greatly wondering, climbed up the +tree. + +'What is the matter with you?' said he gently, and, as she only +sobbed louder, he continued: + +'Are you a woman, or a spirit of the woods?' + +'I am a woman,' she answered slowly, wiping her eyes with a leaf +of the creeper that hung about her. + +'Then why do you cry?' he persisted. + +'I have many things to cry for,' she replied, 'more than you +could ever guess.' + +'Come home with me,' said the prince; 'it is not very far. Come +home to my father and mother. I am a king's son.' + +'Then why are you here?' she said, opening her eyes and staring +at him. + +'Once every month I and my friends shoot birds in the forest,' he +answered, 'but I was tired and bade them leave me to rest. And +you--what are you doing up in this tree?' + +At that she began to cry again, and told the king's son all that +had befallen her since the death of her mother. + +'I cannot come down with you, for I do not like anyone to see +me,' she ended with a sob. + +'Oh! I will manage all that,' said the king's son, and swinging +himself to a lower branch, he bade his slave go quickly into the +town, and bring back with him four strong men and a curtained +litter. When the man was gone, the girl climbed down, and hid +herself on the ground in some bushes. Very soon the slave +returned with the litter, which was placed on the ground close to +the bushes where the girl lay. + +'Now go, all of you, and call my attendants, for I do not wish to +say here any longer,' he said to the men, and as soon as they +were out of sight he bade the girl get into the litter, and +fasten the curtains tightly. Then he got in on the other side, +and waited till his attendants came up. + +'What is the matter, O son of a king?' asked they, breathless +with running. + +'I think I am ill; I am cold,' he said, and signing to the +bearers, he drew the curtains, and was carried through the forest +right inside his own house. + +'Tell my father and mother that I have a fever, and want some +gruel,' said he, 'and bid them send it quickly.' + +So the slave hastened to the king's palace and gave his message, +which troubled both the king and the queen greatly. A pot of hot +gruel was instantly prepared, and carried over to the sick man, +and as soon as the council which was sitting was over, the king +and his ministers went to pay him a visit, bearing a message from +the queen that she would follow a little later. + +Now the prince had pretended to be ill in order to soften his +parent's hearts, and the next day he declared he felt better, +and, getting into his litter, was carried to the palace in state, +drums being beaten all along the road. + +He dismounted at the foot of the steps and walked up, a great +parasol being held over his head by a slave. Then he entered the +cool, dark room where his father and mother were sitting, and +said to them: + +'I saw a girl yesterday in the forest whom I wish to marry, and, +unknown to my attendants, I brought her back to my house in a +litter. Give me your consent, I beg, for no other woman pleases +me as well, even though she has but one hand!' + +Of course the king and queen would have preferred a daughter-in- +law with two hands, and one who could have brought riches with +her, but they could not bear to say 'No' to their son, so they +told him it should be as he chose, and that the wedding feast +should be prepared immediately. + +The girl could scarcely believe her good fortune, and, in +gratitude for all the kindness shown her, was so useful and +pleasant to her husband's parents that they soon loved her. + +By and bye a baby was born to her, and soon after that the prince +was sent on a journey by his father to visit some of the distant +towns of the kingdom, and to set right things that had gone +wrong. + +No sooner had he started than the girl's brother, who had wasted +all the riches his wife had brought him in recklessness and +folly, and was now very poor, chanced to come into the town, and +as he passed he heard a man say, 'Do you know that the king's son +has married a woman who has lost one of her hands?' On hearing +these words the brother stopped and asked, 'Where did he find +such a woman?' + +'In the forest,' answered the man, and the cruel brother guessed +at once it must be his sister. + +A great rage took possession of his soul as he thought of the +girl whom he had tried to ruin being after all so much better off +than himself, and he vowed that he would work her ill. Therefore +that very afternoon he made his way to the palace and asked to +see the king. + +When he was admitted to his presence, he knelt down and touched +the ground with his forehead, and the king bade him stand up and +tell wherefore he had come. + +'By the kindness of your heart have you been deceived, O king,' +said he. 'Your son has married a girl who has lost a hand. Do you +know why she had lost it? She was a witch, and has wedded three +husbands, and each husband she has put to death with her arts. +Then the people of the town cut off her hand, and turned her into +the forest. And what I say is true, for her town is my town +also.' + +The king listened, and his face grew dark. Unluckily he had a +hasty temper, and did not stop to reason, and, instead of sending +to the town, and discovering people who knew his daughter-in-law +and could have told him how hard she had worked and how poor she +had been, he believed all the brother's lying words, and made the +queen believe them too. Together they took counsel what they +should do, and in the end they decided that they also would put +her out of the town. But this did not content the brother. + +'Kill her,' he said. 'It is no more than she deserves for daring +to marry the king's son. Then she can do no more hurt to anyone.' + +'We cannot kill her,' answered they; 'if we did, our son would +assuredly kill us. Let us do as the others did, and put her out +of the town. And with this the envious brother was forced to be +content. + +The poor girl loved her husband very much, but just then the baby +was more to her than all else in the world, and as long as she +had him with her, she did not very much mind anything. So, taking +her son on her arm, and hanging a little earthen pot for cooking +round her neck, she left her house with its great peacock fans +and slaves and seats of ivory, and plunged into the forest. + +For a while she walked, not knowing whither she went, then by and +bye she grew tired, and sat under a tree to rest and to hush her +baby to sleep. Suddenly she raised her eyes, and saw a snake +wriggling from under the bushes towards her. + +'I am a dead woman,' she said to herself, and stayed quite still, +for indeed she was too frightened to move. In another minute the +snake had reached her side, and to her surprise he spoke. + +'Open your earthen pot, and let me go in. Save me from sun, and I +will save you from rain,' and she opened the pot, and when the +snake had slipped in, she put on the cover. Soon she beheld +another snake coming after the other one, and when it had reached +her it stopped and said, 'Did you see a small grey snake pass +this way just now?' + +'Yes,' she answered, 'it was going very quickly.' + +'Ah, I must hurry and catch it up,' replied the second snake, and +it hastened on. + +When it was out of sight, a voice from the pot said: + +'Uncover me,' and she lifted the lid, and the little grey snake +slid rapidly to the ground. + +'I am safe now,' he said. 'But tell me, where are you going?' + +'I cannot tell you, for I do not know,' she answered. 'I am just +wandering in the wood.' + +'Follow me, and let us go home together,' said the snake, and the +girl followed his through the forest and along the green paths, +till they came to a great lake, where they stopped to rest. + +'The sun is hot,' said the snake, 'and you have walked far. Take +your baby and bathe in that cool place where the boughs of the +tree stretch far over the water.' + +'Yes, I will,' answered she, and they went in. The baby splashed +and crowed with delight, and then he gave a spring and fell right +in, down, down, down, and his mother could not find him, though +she searched all among the reeds. + +Full of terror, she made her way back to the bank, and called to +the snake, 'My baby is gone!--he is drowned, and never shall I +see him again.' + +'Go in once more,' said the snake, 'and feel everywhere, even +among the trees that have their roots in the water, lest perhaps +he may be held fast there.' + +Swiftly she went back and felt everywhere with her whole hand, +even putting her fingers into the tiniest crannies, where a crab +could hardly have taken shelter. + +'No, he is not here,' she cried. 'How am I to live without him?' +But the snake took no notice, and only answered, 'Put in your +other arm too.' + +'What is the use of that?' she asked, 'when it has no hand to +feel with?' but all the same she did as she was bid, and in an +instant the wounded arm touched something round and soft, lying +between two stones in a clump of reeds. + +'My baby, my baby!' she shouted, and lifted him up, merry and +laughing, and not a bit hurt or frightened. + +'Have you found him this time?' asked the snake. + +'Yes, oh, yes!' she answered, 'and, why--why--I have got my hand +back again!' and from sheer joy she burst into tears. + +The snake let her weep for a little while, and then he said-- + +'Now we will journey on to my family, and we will all repay you +for the kindness you showed to me.' + +'You have done more than enough in giving me back my hand,' +replied the girl; but the snake only smiled. + +'Be quick, lest the sun should set,' he answered, and began to +wriggle along so fast that the girl could hardly follow him. + +By and bye they arrived at the house in a tree where the snake +lived, when he was not travelling with his father and mother. And +he told them all his adventures, and how he had escaped from his +enemy. The father and mother snake could not do enough to show +their gratitude. They made their guest lie down on a hammock +woven of the strong creepers which hung from bough to bough, till +she was quite rested after her wanderings, while they watched the +baby and gave him milk to drink from the cocoa-nuts which they +persuaded their friends the monkeys to crack for them. They even +managed to carry small fruit tied up in their tails for the +baby's mother, who felt at last that she was safe and at peace. +Not that she forgot her husband, for she often thought of him and +longed to show him her son, and in the night she would sometimes +lie awake and wonder where he was. + + + +In this manner many weeks passed by. + +And what was the prince doing? + +Well, he had fallen very ill when he was on the furthest border +of the kingdom, and he was nursed by some kind people who did not +know who he was, so that the king and queen heard nothing about +him. When he was better he made his way home again, and into his +father's palace, where he found a strange man standing behind the +throne with the peacock's feathers. This was his wife's brother, +whom the king had taken into high favour, though, of course, the +prince was quite ignorant of what had happened. + +For a moment the king and queen stared at their son, as if he had +been unknown to them; he had grown so thin and weak during his +illness that his shoulders were bowed like those of an old man. + +'Have you forgotten me so soon?' he asked. + +At the sound of his voice they gave a cry and ran towards him, +and poured out questions as to what had happened, and why he +looked like that. But the prince did not answer any of them. + +'How is my wife?' he said. There was a pause. + +Then the queen replied: + +'She is dead.' + +'Dead!' he repeated, stepping a little backwards. 'And my child?' + +'He is dead too.' + +The young man stood silent. Then he said, 'Show me their graves.' + +At these words the king, who had been feeling rather +uncomfortable, took heart again, for had he not prepared two +beautiful tombs for his son to see, so that he might never, never +guess what had been done to his wife? All these months the king +and queen had been telling each other how good and merciful they +had been not to take her brother's advice and to put her to +death. But now, this somehow did not seem so certain. + +Then the king led the way to the courtyard just behind the +palace, and through the gate into a beautiful garden where stood +two splendid tombs in a green space under the trees. The prince +advanced alone, and, resting his head against the stone, he burst +into tears. His father and mother stood silently behind with a +curious pang in their souls which they did not quite understand. +Could it be that they were ashamed of themselves? + +But after a while the prince turned round, and walking past them +in to the palace he bade the slaves bring him mourning. For seven +days no one saw him, but at the end of them he went out hunting, +and helped his father rule his people. Only no one dared to speak +to him of his wife and son. + +At last one morning, after the girl had been lying awake all +night thinking of her husband, she said to her friend the snake: + +'You have all shown me much kindness, but now I am well again, +and want to go home and hear some news of my husband, and if he +still mourns for me!' Now the heart of the snake was sad at her +words, but he only said: + +'Yes, thus it must be; go and bid farewell to my father and +mother, but if they offer you a present, see that you take +nothing but my father's ring and my mother's casket.' + +So she went to the parent snakes, who wept bitterly at the +thought of losing her, and offered her gold and jewels as much as +she could carry in remembrance of them. But the girl shook her +head and pushed the shining heap away from her. + +'I shall never forget you, never,' she said in a broken voice, +'but the only tokens I will accept from you are that little ring +and this old casket.' + +The two snakes looked at each other in dismay. The ring and the +casket were the only things they did not want her to have. Then +after a short pause they spoke. + +'Why do you want the ring and casket so much? Who has told you of +them?' + +'Oh, nobody; it is just my fancy,' answered she. But the old +snakes shook their heads and replied: + +'Not so; it is our son who told you, and, as he said, so it must +be. If you need food, or clothes, or a house, tell the ring and +it will find them for you. And if you are unhappy or in danger, +tell the casket and it will set things right.' Then they both +gave her their blessing, and she picked up her baby and went her +way. + +She walked for a long time, till at length she came near the town +where her husband and his father dwelt. Here she stopped under a +grove of palm trees, and told the ring that she wanted a house. + +'It is ready, mistress,' whispered a queer little voice which +made her jump, and, looking behind her, she saw a lovely palace +made of the finest woods, and a row of slaves with tall fans +bowing before the door. Glad indeed was she to enter, for she was +very tired, and, after eating a good supper of fruit and milk +which she found in one of the rooms, she flung herself down on a +pile of cushions and went to sleep with her baby beside her. + +Here she stayed quietly, and every day the baby grew taller and +stronger, and very soon he could run about and even talk. Of +course the neighbours had a great deal to say about the house +which had been built so quickly--so very quickly--on the +outskirts of the town, and invented all kinds of stories about +the rich lady who lived in it. And by and bye, when the king +returned with his son from the wars, some of these tales reached +his ears. + +'It is really very odd about that house under the palms,' he said +to the queen; 'I must find out something of the lady whom no one +ever sees. I daresay it is not a lady at all, but a gang of +conspirators who want to get possession of my throne. To-morrow I +shall take my son and my chief ministers and insist on getting +inside.' + +Soon after sunrise next day the prince's wife was standing on a +little hill behind the house, when she saw a cloud of dust coming +through the town. A moment afterwards she heard faintly the roll +of the drums that announced the king's presence, and saw a crowd +of people approaching the grove of palms. Her heart beat fast. +Could her husband be among them? In any case they must not +discover her there; so just bidding the ring prepare some food +for them, she ran inside, and bound a veil of golden gauze round +her head and face. Then, taking the child's hand, she went to the +door and waited. + +In a few minutes the whole procession came up, and she stepped +forward and begged them to come in and rest. + +'Willingly,' answered the king; 'go first, and we will follow +you.' + +They followed her into a long dark room, in which was a table +covered with gold cups and baskets filled with dates and cocoa- +nuts and all kinds of ripe yellow fruits, and the king and the +prince sat upon cushions and were served by slaves, while the +ministers, among whom she recognised her own brother, stood +behind. + +'Ah, I owe all my misery to him,' she said to herself. 'From the +first he has hated me,' but outwardly she showed nothing. And +when the king asked her what news there was in the town she only +answered: + +'You have ridden far; eat first, and drink, for you must be +hungry and thirsty, and then I will tell you my news.' + +'You speak sense,' answered the king, and silence prevailed for +some time longer. Then he said: + +'Now, lady, I have finished, and am refreshed, therefore tell me, +I pray you, who you are, and whence you come? But, first, be +seated.' + +She bowed her head and sat down on a big scarlet cushion, drawing +her little boy, who was asleep in a corner, on to her knee, and +began to tell the story of her life. As her brother listened, he +would fain have left the house and hidden himself in the forest, +but it was his duty to wave the fan of peacock's feathers over +the king's head to keep off the flies, and he knew he would be +seized by the royal guards if he tried to desert his post. He +must stay where he was, there was no help for it, and luckily for +him the king was too much interested in the tale to notice that +the fan had ceased moving, and that flies were dancing right on +the top of his thick curly hair. + +The story went on, but the story-teller never once looked at the +prince, even through her veil, though he on his side never moved +his eyes from her. When she reached the part where she had sat +weeping in the tree, the king's son could restrain himself no +longer. + +'It is my wife,' he cried, springing to where she sat with the +sleeping child in her lap. 'They have lied to me, and you are not +dead after all, nor the boy either.! But what has happened? Why +did they lie to me? and why did you leave my house where you were +safe?' And he turned and looked fiercely at his father. + +'Let me finish my tale first, and then you will know,' answered +she, throwing back her veil, and she told how her brother had +come to the palace and accused her of being a witch, and had +tried to persuade the king to slay her. 'But he would not do +that,' she continued softly, 'and after all, if I had stayed on +in your house, I should never have met the snake, nor have got my +hand back again. So let us forget all about it, and be happy once +more, for see! our son is growing quite a big boy.' + +'And what shall be done to your brother?' asked the king, who was +glad to think that someone had acted in this matter worse than +himself. + +'Put him out of the town,' answered she. + +From 'Swaheli Tales,' by E. Steere. + + + + + + + The Bones of Djulung + + + + +In a beautiful island that lies in the southern seas, where +chains of gay orchids bind the trees together, and the days and +nights are equally long and nearly equally hot, there once lived +a family of seven sisters. Their father and mother were dead, and +they had no brothers, so the eldest girl ruled over the rest, and +they all did as she bade them. One sister had to clean the house, +a second carried water from the spring in the forest, a third +cooked their food, while to the youngest fell the hardest task of +all, for she had to cut and bring home the wood which was to keep +the fire continually burning. This was very hot and tiring work, +and when she had fed the fire and heaped up in a corner the +sticks that were to supply it till the next day, she often threw +herself down under a tree, and went sound asleep. + +One morning, however, as she was staggering along with her bundle +on her back, she thought that the river which flowed past their +hut looked so cool and inviting that she determined to bathe in +it, instead of taking her usual nap. Hastily piling up her load +by the fire, and thrusting some sticks into the flame, she ran +down to the river and jumped in. How delicious it was diving and +swimming and floating in the dark forest, where the trees were so +thick that you could hardly see the sun! But after a while she +began to look about her, and her eyes fell on a little fish that +seemed made out of a rainbow, so brilliant were the colours he +flashed out. + +'I should like him for a pet,' thought the girl, and the next +time the fish swam by, she put out her hand and caught him. Then +she ran along the grassy path till she came to a cave in front of +which a stream fell over some rocks into a basin. Here she put +her little fish, whose name was Djulung-djulung, and promising to +return soon and bring him some dinner, she went away. + +By the time she got home, the rice for their dinner was ready +cooked, and the eldest sister gave the other six their portions +in wooden bowls. But the youngest did not finish hers, and when +no one was looking, stole off to the fountain in the forest where +the little fish was swimming about. + +'See! I have not forgotten you,' she cried, and one by one she +let the grains of rice fall into the water, where the fish +gobbled them up greedily, for he had never tasted anything so +nice. + +'That is all for to-day,' she said at last, 'but I will come +again to-morrow,' and biding him good-bye she went down the path. + +Now the girl did not tell her sisters about the fish, but every +day she saved half of her rice to give him, and called him softly +in a little song she had made for herself. If she sometimes felt +hungry, no one knew of it, and, indeed, she did not mind that +much, when she saw how the fish enjoyed it. And the fish grew fat +and big, but the girl grew thin and weak, and the loads of wood +felt heavier every day, and at last her sisters noticed it. + +Then they took counsel together, and watched her to see what she +did, and one of them followed her to the fountain where Djulung +lived, and saw her give him all the rice she had saved from her +breakfast. Hastening home the sister told the others what she had +witnessed, and that a lovely fat fish might be had for the +catching. So the eldest sister went and caught him, and he was +boiled for supper, but the youngest sister was away in the woods, +and did not know anything about it. + +Next morning she went as usual to the cave, and sang her little +song, but no Djulung came to answer it; twice and thrice she +sang, then threw herself on her knees by the edge, and peered +into the dark water, but the trees cast such a deep shadow that +her eyes could not pierce it. + +'Djulung cannot be dead, or his body would be floating on the +surface,' she said to herself, and rising to her feet she set out +homewards, feeling all of a sudden strangely tired. + +'What is the matter with me?' she thought, but somehow or other +she managed to reach the hut, and threw herself down in a corner, +where she slept so soundly that for days no one was able to wake +her. + +At length, one morning early, a cock began to crow so loud that +she could sleep no longer and as he continued to crow she seemed +to understand what he was saying, and that he was telling her +that Djulung was dead, killed and eaten by her sisters, and that +his bones lay buried under the kitchen fire. Very softly she got +up, and took up the large stone under the fire, and creeping out +carried the bones to the cave by the fountain, where she dug a +hole and buried them anew. And as she scooped out the hole with a +stick she sang a song, bidding the bones grow till they became a +tree--a tree that reached up so high into the heavens that its +leaves would fall across the sea into another island, whose king +would pick them up. + +As there was no Djulung to give her rice to, the girl soon became +fat again, and as she was able to do her work as of old, her +sisters did not trouble about her. They never guessed that when +she went into the forest to gather her sticks, she never failed +to pay a visit to the tree, which grew taller and more wonderful +day by day. Never was such a tree seen before. Its trunk was of +iron, its leaves were of silk, its flowers of gold, and its fruit +of diamonds, and one evening, though the girl did not know it, a +soft breeze took one of the leaves, and blew it across the sea to +the feet of one of the king's attendants. + +'What a curious leaf! I have never beheld one like it before. I +must show it to the king,' he said, and when the king saw it he +declared he would never rest until he had found the tree which +bore it, even if he had to spend the rest of his life in visiting +the islands that lay all round. Happily for him, he began with +the island that was nearest, and here in the forest he suddenly +saw standing before him the iron tree, its boughs covered with +shining leaves like the one he carried about him. + +'But what sort of a tree is it, and how did it get here?' he +asked of the attendants he had with him. No one could answer him, +but as they were about to pass out of the forest a little boy +went by, and the king stopped and inquired if there was anyone +living in the neighbourhood whom he might question. + +'Seven girls live in a hut down there,' replied the boy, pointing +with his finger to where the sun was setting. + +'Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,' said the king, +and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with +strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them. + +Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the +boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about +strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing. The +king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of +questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its +existence, they could tell him nothing. 'And if we, who live +close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,' +added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all +that the king wanted of them. + +'But the boy told me there were seven of you, and there are only +six here,' said the king. + +'Oh, the youngest is at home, but she is always half asleep, and +is of no use except to cut wood for the fire,' replied they in a +breath. + +'That may be, but perhaps she dreams,' answered the king. +'Anyway, I will speak to her also.' Then he signed to one of his +attendants, who followed the path that the boy had taken to the +hut. + +Soon the man returned, with the girl walking behind him. And as +soon as she reached the tree it bowed itself to the earth before +her, and she stretched out her hand and picked some of its leaves +and flowers and gave them to the king. + +'The maiden who can work such wonders is fitted to be the wife of +the greatest chief,' he said, and so he married her, and took her +with him across the sea to his own home, where they lived happily +for ever after. + +From 'Folk Lore,' by A. F. Mackenzie. + + + + + + + + The Sea King's Gift + + + + +There was once a fisherman who was called Salmon, and his +Christian name was Matte. He lived by the shore of the big sea; +where else could he live? He had a wife called Maie; could you +find a better name for her? In winter they dwelt in a little +cottage by the shore, but in spring they flitted to a red rock +out in the sea and stayed there the whole summer until it was +autumn. The cottage on the rock was even smaller than the other; +it had a wooden bolt instead of an iron lock to the door, a stone +hearth, a flagstaff, and a weather-cock on the roof. + +The rock was called Ahtola, and was not larger than the market- +place of a town. Between the crevices there grew a little rowan +tree and four alder bushes. Heaven only knows how they ever came +there; perhaps they were brought by the winter storms. Besides +that, there flourished some tufts of velvety grass, some +scattered reeds, two plants of the yellow herb called tansy, four +of a red flower, and a pretty white one; but the treasures of the +rock consisted of three roots of garlic, which Maie had put in a +cleft. Rock walls sheltered them on the north side, and the sun +shone on them on the south. This does not seem much, but it +sufficed Maie for a herb plot. + +All good things go in threes, so Matte and his wife fished for +salmon in spring, for herring in summer, and for cod in winter. +When on Saturdays the weather was fine and the wind favourable, +they sailed to the nearest town, sold their fish, and went to +church on Sunday. But it often happened that for weeks at a time +they were quite alone on the rock Ahtola, and had nothing to look +at except their little yellow-brown dog, which bore the grand +name of Prince, their grass tufts, their bushes and blooms, the +sea bays and fish, a stormy sky and the blue, white-crested +waves. For the rock lay far away from the land, and there were no +green islets or human habitations for miles round, only here and +there appeared a rock of the same red stone as Ahtola, +besprinkled day and night with the ocean spray. + +Matte and Maie were industrious, hard-working folk, happy and +contented in their poor hut, and they thought themselves rich +when they were able to salt as many casks of fish as they +required for winter and yet have some left over with which to buy +tobacco for the old man, and a pound or two of coffee for his +wife, with plenty of burned corn and chicory in it to give it a +flavour. Besides that, they had bread, butter, fish, a beer cask, +and a buttermilk jar; what more did they require? All would have +gone well had not Maie been possessed with a secret longing which +never let her rest; and this was, how she could manage to become +the owner of a cow. + +'What would you do with a cow?' asked Matte. 'She could not swim +so far, and our boat is not large enough to bring her over here; +and even if we had her, we have nothing to feed her on.' + +'We have four alder bushes and sixteen tufts of grass,' rejoined +Maie. + +'Yes, of course,' laughed Matte, 'and we have also three plants +of garlic. Garlic would be fine feeding for her.' + +'Every cow likes salt herring,' rejoined his wife. 'Even Prince +is fond of fish.' + +'That may be,' said her husband. 'Methinks she would soon be a +dear cow if we had to feed her on salt herring. All very well for +Prince, who fights with the gulls over the last morsel. Put the +cow out of your head, mother, we are very well off as we are.' + +Maie sighed. She knew well that her husband was right, but she +could not give up the idea of a cow. The buttermilk no longer +tasted as good as usual in the coffee; she thought of sweet cream +and fresh butter, and of how there was nothing in the world to be +compared with them. + +One day as Matte and his wife were cleaning herring on the shore +they heard Prince barking, and soon there appeared a gaily +painted boat with three young men in it, steering towards the +rock. They were students, on a boating excursion, and wanted to +get something to eat. + +'Bring us a junket, good mother,' cried they to Maie. + +'Ah! if only I had such a thing!' sighed Maie. + +'A can of fresh milk, then,' said the students; 'but it must not +be skim.' + +'Yes, if only I had it!' sighed the old woman, still more deeply. + +'What! haven't you got a cow?' + +Maie was silent. This question so struck her to the heart that +she could not reply. + +'We have no cow,' Matte answered; 'but we have good smoked +herring, and can cook them in a couple of hours.' + +'All right, then, that will do,' said the students, as they flung +themselves down on the rock, while fifty silvery-white herring +were turning on the spit in front of the fire. + +'What's the name of this little stone in the middle of the +ocean?' asked one of them. + +'Ahtola,' answered the old man. + +'Well, you should want for nothing when you live in the Sea +King's dominion.' + +Matte did not understand. He had never read Kalevala and knew +nothing of the sea gods of old, but the students proceeded to +explain to him.[FN#2: Kalevala is a collection of old Finnish +songs about gods and heroes.] + +'Ahti,' said they, 'is a mighty king who lives in his dominion of +Ahtola, and has a rock at the bottom of the sea, and possesses +besides a treasury of good things. He rules over all fish and +animals of the deep; he has the finest cows and the swiftest +horses that ever chewed grass at the bottom of the ocean. He who +stands well with Ahti is soon a rich man, but one must beware in +dealing with him, for he is very changeful and touchy. Even a +little stone thrown into the water might offend him, and then as +he takes back his gift, he stirs up the sea into a storm and +drags the sailors down into the depths. Ahti owns also the +fairest maidens, who bear the train of his queen Wellamos, and at +the sound of music they comb their long, flowing locks, which +glisten in the water.' + +'Oh!' cried Matte, 'have your worships really seen all that?' + +'We have as good as seen it,' said the students. 'It is all +printed in a book, and everything printed is true.' + +'I'm not so sure of that,' said Matte, as he shook his head. + +But the herring were now ready, and the students ate enough for +six, and gave Prince some cold meat which they happened to have +in the boat. Prince sat on his hind legs with delight and mewed +like a pussy cat. When all was finished, the students handed +Matte a shining silver coin, and allowed him to fill his pipe +with a special kind of tobacco. They then thanked him for his +kind hospitality and went on their journey, much regretted by +Prince, who sat with a woeful expression and whined on the shore +as long as he could see a flip of the boat's white sail in the +distance. + +Maie had never uttered a word, but thought the more. She had good +ears, and had laid to heart the story about Ahti. 'How +delightful,' thought she to herself, 'to possess a fairy cow! How +delicious every morning and evening to draw milk from it, and yet +have no trouble about the feeding, and to keep a shelf near the +window for dishes of milk and junkets! But this will never be my +luck.' + +'What are you thinking of?' asked Matte. + +'Nothing,' said his wife; but all the time she was pondering over +some magic rhymes she had heard in her childhood from an old lame +man, which were supposed to bring luck in fishing. + +'What if I were to try?' thought she. + +Now this was Saturday, and on Saturday evenings Matte never set +the herring-net, for he did not fish on Sunday. Towards evening, +however, his wife said: + +'Let us set the herring-net just this once.' + +'No,' said her husband, 'it is a Saturday night.' + +'Last night was so stormy, and we caught so little,' urged his +wife; 'to-night the sea is like a mirror, and with the wind in +this direction the herring are drawing towards land.' + +'But there are streaks in the north-western sky, and Prince was +eating grass this evening,' said the old man. + +'Surely he has not eaten my garlic,' exclaimed the old woman. + +'No; but there will be rough weather by to-morrow at sunset,' +rejoined Matte. + +'Listen to me,' said his wife, 'we will set only one net close to +the shore, and then we shall be able to finish up our half-filled +cask, which will spoil if it stands open so long.' + +The old man allowed himself to be talked over, and so they rowed +out with the net. When they reached the deepest part of the +water, she began to hum the words of the magic rhyme, altering +the words to suit the longing of her heart: + + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + Finest treasures have I heard, + And glittering fish belong to thee. + The richest pearls beyond compare + Are stored up in thy realm below, + And Ocean's cows so sleek and fair + Feed on the grass in thy green meadow. + + King of the waters, far and near, + I ask not of thy golden store, + I wish not jewels of pearl to wear, + Nor silver either, ask I for, + But one is odd and even is two, + So give me a cow, sea-king so bold, + And in return I'll give to you + A slice of the moon, and the sun's gold. + +'What's that you're humming?' asked the old man. + +'Oh, only the words of an old rhyme that keeps running in my +head,' answered the old woman; and she raised her voice and went +on: + + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give one onto me. + +'That's a stupid sort of song,' said Matte. 'What else should one +beg of the sea-king but fish? But such songs are not for Sunday.' + +His wife pretended not to hear him, and sang and sang the same +tune all the time they were on the water. Matte heard nothing +more as he sat and rowed the heavy boat, while thinking of his +cracked pipe and the fine tobacco. Then they returned to the +island, and soon after went to bed. + +But neither Matte nor Maie could sleep a wink; the one thought of +how he had profaned Sunday, and the other of Ahti's cow. + +About midnight the fisherman sat up, and said to his wife: + +'Dost thou hear anything?' + +'No,' said she. + +'I think the twirling of the weathercock on the roof bodes ill,' +said he; 'we shall have a storm.' + +'Oh, it is nothing but your fancy,' said his wife. + +Matte lay down, but soon rose again. + +'The weathercock is squeaking now,' said he. + +'Just fancy! Go to sleep,' said his wife; and the old man tried +to. + +For the third time he jumped out of bed. + +'Ho! how the weather-cock is roaring at the pitch of its voice, +as if it had a fire inside it! We are going to have a tempest, +and must bring in the net.' + +Both rose. The summer night was as dark as if it had been +October, the weather-cock creaked, and the storm was raging in +every direction. As they went out the sea lay around them as +white as now, and the spray was dashing right over the fisher- +hut. In all his life Matte had never remembered such a night. To +launch the boat and put to sea to rescue the net was a thing not +to be thought of. The fisherman and his wife stood aghast on the +doorstep, holding on fast by the doorpost, while the foam +splashed over their faces. + +'Did I not tell thee that there is no luck in Sunday fishing?' +said Matte sulkily; and his wife was so frightened that she never +even once thought of Ahti's cows. + +As there was nothing to be done, they went in. Their eyes were +heavy for lack of slumber, and they slept as soundly as if there +had not been such a thing as an angry sea roaring furiously +around their lonely dwelling. When they awoke, the sun was high +in the heavens, the tempest had cased, and only the swell of the +sea rose in silvery heavings against the red rock. + +'What can that be?' said the old woman, as she peeped out of the +door. + +'It looks like a big seal,' said Matte. + +'As sure as I live, it's a cow!' exclaimed Maie. And certainly it +was a cow, a fine red cow, fat and flourishing, and looking as if +it had been fed all its days on spinach. It wandered peacefully +up and down the shore, and never so much as even looked at the +poor little tufts of grass, as if it despised such fare. + +Matte could not believe his eyes. But a cow she seemed, and a cow +she was found to be; and when the old woman began to milk her, +every pitcher and pan, even to the baler, was soon filled with +the most delicious milk. + +The old man troubled his head in vain as to how she came there, +and sallied forth to seek for his lost net. He had not proceeded +far when he found it cast up on the shore, and so full of fish +that not a mesh was visible. + +'It is all very fine to possess a cow,' said Matte, as he cleaned +the fish; 'but what are we going to feed her on?' + +'We shall find some means,' said his wife; and the cow found the +means herself. She went out and cropped the seaweed which grew in +great abundance near the shore, and always kept in good +condition. Every one Prince alone excepted, thought she was a +clever beast; but Prince barked at her, for he had now got a +rival. + +From that day the red rock overflowed with milk and junkets, and +every net was filled with fish. Matte and Maie grew fat on this +fine living, and daily became richer. She churned quantities of +butter, and he hired two men to help him in his fishing. The sea +lay before him like a big fish tank, out of which he hauled as +many as he required; and the cow continued to fend for herself. +In autumn, when Matte and Maie went ashore, the cow went to sea, +and in spring, when they returned to the rock, there she stood +awaiting them. + +'We shall require a better house,' said Maie the following +summer; 'the old one is too small for ourselves and the men.' + +'Yes,' said Matte. So he built a large cottage, with a real lock +to the door, and a store-house for fish as well; and he and his +men caught such quantities of fish that they sent tons of salmon, +herring, and cod to Russian and Sweden. + +'I am quite overworked with so many folk,' said Maie; 'a girl to +help me would not come amiss.' + +'Get one, then,' said her husband; and so they hired a girl. + +Then Maie said: 'We have too little milk for all these folk. Now +that I have a servant, with the same amount of trouble she could +look after three cows.' + +'All right, then,' said her husband, somewhat provoked, 'you can +sing a song to the fairies.' + +This annoyed Maie, but nevertheless she rowed out to sea on +Sunday night and sang as before: + + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give three unto me. + +The following morning, instead of one, three cows stood on the +island, and they all ate seaweed and fended for themselves like +the first one. + +'Art thou satisfied now?' said Matte to his wife. + +'I should be quite satisfied,' said his wife, 'if only I had two +servants to help, and if I had some finer clothes. Don't you know +that I am addressed as Madam?' + +'Well, well,' said her husband. So Maie got several servants and +clothes fit for a great lady. + +'Everything would now be perfect if only we had a little better +dwelling for summer. You might build us a two-storey house, and +fetch soil to make a garden. Then you might make a little arbour +up there to let us have a sea-view; and we might have a fiddler +to fiddle to us of an evening, and a little steamer to take us to +church in stormy weather.' + +'Anything more?' asked Matte; but he did everything that his wife +wished. The rock Ahtola became so grand and Maie so grand that +all the sea-urchins and herring were lost in wonderment. Even +Prince was fed on beefsteaks and cream scones till at last he was +as round as a butter jar. + +'Are you satisfied now?' asked Matte. + +'I should be quite satisfied,' said Maie, 'if only I had thirty +cows. At least that number is required for such a household.' + +'Go to the fairies,' said Matte. + +His wife set out in the new steamer and sang to the sea-king. +Next morning thirty cows stood on the shore, all finding food for +themselves. + +'Know'st thou, good man, that we are far too cramped on this +wretched rock, and where am I to find room for so many cows?' + +'There is nothing to be done but to pump out the sea.' + +'Rubbish!' said his wife. 'Who can pump out the sea?' + +'Try with thy new steamer, there is a pump in it.' + +Maie knew well that her husband was only making fun of her, but +still her mind was set upon the same subject. 'I never could pump +the sea out,' thought she, 'but perhaps I might fill it up, if I +were to make a big dam. I might heap up sand and stones, and make +our island as big again.' + +Maie loaded her boat with stones and went out to sea. The fiddler +was with her, and fiddled so finely that Ahti and Wellamos and +all the sea's daughters rose to the surface of the water to +listen to the music. + +'What is that shining so brightly in the waves?' asked Maie. + +'That is sea foam glinting in the sunshine,' answered the +fiddler. + +'Throw out the stones,' said Maie. + +The people in the boat began to throw out the stones, splash, +splash, right and left, into the foam. One stone hit the nose of +Wellamos's chief lady-in-waiting, another scratched the sea queen +herself on the cheek, a third plumped close to Ahti's head and +tore off half of the sea-king's beard; then there was a commotion +in the sea, the waves bubbled and bubbled like boiling water in a +pot. + +'Whence comes this gust of wind?' said Maie; and as she spoke the +sea opened and swallowed up the steamer. Maie sank to the bottom +like a stone, but, stretching out her arms and legs, she rose to +the surface, where she found the fiddler's fiddle, and used it as +a float. At the same moment she saw close beside her the terrible +head of Ahti, and he had only half a beard!' + +'Why did you throw stones at me?' roared the sea-king. + +'Oh, your majesty, it was a mistake! Put some bear's grease on +your beard and that will soon make it grow again.' + +'Dame, did I not give you all you asked for--nay, even more?' + +'Truly, truly, your majesty. Many thanks for the cows.' + +'Well, where is the gold from the sun and the silver from the +moon that you promised me?' + +'Ah, your majesty, they have been scattered day and night upon +the sea, except when the sky was overcast,' slyly answered Maie. + +'I'll teach you!' roared the sea-king; and with that he gave the +fiddle such a 'puff' that it sent the old woman up like a sky- +rocket on to her island. There Prince lay, as famished as ever, +gnawing the carcase of a crow. There sat Matte in his ragged grey +jacket, quite alone, on the steps of the old hut, mending a net. + +'Heavens, mother,' said he, 'where are you coming from at such a +whirlwind pace, and what makes you in such a dripping condition?' + +Maie looked around her amazed, and said, 'Where is our two-storey +house?' + +'What house?' asked her husband. + +'Our big house, and the flower garden, and the men and the maids, +and the thirty beautiful cows, and the steamer, and everything +else?' + +'You are talking nonsense, mother,' said he. 'The students have +quite turned your head, for you sang silly songs last evening +while we were rowing, and then you could not sleep till early +morning. We had stormy weather during the night, and when it was +past I did not wish to waken you, so rowed out alone to rescue +the net.' + +'But I've seen Ahti,' rejoined Maie. + +'You've been lying in bed, dreaming foolish fancies, mother, and +then in your sleep you walked into the water.' + +'But there is the fiddle,' said Maie. + +'A fine fiddle! It is only an old stick. No, no, old woman, +another time we will be more careful. Good luck never attends +fishing on a Sunday.' + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + + + + The Raspberry Worm + + + + +'Phew!' cried Lisa. + +'Ugh!' cried Aina. + +'What now?' cried the big sister. + +'A worm!' cried Lisa. + +'On the raspberry!' cried Aina. + +'Kill it!' cried Otto. + +'What a fuss over a poor little worm!' said the big sister +scornfully. + +'Yes, when we had cleaned the raspberries so carefully,' said +Lisa. + +'It crept out from that very large one,' put in Aina. + +'And supposing someone had eaten the raspberry,' said Lisa. + +'Then they would have eaten the worm, too,' said Aina. + +'Well, what harm?' said Otto. + +'Eat a worm!' cried Lisa. + +'And kill him with one bite!' murmured Aina. + +'Just think of it!' said Otto laughing. + +'Now it is crawling on the table,' cried Aina again. + +'Blow it away!' said the big sister. + +'Tramp on it!' laughed Otto. + +But Lisa took a raspberry leaf, swept the worm carefully on to +the leaf and carried it out into the yard. Then Aina noticed that +a sparrow sitting on the fence was just ready to pounce on the +poor little worm, so she took up the leaf, carried it out into +the wood and hid it under a raspberry bush where the greedy +sparrow could not find it. Yes, and what more is there to tell +about a raspberry worm? Who would give three straws for such a +miserable little thing? Yes, but who would not like to live in +such a pretty home as it lives in; in such a fresh fragrant dark- +red cottage, far away in the quiet wood among flowers and green +leaves! + +Now it was just dinner time, so they all had a dinner of +raspberries and cream. 'Be careful with the sugar, Otto,' said +the big sister; but Otto's plate was like a snowdrift in winter, +with just a little red under the snow. + +Soon after dinner the big sister said: 'Now we have eaten up the +raspberries and we have none left to make preserve for the +winter; it would be fine if we could get two baskets full of +berries, then we could clean them this evening, and to-morrow we +could cook them in the big preserving pan, and then we should +have raspberry jam to eat on our bread!' + +'Come, let us go to the wood and pick,' said Lisa. + +'Yes, let us,' said Aina. 'You take the yellow basket and I will +take the green one.' + +'Don't get lost, and come back safely in the evening,' said the +big sister. + +'Greetings to the raspberry worm,' said Otto, mockingly. 'Next +time I meet him I shall do him the honour of eating him up.' + +So Aina and Lisa went off to the wood. Ah! how delightful it was +there, how beautiful! It was certainly tiresome sometimes +climbing over the fallen trees, and getting caught in the +branches, and waging war with the juniper bushes and the midges, +but what did that matter? The girls climbed well in their short +dresses, and soon they were deep in the wood. + +There were plenty of bilberries and elder berries, but no +raspberries. They wandered on and on, and at last they came ... +No, it could not be true! ... they came to a large raspberry +wood. The wood had been on fire once, and now raspberry bushes +had grown up, and there were raspberry bushes and raspberry +bushes as far as the eye could see. Every bush was weighted to +the ground with the largest, dark red, ripe raspberries, such a +wealth of berries as two little berry pickers had never found +before! + +Lisa picked, Aina picked. Lisa ate, Aina ate, and in a little +while their baskets were full. + +'Now we shall go home,' said Aina. 'No, let us gather a few +more,' said Lisa. So they put the baskets down on the ground and +began to fill their pinafores, and it was not long before their +pinafores were full, too. + +'Now we shall go home,' said Lina. 'Yes, now we shall go home,' +said Aina. Both girls took a basket in one hand and held up her +apron in the other and then turned to go home. But that was +easier said than done. They had never been so far in the great +wood before, they could not find any road nor path, and soon the +girls noticed that they had lost their way. + +The worst of it was that the shadows of the tress were becoming +so long in the evening sunlight, the birds were beginning to fly +home, and the day was closing in. At last the sun went down +behind the pine tops, and it was cool and dusky in the great +wood. + +The girls became anxious but went steadily on, expecting that the +wood would soon end, and that they would see the smoke from the +chimneys of their home. + +After they had wandered on for a long time it began to grow dark. +At last they reached a great plain overgrown with bushes, and +when they looked around them, they saw, as much as they could in +the darkness, that they were among the same beautiful raspberry +bushes from which they had picked their baskets and their aprons +full. Then they were so tired that they sat down on a stone and +began to cry. + +'I am so hungry,' said Lisa. + +'Yes,' said Aina, 'if we had only two good meat sandwiches now.' + +As she said that, she felt something in her hand, and when she +looked down, she saw a large sandwich of bread and chicken, and +at the same time Lisa said: 'How very queer! I have a sandwich in +my hand.' + +'And I, too,' said Aina. 'Will you dare to eat it?' + +'Of course I will,' said Lisa. 'Ah, if we only had a good glass +of milk now!' + +Just as she said that she felt a large glass of milk between her +fingers, and at the same time Aina cried out, 'Lisa! Lisa! I have +a glass of milk in my hand! Isn't it queer?' + +The girls, however, were very hungry, so they ate and drank with +a good appetite. When they had finished Aina yawned, stretched +out her arms and said: 'Oh, if only we had a nice soft bed to +sleep on now!' + +Scarcely had she spoken before she felt a nice soft bed by her +side, and there beside Lisa was one too. This seemed to the girls +more and more wonderful, but tired and sleepy as they were, they +thought no more about it, but crept into the little beds, drew +the coverlets over their heads and were soon asleep. + +When they awoke the sun was high in the heavens, the wood was +beautiful in the summer morning, and the birds were flying about +in the branches and the tree tops. + +At first the girls were filled with wonder when they saw that +they had slept in the wood among the raspberry bushes. They +looked at each other, they looked at their beds, which were of +the finest flax covered over with leaves and moss. At last Lisa +said: 'Are you awake, Aina?' + +'Yes,' said Aina. + +'But I am still dreaming,' said Lisa. + +'No,' said Aina, 'but there is certainly some good fairy living +among these raspberry bushes. Ah, if we had only a hot cup of +coffee now, and a nice piece of white bread to dip into it!' + +Scarcely had she finished speaking when she saw beside her a +little silver tray with a gilt coffee-pot, two cups of rare +porcelain, a sugar basin of fine crystal, silver sugar tongs, and +some good fresh white bread. The girls poured out the beautiful +coffee, put in the cream and sugar, and tasted it; never in their +lives had they drunk such beautiful coffee. + +'Now I should like to know very much who has given us all this,' +said Lisa gratefully. + +'I have, my little girls,' said a voice just then from the +bushes. + +The children looked round wonderingly, and saw a little kind- +looking old man, in a white coat and a red cap, limping out from +among the bushes, for he was lame in his left foot; neither Lisa +nor Aina could utter a word, they were so filled with surprise. + +'Don't be afraid, little girls,' he said smiling kindly at them; +he could not laugh properly because his mouth was crooked. +'Welcome to my kingdom! Have you slept well and eaten well and +drunk well?' he asked. + +'Yes, indeed we have,' said both the girls, 'but tell us ...' and +they wanted to ask who the old man was, but were afraid to. + +'I will tell you who I am,' said the old man; 'I am the raspberry +king, who reigns over all this kingdom of raspberry bushes, and I +have lived here for more than a thousand years. But the great +spirit who rules over the woods, and the sea, and the sky, did +not want me to become proud of my royal power and my long life. +Therefore he decreed that one day in every hundred years I should +change into a little raspberry worm, and live in that weak and +helpless form from sunrise to sunset. During that time my life is +dependent on the little worm's life, so that a bird can eat me, a +child can pick me with the berries and trample under foot my +thousand years of life. Now yesterday was just my transformation +day, and I was taken with the raspberry and would have been +trampled to death if you had not saved my life. Until sunset I +lay helpless in the grass, and when I was swept away from your +table I twisted one of my feet, and my mouth became crooked with +terror; but when evening came and I could take my own form again, +I looked for you to thank you and reward you. Then I found you +both here in my kingdom, and tried to meet you both as well as I +could without frightening you. Now I will send a bird from my +wood to show you the way home. Good-bye, little children, thank +you for your kind hearts; the raspberry king can show that he is +not ungrateful.' The children shook hands with the old man and +thanked him, feeling very glad that they had saved the little +raspberry worm. They were just going when the old man turned +round, smiled mischievously with his crooked mouth, and said: +'Greetings to Otto from me, and tell him when I meet him again I +shall do him the honour of eating him up.' + +'Oh, please don't do that,' cried both the girls, very +frightened. + +'Well, for your sake I will forgive him,' said the old man, 'I am +not revengeful. Greetings to Otto and tell him that he may expect +a gift from me, too. Good-bye.' + +The two girls, light of heart, now took their berries and ran off +through the wood after the bird; and soon it began to get lighter +in the wood and they wondered how they could have lost their way +yesterday, it seemed so easy and plain now. + +One can imagine what joy there was when the two reached home. +Everyone had been looking for them, and the big sister had not +been able to sleep, for she thought the wolves had eaten them up. + +Otto met them; he had a basket in his hand and said: 'Look, here +is something that an old man has just left for you.' + +When the girls looked into the basket they saw a pair of most +beautiful bracelets of precious stones, dark red, and made in the +shape of a ripe raspberry and with an inscription: 'To Lisa and +Aina'; beside them there was a diamond breast pin in the shape of +a raspberry worm: on it was inscribed 'Otto, never destroy the +helpless!' + +Otto felt rather ashamed: he quite understood what it meant, but +he thought that the old man's revenge was a noble one. + +The raspberry king had also remembered the big sister, for when +she went in to set the table for dinner, she found eleven big +baskets of most beautiful raspberries, and no one knew how they +had come there, but everyone guessed. + +And so there was such a jam-making as had never been seen before, +and if you like to go and help in it, you might perhaps get a +little, for they must surely be making jam still to this very +day. + +From Z. Topelius. + + + + + + + The Stones of Plouhinec + + + + +Perhaps some of you may have read a book called 'Kenneth; or the +Rear-Guard of the Grand Army' of Napoleon. If so, you will +remember how the two Scotch children found in Russia were taken +care of by the French soldiers and prevented as far as possible +from suffering from the horrors of the terrible Retreat. One of +the soldiers, a Breton, often tried to make them forget how cold +and hungry they were by telling them tales of his native country, +Brittany, which is full of wonderful things. The best and warmest +place round the camp fire was always given to the children, but +even so the bitter frost would cause them to shiver. It was then +that the Breton would begin: 'Plouhinec is a small town near +Hennebonne by the sea,' and would continue until Kenneth or Effie +would interrupt him with an eager question. Then he forgot how +his mother had told him the tale, and was obliged to begin all +over again, so the story lasted a long while, and by the time it +was ended the children were ready to be rolled up in what ever +coverings could be found, and go to sleep. It is this story that +I am going to tell to you. + +Plouhinec is a small town near Hennebonne by the sea. Around it +stretches a desolate moor, where no corn can be grown, and the +grass is so coarse that no beast grows fat on it. Here and there +are scattered groves of fir trees, and small pebbles are so thick +on the ground that you might almost take it for a beach. On the +further side, the fairies, or korigans, as the people called +them, had set up long long ago two rows of huge stones; indeed, +so tall and heavy were they, that it seemed as if all the fairies +in the world could not have placed them upright. + +Not far off them this great stone avenue, and on the banks of the +little river Intel, there lived a man named Marzinne and his +sister Rozennik. They always had enough black bread to eat, and +wooden shoes or sabots to wear, and a pig to fatten, so the +neighbours thought them quite rich; and what was still better, +they thought themselves rich also. + +Rozennik was a pretty girl, who knew how to make the best of +everything, and she could, if she wished, have chosen a husband +from the young men of Plouhinec, but she cared for none of them +except Bernez, whom she had played with all her life, and Bernez, +though he worked hard, was so very very poor that Marzinne told +him roughly he must look elsewhere for a wife. But whatever +Marzinne might say Rozennik smiled and nodded to him as before, +and would often turn her head as she passed, and sing snatches of +old songs over her shoulder. + +Christmas Eve had come, and all the men who worked under Marzinne +or on the farms round about were gathered in the large kitchen to +eat the soup flavoured with honey followed by rich puddings, to +which they were always invited on this particular night. In the +middle of the table was a large wooden bowl, with wooden spoons +placed in a circle round it, so that each might dip in his turn. +The benches were filled, and Marzinne was about to give the +signal, when the door was suddenly thrown open, and an old man +came in, wishing the guests a good appetite for their supper. +There was a pause, and some of the faces looked a little +frightened; for the new comer was well known to them as a beggar, +who was also said to be a wizard who cast spells over the cattle, +and caused the corn to grow black, and old people to die, of +what, nobody knew. Still, it was Christmas Eve, and besides it +was as well not to offend him, so the farmer invited him in, and +gave him a seat at the table and a wooden spoon like the rest. + +There was not much talk after the beggar's entrance, and everyone +was glad when the meal came to an end, and the beggar asked if he +might sleep in the stable, as he should die of cold if he were +left outside. Rather unwillingly Marzinne gave him leave, and +bade Bernez take the key and unlock the door. There was certainly +plenty of room for a dozen beggars, for the only occupants of the +stable were an old donkey and a thin ox; and as the night was +bitter, the wizard lay down between them for warmth, with a sack +of reeds for a pillow. + +He had walked far that day, and even wizards get tired sometimes, +so in spite of the hard floor he was just dropping off to sleep, +when midnight struck from the church tower of Plouhinec. At this +sound the donkey raised her head and shook her ears, and turned +towards the ox. + +'Well, my dear cousin,' said she, 'and how have you fared since +last Christmas Eve, when we had a conversation together?' + +Instead of answering at once, the ox eyed the beggar with a long +look of disgust. + +'What is the use of talking,' he replied roughly, 'when a good- +for-nothing creature like that can hear all we say?' + +'Oh, you mustn't lose time in grumbling,' rejoined the donkey +gaily, 'and don't you see that the wizard is asleep?' + +'His wicked pranks do not make him rich, certainly,' said the ox, +'and he isn't even clever enough to have found out what a piece +of luck might befall him a week hence.' + +'What piece of luck?' asked the donkey. + +'Why, don't you know,' inquired the ox, 'that once very hundred +years the stones on Plouhinec heath go down to drink at the +river, and that while they are away the treasures underneath them +are uncovered?' + +'Ah, I remember now,' replied the donkey, 'but the stones return +so quickly to their places, that you certainly would be crushed +to death unless you have in your hands a bunch of crowsfoot and +of five-leaved trefoil.' + +'Yes, but that is not enough,' said the ox; 'even supposing you +get safely by, the treasure you have brought with you will +crumble into dust if you do not give in exchange a baptised soul. +It is needful that a Christian should die before you can enjoy +the wealth of Plouhinec.' + +The donkey was about to ask some further questions, when she +suddenly found herself unable to speak: the time allowed them for +conversation was over. + +'Ah, my dear creatures,' thought the beggar, who had of course +heard everything, 'you are going to make me richer than the +richest men of Vannes or Lorient. But I have no time to lose; to- +morrow I must begin to hunt for the precious plants.' + +He did not dare to seek too near Plouhinec, lest somebody who +knew the story might guess what he was doing, so he went away +further towards the south, where the air was softer and the +plants are always green. From the instant it was light, till the +last rays had faded out of the sky, he searched every inch of +ground where the magic plants might grow; he scarcely gave +himself a minute to eat and drink, but at length he found the +crowsfoot in a little hollow! Well, that was certainly a great +deal, but after all, the crowsfoot was of no use without the +trefoil, and there was so little time left. + +He had almost give up hope, when on the very last day before it +was necessary that he should start of Plouhinec, he came upon a +little clump of trefoil, half hidden under a rock. Hardly able to +breathe from excitement, he sat down and hunted eagerly through +the plant which he had torn up. Leaf after leaf he threw aside in +disgust, and he had nearly reached the end when he gave a cry of +joy-- the five-leaved trefoil was in his hand. + +The beggar scrambled to his feet, and without a pause walked +quickly down the road that led northwards. The moon was bright, +and for some hours he kept steadily on, not knowing how many +miles he had gone, nor even feeling tired. By and bye the sun +rose, and the world began to stir, and stopping at a farmhouse +door, he asked for a cup of milk and slice of bread and +permission to rest for a while in the porch. Then he continued +his journey, and so, towards sunset on New Year's Eve, he came +back to Plouhinec. + +As he was passing the long line of stones, he saw Bernez working +with a chisel on the tallest of them all. + +'What are you doing there?' called the wizard, 'do you mean to +hollow out for yourself a bed in that huge column?' + +'No,' replied Bernez quietly, 'but as I happened to have no work +to do to-day, I thought I would just carve a cross on this stone. +The holy sign can never come amiss.' + +'I believe you think it will help you to win Rozennik,' laughed +the old man. + +Bernez ceased his task for a moment to look at him. + +'Ah, so you know about that,' replied he; 'unluckily Marzinne +wants a brother-in-law who has more pounds than I have pence.' + +'And suppose I were to give you more pounds than Marzinne ever +dreamed of?' whispered the sorcerer glancing round to make sure +that no one overheard him. + +'You?' + +'Yes, I.' + +'And what am I to do to gain the money,' inquired Bernez, who +knew quite well that the Breton peasant gives nothing for +nothing. + +'What I want of you only needs a little courage,' answered the +old man. + +'If that is all, tell me what I have got to do, and I will do +it,' cried Bernez, letting fall his chisel. 'If I have to risk +thirty deaths, I am ready.' + +When the beggar knew that Bernez would give him no trouble, he +told him how, during that very night, the treasures under the +stones would be uncovered, and how in a very few minutes they +could take enough to make them both rich for life. But he kept +silence as to the fate that awaited the man who was without the +crowsfoot and the trefoil, and Bernez thought that nothing but +boldness and quickness were necessary. So he said: + +'Old man, I am grateful, indeed, for the chance you have given +me, and there will always be a pint of my blood at your service. +Just let me finish carving this cross. It is nearly done, and I +will join you in the fir wood at whatever hour you please.' + +'You must be there without fail an hour before midnight,' +answered the wizard, and went on his way. + +As the hour struck from the great church at Plouhinec, Bernez +entered the wood. He found the beggar already there with a bag in +each hand, and a third slung round his neck. + +'You are punctual,' said the old man, 'but we need not start just +yet. You had better sit down and think what you will do when your +pockets are filled with gold and silver and jewels.' + +'Oh, it won't take me long to plan out that,' returned Bernez +with a laugh. 'I shall give Rozennik everything she can desire, +dresses of all sorts, from cotton to silk, and good things of all +kinds to eat, from white bread to oranges.' + +'The silver you find will pay for all that, and what about the +gold?' + +'With the gold I shall make rich Rozennik's relations and every +friend of hers in the parish,' replied he. + +'So much for the gold; and the jewels?' + +'Then,' cried Bernez, 'I will divide the jewels amongst everybody +in the world, so that they may be wealthy and happy; and I will +tell them that it is Rozennik who would have it so.' + +'Hush! it is close on midnight--we must go,' whispered the +wizard, and together they crept to the edge of the wood. + +With the first stroke of twelve a great noise arose over the +silent heath, and the earth seemed to rock under the feet of the +two watchers. The next moment by the light of the moon they +beheld the huge stones near them leave their places and go down +the slope leading to the river, knocking against each other in +their haste. Passing the spot where stood Bernez and the beggar, +they were lost in the darkness. It seemed as if a procession of +giants had gone by. + +'Quick,' said the wizard, in a low voice, and he rushed towards +the empty holes, which even in the night shone brightly from the +treasures within them. Flinging himself on his knees, the old man +began filling the wallets he had brought, listening intently all +the time for the return of the stones up the hill, while Bernez +more slowly put handfuls of all he could see into his pockets. + +The sorcerer had just closed his third wallet, and was beginning +to wonder if he could carry away any more treasures when a low +murmur as of a distant storm broke upon his ears. + +The stones had finished drinking, and were hastening back to +their places. + +On they came, bent a little forward, the tallest of them all at +their head, breaking everything that stood in their way. At the +sight Bernez stood transfixed with horror, and said, + +'We are lost! They will crush us to death.' + +'Not me!' answered the sorcerer, holding up the crowsfoot and the +five-leaved trefoil, 'for these will preserve me. But in order to +keep my riches, I was obliged to sacrifice a Christian to the +stones, and an evil fate threw you in my way.' And as he spoke he +stretched out the magic herbs to the stones, which were advancing +rapidly. As if acknowledging a power greater than theirs, the +monstrous things instantly parted to the right and left of the +wizard, but closed their ranks again as they approached Bernez. + +The young man did not try to escape, he knew it was useless, and +sank on his knees and closed his eyes. But suddenly the tall +stone that was leading stopped straight in front of Bernez, so +that no other could get past. + +It was the stone on which Bernez had carved the cross, and it was +now a baptized stone, and had power to save him. + +So the stone remained before the young man till the rest had +taken their places, and then, darting like a bird to its own +hole, came upon the beggar, who, thinking himself quite safe, was +staggering along under the weight of his treasures. + +Seeing the stone approaching, he held out the magic herbs which +he carried, but the baptized stone was no longer subject to the +spells that bound the rest, and passed straight on its way, +leaving the wizard crushed into powder in the heather. + +Then Bernez went home, and showed his wealth to Marzinne, who +this time did not refuse him as a brother-in-law, and he and +Rozennik were married, and lived happy for ever after. + +From 'Le Royer Breton,' par Emile Souvestre. + + + + + + + The Castle of Kerglas + + + + +Peronnik was a poor idiot who belonged to nobody, and he would +have died of starvation if it had not been for the kindness of +the village people, who gave him food whenever he chose to ask +for it. And as for a bed, when night came, and he grew sleepy, he +looked about for a heap of straw, and making a hole in it, crept +in, like a lizard. Idiot though he was, he was never unhappy, but +always thanked gratefully those who fed him, and sometimes would +stop for a little and sing to them. For he could imitate a lark +so well, that no one knew which was Peronnik and which was the +bird. + +He had been wandering in a forest one day for several hours, and +when evening approached, he suddenly felt very hungry. Luckily, +just at that place the trees grew thinner, and he could see a +small farmhouse a little way off. Peronnik went straight towards +it, and found the farmer's wife standing at the door holding in +her hands the large bowl out of which her children had eaten +their supper. + +'I am hungry, will you give me something to eat?' asked the boy. + +'If you can find anything here, you are welcome to it,' answered +she, and, indeed, there was not much left, as everybody's spoon +had dipped in. But Peronnik ate what was there with a hearty +appetite, and thought that he had never tasted better food. + +'It is made of the finest flour and mixed with the richest milk +and stirred by the best cook in all the countryside,' and though +he said it to himself, the woman heard him. + +'Poor innocent,' she murmured, 'he does not know what he is +saying, but I will cut him a slice of that new wheaten loaf,' and +so she did, and Peronnik ate up every crumb, and declared that +nobody less than the bishop's baker could have baked it. This +flattered the farmer's wife so much that she gave him some butter +to spread on it, and Peronnik was still eating it on the doorstep +when an armed knight rode up. + +'Can you tell me the way to the castle of Kerglas?' asked he. + +'To Kerglas? are you really going to Kerglas?' cried the woman, +turning pale. + +'Yes; and in order to get there I have come from a country so far +off that it has taken me three months' hard riding to travel as +far as this.' + +'And why do you want to go to Kerglas?' said she. + +'I am seeking the basin of gold and the lance of diamonds which +are in the castle,' he answered. Then Peronnik looked up. + +'The basin and the lance are very costly things,' he said +suddenly. + +'More costly and precious than all the crowns in the world,' +replied the stranger, 'for not only will the basin furnish you +with the best food that you can dream of, but if you drink of it, +it will cure you of any illness however dangerous, and will even +bring the dead back to life, if it touches their mouths. As to +the diamond lance, that will cut through any stone or metal.' + +'And to whom do these wonders belong?' asked Peronnik in +amazement. + +'To a magician named Rogear who lives in the castle,' answered +the woman. 'Every day he passes along here, mounted on a black +mare, with a colt thirteen months old trotting behind. But no one +dares to attack him, as he always carries his lance.' + +'That is true,' said the knight, 'but there is a spell laid upon +him which forbids his using it within the castle of Kerglas. The +moment he enters, the basin and lance are put away in a dark +cellar which no key but one can open. And that is the place where +I wish to fight the magician.' + +'You will never overcome him, Sir Knight,' replied the woman, +shaking her head. 'More than a hundred gentlemen have ridden past +this house bent on the same errand, and not one has ever come +back.' + +'I know that, good woman,' returned the knight, 'but then they +did not have, like me, instructions from the hermit of Blavet.' + +'And what did the hermit tell you?' asked Peronnik. + +'He told me that I should have to pass through a wood full of all +sorts of enchantments and voices, which would try to frighten me +and make me lose my way. Most of those who have gone before me +have wandered they know not where, and perished from cold, +hunger, or fatigue.' + +'Well, suppose you get through safely?' said the idiot. + +'If I do,' continued the knight, 'I shall then meet a sort of +fairy armed with a needle of fire which burns to ashes all it +touches. This dwarf stands guarding an apple-tree, from which I +am bound to pluck an apple.' + +'And next?' inquired Peronnik. + +'Next I shall find the flower that laughs, protected by a lion +whose mane is formed of vipers. I must pluck that flower, and go +on to the lake of the dragons and fight the black man who holds +in his hand the iron ball which never misses its mark and returns +of its own accord to its master. After that, I enter the valley +of pleasure, where some who conquered all the other obstacles +have left their bones. If I can win through this, I shall reach a +river with only one ford, where a lady in black will be seated. +She will mount my horse behind me, and tell me what I am to do +next.' + +He paused, and the woman shook her head. + +'You will never be able to do all that,' said she, but he bade +her remembered that these were only matters for men, and galloped +away down the path she pointed out. + +The farmer's wife sighed and, giving Peronnik some more food, +bade him good-night. The idiot rose and was opening the gate +which led into the forest when the farmer himself came up. + +'I want a boy to tend my cattle,' he said abruptly, 'as the one I +had has run away. Will you stay and do it?' and Peronnik, though +he loved his liberty and hated work, recollected the good food he +had eaten, and agreed to stop. + +At sunrise he collected his herd carefully and led them to the +rich pasture which lay along the borders of the forest, cutting +himself a hazel wand with which to keep them in order. + +His task was not quite so easy as it looked, for the cows had a +way of straying into the wood, and by the time he had brought one +back another was off. He had gone some distance into the trees, +after a naughty black cow which gave him more trouble than all +the rest, when he heard the noise of horse's feet, and peeping +through the leaves he beheld the giant Rogear seated on his mare, +with the colt trotting behind. Round the giant's neck hung the +golden bowl suspended from a chain, and in his hand he grasped +the diamond lance, which gleamed like fire. But as soon as he was +out of sight the idiot sought in vain for traces of the path he +had taken. + +This happened not only once but many times, till Peronnik grew so +used to him that he never troubled to hide. But on each occasion +he saw him the desire to possess the bowl and the lance became +stronger. + +One evening the boy was sitting alone on the edge of the forest, +when a man with a white beard stopped beside him. 'Do you want to +know the way to Kerglas?' asked the idiot, and the man answered +'I know it well.' + +'You have been there without being killed by the magician?' cried +Peronnik. + +'Oh! he had nothing to fear from me,' replied the white-bearded +man, 'I am Rogear's elder brother, the wizard Bryak. When I wish +to visit him I always pass this way, and as even I cannot go +through the enchanted wood without losing myself, I call the colt +to guide me.' Stooping down as he spoke he traced three circles +on the ground and murmured some words very low, which Peronnik +could not hear. Then he added aloud: + + Colt, free to run and free to eat. + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, + +and instantly the colt appeared, frisking and jumping to the +wizard, who threw a halter over his neck and leapt on his back. + +Peronnik kept silence at the farm about this adventure, but he +understood very well that if he was ever to get to Kerglas he +must first catch the colt which knew the way. Unhappily he had +not heard the magic words uttered by the wizard, and he could not +manage to draw the three circles, so if he was to summon the colt +at all he must invent some other means of doing it. + +All day long, while he was herding the cows, he thought and +thought how he was to call the colt, for he felt sure that once +on its back he could overcome the other dangers. Meantime he must +be ready in case a chance should come, and he made his +preparations at night, when everyone was asleep. Remembering what +he had seen the wizard do, he patched up an old halter that was +hanging in a corner of the stable, twisted a rope of hemp to +catch the colt's feet, and a net such as is used for snaring +birds. Next he sewed roughly together some bits of cloth to serve +as a pocket, and this he filled with glue and lark's feathers, a +string of beads, a whistle of elder wood, and a slice of bread +rubbed over with bacon fat. Then he went out to the path down +which Rogear, his mare, and the colt always rode, and crumbled +the bread on one side of it. + +Punctual to their hour all three appeared, eagerly watched by +Peronnik, who lay hid in the bushes close by. Suppose it was +useless; suppose the mare, and not the colt, ate the crumbs? +Suppose--but no! the mare and her rider went safely by, vanishing +round a corner, while the colt, trotting along with its head on +the ground, smelt the bread, and began greedily to lick up the +pieces. Oh, how good it was! Why had no one ever given it that +before, and so absorbed was the little beast, sniffing about +after a few more crumbs, that it never heard Peronnik creep up +till it felt the halter on its neck and the rope round its feet, +and--in another moment--some one on its back. + +Going as fast as the hobbles would allow, the colt turned into +one of the wildest parts of the forest, while its rider sat +trembling at the strange sights he saw. Sometimes the earth +seemed to open in front of them and he was looking into a +bottomless pit; sometimes the trees burst into flames and he +found himself in the midst of a fire; often in the act of +crossing a stream the water rose and threatened to sweep him +away; and again, at the foot of a mountain, great rocks would +roll towards him, as if they would crush him and his colt beneath +their weight. To his dying day Peronnik never knew whether these +things were real or if he only imagined them, but he pulled down +his knitted cap so as to cover his eyes, and trusted the colt to +carry him down the right road. + +At last the forest was left behind, and they came out on a wide +plain where the air blew fresh and strong. The idiot ventured to +peep out, and found to his relief that the enchantments seemed to +have ended, though a thrill of horror shot through him as he +noticed the skeletons of men scattered over the plain, beside the +skeletons of their horses. And what were those grey forms +trotting away in the distance? Were they--could they be--wolves? + +But vast through the plain seemed, it did not take long to cross, +and very soon the colt entered a sort of shady park in which was +standing a single apple-tree, its branches bowed down to the +ground with the weight of its fruit. In front was the korigan-- +the little fairy man--holding in his hand the fiery sword, which +reduced to ashes everything it touched. At the sight of Peronnik +he uttered a piercing scream, and raised his sword, but without +appearing surprised the youth only lifted his cap, though he took +care to remain at a little distance. + +'Do not be alarmed, my prince,' said Peronnik, 'I am just on my +way to Kerglas, as the noble Rogear has begged me to come to him +on business.' + +'Begged you to come!' repeated the dwarf, 'and who, then, are +you?' + +'I am the new servant he has engaged, as you know very well,' +answered Peronnik. + +'I do not know at all,' rejoined the korigan sulkily, 'and you +may be a robber for all I can tell.' + +'I am so sorry,' replied Peronnik, 'but I may be wrong in calling +myself a servant, for I am only a bird-catcher. But do not delay +me, I pray, for his highness the magician expects me, and, as you +see, has lent me his colt so that I may reach the castle all the +quicker.' + +At these words the korigan cast his eyes for the first time on +the colt, which he knew to be the one belonging to the magician, +and began to think that the young man was speaking the truth. +After examining the horse, he studied the rider, who had such an +innocent, and indeed vacant, air that he appeared incapable of +inventing a story. Still, the dwarf did not feel quite sure that +all was right, and asked what the magician wanted with a bird- +catcher. + +'From what he says, he wants one very badly,' replied Peronnik, +'as he declares that all his grain and all the fruit in his +garden at Kerglas are eaten up by the birds.' + +'And how are you going to stop that, my fine fellow?' inquired +the korigan; and Peronnik showed him the snare he had prepared, +and remarked that no bird could possible escape from it. + +'That is just what I should like to be sure of,' answered the +korigan. 'My apples are completely eaten up by blackbirds and +thrushes. Lay your snare, and if you can manage to catch them, I +will let you pass.' + +'That is a fair bargain,' and as he spoke Peronnik jumped down +and fastened his colt to a tree; then, stopping, he fixed one end +of the net to the trunk of the apple tree, and called to the +korigan to hold the other while he took out the pegs. The dwarf +did as he was bid, when suddenly Peronnik threw the noose over +his neck and drew it close, and the korigan was held as fast as +any of the birds he wished to snare. + +Shrieking with rage, he tried to undo the cord, but he only +pulled the knot tighter. He had put down the sword on the grass, +and Peronnik had been careful to fix the net on the other side of +the tree, so that it was now easy for him to pluck an apple and +to mount his horse, without being hindered by the dwarf, whom he +left to his fate. + +When they had left the plain behind them, Peronnik and his steed +found themselves in a narrow valley in which was a grove of +trees, full of all sorts of sweet-smelling things--roses of every +colour, yellow broom, pink honeysuckle--while above them all +towered a wonderful scarlet pansy whose face bore a strange +expression. This was the flower that laughs, and no one who +looked at it could help laughing too. Peronnik's heart beat high +at the thought that he had reached safely the second trial, and +he gazed quite calmly at the lion with the mane of vipers +twisting and twirling, who walked up and down in front of the +grove. + +The young man pulled up and removed his cap, for, idiot though he +was, he knew that when you have to do with people greater than +yourself, a cap is more useful in the hand than on the head. +Then, after wishing all kinds of good fortune to the lion and his +family, he inquired if he was on the right road to Kerglas. + +'And what is your business at Kerglas?' asked the lion with a +growl, and showing his teeth. + +'With all respect,' answered Peronnik, pretending to be very +frightened, 'I am the servant of a lady who is a friend of the +noble Rogear and sends him some larks for a pasty.' + +'Larks?' cried the lion, licking his long whiskers. 'Why, it must +be a century since I have had any! Have you a large quantity with +you?' + +'As many as this bag will hold,' replied Peronnik, opening, as he +spoke, the bag which he had filled with feathers and glue; and to +prove what he said, he turned his back on the lion and began to +imitate the song of a lark. + +'Come,' exclaimed the lion, whose mouth watered, 'show me the +birds! I should like to see if they are fat enough for my +master.' + +'I would do it with pleasure,' answered the idiot, 'but if I once +open the bag they will all fly away.' + +'Well, open it wide enough for me to look in,' said the lion, +drawing a little nearer. + +Now this was just what Peronnik had been hoping for, so he held +the bag while the lion opened it carefully and put his head right +inside, so that he might get a good mouthful of larks. But the +mass of feathers and glue stuck to him, and before he could pull +his head out again Peronnik had drawn tight the cord, and tied it +in a knot that no man could untie. Then, quickly gathering the +flower that laughs, he rode off as fast as the colt could take +him. + +The path soon led to the lake of the dragons, which he had to +swim across. The colt, who was accustomed to it, plunged into the +water without hesitation; but as soon as the dragons caught sight +of Peronnik they approached from all parts of the lake in order +to devour him. + +This time Peronnik did not trouble to take off his cap, but he +threw the beads he carried with him into the water, as you throw +black corn to a duck, and with each bead that he swallowed a +dragon turned on his back and died, so that the idiot reached the +other side without further trouble. + +The valley guarded by the black man now lay before him, and from +afar Peronnik beheld him, chained by one foot to a rock at the +entrance, and holding the iron ball which never missed its mark +and always returned to its master's hand. In his head the black +man had six eyes that were never all shut at once, but kept watch +one after the other. At this moment they were all open, and +Peronnik knew well that if the black man caught a glimpse of him +he would cast his ball. So, hiding the colt behind a thicket of +bushes, he crawled along a ditch and crouched close to the very +rock to which the black man was chained. + +The day was hot, and after a while the man began to grow sleepy. +Two of his eyes closed, and Peronnik sang gently. In a moment a +third eye shut, and Peronnik sang on. The lid of a fourth eye +dropped heavily, and then those of the fifth and the sixth. The +black man was asleep altogether. + +Then, on tiptoe, the idiot crept back to the colt which he led +over soft moss past the black man into the vale of pleasure, a +delicious garden full of fruits that dangled before your mouth, +fountains running with wine, and flowers chanting in soft little +voices. Further on, tables were spread with food, and girls +dancing on the grass called to him to join them. + +Peronnik heard, and, scarcely knowing what he did drew the colt +into a slower pace. He sniffed greedily the smell of the dishes, +and raised his head the better to see the dancers. Another +instant and he would have stopped altogether and been lost, like +others before him, when suddenly there came to him like a vision +the golden bowl and the diamond lance. Drawing his whistle from +his pocket, he blew it loudly, so as to drown the sweet sounds +about him, and ate what was left of his bread and bacon to still +the craving of the magic fruits. His eyes he fixed steadily on +the ears of the colt, that he might not see the dancers. + +In this way he was able to reach the end of the garden, and at +length perceived the castle of Kerglas, with the river between +them which had only one ford. Would the lady be there, as the old +man had told him? Yes, surely that was she, sitting on a rock, in +a black satin dress, and her face the colour of a Moorish +woman's. The idiot rode up, and took off his cap more politely +than ever, and asked if she did not wish to cross the river. + +'I was waiting for you to help me do so,' answered she. 'Come +near, that I may get up behind you.' + +Peronnik did as she bade him, and by the help of his arm she +jumped nimbly on to the back of the colt. + +'Do you know how to kill the magician?' asked the lady, as they +were crossing the ford. + +'I thought that, being a magician, he was immortal, and that no +one could kill him,' replied Peronnik. + +'Persuade him to taste that apple, and he will die, and if that +is not enough I will touch him with my finger, for I am the +plague,' answered she. + +'But if I kill him, how am I to get the golden bowl and the +diamond lance that are hidden in the cellar without a key?' +rejoined Peronnik. + +'The flower that laughs opens all doors and lightens all +darkness,' said the lady; and as she spoke, they reached the +further bank, and advanced towards the castle. + +In front of the entrance was a sort of tent supported on poles, +and under it the giant was sitting, basking in the sun. As soon +as he noticed the colt bearing Peronnik and the lady, he lifted +his head, and cried in a voice of thunder: + +'Why, it is surely the idiot, riding my colt thirteen months +old!' + +'Greatest of magicians, you are right,' answered Peronnik. + +'And how did you manage to catch him?' asked the giant. + +'By repeating what I learnt from your brother Bryak on the edge +of the forest,' replied the idiot. 'I just said-- + + Colt, free to run and free to eat, + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, + +and it came directly.' + +'You know my brother, then?' inquired the giant. 'Tell me why he +sent you here.' + +'To bring you two gifts which he has just received from the +country of the Moors,' answered Peronnik: 'the apple of delight +and the woman of submission. If you eat the apple you will not +desire anything else, and if you take the woman as your servant +you will never wish for another.' + +'Well, give me the apple, and bid the woman get down,' answered +Rogear. + +The idiot obeyed, but at the first taste of the apple the giant +staggered, and as the long yellow finger of the woman touched him +he fell dead. + +Leaving the magician where he lay, Peronnik entered the palace, +bearing with him the flower that laughs. Fifty doors flew open +before him, and at length he reached a long flight of steps which +seemed to lead into the bowels of the earth. Down these he went +till he came to a silver door without a bar or key. Then he held +up high the flower that laughs, and the door slowly swung back, +displaying a deep cavern, which was as bright as the day from the +shining of the golden bowl and the diamond lance. The idiot +hastily ran forward and hung the bowl round his neck from the +chain which was attached to it, and took the lance in his hand. +As he did so, the ground shook beneath him, and with an awful +rumbling the palace disappeared, and Peronnik found himself +standing close to the forest where he led the cattle to graze. + +Though darkness was coming on, Peronnik never thought of entering +the farm, but followed the road which led to the court of the +duke of Brittany. As he passed through the town of Vannes he +stopped at a tailor's shop, and bought a beautiful costume of +brown velvet and a white horse, which he paid for with a handful +of gold that he had picked up in the corridor of the castle of +Kerglas. Thus he made his way to the city of Nantes, which at +that moment was besieged by the French. + +A little way off, Peronnik stopped and looked about him. For +miles round the country was bare, for the enemy had cut down +every tree and burnt every blade of corn; and, idiot though he +might be, Peronnik was able to grasp that inside the gates men +were dying of famine. He was still gazing with horror, when a +trumpeter appeared on the walls, and, after blowing a loud blast, +announced that the duke would adopt as his heir the man who could +drive the French out of the country. + +On the four sides of the city the trumpeter blew his blast, and +the last time Peronnik, who had ridden up as close as he might, +answered him. + +'You need blow no more,' said he, 'for I myself will free the +town from her enemies.' And turning to a soldier who came running +up, waving his sword, he touched him with the magic lance, and he +fell dead on the spot. The men who were following stood still, +amazed. Their comrade's armour had not been pierced, of that they +were sure, yet he was dead, as if he had been struck to the +heart. But before they had time to recover from their +astonishment, Peronnik cried out: + +'You see how my foes will fare; now behold what I can do for my +friends,' and, stooping down, he laid the golden bowl against the +mouth of the soldier, who sat up as well as ever. Then, jumping +his horse across the trench, he entered the gate of the city, +which had opened wide enough to receive him. + +The news of these marvels quickly spread through the town, and +put fresh spirit into the garrison, so that they declared +themselves able to fight under the command of the young stranger. +And as the bowl restored all the dead Bretons to life, Peronnik +soon had an army large enough to drive away the French, and +fulfilled his promise of delivering his country. + +As to the bowl and the lance, no one knows what became of them, +but some say that Bryak the sorcerer managed to steal them again, +and that any one who wishes to possess them must seek them as +Peronnik did. + +From 'Le Foyer Breton,' par Emile Souvestre. + + + + + + + The Battle of the Birds + + + + +There was to be a great battle between all the creatures of the +earth and the birds of the air. News of it went abroad, and the +son of the king of Tethertown said that when the battle was +fought he would be there to see it, and would bring back word who +was to be king. But in spite of that, he was almost too late, and +every fight had been fought save the last, which was between a +snake and a great black raven. Both struck hard, but in the end +the snake proved the stronger, and would have twisted himself +round the neck of the raven till he died had not the king's son +drawn his sword, and cut off the head of the snake at a single +blow. And when the raven beheld that his enemy was dead, he was +grateful, and said: + +'For thy kindness to me this day, I will show thee a sight. So +come up now on the root of my two wings.' The king's son did as +he was bid, and before the raven stopped flying, they had passed +over seven bens and seven glens and seven mountain moors. + +'Do you see that house yonder?' said the raven at last. 'Go +straight for it, for a sister of mine dwells there, and she will +make you right welcome. And if she asks, "Wert thou at the battle +of the birds?" answer that thou wert, and if she asks, "Didst +thou see my likeness?" answer that thou sawest it, but be sure +thou meetest me in the morning at this place.' + +The king's son followed what the raven told him and that night he +had meat of each meat, and drink of each drink, warm water for +his feet, and a soft bed to lie in. + +Thus it happened the next day, and the next, but on the fourth +meeting, instead of meeting the raven, in his place the king's +son found waiting for him the handsomest youth that ever was +seen, with a bundle in his hand. + +'Is there a raven hereabouts?' asked the king's son, and the +youth answered: + +'I am that raven, and I was delivered by thee from the spells +that bound me, and in reward thou wilt get this bundle. Go back +by the road thou camest, and lie as before, a night in each +house, but be careful not to unloose the bundle till thou art in +the place wherein thou wouldst most wish to dwell.' + +Then the king's son set out, and thus it happened as it had +happened before, till he entered a thick wood near his father's +house. He had walked a long way and suddenly the bundle seemed to +grow heavier; first he put it down under a tree, and next he +thought he would look at it. + +The string was easy to untie, and the king's son soon unfastened +the bundle. What was it he saw there? Why, a great castle with an +orchard all about it, and in the orchard fruit and flowers and +birds of very kind. It was all ready for him to dwell in, but +instead of being in the midst of the forest, he did wish he had +left the bundle unloosed till he had reached the green valley +close to his father's palace. Well, it was no use wishing, and +with a sigh he glanced up, and beheld a huge giant coming towards +him. + +'Bad is the place where thou hast built thy house, king's son,' +said the giant. + +'True; it is not here that I wish to be,' answered the king's +son. + +'What reward wilt thou give me if I put it back in the bundle?' +asked the giant. + +'What reward dost thou ask?' answered the king's son. + +'The first boy thou hast when he is seven years old,' said the +giant. + +'If I have a boy thou shalt get him,' answered the king's son, +and as he spoke the castle and the orchard were tied up in the +bundle again. + +'Now take thy road, and I will take mine,' said the giant. 'And +if thou forgettest thy promise, I will remember it.' + +Light of heart the king's son went on his road, till he came to +the green valley near his father's palace. Slowly he unloosed the +bundle, fearing lest he should find nothing but a heap of stones +or rags. But no! all was as it had been before, and as he opened +the castle door there stood within the most beautiful maiden that +ever was seen. + +'Enter, king's son,' said she, 'all is ready, and we will be +married at once,' and so they were. + +The maiden proved a good wife, and the king's son, now himself a +king, was so happy that he forgot all about the giant. Seven +years and a day had gone by, when one morning, while standing on +the ramparts, he beheld the giant striding towards the castle. +Then he remembered his promise, and remembered, too, that he had +told the queen nothing about it. Now he must tell her, and +perhaps she might help him in his trouble. + +The queen listened in silence to his tale, and after he had +finished, she only said: + +'Leave thou the matter between me and the giant,' and as she +spoke, the giant entered the hall and stood before them. + +'Bring out your son,' cried he to the king, 'as you promised me +seven years and a day since.' + +The king glanced at his wife, who nodded, so he answered: + +'Let his mother first put him in order,' and the queen left the +hall, and took the cook's son and dressed him in the prince's +clothes, and led him up to the giant, who held his hand, and +together they went out along the road. They had not walked far +when the giant stopped and stretched out a stick to the boy. + +'If your father had that stick, what would he do with it?' asked +he. + +'If my father had that stick, he would beat the dogs and cats +that steal the king's meat,' replied the boy. + +'Thou art the cook's son!' cried the giant. 'Go home to thy +mother'; and turning his back he strode straight to the castle. + +'If you seek to trick me this time, the highest stone will soon +be the lowest,' said he, and the king and queen trembled, but +they could not bear to give up their boy. + +'The butler's son is the same age as ours,' whispered the queen; +'he will not know the difference,' and she took the child and +dressed him in the prince's clothes, and the giant let him away +along the road. Before they had gone far he stopped, and held out +a stick. + +'If thy father had that rod, what would he do with it?' asked the +giant. + +'He would beat the dogs and cats that break the king's glasses,' +answered the boy. + +'Thou art the son of the butler!' cried the giant. 'Go home to +thy mother'; and turning round he strode back angrily to the +castle. + +'Bring out thy son at once,' roared he, 'or the stone that is +highest will be lowest,' and this time the real prince was +brought. + +But though his parents wept bitterly and fancied the child was +suffering all kinds of dreadful things, the giant treated him +like his own son, though he never allowed him to see his +daughters. The boy grew to be a big boy, and one day the giant +told him that he would have to amuse himself alone for many +hours, as he had a journey to make. So the boy wandered to the +top of the castle, where he had never been before. There he +paused, for the sound of music broke upon his ears, and opening a +door near him, he beheld a girl sitting by the window, holding a +harp. + +'Haste and begone, I see the giant close at hand,' she whispered +hurriedly, 'but when he is asleep, return hither, for I would +speak with thee.' And the prince did as he was bid, and when +midnight struck he crept back to the top of the castle. + +'To-morrow,' said the girl, who was the giant's daughter, 'to- +morrow thou wilt get the choice of my two sisters to marry, but +thou must answer that thou wilt not take either, but only me. +This will anger him greatly, for he wishes to betroth me to the +son of the king of the Green City, whom I like not at all.' + +Then they parted, and on the morrow, as the girl had said, the +giant called his three daughters to him, and likewise the young +prince to whom he spoke. + +'Now, O son of the king of Tethertown, the time has come for us +to part. Choose one of my two elder daughters to wife, and thou +shalt take her to your father's house the day after the wedding.' + +'Give me the youngest instead,' replied the youth, and the +giant's face darkened as he heard him. + +'Three things must thou do first,' said he. + +'Say on, I will do them,' replied the prince, and the giant left +the house, and bade him follow to the byre, where the cows were +kept. + +'For a hundred years no man has swept this byre,' said the giant, +'but if by nightfall, when I reach home, thou has not cleaned it +so that a golden apple can roll through it from end to end, thy +blood shall pay for it.' + +All day long the youth toiled, but he might as well have tried to +empty the ocean. At length, when he was so tired he could hardly +move, the giant's youngest daughter stood in the doorway. + +'Lay down thy weariness,' said she, and the king's son, thinking +he could only die once, sank on the floor at her bidding, and +fell sound asleep. When he woke the girl had disappeared, and the +byre was so clean that a golden apple could roll from end to end +of it. He jumped up in surprise, and at that moment in came the +giant. + +'Hast thou cleaned the byre, king's son?' asked he. + +'I have cleaned it,' answered he. + +'Well, since thou wert so active to-day, to-morrow thou wilt +thatch this byre with a feather from every different bird, or +else thy blood shall pay for it,' and he went out. + +Before the sun was up, the youth took his bow and his quiver and +set off to kill the birds. Off to the moor he went, but never a +bird was to be seen that day. At last he got so tired with +running to and fro that he gave up heart. + +'There is but one death I can die,' thought he. Then at midday +came the giant's daughter. + +'Thou art tired, king's son?' asked she. + +'I am,' answered he; 'all these hours have I wandered, and there +fell but these two blackbirds, both of one colour.' + +'Lay down thy weariness on the grass,' said she, and he did as +she bade him, and fell fast asleep. + +When he woke the girl had disappeared, and he got up, and +returned to the byre. As he drew near, he rubbed his eyes hard, +thinking he was dreaming, for there it was, beautifully thatched, +just as the giant had wished. At the door of the house he met the +giant. + +'Hast thou thatched the byre, king's son?' + +'I have thatched it.' + +'Well, since thou hast been so active to-day, I have something +else for thee! Beside the loch thou seest over yonder there grows +a fir tree. On the top of the fir tree is a magpie's nest, and in +the nest are five eggs. Thou wilt bring me those eggs for +breakfast, and if one is cracked or broken, thy blood shall pay +for it.' + +Before it was light next day, the king's son jumped out of bed +and ran down to the loch. The tree was not hard to find, for the +rising sun shone red on the trunk, which was five hundred feet +from the ground to its first branch. Time after time he walked +round it, trying to find some knots, however small, where he +could put his feet, but the bark was quite smooth, and he soon +saw that if he was to reach the top at all, it must be by +climbing up with his knees like a sailor. But then he was a +king's son and not a sailor, which made all the difference. + +However, it was no use standing there staring at the fir, at +least he must try to do his best, and try he did till his hands +and knees were sore, for as soon as he had struggled up a few +feet, he slid back again. Once he climbed a little higher than +before, and hope rose in his heart, then down he came with such +force that his hands and knees smarted worse than ever. + +'This is no time for stopping,' said the voice of the giant's +daughter, as he leant against the trunk to recover his breath. + +'Alas! I am no sooner up than down,' answered he. + +'Try once more,' said she, and she laid a finger against the tree +and bade him put his foot on it. Then she placed another finger a +little higher up, and so on till he reached the top, where the +magpie had built her nest. + +'Make haste now with the nest,' she cried, 'for my father's +breath is burning my back,' and down he scrambled as fast as he +could, but the girl's little finger had caught in a branch at the +top, and she was obliged to leave it there. But she was too busy +to pay heed to this, for the sun was getting high over the hills. + +'Listen to me,' she said. 'This night my two sisters and I will +be dressed in the same garments, and you will not know me. But +when my father says 'Go to thy wife, king's son,' come to the one +whose right hand has no little finger.' + +So he went and gave the eggs to the giant, who nodded his head. + +'Make ready for thy marriage,' cried he, 'for the wedding shall +take place this very night, and I will summon thy bride to greet +thee.' Then his three daughters were sent for, and they all +entered dressed in green silk of the same fashion, and with +golden circlets round their heads. The king's son looked from one +to another. Which was the youngest? Suddenly his eyes fell on the +hand of the middle one, and there was no little finger. + +'Thou hast aimed well this time too,' said the giant, as the +king's son laid his hand on her shoulder, 'but perhaps we may +meet some other way'; and though he pretended to laugh, the bride +saw a gleam in his eye which warned her of danger. + +The wedding took place that very night, and the hall was filled +with giants and gentlemen, and they danced till the house shook +from top to bottom. At last everyone grew tired, and the guests +went away, and the king's son and his bride were left alone. + +'If we stay here till dawn my father will kill thee,' she +whispered, 'but thou art my husband and I will save thee, as I +did before,' and she cut an apple into nine pieces, and put two +pieces at the head of the bed, and two pieces at the foot, and +two pieces at the door of the kitchen, and two at the big door, +and one outside the house. And when this was done, and she heard +the giant snoring, she and the king's son crept out softly and +stole across to the stable, where she led out the blue-grey mare +and jumped on its back, and her husband mounted behind her. Not +long after, the giant awoke. + + 'Are you asleep?' asked he. + +'Not yet,' answered the apple at the head of the bed, and the +giant turned over, and soon was snoring as loudly as before. By +and bye he called again. + +'Are you asleep?' + +'Not yet,' said the apple at the foot of the bed, and the giant +was satisfied. After a while, he called a third time, 'Are you +asleep?' + +'Not yet,' replied the apple in the kitchen, but when in a few +minutes, he put the question for the fourth time and received an +answer from the apple outside the house door, he guessed what had +happened, and ran to the room to look for himself. + +The bed was cold and empty! + +'My father's breath is burning my back,' cried the girl, 'put thy +hand into the ear of the mare, and whatever thou findest there, +throw it behind thee.' And in the mare's ear there was a twig of +sloe tree, and as he threw it behind him there sprung up twenty +miles of thornwood so thick that scarce a weasel could go through +it. And the giant, who was striding headlong forwards, got caught +in it, and it pulled his hair and beard. + +'This is one of my daughter's tricks,' he said to himself, 'but +if I had my big axe and my wood-knife, I would not be long making +a way through this,' and off he went home and brought back the +axe and the wood-knife. + +It took him but a short time to cut a road through the +blackthorn, and then he laid the axe and the knife under a tree. + +'I will leave them there till I return,' he murmured to himself, +but a hoodie crow, which was sitting on a branch above, heard +him. + +'If thou leavest them,' said the hoodie, 'we will steal them.' + +'You will,' answered the giant, 'and I must take them home.' So +he took them home, and started afresh on his journey. + +'My father's breath is burning my back,' cried the girl at +midday. 'Put thy finger in the mare's ear and throw behind thee +whatever thou findest in it,' and the king's son found a splinter +of grey stone, and threw it behind him, and in a twinkling twenty +miles of solid rock lay between them and the giant. + +'My daughter's tricks are the hardest things that ever met me,' +said the giant, 'but if I had my lever and my crowbar, I would +not be long in making my way through this rock also,' but as he +had got them, he had to go home and fetch them. Then it took him +but a short time to hew his way through the rock. + +'I will leave the tools here,' he murmured aloud when he had +finished. + +'If thou leavest them, we will steal them,' said a hoodie who was +perched on a stone above him, and the giant answered: + +'Steal them if thou wilt; there is no time to go back.' + +'My father's breath is burning my back,' cried the girl; 'look in +the mare's ear, king's son, or we are lost,' and he looked, and +found a tiny bladder full of water, which he threw behind him, +and it became a great lock. And the giant, who was striding on so +fast, could not stop himself, and he walked right into the middle +and was drowned. + +The blue-grey mare galloped on like the wind, and the next day +the king's son came in sight of his father's house. + +'Get down and go in,' said the bride, 'and tell them that thou +hast married me. But take heed that neither man nor beast kiss +thee, for then thou wilt cease to remember me at all.' + +'I will do thy bidding,' answered he, and left her at the gate. +All who met him bade him welcome, and he charged his father and +mother not to kiss him, but as he greeted them his old greyhound +leapt on his neck, and kissed him on the mouth. And after that he +did not remember the giant's daughter. + +All that day she sat on a well which was near the gate, waiting, +waiting, but the king's son never came. In the darkness she +climbed up into an oak tree that shadowed the well, and there she +lay all night, waiting, waiting. + +On the morrow, at midday, the wife of a shoemaker who dwelt near +the well went to draw water for her husband to drink, and she saw +the shadow of the girl in the tree, and thought it was her own +shadow. + +'How handsome I am, to be sure,' said she, gazing into the well, +and as she stopped to behold herself better, the jug struck +against the stones and broke in pieces, and she was forced to +return to her husband without the water, and this angered him. + +'Thou hast turned crazy,' said he in wrath. 'Go thou, my +daughter, and fetch me a drink,' and the girl went, and the same +thing befell her as had befallen her mother. + +'Where is the water?' asked the shoemaker, when she came back, +and as she held nothing save the handle of the jug he went to the +well himself. He too saw the reflection of the woman in the tree, +but looked up to discover whence it came, and there above him sat +the most beautiful woman in the world. + +'Come down,' he said, 'for a while thou canst stay in my house,' +and glad enough the girl was to come. + +Now the king of the country was about to marry, and the young men +about the court thronged the shoemaker's shop to buy fine shoes +to wear at the wedding. + +'Thou hast a pretty daughter,' said they when they beheld the +girl sitting at work. + +'Pretty she is,' answered the shoemaker, 'but no daughter of +mine.' + +'I would give a hundred pounds to marry her,' said one. + +'And I,' 'And I,' cried the others. + +'That is no business of mine,' answered the shoemaker, and the +young men bade him ask her if she would choose one of them for a +husband, and to tell them on the morrow. Then the shoemaker asked +her, and the girl said that she would marry the one who would +bring his purse with him. So the shoemaker hurried to the youth +who had first spoken, and he came back, and after giving the +shoemaker a hundred pounds for his news, he sought the girl, who +was waiting for him. + +'Is it thou?' inquired she. 'I am thirsty, give me a drink from +the well that is yonder.' And he poured out the water, but he +could not move from the place where he was; and there he stayed +till many hours had passed by. + +'Take away that foolish boy,' cried the girl to the shoemaker at +last, 'I am tired of him,' and then suddenly he was able to walk, +and betook himself to his home, but he did not tell the others +what had happened to him. + +Next day there arrived one of the other young men, and in the +evening, when the shoemaker had gone out and they were alone, she +said to him, 'See if the latch is on the door.' The young man +hastened to do her bidding, but as soon as he touched the latch, +his fingers stuck to it, and there he had to stay for many hours, +till the shoemaker came back, and the girl let him go. Hanging +his head, he went home, but he told no one what had befallen him. + +Then was the turn of the third man, and his foot remained +fastened to the floor, till the girl unloosed it. And thankfully, +he ran off, and was not seen looking behind him. + +'Take the purse of gold,' said the girl to the shoemaker, 'I have +no need of it, and it will better thee.' And the shoemaker took +it and told the girl he must carry the shoes for the wedding up +to the castle. + +'I would fain get a sight of the king's son before he marries,' +sighed she. + +'Come with me, then,' answered he; 'the servants are all my +friends, and they will let you stand in the passage down which +the king's son will pass, and all the company too.' + +Up they went to the castle, and when the young men saw the girl +standing there, they led her into the hall where the banquet was +laid out and poured her out some wine. She was just raising the +glass to drink when a flame went up out of it, and out of the +flame sprang two pigeons, one of gold and one of silver. They +flew round and round the head of the girl, when three grains of +barley fell on the floor, and the silver pigeon dived down, and +swallowed them. + +'If thou hadst remembered how I cleaned the byre, thou wouldst +have given me my share,' cooed the golden pigeon, and as he spoke +three more grains fell, and the silver pigeon ate them as before. + +'If thou hadst remembered how I thatched the byre, thou wouldst +have given me my share,' cooed the golden pigeon again; and as he +spoke three more grains fell, and for the third time they were +eaten by the silver pigeon. + +'If thou hadst remembered how I got the magpie's nest, thou +wouldst have given me my share,' cooed the golden pigeon. + +Then the king's son understood that they had come to remind him +of what he had forgotten, and his lost memory came back, and he +knew his wife, and kissed her. But as the preparations had been +made, it seemed a pity to waste them, so they were married a +second time, and sat down to the wedding feast. + +From 'Tales of the West Highlands.' + + + + + + + + The Lady of the Fountain. + + + + +In the centre of the great hall in the castle of Caerleon upon +Usk, king Arthur sat on a seat of green rushes, over which was +thrown a covering of flame-coloured silk, and a cushion of red +satin lay under his elbow. With him were his knights Owen and +Kynon and Kai, while at the far end, close to the window, were +Guenevere the queen and her maidens embroidering white garments +with strange devices of gold. + +'I am weary,' said Arthur, 'and till my food is prepared I would +fain sleep. You yourselves can tell each other tales, and Kai +will fetch you from the kitchen a flagon of mean and some meat.' + +And when they had eaten and drunk, Kynon, the oldest among them, +began his story. + +'I was the only son of my father and mother, and much store they +set by me, but I was not content to stay with them at home, for I +thought no deed in all the world was too mighty for me. None +could hold me back, and after I had won many adventures in my own +land, I bade farewell to my parents and set out to see the world. +Over mountains, through deserts, across rivers I went, till I +reached a fair valley full of trees, with a path running by the +side of a stream. I walked along that path all the day, and in +the evening I came to a castle in front of which stood two youths +clothed in yellow, each grasping an ivory bow, with arrows made +of the bones of the whale, and winged with peacock's feathers. By +their sides hung golden daggers with hilts of the bones of the +whale. + +'Near these young men was a man richly dressed, who turned and +went with me towards the castle, where all the dwellers were +gathered in the hall. In one window I beheld four and twenty +damsels, and the least fair of them was fairer than Guenevere at +her fairest. Some took my horse, and others unbuckled my armour, +and washed it, with my sword and spear, till it all shone like +silver. Then I washed myself and put on a vest and doublet which +they brought me, and I and the man that entered with me sat down +before a table of silver, and a goodlier feast I never had. + +'All this time neither the man nor the damsels had spoken one +word, but when our dinner was half over, and my hunger was +stilled, the man began to ask who I was. Then I told him my name +and my father's name, and why I came there, for indeed I had +grown weary of gaining the mastery over all men at home, and +sought if perchance there was one who could gain the mastery over +me. And at this the man smiled and answered: + +'"If I did not fear to distress thee too much, I would show thee +what thou seekest." His words made me sorrowful and fearful of +myself, which the man perceived, and added, "If thou meanest +truly what thou sayest, and desirest earnestly to prove thy +valour, and not to boast vainly that none can overcome thee, I +have somewhat to show thee. But to-night thou must sleep in the +this castle, and in the morning see that thou rise early and +follow the road upwards through the valley, until thou reachest a +wood. In the wood is a path branching to the right; go along this +path until thou comest to a space of grass with a mound in the +middle of it. On the top of the mound stands a black man, larger +than any two white men; his eye is in the centre of his forehead +and he has only one foot. He carries a club of iron, and two +white men could hardly lift it. Around him graze a thousand +beasts, all of different kinds, for he is the guardian of that +wood, and it is he who will tell thee which way to go in order to +find the adventure thou art in quest of." + +'So spake the man, and long did that night seem to me, and before +dawn I rose and put on my armour, and mounted my horse and rode +on till I reached the grassy space of which he had told me. There +was the black man on top of the mound, as he had said, and in +truth he was mightier in all ways than I had thought him to be. +As for the club, Kai, it would have been a burden for four of our +warriors. He waited for me to speak, and I asked him what power +he held over the beasts that thronged so close about him. + +'"I will show thee, little man," he answered, and with his club +he struck a stag on the head till he brayed loudly. And at his +braying the animals came running, numerous as the stars in the +sky, so that scarce was I able to stand among them. Serpents were +there also, and dragons, and beasts of strange shapes, with horns +in places where never saw I horns before. And the black man only +looked at them and bade them go and feed. And they bowed +themselves before him, as vassals before their lord. + +'"Now, little man, I have answered thy question and showed thee +my power," said he. "Is there anything else thou wouldest know?" +Then I inquired of him my way, but he grew angry, and, as I +perceived, would fain have hindered me; but at the last, after I +had told him who I was, his anger passed from him. + +'"Take that path," said he, "that leads to the head of this +grassy glade, and go up the wood till thou reachest the top. +There thou wilt find an open space, and in the midst of it a tall +tree. Under the tree is a fountain, and by the fountain a marble +slab, and on the slab a bowl of silver, with a silver chain. Dip +the bowl in the fountain, and throw the water on the slab, and +thou wilt hear a might peal of thunder, till heaven and earth +seem trembling with the noise. After the thunder will come hail, +so fierce that scarcely canst thou endure it and live, for the +hailstones are both large and thick. Then the sun will shine +again, but every leaf of the tree will by lying on the ground. +Next a flight of birds will come and alight on the tree, and +never didst thou hear a strain so sweet as that which they will +sing. And at the moment in which their song sounds sweetest thou +wilt hear a murmuring and complaining coming towards thee along +the valley, and thou wilt see a knight in black velvet bestriding +a black horse, bearing a lance with a black pennon, and he will +spur his steed so as to fight thee. If thou turnest to flee, he +will overtake thee. And if thou abidest were thou art, he will +unhorse thee. And if thou dost not find trouble in that +adventure, thou needest not to seek it during the rest of thy +life." + +'So I bade the black man farewell, and took my way to the top of +the wood, and there I found everything just as I had been told. I +went up to the tree beneath which stood the fountain, and filling +the silver bowl with water, emptied it on the marble slab. +Thereupon the thunder came, louder by far than I had expected to +hear it, and after the thunder came the shower, but heavier by +far than I had expected to feel it, for, of a truth I tell thee, +Kai, not one of those hailstones would be stopped by skin or by +flesh till it had reached the bone. I turned my horse's flank +towards the shower, and, bending over his neck, held my shield so +that it might cover his head and my own. When the hail had +passed, I looked on the tree and not a single leaf was left on +it, and the sky was blue and the sun shining, while on the +branches were perched birds of very kind, who sang a song sweeter +than any that has come to my ears, either before or since. + +'Thus, Kai, I stood listening to the birds, when lo, a murmuring +voice approached me, saying: + +'"O knight, what has brought thee hither? What evil have I done +to thee, that thou shouldest do so much to me, for in all my +lands neither man nor beast that met that shower has escaped +alive." Then from the valley appeared the knight on the black +horse, grasping the lance with the black pennon. Straightway we +charged each other, and though I fought my best, he soon overcame +me, and I was thrown to the ground, while the knight seized the +bridle of my horse, and rode away with it, leaving me where I +was, without even despoiling me of my armour. + +'Sadly did I go down the hill again, and when I reached the glade +where the black man was, I confess to thee, Kai, it was a marvel +that I did not melt into a liquid pool, so great was my shame. +That night I slept at the castle where I had been before, and I +was bathed and feasted, and none asked me how I had fared. The +next morning when I arose I found a bay horse saddled for me, +and, girdling on my armour, I returned to my own court. The horse +is still in the stable, and I would not part with it for any in +Britain. + +'But of a truth, Kai, no man ever confessed an adventure so much +to his own dishonour, and strange indeed it seems that none other +man have I ever met that knew of the black man, and the knight +and the shower.' + +'Would it not be well,' said Owen, 'to go and discover the +place?' + +'By the hand of my friend,' answered Kai, 'often dost thou utter +that with thy tongue which thou wouldest not make good with thy +deeds.' + +'In truth,' said Guenevere the queen, who had listened to the +tale, 'thou wert better hanged, Kai, than use such speech towards +a man like Owen.' + +'I meant nothing, lady,' replied Kai; 'thy praise of Owen is not +greater than mine.' And as he spoke Arthur awoke, and asked if he +had not slept for a little. + +'Yes, lord,' answered Owen, 'certainly thou hast slept.' + +'Is it time for us to go to meat?' + +'It is, lord,' answered Owen. + +Then the horn for washing themselves was sounded, and after that +the king and his household sat down to eat. And when they had +finished, Owen left them, and made ready his horse and his arms. + +With the first rays of the sun he set forth, and travelled +through deserts and over mountains and across rivers, and all +befell him which had befallen Kynon, till he stood under the +leafless tree listening to the song of the birds. Then he heard +the voice, and turning to look found the knight galloping to meet +him. Fiercely they fought till their lances were broken, and then +they drew their swords, and a blow from Owen cut through the +knight's helmet, and pierced his skull. + +Feeling himself wounded unto death the knight fled, and Owen +pursued him till they came to a splendid castle. Here the knight +dashed across the bridge that spanned the moat, and entered the +gate, but as soon as he was safe inside, the drawbridge was +pulled up and caught Owen's horse in the middle, so that half of +him was inside and half out, and Owen could not dismount and knew +not what to do. + +While he was in this sore plight a little door in the castle gate +opened, and he could see a street facing him, with tall houses. +Then a maiden with curling hair of gold looked through the little +door and bade Owen open the gate. + +'By my troth!' cried Owen, 'I can no more open it from here than +thou art able to set me free.' + +'Well,' said she, 'I will do my best to release thee if thou wilt +do as I tell thee. Take this ring and put it on with the stone +inside thy hand, and close thy fingers tight, for as long as thou +dost conceal it, it will conceal thee. When the men inside have +held counsel together, they will come to fetch thee to thy death, +and they will be much grieved not to find thee. I will stand on +the horse block yonder and thou canst see me though I cannot see +thee. Therefore draw near and place thy hand on my shoulder and +follow me wheresoever I go.' + +Upon that she went away from Owen, and when the men came out from +the castle to seek him and did not find him they were sorely +grieved, and they returned to the castle. + +Then Owen went to the maiden and placed his hand on her shoulder, +and she guided him to a large room, painted all over with rich +colours, and adorned with images of gold. Here she gave him meat +and drink, and water to wash with and garments to wear, and he +lay down upon a soft bed, with scarlet and fur to cover him, and +slept gladly. + +In the middle of the night he woke hearing a great outcry, and he +jumped up and clothed himself and went into the hall, where the +maiden was standing. + +'What is it?' he asked, and she answered that the knight who +owned the castle was dead, and they were bearing his body to the +church. Never had Owen beheld such vast crowds, and following the +dead knight was the most beautiful lady in the world, whose cry +was louder than the shout of the men, or the braying of the +trumpets. And Owen looked on her and loved her. + +'Who is she?' he asked the damsel. 'That is my mistress, the +countess of the fountain, and the wife of him whom thou didst +slay yesterday.' + +'Verily,' said Owen, 'she is the woman that I love best.' + +'She shall also love thee not a little,' said the maiden. + +Then she left Owen, and after a while went into the chamber of +her mistress, and spoke to her, but the countess answered her +nothing. + +'What aileth thee, mistress?' inquired the maiden. + +'Why hast thou kept far from me in my grief, Luned?' answered the +countess, and in her turn the damsel asked: + +'Is it well for thee to mourn so bitterly for the dead, or for +anything that is gone from thee?' + +'There is no man in the world equal to him,' replied the +countess, her cheeks growing red with anger. 'I would fain banish +thee for such words.' + +'Be not angry, lady,' said Luned, 'but listen to my counsel. Thou +knowest well that alone thou canst not preserve thy lands, +therefore seek some one to help thee.' + +'And how can I do that?' asked the countess. + +'I will tell thee,' answered Luned. 'Unless thou canst defend the +fountain all will be lost, and none can defend the fountain +except a knight of Arthur's court. There will I go to seek him, +and woe betide me if I return without a warrior that can guard +the fountain, as well as he who kept it before.' + +'Go then,' said the countess, 'and make proof of that which thou +hast promised.' + +So Luned set out, riding on a white palfrey, on pretence of +journeying to King Arthur's court, but instead of doing that she +hid herself for as many days as it would have taken her to go and +come, and then she left her hiding-place, and went into the +countess. + +'What news from the court?' asked her mistress, when she had +given Luned a warm greeting. + +'The best of news,' answered the maiden, 'for I have gained the +object of my mission. When wilt thou that I present to thee the +knight who has returned with me?' + +'To-morrow at midday,' said the countess, 'and I will cause all +the people in the town to come together.' + +Therefore the next day at noon Owen put on his coat of mail, and +over it he wore a splendid mantle, while on his feet were leather +shoes fastened with clasps of gold. And he followed Luned to the +chamber of her mistress. + +Right glad was the countess to see them, but she looked closely +at Owen and said: + +'Luned, this knight has scarcely the air of a traveller.' + +'What harm is there in that, lady?' answered Luned. + +'I am persuaded,' said the countess, 'that this man and no other +chased the soul from the body of my lord.' + +'Had he not been stronger than thy lord,' replied the damsel, 'he +could not have taken his life, and for that, and for all things +that are past, there is no remedy.' + +'Leave me, both of you,' said the countess, 'and I will take +counsel.' + +Then they went out. + +The next morning the countess summoned her subjects to meet in +the courtyard of the castle, and told them that now that her +husband was dead there was none to defend her lands. + +'So choose you which it shall be,' she said. 'Either let one of +you take me for a wife, or give me your consent to take a new +lord for myself, that my lands be not without a master.' + +At her words the chief men of the city withdrew into one corner +and took counsel together, and after a while the leader came +forward and said that they had decided that it was best, for the +peace and safety of all, that she should choose a husband for +herself. Thereupon Owen was summoned to her presence, and he +accepted with joy the hand that she offered him, and they were +married forthwith, and the men of the earldom did him homage. + +From that day Owen defended the fountain as the earl before him +had done, and every knight that came by was overthrown by him, +and his ransom divided among his barons. In this way three years +passed, and no man in the world was more beloved than Owen. + +Now at the end of the three years it happened that Gwalchmai the +knight was with Arthur, and he perceived the king to be very sad. + +'My lord, has anything befallen thee?' he asked. + +'Oh, Gwalchmai, I am grieved concerning Owen, whom I have lost +these three years, and if a fourth year passes without him I can +live no longer. And sure am I that the tale told by Kynon the son +of Clydno caused me to lose him. I will go myself with the men of +my household to avenge him if he is dead, to free him if he is in +prison, to bring him back if he is alive.' + +Then Arthur and three thousand men of his household set out in +quest of Owen, and took Kynon for their guide. When Arthur +reached the castle, the youths were shooting in the same place, +and the same yellow man was standing by, and as soon as he beheld +Arthur he greeted him and invited him in, and they entered +together. So vast was the castle that the king's three thousand +men were of no more account than if they had been twenty. + +At sunrise Arthur departed thence, with Kynon for his guide, and +reached the black man first, and afterwards the top of the wooded +hill, with the fountain and the bowl and the tree. + +'My lord,' said Kai, 'let me throw the water on the slab, and +receive the first adventure that may befall.' + +'Thou mayest do so,' answered Arthur, and Kai threw the water. + +Immediately all happened as before; the thunder and the shower of +hail which killed many of Arthur's men; the song of the birds and +the appearance of the black knight. And Kai met him and fought +him, and was overthrown by him. Then the knight rode away, and +Arthur and his men encamped where they stood. + +In the morning Kai again asked leave to meet the knight and to +try to overcome him, which Arthur granted. But once more he was +unhorsed, and the black knight's lance broke his helmet and +pierced the skin even to the bone, and humbled in spirit he +returned to the camp. + +After this every one of the knights gave battle, but none came +out victor, and at length there only remained Arthur himself and +Gwalchmai. + +'Oh, let me fight him, my lord,' cried Gwalchmai, as he saw +Arthur taking up his arms. + +'Well, fight then,' answered Arthur, and Gwalchmai threw a robe +over himself and his horse, so that none knew him. All that day +they fought, and neither was able to throw the other, and so it +was on the next day. On the third day the combat was so fierce +that they fell both to the ground at once, and fought on their +feet, and at last the black knight gave his foe such a blow on +his head that his helmet fell from his face. + +'I did not know it was thee, Gwalchmai,' said the black knight. +'Take my sword and my arms.' + +'No,' answered Gwalchmai, 'it is thou, Owen, who art the victor, +take thou my sword'; but Owen would not. + +'Give me your swords,' said Arthur from behind them, 'for neither +of you has vanquished the other,' and Owen turned and put his +arms round Arthur's neck. + +The next day Arthur would have given orders to his men to make +ready to go back whence they came, but Owen stopped him. + +'My lord,' he said, 'during the three years that I have been +absent from thee I have been preparing a banquet for thee, +knowing full well that thou wouldst come to seek me. Tarry with +me, therefore, for a while, thou and thy men.' + +So they rode to the castle of the countess of the fountain, and +spent three months in resting and feasting. And when it was time +for them to depart Arthur besought the countess that she would +allow Owen to go with him to Britain for the space of three +months. With a sore heart she granted permission, and so content +was Owen to be once more with his old companions that three years +instead of three months passed away like a dream. + +One day Owen sat at meat in the castle of Caerleon upon Usk, when +a damsel on a bay horse entered the hall, and riding straight up +to the place where Owen sat she stooped and drew the ring from +off his hand. + +'Thus shall be treated the traitor and the faithless,' said she, +and turning her horse's head she rode out of the hall. + +At her words Owen remembered all that he had forgotten, and +sorrowful and ashamed he went to his own chamber and made ready +to depart. At the dawn he set out, but he did not go back to the +castle, for his heart was heavy, but he wandered far into wild +places till his body was weak and thin, and his hair was long. +The wild beasts were his friends, and he slept by their side, but +in the end he longed to see the face of a man again, and he came +down into a valley and fell asleep by a lake in the lands of a +widowed countess. + +Now it was the time when the countess took her walk, attended by +her maidens, and when they saw a man lying by the lake they +shrank back in terror, for he lay so still that they thought he +was dead. But when they had overcome their fright, they drew near +him, and touched him, and saw that there was life in him. Then +the countess hastened to the castle, and brought from it a flask +full of precious ointment and gave it to one of her maidens. + +'Take that horse which is grazing yonder,' she said, 'and a suit +of men's garments, and place them near the man, and pour some of +this ointment near his heart. If there is any life in him that +will bring it back. But if he moves, hide thyself in the bushes +near by, and see what he does.' + +The damsel took the flask and did her mistress' bidding. Soon the +man began to move his arms, and then rose slowly to his feet. +Creeping forward step by step he took the garments from off the +saddle and put them on him, and painfully he mounted the horse. +When he was seated the damsel came forth and greeted him, and +glad was he when he saw her and inquired what castle that was +before him. + +'It belongs to a widowed countess,' answered the maiden. 'Her +husband left her two earldoms, but it is all that remains of her +broad lands, for they have been torn from her by a young earl, +because she would not marry him.' + +'That is a pity,' replied Owen, but he said no more, for he was +too weak to talk much. Then the maiden guided him to the castle, +and kindled a fire, and brought him food. And there he stayed and +was tended for three months, till he was handsomer than ever he +was. + +At noon one day Owen heard a sound of arms outside the castle, +and he asked of the maiden what it was. + +'It is the earl of whom I spoke to thee,' she answered, 'who has +come with a great host to carry off my mistress.' + +'Beg of her to lend me a horse and armour,' said Owen, and the +maiden did so, but the countess laughed somewhat bitterly as she +answered: + +'Nay, but I will give them to him, and such a horse and armour +and weapons as he has never had yet, though I know not what use +they will be to him. Yet mayhap it will save them from falling +into the hands of my enemies.' + +The horse was brought out and Owen rode forth with two pages +behind him, and they saw the great host encamped before them. + +'Where is the earl?' said he, and the pages answered: + +'In yonder troop where are four yellow standards.' + +'Await me,' said Owen, 'at the gate of the castle, and he cried a +challenge to the earl, who came to meet him. Hard did they fight, +but Owen overthrew his enemy and drove him in front to the castle +gate and into the hall. + +'Behold the reward of thy blessed balsam,' said he, as he bade +the earl kneel down before her, and made him swear that he would +restore all that he had taken from her. + +After that he departed, and went into the deserts, and as he was +passing through a wood he heard a loud yelling. Pushing aside the +bushes he beheld a lion standing on a great mound, and by it a +rock. Near the rock was a lion seeking to reach the mound, and +each time he moved out darted a serpent from the rock to prevent +him. Then Owen unsheathed his sword, and cut off the serpent's +head and went on his way, and the lion followed and played about +him, as if he had been a greyhound. And much more useful was he +than a greyhound, for in the evening he brought large logs in his +mouth to kindle a fire, and killed a fat buck for dinner. + +Owen made his fire and skinned the buck, and put some of it to +roast, and gave the rest to the lion for supper. While he was +waiting for the meat to cook he heard a sound of deep sighing +close to him, and he said: + +'Who are thou?' + +'I am Luned,' replied a voice from a cave so hidden by bushes and +green hanging plants that Owen had not seen it. + +'And what dost thou here?' cried he. + +'I am held captive in this cave on account of the knight who +married the countess and left her, for the pages spoke ill of +him, and because I told them that no man living was his equal +they dragged me here and said I should die unless he should come +to deliver me by a certain day, and that is no further than the +day after to-morrow. His name is Owen the son of Urien, but I +have none to send to tell him of my danger, or of a surety he +would deliver me.' + +Owen held his peace, but gave the maiden some of the meat, and +bade her be of good cheer. Then, followed by the lion, he set out +for a great castle on the other side of the plain, and men came +and took his horse and placed it in a manger, and the lion went +after and lay down on the straw. Hospitable and kind were all +within the castle, but so full of sorrow that it might have been +thought death was upon them. At length, when they had eaten and +drunk, Owen prayed the earl to tell him the reason of their +grief. + +'Yesterday,' answered the earl, 'my two sons were seized, while +thy were hunting, by a monster who dwells on those mountains +yonder, and he vows that he will not let them go unless I give +him my daughter to wife.' + +'That shall never be,' said Owen; 'but what form hath this +monster?' + +'In shape he is a man, but in stature he is a giant,' replied the +earl, 'and it were better by far that he should slay my sons than +that I should give up my daughter.' + +Early next morning the dwellers in the castle were awakened by a +great clamour, and they found that the giant had arrived with the +two young men. Swiftly Owen put on his armour and went forth to +meet the giant, and the lion followed at his heels. And when the +great beast beheld the hard blows which the giant dealt his +master he flew at his throat, and much trouble had the monster in +beating him off. + +'Truly,' said the giant, 'I should find no difficulty in fighting +thee, if it were not for that lion.' When he heard that Owen felt +shame that he could not overcome the giant with his own sword, so +he took the lion and shut him up in one of the towers of the +castle, and returned to the fight. But from the sound of the +blows the lion knew that the combat was going ill for Owen, so he +climbed up till he reached the top of the tower, where there was +a door on to the roof, and from the tower he sprang on to the +walls, and from the walls to the ground. Then with a loud roar he +leaped upon the giant, who fell dead under the blow of his paw. + +Now the gloom of the castle was turned into rejoicing, and the +earl begged Owen to stay with him till he could make him a feast, +but the knight said he had other work to do, and rode back to the +place where he had left Luned, and the lion followed at his +heels. When he came there he saw a great fire kindled, and two +youths leading out the maiden to cast her upon the pile. + +'Stop!' he cried, dashing up to them. 'What charge have you +against her?' + +'She boasted that no man in the world was equal to Owen,' said +they, 'and we shut her in a cave, and agreed that none should +deliver her but Owen himself, and that if he did not come by a +certain day she should die. And now the time has past and there +is no sign of him.' + +'In truth he is a good knight, and had he but known that the maid +was in peril he would have come to save her,' said Owen; 'but +accept me in his stead, I entreat you.' + +'We will,' replied they, and the fight began. + +The youths fought well and pressed hard on Owen, and when the +lion saw that he came to help his master. But the youths made a +sign for the fight to stop, and said: + +'Chieftain, it was agreed we should give battle to thee alone, +and it is harder for us to contend with yonder beast than with +thee.' + +Then Owen shut up the lion in the cave where the maiden had been +in prison, and blocked up the front with stones. But the fight +with the giant had sorely tried him, and the youths fought well, +and pressed him harder than before. And when the lion saw that he +gave a loud roar, and burst through the stones, and sprang upon +the youths and slew them. And so Luned was delivered at the last. + +Then the maiden rode back with Owen to the lands of the lady of +the fountain. And he took the lady with him to Arthur's court, +where they lived happily till they died. + +From the 'Mabinogion.' + + + + + + + The Four Gifts + + + + +In the old land of Brittany, once called Cornwall, there lived a +woman named Barbaik Bourhis, who spent all her days in looking +after her farm with the help of her niece Tephany. Early and +late the two might be seen in the fields or in the dairy, milking +cows, making butter, feeding fowls; working hard themselves and +taking care that others worked too. Perhaps it might have been +better for Barbaik if she had left herself a little time to rest +and to think about other things, for soon she grew to love money +for its own sake, and only gave herself and Tephany the food and +clothes they absolutely needed. And as for poor people she +positively hated them, and declared that such lazy creatures had +no business in the world. + +Well, this being the sort of person Barbaik was, it is easy to +guess at her anger when one day she found Tephany talking outside +the cowhouse to young Denis, who was nothing more than a day +labourer from the village of Plover. Seizing her niece by the +arm, she pulled her sharply away, exclaiming: + +'Are you not ashamed, girl, to waste your time over a man who is +as poor as a rat, when there are a dozen more who would be only +too happy to buy you rings of silver, if you would let them?' + +'Denis is a good workman, as you know very well,' answered +Tephany, red with anger, 'and he puts by money too, and soon he +will be able to take a farm for himself.' + +'Nonsense,' cried Barbaik, 'he will never save enough for a farm +till he is a hundred. I would sooner see you in your grave than +the wife of a man who carries his whole fortune on his back.' + +'What does fortune matter when one is young and strong?' asked +Tephany, but her aunt, amazed at such words, would hardly let her +finish. + +'What does fortune matter?' repeated Barbaik, in a shocked voice. +'Is it possible that you are really so foolish as to despise +money? If this is what you learn from Denis, I forbid you to +speak to him, and I will have him turned out of the farm if he +dares to show his face here again. Now go and wash the clothes +and spread them out to dry.' + +Tephany did not dare to disobey, but with a heavy heart went down +the path to the river. + +'She is harder than these rocks,' said the girl to herself, 'yes, +a thousand times harder. For the rain at least can at last wear +away the stone, but you might cry for ever, and she would never +care. Talking to Denis is the only pleasure I have, and if I am +not to see him I may as well enter a convent.' + +Thinking these thoughts she reached the bank, and began to unfold +the large packet of linen that had to be washed. The tap of a +stick made her look up, and standing before her she saw a little +old woman, whose face was strange to her. + +'You would like to sit down and rest, granny?' asked Tephany, +pushing aside her bundle. + +'When the sky is all the roof you have, you rest where you will,' +replied the old woman in trembling tones. + +'Are you so lonely, then?' inquired Tephany, full of pity. 'Have +you no friends who would welcome you into their houses?' + +The old woman shook her head. + +'They all died long, long ago,' she answered, 'and the only +friends I have are strangers with kind hearts.' + +The girl did not speak for a moment, then held out the small loaf +and some bacon intended for her dinner. + +'Take this,' she said; 'to-day at any rate you shall dine well,' +and the old woman took it, gazing at Tephany the while. + +'Those who help others deserve to be helped,' she answered; 'your +eyes are still red because that miser Barbaik has forbidden you +to speak to the young man from Plover. But cheer up, you are a +good girl, and I will give you something that will enable you to +see him once every day.' + +'You?' cried Tephany, stupefied at discovering that the beggar +knew all about her affairs, but the old woman did not hear her. + +'Take this long copper pin,' she went on, 'and every time you +stick it in your dress Mother Bourhis will be obliged to leave +the house in order to go and count her cabbages. As long as the +pin is in your dress you will be free, and your aunt will not +come back until you have put it in its case again.' Then, +rising, she nodded to Tephany and vanished. + +The girl stood where she was, as still as a stone. If it had not +been for the pin in her hands she would have thought she was +dreaming. But by that token she knew it was no common old woman +who had given it to her, but a fairy, wise in telling what would +happen in the days to come. Then suddenly Tephany's eyes fell on +the clothes, and to make up for lost time she began to wash them +with great vigour. + +Next evening, at the moment when Denis was accustomed to wait for +her in the shadow of the cowhouse, Tephany stuck the pin in her +dress, and at the very same instant Barbaik took up her sabots or +wooden shoes and went through the orchard and past to the fields, +to the plot where the cabbages grew. With a heart as light as +her footsteps, the girl ran from the house, and spent her evening +happily with Denis. And so it was for many days after that. +Then, at last, Tephany began to notice something, and the +something made her very sad. + +At first, Denis seemed to find the hours that they were together +fly as quickly as she did, but when he had taught her all the +songs he knew, and told her all the plans he had made for growing +rich and a great man, he had nothing more to say to her, for he, +like a great many other people, was fond of talking himself, but +not of listening to any one else. Sometimes, indeed, he never +came at all, and the next evening he would tell Tephany that he +had been forced to go into the town on business, but though she +never reproached him she was not deceived and saw plainly that he +no longer cared for her as he used to do. + +Day by day her heart grew heavier and her cheeks paler, and one +evening, when she had waited for him in vain, she put her water- +pot on her shoulder and went slowly down to the spring. On the +path in front of her stood the fairy who had given her the pin, +and as she glanced at Tephany she gave a little mischievous laugh +and said: + +'Why, my pretty maiden hardly looks happier than she did before, +in spite of meeting her lover whenever she pleases.' + +'He has grown tired of me,' answered Tephany in a trembling +voice, 'and he makes excuses to stay away. Ah! granny dear, it +is not enough to be able to see him, I must be able to amuse him +and to keep him with me. He is so clever, you know. Help me to +be clever too.' + +'Is that what you want?' cried the old woman. 'Well, take this +feather and stick it in your hair, and you will be as wise as +Solomon himself.' + +Blushing with pleasure Tephany went home and stuck the feather +into the blue ribbon which girls always wear in that part of the +country. In a moment she heard Denis whistling gaily, and as her +aunt was safely counting her cabbages, she hurried out to meet +him. The young man was struck dumb by her talk. There was +nothing that she did not seem to know, and as for songs she not +only could sing those from every part of Brittany, but could +compose them herself. Was this really the quiet girl who had been +so anxious to learn all he could teach her, or was it somebody +else? Perhaps she had gone suddenly mad, and there was an evil +spirit inside her. But in any case, night after night he came +back, only to find her growing wiser and wiser. Soon the +neighbours whispered their surprise among themselves, for Tephany +had not been able to resist the pleasure of putting the feather +in her hair for some of the people who despised her for her poor +clothes, and many were the jokes she made about them. Of course +they heard of her jests, and shook their heads saying: + +'She is an ill-natured little cat, and the man that marries her +will find that it is she who will hold the reins and drive the +horse.' + +It was not long before Denis began to agree with them, and as he +always liked to be master wherever he went, he became afraid of +Tephany's sharp tongue, and instead of laughing as before when +she made fun of other people he grew red and uncomfortable, +thinking that his turn would come next. + +So matters went on till one evening Denis told Tephany that he +really could not stay a moment, as he had promised to go to a +dance that was to be held in the next village. + +Tephany's face fell; she had worked hard all day, and had been +counting on a quiet hour with Denis. She did her best to +persuade him to remain with her, but he would not listen, and at +last she grew angry. + +'Oh, I know why you are so anxious not to miss the dance,' she +said; 'it is because Aziliez of Pennenru will be there.' + +Now Aziliez was the loveliest girl for miles round, and she and +Denis had known each other from childhood. + +'Oh yes, Aziliez will be there,' answered Denis, who was quite +pleased to see her jealous, 'and naturally one would go a long +way to watch her dance.' + +'Go then!' cried Tephany, and entering the house she slammed the +door behind her. + +Lonely and miserable she sat down by the fire and stared into the +red embers. Then, flinging the feather from her hair, she put +her head on her hands, and sobbed passionately. + +'What is the use of being clever when it is beauty that men want? +That is what I ought to have asked for. But it is too late, +Denis will never come back.' + +'Since you wish it so much you shall have beauty,' said a voice +at her side, and looking round she beheld the old woman leaning +on her stick. + +'Fasten this necklace round your neck, and as long as you wear it +you will be the most beautiful woman in the world,' continued the +fairy. With a little shriek of joy Tephany took the necklace, +and snapping the clasp ran to the mirror which hung in the +corner. Ah, this time she was not afraid of Aziliez or of any +other girl, for surely none could be as fair and white as she. +And with the sight of her face a thought came to her, and putting +on hastily her best dress and her buckled shoes she hurried off +to the dance. + +On the way she met a beautiful carriage with a young man seated +in it. + +'What a lovely maiden!' he exclaimed, as Tephany approached. +'Why, there is not a girl in my own country that can be compared +to her. She, and no other, shall be my bride.' + +The carriage was large and barred the narrow road, so Tephany was +forced, much against her will, to remain where she was. But she +looked the young man full in the face as she answered: + +'Go your way, noble lord, and let me go mine. I am only a poor +peasant girl, accustomed to milk, and make hay and spin.' + +'Peasant you may be, but I will make you a great lady,' said he, +taking her hand and trying to lead her to the carriage. + +'I don't want to be a great lady, I only want to be the wife of +Denis,' she replied, throwing off his hand and running to the +ditch which divided the road from the cornfield, where he hoped +to hide. Unluckily the young man guessed what she was doing, and +signed to his attendants, who seized her and put her in the +coach. The door was banged, and the horses whipped up into a +gallop. + +At the end of an hour they arrived at a splendid castle, and +Tephany, who would not move, was lifted out and carried into the +hall, while a priest was sent for to perform the marriage +ceremony. The young man tried to win a smile from her by telling +of all the beautiful things she should have as his wife, but +Tephany did not listen to him, and looked about to see if there +was any means by which she could escape. It did not seem easy. +The three great doors were closely barred, and the one through +which she had entered shut with a spring, but her feather was +still in her hair, and by its aid she detected a crack in the +wooden panelling, through which a streak of light could be dimly +seen. Touching the copper pin which fastened her dress, the girl +sent every one in the hall to count the cabbages, while she +herself passed through the little door, not knowing whither she +was going. + +By this time night had fallen, and Tephany was very tired. +Thankfully she found herself at the gate of a convent, and asked +if she might stay there till morning. But the portress answered +roughly that it was no place for beggars, and bade her begone, so +the poor girl dragged herself slowly along the road, till a light +and the bark of a dog told her that she was near a farm. + +In front of the house was a group of people; two or three women +and the sons of the farmer. When their mother heard Tephany's +request to be given a bed the good wife's heart softened, and she +was just going to invite her inside, when the young men, whose +heads were turned by the girl's beauty, began to quarrel as to +which should do most for her. From words they came to blows, and +the women, frightened at the disturbance, pelted Tephany with +insulting names. She quickly ran down the nearest path, hoping to +escape them in the darkness of the trees, but in an instant she +heard their footsteps behind her. Wild with fear her legs +trembled under her, when suddenly she bethought herself of her +necklace. With a violent effort she burst the clasp and flung it +round the neck of a pig which was grunting in a ditch, and as she +did so she heard the footsteps cease from pursuing her and run +after the pig, for her charm had vanished. + +On she went, scarcely knowing where she was going, till she found +herself, to her surprise and joy, close to her aunt's house. For +several days she felt so tired and unhappy that she could hardly +get through her work, and to make matters worse Denis scarcely +ever came near her. + +'He was too busy,' he said, 'and really it was only rich people +who could afford to waste time in talking.' + +As the days went on Tephany grew paler and paler, till everybody +noticed it except her aunt. The water-pot was almost too heavy +for her now, but morning and evening she carried it to the +spring, though the effort to lift it to her shoulder was often +too much for her. + +'How could I have been so foolish,' she whispered to herself, +when she went down as usual at sunset. 'It was not freedom to +see Denis that I should have asked for, for he was soon weary of +me, nor a quick tongue, for he was afraid of it, nor beauty, for +that brought me nothing but trouble, but riches which make life +easy both for oneself and others. Ah! if I only dared to beg +this gift from the fairy, I should be wiser than before and know +how to choose better.' + +'Be satisfied,' said the voice of the old woman, who seemed to be +standing unseen at Tephany's elbow. 'If you look in your right- +hand pocket when you go home you will find a small box. Rub your +eyes with the ointment it contains, and you will see that you +yourself contain a priceless treasure.' + +Tephany did not in the least understand what she meant, but ran +back to the farm as fast as she could, and began to fumble +joyfully in her right-hand pocket. Sure enough, there was the +little box with the precious ointment. She was in the act of +rubbing her eyes with it when Barbaik Bourhis entered the room. +Ever since she had been obliged to leave her work and pass her +time, she did not know why, in counting cabbages, everything had +gone wrong, and she could not get a labourer to stay with her +because of her bad temper. When, therefore, she saw her niece +standing quietly before her mirror, Barbaik broke out: + +'So this is what you do when I am out in the fields! Ah! it is +no wonder if the farm is ruined. Are you not ashamed, girl, to +behave so?' + +Tephany tried to stammer some excuse, but her aunt was half mad +with rage, and a box on the ears was her only answer. At this +Tephany, hurt, bewildered and excited, could control herself no +longer, and turning away burst into tears. But what was her +surprise when she saw that each tear-drop was a round and shining +pearl. Barbaik, who also beheld this marvel, uttered a cry of +astonishment, and threw herself on her knees to pick them up from +the floor. + +She was still gathering them when the door opened and in came +Denis. + +'Pearls! Are they really pearls?' he asked, falling on his knees +also, and looking up at Tephany he perceived others still more +beautiful rolling down the girl's cheeks. + +'Take care not to let any of the neighbours hear of it, Denis,' +said Barbaik. 'Of course you shall have your share, but nobody +else shall get a single one. Cry on, my dear, cry on,' she +continued to Tephany. It is for your good as well as ours,' and +she held out her apron to catch them, and Denis his hat. + +But Tephany could hardly bear any more. She felt half choked at +the sight of their greediness, and wanted to rush from the hall, +and though Barbaik caught her arm to prevent this, and said all +sorts of tender words which she thought would make the girl weep +the more, Tephany with a violent effort forced back her tears, +and wiped her eyes. + +'Is she finished already?' cried Barbaik, in a tone of +disappointment. 'Oh, try again, my dear. Do you think it would +do any good to beat her a little?' she added to Denis, who shook +his head. + +'That is enough for the first time. I will go into the town and +find out the value of each pearl.' + +'Then I will go with you,' said Barbaik, who never trusted anyone +and was afraid of being cheated. So the two went out, leaving +Tephany behind them. + +She sat quite still on her chair, her hands clasped tightly +together, as if she was forcing something back. At last she +raised her eyes, which had been fixed on the ground, and beheld +the fairy standing in a dark corner by the hearth, observing her +with a mocking look. The girl trembled and jumped up, then, +taking the feather, the pin, and the box, she held them out to +the old woman. + +'Here they are, all of them,' she cried; 'they belong to you. Let +me never see them again, but I have learned the lesson that they +taught me. Others may have riches, beauty and wit, but as for me +I desire nothing but to be the poor peasant girl I always was, +working hard for those she loves.' + +'Yes, you have learned your lesson,' answered the fairy, 'and now +you shall lead a peaceful life and marry the man you love. For +after all it was not yourself you thought of but him.' + +Never again did Tephany see the old woman, but she forgave Denis +for selling her tears, and in time he grew to be a good husband, +who did his own share of work. + +From 'Le Foyer Breton,' par E. Souvestre. + + + + + + + The Groac'h of the Isle of Lok + + + + +In old times, when all kinds of wonderful things happened in +Brittany, there lived in the village of Lanillis, a young man +named Houarn Pogamm and a girl called Bellah Postik. They were +cousins, and as their mothers were great friends, and constantly +in and out of each other's houses, they had often been laid in +the same cradle, and had played and fought over their games. + +'When they are grown up they will marry,' said the mothers; but +just as every one was beginning to think of wedding bells, the +two mothers died, and the cousins, who had no money, went as +servants in the same house. This was better than being parted, +of course, but not so good as having a little cottage of their +own, where they could do as they liked, and soon they might have +been heard bewailing to each other the hardness of their lots. + +'If we could only manage to buy a cow and get a pig to fatten,' +grumbled Houarn, 'I would rent a bit of ground from the master, +and then we could be married.' + +'Yes,' answered Bellah, with a deep sigh; 'but we live in such +hard times, and at the last fair the price of pigs had risen +again.' + +'We shall have long to wait, that is quite clear,' replied +Houarn, turning away to his work. + +Whenever they met they repeated their grievances, and at length +Houarn's patience was exhausted, and one morning he came to +Bellah and told her that he was going away to seek his fortune. + +The girl was very unhappy as she listened to this, and felt sorry +that she had not tried to make the best of things. She implored +Houarn not to leave her, but he would listen to nothing. + +'The birds,' he said, 'continue flying until they reach a field +of corn, and the bees do not stop unless they find the honey- +giving flowers, and why should a man have less sense than they? +Like them, I shall seek till I get what I want--that is, money to +buy a cow and a pig to fatten. And if you love me, Bellah, you +won't attempt to hinder a plan which will hasten our marriage.' + +The girl saw it was useless to say more, so she answered sadly: + +'Well, go then, since you must. But first I will divide with you +all that my parents left me,' and going to her room, she opened a +small chest, and took from it a bell, a knife, and a little +stick. + +'This bell,' she said, 'can be heard at any distance, however +far, but it only rings to warn us that our friends are in great +danger. The knife frees all it touches from the spells that have +been laid on them; while the stick will carry you wherever you +want to go. I will give you the knife to guard you against the +enchantments of wizards, and the bell to tell me of your perils. +The stick I shall keep for myself, so that I can fly to you if +ever you have need of me.' + +Then they cried for a little on each other's necks, and Houarn +started for the mountains. + +But in those days, as in these, beggars abounded, and through +every village he passed they followed Houarn in crowds, mistaking +him for a gentleman, because there were no holes in his clothes. + +'There is no fortune to be made here,' he thought to himself; 'it +is a place for spending, and not earning. I see I must go +further,' and he walked on to Pont-aven, a pretty little town +built on the bank of a river. + +He was sitting on a bench outside an inn, when he heard two men +who were loading their mules talking about the Groac'h of the +island of Lok. + +'What is a Groac'h?' asked he. 'I have never come across one.' +And the men answered that it was the name given to the fairy that +dwelt in the lake, and that she was rich--oh! richer than all the +kings in the world put together. Many had gone to the island to +try and get possession of her treasures, but no one had ever come +back. + +As he listened Houarn's mind was made up. + +'I will go, and return too,' he said to the muleteers. They +stared at him in astonishment, and besought him not to be so mad +and to throw away his life in such a foolish manner; but he only +laughed, and answered that if they could tell him of any other +way in which to procure a cow and a pig to fatten, he would think +no more about it. But the men did not know how this was to be +done, and, shaking their heads over his obstinacy, left him to +his fate. + +So Houarn went down to the sea, and found a boatman who engaged +to take him to the isle of Lok. + +The island was large, and lying almost across it was a lake, with +a narrow opening to the sea. Houarn paid the boatman and sent +him away, and then proceeded to walk round the lake. At one end +he perceived a small skiff, painted blue and shaped like a swan, +lying under a clump of yellow broom. As far as he could see, the +swan's head was tucked under its wing, and Houarn, who had never +beheld a boat of the sort, went quickly towards it and stepped +in, so as to examine it the better. But no sooner was he on +board than the swan woke suddenly up; his head emerged from under +his wing, his feet began to move in the water, and in another +moment they were in the middle of the lake. + +As soon as the young man had recovered from his surprise, he +prepared to jump into the lake and swim to shore. But the bird +had guessed his intentions, and plunged beneath the water, +carrying Houarn with him to the palace of the Groac'h. + +Now, unless you have been under the sea and beheld all the +wonders that lie there, you can never have an idea what the +Groac'h's palace was like. It was all made of shells, blue and +green and pink and lilac and white, shading into each other till +you could not tell where one colour ended and the other began. +The staircases were of crystal, and every separate stair sang +like a woodland bird as you put your foot on it. Round the +palace were great gardens full of all the plants that grow in the +sea, with diamonds for flowers. + +In a large hall the Groac'h was lying on a couch of gold. The +pink and white of her face reminded you of the shells of her +palace, while her long black hair was intertwined with strings of +coral, and her dress of green silk seemed formed out of the sea. +At the sight of her Houarn stopped, dazzled by her beauty. + +'Come in,' said the Groac'h, rising to her feet. 'Strangers and +handsome youths are always welcome here. Do not be shy, but tell +me how you found your way, and what you want.' + +'My name is Houarn,' he answered, 'Lanillis is my home, and I am +trying to earn enough money to buy a little cow and a pig to +fatten.' + +'Well, you can easily get that,' replied she; 'it is nothing to +worry about. Come in and enjoy yourself.' And she beckoned him +to follow her into a second hall whose floors and walls were +formed of pearls, while down the sides there were tables laden +with fruit and wines of all kinds; and as he ate and drank, the +Groac'h talked to him and told him how the treasures he saw came +from shipwrecked vessels, and were brought to her palace by a +magic current of water. + +'I do not wonder,' exclaimed Houarn, who now felt quite at home-- +'I do not wonder that the people on the earth have so much to say +about you.' + +'The rich are always envied.' + +'For myself,' he added, with a laugh, 'I only ask for the half of +your wealth.' + +'You can have it, if you will, Houarn,' answered the fairy. + +'What do you mean?' cried he. + +'My husband, Korandon, is dead,' she replied, 'and if you wish +it, I will marry you.' + +The young man gazed at her in surprise. Could any one so rich +and so beautiful really wish to be his wife? He looked at her +again, and Bellah was forgotten as he answered: + +'A man would be mad indeed to refuse such an offer. I can only +accept it with joy.' + +'Then the sooner it is done the better,' said the Groac'h, and +gave orders to her servants. After that was finished, she begged +Houarn to accompany her to a fish-pond at the bottom of the +garden. + +'Come lawyer, come miller, come tailor, come singer!' cried she, +holding out a net of steel; and at each summons a fish appeared +and jumped into the net. When it was full she went into a large +kitchen and threw them all into a golden pot; but above the +bubbling of the water Houarn seemed to hear the whispering of +little voices. + +'Who is it whispering in the golden pot, Groac'h?' he inquired at +last. + +'It is nothing but the noise of the wood sparkling,' she +answered; but it did not sound the least like that to Houarn. + +'There it is again,' he said, after a short pause. + +'The water is getting hot, and it makes the fish jump,' she +replied; but soon the noise grew louder and like cries. + +'What is it?' asked Houarn, beginning to feel uncomfortable. + +'Just the crickets on the hearth,' said she, and broke into a +song which drowned the cries from the pot. + +But though Houarn held his peace, he was not as happy as before. +Something seemed to have gone wrong, and then he suddenly +remembered Bellah. + +'Is it possible I can have forgotten her so soon? What a wretch +I am!' he thought to himself; and he remained apart and watched +the Groac'h while she emptied the fish into a plate, and bade him +eat his dinner while she fetched wine from her cellar in a cave. + +Houarn sat down and took out the knife which Bellah had given +him, but as soon as the blade touched the fish the enchantment +ceased, and four men stood before him. + +'Houarn, save us, we entreat you, and save yourself too!' +murmured they, not daring to raise their voices. + +'Why, it must have been you who were crying out in the pot just +now!' exclaimed Houarn. + +'Yes, it was us,' they answered. 'Like you, we came to the isle +of Lok to seek our fortunes, and like you we consented to marry +the Groac'h, and no sooner was the ceremony over than she turned +us into fishes, as she had done to all our forerunners, who are +in the fish-pond still, where you will shortly join them.' + +On hearing this Houarn leaped into the air, as if he already felt +himself frizzling in the golden pot. He rushed to the door, +hoping to escape that way; but the Groac'h, who had heard +everything, met him on the threshold. Instantly she threw the +steel net over his head, and the eyes of a little green frog +peeped through the meshes. + +'You shall go and play with the rest,' she said, carrying him off +to the fish-pond. + +It was at this very moment that Bellah, who was skimming the milk +in the farm dairy, heard the fairy bell tinkle violently. + +At the sound she grew pale, for she knew it meant that Houarn was +in danger; and, hastily, changing the rough dress she wore for +her work, she left the farm with the magic stick in her hand. + +Her knees were trembling under her, but she ran as fast as she +could to the cross roads, where she drove her stick into the +ground, murmuring as she did so a verse her mother had taught +her: + +Little staff of apple-tree, Over the earth and over the sea, +Up in the air be guide to me, Everywhere to wander free, + +and immediately the stick became a smart little horse, with a +rosette at each ear and a feather on his forehead. He stood +quite still while Bellah scrambled up, then he started off, his +pace growing quicker and quicker, till at length the girl could +hardly see the trees and houses as they flashed past. But, rapid +as the pace was, it was not rapid enough for Bellah, who stooped +and said: + +'The swallow is less swift than the wind, the wind is less swift +than the lightning. But you, my horse, if you love me, must be +swifter than them all, for there is a part of my heart that +suffers --the best part of my heart that is in danger.' + +And the horse heard her, and galloped like a straw carried along +by a tempest till they reached the foot of a rock called the Leap +of the Deer. There he stopped, for no horse or mule that ever +was born could climb that rock, and Bellah knew it, so she began +to sing again: + +Horse of Leon, given to me, Over the earth and over the sea, +Up in the air be guide to me, Everywhere to wander free, + +and when she had finished, the horse's fore legs grew shorter and +spread into wings, his hind legs became claws, feathers sprouted +all over his body, and she sat on the back of a great bird, which +bore her to the summit of the rock. Here she found a nest made +of clay and lined with dried moss, and in the centre a tiny man, +black and wrinkled, who gave a cry of surprise at the sight of +Bellah. + +'Ah! you are the pretty girl who was to come and save me!' + +'To save you!' repeated Bellah. 'But who are you, my little +friend?' + +'I am the husband of the Groac'h of the isle of Lok, and it is +owing to her that I am here.' + +'But what are you doing in this nest?' + +'I am sitting on six eggs of stone, and I shall not be set free +till they are hatched.' + +On hearing this Bellah began to laugh. + +'Poor little cock!' she said, 'and how am I to deliver you?' + +'By delivering Houarn, who is in the power of the Groac'h.' + +'Ah! tell me how I can manage that, and if I have to walk round +the whole of Brittany on my bended knees I will do it!' + +'Well, first you must dress yourself as a young man, and then go +and seek the Groac'h. When you have found her you must contrive +to get hold of the net of steel that hangs from her waist, and +shut her up in it for ever.' + +'But where am I to find a young man's clothes?' asked she. + +'I will show you,' he replied, and as he spoke he pulled out +three of his red hairs and blew them away, muttering something +the while. In the twinkling of an eye the four hairs changed into +four tailors, of whom the first carried a cabbage, the second a +pair of scissors, the third a needle, and the fourth an iron. +Without waiting for orders, they sat down in the nest and, +crossing their legs comfortably, began to prepare the suit of +clothes for Bellah. + +With one of the leaves of the cabbage they made her a coat, and +another served for a waistcoat; but it took two for the wide +breeches which were then in fashion. The hat was cut from the +heart of the cabbage, and a pair of shoes from the thick stem. +And when Bellah had put them all on you would have taken her for +a gentleman dressed in green velvet, lined with white satin. + +She thanked the little men gratefully, and after a few more +instructions, jumped on the back of her great bird, and was borne +away to the isle of Lok. Once there, she bade him transform +himself back into a stick, and with it in her hand she stepped +into the blue boat, which conducted her to the palace of shells. + +The Groac'h seemed overjoyed to see her, and told her that never +before had she beheld such a handsome young man. Very soon she +led her visitor into the great hall, where wine and fruit were +always waiting, and on the table lay the magic knife, left there +by Houarn. Unseen by the Groac'h, Bellah hid it in a pocket of +her green coat, and then followed her hostess into the garden, +and to the pond which contained the fish, their sides shining +with a thousand different colours. + +'Oh! what beautiful, beautiful creatures!' said she. 'I'm sure I +should never be tired of watching them.' And she sat down on the +bank, with her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands, her +eyes fixed on the fishes as they flashed past. + +'Would you not like to stay here always?' asked the Groac'h; and +Bellah answered that she desired nothing better. + +'Then you have only to marry me,' said the Groac'h. 'Oh! don't +say no, for I have fallen deeply in love with you.' + +'Well, I won't say "No,"' replied Bellah, with a laugh, 'but you +must promise first to let me catch one of those lovely fish in +your net.' + +'It is not so easy as it looks,' rejoined the Groac'h, smiling, +'but take it, and try your luck.' + +Bellah took the net which the Groac'h held out, and, turning +rapidly, flung it over the witch's head. + +'Become in body what you are in soul!' cried she, and in an +instant the lovely fairy of the sea was a toad, horrible to look +upon. She struggled hard to tear the net asunder, but it was no +use. Bellah only drew it the tighter, and, flinging the sorceress +into a pit, she rolled a great stone across the mouth, and left +her. + +As she drew near the pond she saw a great procession of fishes +advancing to meet her, crying in hoarse tones: + +'This is our lord and master, who has saved us from the net of +steel and the pot of gold!' + +'And who will restore you to your proper shapes,' said Bellah, +drawing the knife from her pocket. But just as she was going to +touch the foremost fish, her eyes fell on a green frog on his +knees beside her, his little paws crossed over his little heart. +Bellah felt as if fingers were tightening round her throat, but +she managed to cry: + +'Is this you, my Houarn? Is this you?' + +'It is I,' croaked the little frog; and as the knife touched him +he was a man again, and, springing up, he clasped her in his +arms. + +'But we must not forget the others,' she said at last, and began +to transform the fishes to their proper shapes. There were so +many of them that it took quite a long time. Just as she had +finished there arrived the little dwarf from the Deer's Leap in a +car drawn by six cockchafers, which once had been the six stone +eggs. + +'Here I am!' he exclaimed. 'You have broken the spell that held +me, and now come and get your reward,' and, dismounting from his +chariot, he led them down into the caves filled with gold and +jewels, and bade Bellah and Houarn take as much as they wanted. + +When their pockets were full, Bellah ordered her stick to become +a winged carriage, large enough to bear them and the men they had +rescued back to Lanillis. + +There they were married the next day, but instead of setting up +housekeeping with the little cow and pig to fatten that they had +so long wished for, they were able to buy lands for miles round +for themselves, and gave each man who had been delivered from the +Groac'h a small farm, where he lived happily to the end of his +days. + +From 'Le Foyer Breton,' par E. Souvestre. + + + + + + + The Escape of the Mouse + + + + +Manawyddan the prince and his friend Pryderi were wanderers, for +the brother of Manawyddan had been slain, and his throne taken +from him. Very sorrowful was Manawyddan, but Pryderi was stout of +heart, and bade him be of good cheer, as he knew a way out of his +trouble. + +'And what may that be?' asked Manawyddan. + +'It is that thou marry my mother Rhiannon and become lord of the +fair lands that I will give her for dowry. Never did any lady +have more wit than she, and in her youth none was more lovely; +even yet she is good to look upon.' + +'Thou art the best friend that ever a man had,' said Manawyddan. +'Let us go now to seek Rhiannon, and the lands where she dwells.' + +Then they set forth, but the news of their coming ran swifter +still, and Rhiannon and Kieva, wife of Pryderi, made haste to +prepare a feast for them. And Manawyddan found that Pryderi had +spoken the truth concerning his mother, and asked if she would +take him for her husband. Right gladly did she consent, and +without delay they were married, and rode away to the hunt, +Rhiannon and Manawyddan, Kieva and Pryderi, and they would not be +parted from each other by night or by day, so great was the love +between them. + +One day, when they were returned, they were sitting out in a +green place, and suddenly the crash of thunder struck loudly on +their ears, and a wall of mist fell between them, so that they +were hidden one from the other. Trembling they sat till the +darkness fled and the light shone again upon them, but in the +place where they were wont to see cattle, and herds, and +dwellings, they beheld neither house nor beast, nor man nor +smoke; neither was any one remaining in the green place save +these four only. + +'Whither have they gone, and my host also?' cried Manawyddan, and +they searched the hall, and there was no man, and the castle, and +there was none, and in the dwellings that were left was nothing +save wild beasts. For a year these four fed on the meat that +Manawyddan and Pryderi killed out hunting, and the honey of the +bees that sucked the mountain heather. For a time they desired +nothing more, but when the next year began they grew weary. + +'We cannot spend our lives thus,' said Manawyddan at last, 'let +us go into England and learn some trade by which we may live.' So +they left Wales, and went to Hereford, and there they made +saddles, while Manawyddan fashioned blue enamel ornaments to put +on their trappings. And so greatly did the townsfolk love these +saddles, that no others were bought throughout the whole of +Hereford, till the saddlers banded together and resolved to slay +Manawyddan and his companions. + +When Pryderi heard of it, he was very wroth, and wished to stay +and fight. But the counsels of Manawyddan prevailed, and they +moved by night to another city. + +'What craft shall we follow?' asked Pryderi. + +'We will make shields,' answered Manawyddan. + +'But do we know anything of that craft?' answered Pryderi. + +'We will try it,' said Manawyddan, and they began to make +shields, and fashioned them after the shape of the shields they +had seen; and these likewise they enamelled. And so greatly did +they prosper that no man in the town bought a shield except they +had made it, till at length the shield-makers banded together as +the saddlers had done, and resolved to slay them. But of this +they had warning, and by night betook themselves to another town. + +'Let us take to making shoes,' said Manawyddan, 'for there are +not any among the shoemakers bold enough to fight us.' + +'I know nothing of making shoes,' answered Pryderi, who in truth +despised so peaceful a craft. + +'But I know,' replied Manawyddan, 'and I will teach thee to +stitch. We will buy the leather ready dressed, and will make the +shoes from it. + +Then straightway he sought the town for the best leather, and for +a goldsmith to fashion the clasps, and he himself watched till it +was done, so that he might learn for himself. Soon he became +known as 'The Maker of Gold Shoes,' and prospered so greatly, +that as long as one could be bought from him not a shoe was +purchased from the shoemakers of the town. And the craftsmen were +wroth, and banded together to slay them. + +'Pryderi,' said Manawyddan, when he had received news of it, 'we +will not remain in England any longer. Let us set forth to +Dyved.' + +So they journeyed until they came to their lands at Narberth. +There they gathered their dogs round them, and hunted for a year +as before. + +After that a strange thing happened. One morning Pryderi and +Manawyddan rose up to hunt, and loosened their dogs, which ran +before them, till they came to a small bush. At the bush, the +dogs shrank away as if frightened, and returned to their masters, +their hair brisling on their backs. + +'We must see what is in that bush,' said Pryderi, and what was in +it was a boar, with a skin as white as the snow on the mountains. +And he came out, and made a stand as the dogs rushed on him, +driven on by the men. Long he stood at bay; then at last he +betook himself to flight, and fled to a castle which was newly +built, in a place where no building had ever been known. Into the +castle he ran, and the dogs after him, and long though their +masters looked and listened, they neither saw nor heard aught +concerning dogs or boar. + +'I will go into the castle and get tidings of the dogs,' said +Pryderi at last. + +'Truly,' answered Manawyddan, 'thou wouldst do unwisely, for +whosoever has cast a spell over this land has set this castle +here.' + +'I cannot give up my dogs,' replied Pryderi, and to the castle he +went. + +But within was neither man nor beast; neither boar nor dogs, but +only a fountain with marble round it, and on the edge a golden +bowl, richly wrought, which pleased Pryderi greatly. In a moment +he forgot about his dogs, and went up to the bowl and took hold +of it, and his hands stuck to the bowl, and his feet to the +marble slab, and despair took possession of him. + +Till the close of day Manawyddan waited for him, and when the sun +was fast sinking, he went home, thinking that he had strayed far. + +'Where are thy friend and thy dogs?' said Rhiannon, and he told +her what had befallen Pryderi. + +'A good friend hast thou lost,' answered Rhiannon, and she went +up to the castle and through the gate, which was open. There, in +the centre of the courtyard, she beheld Pryderi standing, and +hastened towards him. + +'What dost thou here?' she asked, laying her hand on the bowl, +and as she spoke she too stuck fast, and was not able to utter a +word. Then thunder was heard and a veil of darkness descended +upon them, and the castle vanished and they with it. + +When Kieva, the wife of Pryderi, found that neither her husband +nor his mother returned to her, she was in such sorrow that she +cared not whether she lived or died. Manawyddan was grieved also +in his heart, and said to her: + +'It is not fitting that we should stay here, for he have lost our +dogs and cannot get food. Let us go into England--it is easier +for us to live there.' So they set forth. + +'What craft wilt thou follow?' asked Kieva as they went along. + +'I shall make shoes as once I did,' replied he; and he got all +the finest leather in the town and caused gilded clasps to be +made for the shoes, till everyone flocked to buy, and all the +shoemakers in the town were idle and banded together in anger to +kill him. But luckily Manawyddan got word of it, and he and Kieva +left the town one night and proceeded to Narberth, taking with +him a sheaf of wheat, which he sowed in three plots of ground. +And while the wheat was growing up, he hunted and fished, and +they had food enough and to spare. Thus the months passed until +the harvest; and one evening Manawyddan visited the furthest of +his fields of wheat; and saw that it was ripe. + +'To-morrow I will reap this,' said he; but on the morrow when he +went to reap the wheat he found nothing but the bare straw. + +Filled with dismay he hastened to the second field, and there the +corn was ripe and golden. + +'To-morrow I will reap this,' he said, but on the morrow the ears +had gone, and there was nothing but the bare straw. + +'Well, there is still one field left,' he said, and when he +looked at it, it was still fairer than the other two. 'To-night I +will watch here,' thought he, 'for whosoever carried off the +other corn will in like manner take this, and I will know who it +is.' So he hid himself and waited. + +The hours slid by, and all was still, so still that Manawyddan +well-nigh dropped asleep. But at midnight there arose the loudest +tumult in the world, and peeping out he beheld a mighty host of +mice, which could neither be numbered nor measured. Each mouse +climbed up a straw till it bent down with its weight, and then it +bit off one of the ears, and carried it away, and there was not +one of the straws that had not got a mouse to it. + +Full of wrath he rushed at the mice, but he could no more come up +with them than if they had been gnats, or birds of the air, save +one only which lingered behind the rest, and this mouse +Manawyddan came up with. Stooping down he seized it by the tail, +and put it in his glove, and tied a piece of string across the +opening of the glove, so that the mouse could not escape. When he +entered the hall where Kieva was sitting, he lighted a fire, and +hung the glove up on a peg. + +'What hast thou there?' asked she. + +'A thief,' he answered, 'that I caught robbing me.' + +'What kind of a thief may it be which thou couldst put in thy +glove?' said Kieva. + +'That I will tell thee,' he replied, and then he showed her how +his fields of corn had been wasted, and how he had watched for +the mice. + +'And one was less nimble than the rest, and is now in my glove. +To-morrow I will hang it, and I only wish I had them all.' + +'It is a marvel, truly,' said she, 'yet it would be unseemly for +a man of thy dignity to hang a reptile such as this. Do not +meddle with it, but let it go.' + +'Woe betide me,' he cried, 'if I would not hang them all if I +could catch them, and such as I have I will hang.' + +'Verily,' said she, 'there is no reason I should succour this +reptile, except to prevent discredit unto thee.' + +'If I knew any cause that I should succour it, I would take thy +counsel,' answered Manawyddan, 'but as I know of none, I am +minded to destroy it.' + +'Do so then,' said Kieva. + +So he went up a hill and set up two forks on the top, and while +he was doing this he saw a scholar coming towards him, whose +clothes were tattered. Now it was seven years since Manawyddan +had seen man or beast in that place, and the sight amazed him. + +'Good day to thee, my lord,' said the scholar. + +'Good greeting to thee, scholar. Whence dost thou come?' + +'From singing in England; but wherefore dost thou ask?' + +'Because for seven years no man hath visited this place.' + +'I wander where I will,' answered the scholar. 'And what work art +thou upon?' + +'I am about to hang a thief that I caught robbing me!' + +'What manner of thief is that?' inquired the scholar. 'I see a +creature in thy hand like upon a mouse, and ill does it become a +man of thy rank to touch a reptile like this. Let it go free.' + +'I will not let it go free,' cried Manawyddan. 'I caught it +robbing me, and it shall suffer the doom of a thief.' + +'Lord!' said the scholar, 'sooner than see a man like thee at +such a work, I would give thee a pound which I have received as +alms to let it go free.' + +'I will not let it go free, neither will I sell it.' + +'As thou wilt, lord,' answered the scholar, and he went his way. + +Manawyddan was placing the cross-beam on the two forked sticks, +where the mouse was to hang, when a priest rode past. + +'Good-day to thee, lord; and what art thou doing?' + +'I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.' + +'What manner of thief, lord?' + +'A creature in the form of a mouse. It has been robbing me, and +it shall suffer the doom of a thief.' + +'Lord,' said the priest, 'sooner than see thee touch this +reptile, I would purchase its freedom.' + +'I will neither sell it nor set it free.' + +'It is true that a mouse is worth nothing, but rather than see +thee defile thyself with touching such a reptile as this, I will +give thee three pounds for it.' + +'I will not take any price for it. It shall be hanged as it +deserves.' + +'Willingly, my lord, if it is thy pleasure.' And the priest went +his way. + +Then Manawyddan noosed the string about the mouse's neck, and was +about to draw it tight when a bishop, with a great following and +horses bearing huge packs, came by. + +'What work art thou upon?' asked the bishop, drawing rein. + +'Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.' + +'But is not that a mouse that I see in thine hand?' asked the +bishop. + +'Yes; that is the thief,' answered Manawyddan. + +'Well, since I have come at the doom of this reptile, I will +ransom it of thee for seven pounds, rather than see a man of thy +rank touch it. Loose it, and let it go.' + +'I will not let it loose.' + +'I will give thee four and twenty pounds to set it free,' said +the bishop. + +'I will not set it free for as much again.' + +'If thou wilt not set it free for this, I will give thee all the +horses thou seest and the seven loads of baggage.' + +'I will not set it free.' + +'Then tell me at what price thou wilt loose it, and I will give +it.' + +'The spell must be taken off Rhiannon and Pryderi,' said +Manawyddan. + +'That shall be done.' + +'But not yet will I loose the mouse. The charm that has been cast +over all my lands must be taken off likewise.' + +'This shall be done also.' + +'But not yet will I loose the mouse till I know who she is.' + +'She is my wife,' answered the bishop. + +'And wherefore came she to me?' asked Manawyddan. + +'To despoil thee,' replied the bishop, 'for it is I who cast the +charm over thy lands, to avenge Gwawl the son of Clud my friend. +And it was I who threw the spell upon Pryderi to avenge Gwawl for +the trick that had been played on him in the game of Badger in +the Bag. And not only was I wroth, but my people likewise, and +when it was known that thou wast come to dwell in the land, they +besought me much to change them into mice, that they might eat +thy corn. The first and the second nights it was the men of my +own house that destroyed thy two fields, but on the third night +my wife and her ladies came to me and begged me to change them +also into the shape of mice, that they might take part in +avenging Gwawl. Therefore I changed them. Yet had she not been +ill and slow of foot, thou couldst not have overtaken her. Still, +since she was caught, I will restore thee Pryderi and Rhiannon, +and will take the charm from off thy lands. I have told thee who +she is; so now set her free.' + +'I will not set her free,' answered Manawyddan, 'till thou swear +that no vengeance shall be taken for his, either upon Pryderi, or +upon Rhiannon, or on me.' + +'I will grant thee this boon; and thou hast done wisely to ask +it, for on thy head would have lit all the trouble. Set now my +wife free.' + +'I will not set her free till Pryderi and Rhiannon are with me.' + +'Behold, here they come,' said the bishop. + +Then Manawyddan held out his hands and greeted Pryderi and +Rhiannon, and they seated themselves joyfully on the grass. + +'Ah, lord, hast thou not received all thou didst ask?' said the +bishop. 'Set now my wife free!' + +'That I will gladly,' answered Manawyddan, unloosing the cord +from her neck, and as he did so the bishop struck her with his +staff, and she turned into a young woman, the fairest that ever +was seen. + +'Look around upon thy land,' said he, 'and thou wilt see it all +tilled and peopled, as it was long ago.' And Manawyddan looked, +and saw corn growing in the fields, and cows and sheep grazing on +the hill-side, and huts for the people to dwell in. And he was +satisfied in his soul, but one more question he put to the +bishop. + +'What spell didst thou lay upon Pryderi and Rhiannon?' + +'Pryderi has had the knockers of the gate of my palace hung about +him, and Rhiannon has carried the collars of my asses around her +neck,' said the bishop with a smile. + +From the 'Mabinogion.' + + + + + + + The Believing Husbands + + + + +Once upon a time there dwelt in the land of Erin a young man who +was seeking a wife, and of all the maidens round about none +pleased him as well as the only daughter of a farmer. The girl +was willing and the father was willing, and very soon they were +married and went to live at the farm. By and bye the season came +when they must cut the peats and pile them up to dry, so that +they might have fires in the winter. So on a fine day the girl +and her husband, and the father and his wife all went out upon +the moor. + +They worked hard for many hours, and at length grew hungry, so +the young woman was sent home to bring them food, and also to +give the horses their dinner. When she went into the stables, she +suddenly saw the heavy pack-saddle of the speckled mare just over +her head, and she jumped and said to herself: + +'Suppose that pack-saddle were to fall and kill me, how dreadful +it would be!' and she sat down just under the pack-saddle she was +so much afraid of, and began to cry. + +Now the others out on the moor grew hungrier and hungrier. + +'What can have become of her?' asked they, and at length the +mother declared that she would wait no longer, and must go and +see what had happened. + +As the bride was nowhere in the kitchen or the dairy, the old +woman went into the stable, where she found her daughter weeping +bitterly. + +'What is the matter, my dove?' and the girl answered, between her +sobs: + +'When I came in and saw the pack-saddle over my head, I thought +how dreadful it would be if it fell and killed me,' and she cried +louder than before. + +The old woman struck her hands together: 'Ah, to think of it! if +that were to be, what should I do?' and she sat down by her +daughter, and they both wrung their hands and let their tears +flow. + +'Something strange must have occurred,' exclaimed the old farmer +on the moor, who by this time was not only hungry, but cross. 'I +must go after them.' And he went and found them in the stable. + +'What is the matter?' asked he. + +'Oh!' replied his wife, 'when our daughter came home, did she not +see the pack-saddle over her head, and she thought how dreadful +it would be if it were to fall and kill her.' + +'Ah, to think of it!' exclaimed he, striking his hands together, +and he sat down beside them and wept too. + +As soon as night fell the young man returned full of hunger, and +there they were, all crying together in the stable. + +'What is the matter?' asked he. + +'When thy wife came home,' answered the farmer, 'she saw the +pack-saddle over her head, and she thought how dreadful it would +be if it were to fall and kill her.' + +'Well, but it didn't fall,' replied the young man, and he went +off to the kitchen to get some supper, leaving them to cry as +long as they liked. + +The next morning he got up with the sun, and said to the old man +and to the old woman and to his wife: + +'Farewell: my foot shall not return to the house till I have +found other three people as silly as you,' and he walked away +till he came to the town, and seeing the door of a cottage +standing open wide, he entered. No man was present, but only some +women spinning at their wheels. + +'You do not belong to this town,' said he. + +'You speak truth,' they answered, 'nor you either?' + +'I do not,' replied he, 'but is it a good place to live in?' + +The women looked at each other. + +'The men of the town are so silly that we can make them believe +anything we please,' said they. + +'Well, here is a gold ring,' replied he, 'and I will give it to +the one amongst you who can make her husband believe the most +impossible thing,' and he left them. + +As soon as the first husband came home his wife said to him: + +'Thou art sick!' + +'Am I?' asked he. + +'Yes, thou art,' she answered; 'take off thy clothes and lie +down.' + +So he did, and when he was in his bed his wife went to him and +said: + +'Thou art dead.' + +'Oh, am I?' asked he. + +'Thou art,' said she; 'shut thine eyes and stir neither hand nor +foot.' + +And dead he felt sure he was. + +Soon the second man came home, and his wife said to him: + +'You are not my husband!' + +'Oh, am I not?' asked he. + +'No, it is not you,' answered she, so he went away and slept in +the wood. + +When the third man arrived his wife gave him his supper, and +after that he went to bed, just as usual. The next morning a boy +knocked at the door, bidding him attend the burial of the man who +was dead, and he was just going to get up when his wife stopped +him. + +'Time enough,' said she, and he lay still till he heard the +funeral passing the window. + +'Now rise, and be quick,' called the wife, and the man jumped out +of bed in a great hurry, and began to look about him. + +'Why, where are my clothes?' asked he. + +'Silly that you are, they are on your back, of course,' answered +the woman. + +'Are they?' said he. + +'They are,' said she, 'and make haste lest the burying be ended +before you get there.' + +Then off he went, running hard, and when the mourners saw a man +coming towards them with nothing on but his nightshirt, they +forgot in their fright what they were there for, and fled to hide +themselves. And the naked man stood alone at the head of the +coffin. + +Very soon a man came out of the wood and spoke to him. + +'Do you know me?' + +'Not I,' answered the naked man. 'I do not know you.' + +'But why are you naked?' asked the first man. + +'Am I naked? My wife told me that I had all my clothes on,' +answered he. + +'And my wife told me that I myself was dead,' said the man in the +coffin. + +But at the sound of his voice the two men were so terrified that +they ran straight home, and the man in the coffin got up and +followed them, and it was his wife that gained the gold ring, as +he had been sillier than the other two. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + + + + The Hoodie-Crow. + + + + +Once there lived a farmer who had three daughters, and good +useful girls they were, up with the sun, and doing all the work +of the house. One morning they all ran down to the river to wash +their clothes, when a hoodie came round and sat on a tree close +by. + +'Wilt thou wed me, thou farmer's daughter?' he said to the +eldest. + +'Indeed I won't wed thee,' she answered, 'an ugly brute is the +hoodie.' And the bird, much offended, spread his wings and flew +away. But the following day he came back again, and said to the +second girl: + +'Wilt thou wed me, farmer's daughter?' + +'Indeed I will not,' answered she, 'an ugly brute is the hoodie.' +And the hoodie was more angry than before, and went away in a +rage. However, after a night's rest he was in a better temper, +and thought that he might be more lucky the third time, so back +he went to the old place. + +'Wilt thou wed me, farmer's daughter?' he said to the youngest. + +'Indeed I will wed thee; a pretty creature is the hoodie,' +answered she, and on the morrow they were married. + +'I have something to ask thee,' said the hoodie when they were +far away in his own house. 'Wouldst thou rather I should be a +hoodie by day and a man by night, or a man by day and a hoodie by +night?' + +The girl was surprised at his words, for she did not know that he +could be anything but a hoodie at all times. + +Still she said nothing of this, and only replied, 'I would rather +thou wert a man by day and a hoodie by night,' And so he was; and +a handsomer man or a more beautiful hoodie never was seen. The +girl loved them both, and never wished for things to be +different. + +By and bye they had a son, and very pleased they both were. But +in the night soft music was heard stealing close towards the +house, and every man slept, and the mother slept also. When they +woke again it was morning, and the baby was gone. High and low +they looked for it, but nowhere could they find it, and the +farmer, who had come to see his daughter, was greatly grieved, as +he feared it might be thought that he had stolen it, because he +did not want the hoodie for a son-in-law. + +The next year the hoodie's wife had another son, and this time a +watch was set at every door. But it was no use. In vain they +determined that, come what might, they would not close their +eyes; at the first note of music they all fell asleep, and when +the farmer arrived in the morning to see his grandson, he found +them all weeping, for while they had slept the baby had vanished. + +Well, the next year it all happened again, and the hoodie's wife +was so unhappy that her husband resolved to take her away to +another house he had, and her sisters with her for company. So +they set out in a coach which was big enough to hold them, and +had not gone very far when the hoodie suddenly said: + +'You are sure you have not forgotten anything?' + +'I have forgotten my coarse comb,' answered the wife, feeling in +her pocket, and as she spoke the coach changed into a withered +faggot, and the man became a hoodie again, and flew away. + +The two sisters returned home, but the wife followed the hoodie. +Sometimes she would see him on a hill-top, and then would hasten +after him, hoping to catch him. But by the time she had got to +the top of the hill, he would be in the valley on the other side. +When night came, and she was tired, she looked about for some +place to rest, and glad she was to see a little house full of +light straight in front of her, and she hurried towards it as +fast as she could. + +At the door stood a little boy, and the sight of him filled her +heart with pleasure, she did not know why. A woman came out, and +bade her welcome, and set before her food, and gave her a soft +bed to lie on. And the hoodie's wife lay down, and so tired was +she, that it seemed to her but a moment before the sun rose, and +she awoke again. From hill to hill she went after the hoodie, and +sometimes she saw him on the top; but when she got to the top, he +had flown into the valley, and when she reached the valley he was +on the top of another hill--and so it happened till night came +round again. Then she looked round for some place to rest in, and +she beheld a little house of light before her, and fast she +hurried towards it. At the door stood a little boy, and her heart +was filled with pleasure at the sight of him, she did not know +why. After that a woman bade her enter, and set food before her, +and gave her a soft bed to lie in. And when the sun rose she got +up, and left the house, in search of the hoodie. This day +everything befell as on the two other days, but when she reached +the small house, the woman bade her keep awake, and if the hoodie +flew into the room, to try to seize him. + +But the wife had walked far, and was very tired, and strive as +she would, she fell sound asleep. + +Many hours she slept, and the hoodie entered through a window, +and let fall a ring on her hand. The girl awoke with a start, and +leant forward to grasp him, but he was already flying off, and +she only seized a feather from his wing. And when dawn came, she +got up and told the woman. + +'He has gone over the hill of poison,' said she, 'and there you +cannot follow him without horse-shoes on your hands and feet. But +I will help you. Put on this suit of men's clothes, and go down +this road till you come to the smithy, and there you can learn to +make horse-shoes for yourself.' + +The girl thanked her, and put on the cloths and went down the +road to do her bidding. So hard did she work, that in a few days +she was able to make the horse-shoes. Early one morning she set +out for the hill of poison. On her hands and feet she went, but +even with the horse-shoes on she had to be very careful not to +stumble, lest some poisoned thorns should enter into her flesh, +and she should die. But when at last she was over, it was only to +hear that her husband was to be married that day to the daughter +of a great lord. + +Now there was to be a race in the town, and everyone meant to be +there, except the stranger who had come over the hill of poison-- +everyone, that is, but the cook, who was to make the bridal +supper. Greatly he loved races, and sore was his heart to think +that one should be run without his seeing it, so when he beheld a +woman whom he did not know coming along the street, hope sprang +up in him. + +'Will you cook the wedding feast in place of me?' he said, 'and I +will pay you well when I return from the race.' + +Gladly she agreed, and cooked the feast in a kitchen that looked +into the great hall, where the company were to eat it. After that +she watched the seat where the bridegroom was sitting, and taking +a plateful of the broth, she dropped the ring and the feather +into it, and set if herself before him. + +With the first spoonful he took up the ring, and a thrill ran +through him; in the second he beheld the feather and rose from +his chair. + +'Who has cooked this feast?' asked he, and the real cook, who had +come back from the race, was brought before him. + +'He may be the cook, but he did not cook this feast,' said the +bridegroom, and then inquiry was made, and the girl was summoned +to the great hall. + +'That is my married wife,' he declared, 'and no one else will I +have,' and at that very moment the spells fell off him, and never +more would he be a hoodie. Happy indeed were they to be together +again, and little did they mind that the hill of poison took long +to cross, for she had to go some way forwards, and then throw the +horse-shoes back for him to put on. Still, at last they were +over, and they went back the way she had come, and stopped at the +three houses in order to take their little sons to their own +home. + +But the story never says who had stolen them, nor what the coarse +comb had to do with it. + +From 'West Highland Tales.' + + + + + + + The Brownie of the Lake + + + + +Once upon a time there lived in France a man whose name was Jalm +Riou. You might have walked a whole day without meeting anyone +happier or more contented, for he had a large farm, plenty of +money, and above all, a daughter called Barbaik, the most +graceful dancer and the best-dressed girl in the whole country +side. When she appeared on holidays in her embroidered cap, five +petticoats, each one a little shorter than the other, and shoes +with silver buckles, the women were all filled with envy, but +little cared Barbaik what they might whisper behind her back as +long as she knew that her clothes were finer than anyone else's +and that she had more partners than any other girl. + +Now amongst all the young men who wanted to marry Barbaik, the +one whose heart was most set on her was her father's head man, +but as his manners were rough and he was exceedingly ugly she +would have nothing to say to him, and, what was worse, often made +fun of him with the rest. + +Jegu, for that was his name, of course heard of this, and it made +him very unhappy. Still he would not leave the farm, and look for +work elsewhere, as he might have done, for then he would never +see Barbaik at all, and what was life worth to him without that? + +One evening he was bringing back his horses from the fields, and +stopped at a little lake on the way home to let them drink. He +was tired with a long day's work, and stood with his hand on the +mane of one of the animals, waiting till they had done, and +thinking all the while of Barbaik, when a voice came out of the +gorse close by. + +'What is the matter, Jegu? You mustn't despair yet.' + +The young man glanced up in surprise, and asked who was there. + +'It is I, the brownie of the lake,' replied the voice. + +'But where are you?' inquired Jegu. + +'Look close, and you will see me among the reeds in the form of a +little green frog. I can take,' he added proudly, 'any shape I +choose, and even, which is much harder, be invisible if I want +to.' + +'Then show yourself to me in the shape in which your family +generally appear,' replied Jegu. + +'Certainly, if you wish,' and the frog jumped on the back of one +of the horses, and changed into a little dwarf, all dressed in +green. + +This transformation rather frightened Jegu, but the brownie bade +him have no fears, for he would not do him any harm; indeed, he +hoped that Jegu might find him of some use. + +'But why should you take all this interest in me?' asked the +peasant suspiciously. + +'Because of a service you did me last winter, which I have never +forgotten,' answered the little fellow. 'You know, I am sure, +that the korigans[FN#3: The spiteful fairies.] who dwell in the +White Corn country have declared war on my people, because they +say that they are the friends of man. We were therefore obliged +to take refuge in distant lands, and to hide ourselves at first +under different animal shapes. Since that time, partly from habit +and partly to amuse ourselves, we have continued to transform +ourselves, and it was in this way that I got to know you.' + +'How?' exclaimed Jegu, filled with astonishment. + +'Do you remember when you were digging in the field near the +river, three months ago, you found a robin redbreast caught in a +net? + +'Yes,' answered Jegu, 'I remember it very well, and I opened the +net and let him go.' + +'Well, I was that robin redbreast, and ever since I have vowed to +be your friend, and as you want to marry Barbaik, I will prove +the truth of what I say by helping you to do so.' + +'Ah! my little brownie, if you can do that, there is nothing I +won't give you, except my soul.' + +'Then let me alone,' rejoined the dwarf, 'and I promise you that +in a very few months you shall be master of the farm and of +Barbaik.' + +'But how are you going to do it?' exclaimed Jegu wonderingly. + +'That is my affair. Perhaps I may tell you later. Meanwhile you +just eat and sleep, and don't worry yourself about anything.' + +Jegu declared that nothing could be easier, and then taking off +his hat, he thanked the dwarf heartily, and led his horses back +to the farm. + +Next morning was a holiday, and Barbaik was awake earlier than +usual, as she wished to get through her work as soon as possible, +and be ready to start for a dance which was to be held some +distance off. She went first to the cow-house, which it was her +duty to keep clean, but to her amazement she found fresh straw +put down, the racks filled with hay, the cows milked, and the +pails standing neatly in a row. + +'Of course, Jegu must have done this in the hope of my giving him +a dance,' she thought to herself, and when she met him outside +the door she stopped and thanked him for his help. To be sure, +Jegu only replied roughly that he didn't know what she was +talking about, but this answer made her feel all the more certain +that it was he and nobody else. + +The same thing took place every day, and never had the cow-house +been so clean nor the cows so fat. Morning and evening Barbaik +found her earthen pots full of milk and a pound of butter freshly +churned, ornamented with leaves. At the end of a few weeks she +grew so used to this state of affairs that she only got up just +in time to prepare breakfast. + +Soon even this grew to be unnecessary, for a day arrived when, +coming downstairs, she discovered that the house was swept, the +furniture polished, the fire lit, and the food ready, so that she +had nothing to do except to ring the great bell which summoned +the labourers from the fields to come and eat it. This, also, she +thought was the work of Jegu, and she could not help feeling that +a husband of this sort would be very useful to a girl who liked +to lie in bed and to amuse herself. + +Indeed, Barbaik had only to express a wish for it to be +satisfied. If the wind was cold or the sun was hot and she was +afraid to go out lest her complexion should be spoilt, she need +only to run down to the spring close by and say softly, 'I should +like my churns to be full, and my wet linen to be stretched on +the hedge to dry,' and she need never give another thought to the +matter. + +If she found the rye bread too hard to bake, or the oven taking +too long to heat, she just murmured, 'I should like to see my six +loaves on the shelf above the bread box,' and two hours after +there they were. + +If she was too lazy to walk all the way to market along a dirty +road, she would say out loud the night before, 'Why am I not +already back from Morlaix with my milk pot empty, my butter bowl +inside it, a pound of wild cherries on my wooden plate, and the +money I have gained in my apron pocket?' and in the morning when +she got up, lo and behold! there were standing at the foot of her +bed the empty milk pot with the butter bowl inside, the black +cherries on the wooden plate, and six new pieces of silver in the +pocket of her apron. And she believed that all this was owing to +Jegu, and she could no longer do without him, even in her +thoughts. + +When things had reached this pass, the brownie told the young man +that he had better ask Barbaik to marry him, and this time the +girl did not turn rudely away, but listened patiently to the end. +In her eyes he was as ugly and awkward as ever, but he would +certainly make a most useful husband, and she could sleep every +morning till breakfast time, just like a young lady, and as for +the rest of the day, it would not be half long enough for all she +meant to do. She would wear the beautiful dresses that came when +she wished for them, and visit her neighbours, who would be dying +of envy all the while, and she would be able to dance as much as +she wished. Jegu would always be there to work for her and save +for her, and watch over her. So, like a well-brought-up girl, +Barbaik answered that it should be as her father pleased, knowing +quite well that old Riou had often said that after he was dead +there was no one so capable of carrying on the farm. + +The marriage took place the following month, and a few days later +the old man died quite suddenly. Now Jegu had everything to see +to himself, and somehow it did not seem so easy as when the +farmer was alive. But once more the brownie stepped in, and was +better than ten labourers. It was he who ploughed and sowed and +reaped, and if, as happened, occasionally, it was needful to get +the work done quickly, the brownie called in some of his friends, +and as soon as it was light a host of little dwarfs might have +been seen in the fields, busy with hoe, fork or sickle. But by +the time the people were about all was finished, and the little +fellows had disappeared. + +And all the payment the brownie ever asked for was a bowl of +broth. +From the very day of her marriage Barbaik had noted with surprise +and rage that things ceased to be done for her as they had been +done all the weeks and months before. She complained to Jegu of +his laziness, and he only stared at her, not understanding what +she was talking about. But the brownie, who was standing by, +burst out laughing, and confessed that all the good offices she +spoke of had been performed by him, for the sake of Jegu, but +that now he had other business to do, and it was high time that +she looked after her house herself. + +Barbaik was furious. Each morning when she was obliged to get up +before dawn to milk the cows and go to market, and each evening +when she had to sit up till midnight in order to churn the +butter, her heart was filled with rage against the brownie who +had caused her to expect a life of ease and pleasure. But when +she looked at Jegu and beheld his red face, squinting eyes, and +untidy hair, her anger was doubled. + +'If it had not been for you, you miserable dwarf!' she would say +between her teeth, 'if it had not been for you I should never +have married that man, and I should still have been going to +dances, where the young men would have brought me present of nuts +and cherries, and told me that I was the prettiest girl in the +parish. While now I can receive no presents except from my +husband. I can never dance, except with my husband. Oh, you +wretched dwarf, I will never, never forgive you!' + +In spite of her fierce words, no one knew better than Barbaik how +to put her pride in her pocket when it suited her, and after +receiving an invitation to a wedding, she begged the brownie to +get her a horse to ride there. To her great joy he consented, +bidding her set out for the city of the dwarfs and to tell them +exactly what she wanted. Full of excitement, Barbaik started on +her journey. It was not long, and when she reached the town she +went straight to the dwarfs, who were holding counsel in a wide +green place, and said to them, 'Listen, my friends! I have come +to beg you to lend me a black horse, with eyes, a mouth, ears, +bridle and saddle.' + +She had hardly spoken when the horse appeared, and mounting on +his back she started for the village where the wedding was to be +held. + +At first she was so delighted with the chance of a holiday from +the work which she hated, that she noticed nothing, but very soon +it struck her as odd that as she passed along the roads full of +people they all laughed as they looked at her horse. At length +she caught some words uttered by one man to another. 'Why, the +farmer's wife has sold her horse's tail!' and turned in her +saddle. Yes; it was true. Her horse had no tail! She had +forgotten to ask for one, and the wicked dwarfs had carried out +her orders to the letter! + +'Well, at any rate, I shall soon be there,' she thought, and +shaking the reins, tried to urge the horse to a gallop. But it +was of no use; he declined to move out of a walk; and she was +forced to hear all the jokes that were made upon her. + +In the evening she returned to the farm more angry than ever, and +quite determined to revenge herself on the brownie whenever she +had the chance, which happened to be very soon. + +It was the spring, and just the time of year when the dwarfs held +their fete, so one day the brownie asked Jegu if he might bring +his friends to have supper in the great barn, and whether he +would allow them to dance there. Of course, Jegu was only too +pleased to be able to do anything for the brownie, and he ordered +Barbaik to spread her best table-cloths in the barn, and to make +a quantity of little loaves and pancakes, and, besides, to keep +all the milk given by the cows that morning. He expected she +would refuse, as he knew she hated the dwarfs, but she said +nothing, and prepared the supper as he had bidden her. + +When all was ready, the dwarfs, in new green suits, came bustling +in, very happy and merry, and took their seats at the table. But +in a moment they all sprang up with a cry, and ran away +screaming, for Barbaik had placed pans of hot coals under their +feet, and all their poor little toes were burnt. + +'You won't forget that in a hurry,' she said, smiling grimly to +herself, but in a moment they were back again with large pots of +water, which they poured on the fire. Then they joined hands and +danced round it, singing: + + Wicked traitress, Barne Riou, + Our poor toes are burned by you; + Now we hurry from your hall-- + Bad luck light upon you all. + +That evening they left the country for ever, and Jegu, without +their help, grew poorer and poorer, and at last died of misery, +while Barbaik was glad to find work in the market of Morlaix. + +From 'Le Foyer Breton,' par E. Souvestre. + + + + + + + The Winning of Olwen + + + + +There was once a king and queen who had a little boy, and they +called his name Kilweh. The queen, his mother, fell ill soon +after his birth, and as she could not take care of him herself +she sent him to a woman she knew up in the mountains, so that he +might learn to go out in all weathers, and bear heat and cold, +and grow tall and strong. Kilweh was quite happy with his nurse, +and ran races and climbed hills with the children who were his +playfellows, and in the winter, when the snow lay on the ground, +sometimes a man with a harp would stop and beg for shelter, and +in return would sing them songs of strange things that had +happened in the years gone by. + +But long before this changes had taken place in the court of +Kilweh's father. Soon after she had sent her baby away the queen +became much worse, and at length, seeing that she was going to +die, she called her husband to her and said: + +'Never again shall I rise from this bed, and by and bye thou wilt +take another wife. But lest she should make thee forget thy son, +I charge thee that thou take not a wife until thou see a briar +with two blossoms upon my grave.' And this he promised her. Then +she further bade him to see to her grave that nothing might grow +thereon. This likewise he promised her, and soon she died, and +for seven years the king sent a man every morning to see that +nothing was growing on the queen's grave, but at the end of seven +years he forgot. + +One day when the king was out hunting he rode past the place +where the queen lay buried, and there he saw a briar growing with +two blossoms on it. + +'It is time that I took a wife,' said he, and after long looking +he found one. But he did not tell her about his son; indeed he +hardly remembered that he had one till she heard it at last from +an old woman whom she had gone to visit. And the new queen was +very pleased, and sent messengers to fetch the boy, and in his +father's court he stayed, while the years went by till one day +the queen told him that a prophecy had foretold that he was to +win for his wife Olwen the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr. + +When he heard this Kilweh felt proud and happy. Surely he must be +a man now, he thought, or there would be no talk of a wife for +him, and his mind dwelt all day upon his promised bride, and what +she would be like when he beheld her. + +'What aileth thee, my son?' asked his father at last, when Kilweh +had forgotten something he had been bidden to do, and Kilweh +blushed red as he answered: + +'My stepmother says that none but Olwen, the daughter of +Yspaddaden Penkawr, shall be my wife.' + +'That will be easily fulfilled,' replied his father. 'Arthur the +king is thy cousin. Go therefore unto him and beg him to cut thy +hair, and to grant thee this boon.' + +Then the youth pricked forth upon a dapple grey horse of four +years old, with a bridle of linked gold, and gold upon his +saddle. In his hand he bore two spears of silver with heads of +steel; a war-horn of ivory was slung round his shoulder, and by +his side hung a golden sword. Before him were two brindled white- +breasted greyhounds with collars of rubies round their necks, and +the one that was on the left side bounded across to the right +side, and the one on the right to the left, and like two sea- +swallows sported round him. And his horse cast up four sods with +his four hoofs, like four swallows in the air about his head, now +above, now below. About him was a robe of purple, and an apple of +gold was at each corner, and every one of the apples was of the +value of a hundred cows. And the blades of grass bent not beneath +him, so light were his horse's feet as he journeyed toward the +gate of Arthur's palace. + +'Is there a porter?' cried Kilweh, looking round for someone to +open the gate. + +'There is; and I am Arthur's porter every first day of January,' +answered a man coming out to him. 'The rest of the year there are +other porters, and among them Pennpingyon, who goes upon his head +to save his feet.' + +'Well, open the portal, I say.' + +'No, that I may not do, for none can enter save the son of a king +or a pedlar who has goods to sell. But elsewhere there will be +food for thy dogs and hay for thy horse, and for thee collops +cooked and peppered, and sweet wine shall be served in the guest +chamber.' + +'That will not do for me,' answered Kilweh. 'If thou wilt not +open the gate I will send up three shouts that shall be heard +from Cornwall unto the north, and yet again to Ireland.' + +'Whatsoever clamour thou mayest make,' spake Glewlwyd the porter, +'thou shalt not enter until I first go and speak with Arthur.' + +Then Glewlwyd went into the hall, and Arthur said to him: + +'Hast thou news from the gate?' and the porter answered: + +'Far have I travelled, both in this island and elsewhere, and +many kingly men have I seen; but never yet have I beheld one +equal in majesty to him who now stands at the door.' + +'If walking thou didst enter here, return thou running,' replied +Arthur, 'and let everyone that opens and shuts the eye show him +respect and serve him, for it is not meet to keep such a man in +the wind and rain.' So Glewlwyd unbarred the gate and Kilweh rode +in upon his charger. + +'Greeting unto thee, O ruler of this land,' cried he, 'and +greeting no less to the lowest than to the highest.' + +'Greeting to thee also,' answered Arthur. 'Sit thou between two +of my warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels before thee and all +that belongs to one born to be a king, while thou remainest in my +palace.' + +'I am not come,' replied Kilweh, 'for meat and drink, but to +obtain a boon, and if thou grant it me I will pay it back, and +will carry thy praise to the four winds of heaven. But if thou +wilt not grant it to me, then I will proclaim thy discourtesy +wherever thy name is known.' + +'What thou askest that shalt thou receive,' said Arthur, 'as far +as the wind dries and the rain moistens, and the sun revolves and +the sea encircles and the earth extends. Save only my ship and my +mantle, my word and my lance, my shield and my dagger, and +Guinevere my wife.' + +'I would that thou bless my hair,' spake Kilweh, and Arthur +answered: + +'That shall be granted thee.' + +Forthwith he bade his men fetch him a comb of gold and a scissors +with loops of silver, and he combed the hair of Kilweh his guest. + +'Tell me who thou art,' he said, 'for my heart warms to thee, and +I feel thou art come of my blood.' + +'I am Kilweh, son of Kilydd,' replied the youth. + +'Then my cousin thou art in truth,' replied Arthur, 'and +whatsoever boon thou mayest ask thou shalt receive.' + +'The boon I crave is that thou mayest win for me Olwen, the +daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr, and this boon I seek likewise at +the hands of thy warriors. From Sol, who can stand all day upon +one foot; from Ossol, who, if he were to find himself on the top +of the highest mountain in the world, could make it into a level +plain in the beat of a bird's wing; from Cluse, who, though he +were buried under the earth, could yet hear the ant leave her +nest fifty miles away: from these and from Kai and from Bedwyr +and from all thy mighty men I crave this boon.' + +'O Kilweh,' said Arthur, 'never have I heard of the maiden of +whom thou speakest, nor of her kindred, but I will send +messengers to seek her if thou wilt give me time.' + +'From this night to the end of the year right willingly will I +grant thee,' replied Kilweh; but when the end of the year came +and the messengers returned Kilweh was wroth, and spoke rough +words to Arthur. + +It was Kai, the boldest of the warriors and the swiftest of foot- +- he would could pass nine nights without sleep, and nine days +beneath the water--that answered him: + +'Rash youth that thou art, darest thou speak thus to Arthur? Come +with us, and we will not part company till we have won that +maiden, or till thou confess that there is none such in the +world.' + +Then Arthur summoned his five best men and bade them go with +Kilweh. There was Bedwyr the one-handed, Kai's comrade and +brother in arms, the swiftest man in Britain save Arthur; there +was Kynddelig, who knew the paths in a land where he had never +been as surely as he did those of his own country; there was +Gwrhyr, that could speak all tongues; and Gwalchmai the son of +Gwyar, who never returned till he had gained what he sought; and +last of all there was Menw, who could weave a spell over them so +that none might see them, while they could see everyone. + +So these seven journeyed together till they reached a vast open +plain in which was a fair castle. But though it seemed so close +it was not until the evening of the third day that they really +drew near to it, and in front of it a flock of sheep was spread, +so many in number that there seemed no end to them. A shepherd +stood on a mound watching over them, and by his side was a dog, +as large as a horse nine winters old. + +'Whose is this castle, O herdsmen?' asked the knights. + +'Stupid are ye truly,' answered the herdsman. 'All the world +knows that this is the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr.' + +'And who art thou?' + +'I am called Custennin, brother of Yspaddaden, and ill has he +treated me. And who are you, and what do you here?' + +'We come from Arthur the king, to seek Olwen the daughter of +Yspaddaden,' but at this news the shepherd gave a cry: + +'O men, be warned and turn back while there is yet time. Others +have gone on that quest, but none have escaped to tell the tale,' +and he rose to his feet as if to leave them. Then Kilweh held out +to him a ring of gold, and he tried to put it on his finger, but +it was too small, so he placed it in his glove, and went home and +gave it to his wife. + +'Whence came this ring?' asked she, 'for such good luck is not +wont to befall thee.' + +'The man to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here in the +evening,' answered the shepherd; 'he is Kilweh, son of Kilydd, +cousin to king Arthur, and he has come to seek Olwen.' And when +the wife heard that she knew that Kilweh was her nephew, and her +heart yearned after him, half with joy at the thought of seeing +him, and half with sorrow for the doom she feared. + +Soon they heard steps approaching, and Kai and the rest entered +into the house and ate and drank. After that the woman opened a +chest, and out of it came a youth with curling yellow hair. + +'It is a pity to hid him thus,' said Gwrhyr, 'for well I know +that he has done no evil.' + +'Three and twenty of my sons has Yspaddaden slain, and I have no +more hope of saving this one,' replied she, and Kai was full of +sorrow and answered: + +'Let him come with me and be my comrade, and he shall never be +slain unless I am slain also.' And so it was agreed. + +'What is your errand here?' asked the woman. + +'We seek Olwen the maiden for this youth,' answered Kai; 'does +she ever come hither so that she may be seen?' + +'She comes every Saturday to wash her hair, and in the vessel +where she washes she leaves all her rings, and never does she so +much as send a messenger to fetch them.' + +'Will she come if she is bidden?' asked Kai, pondering. + +'She will come; but unless you pledge me your faith that you will +not harm her I will not fetch her.' + +'We pledge it,' said they, and the maiden came. + +A fair sight was she in a robe of flame-coloured silk, with a +collar of ruddy gold about her neck, bright with emeralds and +rubies. More yellow was her head than the flower of the broom, +and her skin was whiter than the foam of the wave, and fairer +were her hands than the blossoms of the wood anemone. Four white +trefoils sprang up where she trod, and therefore was she called +Olwen. + +She entered, and sat down on a bench beside Kilweh, and he spake +to her: + +'Ah, maiden, since first I heard thy name I have loved thee--wilt +thou not come away with me from this evil place?' + +'That I cannot do,' answered she, 'for I have given my word to my +father not to go without his knowledge, for his life will only +last till I am betrothed. Whatever is, must be, but this counsel +I will give you. Go, and ask me of my father, and whatsoever he +shall required of thee grant it, and thou shalt win me; but if +thou deny him anything thou wilt not obtain me, and it will be +well for thee if thou escape with thy life.' + +'All this I promise,' said he. + +So she returned to the castle, and all Arthur's men went after +her, and entered the hall. + +'Greeting to thee, Yspaddaden Penkawr,' said they. 'We come to +ask thy daughter Olwen for Kilweh, son of Kilydd.' + +'Come hither to-morrow and I will answer you,' replied Yspaddaden +Penkawr, and as they rose to leave the hall he caught up one of +the three poisoned darts that lay beside him and flung it in +their midst. But Bedwyr saw and caught it, and flung it back so +hard that it pierced the knee of Yspaddaden. + +'A gentle son-in-law, truly!' he cried, writhing with pain. 'I +shall ever walk the worse for this rudeness. Cursed be the smith +who forged it, and the anvil on which it was wrought!' + +That night the men slept in the house of Custennin the herdsman, +and the next day they proceeded to the castle, and entered the +hall, and said: + +'Yspaddaden Penkawr, give us thy daughter and thou shalt keep her +dower. And unless thou wilt do this we will slay thee.' + +'Her four great grandmothers and her four great grandfathers yet +live,' answered Yspaddaden Penkawr; 'it is needful that I take +counsel with them.' + +'Be it so; we will go to meat,' but as they turned he took up the +second dart that lay by his side and cast it after them. And Menw +caught it, and flung it at him, and wounded him in the chest, so +that it came out at his back. + +'A gentle son-in-law, truly!' cried Yspaddaden, 'the iron pains +me like the bite of a horse-leech. Cursed be the hearth whereon +it was heated, and the smith who formed it!' +The third day Arthur's men returned to the palace into the +presence of Yspaddaden. + +'Shoot not at me again,' said he, 'unless you desire death. But +lift up my eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyes, that I may +see my son-in-law.' Then they arose, and as they did so +Yspaddaden Penkawr took the third poisoned dart and cast it at +them. And Kilweh caught it, and flung it back, and it passed +through his eyeball, and came out on the other side of his head. + +'A gentle son-in-law, truly! Cursed be the fire in which it was +forged and the man who fashioned it!' + +The next day Arthur's men came again to the palace and said: + +'Shoot not at us any more unless thou desirest more pain than +even now thou hast, but give us thy daughter without more words.' + +'Where is he that seeks my daughter? Let him come hither so that +I may see him.' And Kilweh sat himself in a chair and spoke face +to face with him. + +'Is it thou that seekest my daughter?' + +'It is I,' answered Kilweh. + +'First give me thy word that thou wilt do nothing towards me that +is not just, and when thou hast won for me that which I shall +ask, then thou shalt wed my daughter.' + +'I promise right willingly,' said Kilweh. 'Name what thou wilt.' + +'Seest thou yonder hill? Well, in one day it shall be rooted up +and ploughed and sown, and the grain shall ripen, and of that +wheat I will bake the cakes for my daughter's wedding.' + +'It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest +deem it will not be easy,' answered Kilweh, thinking of Ossol, +under whose feet the highest mountain became straightway a plain, +but Yspaddaden paid no heed, and continued: + +'Seest thou that field yonder? When my daughter was born nine +bushels of flax were sown therein, and not one blade has sprung +up. I require thee to sow fresh flax in the ground that my +daughter may wear a veil spun from it on the day of her wedding.' + +'It will be easy for me to compass this.' + +'Though thou compass this there is that which thou wilt not +compass. For thou must bring me the basket of Gwyddneu Garanhir +which will give meat to the whole world. It is for thy wedding +feast. Thou must also fetch me the drinking-horn that is never +empty, and the harp that never ceases to play until it is bidden. +Also the comb and scissors and razor that lie between the two +ears of Trwyth the boar, so that I may arrange my hair for the +wedding. And though thou get this yet there is that which thou +wilt not get, for Trwyth the boar will not let any man take from +him the comb and the scissors, unless Drudwyn the whelp hunt him. +But no leash in the world can hold Drudwyn save the leash of Cant +Ewin, and no collar will hold the leash except the collar of +Canhastyr.' + +'It will be easy for me to compass this, though thou mayest think +it will not be easy,' Kilweh answered him. + +'Though thou get all these things yet there is that which thou +wilt not get. Throughout the world there is none that can hunt +with this dog save Mabon the son of Modron. He was taken from his +mother when three nights old, and it is not know where he now is, +nor whether he is living or dead, and though thou find him yet +the boar will never be slain save only with the sword of Gwrnach +the giant, and if thou obtain it not neither shalt thou obtain my +daughter.' + +'Horses shall I have, and knights from my lord Arthur. And I +shall gain thy daughter, and thou shalt lose thy life.' + +The speech of Kilweh the son of Kilydd with Yspaddaden Penkawr +was ended. + +Then Arthur's men set forth, and Kilweh with them, and journeyed +till they reached the largest castle in the world, and a black +man came out to meet them. + +'Whence comest thou, O man?' asked they, 'and whose is that +castle?' + +'That is the castle of Gwrnach the giant, as all the world +knows,' answered the man, 'but no guest ever returned thence +alive, and none may enter the gate except a craftsman, who brings +his trade.' But little did Arthur's men heed his warning, and +they went straight to the gate. + +'Open!' cried Gwrhyr. + +'I will not open,' replied the porter. + +'And wherefore?' asked Kai. + +'The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and +there is revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the giant, and save for a +craftsman who brings his trade the gate will not be opened to- +night.' + +'Verily, then, I may enter,' said Kai, 'for there is no better +burnisher of swords than I.' + +'This will I tell Gwrnach the giant, and I will bring thee his +answer.' + +'Bid the man come before me,' cried Gwrnach, when the porter had +told his tale, 'for my sword stands much in need of polishing,' +so Kai passed in and saluted Gwrnach the giant. + +'Is it true what I hear of thee, that thou canst burnish swords?' + +'It is true,' answered Kai. Then was the sword of Gwrnach brought +to him. + +'Shall it be burnished white or blue?' said Kai, taking a +whetstone from under his arm. + +'As thou wilt,' answered the giant, and speedily did Kai polish +half the sword. The giant marvelled at his skill, and said: + +'It is a wonder that such a man as thou shouldst be without a +companion.' + +'I have a companion, noble sir, but he has no skill in this art.' + +'What is his name?' asked the giant. + +'Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him how he may know +him. The head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood +from the wind, and descend upon its shaft again.' So the porter +opened the gate and Bedwyr entered. + +Now there was much talk amongst those who remained without when +the gate closed upon Bedwyr, and Goreu, son of Custennin, +prevailed with the porter, and he and his companions got in also +and hid themselves. + +By this time the whole of the sword was polished, and Kai gave it +into the hand of Gwrnach the giant, who felt it and said: + +'Thy work is good; I am content.' + +Then said Kai: + +'It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword; give it to me +that I may take out the wooden sides of it and put in new ones.' +And he took the scabbard in one hand and the sword in the other, +and came and stood behind the giant, as if he would have sheathed +the sword in the scabbard. But with it he struck a blow at the +head of the giant, and it rolled from his body. After that they +despoiled the castle of its gold and jewels, and returned, +bearing the sword of the giant, to Arthur's court. + +They told Arthur how they had sped, and they all took counsel +together, and agreed that they must set out on the quest for +Mabon the son of Modron, and Gwrhyr, who knew the languages of +beasts and of birds, went with them. SO they journeyed until they +came to the nest of an ousel, and Gwrhyr spoke to her. + +'Tell me if thou knowest aught of Mabon the son of Modron, who +was taken when three nights old from between his mother and the +wall.' + +And the ousel answered: + +'When I first came here I was a young bird, and there was a +smith's anvil in this place. But from that time no work has been +done upon it, save that every evening I have pecked at it, till +now there is not so much as the size of a nut remaining thereof. +Yet all that time I have never once heard of the man you name. +Still, there is a race of beasts older than I, and I will guide +you to them.' + +So the ousel flew before them, till she reached the stag of +Redynvre; but when they inquired of the stag whether he knew +aught of Mabon he shook his head. + +'When first I came hither,' said he, 'the plain was bare save for +one oak sapling, which grew up to be an oak with a hundred +branches. All that is left of that oak is a withered stump, but +never once have I heard of the man you name. Nevertheless, as you +are Arthur's men, I will guide you to the place where there is an +animal older than I'; and the stag ran before them till he +reached the owl of Cwm Cawlwyd. But when they inquired of the owl +if he knew aught of Mabon he shook his head. + +'When first I came hither,' said he, 'the valley was a wooded +glen; then a race of men came and rooted it up. After that there +grew a second wood, and then a third, which you see. Look at my +wings also--are they not withered stumps? Yet until to-day I have +never heard of the man you name. Still, I will guide you to the +oldest animal in the world, and the one that has travelled most, +the eagle of Gwern Abbey.' And he flew before them, as fast as +his old wings would carry him, till he reached the eagle of Gwern +Abbey, but when they inquired of the eagle whether he knew aught +of Mabon he shook his head. + +'When I first came hither,' said the eagle, 'there was a rock +here, and every evening I pecked at the stars from the top of it. +Now, behold, it is not even a span high! But only once have I +heard of the man you name, and that was when I went in search of +food as far as Llyn Llyw. I swooped down upon a salmon, and +struck my claws into him, but he drew me down under water till +scarcely could I escape him. Then I summoned all my kindred to +destroy him, but he made peace with me, and I took fifty fish +spears from his back. Unless he may know something of the man +whom you seek I cannot tell who may. But I will guide you to the +place where he is.' + +So they followed the eagle, who flew before them, though so high +was he in the sky, it was often hard to mark his flight. At +length he stopped above a deep pool in a river. + +'Salmon of Llyn Llyw,' he called, 'I have come to thee with an +embassy from Arthur to inquire if thou knowest aught concerning +Mabon the son of Modron.' And the salmon answered: + +'As much as I know I will tell thee. With every tide I go up the +river, till I reach the walls of Gloucester, and there have I +found such wrong as I never found elsewhere. And that you may see +that what I say is true let two of you go thither on my +shoulders.' So Kai and Gwrhyr went upon the shoulders of the +salmon, and were carried under the walls of the prison, from +which proceeded the sound of great weeping. + +'Who is it that thus laments in this house of stone?' + +'It is I, Mabon the son of Modron.' + +'Will silver or gold bring thy freedom, or only battle and +fighting?' asked Gwrhyr again. + +'By fighting alone shall I be set free,' said Mabon. + +Then they sent a messenger to Arthur to tell him that Mabon was +found, and he brought all his warriors to the castle of +Gloucester and fell fiercely upon it; while Kai and Bedwyr went +on the shoulders of the salmon to the gate of the dungeon, and +broke it down and carried away Mabon. And he now being free +returned home with Arthur. + +After this, on a certain day, as Gwythyr was walking across a +mountain he heard a grievous cry, and he hastened towards it. In +a little valley he saw the heather burning and the fire spreading +fast towards the anthill, and all the ants were hurrying to and +fro, not knowing whither to go. Gwythyr had pity on them, and put +out the fire, and in gratitude the ants brought him the nine +bushels of flax seed which Yspaddaden Penkawr required of Kilweh. +And many of the other marvels were done likewise by Arthur and +his knights, and at last it came to the fight with Trwyth the +board, to obtain the comb and the scissors and the razor that lay +between his ears. But hard was the boar to catch, and fiercely +did he fight when Arthur's men gave him battle, so that many of +them were slain. + +Up and down the country went Trwyth the boar, and Arthur followed +after him, till they came to the Severn sea. There three knights +caught his feet unawares and plunged him into the water, while +one snatched the razor from him, and another seized the scissors. +But before they laid hold of the comb he had shaken them all off, +and neither man nor horse nor dog could reach him till he came to +Cornwall, whither Arthur had sworn he should not go. Thither +Arthur followed after him with his knights, and if it had been +hard to win the razor and the scissors, the struggle for the comb +was fiercer still, but at length Arthur prevailed, and the boar +was driven into the sea. And whether he was drowned or where he +went no man knows to this day. + +In the end all the marvels were done, and Kilweh set forward, and +with him Goreu, the son of Custennin, to Yspaddaden Penkawr, +bearing in their hands the razor, the scissors and the comb, and +Yspaddaden Penkawr was shaved by Kaw. + +'Is thy daughter mine now?' asked Kilweh. + +'She is thine,' answered Yspaddaden, 'but it is Arthur and none +other who has won her for thee. Of my own free will thou shouldst +never have had her, for now I must lose my life.' And as he spake +Goreu the son of Custennin cut off his head, as if had been ordained, +and Arthur's hosts returned each man to his own country. + + + +From the 'Mabinogion.' + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Lilac Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang + diff --git a/old/lifry10.zip b/old/lifry10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..88ceda2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/lifry10.zip |