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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..354cae9 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52596 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52596) diff --git a/old/52596-0.txt b/old/52596-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4433bb7..0000000 --- a/old/52596-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4462 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Czech Folk Tales, by Josef Baudiš - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Czech Folk Tales - -Author: Josef Baudiš - -Release Date: July 17, 2016 [EBook #52596] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CZECH FOLK TALES *** - - - - -Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project -Gutenberg (This file was produced from images generously -made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - CZECH FOLK TALES - - SELECTED AND TRANSLATED BY - - DR. JOSEF BAUDIS, M.R.I.A. - - LECTURER IN COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY - AT THE PRAGUE UNIVERSITY - - - WITH 8 ILLUSTRATIONS - - - LONDON: GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD. - RUSKIN HOUSE 40 MUSEUM STREET, W.C. 1 - - - - - - - - -PREFACE - - -The present collection has been selected from the following sources:-- - - - Josef Kubín, Povídky kladské, i., ii. (in "Národopisný vestník - ceskoslovanský"). V. Vondrák, Nekolik pohádek z Dubu u Vodnan - (S. Bohemia), in "Ceský Lid," xiii. - - V. Tille, Povídky sebrané na Valassku (S. Moravia). "Národopisný - sborník ceskoslovanský," Svazek vii. Prague, 1901. - - Elpl, Rada pohádek a povestí nasbíraných v Lísni u Brna (Moravia). - - B. M. Kulda, Moravské národní pohádky a povesti, i. (Prague, - 1874). From Moravia. - - The first two stories ("Twelve Months," "Vítazko") have been retold - by the novelist Bozena Nemcová (from the Slovak). - - -My translation could not be, of course, a literal one, because many -phrases in the original might seem strange to the English reader's ear. - -Finally, I wish to express my thanks to Miss Eleanor Hull and Mr. Robin -Flower for revising my English. - - -JOSEF BAUDIS. - -London, October 1917. - - - - - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - PREFACE vii - INTRODUCTION xiii - THE TWELVE MONTHS. From B. Nemcová 2 - VÍTAZKO. From B. Nemcová 16 - BOOTS, CLOAK, AND RING. From B. M. Kulda 39 - SILLY JURA. From B. M. Kulda 55 - SLEEPY JOHN. From B. M. Kulda 61 - THREE DOVES. From B. M. Kulda 71 - THE BEAR, THE EAGLE, AND THE FISH. From Elpl 98 - KOJATA. From V. Tille 103 - SHEPHERD HYNEK. From Kubín 111 - THE THREE ROSES. From Kubín 123 - THE ENCHANTED PRINCESSES. From Kubín 129 - THE TWIN BROTHERS. From "Ceský Lid," xiii. p. 84 142 - THE WATERNICK. From Kubín 151 - THE MAN WHO MET MISERY. From Kubín 157 - NINE AT A BLOW. From "Ceský Lid," xiii. p. 130 161 - A CLEVER LASS. From Kubín 165 - THE SOLDIER AND THE DEVIL. From "Ceský Lid," xiii. - p. 167 170 - OLD NICK AND KITTY. From Kubín 179 - THE KNIGHT BAMBUS. From Kubín 182 - FRANCIS AND MARTIN. From "Ceský Lid," xiii. p. 213 186 - WITCHES AT THE CROSS. From Kubín 190 - THE WITCH AND THE HORSESHOES. From Kubín 191 - THE HAUNTED MILL. From Kubín 195 - - - -The first two illustrations are copies of pictures by Josef Mánes; -the others have been drawn by Mr. E. Stanek, who in some cases has -adapted drawings by Mikulás Ales. - - - - - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -The present collection is intended to exemplify the spirit of the -Czech race. It may perhaps be objected that folk-tale themes are part -of a common stock belonging to all European races, and even to many -primitive peoples: but though this is perfectly true, it is also no -less certain that the spirit of the nation manifests itself in the -manner of their telling. The selection has been made from all sorts -of folk tales, artistic and primitive alike; and yet two things are -common to all of them: the moral tendency and a sense of humour. By -this I do not mean morality in the vulgar sense of retribution for -evil, or of filial devotion, or the sentimental insistence upon -"every one living happily ever afterwards," and above all upon Jack -marrying his Molly. I mean that higher sort of morality which was the -mainspring of Protestantism. It is often supposed that Protestantism is -very unfavourable to the development and preservation of folk tales; -but those of Bohemia are certainly an exception to this rule. The -Czech nation was the first to adopt the Protestant faith, and even -to-day is still Protestant at heart, though the Habsburgs forced it -back into the Catholic fold. - -The Czechs, then, have preserved their love for folk tales, -adapting them to the higher morality and to the national sentiment, -and discarding many of their supernatural features, or where the -supernatural was allowed to remain for a moment, reverting very soon to -the strict limits of probability. It is the very same method which, for -example, Mr. Wells employs in some of his novels. That the Slav nations -have a certain tendency to lay stress upon the ethical side in their -folk tales has already been pointed out by the Czech poet Erben, whose -tales have been translated into English in Wratislaw's Collection. - -As for their humour, the Czechs have a natural tendency to satire. The -best works in Old Czech literature are satires, and in modern times -one of the most brilliant of Czech politicians, Karel Havlicek, was -also the greatest Czech satirist. This spirit may also be seen in -the present collection; but in every case the story-teller, instead -of assuming the attitude of the morality preacher or of indulging -in theatrical invective against the wickedness of the times, rests -content with a good-humoured gibe at the folly of the world, at the -frailty of his fellow-men, and, it may be, at his own. - -These two traits are inherent in the nature of the Czech people; -and those who know their love of such tales and of the literature -which has grown out of them, can realize their search for a haven of -refuge from the cruel present and their fond dream-pictures of a land -where all was good, where at last everything was bound to end well, -where truth and justice at last had conquered. Alas! to the victims of -Habsburg rule and Austrian bayonets the bare possibility seemed utterly -excluded. And yet why should they not dream of such a land? Amo quia -absurdum! But at the very moment their humorous ego could not suppress -a sneer. Yes, even in that wonderland which their fancy painted are -foolish kings, ever prone to break their word: even there people are -bad and stupid! But our tale says that the bad were vanquished and -the foolish put to shame: let, then, the tale be told! And even as he -tells it, his heart nurses the inward hope that the foreign tyrants -who oppress him may one day be vanquished and annihilated. - -That such were the wishes of the Czech people, the Great War has -shown. They have proved by their deeds their love of freedom; and -to-day Czechs are fighting bravely in every Allied army and in their -own national units formed in Russia. May their Austrian oppressors be -brought to the ground, and may Bohemia regain the freedom for which -she has longed for three centuries! - - - - - - - - -THE TWELVE MONTHS - - -Once upon a time there lived a mother who had two daughters. One was -her own child, the other her stepdaughter. She was very fond of her own -daughter, but she would not so much as look at her stepdaughter. The -only reason was that Marusa, the stepdaughter, was prettier than her -own daughter, Holena. The gentle-hearted Marusa did not know how -beautiful she was, and so she could never make out why her mother -was so cross with her whenever she looked at her. She had to do all -the housework, tidying up the cottage, cooking, washing, and sewing, -and then she had to take the hay to the cow and look after her. She -did all this work alone, while Holena spent the time adorning herself -and lazing about. But Marusa liked work, for she was a patient girl, -and when her mother scolded and rated her, she bore it like a lamb. It -was no good, however, for they grew crueller and crueller every day, -only because Marusa was growing prettier and Holena uglier every day. - -At last the mother thought: "Why should I keep a pretty stepdaughter -in my house? When the lads come courting here, they will fall in love -with Marusa and they won't look at Holena." - -From that moment the stepmother and her daughter were constantly -scheming how to get rid of poor Marusa. They starved her and they -beat her. But she bore it all, and in spite of all she kept on growing -prettier every day. They invented torments that the cruellest of men -would never have thought of. - -One day--it was in the middle of January--Holena felt a longing for -the scent of violets. - -"Go, Marusa, and get me some violets from the forest; I want to wear -them at my waist and to smell them," she said to her sister. - -"Great heavens! sister. What a strange notion! Who ever heard of -violets growing under the snow?" said poor Marusa. - -"You wretched tatterdemalion! how dare you argue when I tell you to -do something? Off you go at once, and if you don't bring me violets -from the forest I'll kill you!" said Holena threateningly. - -The stepmother caught hold of Marusa, turned her out of the door, and -slammed it to after her. She went into the forest weeping bitterly. The -snow lay deep, and there wasn't a human footprint to be seen. Marusa -wandered about for a long time, tortured by hunger and trembling with -cold. She begged God to take her from the world. - -At last she saw a light in the distance. She went towards the glow, -and came at last to the top of a mountain. A big fire was burning -there, and round the fire were twelve stones with twelve men sitting -on them. Three of them had snow-white beards, three were not so old, -and three were still younger. The three youngest were the handsomest of -them all. They were not speaking, but all sitting silent. These twelve -men were the twelve months. Great January sat highest of all; his -hair and beard were as white as snow, and in his hand he held a club. - -Marusa was frightened. She stood still for a time in terror, but, -growing bolder, she went up to them and said: "Please, kind sirs, -let me warm my hands at your fire. I am trembling with the cold." - -Great January nodded, and asked her: "Why have you come here, my dear -little girl? What are you looking for?" - -"I am looking for violets," answered Marusa. - -"This is no time to be looking for violets, for everything is covered -with snow," answered Great January. - -"Yes, I know; but my sister Holena and my stepmother said that I must -bring them some violets from the forest. If I don't bring them, they'll -kill me. Tell me, fathers, please tell me where I can find them." - -Great January stood up and went to one of the younger months--it -was March--and, giving him the club, he said: "Brother, take the -high seat." - -March took the high seat upon the stone and waved the club over the -fire. The fire blazed up, the snow began to melt, the trees began to -bud, and the ground under the young beech-trees was at once covered -with grass and the crimson daisy buds began to peep through the -grass. It was springtime. Under the bushes the violets were blooming -among their little leaves, and before Marusa had time to think, so -many of them had sprung up that they looked like a blue cloth spread -out on the ground. - -"Pick them quickly, Marusa!" commanded March. - -Marusa picked them joyfully till she had a big bunch. Then she thanked -the months with all her heart and scampered merrily home. - -Holena and the stepmother wondered when they saw Marusa bringing the -violets. They opened the door to her, and the scent of violets filled -all the cottage. - -"Where did you get them?" asked Holena sulkily. - -"They are growing under the bushes in a forest on the high mountains." - -Holena put them in her waistband. She let her mother smell them, -but she did not say to her sister: "Smell them." - -Another day she was lolling near the stove, and now she longed for -some strawberries. So she called to her sister and said: "Go, Marusa, -and get me some strawberries from the forest." - -"Alas! dear sister, where could I find any strawberries? Who ever -heard of strawberries growing under the snow?" said Marusa. - -"You wretched little tatterdemalion, how dare you argue when I tell -you to do a thing? Go at once and get me the strawberries, or I'll -kill you!" - -The stepmother caught hold of Marusa and pushed her out of the door -and shut it after her. Marusa went to the forest weeping bitterly. The -snow was lying deep, and there wasn't a human footprint to be seen -anywhere. She wandered about for a long time, tortured by hunger and -trembling with cold. At last she saw the light she had seen the other -day. Overjoyed, she went towards it. She came to the great fire with -the twelve months sitting round it. - -"Please, kind sirs, let me warm my hands at the fire. I am trembling -with cold." - -Great January nodded, and asked her: "Why have you come again, and -what are you looking for here?" - -"I am looking for strawberries." - -"But it is winter now, and strawberries don't grow on the snow," -said January. - -"Yes, I know," said Marusa sadly; "but my sister Holena and my -stepmother bade me bring them some strawberries, and if I don't -bring them, they will kill me. Tell me, fathers, tell me, please, -where I can find them." - -Great January arose. He went over to the month sitting opposite -to him--it was June--and handed the club to him, saying: "Brother, -take the high seat." - -June took the high seat upon the stone and swung the club over the -fire. The fire shot up, and its heat melted the snow in a moment. The -ground was all green, the trees were covered with leaves, the birds -began to sing, and the forest was filled with all kinds of flowers. It -was summer. The ground under the bushes was covered with white -starlets, the starry blossoms were turning into strawberries every -minute. They ripened at once, and before Marusa had time to think, -there were so many of them that it looked as though blood had been -sprinkled on the ground. - -"Pick them at once, Marusa!" commanded June. - -Marusa picked them joyfully till she had filled her apron full. Then -she thanked the months with all her heart and scampered merrily -home. Holena and the stepmother wondered when they saw Marusa bringing -the strawberries. Her apron was full of them. They ran to open the door -for her, and the scent of the strawberries filled the whole cottage. - -"Where did you pick them?" asked Holena sulkily. - -"There are plenty of them growing under the young beech-trees in the -forest on the high mountains." - -Holena took the strawberries, and went on eating them till she could -eat no more. So did the stepmother too, but they didn't say to Marusa: -"Here is one for you." - -When Holena had enjoyed the strawberries, she grew greedy for other -dainties, and so on the third day she longed for some red apples. - -"Marusa, go into the forest and get me some red apples," she said to -her sister. - -"Alas! sister dear, how am I to get apples for you in -winter?" protested Marusa. - -"You wretched little tatterdemalion, how dare you argue when I tell -you to do a thing? Go to the forest at once, and if you don't bring -me the apples I will kill you!" threatened Holena. - -The stepmother caught hold of Marusa and pushed her out of the door and -shut it after her. Marusa went to the forest weeping bitterly. The -snow was lying deep; there wasn't a human footprint to be seen -anywhere. But she didn't wander about this time. She ran straight to -the top of the mountain where the big fire was burning. The twelve -months were sitting round the fire; yes, there they certainly were, -and Great January was sitting on the high seat. - -"Please, kind sirs, let me warm my hands at the fire. I am trembling -with cold." - -Great January nodded, and asked her: "Why have you come here, and -what are you looking for?" - -"I am looking for red apples." - -"It is winter now, and red apples don't grow in winter," answered -January. - -"Yes, I know," said Marusa sadly; "but my sister and my stepmother, -too, bade me bring them some red apples from the forest. If I don't -bring them, they will kill me. Tell me, father, tell me, please, -where I could find them." - -Great January rose up. He went over to one of the older months--it -was September. He handed the club to him and said: "Brother, take -the high seat." - -Month September took the high seat upon the stone and swung the club -over the fire. The fire began to burn with a red flame, the snow began -to melt. But the trees were not covered with leaves; the leaves were -wavering down one after the other, and the cold wind was driving them -to and fro over the yellowing ground. This time Marusa did not see -so many flowers. Only red pinks were blooming on the hillside, and -meadow saffrons were flowering in the valley. High fern and thick -ivy were growing under the young beech-trees. But Marusa was only -looking for red apples, and at last she saw an apple-tree with red -apples hanging high among its branches. - -"Shake the tree at once, Marusa!" commanded the month. - -Right gladly Marusa shook the tree, and one apple fell down. She -shook it a second time, and another apple fell down. - -"Now, Marusa, run home quickly!" shouted the month. - -Marusa obeyed at once. She picked up the apples, thanked the months -with all her heart, and ran merrily home. - -Holena and the stepmother wondered when they saw Marusa bringing -the apples. They ran to open the door for her, and she gave them -two apples. - -"Where did you get them?" asked Holena. - -"There are plenty of them in the forest on the high mountain." - -"And why didn't you bring more? Or did you eat them on the way -home?" said Holena harshly. - -"Alas! sister dear, I didn't eat a single one. But when I had shaken -the tree once, one apple fell down, and when I shook it a second time, -another apple fell down, and they wouldn't let me shake it again. They -shouted to me to go straight home," protested Marusa. - -Holena began to curse her: "May you be struck to death by -lightning!" and she was going to beat her. - -Marusa began to cry bitterly, and she prayed to God to take her -to Himself, or she would be killed by her wicked sister and her -stepmother. She ran away into the kitchen. - -Greedy Holena stopped cursing and began to eat the apple. It tasted -so delicious that she told her mother she had never tasted anything -so nice in all her life. The stepmother liked it too. When they had -finished, they wanted some more. - -"Mother, give me my fur coat. I'll go to the forest myself. That ragged -little wretch would eat them all up again on her way home. I'll find -the place all right, and I'll shake them all down, however they shout -at me." - -Her mother tried to dissuade her, but it was no good. She took her -fur coat, wrapped a cloth round her head, and off she went to the -forest. Her mother stood on the threshold, watching to see how Holena -would manage to walk in the wintry weather. - -The snow lay deep, and there wasn't a human footprint to be seen -anywhere. Holena wandered about for a long time, but the desire of -the sweet apple kept driving her on. At last she saw a light in the -distance. She went towards it, and climbed to the top of the mountain -where the big fire was burning, and round the fire on twelve stones -the twelve months were sitting. She was terrified at first, but she -soon recovered. She stepped up to the fire and stretched out her -hands to warm them, but she didn't say as much as "By your leave" -to the twelve months; no, she didn't say a single word to them. - -"Why have you come here, and what are you looking for?" asked Great -January crossly. - -"Why do you want to know, you old fool? It's no business of yours," -replied Holena angrily, and she turned away from the fire and went -into the forest. - -Great January frowned and swung the club over his head. The sky grew -dark in a moment, the fire burned low, the snow began to fall as thick -as if the feathers had been shaken out of a down quilt, and an icy -wind began to blow through the forest. Holena couldn't see one step -in front of her; she lost her way altogether, and several times she -fell into snowdrifts. Then her limbs grew weak and began slowly to -stiffen. The snow kept on falling and the icy wind blew more icily -than ever. Holena began to curse Marusa and the Lord God. Her limbs -began to freeze, despite her fur coat. - -Her mother was waiting for Holena; she kept on looking out for her, -first at the window, then outside the door, but all in vain. - -"Does she like the apples so much that she can't leave them, or -what is the matter? I must see for myself where she is," decided the -stepmother at last. So she put on her fur coat, she wrapped a shawl -round her head, and went out to look for Holena. The snow was lying -deep; there wasn't a human footprint to be seen; the snow fell fast, -and the icy wind was blowing through the forest. - -Marusa had cooked the dinner, she had seen to the cow, and yet -Holena and her mother did not come back. "Where are they staying so -long?" thought Marusa, as she sat down to work at the distaff. The -spindle was full already and it was quite dark in the room, and yet -Holena and the stepmother had not come back. - -"Alas, Lord! what has come to them?" cried Marusa, peering anxiously -through the window. The sky was bright and the earth was all -glittering, but there wasn't a human soul to be seen.... Sadly she -shut the window; she crossed herself, and prayed for her sister and -her mother.... In the morning she waited with breakfast, she waited -with dinner; but however much she waited, it was no good. Neither -her mother nor her sister ever came back. Both of them were frozen -to death in the forest. - -So good Marusa inherited the cottage, a piece of ploughland and -the cow. She married a kind husband, and they both lived happily -ever after. - - - - - - - - -VÍTAZKO - - -Once there was a mother, and, being a mother, she had a son. She -suckled him for twice seven years. After that she took him into a -forest and told him to pull up a fir-tree, roots and all. But the -lad could not pull up the fir-tree. - -"You are not strong enough yet," said the mother. So she suckled him -for another seven years. When she had suckled him for thrice seven -years, she took him to the forest again and told him to pull up a -beech-tree, roots and all. He seized hold of the beech and pulled -it up. - -"Now you are strong enough. So you are Victor (Vítazko). Now you can -provide for me." - -"Yes, I will. Only tell me what I can do for you." - -"You must get me a good house first, and then you can take me there," -said the mother, and she went home. - -Vítazko took the beech-tree which he had pulled up, and, carrying -it in his hand like a club, he started in search of a house for his -mother. Following the wind, he walked by old roads and paths until -he came to a castle. This castle was inhabited by griffins. - -When Vítazko reached the castle, the griffins would not let him in. But -he did not wait long for their permission: he smashed the gate and -went into the castle and killed the griffins; their bodies he flung -over the wall, and then he went for a walk through the castle. He was -pleased with everything he saw. The rooms were nice, nine in number, -but the tenth was closed. When he had gone through the nine he went -into the tenth, and there he saw a griffin chained to the wall by -three iron bands. - -"What are you doing here?" asked Vítazko. - -"I am sitting here, as you see. My brothers have chained me here. Untie -my bonds and I will give you a splendid reward." - -"You must be a wicked old rascal if your own brothers tied you there. I -won't unfasten your bonds either," said Vítazko. - -So he slammed the door, and went off to fetch his mother to the -castle. When he had brought her there, he showed her everything, but -he did not open the tenth room, and he forbade her to enter that room, -for otherwise there would be trouble. As soon as Vítazko left the -house, the mother could not rest, and she kept on walking near the -door of that tenth room, till at last she went in, and, of course, -she found the griffin there. - -"What are you doing here, and who are you?" - -"I am a griffin. My own brothers chained me here. They would have -unfastened my bonds again, but your son has killed them all. Untie -my bonds and I will reward you, and, if you like, I will marry you," -said the griffin. - -"And what would Vítazko say?" answered the mother. - -"What could he say? We will put him out of the world, and you will -be your own mistress." - -The mother hesitated long enough, but at last she consented, and then -she asked the griffin how she could untie his bonds. - -"Go into the cellar and fetch me a cup of wine from the last cask." - -The mother went into the cellar and brought him a glass of wine -from the last cask. As soon as he had drained the first cup, -crash! the first chain fell down. The mother brought him another cup -and--well! the second chain snapped. So he begged her to bring him -a third cup, and when she brought him the third cup the third chain -broke too and the griffin was free again. - -"But what am I to tell my son when he comes back?" said the mother -anxiously. - -"Oh! you must feign illness, and when he asks you what will save you, -say that nothing can save you but a suckling of the earth sow. When -he goes to get it, the sow will tear him in pieces." - -Well (but not particularly well!), when Vítazko returned from the -chase, bringing a buck for his mother, she groaned and complained: -"Alas! my dear son, your toil has been in vain. It is no use your -bringing me this good food; I cannot eat it, for I am deadly sick." - -"Alas! mother, you must not die. Only tell me what would cure you, -and I will bring it for you, even though it were from hell," cried -the good Vítazko, for he loved his mother well. - -"I can only be cured if I get the suckling of the earth sow." - -Vítazko did not wait; he took his beech-tree and set off in quest of -the earth sow. He wandered through the country, poor soul! for he did -not know where to go, till at last he came to a tower, and there he -found Holy Sunday. - -"Where are you going?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"I am going to the earth sow to get one of her sucklings. My mother -is ill, but this will cure her." - -"My dear boy, it will be a hard task for you to get that -piglet. However, I will help you. Only you must follow my advice -exactly." - -Vítazko promised that he would follow it exactly. So first she gave -him a long, sharp spit, and then she said: - -"Go to the stable and take my horse. He will bring you to the place -where the earth sow lies buried in the earth. When you have come there -you must prick one of her pigs. The pig will squeak, and the sow, -hearing it, will start up and run round the earth in a moment. But -she won't see you or anybody else, and so she will tell the pigs that -if they squeak again she will tear them to pieces. Then she will -lie down to sleep, and then you must spit the pig and run quickly -away. The pig will be afraid to squeak, the sow won't stir, and my -horse will carry you away." - -Vítazko promised to carry out her directions exactly. He took the -spit, mounted the magic horse, and it brought him swiftly to the -place--far, very far it was--where the earth sow lay buried in the -earth. Vítazko pricked one of the pigs, and it squeaked terribly. The -sow started wildly up and ran round the earth in one moment. But the -magic horse did not move, so the sow did not see him or anybody else, -and she said angrily to the pigs: - -"If one of you squeaks, I will tear you all to pieces at once." - -Having said this, she buried herself again. - -At once Vítazko spitted the pig. It kept quiet and didn't squeak at -all, and the magic horse began to fly, and it wasn't long till they -were home again. - -"Well, Vítazko, how did it go?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"Well, it went just as you said, and here is the pig." - -"Very well. Take it to your mother." - -Vítazko gave her back the spit; he led the magic horse back to its -stall, thanked Holy Sunday, and, hanging the pig from the beech-tree, -made haste to go home to his mother. - -The mother and the griffin were feasting; they did not expect Vítazko, -and here he was. They ran away and discussed what they should do -with him. - -"When he has given you the pig, you must still pretend to be ill," -said the griffin; "and when he asks you what will save you, tell him -that only the Water of Life and the Water of Death can cure you. If -he goes in quest of that, he is bound to perish." - -Vítazko came running to the castle full of joy. He gave the pig to -his mother, but she still went on groaning and complaining that she -was going to die, and that the pig would not cure her. - -"Alas! mother, don't die, but tell me what will cure you, so that I -may bring it for you at once," said Vítazko anxiously. - -"Ah! my dear son, I can only be cured by the Water of Life and the -Water of Death, and where would you get that?" sighed the mother. - -Vítazko did not waste time thinking about it. He grasped his beech, -and off he went to Holy Sunday. - -"Where are you going, Vítazko?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"I am coming to you to ask where I could find the Water of Life and -the Water of Death, for my mother is still ill, and only those will -cure her." - -"It will be a hard task for you to get them, but I will help you as -well as I can. Here are two jugs; mount my magic horse, and he will -bring you to two banks. Beneath those two banks spring forth the -Water of Life and the Water of Death. The right bank opens at noon, -and from beneath it gushes the Water of Life. The left bank opens at -midnight, and beneath it is the Water of Death. As soon as the bank -opens, run up to it and fill your jug with water, and so you must do -in the other case too. When you have the water, come back. Follow my -instructions carefully." - -Saying this, she gave him two jugs. He took them and mounted the magic -horse, and in a moment they were gone like the wind. The two banks were -in a far distant land, and thither the magic horse brought Vítazko. At -noon he raised the right bank and the Water of Life gushed forth, then, -crash! the bank fell down again, and it was a wonder that it did not -take Vítazko's heels off. Quickly Vítazko mounted the magic horse and -made haste for the left bank. There they waited till midnight. When -the bank lifted, beneath it was the Water of Death. He hurried to it -and filled the jug, and, crash! down fell the bank again; and it was -a marvel it didn't take Vítazko's hand off. Quickly he mounted the -magic horse, the horse flew off, and soon they were home again. - -"Well, Vítazko, how have you fared?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"Oh! everything went all right, Holy Sunday; and here is the water," -said Vítazko, giving her the water. - -Holy Sunday kept the water, and gave him two jugs full of spring -water and told him to take them to his mother. Vítazko thanked her -and went home. - -The mother and the griffin were carousing as before, for they did not -expect that he would ever return--and there he was just outside. They -were terribly frightened, and considered how they could get rid of him. - -"You must pretend to be sick still, and tell him you won't recover -unless you get the Pelican bird, and he will perish on the quest," -said the griffin. - -Vítazko brought the water joyfully, but the mother was still groaning -and complaining; even that was no good, she was sure she was going -to die. - -"Ah! don't die, sweet mother. Tell me what will cure you, and I shall -be glad to get it all for you," said the good lad. - -"There is no help for me unless I can see the Pelican bird. Where -could you get it for me?" groaned the mother. - -Vítazko took his beech again, and it was no trouble to him to go to -Holy Sunday once more. - -"Where are you going?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"Well, I am coming to you to ask for advice. Mother is still sick; -the water did not cure her either, and she says she must see the -Pelican bird. And where is the Pelican bird?" - -"My dear child, it would be very hard for you to get the Pelican -bird. But I will help you all I can. The Pelican bird is a gigantic -bird. His neck is very long, and, whenever he shakes his wings, -he raises such a wind that the trees begin to shake. Here is a gun; -mount my magic horse, and he will bring you to the place where the -Pelican bird lives. But be careful. Point the gun against the wind -from whatever quarter it blows, and when the hammer falls, ram the gun -with the ramrod and come quickly back. You must not look into the gun." - -Vítazko took the gun and mounted the magic horse, and the horse spread -his wings, and they were flying through the air a long way until -they came to a vast desert, where dwelt the Pelican bird. There the -magic horse stopped. Now Vítazko perceived that the wind was blowing -strongly on his left cheek, so he pointed the gun in that direction, -and, clap! the hammer fell. Vítazko rammed the gun quickly with the -ramrod and flung it over his shoulder, and the horse started flying, -and very soon they were home again. - -"Well, how did things go?" - -"I don't know whether they went well or ill, but I did what you -commanded," answered Vítazko, handing down the gun to Holy Sunday. - -"All right. You did quite right. Here he is!" she said. And then -she took out the Pelican bird. Then she gave Vítazko another gun -to shoot an eagle with. He went out into the forest, and returned -before long with an eagle. She gave him this eagle for his mother, -in place of the Pelican bird. - -The griffin and the mother were making merry again, hoping that Vítazko -would never come back, but he was already near. They were terrified, -and began to consider what new task they were to set him. - -"You must pretend to be sick still, and tell him nothing can do you -any good but the golden apples from the garden of the Griffin. If -he goes there the Griffin will tear him in pieces, for he is enraged -because Vítazko has killed his brothers." - -Joyfully Vítazko gave the bird to his mother, but she still kept -on groaning; nothing was any good, only the golden apples from the -garden of the Griffin could save her. - -"You shall have them," said Vítazko, and without resting, he started -again and came to Holy Sunday. - -"Where are you going, Vítazko?" - -"Well," he replied, "not even that did her any good. Mother is still -sick, for only the golden apples from the garden of the Griffin will -cure her." - -"Well, you'll have to fight, my boy," said Holy Sunday; "but, even -though you were stronger than you are, it would be a bad look-out -for you. Still, I will help you all I can. Here is a ring for you; -put it on your finger, and, when you are in need, think of me, turn -the ring round on your finger, and you will have the strength of a -hundred men. Now mount the magic horse; he will take you there." - -Vítazko thanked her heartily, mounted the magic horse, and was carried -by him a far journey, till they came to a garden hedged about by -a high rampart. Had it not been for the magic horse Vítazko could -never have got into the garden, but the horse flew like a bird over -the rampart. Vítazko leapt down from the horse, and instantly began -to look for a tree with golden apples. A beautiful girl met him and -asked him what he was looking for. Vítazko said that he was looking -for golden apples to cure his sick mother, and begged her to tell -him where to look for them. - -"The apple-tree is under my charge, and I must not give the apples -to anybody, or the Griffin would tear me to pieces. I am a king's -daughter, and the Griffin carried me off and brought me to this garden -and put me in charge of the apples. Go back, good youth, go back, -for the Griffin is very strong, and, if he sees you, he will kill -you like a fly," said the girl. - -But Vítazko was not to be turned back, and he hastened on into the -garden. So the princess pulled off a priceless ring and handed it to -Vítazko, saying: "Take this ring, and when you think of me and turn -this ring round on your finger, you will have the strength of a hundred -men, otherwise you could not gain the victory over the Griffin." - -Vítazko took the ring and put it on his finger. He thanked her and went -off to the centre of the garden. In the middle of the garden stood -an apple-tree full of golden apples, and underneath it a horrible -Griffin was lying. - -"What do you want here, murderer of my brothers?" shouted the Griffin. - -"I have come to get some apples from this tree," answered Vítazko -undauntedly. - -"You shall not have any of the apples unless you wrestle with me," -exclaimed the Griffin angrily. - -"I will if you like. Come on!" said Vítazko, and he turned the ring -on his right hand and thought of Holy Sunday. He set his legs wide -apart and they began to wrestle. In the first round the Griffin moved -Vítazko a little, but Vítazko drove him into the ground above his -ankles. Just at this moment they heard a swirl of wings above them, -and a black raven shouted to them: - -"Which am I to help, the Griffin or Vítazko?" - -"Help me," said the Griffin. - -"And what will you give me?" - -"I will give you gold and silver as much as you like." - -"Help me," cried Vítazko, "and I will give you all those horses -grazing on yonder meadow." - -"I will help you, then," said the raven. "But how am I to help you?" - -"Cool me when I grow hot," said Vítazko. He felt hot indeed, for -the Griffin was breathing out fire against him. So they went on -wrestling. The Griffin seized Vítazko and drove him into the ground up -to his ankles. Vítazko turned the ring, and again he thought of Holy -Sunday. He put his arms round the Griffin's waist and drove him down -into the ground above his knees. The black raven dipped his wings -in a spring, and then he alighted on Vítazko's head and sprinkled -cool drops over Vítazko's hot cheeks, and thus he cooled him. Then -Vítazko turned the other ring and thought of the beautiful maiden, -and they began wrestling again. So the Griffin drove Vítazko into the -ground up to his ankles, but Vítazko took hold of him and drove him -into the ground up to his shoulders, and quickly he seized his sword, -the gift of Holy Sunday, and cut the Griffin's head off. - -The princess came to him at once and plucked the golden apples for -him. She thanked him too for delivering her, and said that she liked -him well and she would marry him. - -"I like you well too," confessed Vítazko, "and, if I could, I would go -with you at once. But if you really love me, and if you will consent -to wait a year for me, I will come to you then." - -The princess pledged herself by shaking hands with him, and she said -she would wait a year for him. And so they said good-bye to each -other. Vítazko mounted his horse, cleared the rampart at a leap, -killed the horses on the meadow for the black raven, and hastened home. - -"Well, how have you fared?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"Very well, but if it hadn't been for a ring which was given me by -a princess I should have fared very badly," answered Vítazko, and he -told her everything. She told him to go home with the golden apples -and to take the magic horse with him too. Vítazko obeyed. - -The griffin and the mother were carousing again. They were greatly -startled when Vítazko came riding home; they had never expected that -he would return alive even from the garden of the Griffin. The mother -asked what she should do; but the griffin had no more shifts; he made -off to the tenth room at once and hid himself there. When Vítazko had -given the apples to his mother, she pretended that the mere sight of -them had cured her, and, rising from the bed, she put the finest of -food before Vítazko and then began to caress him as she used to do -sometimes when he was a tiny baby. Vítazko was delighted to see his -mother in good health again. The mother took a strong cotton cord and -said jestingly: "Lie down, dear son; I will wind this cord round you -as I used to wind it round your father, to see if you are as strong -as he was, and if you can break it." - -Vítazko smiled and laid himself down, and allowed his mother to wind -the cord round him. When she had finished, he stretched his limbs -and snapt the cord in pieces. - -"You are strong," she said. "But wait! I will wind this thin silk -cord round you to see if you can break it also." - -So she did. Vítazko tried to stretch his limbs, but the more he -stretched, the deeper the cord cut into him. So he was helpless, -and had to lie like a baby in its swaddling-clothes. Now the griffin -hastened to cut his head off; he hewed the body in pieces and hung -the heart from the ceiling. The mother packed the body in a cloth, -and put the bundle on the back of the magic horse, which was waiting -in the courtyard, saying: - -"You carried him alive, so you can carry him dead too, wherever -you like." - -The horse did not wait, but flew off, and soon they reached home. - -Holy Sunday had been expecting him, for she knew what would probably -happen to him. Without delay she rubbed the body with the Water of -Death, then she put it together and poured the Water of Life over -it. Vítazko yawned, and rose to his feet alive and well. "Well, -I have had a long sleep," he said to himself. - -"You would have been sleeping till doomsday if I hadn't awakened -you. Well, how do you feel now?" - -"Oh! I am all right! Only, it's funny: it's as though I had not got -any heart." - -"That is true; you haven't got a heart," answered Holy Sunday. - -"Where can it be, then?" - -"Where else should it be, but in the castle, hanging from the -crossbeam?" said Holy Sunday, and she told him all that had happened -to him. - -But Vítazko could not be angry, neither could he weep, for he had -no heart. So he had to go and get it. Holy Sunday gave him a fiddle -and sent him to the castle. He was to play on the fiddle, and, as a -reward, was to ask for the heart, and, when he got it, he must return -at once to Holy Sunday--those were her orders. - -Vítazko went to the castle, and when he saw that his mother was -looking out of the window, he began playing beautifully. The mother -was delighted with the music below, so she called the old fiddler -(for Holy Sunday had put that shape upon him) into the castle and -asked him to play. He played, and the mother danced with the griffin; -they danced hard, and did not stop until they were tired. Then the -mother gave the fiddler meat and drink, and she offered him gold, -but he would not take it. - -"What could I do with all that money? I am too old for it," he -answered. - -"Well, what am I to give you, then? It is for you to ask," said -the mother. - -"What are you to give me?" said he, looking round the room. "Oh! give -me that heart, hanging there from the crossbeam!" - -"If you like that, we can give it to you," said the griffin, and the -mother took it down and gave it to Vítazko. He thanked them for it, -and hastened from the castle to Holy Sunday. - -"It is lucky that we have got it again," said Holy Sunday; and -she took the heart in her hands, washed it first in the Water of -Death and afterwards in the Water of Life, and then she put it in -the bill of the Pelican bird. The bird stretched out his long neck -and replaced the heart in Vítazko's breast. At once Vítazko felt it -joyfully leaping. And for this service Holy Sunday gave the Pelican -bird his freedom again. - -And now she said to Vítazko: "You must go once more to the castle and -deal out justice. Take the form of a pigeon and, when you think of me, -you will regain your own shape." - -No sooner had she said this than Vítazko was changed into a pigeon, and -away he flew to the castle. The mother and the griffin were caressing -each other when suddenly a pigeon alighted on the window-sill. As -soon as the mother saw the pigeon she sent the griffin to shoot him, -but before the griffin could get hold of his crossbow the pigeon -flew down into the hall, took human form, seized the sword and cut -the griffin's head off at a stroke. - -"And what am I to do with thee, thou good-for-nothing mother?" he -said, turning to his mother, who in terror fell at his feet begging -for mercy. "Do not be afraid--I will not do you any harm. Let God -judge between us." He took her hand and led her to the castle yard, -unsheathed his sword, and said: "Behold, mother! I will throw this -sword into the air. If I am guilty, it will strike me; if you are -guilty, it is you it will strike. Let God decide." - -The sword whirled through the air, it darted past Vítazko's head, -and smote straight into his mother's heart. - -Vítazko lamented over her and buried her. Then he returned to Holy -Sunday and thanked her well for all her kindness. He girded on the -sword, took his beech-tree in his hand, and went to his beautiful -princess. He found her with her royal father, who had tried to make her -marry various kings and princes, but she would marry none of them. She -would wait a year, she said. The year was not yet over when one day -Vítazko arrived in the royal palace to ask for the maiden's hand. - -"This is my betrothed," exclaimed the princess joyfully, as soon as -she saw him, and she went straight up to him. - -A splendid feast was made ready, the father gave his kingdom into -their hands, and that is the end of this story. - - - - - - - - -BOOTS, CLOAK, AND RING - - -Once there was a blacksmith, and he had only one son, John by -name. They sent him to school, but fortune changed and his parents fell -into poverty, so they were forced to take their son home again. John -had already passed through the higher standard, but he could not -support his parents. So one day he said: - -"Father and mother! What can I do at home? There is no business here, -so I can't be a clerk, and I am too old now to learn a trade. So I -will go out into the world and find myself a job, and, whenever I can, -I will send you some money. And when I get a good job, you must sell -your cottage and come and live with me." - -His father and mother wept, because he wanted to leave them, but they -knew that he was right, for there was no chance for him if he stayed -at home. So they let him go. They gave him their blessing before he -went out into the world. John wept till his heart nearly broke at -parting with his aged parents. - -He walked on till noon. At noon he sat down beneath a lime-tree beside -a well, and had his meal and a drink. Then, strengthened and refreshed, -he walked on till nightfall. The country was quite unknown to him, -so he had to spend the night in the forest. The next day he went on -again till he came into a wild mountain country. There he stopped -and thought over what he should do next. He stood awhile, and then -he went on again. He reached a pleasant valley, and there he found -three brothers. They were quarrelling and on the point of coming to -blows. John asked them what the matter was. The eldest answered: - -"Our father has died, and he bequeathed to us these boots, this cloak, -and this hat. And each of us would like to own the boots." - -"Why?" asked John. - -"Because they have the property that whoever puts them on can cover -ten miles in the moment he wishes it. The cloak has the property that -its owner can fly as far and as high as he likes. And the property -of the hat is that it makes its wearer invisible." - -John said: "You are brothers, and you ought not to quarrel. You must -love one another. So that you won't quarrel any more, I will decide -the matter for you. Give me those things." - -They gave him the boots, the cloak, and the hat. He put the hat on, -and they couldn't see him any more; he wrapped himself in the cloak, -took the boots, and flew away. - -He flew some distance before he alighted upon a log and put the boots -on. As he sat on the log, it turned over, and he saw a big hole under -it. He went down the hole and came to some stairs, and went down them -to the bottom without any difficulty. There he found a big room without -any human being in it. The table was laid for one person. He thought: -"I am hungry. Shall I eat this meal?" Finally he decided to risk it; -he took off his hat and began to eat. - -When he had finished, an old crone entered the room, and asked: -"Did you like your meal?" - -"Oh, it was very nice indeed," answered John; "and, by the way, -could you give me lodging for the night?" - -"I will, if you can stand it; for at midnight twenty-four ghosts will -come, and they will try to make you play cards with them and dance -with them. But you must sit still and not so much as look at them." - -So the first night came. John was sitting eating his meal. When he had -finished, he remained at table. After eleven o'clock two dozen ghosts -entered the room and asked him to play cards with them. He refused, -so they began preparations for playing skittles, and again asked -him to join them, but he would not. Then a delightful music began -to play, and they asked him to dance with them. No, he wouldn't; -he did not so much as look at them. They kept on dragging him about, -tearing and biting him, till he began to think it was all over with -him. But just then it struck twelve, and the ghosts vanished. - -In the morning the old crone came back and waked him, for he was -still asleep on the ground. She asked him: "How did you sleep?" - -"Very well," said John. - -"Did you, now?" answered the old woman. "Well, next night will be -still worse, if you can stand it. Two score of ghosts will come, and -they'll urge you to play cards and skittles with them and to dance -with them. But you must sit quiet; don't so much as look at them." - -He stayed there that day, and had a good time. Then the second night -came. After eleven o'clock twoscore ghosts rushed in. They urged -him to play cards and skittles with them and to dance with them. But -John wouldn't. He sat still, without so much as looking at them. So -they began to torture him again, and dragged him about even worse -than before. But when it struck twelve they left him on the ground -and disappeared. - -In the morning the old crone came. She washed him with some lotion -till he recovered. She asked him: "How did you sleep?" - -"Splendidly," said he. - -"Did you, now?" said she. "It was a bad lodging for you, but the third -night will be even worse, if you can stand it. Three score of ghosts -will come, and will urge you to play cards and skittles and to dance -with them. But you must sit still and not so much as look at them." - -All that day he had a good time again. The third night came, and -after eleven o'clock three score of ghosts rushed in. They gathered -round him, and urged, prayed, and besought him to play and dance with -him. When he refused, they seized him and began knocking him against -the ground, tearing and biting him, so that he lost his senses and -did not see them go away. - -In the morning the old crone came and anointed him with a precious -salve till he recovered. The old woman said: "You wouldn't have had -such a bad time if you had not stolen the boots, the cloak, and the -hat. The ghosts would simply have pressed you; they would have had no -power over you. As you followed my advice and did not play with them, -you have delivered an enchanted town and a beautiful princess. She -will come to you at once. Now you are rich, return the stolen goods." - -Then there came a girl in a white robe. It was the beautiful princess, -and she thanked him for delivering her and the whole town. He went -to the window, and outside he saw streets full of people and soldiers -and a great bustle going on. The princess said: - -"My father is a king, and you will marry me and succeed him. But my -father dwells far from here, and we will go to him. Do you take this -ring here." - -So they went off. When the wedding was to take place, John wanted his -parents to be present, so he asked the princess: "May I go to see my -parents? I would like them to be at our wedding." - -The princess answered: "They live a great way from us, but you will -be able to get to them. The ring I gave you has the property that, -when you turn it on your finger and wish to go a hundred miles, you -will cover that distance in a moment. On your way you will come to a -king who has a beautiful daughter. But you must not think of her nor -of me, for then you will lose the ring, and you will not be able to -go any farther." - -John started. He turned the ring, and in a moment he was a hundred -miles off, and found himself with a king who had several sons. They -entertained him splendidly. Then he came to another king who had an -only daughter, and she was very vulgar. The king insisted that John -should marry her. John thought: "What are you thinking of, my man? My -bright one is so beautiful that there is not her equal in the wide -world, while your daughter is only a vulgar creature." At the moment he -thought of his bride the ring slipped from his finger and disappeared. - -John left them then. He was very sad, and considered what he should -do. "My bride is far away now," he thought. "I cannot find my way -either to her or to my parents." - -As he was walking along in this sad mood, he thought of his cloak, -and it came into his mind that, if he could reach the Sun's abode -the same day, he could ask where his bride's castle was. As soon -as he thought of this he was at the Sun's house. The Sun was not -in; only his housekeeper was at home. He asked her for a lodging, -and said that he would like to ask the Sun whether he knew the -castle where his bride dwelt. She gave him the lodging. When the -Sun returned home in the evening, John asked him whether he had any -knowledge of the castle in which his wife dwelt. The Sun answered: -"I don't know. I never shone there. But go and ask the Moon." - -The next day, as soon as he woke, he flew off on his cloak to the -Moon's castle. When he got there, the Moon was not in, and John asked -the housekeeper for a night's lodging. He said he would like to ask -the Moon's advice. - -The housekeeper said: "You must wait till the Moon comes home, but -you will be very cold, for my mistress is an extremely cold person." - -"I will crouch in a corner and wait till the mistress comes; in any -case, my cloak is warm enough." - -When the morning drew near, the Moon returned home, and John asked -her whether she knew where his bride's castle was. - -The Moon said: "I never shone there. But go to the Wind. He is a -fellow who penetrates everywhere, and so he is likely to know where -that castle is." - -So John went to the Wind's house. The Wind was not in, but Melusine, -his wife, was alone at home. John asked her to let him stay there -for the night. She tried to dissuade him. - -"It is impossible, good sir. My lord is used to blow terribly. It -will be exceedingly cold." - -He answered: "I will cover myself up and crouch somewhere. I can -endure cold, and, anyhow, my cloak is warm enough." So he stayed -there for the night. - -After midnight the Wind came home and asked: "Who is here with you, -wife? I smell a man." - -"Who should be here?" she said. "Your nose is still full of the -human smell." - -But the Wind persisted: "There is somebody here! Tell me!" - -So she confessed. "Don't be angry, dear husband! There is a man staying -here for the night, and he wants to ask you whether you will be kind -enough to take him to his bride's castle." - -The Wind answered: "It is very far from here, and I must ask the -Lord how strongly I am to blow, if we are to get there. I was there -yesterday; they are going to celebrate a wedding there, and they have -been drying some shirts ready for it, and I have been helping them." - -The Wind went to ask the Lord; and when he came back, he said to John: -"I can blow strongly enough, but I don't know whether you will be -able to keep step with me." - -John answered: "I have got good boots, and I am sure I can." - -So he wrapped himself in his cloak, covered his head with his hat, -and put his boots on, and he went ahead so quickly that the Wind -could hardly keep step with him. As they drew near to the castle, -the Wind said: "Here it is," and disappeared in a whirl. - -The other bridegroom had already arrived, and was at the wedding -feast. John passed through the castle, and came to the table at which -they were dining. Nobody could see him. He remained standing near the -bride, and whenever she lifted the food to her mouth, he ate it before -it could reach her mouth, so that the spoon reached her mouth empty. - -After the banquet she said: "My plates were well filled, and yet it -is as though I had been eating nothing at all. Who is it that has -eaten my food? My glass was full too. I have not drunk, and yet it -is empty. Who has drunk my wine?" - -Then she went to the kitchen, and John followed close at her -heels. When she was alone he revealed himself. He took his hat off, -and she knew him. She was greatly rejoiced at this, and ran to the -room and said: - -"Gentlemen, I would like to ask you a question. I had a golden key -and I lost it. So I had a silver key made for me, and, now that it is -made, I have found the golden key. Would you be so kind as to advise -me which of them I ought to keep?" - -The bridegroom stepped forward and said: "Keep the golden key." - -Off she went. She dressed John in beautiful garments, and then -presented him to the guests, saying: "This is my golden key. He -delivered me from torment, and I was to marry him. He went to see -his parents, but he could not reach them. Now he has come back to me -just as I was going to marry another man, the silver key of my story, -though I had given up all hope of his return. Yet he has come back, -and I shall keep him, the golden key, for the silver key has himself -decided so." - -The wedding was celebrated the next day, and John took charge of the -old king's kingdom. Then they both went to visit his old parents, -and brought them back with them to the palace. On their way back they -called on the three brothers, and John gave them back the boots, -the cloak, and the hat. And if they haven't died since, they are -still alive enjoying their kingdom. - - - - - - - - -SILLY JURA - - -Once there were two brothers. They were lazy fellows, and thieves -into the bargain. They were expected to give a feast. They said to -one another: "We haven't got anything. Wherever shall we find food -for the feast?" - -So the first said: "I'll go to our neighbour's. He has some fine -apples, and I'll pluck some of them." - -The second said: "I'll go to the shepherd's. He has some fine -rams. I'll steal a ram from him." - -These two brothers hated the third, and so they abused him: "Silly -Jura! You won't get anything yourself, but you'll be ready enough to -eat what we get." - -So Jura said: "I'll go to the burgomaster's and get some nuts." - -In the evening they went their ways. When he had finished plucking -the nuts, Jura went into the charnel-house at the back of the church -and began to crack the nuts there. The watchmen heard the cracking -in the charnel-house, and they thought the place was haunted. As -there was no priest in the village (he lived in the next village), -they went to the burgomaster and asked him to go with them to the -charnel-house, saying that the place was haunted. - -The burgomaster said: "I am so ill that I can't stand on my feet; -no doctor can help me." - -But the watchmen insisted, and so the burgomaster told his servant to -take him on his back and carry him to the place. The servant carried -him along, and the watchmen called at the churchwarden's to ask for -some holy water. - -When they came near to the charnel-house, Jura thought it was his -brother bringing the ram, so he called out: "Are you bringing him?" - -The servant was frightened, and let the burgomaster fall and ran -away. The burgomaster was terrified too. He jumped up and ran after -the servant. He cleared a wooden fence with one leap in his flight, -and it wasn't long till he reached home. His family wondered to see -him cured so quickly without the help of a doctor. - -Next day the burgomaster proclaimed that he would give a pound to the -man who had stolen his nuts the day before, if he would only come to -see him. So Jura went to him, and the burgomaster said: "I ought to -punish you for stealing, but since you have cured my illness which -nobody was able to cure, I'll give you the pound I promised, but -you mustn't steal any more." So Jura promised not to steal any more, -and went home. - -The brothers grew very fond of him now that he had money. They borrowed -the money from him and bought themselves new clothes, and said: "We'll -go to see the world and to get wives for ourselves. As for you, Silly -Jura, you must stay at home; you'd never get a good wife for yourself." - -So off they went. But Jura went too. He went to the forest and he -was utterly dazzled. He had often heard that there was an enchanted -castle in that forest. When he came to the place where the ruins of the -castle were, night overtook him, and so he could see nothing except -what looked like a light in a cellar. So he went into the cellar to -make his night's lodging there. There was nobody in the cellar but a -cat. The cat greeted him: "Welcome, dear Jura! How did you come here?" - -Jura was frightened when he heard the cat speak, and was going to -run away. But the cat told him not to go; there was no need to be -frightened. He must come back, and no harm would be done to him. If -he wanted to eat, he could go into the storeroom and take what he -wanted. She would take him for her servant. - -So he stayed there a year and had a good time. He never saw a cook, -but he always found meals ready prepared in the storeroom. He had -nothing to do but get firewood, and at the end of the year he was told -to make a great pile of it. Then the cat said: "You must light the -pile to-day, and throw me into the fire. You must not help me out, -however I entreat you, but you must let me be consumed." - -Jura answered: "I can't do that. I have had a good time with you. Why -should I repay you in such an evil way?" - -The cat said: "If you don't do as I have said, you will be very -unhappy. If you do it, you will be happy." - -So Jura kindled the pile, and, when it was well alight, he picked up -the cat and threw her into the fire. She wanted to escape from the -fire, but he wouldn't let her go. At last he was so weary that he was -forced to lie down, and soon he fell asleep. When he awoke, he opened -his eyes, and behold! there was no ruin; he heard delightful music -and saw a beautiful palace with crowds of servants. He was wondering -at all this, when a splendidly dressed lady came up to him and asked -him if he did not know her. - -Jura said: "How should I know your ladyship? I never saw you before -in my life." - -The lady said: "I am that cat. Witches had put me under enchantment -in the shape of a cat. Now we will go after your brothers who hated -you so much and see how they are getting on." - -She ordered her people to dress him in fine clothes, a fine carriage -was prepared, and they drove off. As they were approaching the village, -the lady said to her bridegroom: "Put your old clothes on." Then she -called an old, ragged beggarwoman and sent him with her. She herself -remained outside of the village. - -When the brothers saw Jura coming with the ragged beggarwoman, they -shouted: "He is bringing home an old ragged bride, and he's in rags -too." The other brothers were married too, and they were pretty badly -off, so they turned him out and wouldn't have him at home. - -So Jura went out of the village; he changed his clothes and drove back -with the lady to his brothers' cottage. When the carriage stopped -before the cottage, the brothers said: "What a fine carriage! Who -is that noble lord and the beautiful lady who have come to our -cottage?" They did not recognize their brother. - -So she said: "Look here. You were always hard on your brother, always -sneering at him, and now you are badly off enough, while he is getting -on splendidly. If you mend your ways, you will get on too." - -Afterwards she gave them some money and went away with Jura. - - - - - - - - -SLEEPY JOHN - - -Once there was a lad named John, and he used to go to sleep always -and everywhere. One day he came to an inn where some farmers were -feeding their horses. So he crept into the cart, lay down on the -straw, and went to sleep. When the farmers had driven some distance, -they noticed John asleep in the cart. They thought: "What are we to -do with him? We have a beer cask here. We'll put him in it and leave -him in the forest." So they shut him in the cask, and off they drove. - -John went on sleeping in the cask for a long time. Suddenly he woke -up and found himself in the cask, but he did not know how he had got -into it, neither did he know where he was. There was something running -to and fro near the cask, so he looked through the bunghole and saw -a great number of wolves gathered under the rocks. They had flocked -round, attracted by the human smell. One of the wolves pushed his -tail through the hole, and Sleepy John began to think that the hour -of his death was approaching. But he wound the wolf's tail round his -hand. The wolf was terrified, and, dragging the cask after him, he -ran after the rest of the wolves, who set off in all directions. Their -terror grew greater and greater as the cask bumped after them. At last -the cask struck against a rock and was smashed. John let go the wolf, -who took himself off as fast as he could. - -Now John found himself in a wild mountain region. He began walking -about among the mountains and he met a hermit. The hermit said to him: -"You may stay here with me. I shall die in three days. Bury me then, -and I will pay you well for it." - -So John stayed with him, and, when the third day came, the hermit, -who was about to die, gave him a stick, saying: "In whatever direction -you point this stick, you will find yourself there." Then he gave -him a knapsack, saying: "Anything you want you will find in this -knapsack." Then he gave him a cap, saying: "As soon as you put this -cap on, nobody will be able to see you." - -Then the hermit died, and John buried him. - -John gathered his things together, pointed the stick, and said: -"Let me be instantly in the town where the king lives." He found -himself there on the instant, and he was told that the queen would -every night wear out a dozen pairs of shoes, yet nobody was able -to follow her track. The lords were all flocking to offer to follow -the queen's traces, and John went too. He went into the palace and -had himself announced to the king. When he came before the king, -he said that he would like to trace the queen. The king asked him: -"Who are you?" - -He answered "Sleepy John." - -The king said: "And how are you going to trace her, when you are -sleeping all the time? If you fail to trace her you will lose your -head." - -John answered that he would try to trace her all the same. - -When the evening was come the queen went to bed in one room and John -went to bed in the next room, through which the queen had to pass. He -did not go to sleep, but when the queen was going by he pretended to -be in a deep slumber. So the queen lit a candle and scorched the soles -of his feet to make sure that he was asleep. But John didn't stir, -and so she was certain that he was asleep. Then she took her twelve -pairs of new shoes and off she went. - -John got up, put his cap on, and pointed with his stick and said: -"Let me be where the queen is." - -Now, when the queen came to a certain rock, the earth opened before -her and two dragons came to meet her. They took her on their backs -and carried her as far as the lead forest. Then John said: "Let me -be where the queen is," and instantly he was in the lead forest. So -he broke off a twig for a proof and put it in his knapsack. But -when he broke off the twig it gave out a shrill sound as if a bell -were ringing. The queen was frightened, but she rode on again. John -pointed with his stick and said: "Let me be where the queen is," and -instantly he was in the tin forest. He broke off a twig again and -put it in his knapsack, and it rang again. The queen turned pale, -but she rode on again. John pointed with his stick again and said: -"Let me be where the queen is," and instantly he was in the silver -forest. He broke off a twig again and put it into his knapsack. As -he broke it, it gave out a ringing sound and the queen fainted. The -dragons hastened on again till they came to a green meadow. - -A crowd of devils came to meet them here, and they revived the -queen. Then they had a feast. Sleepy John was there too. The cook was -not at home that day, so John sat down in his place, and, as he had his -cap on, nobody could see him. They put aside a part of the food for the -cook, but John ate it all. They were all surprised to see all the food -they put aside disappearing. They couldn't make out what was happening, -but they didn't care very much. And when the banquet was at an end the -devils began to dance with the queen, and they kept on dancing until -the queen had worn out all her shoes. When her shoes were worn out, -those two dragons took her on their backs again and brought her to -the place where the earth had opened before her. John said: "Let me be -where the queen is." By this time she was walking on the earth again, -and he followed her. When they came near the palace he went ahead of -the queen and went to bed; and, as the queen was going in, she saw -him sleeping, and so she went to her own room and lay down and slept. - -In the morning the lords gathered together and the king asked whether -any of them had tracked the queen. But none of them could say "Yes." - -So he summoned Sleepy John before him. John said: - -"Gracious Lord King, I did indeed track her, and I know that she used -up those twelve pairs of shoes upon the green meadows in Hell." - -The queen stood forth at once, and John took from his knapsack the -leaden twig and said: "The queen was carried by two dragons towards -Hell, and she came to the leaden forest; there I broke off this twig -and the queen was frightened." - -The king said: "That's no good. You might have made the twig yourself." - -So John produced the tin twig from his knapsack and said: "After that -the queen drove through the tin forest, and there I broke off this -twig. That time the queen grew pale." - -The king said: "You might have made even this twig." - -So John produced the silver twig and said: "Afterwards the queen drove -through the silver forest, and when I broke off this twig she fainted, -and so she was until the devils brought her to life again." - -The queen, seeing that all was known, cried out: "Let the earth -swallow me!" and she was swallowed by the earth. - -Sleepy John got the half of the kingdom, and, when the king died, -the other half too. - - - - - - - - -THREE DOVES - - -A certain merchant died. His son was nineteen years old at the -time. He said to his mother: "Mother dear, I'm going to try my luck -in the world." - -His mother answered: "Go, dear son, but don't stay long there, for -I am old, and should like some help in my old age." She fitted him -out for the journey, and said good-bye to him. - -Out into the world went the son, and he travelled on till he came -into a forest. He had been going through it for three days, and -no end appeared. On the third day he kept on and came at last to a -cottage. He went into the cottage and he saw a horrible being seated -on a stool. The fellow asked him where he was going. - -"I don't know where I am going. I'm seeking my fortune in some -service." - -"Well, if you like, you can enter my service." - -The lad was very hungry, so he took service with the other. - -His master said to him: "You must serve me for a year at least." - -So he served him for a year. He was treated very well, and he was -a faithful servant to his master. The master was a sorcerer, but he -didn't do any harm to the lad. He had a big pond, and three doves used -to come there to bathe. Each of them had three golden feathers. These -three doves were three enchanted princesses. - -When the year's service was ended, the sorcerer said: "What wages -shall I give you?" - -The lad said he left it to him. - -"You're a good lad," said the sorcerer. "Come with me to my cellar -and take as much money as you like, gold or silver, just as you wish." - -So the lad took as much as he could carry, and the sorcerer gave him -one of the three doves too, saying: - -"When you get home, if you haven't got a house of your own, have one -built, and then pluck those three feathers out of the dove, and hide -them away so carefully that no human eye can see them. The dove will -turn into a lovely princess and you may marry her." - -So he took the dove and returned home. He had a house built and made -a secret place in one of the walls for the three feathers. When he -plucked out the feathers the dove became a beautiful princess, but she -did not know where the feathers were. But his mother knew quite well, -for he had told her all and showed her where the feathers were hidden. - -When they had been living together for three years he went a-hunting -one day with another lord, and his mother stayed at home with her -daughter-in-law. The mother said to her: "Dear daughter-in-law, -I can't tell you how beautiful I think you. If one were to search -the whole world through, one couldn't find so beautiful a woman." - -The daughter-in-law answered: "Dear lady, the beauty I have now is -nothing to what I should have had I but one of my golden feathers." - -The mother went straight off, fetched one of the feathers, and gave -it to her. - -She thrust it into her skin, and she was immediately far more beautiful -than before. The mother kept looking at her, and said: "If you had the -others as well, you would be even more beautiful." Then she fetched -the other two feathers and gave them to her. - -She thrust them into her skin, and behold! she was a dove again. She -flew off through the window, thanking her mother-in-law: "Thank you, -dearest mother, for giving me these three feathers. I will wait a -little for my husband, to say good-bye to him." - -So she perched on the roof to wait till her husband should return -from the forest. - -Now, the husband's nose fell to bleeding violently. He grew frightened, -and began to wonder what great misfortune had befallen him at home. He -mounted his horse and hastened home. As he was approaching the door -the dove called out: "Good-bye, dear husband. I thank you for your -true love, but you will never see me more." - -Then the dove flew away, and the husband began to weep and to wail. Of -course, he was very angry with his mother, and he decided to go away -again and follow wherever his eyes might lead him. So he started -off, and he went back to the sorcerer in whose service he had been -before. As soon as he entered the sorcerer said: - -"Aha! you have not followed my advice. I won't help you this time; -the three doves are gone from here. But go to my brother, for all -the birds and animals are under his power, and perhaps some of them -might know where the doves are. I will give you a ball, and when you -roll it three times, you will get there this evening. You must ask -him whether he knows anything about the doves, and you must tell him, -too, that I sent you to him." - -The lad thanked him heartily and went on his way. He rolled the -ball thrice and reached the other brother's by evening. He told him -that his brother had asked to be remembered kindly to him, and then -he asked whether he knew where the doves that used to bathe in his -brother's pond were. - -The brother answered: "My good lad, I know nothing at all about -them. You must wait till morning. All the birds and animals are under -my power, and if they know anything about it, it will be all right." - -In the morning they went to the forest. The brother blew a whistle, -and instantly swarms of birds gathered round, asking what was their -master's will. - -He said: "Tell me, does any one of you know about those three golden -doves which used to bathe in my brother's pond?" - -None of them knew, so he blew his whistle again and all manner of -animals gathered round him: bears, lions, squirrels, wolves, every -kind of wild animal, and they asked what was their master's will. - -He said: "I would know whether any one of you knows anything about -three golden doves which used to bathe in my brother's pond." - -None of them knew. So he said: - -"My dear lad, I cannot help you any more in this matter, but I have -another brother, and, if he cannot tell you anything about them, -then you will never hear of them any more. He dwells twice seventy -miles from here, and all the devils of Hell are subjected to him. I -will give you another ball like the one you had yesterday, and, -when you have rolled it thrice, you will get there before evening." - -He rolled the ball thrice and got there the same evening. The sorcerer -was sitting in his garden on the grass. His hair was all dishevelled -like a mop, his paunch was bare like a pail, his nose reached to -his middle, and was as bare as a stick--in fact, his appearance -was terrible. - -The lad was terrified, but the sorcerer said: "Don't be frightened, -my boy; though I look so hideous, yet I have a good heart. What do -you want?" - -"I have come from your brother to ask whether you can tell me about -the three doves which used to bathe in your brother's pond." - -"My dear lad, I know nothing about them, but as soon as you get up -in the morning I will call my apprentices, to find if any one of them -knows anything about the doves." - -In the morning they got up and went into the forest. The sorcerer -blew a whistle, and at once hosts of devils appeared, such a multitude -that they darkened the whole forest. - -The lad was frightened, but the sorcerer said: "Don't be afraid; -not a hair of your head shall be harmed." - -The devils asked what was their master's will. - -He said: "Does any one of you know anything, about the three doves -which used to bathe in my brother's pond?" - -None of them knew anything. The sorcerer looked about him and asked: -"Where is the lame one?" - -The lame one had been left behind, but he was hurrying up for fear he -should be too late. He came and asked what was his master's will. The -sorcerer answered: "I want to find out whether you know anything -about those three doves that used to bathe in my brother's pond." - -"Of course I know about them, for I have been driving them before -me. They are bathing in the Red Sea now." - -The sorcerer said: "You must take up this man and carry him as far -as their gold-roofed palace," and he took the lad aside and whispered -in his ear: - -"When the devil asks you how quick he is to take you, if he says: -'As quickly as the wind blows?' say 'No'; and if he says, 'As quickly -as the step goes?' say 'No' again. But if he says, 'As quickly as the -air goes?' say 'Even so.' If your cap falls, do not look after it, -and don't tell the devil about it, or he will let you fall and won't -carry you to the palace. When you are seven miles from the palace you -will see it, and the devil will ask you if you see it; but shut your -eyes tight and say that you can't see it. When you are three miles from -it, you will see it quite plainly, and he will ask you again whether -you see it. But you must shut your eyes tight and say that you can't -see it. Then you will be above the palace roof, and he will ask you -again whether you see it. You must say again that you can't see it, -or he will let you drop on the roof and you won't be able to get down." - -The devil took the man and flew with him as the air goes. When they -were seven miles from the palace, the devil asked: "Do you see the -palace now? It is quite plain to see now." - -The lad shut his eyes tight and said that he couldn't see it. So they -flew on, and when they were three miles from the castle the devil -asked him did he see it now. He shut his eyes tight and said that he -couldn't see it. When they were right over the roof, the devil asked: -"Surely you must see it now; we are just over the roof." - -But he shut his eyes tight and said: "I don't see it." - -The devil said angrily: "You must be blind if you can't see it; we -are just above the roof." And he seized him in anger, and set him on -the golden table in that royal castle. - -The three princesses were sitting at the table, knitting with golden -thread. His own wife was the middle one, and she knew him at once. She -sprang up right gladly and welcomed him with joy. She nearly fainted, -she was so pleased that he had been able to come so many miles in -such a short time. - -"Welcome, dear husband, welcome! Welcome, our deliverer! You will -save us from the enchantment under which we are in this castle." - -The time passed very slowly there. So one day his wife brought him -the keys and showed him through all the rooms and closets, letting -him see everything except one room, which she would not open for him. - -The three princesses had to take the shape of doves for two hours -in the morning and three hours before the evening, and they had to -go to the Red Sea to bathe there. One day when they had gone out to -bathe he thought: "Why don't you want to open that room for me?" So -he went and searched among the other keys for the key, and opened -the room for himself. - -In the room he saw a three-headed dragon, and each of its heads was -stuck upon a hook so that it hung down from it. Under the dragon were -placed three glasses of water. The lad was terrified and started to run -away. But the dragon kept on calling out: "Don't be frightened, don't -run away, but come back again and give me that glass of water. Your -life shall be spared this once." - -So he gave him the glass of water; the dragon drained it up, and -instantly one of the heads fell from the hook. He begged again: "Now -give me that other glass of water, and your life shall be spared a -second time." - -He gave it him; the dragon drank it up, and immediately the second -head fell from the hook. Then the dragon said: "Now do as you like. But -you must give me the third glass of water, whether you like it or not!" - -In terror he gave him the third glass; the third head drank it up and -fell from its hook. Now the dragon was quite free, and instantly he -made for the Red Sea, and began to chase after the three doves until -he caught one of them. It was the lad's wife. - -The other two princesses came back again and began to weep and to wail. - -"Thou luckless fellow! we were happy in the hope that thou wouldst -deliver us, and now we are worse off than ever--now our torments will -last till doomsday!" - -He, too, burst into tears, for he was sad at heart that the dragon -had carried off his wife, whom he had won at the risk of his life. - -The princesses' three brothers were under enchantment too. One of -them was in the castle, changed into the shape of a horse. One day -the horse said to the sorrowing husband: "The dragon is away from -home now. Let us go and steal the princess." - -So they went to the dragon's castle, carried off the princess, and -ran for home. The other brother of the three princesses was in the -dragon's castle under enchantment in the shape of a horse. - -When the dragon came home, he said to the horse: "Where is my -princess?" - -The horse answered: "They came and carried her away." - -The dragon mounted the horse at once and said: "Now we'll ride as -fast as we can. We must overtake them." - -The horse answered: "We cannot possibly overtake them." - -But the dragon said: "Only let us start; we shall overtake them." - -They started, and they overtook them near the castle. The dragon -snapped the princess away at once, saying to the lad: "I promised to -spare your life in return for that glass of water; now I have spared -it, but don't dare to come to my castle ever again." - -And with that the dragon rode home, carrying the princess with him. - -Some time after that the horse said to the sorrowing husband: "The -dragon is away from home again. Let us go and steal the princess." - -So they went and stole her again. - -The dragon came home and asked the horse: "Where is my princess?" - -The horse answered: "Hibad! They have stolen her again, but we cannot -overtake them this time." - -The dragon said: "We must overtake them." - -He mounted the horse, and they went flying after them till at last they -overtook them. The dragon snapped away the princess, saying to the lad: -"There's your life spared for the second glass. But if you come again, -I'll tear you to pieces." - -The lad was sorrowful, and wept and bewailed his fate because he had -lost his wife for ever. But the horse said: - -"I will give you one more counsel. I know a place where there are -some young ravens. We will go there, and you must take the young -ravens from their nest on the tree. The old ones will fly at you -and peck you--they won't want to let you have their young chicks; -but tell them that you won't give them back their chicks unless they -bring you the healing water and the water of life. - -"When they bring the water, take one of the young ravens and pull its -head off; then dip it in the healing water and put the head to the -body again. That's how you will be certain that they have brought you -the real water of life. If the wound grows together again, you may -be sure it is the real water of life. As soon as the wound has grown -together, take the water of life and pour some of it into the raven's -bill, and when the bird revives, you will know quite certainly that -it is the water of life." - -The lad did all this. The old ravens brought him the water in leather -bottles. He took one of the chicks, pulled its head off, dipped it -into the healing water, and the wound grew together again. Then he -poured some of the water of life into its bill, and it came alive -again. Then he put the young ravens back into the nest again, took -the water, and went home. - -When he got there, the horse said to him: "The dragon is away from -home to-day. Let us go and see if we can get the princess." - -So off they went and carried away the princess. They ran off as fast -as they could. - -The dragon came home and asked the horse: "Where is my princess?" - -The horse replied: "She's gone from us. They've carried her off again, -and this time we shall never catch up with them." - -The dragon said in a rage: "What should prevent us from getting her -back? Let's go at once." - -So they flew after them, and they reached the castle just as the -fugitives were going in through the gate. - -The dragon snapped the princess away, saying to the lad: "You rascal! I -told you I would tear you to pieces if you came a third time for her." - -So he caught hold of him, and took a foot in each claw, and tore him -in two. Then he went off with the princess and the horse. - -The lad's horse took the healing water, dipped the two halves into -it, put the one against the other, and they grew together. Then he -took the water of life and poured it into the lad's mouth, and he -was alive again. Then they went into the castle. - -The lad was weeping bitterly and crying out that all was over, that -now he would be separated from his wife for ever. But the horse gave -him comfort, saying: - -"Well, I really don't know what advice I ought to give you now. We -have been three times, and he caught up with us every time. And -the last time you were torn in pieces. I don't know how things will -turn out. But I have another brother across the Red Sea, and he is -stronger than I or the dragon. If we could only get him, we should -be sure to kill the dragon. But it's a hard thing to do, for he is -in service with the Devil's grandmother. We will try it together, -if only we can manage to cross the Red Sea. And, if you follow the -advice I give you, you will get the horse. - -"You must serve the Devil's grandmother for three days, and, when -you have served the three days, you must ask for that lean horse as -wages. You will have to herd twelve horses for three days. Nobody -has ever managed to do it yet. When the first day's service is done, -on the next day the Devil's grandmother always cuts off the servant's -head and hangs it on a hook. Now, listen carefully. While you are -herding the horses, anything the hag gives you to eat at home, eat -your fill of it. But, if she gives you anything to eat in the field, -do not eat it, but throw it away. If you were to eat it, sleep would -come down on you, your horses would stray, and the Devil's grandmother -would cut off your head and hang it upon a hook." - -So off they went together till they came to the Red Sea. As they were -drawing near to the sea, they saw a huge fly entangled in a cobweb -and struggling to free itself. So the lad went up to it and said: -"Poor fly! You can't get out of that cobweb; wait a bit, and I will -help you." - -The cobweb was as big as a sheet, but he tore it in two and the fly -crept out. - -The fly said: "Thank you for helping me out of the cobweb. Tear one -of my feet from under my belly, and, whenever you are in need, think -of me, and I will help you." - -The lad thought: "Poor fly! how could you help me?" Nevertheless, -he tore off one of her feet and kept it. - -Then he went on his way, and he saw a wolf with his tail trapped under -a heavy log, and he was unable to help himself, for wolves have stiff -backs, and no wolf has ever been able to turn. The lad rolled the -log away and released the wolf. - -The wolf said: "Thank you for helping me. Take one of my claws, and, -whenever you are in sore need, think of me, and I will help you." So -the lad took one of his claws and kept it. - -When he got quite close to the sea, he saw a crab as big as a -barrel. The crab was lying on the sand with his belly upwards, and -he couldn't manage to turn himself over again. So the lad went and -turned the crab over again. The crab asked him where he was going. He -said he was going to the Devil's grandmother across the Red Sea. - -The crab said: "My dear lad, I'll make a bridge for you across the -sea, so that you will be able to get across. But, besides that, you -must pluck off one of my claws from under my belly, and when you are -in sore need, think of me, and I will help you." - -So he plucked off one of the claws and kept it. The crab sidled into -the sea, and immediately all the crabs of the sea came together, -and they closed in on one another so that they made a bridge -across the sea. The lad crossed the bridge and came to the Devil's -grandmother. She was standing waiting for him in the doorway of her -house, and welcomed him. He'd just come at the right time; she wanted -him to herd her horses. She gave him plenty of good food to eat, -and sent him out to the fields. She put twelve horses in his charge, -and said to him: - -"Look to it that you herd them well, for if you lose one of them -you will lose your head. Just look here at these twenty-four posts, -with a hook on each one of them. There are heads on twenty-three of -them. The last hook is waiting for your head. If you herd my horses -badly, that hook is waiting for your head." - -Then she fitted him out for herding the horses. She gave him a piece -of bread, so that he might have enough to eat and not starve. He -meant to follow the horse's advice, and threw the bread away. But a -fierce hunger came upon him, and he had to go and look for the bread -and eat it up. - -The moment he had eaten it he fell asleep and all the horses were -lost. When he awoke there wasn't a single horse there. Sorrowfully -he said: "The Devil's grandmother was right; my head will hang from -that hook." In his grief he thought of the fly, and it came flying -up and called out: "Why are you weeping and wailing?" - -He said that he had been hungry, and had been forced to eat the bread, -so that he fell asleep and all the horses were lost. - -The fly tried to comfort him, saying: "Don't be troubled, dear lad; -I will help you." - -So she called together all the flies, and they flew everywhere looking -for the horses, and when they found them, they buzzed round them and -plagued them till they drove them up to the herdsman. He drove them -joyfully home. - -The Devil's grandmother welcomed them, and when she saw that all -the horses were there, she said: "You've herded them well enough, -for you have brought them all back." Then she seized a hatchet and -began to beat the horses with it, and most of all the lean one, -till the flesh hung in strips from its body. The lad was sorry for -the horse, for the hag was beating it hardest and it was the leanest -of them all. But the Devil's grandmother took a salve and anointed -the horses' wounds, and they were healed by morning. - -The next day she fitted him out again for herding the horses, and -gave him some more of the bread, telling him to eat it all. But -when he came to the pasture he crumbled the bread and trampled the -crumbs into the ground, so that it should be uneatable. But it was no -good. He was forced to dig it up and eat it, earth and all, so great -was the hunger that the Devil's grandmother had sent against him. In -a moment he fell asleep and all the horses were lost. - -When he woke he saw that there were no horses there. He wept and -wailed. But he thought of the wolf, and the wolf came running up -and asked him: "Why are you weeping and wailing? Don't be troubled; -I will help you." - -He went and summoned all the wolves. A great flock of wolves ran up, -and they scattered everywhere, looking for the horses. When they found -them, they drove them to the herdsman, each horse with a wolf at its -side leading it by the ear. The herdsman was overjoyed, and took the -horses and drove them home. - -The Devil's grandmother was waiting for him in front of the house. She -said: "Indeed you have herded them well; this is the second day that -you have brought them all home." But she beat the horses with the -hatchet far worse than the day before; then she anointed their wounds -with the salve, so that they should be healed by morning. - -On the third day she sent him out again to herd the horses, and gave -him some more of the bread, telling him to eat it and not to throw it -away. But when he came to the pasture he threw the bread down on the -sand and trampled it in, so that it should be uneatable. But he had to -search it out again, so great was the hunger the Devil's grandmother -sent against him. The moment he had finished it he fell asleep and -the horses were lost. When he woke he burst into tears. This time -it was all up with him; the fly and the wolf had helped him before, -but the crab had already made a bridge for him, so there was nobody -to help him. The horses didn't know where to hide themselves to save -themselves from being beaten by the Devil's grandmother, so they -leapt into the sea, where nobody could find them. - -The herdsman was in agony, and he kept on wailing that now his head -must hang upon that hook. At last he thought of the crab. The crab -turned round in the sea, and instantly all the crabs collected and -began searching the sea for the horses, and they pinched them until -they drove them out of the sea. But the lean one, since he couldn't -think of a better hiding-place, crouched under the crab's belly. The -other crabs set to work to look for him, and at last they found -him. The big crab had to turn over, and then they drove the lean -horse out. The herdsman took the horses and drove them home joyfully, -because his three days of service were now over. - -The Devil's grandmother was waiting for him, and she beat the horses -with the hatchet so fiercely that their flesh hung in strips from -their bodies. Then she anointed them with the salve, and the wounds -healed by morning. In the morning she asked the herdsman what wages -he wanted. He answered: "I want nothing but that lean old horse." - -She said: "It would be a sorry thing to give you such a wretched -horse in return for such good service; I will give you the best horse." - -He answered: "I won't take any horse but the lean one." - -She asked him why he wanted the leanest one. He replied: "Because I -am sorry for him, for he always gets the worst beating. I will have -that one, and no other." - -So she said: "Well, I will give him to you, if you must have him, -but I will give you this fat one too. You can ride on his back home -and lead the lean one with you." - -He mounted the fat horse and rode off. But when they were drawing -near to the gate, the lean horse said: "Get down from that horse and -mount me, or you will be the worse for it." - -So he jumped down from the fat horse and mounted the lean one. - -The fat horse growled: "It's the Devil gave you that advice." - -And the lean horse said: "If you had gone under the gate on that -horse's back, he would have dashed you against the vault of the gate, -so that your head would have been knocked off, and you would have -been killed." - -So they came safely home. When the princesses saw him come back they -were delighted. - -The other horse said: "Now, brother, let us go. The dragon is away -from home, and the princess will be ours." So they went and carried -off the princess. - -When the dragon came home, he asked his horse: "Where is my princess?" - -The horse replied: "She has gone, and this time we shan't get her -back. The horse from the Red Sea has come, and he will get the better -of us all." - -The dragon took no heed of that, but flew after them and caught them -up just by the gate. He was going to snap the princess away, but this -time he could not do it. For the horse from over the Red Sea kicked -his nose with his hoof, so that the dragon fell down from his horse, -and the other two horses fell upon him, and between them they killed -the dragon. - -They came to the castle with the princess, and they were congratulating -one another on their victory over their enemy. Then the horse which -had been giving good advice to his rider all the time said: "Now, -dear brother-in-law, take my sword there hanging from the ceiling -and cut my head off." - -He was sad and said: "How could I do that, after all the acts of -kindness you have done for me?" - -The horse said: "My good friend, I cannot tell you why you must behead -me, but you would do me a great wrong if you did not do it." - -So he hesitated no longer, but cut his head off. The blood spurted -up twelve feet high, and instantly the horse became a beautiful -youth. Seeing that, the lad was quick to behead the other horses, -and they all turned into handsome princes like the first one. - -They all thanked him for delivering them, and they made him king of -that castle, and there he lived with his wife and her two sisters -in all happiness and harmony till they died. The three brothers took -possession of the dragon's castle. - - - - - - - - -THE BEAR, THE EAGLE, AND THE FISH - - -Once there was a count and he had three daughters. All of them were -young and as pretty as peacocks, but the youngest was the loveliest -of them all. The count had little money to spend, for he had lost it -all by gambling. And so--since he had to spend the time in some way -or other--he used to go hunting. One day, when he was out hunting -he lost his way in a forest, and he could not find his way out of -it. Suddenly a big bear rushed out at him, shouting at the top of -his voice. He said he would show him the way out of the forest and, -besides, he would give him as much gold and silver as he wanted on -one condition, and that condition was that the count should give him -one of his daughters in marriage. The count was terrified. But after -thinking it over for a time, he consented at last. The bear showed -him the way out of the forest and gave him everything he had promised, -and so the count was pleased. - -He spent his time eating and drinking and gambling, till all the money -melted away. He never so much as gave a thought to the bear, until -one day, when the eldest daughter was marriageable, a carriage came -rolling up. The carriage was drawn by a pair of raven-black horses, -and in it sat a prince with cheeks of white and red, whose robes -blazed with gold. He came and took the eldest daughter and drove -off. The countess wept, but the count did not mind a bit, but being -short of money, he began hunting again. - -One day he lost his way again, and this time an eagle flew down to -him and promised to show him the way out of the forest, and to give -him heaps of money into the bargain, if he would only give him his -second daughter in return. The bargain was made and the eagle fetched -away the second daughter, and only the youngest was left at home. Yet -even her the count sold, and it was a fish that got her. - -So the count and the countess were left alone. They were very sad, -but after a time a boy was born to them, and they watched over him -like the apple of their eye. When the boy was grown up, he saw that -the countess looked sad sometimes, and he gave her no rest till she -had told him everything. When he had heard the story, he put his best -clothes on, took his sword, mounted his horse, and said good-bye to his -parents, telling them that he was going to search for his lost sisters. - -So he rode on till he came to the eldest sister. Her he found playing -with three little bear cubs, for these were her babies. He met his -brother-in-law, who gave him three hairs and told him to rub those -hairs with his fingers if he found himself in any difficulty. Then -he went to the second sister, and found her with two eaglets and the -old eagle, his brother-in-law, as well. The eagle gave him three -feathers, saying they would be of help to him in time of need. He -thanked the eagle for that and went on his way, and at last he came -to his youngest sister. It was not so easy to get to her, for she -dwelt under the water, and he had to drop into her house through -the chimney. He would have missed the chimney if it hadn't been for -the smoke from it: it was bluish smoke, hardly visible. His sister -welcomed him heartily and showed him her baby, a pretty little fish, -and her husband, a giant fish. The lad got three fish-scales from -the husband to use in time of trouble. - -He learned that the bear and the eagle were the brothers of the -fish. They were sons of a powerful king, but they had been enchanted -by an envious magician and turned into these shapes. The sorcerer could -take different forms. But the brother must not let that dismay him. He -must get hold of a golden egg which was hidden in the sorcerer and -throw it on the ground. If he began to grow faint and did not know -what to do, he must call one of his brothers-in-law, and he would -advise him what to do. - -And so it was. The young count attacked the magician, who turned into -a bull. But the young count was not afraid: he rubbed the bear's hair; -the bear came running up and tore the bull in pieces. But out of the -bull flew a wild duck and tried to escape. Then the count thought of -the eagle feathers, and immediately the eagle flew up, and he tore -the duck to pieces. But a golden egg fell from the duck and it rolled -into the pond. But that too was of no avail, for the count rubbed -the fish scales, and after a while the fish threw the egg upon the -bank. The count caught it and flung it to the ground so that it was -smashed into many pieces. - -At once all around was changed. The pond turned into a meadow upon -which a beautiful castle was shining. The castle was full of servants -and the three princes, with their wives and children, were just walking -out of it. All were overjoyed to be so happily delivered, and, when -they had enough of rejoicing, they started off to find their parents. - -Their first journey was to the old count and countess, so that they -might enjoy the sight of their children and grandchildren. Afterwards -they hastened to the old king. He ordered many cannon to be fired, -and prepared a splendid banquet. And he gave the kingdom to his -eldest son. The second son went to the land of the count, and it -was divided between him and his brother-in-law. And the youngest -went to the disenchanted castle. All of them reigned prosperously -and wisely in their several realms and, if they haven't died since, -they are reigning still. - - - - - - - - -KOJATA - - -Once there was a king who had an only son. One day the king went -to inspect his estates. He came to the first farm and found it -all right. Before he had finished going the round of his estates, -thirteen big farms in all, he forgot that his wife was about to have -a child. On his way home he came to a forest, and such a thirst came -upon him that he bade his driver stop and look for some water. The -driver looked everywhere for water, but he couldn't find any. So the -king himself went to look for it, and he found a well. - -Now, just as he was going to drink, he kneeled down and he saw -something in the well which had claws like a crab and red eyes. It -seized him by the beard with one of its claws--he had a pretty long -beard--and it refused to let him go unless he promised to give it the -thing that he had at home unknown to himself. So he said to himself: "I -know everything at home." But he forgot about his wife's condition. By -this time his wife had been delivered of a prince, and so the king, -without knowing it, had promised his son to the thing in the well. And -on that it let him go. - -When he got home he saw the new-born prince, and of course he was -very sad. He remained so for twelve years. The prince asked him why he -was so sad. And the king answered: "Because you are sold." The prince -told him not to worry about it; he would be able to help himself. - -The prince called for his horse and started out. He had been riding -five days' journey from his home, when he came to a lake. There -he tethered his horse. He saw thirteen ducks swimming on the lake, -and there were thirteen shifts lying on the bank. So he carried off -one of the shifts and hid himself. When they saw this, twelve of the -ducks flew away, but the thirteenth was running hither and thither, -looking for her shift. So when he saw her running hither and thither -looking for her shift, he came out of his hiding-place. Now the father -of those ducks was the being which had seized the king by the beard. He -was a sorcerer, and his name was Kojata. - -This girl was his youngest daughter. And she said to the prince: - -"Now I will give you a good counsel. You will save me and I will save -you. My father will set you a difficult task. I will perform it for -you, but you must not let him know that I am helping you. Leave your -horse here and hurry on to my father's. He will give you a lodging, -and he will give you three days to consider over the task. You will -be in your room alone, and in the evening I will come humming to your -window, for I shall come to you in a bee's shape, because I can't -come in any other way. And you must follow my advice. My father has -thirteen daughters, and we all resemble one another exactly and we -all wear the same sort of clothes. You will have to find out which is -the youngest, but you will have no other means of recognizing me than -by noticing a tiny fly under my left eye, so be very careful about it." - -So it was. The sorcerer called him in and the thirteen daughters -were standing in a row. The sorcerer asked him whether he could -make out which was the youngest; if he could do so, his life would -be spared. So he went the round of them three times, but it was as -much as he could do to recognize her. But he pointed her out. She was -the third from the end. So the sorcerer asked him who had been giving -him advice. But the prince answered that it was none of his business. - -The next day the sorcerer gave him another task: to build a palace of -pure gold and silver without using hammer or trowel. The prince was -very worried about it. But in the evening the youngest daughter came -flying to him again, and she gave him a wand. At a single stroke of -the wand the palace rose up ready-built, and it was more perfect than -the old one. In the morning he was strolling about the palace looking -round him. When King Kojata saw him, he came up to him and stopped: -"Who has given you this counsel?" he asked. The prince answered that -it was the person who had given him advice the time before. - -So the sorcerer set him the third task, and this time the daughter -was not able to advise him. She came to him in the evening and said: -"I have no other advice than for both of us to flee at once, otherwise -you will be lost and I too." - -Now, in the evening she turned herself into a horse, and he mounted her -and rode as far as the lake. There he found his own horse, and they -both mounted it and rode off at full speed. Soon she heard a great -noise behind her, so she turned herself into a church and the prince -became a monk. The sorcerer's apprentices were riding in pursuit of -them. When they got as far as the church they turned and went back to -Kojata. When they came to him they said that they had not overtaken -anybody; they had only seen a church and a monk in it. And he said: -"Those were they!" - -Next day he sent them again to pursue the runaways. Though they -were riding faster than the day before, again they heard a trampling -behind them. So she turned herself into a great river and him into -an old broken bridge. Their pursuers came as far as the river and the -bridge, and then they turned back and reported to their king, Kojata, -that they had seen nothing but a river and a bridge. He said at once: -"Well, those were they!" - -On the third day the runaways started again and made for the border -as fast as they could, and soon they were in their own land. When -they reached the third church, the sorcerer had no more power over -them. He began to tear his hair and knock his head against the ground -and to curse his daughter for tricking him. - -So the young king came home, bringing a lovely young princess with -him. His father was very pleased at that! - - - - - - - - -SHEPHERD HYNEK - - -To cut a long story short, there was a prince and he had three -sons. The first two followed in their father's footsteps, but the third -did not. He said he would like to be a forester. The father was angry -and turned him out of the house. What was he to do with the fellow, -when he was so obstinate and would be a forester? - -"Well, be whatever you like," said the prince, and he gave him a -shepherd's dress and Hynek went out into the world. - -He had been walking through a forest for three days. He was hungry -and cold, and everything seemed to be against him. He was tired -too, and at last he fell asleep under a tree. As he was sleeping, -a black man came to him. He would not leave him to sleep, but waked -him up. Hynek was frightened. But he told him there was no need to -be afraid. He was a good man, though his skin was black. So Hynek -stayed with him for seven years and learnt the seven languages, -zither playing, and all that sort of thing. - -Now the seven years were over. In that land there was a king who had -an only daughter. And there was a fierce dragon which was ravaging -the whole of that kingdom, and everybody was forced to give him -one sheep and one human being to appease him. So the lot fell upon -the princess too. The black man told Hynek that something ought to -be done to deliver the people and to save the princess from being -devoured by that dragon. - -"Go to the next homestead," he said, "and ask to be taken on as a -shepherd, and in the morning you will have to drive the sheep into -this forest." - -So they took leave of one another. Hynek was engaged as shepherd, and -in the morning he drove the sheep into the forest, where the black -man was waiting for him. When he came with the sheep, the black man -gave him a wand and a ring, and said: - -"When you turn this ring, you will be brought to a castle where a -giant dwells, and you will have to tackle the giant. This wand will -help you to do it. Then you must take his robe, his horse, and his -sword. Then you will be brought to the town, and it will be about -the time that the princess will be brought out." - -So Hynek took his leave and found everything just as he had said. As -he came near to the castle, the giant was looking out and said: - -"You earthworm, what are you looking for?" - -"Oh! I should like to have a try for that big head of yours." - -The giant fell into a rage. He was holding a great club in his hand, -and he flung it at Hynek, but Hynek dodged aside and the club sank -deep into the ground, it had been flung with such force. So Hynek -went right up to him, and, crack! he struck him with the wand. So -the giant tumbled over. Hynek took his sword and struck his head -off. Then he took an iron key out of the giant's pocket. He opened -the lock, took the robe and the horse, and dressed himself as became a -knight. Then he turned the ring, and in a moment he found himself on -the road along which they were bringing the princess to be devoured -by the dragon. When he saw the procession, he asked: - -"What's going on here, and why are the people in such grief?" - -"Because the princess is to be devoured by a dragon to-day." - -Hynek said: "For the sake of her beauty, show me his den where -he dwells." - -So he rode up to the rock and called out loudly: "Now, dragon, come -on; your meal is ready here, waiting for you." - -But the dragon answered: "I don't want it to-day; come to-morrow, -at eleven." - -So Hynek returned. He rode towards them and said that the dragon would -not leave his den to-day. So they all went back to the town with the -knight, and the king would not let him go away on any account. But -Hynek began to make excuses. He had to deliver a letter for the field -marshal and he could not remain there. Then he turned the ring on his -finger, and instantly he was in the castle again. He left the clothes -and the horse there, putting the clothes tidily together. Then he put -on his shepherd's dress, turned the ring, and at once he was near the -forest, where the black man had been tending his sheep meanwhile. He -greeted him kindly: - -"You have done everything well. Always act like that." - -So he drove the sheep home and played the zither again. Everybody ran -up to the door to listen to the magic playing of the shepherd. But -he said nothing to anybody. - -The next day he drove the sheep to the forest still earlier. The -black man was there waiting for him, and said: "Follow my advice and -you will be happy." - -He said that he would do so. The black man was to mind the sheep -again. He gave Hynek the wand and the ring, and Hynek came to another -castle. - -The giant was looking out as he came up; he was standing in the -doorway. He asked the lad grimly what he was looking for. - -"Oh! it's nothing. I only want to try for that big head of yours." - -The giant was holding a hammer and he hurled it at him. No eye could -see where it fell. Hynek leapt towards him, and, crack! he struck -him with the wand, and the giant fell over and Hynek cut his head -off too. He took a silver key out of the giant's pocket and went -straight to the castle. There he chose a robe, girded on a sword, -took a horse, and turned the ring again. Once more he was on the road -where the princess was being brought to be devoured. He asked them -in a different language why they were wailing so. - -"Well, our princess is to be devoured by the dragon to-day. He would -not leave his den yesterday." - -"Show me his den: I will sacrifice myself for the sake of her beauty." - -They showed him the rock, and he rode straight up to it and called out: -"Now, dragon, come on; your meal is ready here." - -"I don't want it to-day, wait till eleven to-morrow." - -The king was still less willing to let him go this time, but he -found some excuse, turned his horse, and went back with everything -to the castle. - -Then he returned to the forest and the black man. The black man said: -"Drive your sheep home now, but come earlier to-morrow, for a heavy -task awaits you." - -Hynek could not rest that night: he was so afraid that he would be too -late. As soon as dawn came he let out the flock and drove it to the -forest. When he got there, the black man said to him: "There's only -to-day now. It will be the last time. But it will be a heavy task for -you to tackle the third giant and the dragon." Then he gave him the -wand and the ring, and said that the key to-day would be of gold. He -must choose the robe and take a black horse, and he must take with -him the sword with which he had killed the giant and the dragon. - -He turned the ring and was brought to the third castle. Here was a -giant again, much huger than the other two. He ran at Hynek, but, -crack! Hynek struck him with the wand. Then he took his sword and -killed him. Then he opened the castle with a golden key; he went -to the stable, then he put on a green robe and brought out a black -horse. There was a sword hanging there, and he girded it on. Then he -turned the ring, and in a moment he was on the road along which they -were bringing the princess to be devoured by the dragon. - -He asked them in yet another language why they were so sorrowful. He -was ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of her beauty. So they -showed him the den in which the dragon dwelt, and he called out: -"Well, come on, dragon; your meal is ready and waiting for you here." - -Now the rock began to shake; all the stones came rolling down, and the -dragon flew out of the rock, his seven heads burning with flame, and -he made straight for Hynek. Hynek began cutting at the seven heads -until he was weary that he could not do any more. Then the horse -began to crush the dragon, until after a while Hynek, being rested, -took his sword, and at once he cut all the seven heads off. - -He was so scorched by the fire that he could not run away, and he -fainted on the spot. The people had seen what was happening, so they -rode up and carried him away, lest he should perish of the dragon's -poison. They brought him and laid him in the princess's lap. She gave -him her ring and a golden neckchain, and so he recovered his senses -and found himself lying in the princess's lap. He was afraid that he -had stayed too long, for he was supposed to be with the marshal by -this time. They were all trying to hold him back from going, but he -found an excuse and promised he would come back within three days. So -at last they just had to let him go. - -He returned to the castle, where he put everything back in its place -again, except the sword, which he took with him and gave to the black -man. The black man said to him: "You have succeeded now, and it will -be well with both of us." - -So Hynek drove his sheep home rejoicing. He was playing the zither, -and all the people gathered outside to listen to his rare and sweet -music. He asked what had happened to the princess: had the dragon -devoured her? - -"Oh no! A knight delivered her, and the king is going to give her in -marriage to him." - -"Alas! silly shepherd that I am, why did I not tackle him myself with -my shepherd's staff!" - -But they all laughed at him: "You mind your sheep, that's what -befits you." - -In the royal castle the wedding-feast was ready. The sixth day had -come and they were still waiting for him. But the bridegroom did not -come and the princess was sad. On the sixth day he asked the marshal -if he could go to the castle to play his zither to the princess; -he would like to cheer her, since she was so sad. - -"You may go, and, if you succeed, you shall make some extra money." - -So Hynek went and played, and the music was so sweet that the lords -could listen to nothing but his beautiful playing. He played for -three hours, and then he must go home. They asked him what reward he -would like. - -"Nothing but to drink a cup of wine with the princess." - -He had ready the ring which the princess had given him when he was -in her lap. His request was granted, and the rest of the musicians -who were there were angry with him for claiming so insignificant a -reward. When they had filled the cup for him, he drank the wine and -dropped the ring into the cup. - -Now, the cupbearer who was filling the cup looked into it and saw the -glittering ring. So he hastened to the princess with it. She recognized -it as her own, so she ordered them to bring that shepherd before her. - -"Well," he said, "surely they won't beat me!" - -They brought him before the princess, and she made him tell her how -he had got that ring and how he had been clothed. - -So he said: "All those three days I was with you." - -Hynek did not go back to the marshal, though he complained of the -loss of his shepherd. He was clad in royal robes now, and they had a -splendid wedding in the castle. But the princess did not know what his -parentage was, although she could see that he was not a low-born man. - -So after a year he said he would like to visit his parents, and he -told her to prepare for the journey. She was to send a letter to -Prince So-and-So that the young queen was going to visit him. He -would go on ahead. - -So he put his shepherd's dress on once more and purposely tore it -in several places, and, when his princess arrived and everybody was -welcoming her, he went straight into the great hall. Now, when the old -Prince saw that it was his son all tattered and torn, he bade them -put him under lock and key. But he had no difficulty in escaping, -and while they were feasting, he came into the hall again and sat -down next to the princess. The father was furious that his son should -behave so shamefully. But the princess reassured him. It was all right, -she said. She did not mind at all; he might sit where he pleased. - -After dinner she called for a bath. They prepared it for her. But -Hynek was quicker, and slipped into the bathroom before her. She shut -the door and he put on his royal robes, and then they went before -his father. The Prince was frightened, since he had thought so ill -of his son, and he fell on his knees. But Hynek lifted him up and -himself kneeled before him and asked his forgiveness. - -Then came in the black man. He gave Hynek the sword and bade him cut -his head off. Hynek would not repay his kindness in this way. - -"Then we shall both be unhappy." - -So when he saw what he was to do, he cut the head off and, when he -had done that, an English prince appeared in his stead. He was only -eighteen years old. All his followers woke up too. Hynek accompanied -him to England, and then took leave of him. - -How are they all now? - -I don't know. - - - - - - - - -THE THREE ROSES - - -Once upon a time there was a mother who had three daughters. There -was to be a market in the next town, and she said she would go to -it. She asked the daughters what she should bring them back. Two of -them named a great number of things; she must buy all of them, they -said. You know the sort of women, and the sort of things they would -want. Well, when they had asked for more than enough, the mother -asked the third daughter: - -"And you, don't you want anything?" - -"No, I don't want anything; but, if you like, you can bring me three -roses, please." - -If she wanted no more than that, her mother was ready to bring them. - -When the mother knew all she wanted, she went off to market. She bought -all she could, piled it all on her back, and started for home. But -she was overtaken by nightfall, and the poor mother completely lost -her way and could go no farther. She wandered through the forest till -she was quite worn out, and at last she came to a palace, though she -had never before heard of any palace there. There was a large garden -full of roses, so beautiful that no painter alive could paint them, -and all the roses were smiling at her. So she remembered her youngest -daughter, who had wished for just such roses. She had forgotten it -entirely till then. Surely that was because she was so old! Now she -thought: "There are plenty of roses here, so I will take these three." - -So she went into the garden and took the roses. At once a basilisk -came and demanded her daughter in exchange for the roses. The mother -was terrified and wanted to throw the flowers away. But the basilisk -said that wouldn't be any use, and he threatened to tear her to -pieces. So she had to promise him her daughter. There was no help -for it, and so she went home. - -She took the three roses to her daughter and said: "Here are the -roses, but I had to pay dearly for them. You must go to yonder castle -in payment for them, and I don't even know whether you will ever -come back." - -But Mary seemed as though she didn't mind at all, and she said she -would go. So the mother took her to the castle. There was everything -she wanted there. Soon the basilisk appeared and told Mary that she -must nurse him in her lap for three hours every day. There was no -way out, do it she must, and so the basilisk came and she nursed him -for three hours. Then he went out, but he came next day and the day -after that. On the third day he brought a sword and told poor Mary -to cut his head off. - -She protested that she wasn't used to doing things like that, and do -it she could not. But the basilisk said in a rage that, if that was so, -he would tear her to pieces. As there was no choice, she went up to him -and cut his head off. And as the basilisk's head rolled on the ground, -there came forth from his body a long serpent, hissing horribly. He -asked her to cut his head off again. Mary did not hesitate this time, -but cut his head off at once. - -The serpent (by the way, he held the golden keys of that palace in -his mouth) was immediately changed into a beautiful youth, and he -said in a pleasant voice: "This castle belongs to me, and, as you -have delivered me, there is no help for it: I must marry you." - -So there was a great wedding, the castle was full of their attendants, -and they all had to play and dance. But the floor was of paper, -so I fell through it, and here I am now. - - - - - - - - -THE ENCHANTED PRINCESSES - - -In the days of King Bambita, his two noble daughters oppressed the -people, laying heavy taxes on them without the king's knowledge. The -people cursed them, and the curses did their work. The princesses -vanished. The king sent some of his servants to look for the -princesses. But the servants came back empty-handed. None of them -had been able to find the princesses. - -Now, a captain and a lieutenant heard of the king's trouble. So the -lieutenant went to the king, and "I see," says he, "that you are in -trouble. I will go and look for the princesses." - -"How much do you want for it?" asked the king. - -"Twenty pounds." - -The king agreed, and gave him the money. "If you find them," said he, -"half of my kingdom is yours." - -The lieutenant and the captain had plenty of money now, so they went -to an inn and passed the time drinking. On the third day the captain -said: "To-day I will go to the king. If he gave you twenty pounds, -he is certain to give me more." - -So he went to the king and said: "I see that your majesty is in -trouble. I should like to go and look for the princesses." - -"How much do you want for it?" said the king. - -"Thirty pounds." - -Well, the king gave him the money without any more ado, adding that, -if he found the princesses, he would get half of his kingdom. - -They fell to drinking again and had a splendid time. - -There was a drummer near them, and he heard them saying that they -were to look for the princesses. So he went to the king and said: -"I hear that your majesty is prostrated by sore trouble. I, too, -would like to look for the princesses." - -"How much do you want for it?" - -"Forty pounds, at least." - -The king gave him the money without more ado. The two officers and the -drummer left that inn for another, and so they went on spending their -money recklessly in one drinking-house after another. The drummer -went with the other two, but he was more careful than they were. He -was not such a spendthrift as the two officers. - -They asked him where he meant to go. - -"Wherever you go, I will go too," he replied. - -"Then why don't you join us and lead a gay life?" - -"That I can't do until I know where to find the princesses." - -They invited him to join them, but he refused to do it. - -At last they bought some bread and other food, and they all set out -together on their journey. They came to a dark forest, and for a -fortnight they searched it through and through, but they could find -nothing. They couldn't find their way out of the forest either, so they -agreed that one of them should climb to the top of the highest tree -to see which way they ought to go. The drummer, being the youngest, -climbed up a pine-tree. He called out: - -"I can see a cottage. Look, I will throw my hat towards it, and do -you follow the hat." - -Well, they went on until they reached the cottage. - -"Go into the room," says the drummer. - -"After you," said both the officers at once. - -So the drummer stepped inside, and an old crone welcomed him. - -"Welcome, Drummer Anthony," said she. "How did you get here?" - -"I have come to deliver the princesses, and only for that." - -"Well, you will find them, but those other two fellows will get them -from you by a trick." - -She gave him a rope three hundred fathoms long and told him to bind -it round his body. She also gave him some wine and a sponge. Then -she said: "Not far from here there is a well. When you come to it, -you must say that you will let yourself down into the well, if the -other fellows will drink the fountain dry." - -When they got to the well, the captain and the lieutenant began to -drink the fountain, but it was just as full as before. - -"If we kept on drinking this fountain till doomsday," they said, -"we could not drink it dry." - -So the drummer took the sponge, and at once the water began to -disappear, and soon the well was dry. They began to quarrel as to who -should go down the well. The one on the right side said the other -ought to go, but at last they agreed that the drummer, who was the -lightest, should go. - -So he went down, and, when he reached the bottom of the well, he found -a stone there. He drew it aside, and then he saw the light of the other -world. He lowered himself on the rope into the other world. There -he saw a beautiful palace. He went towards it. When he reached it, -he saw that the table was laid for two persons. He ate his meal and -then went into the second room. There he laid himself down to sleep, -and when he awoke in the morning, he found the Princess Anne in the -third room. - -"Welcome," she said; "what has brought you here?" - -He told her that he had come to deliver her. - -She said: "I don't know whether you will succeed in that. Here is a -sword; see if you can brandish it." - -The drummer took hold of the sword, but he could not even lift it, -it was so heavy. - -Then the princess gave him a ring. "Take this," she said, "and whenever -you think of me, you will become strong. I have to hold the dragon in -my lap for a whole hour. As soon as he comes, he will smell a man. But -you must cut him in two, for then I shall be delivered. Just at nine -o'clock he comes." - -Just at nine o'clock the palace began to tremble and the dragon -came in. But the drummer encountered him and struck him in two with -the sword. - -After that the princess took him into another room. "Now you have -delivered me," she said. "But my sister is in worse trouble still. She -has to hold a dragon in her lap for two hours, and that dragon is -even stronger than this one." - -Then they went into the fourth room, where was the Princess -Antonia. She, too, greeted him, and told him that he would be able -to deliver her if he could brandish the sword beside her. He tried, -but he could not even move it. Then she gave him a ring and told him -that, whenever he thought of her, he would have the strength of two -hundred men. She said, too, that if he succeeded in setting her free -she would marry him. - -Soon eleven o'clock came. The hall began to tremble and the dragon -appeared. But, as he was coming in, Anthony was ready for him near -the door, and he managed to cut the dragon in two. - -Now, when the two princesses had been set free, they gathered all the -precious stones they could to take with them, and went to the opening -that led into the world. But the drummer had quite forgotten the old -crone's warning about the other two fellows, and he sent the princesses -up before him. Each of the officers took a princess for himself, and -the drummer was left behind at the bottom of the well. When his turn -came, he was careful enough to tie a stone to the rope. His companions -on the top pulled it up a little way and then suddenly let it drop, -throwing down other stones into the well to kill the drummer. But -he had remembered the crone's warning that his friends would try to -trick him. So he jumped aside and remained there in the other world. - -He went back to the palace and entered the seventh room. On the table -were three boxes. He opened the first and found a whistle inside -it. He blew the whistle, and in came some generals and asked what was -his majesty's will. He said he had only whistled to find out if they -were attending to their duty. Then he looked into the second box, and -there he saw a bugle. He blew the bugle, and in came some officers, -who said just what the generals had said. In the third box he found a -drum. He beat the drum, and immediately he was surrounded by infantry -and cavalry, a great multitude of soldiers. He asked whether any of -them had ever been in Europe. Two men were found among them who had -been shipwrecked. - -"Where is the ship?" said the drummer. - -"Here on the seacoast," they replied. - -At that, Anthony decked himself out in a royal robe and started on -his travels for Europe. - -Meanwhile the two princesses had reached home. One was engaged to -be married to the lieutenant, the other to the captain. But when -the time for the wedding came, both the princesses, still thinking -of Anthony, asked for a delay of one year, and their royal father -granted their request. - -Anthony arrived safely in that land. He met a traveller and said to -him, "Look here, why should you not change clothes with me?" - -He was glad to do so, and Anthony went on to the town in which the -princesses lived and sought out a goldsmith. He asked the goldsmith -for work. - -"I haven't work enough for myself," said the goldsmith. - -"Well," said the drummer, "I have had an order for two rings, although -I was only walking the street." - -"You are a lucky fellow," said the goldsmith, and his wife, when -she heard of it, spoke in the drummer's favour, so he was taken on -as assistant. - -"Now," said he, "give me what I want and I will make the rings. But -nobody must enter my room: I will take my meals in at the door." - -On the third day one ring was finished, and this one was meant for -the Princess Anne. - -"You must take this ring to the Princess Anne, master," said he. - -"So I will," said the goldsmith; "but what is your price for it?" - -"A thousand pounds," said he. - -"If that's so, I won't go. They would put me in jail." - -"Be easy," said Anthony, "nothing will happen to you." - -So the goldsmith went to the palace, and sent in a message that his -assistant had made a ring for the Princess Anne. She sent a message -that she had not ordered a ring, but she would look at it. As soon -as she saw it, she asked: "How much do you want for this?" He replied -that he was almost afraid to say that it was worth a thousand pounds. - -"Oh! it is worth much more than that," she said, and she paid the -sum at once. - -The goldsmith returned home and told his wife what he had got for the -ring. She wondered what sort of person their new assistant was. The -master brought the money to him, but the assistant would not accept it. - -"You can keep the money for yourself," he said, "and I have just -finished the ring for the Princess Antonia. You will have to go to -the palace again with this." - -This time the master-goldsmith was ready enough to go. "How much am -I to ask for this ring?" he said. - -"Ask two thousand pounds." - -So he was brought to the princess, and he told her that his apprentice -had made a ring for her. She answered that she had not ordered a -ring. "However, show it to me." - -As soon as she glanced at it, she said: "How much do you want for -this?" - -"Two thousand pounds." - -"Oh! it's worth much more than that," she said. - -So she paid down the money and told the master-goldsmith to fetch -his assistant to her. As soon as the master came home, he told his -wife everything. She was still more astonished. - -"O Lord!" she said, "I cannot understand it at all." - -The master told Anthony that the princess bade him come and see her. - -"She can come to me," was his reply. - -When the princess heard that, she lost no time, but took some royal -garments for him, and drove to Anthony's house in the royal coach. She -went straight to him and said, "I am come to bring you home with me, -Anthony." - -She bade him put on the royal robe she had brought with her for -him, and they drove together to the palace, and their marriage was -celebrated not long after. - -The two officers thought the king would banish them or inflict -some punishment upon them, but he pardoned them and gave them -sufficient money to live at the court. Anthony himself did not care -for royalty. He and his wife arranged that they would return to the -place where he had first found the princesses. So they departed for -that land, but a storm drove them on shore near to the place where -he had met the old crone. She gave him welcome. - -"So you are back again," she said. - -They explained to her that what they wished was to go back to that -palace beneath the fountain. - -"Well," she said, "I will show you the way to the other world, and -I will let you down the well." - -They came to the opening, and Anthony was about to enter the well, -but the old hag begged him to wait with her and let the princess go -on before. - -So the princess was let down to the bottom of the well, and then -the crone said: "I won't let you follow her unless you first cut off -my head." - -"This is a strange way to repay the good you have done me," said -Anthony. - -"Well, unless you promise this you will never see your princess again." - -So he had to promise, and with that she waved her wand and a road -appeared, which led them straight to the princess. Then Anthony struck -off the crone's head, and they found themselves amid crowds of farmers -who were ploughing and soldiers standing at attention, and one and -all welcoming their new lords. For this land was an enchanted land, -and the old crone was a witch. - - - - - - - - -THE TWIN BROTHERS - - -Once there was a princess, and she was under a curse and enchantment, -so that she had to spend her life in the shape of a fish. One day a -woman happened to be working in the meadow by the river, and she saw -a flock of birds flying above the river and talking to the fish. The -woman wondered what it was that was there, so she went to the waterside -and looked in. All she saw was a fish swimming about. So she said: -"I should like to eat you, fish. I feel sure you would do me good." - -Now, when she said that, the fish answered: "You could save me. You -will have twin sons, although you have never had any children before." - -The woman said that, if she could help her in that, there was nothing -the fish could ask that she would not do to deliver her. - -The fish answered: "Catch me and take me to your field. There you must -bury me and plant a rose-tree over me. When the roses first come into -bloom you will bear twin sons. After three years, dig in the place -where you buried me and you will find two swords, and these you must -keep. Your mare will have two foals and your bitch will have two pups, -and each of your twins will have a sword, a horse, and a dog. Those -swords will have the virtue that they will help your sons to victory -over everybody. I shall be delivered as soon as my body has rotted." - -When the twin sons grew up they were very clever, and so they said: -"We must try our luck in the world. We are bold enough. One of us -will go to the East and one to the West. Each of us must look at his -sword every morning to see if the other needs his help. For the sword -will begin to rust as soon as one of us is in peril." - -So they cast lots which way they should go, and each of them took -his sword, his horse, and his dog, and away they went. - -The first rode through deep forests, and he met a fierce dragon and a -lion; so he attacked the dragon, which had nine heads. The lion stayed -quiet while the knight attacked the dragon, and at last he succeeded -in cutting one of the dragon's heads off. He felt tired then, and -the lion took his place; then the knight cut two more heads off the -dragon. And so it went on till he had all the heads cut off. Then -he cut out the tongues from all the nine heads and kept them, and so -went forward on his adventurous journey. - -Now, it chanced that there were some woodcutters in these forests, and -one of them collected all the dragon's heads, having come across them -by chance. That dragon used to come to the town and devour one person -every visit. This time the lot had fallen upon the princess, and so -she was to be devoured by the dragon. So the town was all hung with -black cloth. The woodcutter knew all about this, so he went with the -heads to the town to sue for the princess, for it had been proclaimed -that whoever killed the dragon should be her husband. When the princess -saw that such a low-born man was to be her husband she was taken aback, -and tried by all the means in her power to delay the wedding. - -The knight happened to come to the town just then, and he saw a good -inn, so he rode up to it. The innkeeper came at once to ask what he -could do for him. Now, there were other guests there, and it was a -busy place. The guests were all talking of the one matter: when the -princess was going to marry the man who had killed the dragon. The -wedding ought to have been long ago, but the bride and her parents -kept putting it off. The knight listened to all this talk, and then -he asked: - -"Are you sure that it was that woodcutter who killed the dragon?" - -They answered that it certainly was, for the heads were preserved in -the palace. - -The knight said nothing, but when he thought the proper time had come -he rode to the palace. The princess saw him from the window, and she -wondered who it might be. He was ushered in, and he went straight to -the princess and told her everything. He asked her whether he might -attend the wedding. - -She answered: "I am not at all pleased with my marriage. I would much -rather marry you, sir." - -He asked her why. - -"If he killed the dragon he must be a great man." - -"He is such a low-born man," said she, "that it is not likely that -he killed the dragon." - -"I should like to see him," said he. - -So they brought the woodcutter before him, and the knight asked to see -the heads. So they brought the heads. He looked at the heads and said: - -"There are no tongues in these heads. Where are the tongues?" - -Then he turned to the woodcutter: "Did you really kill the cruel -dragon?" he said. - -The woodcutter persisted in his story. - -"And how did you cut the heads off?" - -"With my hatchet." - -"Why, you couldn't do it with your hatchet. You are a liar." - -The woodcutter was taken aback and did not know what to say. He was -frightened already, but he said: "It happened that the dragon didn't -have any tongues." - -The knight produced the tongues and said: "Here are the tongues, -and it was I who killed the cruel dragon." - -The princess took hold of him and embraced and kissed him, and she was -ready to marry him on the spot. As for the woodcutter, he was kicked -out in disgrace, and they put him into jail for some time too. So -the princess married the knight and they lived happily together. - -One day, looking out of the window, he saw in the distance, among -the mountains, a black castle. He asked his wife what castle it was -and to whom it belonged. - -"That is an enchanted castle, and nobody who goes into it ever -returns." - -But he could not rest, and he was eager to explore the castle. So one -morning he ordered his horse to be saddled, and, accompanied by his -dog, he rode to the castle. When they reached it they found the gate -open. As he went in he saw men and animals all turned to stone. In -the hall an old hag was sitting by the fire. When she saw him she -pretended to tremble. - -"Dear lord," said she, "bind your dog. He might bite me." - -He said: "Do not be afraid. He will do you no harm." - -He bent down to pat the dog, and at that moment the hag took her -wand and struck him with it. He was turned to stone, and his horse -and dog too. - -The princess waited for her lord, but he did not return. She mourned -for him, and the citizens, who loved their lord, were grieved at -his loss. - -Now, the other brother looked at his sword, and the sword began to -rust; so he was sure that his brother was in trouble. He felt that -he must help him, so he rode off in that direction and came to the -town. The town was hung with black flags. As he rode through the -streets the citizens saw him, and they thought he was their lord, for -he had a horse and a dog just like their lord's horse and dog. When -the princess saw him, she embraced him and said: "Where have you been -so long, my dear husband?" - -He said that he had lost his way in the forest and that he had fallen -among robbers, and, since he had no choice, he had to pretend to be -a robber too, and to promise to stay with them and to show them good -hiding-places. The robbers, so he said, admitted him to be of their -company, and he had not been able to escape before this. - -Everybody was delighted, and the lord's brother was careful enough -not to say that he was only the brother. But, whenever they went to -bed, he put his sword between himself and the lady. The princess was -troubled at this, and she tried to find different explanations for the -conduct of her supposed husband. One morning, as he was looking out of -the window, he saw that same castle, and he asked what castle it was. - -She answered: "I have told you already that it is an enchanted castle, -and that nobody who goes there ever returns." - -So he thought: "It is surely there that my brother is." - -He ordered his horse to be saddled and, without saying a word to -anybody, he rode off to the castle. As soon as he entered the castle -he saw his brother and his dog turned to stone. He saw, too, all the -petrified knights and their horses, and the hag sitting and keeping -up the fire. - -He said: "You old hag, unless you bring my brother to life again I'll -hew you in pieces with this sword of mine." - -The hag knew that the sword had magical virtues, and so she said: - -"Pray, sir, do not be angry with me. Take that box there and rub the -ointment beneath his nose and he will come to life again." - -"Curse you, you evil old hag; do it yourself, and instantly." - -And he went and caught hold of her wand and struck her with it, -and at once she was turned into stone. He had not meant to do that, -for he did not know that the wand had such power. He took the box -and rubbed the ointment beneath his brother's nose, and the brother -came to life again. Then he anointed all the others who had been -turned to stone, and they all came to life again. As for the hag, -he left her there just as she was. - -Then the brothers rode off to the princess. When she saw them, she did -not know which of them was her husband, they were so like one another. - -So she said: "What am I to do now? Which of you is my lord?" - -They came before her and bade her choose the right one. But still -she hesitated. So her husband went up to her and took her by the hand -and said: "I am the right one and that is my brother." - -He told her everything, and she was glad that her real husband had -come again. So they lived happily together, and, as for the other -brother, he went to seek his fortune elsewhere. - - - - - - - - -THE WATERNICK - - -Once upon a time there were two children, a boy and a girl. They only -had a mother, who was a widow. One day their mother sent them to get -some wood for the fire. Off they went. The girl was just learning to -knit, so she put a ball of wool in her pocket. They went on as far -as they knew the way. Then suddenly they began to wonder whether they -could find their way home. - -The girl said: "I will bind the end of the thread to a tree, and so -we shall be able to find our way back." - -So they went on till the thread had all run out. Then they turned back, -but they found that wild creatures had broken the thread. What were -they to do? They wandered on till night fell, and then they saw that -they would have to spend the night in the forest. They came to a pond, -and they found that they could not go any farther. So they walked round -the pond till the Waternick got hold of them. He took them with him, -and there they were. - -When he got home with them, his wife was waiting for him. Round the -stove there were some shelves for vessels that they used for catching -poor souls in. The Waternick and his wife were delighted with the -children; they decided that they would employ them as servants, so -Mrs. Waternick took charge of them. The children spent some years in -this way and learned about everything under the water. - -One day the Waternick went away to catch some human souls, and he -gave orders to Mrs. Waternick not to leave the children alone. But -the old hag fell asleep, and the children walked some distance from -the hut, till they thought she would scold them, and so they returned -home. But they meant to go farther the next day, if only the old hag -went to sleep again. As soon as they were sure that she was asleep -they ran out of the hut and went as far as they could. - -The old hag woke up and cried out: "Where are you, children?" - -She jumped to her feet and ran after them. They were within a few steps -of getting safe away, when, alas! she overtook them. She took them -back and forced them to work, and they had to stay at home besides. - -When the Waternick came home, she told him all about it, and the -Waternick said: "Never mind, I'll set them to work, and they won't -have time to think about making their way home." - -So in the morning he took them to the forest and gave them a wooden -hatchet and a wooden saw and bade them, fell the trees. - -"When they are all cut down, you shall go back again." - -So the Waternick left them, and the children began the work at -once. They took the saw and tried to cut down a tree. But the saw -soon broke and they were done for. So they took the hatchet, and the -hatchet split in two after one stroke. They began to cry. - -"Things look bad for us," they said. - -Since they saw that they could not help themselves, they stayed where -they were, and presently they fell asleep. I don't know how long they -had been sleeping. But it was already time to go back. - -The Waternick came and asked: "Have you finished?" - -They said that the hatchet and saw were only made of wood, and that -both were broken. He took them home. - -Next day the Waternick went about his work, while Mrs. Waternick -was busy outside the hut. The children looked at the cups on the -shelves. The cups were tilted up. So the girl lifted one of them. And -she heard the words: "God speed you!" She lifted another, and the -same greeting came again. So she kept on lifting the cups till she -had lifted all of them. Human souls had been imprisoned under those -cups. Now the hag came into the room and she saw that all the cups -had been lifted. She began to curse, and she said that the children -would certainly get a good thrashing when the old man came home. - -The children often felt lonely; they thought of their mother and -wondered if she were still alive, and what they could do to get -away. So they decided that the next day, when the hag was sleeping, -they would try how far they could get. - -"If only we could get as far as home, it would be all right then." - -In the morning the girl had to comb Mrs. Waternick's hair and dress -her in her smart dress. When she had finished, Mrs. Waternick had a -sleep. Now the children took to their heels; they were as quick as -ravens, trying to get away before Mrs. Waternick should wake. Being -swift of foot, they reached the shore. They leapt out and ran straight -on again. Of course they heard the hag screeching behind them, but they -were on dry land, so they thought: "We needn't care for anything now." - -The hag soon stopped her pursuit. The children were tired, so they -lay down under a tree in the forest and fell asleep. As they were -sleeping, somebody woke them up. It was the forester. They told him -that they were afraid of falling into the Waternick's hands again. But -the forester told them not to be afraid, and asked how they came -there. The children told him everything just as it had happened. - -Now, the forester remembered that he had heard of a widow who had -lost her children. So he thought that these must be the children. He -said nothing, but he told his wife to get them some food, and asked -the children to sit down and eat. The children thought the food was -very nice, so he asked them what they were accustomed to eat. They -said they were accustomed to eat flowers. So they ate plenty. - -The forester decided to do all he could to get the children home. At -last it was discovered where their mother lived, and so the children -came back to her, and they lived with her until they died. - - - - - - - - -THE MAN WHO MET MISERY - - -Once upon a time there lived a rich man, so rich that you might almost -say he oozed gold. He had a son, and from his boyhood the lad was a -real spendthrift, for he knew nothing about hard times. Yet he had -often been told that there was Misery in the world. So when he was -grown up, he thought: "Well, I'm sick of staying at home, so I'll go -out into the world to see if I can meet Misery." - -He told this to his father, and his father said at once: "Yes, you can -go. If you stay at home, you'll soon turn into a lazy old woman. You'll -get experience in the world, and that can't do you any harm." - -So our Francis--that was his name, though really it doesn't matter -very much what his name was--took everything he wanted and started off -on his travels. So long as he had enough money, he was all right, he -couldn't meet with Misery. But when his money was all spent--that's -when everybody feels the pinch--he began to hang his head and his -travels lost a good deal of their charm. But he told people his name -and his father's name, and for a time they helped him. But at last -he came into a country that was quite strange to him. There was a -vast desert, through which he walked for a long time, and he began -to feel hungry and thirsty, but there was no water--no, not so much -as would moisten his tongue. - -Now, as he went on his way, he saw a flight of stairs going down into -a hole, and, without hesitating, down he went. - -He came into a cellar, and there he saw a man lying on a table. It -was an awfully big man, of the kind that used to be called ogres, -and he was snoring like a circular saw. - -Francis looked about him, and he saw all sorts of human bones lying -about. He thought: "That's a nice mess. I expect the fellow's a -man-eater, and he'll swallow me down like a currant. I'm done for now." - -He would have liked to go away, but he was afraid to move. But he -had a dagger, so he drew it from its sheath without making any noise, -and tried to steal up to the ogre quietly. The ogre's head was lying -on the table, so he pierced both his eyes with the dagger. The ogre -sprang up, cursing horribly. He groped about him and found that he -was totally blind. - -Francis cleared the stairs in two jumps and off he ran, trying to -get as far from the ogre as he could. But the ogre knew the place -well and kept close on his heels. - -"To think that a shrimp like that could make me suffer so!" he thought; -and yet he found that, run as he would, he couldn't catch the lad. So -he cried out: "Wait a bit, you worm! Since you're such a champion and -have managed to tackle me, I'll give you something to remember me by." - -As he said this, he flung a ring at the lad, and the jewel in it shone -like flame. The lad heard the ring tinkle as he ran by, so he picked it -up and put it on his finger. But as soon as the ring was on his finger, -the giant called out: "Where are you, ring?" And the ring answered: -"Here I am," and the ogre ran after the sound. Francis jumped on one -side, but the ogre called out again, "Where are you?" and the ring -answered: "Here!" - -So it went on for some time, until Francis was so tired that his only -thought was: "Well, if he kills me, he kills me." He tried to pull -the ring off, but it clung tight, really cutting into the flesh, and -the ogre was still following close on his heels. At last--there was -no other choice, for the ring kept on calling out "Here I am"--Francis -stretched out that finger, and the ogre broke it off with one grip. Off -ran Francis, glad enough to get off with his life. - -When he reached home, they asked him: "Did you meet Misery?" - -"Indeed I did. I know what it is now. It gave me a nice run for -it. It's an awful thing, and there's no joking with it." - - - - - - - - -NINE AT A BLOW - - -Once upon a time there was a tailor, and, whenever he hadn't a job, -he used to spend his time mending stockings. One day after dinner -the table was covered with flies. The tailor struck at them with a -stocking and killed nine of them at a blow. - -As he hadn't any job in hand, he started out to see the world, and -his belt had written on it "Nine at a blow." On his way he met a -boy, who asked him to buy a finch from him. He bought it, put it in -his knapsack, and went on his way. Then he came to a farm where the -farmer's wife was making cheese. He asked her for something to eat, -so she gave him some sour milk and a piece of Yorkshire cheese. The -tailor drank the milk and put the cheese in his knapsack and went on -his way. At last he reached a town. It was a hot day, so he lay down -and fell asleep. Now, a giant happened to pass that way, and he saw -written in golden letters: "Nine at a blow." - -So he waked the tailor and asked him: "Have you really killed nine -at a blow?" - -The tailor answered that he had, and the giant said: "Let's have a -trial which of us is the stronger. I'll cast a stone, and it will be -an hour before it comes down." - -The tailor said: "I'll cast a stone that won't come down at all." - -So the giant cast a stone, and it was a full hour before it came down -again. Instead of casting a stone, the tailor let the finch go, and, -of course, it didn't come back again. - -So the giant said: "Let's have another try. I'll crush a stone -to powder." - -The tailor said: "I'll squeeze water from a stone." - -So the giant took a pebble and crushed it to powder. The tailor took -the cheese and squeezed it till the water oozed out of it. - -The giant gave in, and acknowledged that the tailor was the stronger -of the two. So they went on together till they came to a cherry-tree -growing near a meadow, and the cherries were ripe. They wanted to pick -some of the cherries for themselves. So the tailor climbed the tree, -but the giant simply bent down the top of the tree and began to pluck -the cherries. When he had finished he let go, and the tailor was flung -onto a heap of dry grass piled up in the meadow. So the tailor said: -"If it hadn't been for my skill in flying, I should have broken my -neck," and he promised to teach the giant how to fly. - -So they went on their way again, and they came to a town. The town -was all in mourning. They asked the reason, and they were told that -a dragon had taken up his headquarters in the church and was killing -the people. The king would give a thousand pounds to whoever could -kill the dragon. So they told the king that they would kill the dragon. - -They ordered a big hammer and a big pair of tongs to be made for -them. When they were made, the giant took the tongs and he gave the -hammer to the tailor to carry. But the tailor said: "Wouldn't it shame -you if people should see us, each carrying such a trifle? Take both -the things yourself." - -When they came near the church door, the giant gave the hammer to -the tailor, who stuck fast to it. Then the dragon came dashing out, -and flung the tailor behind him, but the giant split him in twain. But -the tailor protested: - -"A nice mess you've made of it. I meant to take the dragon alive. We -should have got more money for him so." Then he said: "Now I will -teach you how to fly." - -So they climbed up the church steeple, and the tailor said: "When I -say 'One, two, three,' you must jump." And the giant jumped and broke -his neck. - -The tailor told the king that the dragon had killed the giant, so he -pocketed the thousand pounds for himself. - - - - - - - - -A CLEVER LASS - - -Once upon a time there was a shepherd. He used to pasture his sheep -upon a hill, and one day he saw something glittering on the opposite -hill. So he went there to see what it was. It was a golden mortar. He -took it up and said to his daughter: "I will give this mortar to -our king." - -But she said: "Don't do that. If you give him the mortar, you won't -have the pestle, and he is sure to ask for it, and then you will get -into trouble." - -But the shepherd thought that she was only a silly girl. He took the -mortar, and, when he came before the king, he said: "Begging your -pardon, Mr. King, I want to give you this mortar." - -The king answered him roughly: "If you give me the mortar, I must -have the pestle as well. Unless the pestle is here within three days, -your life will be forfeit." - -The shepherd began to lament: "My daughter was right when she said -that when you had got the mortar you would want the pestle too. I -wouldn't listen to her, so it serves me right." - -"Have you such a clever daughter as that?" asked the king. - -"Indeed I have," said the shepherd. - -"Then tell your daughter that I will marry her, if she comes neither -walking nor riding, clothed nor unclothed, neither by day nor by -night, neither at noon nor in the morning. And I won't ask for the -pestle either." - -The shepherd went home and said: "You can get me out of this, if you -go to Mr. King neither clothed nor unclothed," and the rest of it. - -But the daughter wasn't a bit frightened. She came with the fall of -dusk (and that was neither at noon nor in the morning); she dressed -herself in fishing-nets; she took a goat, and she partly rode on the -goat and partly she walked. - -And when the king saw that she had only a fishing-net on, that she came -with the approach of dusk, and that she was partly walking, partly -riding on the goat, he was bound to marry her. But he said to her: -"You will be my wife so long as you don't give advice to anybody; -but if you do, you must part with me." - -Well, she didn't give advice to anybody until one day there was a -market in the town, and a farmer's mare had a foal at the market. The -foal ran away to another farmer, who was there with a gelding, and -the farmer said: "This foal belongs to me." - -They went to law about it, and at last the matter came before the -king. And the king, considering that every animal ought to run to -its mother, decided that a gelding had had a foal. - -The farmer who owned the mare went down the stairs, saying over and -over again: "The gelding has foaled! the gelding has foaled!" - -The queen heard him, and she said: "Man, you are talking nonsense." - -So he told her that he had been at the market, that his mare had -foaled, but the foal ran to another farmer who was there with a -gelding. "And now," he said, "it has been decided that the gelding -has foaled." So he thought there could be no mistake; at any rate, -he couldn't help it. - -When the queen heard this story she said: "To-morrow, my lord the king -will go out for a stroll. Take a fishing-net, and begin fishing on the -road in front of him. The king will ask you: 'Why are you fishing on a -dry road?' And you must answer: 'Why not? it's as hopeful as expecting -a gelding to foal.' But you must not say who gave you this advice." - -So it was. As the king was walking along he saw the farmer fishing -on the dry road. He asked him why he was fishing there. - -"Why not?" said he, "it's as hopeful as expecting a gelding to foal." - -The king at once began to rate the farmer. "That's not out of your own -head," he said, and he kept at the farmer until he let the secret out. - -So the king came home, summoned the queen, and said to her: "You have -been with me for a long time, and you have given advice in spite of -all, so you must go to-morrow. But I will allow you to take with you -the thing you like best." - -It was no good arguing. So the king invited all his courtiers and -prepared a splendid banquet. When the banquet was finished, the queen -said to the king: "Before we part, you must drink this glass of wine -to my health," and she had put some opium into the wine on the sly. - -The king drank it at a draught and fell asleep at once. A carriage was -got ready, and the queen put the king in it and drove to her father's -old hut. There she laid the king on the straw, and, when he woke up, -he asked where he was. - -"You are with me. Didn't you tell me that I could take the thing I -liked best with me?" - -The king saw how clever she was, and he said: "Now you can give advice -to anybody you like." - -And so they drove home again, and he was king and she queen again. - - - - - - - - -THE SOLDIER AND THE DEVIL - - -A discharged soldier was going home. He had only threepence in his -pocket. As he was going through a forest he met a beggar. The beggar -asked him for a penny. The soldier gave him one, and went on his -way. Then he met another beggar. This beggar was very ill, and he asked -the soldier for a penny. So the soldier gave him the other penny. Then -he met a third beggar. This beggar was half-dead. The soldier took -pity on him and gave him the third penny. Soon after he had left the -forest our Lord appeared to him, and in return for those three pennies -He granted him three boons. For the first boon the soldier chose a -pipe that should be full of tobacco whenever he wished, so that he -might always have a smoke handy. The second boon he asked was that, -if he wanted to put any one in his knapsack, they should be in it as -soon as he said: "Leap into that knapsack." The third boon was that -his purse should be full of gold coins whenever he knocked on it. - -Our Lord said: "So be it!" - -Soon afterwards he came to a mill and asked for a night's lodging. They -said that they only had one room for themselves; the other one was -haunted by a devil every midnight. But the soldier wasn't afraid. He -said that they could leave him there alone; he didn't mind a bit. - -He sat down at the table and played cards. When midnight came there -was a terrible noise, and the devil appeared, sure enough. When he saw -the soldier playing cards he grinned; he was sure he had him. So he sat -down opposite him and began to play too. It was nearly one o'clock at -last, time for him to go, so he caught hold of the soldier and tried -to tear him in pieces. But he had no success. For the soldier said: -"Leap into my knapsack," and the devil was in it. Then the soldier -threw the sack with the devil in it under the bed, and went to sleep -in the bed. - -In the morning, as soon as he had got up, the millers went to see if -the soldier was still alive. They were greatly surprised to find him -all right. They said they would give him anything he wanted, but he -wouldn't take anything. Off he went, and called at a blacksmith's. He -told the blacksmith to give the devil in the sack a good hammering, -and then he let the devil go. - -After that he came into a town. He heard that there was a count's -daughter there who was an accomplished cardplayer. She won everybody's -money from them. He went to her palace and asked her if she would -play with him. She was ready. So they played and played, but she -couldn't win all his money from him, for his purse was always fuller -than before. It was late by now and the lady was sick of the game, -so he went to bed. He put the three precious gifts on the table, but -when he got up in the morning they were gone; the lady had stolen -them from him. He grieved over his bad luck, but it was no use, -and he had to leave the palace. - -As he went on his way, he saw a fine apple-tree by the side of the -road with delicious apples on it. So he took an apple and ate half -of it. Then he went on his way, but he was surprised to see that -everybody who looked at him ran away from him. So he went to a well -and saw that he had horns on his head; that came from his eating the -apple. Back he went, and he found a pear-tree; he ate half of a pear -and the horns fell off. - -He thought that he would give the other half of the apple to the lady, -and perhaps she would get horns too. So he went and gave her the half -apple. She enjoyed it very well, but soon horns grew on her head. The -count called together all the doctors and asked them to operate on the -horns. But the more they cut at the horns the longer they grew. So the -king proclaimed that she would marry the man who should rid her of the -horns, but if he failed, his life should be forfeit. So the soldier -came back and told the lady that he would rid her of the horns if she -would give him his three treasures back. She agreed at once. So he gave -her the other half of the pear; she ate it, and the horns fell off. - -The soldier was quite happy now. One day he met Death, and he said -to him: "Leap into my knapsack." And Death was immediately imprisoned -in the knapsack. - -The soldier was carrying Death about for some time, until at last -the Lord appeared to him and told him he must not do that: he must -let Death go, for people could not die, and there would soon be too -many of them in the world. So he let Death go. He wanted to go to -Heaven himself. But he went to Hell, and as he drew near Hell the -devils closed the gate, they were so frightened of him. When he -reached the gate of Heaven, he knocked. St. Peter opened the gate, -but he wouldn't let him in. The soldier asked him to let him have -just one peep, so that at least he might know what Heaven looked like. - -Now, he remembered that he still had his soldier's cloak in his -knapsack, so he took it out of the knapsack and threw it into -Heaven. Then he jumped after it and sat down on it, and then he said -he was sitting on his own property. He sat there for a full hundred -years, though it only seemed a short time to him. But he couldn't -come to an agreement with St. Peter on the case, so our Lord told -him that he must first die, for no living people were admitted into -Heaven. So the soldier had to leave the premises. He returned to this -world, and afterwards he went to Heaven again, and there he is still, -as right as rain. - - - - - - - - -OLD NICK AND KITTY - - -Once upon a time there was an old maid-servant on a farm. She was a -score or two years old, but she wanted to get married, though nobody -would even touch her. She never missed a dance; she was sure to turn -up at every one of them, though nobody ever asked her to dance. So -at last she said: - -"I'd dance with Old Nick if only he'd come." - -The clock struck eleven and a youth clothed in green entered the -room. He went straight up to our Kitty and began to dance with -her. All the girls couldn't keep from laughing, but they daren't laugh -openly. So they held their aprons over their faces. Kitty was very -angry, but she kept on dancing like the wind. She thought: "Let the -fools laugh; they'd be glad enough to dance with the lad themselves." - -It was hard upon twelve now, and Old Nick--for Old Nick it was--had -to start for home. But Kitty wouldn't let him go. What was he to do -with her? He was absolutely at a loss what to do, for she was clinging -on to him behind. - -He went to the pond, thinking he'd be able to throw her in. He tried -to do it, but she clasped him round the neck and he couldn't manage -it. So off he went to Hell with her. But the people of Hell made an -outcry against her and wouldn't let her stay at any price. - -"Hang it all!" says Old Nick, "I can't go all round the world with -her." - -At last he met a shepherd: "I say, shepherd," says he, "would you -like this maiden here?" - -"A nice maiden that is, the ugly old spinster! Keep her for -yourself. You can pickle her." - -Now, when the devil saw that he was going to fail again, he promised -the shepherd a heap of money, only to rid himself of the hideous old -crone. But the shepherd refused. - -"I'll make it so much," says Old Nick. - -"Well, if you will, I agree." - -Now, the shepherd was a good-looking fellow, and Kitty was easily -persuaded to stay with him. He had lots of money now, and he had -the same idea as the devil, to throw her into the pond. What else -could he do with such a hideous old hag? He had a great fur coat, -and he put it on so high over his head that she couldn't catch hold -of his neck, and, plump! off she went into the pond. But, you know, -a bad one's a bad one, and you can't get rid of them so easily. So -it was with Kitty. She wasn't drowned. - -A short time after this, Old Nick had an appointment with a man. I -don't exactly know how the case stood, but anyhow the devil was to -get him. The man asked the shepherd to save him; he was quite ready -to pay him well for it. - -"All right," says the shepherd, "I can do that much for you. Old Nick -and I are the best of friends." - -Now, a crowd of people had collected and they were all wondering how it -was going to end. In comes Old Nick. The shepherd runs to meet him and: -"Old Kitty's here asking for you," says he. - -The devil left things as they were, and before you could say "Jack -Robinson" he was off. So it all turned out all right. - - - - - - - - -THE KNIGHT BAMBUS - - -There was a poor gamekeeper once, who had suffered from hard times -all his life, so as he grew older, he wanted to get rich. He was -only an under-forester. One day the forester said: "Near those old -ruins, you know the ones I mean, a fox or a roe, or some creature of -that sort, often crosses my path, and I can never manage to hit it, -though I have shot at it a hundred times. If you happen to be going -in that direction, look out for it." - -When the gamekeeper heard this, the first thing he did was to go to -the ruins. Just as he got there, a huge fox appeared with a rustling -noise. The gamekeeper felt uneasy, but the fox disappeared at once, so -he sat down, put five big charges in his gun, and waited. It wasn't -long till the fox appeared again, and this time he was carrying -a young fawn in his mouth. The gamekeeper shot at him--boom! The -fox cried out, and ran off into the bushes. But the gamekeeper saw -that the fawn had run away and hidden itself in a cave. He thought: -"The fox cried out, so he has some of my shots in his fur coat. I'll -get him some other time." - -So he went into the ruins through the gate. Within, there was -a courtyard all deserted, and with its wall fallen down. So the -gamekeeper passed through the courtyard and came into a spacious -cellar. There he saw three lamps burning, and looking round, he was -filled with amazement. But all this was as nothing, for in the corner -were three glittering heaps of golden coins and one heap of big gold -pieces. The gamekeeper reflected: "If I had all that, I should give -up gamekeeping and have a splendid time." - -No sooner had he said this than a grey old man appeared and asked: -"What are you looking for, gamekeeper?" - -"Well, I shot at a fox and he ran in somewhere here, and so I'm -wandering about looking for him." - -"You won't get the fox you're looking for, for I am he." - -"And why are you here in a fox's shape? What's the reason of that?" - -"I am the Knight Bambus, and all these forests belong to this castle. I -was a robber-knight, and so as a punishment I have to keep watch -here now." - -"And how long is it to last?" - -"When three poor people come here, and each of them takes away two -sackfuls of gold, I shall be delivered. I am bound to give all this -gold away for nothing. Already I have outlived three generations of -my kinsmen here." - -Then he bade him fetch two leather sacks from the other room and -collect the gold into them, filling them up to the brim. He must keep -it all for himself and must not tell any one what he had seen. The -gamekeeper promised that he wouldn't even tell his wife, Háticka, -how he had got the money. So he filled the two sacks up to the brim, -and the old man helped him to hoist them on to his shoulders and -saw him out of the door. All the time he kept warning him to keep -his mouth shut: "For what a woman knows all the world knows; that's -gospel truth, sure enough." - -So the gamekeeper left the castle, carrying those two sacks, and the -man shook hands with him before he left. At the border of the forest, -near a beech-tree, his wife, Háta, was standing looking for him. She -ran up to him. - -"Great Heavens, Florian! where have you been all this long time? I -have been looking everywhere for you for three days." - -Now Florian was delighted that his wife had come to meet him, so -he blurted out: "Háticka, wife, Count Bambus has given me these two -sacks of gold pieces. Have a look here--see what heaps of the stuff -there are!" and he let one of the sacks fall on the ground. But -behold! instead of gold there were only rustling leaves in it. Then -he remembered that he was not to say anything about it. He frowned, -and his wife burst into tears; and they had to spend the rest of -their life, until they died, in poverty just as before. - - - - - - - - -FRANCIS AND MARTIN - - -Once there was a father who had only one son, Francis by name. They had -a farmhand called Martin. One day Martin and Francis were ploughing -behind the barn. Francis's mother brought their meal for them, and -Francis said: "Well, mother, the old man must have a lot more money -than he lets on to have. We are not in debt, and yet he's always -complaining that he hasn't any money." - -"Well, my son, you see, he's built that large building." - -Next day Francis and Martin were ploughing together again. They -decided that they must get on the old man's track to see whether he -had any money, and where he hid it. Francis promised Martin that, -if he could find it out, he would build a cottage for him at the back -of the barn. So they agreed that Martin should stay away from church -to try to find out if the farmer had any money hidden away at home. - -When Sunday came, Francis went to church, but Martin kept on saying -he wouldn't go, until the farmer forced him to go. So he dressed for -church and went out through the farm gate. But he came back on the -other side, climbed over the fence, and hid himself in the barn. Soon -after this the farmer came into the barn, carrying a basket full of -coins. He dug a hole in the threshing-floor, put the money in it, -and said: "Black Barabbas! preserve this money for me! Thou black -bird! I put it in thy power!" Then he went and fetched a second basket -and put it in the hole. But while he was gone to fetch the money, -Martin slipped out of his hiding-place, took some of the money, and -put it in his boots. Now, the farmer came back again with a third -basket, and said once more: "Thou black bird! keep this money for -me, and let nobody else have it, unless he gets it by ploughing this -threshing-floor with three black goats!" - -As he was saying these words, a blackbird was soaring above his head -and crying out: "Master, what about the money in the boots?" - -But the farmer did not understand what it meant, and so he went to -look at his own boots, which were in the room. But he found no money -there, so he was angry and said: "What, you devil! it's rubbish you -are talking. I've looked in my boots and there's nothing there." Then -he buried the money, stamped down the threshing-floor hard again, -and went out. - -Martin went to the stable, and there he found Francis waiting for -him to tell him what the parson's sermon had been about that day, -so that he would know what to say if the farmer asked him about it. - -Soon afterwards the old man was taken ill and died. The two lads -were pleased at this, for they hoped that they wouldn't be long about -getting the money. Martin got three black goats, he put them in the -plough, and sent Francis to plough there. The wind began to blow -violently, and the whole barn looked as though it were on fire. He -was frightened and stopped ploughing, and immediately the whole barn -was just as it had been before. So he went out of the barn and asked -Martin to plough for him. Martin started, and, although the wind blew -violently enough, he kept on ploughing until he got the money. - -When Francis had the money, he began to build just as he wanted until -he had spent it all. Then he gave Martin the sack. - -Martin said sorrowfully: "This is the world's gratitude." - - - - - - - - -WITCHES AT THE CROSS - - -Though the witches used to be pretty lively in other places, they -were fond of climbing up and down the cross that stands by the road -to Malá Cermá (near Slaný). Joe Hilma heard tell of this, so he took -his horse and off he rode to see. He took with him a piece of chalk -which had been blessed, and made a circle with it. Then he went into -the circle and waited till midnight. Then, sure enough, he saw the -witches, a great swarm of them, climbing up and down the cross. They -didn't see him while this was going on, but when he rode out of the -circle, off went the witches after him. He galloped home at full -speed. When he rode into the yard they were close on his heels. They -couldn't go any farther, for they had no power to do it. I don't know -how it happened, but one of them flung a burning broom after him. The -broom hit the door, and the door was burned. Joe had quite enough of -seeing the witches. - - - - - - - - -THE WITCH AND THE HORSESHOES - - -Once there was a farmer's wife--I can't tell you which one--who was -a witch. Now these folks used to have a feast every Eve of St. Philip -and St. James. As soon as they began to burn the brooms she couldn't -rest: go she must. So she stripped her clothes off, and, standing -under the chimney, she anointed herself with some ointment. When she -had finished, she said: "Fly, but don't touch anything." And away -she flew in the twinkling of an eye. Yes, that was just how it was. - -But the farmhand was watching all this from the stables, and he -watched carefully where she put the ointment. So he went in too, -stripped his clothes off, and anointed himself. He said: "Fly, -but don't touch anything." And off he flew till he came to the -place where the witches were having their feast. Now, when he came -there, the farmer's wife knew him, and, to hide herself from him, -she turned herself into a white horse. But he did not lose sight of -the horse. He mounted it and went to the smith with it, and told him -to shoe it. Next day the woman had four horseshoes on, two on her -hands and two on her feet. And she had to stay like that always! - - - - - - - - -THE HAUNTED MILL - - -There was a haunted mill, and, dear me, what was it like! A rope-dancer -came there with some monkeys. In the evening the Waternick came with -a basketful of fishes. He made a fire and fried the fishes. Meanwhile -the monkeys had been sitting behind the stove, but when the Nick -put the fishes in the pan and was tasting whether they were done, -the monkeys came from behind the stove, and one of them put its paw -into the pan. The man smacked him over the paw and said: "Get away, -pussy! You didn't catch them, so don't eat them." And the monkey -ran away. - -After awhile comes another monkey and puts his paw in the pan. He -smacked him too and said the same. But the rope-dancer had a bear, -too, which was lying under the table all the time; and, when he heard -the Waternick speak, he came from under the table, ran straight to the -pan, and put his paw into it. The Waternick did the same to him as he -had done to the monkeys. But the bear couldn't stand that. He sprang -upon the poor Waternick and gave him a good beating. The Waternick -had to run off, leaving the fishes behind. He didn't haunt the mill -any more, and that's how they got rid of him. - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Czech Folk Tales, by Josef Baudiš - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CZECH FOLK TALES *** - -***** This file should be named 52596-0.txt or 52596-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/5/9/52596/ - -Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project -Gutenberg (This file was produced from images generously -made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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-} -.xd21e131 -{ -text-align:center; -} -.xd21e136width -{ -width:550px; -} -.xd21e143width -{ -width:424px; -} -.xd21e164width -{ -width:192px; -} -.xd21e245width -{ -width:571px; -} -.xd21e1086width -{ -width:577px; -} -.xd21e1220width -{ -width:571px; -} -.xd21e1621width -{ -width:522px; -} -.xd21e1806width -{ -width:586px; -} -.xd21e2378width -{ -width:581px; -} -.xd21e2508width -{ -width:585px; -} -.xd21e2525 -{ -text-align:center;font-size:smaller; -} - -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Czech Folk Tales, by Josef Baudiš - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Czech Folk Tales - -Author: Josef Baudiš - -Release Date: July 17, 2016 [EBook #52596] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CZECH FOLK TALES *** - - - - -Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project -Gutenberg (This file was produced from images generously -made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="front"> -<div class="div1 cover"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e125width"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Original Front Cover." width="454" height="720"></div> -<p class="par"></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class="div1 frenchtitle"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first xd21e131">CZECH FOLK TALES</p> -</div> -</div> -<div class="div1 frontispiece"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e136width"><img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" -alt="Frontispiece: girl in traditional dress." width="550" height= -"720"></div> -<p class="par"></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class="div1 titlepage"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e143width"><img src="images/titlepage.png" alt="Original Title Page." width="424" height="720"></div> -<p class="par"></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class="titlePage"> -<div class="docTitle"> -<div class="mainTitle">CZECH FOLK TALES</div> -</div> -<div class="byline">SELECTED AND TRANSLATED BY<br> -<span class="docAuthor">DR. JOSEF <span class="corr" id="xd21e157" -title="Source: BAUDIS">BAUDIŠ</span></span>, M.R.I.A.<br> -LECTURER IN COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY AT THE PRAGUE UNIVERSITY</div> -<div class="docImprint">WITH 8 ILLUSTRATIONS -<div class="figure xd21e164width"><img src="images/logo.jpg" alt="Publisher’s logo." width="192" height="193"></div> -<br> -LONDON: GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD.<br> -RUSKIN HOUSE 40 MUSEUM STREET, W.C. 1</div> -</div> -<div class="div1 copyright"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first xd21e131"><i>First printed in 1917</i></p> -<p class="par xd21e131">(<i>All rights reserved</i>) <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd21e183" href="#xd21e183" name="xd21e183">vii</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="preface" class="div1 preface"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e261">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">PREFACE</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">The present collection has been selected from the -following sources:—</p> -<div class="blockquote"> -<p class="par first">Josef Kubín, <span lang="cs">Povídky -kladské</span>, i., ii. (in “<span lang= -"cs">Národopisný věstník -českoslovanský</span>”).</p> -<p class="par">V. Vondrák, <span lang="cs">Několik -pohádek z Dubu u Vodňan</span> (S. Bohemia), in -“<span lang="cs">Český Lid</span>,” xiii.</p> -<p class="par">V. Tille, <span lang="cs">Povídky sebrané -na Valašsku</span> (S. Moravia). “<span lang= -"cs">Národopisný sborník -českoslovanský</span>,” Svazek vii. Prague, 1901.</p> -<p class="par">Elpl, <span lang="cs">Řada pohádek a -pověstí nasbíraných v Líšni u -Brna</span> (Moravia).</p> -<p class="par">B. M. Kulda, <span lang="cs">Moravské -národní pohádky a pověsti</span>, i. (Prague, -1874). From Moravia.</p> -<p class="par">The first two stories (“Twelve Months,” -“Víťazko”) have been retold by the novelist -Božena Němcová (from the Slovak).</p> -</div> -<p class="par"></p> -<p class="par">My translation could not be, of course, a literal one, -because many phrases in the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd21e229" -href="#xd21e229" name="xd21e229">viii</a>]</span>original might seem -strange to the English reader’s ear.</p> -<p class="par">Finally, I wish to express my thanks to Miss Eleanor -Hull and Mr. Robin Flower for revising my English.</p> -<p class="par signed">JOSEF BAUDIŠ.</p> -<p class="par dateline"><span class="sc">London</span>, <i>October -1917</i>. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd21e242" href="#xd21e242" -name="xd21e242">ix</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class="div1 frontispiece"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e245width"><img src="images/p-viii.jpg" alt="Group of people standing around a wood-fire at night." width="571" -height="720"></div> -<p class="par"><span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd21e249" href="#xd21e249" -name="xd21e249">xi</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="toc" class="div1 contents"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">CONTENTS</h2> -<table class="tocList"> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"></td> -<td class="tocPageNum">PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#preface" -id="xd21e261" name="xd21e261">PREFACE</a></span></td> -<td class="tocPageNum">vii</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#intro" -id="xd21e268" name="xd21e268">INTRODUCTION</a></span></td> -<td class="tocPageNum">xiii</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch1" id="xd21e275" name="xd21e275">THE TWELVE MONTHS.</a></span> From B. -Němcová</td> -<td class="tocPageNum"><span class="corr" id="xd21e279" title= -"Source: 2">1</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch2" id="xd21e283" name="xd21e283">VÍŤAZKO.</a></span> From B. -Němcová</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">16</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch3" id="xd21e290" name="xd21e290">BOOTS, CLOAK, AND RING<span class="corr" id="xd21e292" title="Source: ..">.</span></a></span> From B. M. Kulda</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">39</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch4" id="xd21e299" name="xd21e299">SILLY JURA.</a></span> From B. M. Kulda</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">55</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch5" id="xd21e306" name="xd21e306">SLEEPY JOHN.</a></span> From B. M. -Kulda</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">61</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch6" id="xd21e313" name="xd21e313">THREE DOVES.</a></span> From B. M. -Kulda</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">71</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch7" id="xd21e320" name="xd21e320">THE BEAR, THE EAGLE, AND THE -FISH.</a></span> From Elpl</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">98</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch8" id="xd21e327" name="xd21e327">KOJATA.</a></span> From V. Tille</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">103</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch9" id="xd21e335" name="xd21e335">SHEPHERD HYNEK.</a></span> From -Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">111</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch10" -id="xd21e342" name="xd21e342">THE THREE ROSES.</a></span> From -Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">123</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch11" -id="xd21e349" name="xd21e349">THE ENCHANTED PRINCESSES.</a></span> From -Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">129</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch12" -id="xd21e356" name="xd21e356">THE TWIN BROTHERS.</a></span> From -“<span lang="cs">Český Lid</span>,” xiii. p. 84 -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd21e364" href="#xd21e364" name="xd21e364">xii</a>]</span></td> -<td class="tocPageNum">142</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch13" -id="xd21e367" name="xd21e367">THE WATERNICK.</a></span> From -Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">151</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch14" -id="xd21e374" name="xd21e374">THE MAN WHO MET MISERY.</a></span> From -Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">157</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch15" -id="xd21e381" name="xd21e381">NINE AT A BLOW.</a></span> From -“<span lang="cs"><span class="corr" id="xd21e385" title= -"Source: Ceský">Český</span> Lid</span>,” -xiii. p. 130</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">161</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch16" -id="xd21e393" name="xd21e393">A CLEVER LASS.</a></span> From -Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">165</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch17" -id="xd21e400" name="xd21e400">THE SOLDIER AND THE DEVIL.</a></span> -From “<span lang="cs">Český Lid</span>,” xiii. -p. 167</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">170</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch18" -id="xd21e410" name="xd21e410">OLD NICK AND KITTY.</a></span> From -Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">179</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch19" -id="xd21e417" name="xd21e417">THE KNIGHT BAMBUS.</a></span> From -Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">182</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch20" -id="xd21e425" name="xd21e425">FRANCIS AND MARTIN.</a></span> From -“<span lang="cs">Český Lid</span>,” xiii. p. -213</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">186</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch12">WITCHES AT THE CROSS.</a></span> From Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">190</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch22" -id="xd21e442" name="xd21e442">THE WITCH AND THE HORSESHOES.</a></span> -From Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">191</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tocDivNum"></td> -<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="7"><span class="sc"><a href="#ch23" -id="xd21e449" name="xd21e449">THE HAUNTED MILL.</a></span> From -Kubín</td> -<td class="tocPageNum">195</td> -</tr> -</table> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par">The first two illustrations are copies of pictures by -<span class="corr" id="xd21e456" title="Source: Joseph Manes">Josef -Mánes</span>; the others have been drawn by Mr. E. Staňek, -who in some cases has adapted drawings by Mikuláš -Aleš. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd21e459" href="#xd21e459" -name="xd21e459">xiii</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="intro" class="div1 introduction"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e268">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">INTRODUCTION</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">The present collection is intended to exemplify -the spirit of the Czech race. It may perhaps be objected that folk-tale -themes are part of a common stock belonging to all European races, and -even to many primitive peoples: but though this is perfectly true, it -is also no less certain that the spirit of the nation manifests itself -in the manner of their telling. The selection has been made from all -sorts of folk tales, artistic and primitive alike; and yet two things -are common to all of them: the moral tendency and a sense of humour. By -this I do not mean morality in the vulgar sense of retribution for -evil, or of filial devotion, or the sentimental insistence upon -“every one living happily ever afterwards,” and above all -upon Jack marrying his Molly. I mean that higher sort of morality which -was the mainspring of Protestantism. It is often supposed that -Protestantism is <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd21e465" href="#xd21e465" name="xd21e465">xiv</a>]</span>very unfavourable to the -development and preservation of folk tales; but those of Bohemia are -certainly an exception to this rule. The Czech nation was the first to -adopt the Protestant faith, and even to-day is still Protestant at -heart, though the Habsburgs forced it back into the Catholic fold.</p> -<p class="par">The Czechs, then, have preserved their love for folk -tales, adapting them to the higher morality and to the national -sentiment, and discarding many of their supernatural features, or where -the supernatural was allowed to remain for a moment, reverting very -soon to the strict limits of probability. It is the very same method -which, for example, Mr. Wells employs in some of his novels. That the -Slav nations have a certain tendency to lay stress upon the ethical -side in their folk tales has already been pointed out by the Czech poet -Erben, whose tales have been translated into English in -Wratislaw’s Collection.</p> -<p class="par">As for their humour, the Czechs have a natural tendency -to satire. The best works in Old Czech literature are satires, and in -modern times one of the most brilliant of Czech politicians, Karel -Havliček, was also the greatest Czech satirist. This spirit may -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd21e471" href="#xd21e471" name="xd21e471">xv</a>]</span>also be seen in the present collection; but in -every case the story-teller, instead of assuming the attitude of the -morality preacher or of indulging in theatrical invective against the -wickedness of the times, rests content with a good-humoured gibe at the -folly of the world, at the frailty of his fellow-men, and, it may be, -at his own.</p> -<p class="par">These two traits are inherent in the nature of the Czech -people; and those who know their love of such tales and of the -literature which has grown out of them, can realize their search for a -haven of refuge from the cruel present and their fond dream-pictures of -a land where all was good, where at last everything was bound to end -well, where truth and justice at last had conquered. Alas! to the -victims of Habsburg rule and Austrian bayonets the bare possibility -seemed utterly excluded. And yet why should they not dream of such a -land? <i lang="la">Amo quia absurdum!</i> But at the very moment their -humorous <i>ego</i> could not suppress a sneer. Yes, even in that -wonderland which their fancy painted are foolish kings, ever prone to -break their word: even there people are bad and stupid! But our tale -says that the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd21e481" href="#xd21e481" -name="xd21e481">xvi</a>]</span>bad were vanquished and the foolish put -to shame: let, then, the tale be told! And even as he tells it, his -heart nurses the inward hope that the foreign tyrants who oppress him -may one day be vanquished and annihilated.</p> -<p class="par">That such were the wishes of the Czech people, the Great -War has shown. They have proved by their deeds their love of freedom; -and to-day Czechs are fighting bravely in every Allied army and in -their own national units formed in Russia. May their Austrian -oppressors be brought to the ground, and may Bohemia regain the freedom -for which she has longed for three centuries! <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb1" href="#pb1" name="pb1">1</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="body"> -<div id="ch1" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e275">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE TWELVE MONTHS</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once upon a time there lived a mother who had two -daughters. One was her own child, the other her stepdaughter. She was -very fond of her own daughter, but she would not so much as look at her -stepdaughter. The only reason was that Maruša, the stepdaughter, -was prettier than her own daughter, Holena. The gentle-hearted -Maruša did not know how beautiful she was, and so she could -never make out why her mother was so cross with her whenever she looked -at her. She had to do all the housework, tidying up the cottage, -cooking, washing, and sewing, and then she had to take the hay to the -cow and look after her. She did all this work alone, while Holena spent -the time adorning herself and lazing about. But Maruša liked -work, for she was a patient girl, and when her mother scolded and rated -her, she bore it like a lamb. It was no <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb2" href="#pb2" name="pb2">2</a>]</span>good, however, for they grew -crueller and crueller every day, only because Maruša was growing -prettier and Holena uglier every day.</p> -<p class="par">At last the mother thought: “Why should I keep a -pretty stepdaughter in my house? When the lads come courting here, they -will fall in love with Maruša and they won’t look at -Holena.”</p> -<p class="par">From that moment the stepmother and her daughter were -constantly scheming how to get rid of poor Maruša. They starved -her and they beat her. But she bore it all, and in spite of all she -kept on growing prettier every day. They invented torments that the -cruellest of men would never have thought of.</p> -<p class="par">One day—it was in the middle of -January—Holena felt a longing for the scent of violets.</p> -<p class="par">“Go, Maruša, and get me some violets from -the forest; I want to wear them at my waist and to smell them,” -she said to her sister.</p> -<p class="par">“Great heavens! sister. What a strange notion! Who -ever heard of violets growing under the snow?” said poor -Maruša.</p> -<p class="par">“You wretched tatterdemalion! how dare you argue -when I tell you to do something? Off you go at once, and if you -don’t bring <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb3" href="#pb3" name="pb3">3</a>]</span>me violets from the forest I’ll kill -you!” said Holena threateningly.</p> -<p class="par">The stepmother caught hold of Maruša, turned her -out of the door, and slammed it to after her. She went into the forest -weeping bitterly. The snow lay deep, and there wasn’t a human -footprint to be seen. Maruša wandered about for a long time, -tortured by hunger and trembling with cold. She begged God to take her -from the world.</p> -<p class="par">At last she saw a light in the distance. She went -towards the glow, and came at last to the top of a mountain. A big fire -was burning there, and round the fire were twelve stones with twelve -men sitting on them. Three of them had snow-white beards, three were -not so old, and three were still younger. The three youngest were the -handsomest of them all. They were not speaking, but all sitting silent. -These twelve men were the twelve months. Great January sat highest of -all; his hair and beard were as white as snow, and in his hand he held -a club.</p> -<p class="par">Maruša was frightened. She stood still for a time -in terror, but, growing bolder, she went up to them and said: -“Please, kind <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb4" href="#pb4" -name="pb4">4</a>]</span>sirs, let me warm my hands at your fire. I am -trembling with the cold.”</p> -<p class="par">Great January nodded, and asked her: “Why have you -come here, my dear little girl? What are you looking for?”</p> -<p class="par">“I am looking for violets,” answered -Maruša.</p> -<p class="par">“This is no time to be looking for violets, for -everything is covered with snow,” answered Great January.</p> -<p class="par">“Yes, I know; but my sister Holena and my -stepmother said that I must bring them some violets from the forest. If -I don’t bring them, they’ll kill me. Tell me, fathers, -please tell me where I can find them.”</p> -<p class="par">Great January stood up and went to one of the younger -months—it was March—and, giving him the club, he said: -“Brother, take the high seat.”</p> -<p class="par">March took the high seat upon the stone and waved the -club over the fire. The fire blazed up, the snow began to melt, the -trees began to bud, and the ground under the young beech-trees was at -once covered with grass and the crimson daisy buds began to peep -through the grass. It was springtime. Under the bushes the violets were -blooming <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb5" href="#pb5" name="pb5">5</a>]</span>among their little leaves, and before Maruša -had time to think, so many of them had sprung up that they looked like -a blue cloth spread out on the ground.</p> -<p class="par">“Pick them quickly, Maruša!” -commanded March.</p> -<p class="par">Maruša picked them joyfully till she had a big -bunch. Then she thanked the months with all her heart and scampered -merrily home.</p> -<p class="par">Holena and the stepmother wondered when they saw -Maruša bringing the violets. They opened the door to her, and -the scent of violets filled all the cottage.</p> -<p class="par">“Where did you get them?” asked Holena -sulkily.</p> -<p class="par">“They are growing under the bushes in a forest on -the high mountains.”</p> -<p class="par">Holena put them in her waistband. She let her mother -smell them, but she did not say to her sister: “Smell -them.”</p> -<p class="par">Another day she was lolling near the stove, and now she -longed for some strawberries. So she called to her sister and said: -“Go, Maruša, and get me some strawberries from the -forest.”</p> -<p class="par">“Alas! dear sister, where could I find any -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb6" href="#pb6" name="pb6">6</a>]</span>strawberries? Who ever heard of strawberries growing -under the snow?” said Maruša.</p> -<p class="par">“You wretched little tatterdemalion, how dare you -argue when I tell you to do a thing? Go at once and get me the -strawberries, or I’ll kill you!”</p> -<p class="par">The stepmother caught hold of Maruša and pushed -her out of the door and shut it after her. Maruša went to the -forest weeping bitterly. The snow was lying deep, and there -wasn’t a human footprint to be seen anywhere. She wandered about -for a long time, tortured by hunger and trembling with cold. At last -she saw the light she had seen the other day. Overjoyed, she went -towards it. She came to the great fire with the twelve months sitting -round it.</p> -<p class="par">“Please, kind sirs, let me warm my hands at the -fire. I am trembling with cold.”</p> -<p class="par">Great January nodded, and asked her: “Why have you -come again, and what are you looking for here?”</p> -<p class="par">“I am looking for strawberries.”</p> -<p class="par">“But it is winter now, and strawberries -don’t grow on the snow,” said January.</p> -<p class="par">“Yes, I know,” said Maruša sadly; -“but my sister Holena and my stepmother bade <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb7" href="#pb7" name="pb7">7</a>]</span>me bring -them some strawberries, and if I don’t bring them, they will kill -me. Tell me, fathers, tell me, please, where I can find -them.”</p> -<p class="par">Great January arose. He went over to the month sitting -opposite to him—it was June—and handed the club to him, -saying: “Brother, take the high seat.”</p> -<p class="par">June took the high seat upon the stone and swung the -club over the fire. The fire shot up, and its heat melted the snow in a -moment. The ground was all green, the trees were covered with leaves, -the birds began to sing, and the forest was filled with all kinds of -flowers. It was summer. The ground under the bushes was covered with -white starlets, the starry blossoms were turning into strawberries -every minute. They ripened at once, and before Maruša had time -to think, there were so many of them that it looked as though blood had -been sprinkled on the ground.</p> -<p class="par">“Pick them at once, Maruša!” -commanded June.</p> -<p class="par">Maruša picked them joyfully till she had filled -her apron full. Then she thanked the months with all her heart and -scampered <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb8" href="#pb8" name="pb8">8</a>]</span>merrily home. Holena and the stepmother wondered -when they saw Maruša bringing the strawberries. Her apron was -full of them. They ran to open the door for her, and the scent of the -strawberries filled the whole cottage.</p> -<p class="par">“Where did you pick them?” asked Holena -sulkily.</p> -<p class="par">“There are plenty of them growing under the young -beech-trees in the forest on the high mountains.”</p> -<p class="par">Holena took the strawberries, and went on eating them -till she could eat no more. So did the stepmother too, but they -didn’t say to Maruša: “Here is one for -you.”</p> -<p class="par">When Holena had enjoyed the strawberries, she grew -greedy for other dainties, and so on the third day she longed for some -red apples.</p> -<p class="par">“Maruša, go into the forest and get me some -red apples,” she said to her sister.</p> -<p class="par">“Alas! sister dear, how am I to get apples for you -in winter?” protested Maruša.</p> -<p class="par">“You wretched little tatterdemalion, how dare you -argue when I tell you to do a thing? Go to the forest at once, and if -you don’t bring me the apples I will kill you!” threatened -Holena. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb9" href="#pb9" name="pb9">9</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The stepmother caught hold of Maruša and pushed -her out of the door and shut it after her. Maruša went to the -forest weeping bitterly. The snow was lying deep; there wasn’t a -human footprint to be seen anywhere. But she didn’t wander about -this time. She ran straight to the top of the mountain where the big -fire was burning. The twelve months were sitting round the fire; yes, -there they certainly were, and Great January was sitting on the high -seat.</p> -<p class="par">“Please, kind sirs, let me warm my hands at the -fire. I am trembling with cold.”</p> -<p class="par">Great January nodded, and asked her: “Why have you -come here, and what are you looking for?”</p> -<p class="par">“I am looking for red apples.”</p> -<p class="par">“It is winter now, and red apples don’t grow -in winter,” answered January.</p> -<p class="par">“Yes, I know,” said Maruša sadly; -“but my sister and my stepmother, too, bade me bring them some -red apples from the forest. If I don’t bring them, they will kill -me. Tell me, father, tell me, please, where I could find -them.”</p> -<p class="par">Great January rose up. He went over to <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb10" href="#pb10" name="pb10">10</a>]</span>one of -the older months—it was September. He handed the club to him and -said: “Brother, take the high seat.”</p> -<p class="par">Month September took the high seat upon the stone and -swung the club over the fire. The fire began to burn with a red flame, -the snow began to melt. But the trees were not covered with leaves; the -leaves were wavering down one after the other, and the cold wind was -driving them to and fro over the yellowing ground. This time -Maruša did not see so many flowers. Only red pinks were blooming -on the hillside, and meadow saffrons were flowering in the valley. High -fern and thick ivy were growing under the young beech-trees. But -Maruša was only looking for red apples, and at last she saw an -apple-tree with red apples hanging high among its branches.</p> -<p class="par">“Shake the tree at once, Maruša!” -commanded the month.</p> -<p class="par">Right gladly Maruša shook the tree, and one apple -fell down. She shook it a second time, and another apple fell down.</p> -<p class="par">“Now, Maruša, run home quickly!” -shouted the month.</p> -<p class="par">Maruša obeyed at once. She picked up <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb11" href="#pb11" name="pb11">11</a>]</span>the -apples, thanked the months with all her heart, and ran merrily -home.</p> -<p class="par">Holena and the stepmother wondered when they saw -Maruša bringing the apples. They ran to open the door for her, -and she gave them two apples.</p> -<p class="par">“Where did you get them?” asked Holena.</p> -<p class="par">“There are plenty of them in the forest on the -high mountain.”</p> -<p class="par">“And why didn’t you bring more? Or did you -eat them on the way home?” said Holena harshly.</p> -<p class="par">“Alas! sister dear, I didn’t eat a single -one. But when I had shaken the tree once, one apple fell down, and when -I shook it a second time, another apple fell down, and they -wouldn’t let me shake it again. They shouted to me to go straight -home,” protested Maruša.</p> -<p class="par">Holena began to curse her: “May you be struck to -death by lightning!” and she was going to beat her.</p> -<p class="par">Maruša began to cry bitterly, and she prayed to -God to take her to Himself, or she would be killed by her wicked sister -and her stepmother. She ran away into the kitchen.</p> -<p class="par">Greedy Holena stopped cursing and began <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb12" href="#pb12" name="pb12">12</a>]</span>to eat -the apple. It tasted so delicious that she told her mother she had -never tasted anything so nice in all her life. The stepmother liked it -too. When they had finished, they wanted some more.</p> -<p class="par">“Mother, give me my fur coat. I’ll go to the -forest myself. That ragged little wretch would eat them all up again on -her way home. I’ll find the place all right, and I’ll shake -them all down, however they shout at me.”</p> -<p class="par">Her mother tried to dissuade her, but it was no good. -She took her fur coat, wrapped a cloth round her head, and off she went -to the forest. Her mother stood on the threshold, watching to see how -Holena would manage to walk in the wintry weather.</p> -<p class="par">The snow lay deep, and there wasn’t a human -footprint to be seen anywhere. Holena wandered about for a long time, -but the desire of the sweet apple kept driving her on. At last she saw -a light in the distance. She went towards it, and climbed to the top of -the mountain where the big fire was burning, and round the fire on -twelve stones the twelve months were sitting. She was terrified at -first, but she soon recovered. She <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb13" -href="#pb13" name="pb13">13</a>]</span>stepped up to the fire and -stretched out her hands to warm them, but she didn’t say as much -as “By your leave” to the twelve months; no, she -didn’t say a single word to them.</p> -<p class="par">“Why have you come here, and what are you looking -for?” asked Great January crossly.</p> -<p class="par">“Why do you want to know, you old fool? It’s -no business of yours,” replied Holena angrily, and she turned -away from the fire and went into the forest.</p> -<p class="par">Great January frowned and swung the club over his head. -The sky grew dark in a moment, the fire burned low, the snow began to -fall as thick as if the feathers had been shaken out of a down quilt, -and an icy wind began to blow through the forest. Holena couldn’t -see one step in front of her; she lost her way altogether, and several -times she fell into snowdrifts. Then her limbs grew weak and began -slowly to stiffen. The snow kept on falling and the icy wind blew more -icily than ever. Holena began to curse Maruša and the Lord God. -Her limbs began to freeze, despite her fur coat. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb14" href="#pb14" name="pb14">14</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">Her mother was waiting for Holena; she kept on looking -out for her, first at the window, then outside the door, but all in -vain.</p> -<p class="par">“Does she like the apples so much that she -can’t leave them, or what is the matter? I must see for myself -where she is,” decided the stepmother at last. So she put on her -fur coat, she wrapped a shawl round her head, and went out to look for -Holena. The snow was lying deep; there wasn’t a human footprint -to be seen; the snow fell fast, and the icy wind was blowing through -the forest.</p> -<p class="par">Maruša had cooked the dinner, she had seen to the -cow, and yet Holena and her mother did not come back. “Where are -they staying so long?” thought Maruša, as she sat down to -work at the distaff. The spindle was full already and it was quite dark -in the room, and yet Holena and the stepmother had not come back.</p> -<p class="par">“Alas, Lord! what has come to them?” cried -Maruša, peering anxiously through the window. The sky was bright -and the earth was all glittering, but there wasn’t a human soul -to be seen.... Sadly she shut the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb15" -href="#pb15" name="pb15">15</a>]</span>window; she crossed herself, and -prayed for her sister and her mother.... In the morning she waited with -breakfast, she waited with dinner; but however much she waited, it was -no good. Neither her mother nor her sister ever came back. Both of them -were frozen to death in the forest.</p> -<p class="par">So good Maruša inherited the cottage, a piece of -ploughland and the cow. She married a kind husband, and they both lived -happily ever after. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb16" href="#pb16" -name="pb16">16</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch2" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e283">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">VÍŤAZKO</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once there was a mother, and, being a mother, she -had a son. She suckled him for twice seven years. After that she took -him into a forest and told him to pull up a fir-tree, roots and all. -But the lad could not pull up the fir-tree.</p> -<p class="par">“You are not strong enough yet,” said the -mother. So she suckled him for another seven years. When she had -suckled him for thrice seven years, she took him to the forest again -and told him to pull up a beech-tree, roots and all. He seized hold of -the beech and pulled it up.</p> -<p class="par">“Now you are strong enough. So you are Victor -(Víťazko). Now you can provide for me.”</p> -<p class="par">“Yes, I will. Only tell me what I can do for -you.”</p> -<p class="par">“You must get me a good house first, and then you -can take me there,” said the mother, and she went home. -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb17" href="#pb17" name="pb17">17</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">Víťazko took the beech-tree which he had -pulled up, and, carrying it in his hand like a club, he started in -search of a house for his mother. Following the wind, he walked by old -roads and paths until he came to a castle. This castle was inhabited by -griffins.</p> -<p class="par">When Víťazko reached the castle, the -griffins would not let him in. But he did not wait long for their -permission: he smashed the gate and went into the castle and killed the -griffins; their bodies he flung over the wall, and then he went for a -walk through the castle. He was pleased with everything he saw. The -rooms were nice, nine in number, but the tenth was closed. When he had -gone through the nine he went into the tenth, and there he saw a -griffin chained to the wall by three iron bands.</p> -<p class="par">“What are you doing here?” asked -Víťazko.</p> -<p class="par">“I am sitting here, as you see. My brothers have -chained me here. Untie my bonds and I will give you a splendid -reward.”</p> -<p class="par">“You must be a wicked old rascal if your own -brothers tied you there. I won’t unfasten your bonds -either,” said Víťazko.</p> -<p class="par">So he slammed the door, and went off to <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb18" href="#pb18" name="pb18">18</a>]</span>fetch -his mother to the castle. When he had brought her there, he showed her -everything, but he did not open the tenth room, and he forbade her to -enter that room, for otherwise there would be trouble. As soon as -Víťazko left the house, the mother could not rest, and she -kept on walking near the door of that tenth room, till at last she went -in, and, of course, she found the griffin there.</p> -<p class="par">“What are you doing here, and who are -you?”</p> -<p class="par">“I am a griffin. My own brothers chained me here. -They would have unfastened my bonds again, but your son has killed them -all. Untie my bonds and I will reward you, and, if you like, I will -marry you,” said the griffin.</p> -<p class="par">“And what would Víťazko say?” -answered the mother.</p> -<p class="par">“What could he say? We will put him out of the -world, and you will be your own mistress.”</p> -<p class="par">The mother hesitated long enough, but at last she -consented, and then she asked the griffin how she could untie his -bonds.</p> -<p class="par">“Go into the cellar and fetch me a cup of wine -from the last cask.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb19" href="#pb19" name="pb19">19</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The mother went into the cellar and brought him a glass -of wine from the last cask. As soon as he had drained the first cup, -crash! the first chain fell down. The mother brought him another cup -and—well! the second chain snapped. So he begged her to bring him -a third cup, and when she brought him the third cup the third chain -broke too and the griffin was free again.</p> -<p class="par">“But what am I to tell my son when he comes -back?” said the mother anxiously.</p> -<p class="par">“Oh! you must feign illness, and when he asks you -what will save you, say that nothing can save you but a suckling of the -earth sow. When he goes to get it, the sow will tear him in -pieces.”</p> -<p class="par">Well (but not particularly well!), when -Víťazko returned from the chase, bringing a buck for his -mother, she groaned and complained: “Alas! my dear son, your toil -has been in vain. It is no use your bringing me this good food; I -cannot eat it, for I am deadly sick.”</p> -<p class="par">“Alas! mother, you must not die. Only tell me what -would cure you, and I will bring it for you, even though it were from -hell,” cried the good Víťazko, for he loved his -mother well. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb20" href="#pb20" name="pb20">20</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“I can only be cured if I get the suckling of the -earth sow.”</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko did not wait; he took his beech-tree -and set off in quest of the earth sow. He wandered through the country, -poor soul! for he did not know where to go, till at last he came to a -tower, and there he found Holy Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“Where are you going?” asked Holy -Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“I am going to the earth sow to get one of her -sucklings. My mother is ill, but this will cure her.”</p> -<p class="par">“My dear boy, it will be a hard task for you to -get that piglet. However, I will help you. Only you must follow my -advice exactly.”</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko promised that he would follow it -exactly. So first she gave him a long, sharp spit, and then she -said:</p> -<p class="par">“Go to the stable and take my horse. He will bring -you to the place where the earth sow lies buried in the earth. When you -have come there you must prick one of her pigs. The pig will squeak, -and the sow, hearing it, will start up and run round the earth in a -moment. But she won’t see you <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb21" -href="#pb21" name="pb21">21</a>]</span>or anybody else, and so she will -tell the pigs that if they squeak again she will tear them to pieces. -Then she will lie down to sleep, and then you must spit the pig and run -quickly away. The pig will be afraid to squeak, the sow won’t -stir, and my horse will carry you away.”</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko promised to carry out her directions -exactly. He took the spit, mounted the magic horse, and it brought him -swiftly to the place—far, very far it was—where the earth -sow lay buried in the earth. Víťazko pricked one of the -pigs, and it squeaked terribly. The sow started wildly up and ran round -the earth in one moment. But the magic horse did not move, so the sow -did not see him or anybody else, and she said angrily to the pigs:</p> -<p class="par">“If one of you squeaks, I will tear you all to -pieces at once.”</p> -<p class="par">Having said this, she buried herself again.</p> -<p class="par">At once Víťazko spitted the pig. It kept -quiet and didn’t squeak at all, and the magic horse began to fly, -and it wasn’t long till they were home again.</p> -<p class="par">“Well, Víťazko, how did it go?” -asked Holy Sunday. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb22" href="#pb22" -name="pb22">22</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“Well, it went just as you said, and here is the -pig.”</p> -<p class="par">“Very well. Take it to your mother.”</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko gave her back the spit; he led the -magic horse back to its stall, thanked Holy Sunday, and, hanging the -pig from the beech-tree, made haste to go home to his mother.</p> -<p class="par">The mother and the griffin were feasting; they did not -expect Víťazko, and here he was. They ran away and -discussed what they should do with him.</p> -<p class="par">“When he has given you the pig, you must still -pretend to be ill,” said the griffin; “and when he asks you -what will save you, tell him that only the Water of Life and the Water -of Death can cure you. If he goes in quest of that, he is bound to -perish.”</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko came running to the castle full of -joy. He gave the pig to his mother, but she still went on groaning and -complaining that she was going to die, and that the pig would not cure -her.</p> -<p class="par">“Alas! mother, don’t die, but tell me what -will cure you, so that I may bring it for you at once,” said -Víťazko anxiously.</p> -<p class="par">“Ah! my dear son, I can only be cured <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb23" href="#pb23" name="pb23">23</a>]</span>by the -Water of Life and the Water of Death, and where would you get -that?” sighed the mother.</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko did not waste time thinking about -it. He grasped his beech, and off he went to Holy Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“Where are you going, Víťazko?” -asked Holy Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“I am coming to you to ask where I could find the -Water of Life and the Water of Death, for my mother is still ill, and -only those will cure her.”</p> -<p class="par">“It will be a hard task for you to get them, but I -will help you as well as I can. Here are two jugs; mount my magic -horse, and he will bring you to two banks. Beneath those two banks -spring forth the Water of Life and the Water of Death. The right bank -opens at noon, and from beneath it gushes the Water of Life. The left -bank opens at midnight, and beneath it is the Water of Death. As soon -as the bank opens, run up to it and fill your jug with water, and so -you must do in the other case too. When you have the water, come back. -Follow my instructions carefully.”</p> -<p class="par">Saying this, she gave him two jugs. He <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb24" href="#pb24" name="pb24">24</a>]</span>took -them and mounted the magic horse, and in a moment they were gone like -the wind. The two banks were in a far distant land, and thither the -magic horse brought Víťazko. At noon he raised the right -bank and the Water of Life gushed forth, then, crash! the bank fell -down again, and it was a wonder that it did not take -Víťazko’s heels off. Quickly Víťazko -mounted the magic horse and made haste for the left bank. There they -waited till midnight. When the bank lifted, beneath it was the Water of -Death. He hurried to it and filled the jug, and, crash! down fell the -bank again; and it was a marvel it didn’t take -Víťazko’s hand off. Quickly he mounted the magic -horse, the horse flew off, and soon they were home again.</p> -<p class="par">“Well, Víťazko, how have you -fared?” asked Holy Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“Oh! everything went all right, Holy Sunday; and -here is the water,” said Víťazko, giving her the -water.</p> -<p class="par">Holy Sunday kept the water, and gave him two jugs full -of spring water and told him to take them to his mother. -Víťazko thanked her and went home. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb25" href="#pb25" name="pb25">25</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The mother and the griffin were carousing as before, for -they did not expect that he would ever return—and there he was -just outside. They were terribly frightened, and considered how they -could get rid of him.</p> -<p class="par">“You must pretend to be sick still, and tell him -you won’t recover unless you get the Pelican bird, and he will -perish on the quest,” said the griffin.</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko brought the water joyfully, but the -mother was still groaning and complaining; even that was no good, she -was sure she was going to die.</p> -<p class="par">“Ah! don’t die, sweet mother. Tell me what -will cure you, and I shall be glad to get it all for you,” said -the good lad.</p> -<p class="par">“There is no help for me unless I can see the -Pelican bird. Where could you get it for me?” groaned the -mother.</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko took his beech again, and it was no -trouble to him to go to Holy Sunday once more.</p> -<p class="par">“Where are you going?” asked Holy -Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“Well, I am coming to you to ask for advice. -Mother is still sick; the water did not cure her either, and she says -she must <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb26" href="#pb26" name="pb26">26</a>]</span>see the Pelican bird. And where is the Pelican -bird?”</p> -<p class="par">“My dear child, it would be very hard for you to -get the Pelican bird. But I will help you all I can. The Pelican bird -is a gigantic bird. His neck is very long, and, whenever he shakes his -wings, he raises such a wind that the trees begin to shake. Here is a -gun; mount my magic horse, and he will bring you to the place where the -Pelican bird lives. But be careful. Point the gun against the wind from -whatever quarter it blows, and when the hammer falls, ram the gun with -the ramrod and come quickly back. You must not look into the -gun.”</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko took the gun and mounted the magic -horse, and the horse spread his wings, and they were flying through the -air a long way until they came to a vast desert, where dwelt the -Pelican bird. There the magic horse stopped. Now Víťazko -perceived that the wind was blowing strongly on his left cheek, so he -pointed the gun in that direction, and, clap! the hammer fell. -Víťazko rammed the gun quickly with the ramrod and flung it -over his shoulder, and the horse started flying, and very soon they -were home again. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb27" href="#pb27" name="pb27">27</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“Well, how did things go?”</p> -<p class="par">“I don’t know whether they went well or ill, -but I did what you commanded,” answered Víťazko, -handing down the gun to Holy Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“All right. You did quite right. Here he -is!” she said. And then she took out the Pelican bird. Then she -gave Víťazko another gun to shoot an eagle with. He went -out into the forest, and returned before long with an eagle. She gave -him this eagle for his mother, in place of the Pelican bird.</p> -<p class="par">The griffin and the mother were making merry again, -hoping that Víťazko would never come back, but he was -already near. They were terrified, and began to consider what new task -they were to set him.</p> -<p class="par">“You must pretend to be sick still, and tell him -nothing can do you any good but the golden apples from the garden of -the Griffin. If he goes there the Griffin will tear him in pieces, for -he is enraged because Víťazko has killed his -brothers.”</p> -<p class="par">Joyfully Víťazko gave the bird to his -mother, but she still kept on groaning; nothing was any good, only the -golden <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb28" href="#pb28" name="pb28">28</a>]</span>apples from the garden of the Griffin could save -her.</p> -<p class="par">“You shall have them,” said -Víťazko, and without resting, he started again and came to -Holy Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“Where are you going, -Víťazko?”</p> -<p class="par">“Well,” he replied, “not even that did -her any good. Mother is still sick, for only the golden apples from the -garden of the Griffin will cure her.”</p> -<p class="par">“Well, you’ll have to fight, my boy,” -said Holy Sunday; “but, even though you were stronger than you -are, it would be a bad look-out for you. Still, I will help you all I -can. Here is a ring for you; put it on your finger, and, when you are -in need, think of me, turn the ring round on your finger, and you will -have the strength of a hundred men. Now mount the magic horse; he will -take you there.”</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko thanked her heartily, mounted the -magic horse, and was carried by him a far journey, till they came to a -garden hedged about by a high rampart. Had it not been for the magic -horse Víťazko could never have got into the garden, but the -horse flew like a bird over the rampart. Víťazko leapt down -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb29" href="#pb29" name="pb29">29</a>]</span>from the horse, and instantly began to look for a -tree with golden apples. A beautiful girl met him and asked him what he -was looking for. Víťazko said that he was looking for -golden apples to cure his sick mother, and begged her to tell him where -to look for them.</p> -<p class="par">“The apple-tree is under my charge, and I must not -give the apples to anybody, or the Griffin would tear me to pieces. I -am a king’s daughter, and the Griffin carried me off and brought -me to this garden and put me in charge of the apples. Go back, good -youth, go back, for the Griffin is very strong, and, if he sees you, he -will kill you like a fly,” said the girl.</p> -<p class="par">But Víťazko was not to be turned back, and -he hastened on into the garden. So the princess pulled off a priceless -ring and handed it to Víťazko, saying: “Take this -ring, and when you think of me and turn this ring round on your finger, -you will have the strength of a hundred men, otherwise you could not -gain the victory over the Griffin.”</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko took the ring and put it on his -finger. He thanked her and went off to the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb30" href="#pb30" name="pb30">30</a>]</span>centre -of the garden. In the middle of the garden stood an apple-tree full of -golden apples, and underneath it a horrible Griffin was lying.</p> -<p class="par">“What do you want here, murderer of my -brothers?” shouted the Griffin.</p> -<p class="par">“I have come to get some apples from this -tree,” answered Víťazko undauntedly.</p> -<p class="par">“You shall not have any of the apples unless you -wrestle with me,” exclaimed the Griffin angrily.</p> -<p class="par">“I will if you like. Come on!” said -Víťazko, and he turned the ring on his right hand and -thought of Holy Sunday. He set his legs wide apart and they began to -wrestle. In the first round the Griffin moved Víťazko a -little, but Víťazko drove him into the ground above his -ankles. Just at this moment they heard a swirl of wings above them, and -a black raven shouted to them:</p> -<p class="par">“Which am I to help, the Griffin or -Víťazko?”</p> -<p class="par">“Help me,” said the Griffin.</p> -<p class="par">“And what will you give me?”</p> -<p class="par">“I will give you gold and silver as much as you -like.”</p> -<p class="par">“Help me,” cried Víťazko, -“and I will <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb31" href="#pb31" -name="pb31">31</a>]</span>give you all those horses grazing on yonder -meadow.”</p> -<p class="par">“I will help you, then,” said the raven. -“But how am I to help you?”</p> -<p class="par">“Cool me when I grow hot,” said -Víťazko. He felt hot indeed, for the Griffin was breathing -out fire against him. So they went on wrestling. The Griffin seized -Víťazko and drove him into the ground up to his ankles. -Víťazko turned the ring, and again he thought of Holy -Sunday. He put his arms round the Griffin’s waist and drove him -down into the ground above his knees. The black raven dipped his wings -in a spring, and then he alighted on Víťazko’s head -and sprinkled cool drops over Víťazko’s hot cheeks, -and thus he cooled him. Then Víťazko turned the other ring -and thought of the beautiful maiden, and they began wrestling again. So -the Griffin drove Víťazko into the ground up to his ankles, -but Víťazko took hold of him and drove him into the ground -up to his shoulders, and quickly he seized his sword, the gift of Holy -Sunday, and cut the Griffin’s head off.</p> -<p class="par">The princess came to him at once and plucked the golden -apples for him. She thanked him too for delivering her, and said -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb32" href="#pb32" name="pb32">32</a>]</span>that she liked him well and she would marry -him.</p> -<p class="par">“I like you well too,” confessed -Víťazko, “and, if I could, I would go with you at -once. But if you really love me, and if you will consent to wait a year -for me, I will come to you then.”</p> -<p class="par">The princess pledged herself by shaking hands with him, -and she said she would wait a year for him. And so they said good-bye -to each other. Víťazko mounted his horse, cleared the -rampart at a leap, killed the horses on the meadow for the black raven, -and hastened home.</p> -<p class="par">“Well, how have you fared?” asked Holy -Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“Very well, but if it hadn’t been for a ring -which was given me by a princess I should have fared very badly,” -answered Víťazko, and he told her everything. She told him -to go home with the golden apples and to take the magic horse with him -too. Víťazko obeyed.</p> -<p class="par">The griffin and the mother were carousing again. They -were greatly startled when Víťazko came riding home; they -had never expected that he would return alive even from <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb33" href="#pb33" name="pb33">33</a>]</span>the -garden of the Griffin. The mother asked what she should do; but the -griffin had no more shifts; he made off to the tenth room at once and -hid himself there. When Víťazko had given the apples to his -mother, she pretended that the mere sight of them had cured her, and, -rising from the bed, she put the finest of food before -Víťazko and then began to caress him as she used to do -sometimes when he was a tiny baby. Víťazko was delighted to -see his mother in good health again. The mother took a strong cotton -cord and said jestingly: “Lie down, dear son; I will wind this -cord round you as I used to wind it round your father, to see if you -are as strong as he was, and if you can break it.”</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko smiled and laid himself down, and -allowed his mother to wind the cord round him. When she had finished, -he stretched his limbs and snapt the cord in pieces.</p> -<p class="par">“You are strong,” she said. “But wait! -I will wind this thin silk cord round you to see if you can break it -also.”</p> -<p class="par">So she did. Víťazko tried to stretch his -limbs, but the more he stretched, the deeper <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb34" href="#pb34" name="pb34">34</a>]</span>the cord -cut into him. So he was helpless, and had to lie like a baby in its -swaddling-clothes. Now the griffin hastened to cut his head off; he -hewed the body in pieces and hung the heart from the ceiling. The -mother packed the body in a cloth, and put the bundle on the back of -the magic horse, which was waiting in the courtyard, saying:</p> -<p class="par">“You carried him alive, so you can carry him dead -too, wherever you like.”</p> -<p class="par">The horse did not wait, but flew off, and soon they -reached home.</p> -<p class="par">Holy Sunday had been expecting him, for she knew what -would probably happen to him. Without delay she rubbed the body with -the Water of Death, then she put it together and poured the Water of -Life over it. Víťazko yawned, and rose to his feet alive -and well. “Well, I have had a long sleep,” he said to -himself.</p> -<p class="par">“You would have been sleeping till doomsday if I -hadn’t awakened you. Well, how do you feel now?”</p> -<p class="par">“Oh! I am all right! Only, it’s funny: -it’s as though I had not got any heart.”</p> -<p class="par">“That is true; you haven’t got a -heart,” answered Holy Sunday. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb35" -href="#pb35" name="pb35">35</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“Where can it be, then?”</p> -<p class="par">“Where else should it be, but in the castle, -hanging from the crossbeam?” said Holy Sunday, and she told him -all that had happened to him.</p> -<p class="par">But Víťazko could not be angry, neither -could he weep, for he had no heart. So he had to go and get it. Holy -Sunday gave him a fiddle and sent him to the castle. He was to play on -the fiddle, and, as a reward, was to ask for the heart, and, when he -got it, he must return at once to Holy Sunday—those were her -orders.</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko went to the castle, and when he saw -that his mother was looking out of the window, he began playing -beautifully. The mother was delighted with the music below, so she -called the old fiddler (for Holy Sunday had put that shape upon him) -into the castle and asked him to play. He played, and the mother danced -with the griffin; they danced hard, and did not stop until they were -tired. Then the mother gave the fiddler meat and drink, and she offered -him gold, but he would not take it.</p> -<p class="par">“What could I do with all that money? I am too old -for it,” he answered. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb36" href="#pb36" name="pb36">36</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“Well, what am I to give you, then? It is for you -to ask,” said the mother.</p> -<p class="par">“What are you to give me?” said he, looking -round the room. “Oh! give me that heart, hanging there from the -crossbeam!”</p> -<p class="par">“If you like that, we can give it to you,” -said the griffin, and the mother took it down and gave it to -Víťazko. He thanked them for it, and hastened from the -castle to Holy Sunday.</p> -<p class="par">“It is lucky that we have got it again,” -said Holy Sunday; and she took the heart in her hands, washed it first -in the Water of Death and afterwards in the Water of Life, and then she -put it in the bill of the Pelican bird. The bird stretched out his long -neck and replaced the heart in Víťazko’s breast. At -once Víťazko felt it joyfully leaping. And for this service -Holy Sunday gave the Pelican bird his freedom again.</p> -<p class="par">And now she said to Víťazko: “You must -go once more to the castle and deal out justice. Take the form of a -pigeon and, when you think of me, you will regain your own -shape.”</p> -<p class="par">No sooner had she said this than Víťazko was -changed into a pigeon, and away he <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb37" -href="#pb37" name="pb37">37</a>]</span>flew to the castle. The mother -and the griffin were caressing each other when suddenly a pigeon -alighted on the window-sill. As soon as the mother saw the pigeon she -sent the griffin to shoot him, but before the griffin could get hold of -his crossbow the pigeon flew down into the hall, took human form, -seized the sword and cut the griffin’s head off at a stroke.</p> -<p class="par">“And what am I to do with thee, thou -good-for-nothing mother?” he said, turning to his mother, who in -terror fell at his feet begging for mercy. “Do not be -afraid—I will not do you any harm. Let God judge between -us.” He took her hand and led her to the castle yard, unsheathed -his sword, and said: “Behold, mother! I will throw this sword -into the air. If I am guilty, it will strike me; if you are guilty, it -is you it will strike. Let God decide.”</p> -<p class="par">The sword whirled through the air, it darted past -Víťazko’s head, and smote straight into his -mother’s heart.</p> -<p class="par">Víťazko lamented over her and buried her. -Then he returned to Holy Sunday and thanked her well for all her -kindness. He girded on the sword, took his beech-tree <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb38" href="#pb38" name="pb38">38</a>]</span>in his -hand, and went to his beautiful princess. He found her with her royal -father, who had tried to make her marry various kings and princes, but -she would marry none of them. She would wait a year, she said. The year -was not yet over when one day Víťazko arrived in the royal -palace to ask for the maiden’s hand.</p> -<p class="par">“This is my betrothed,” exclaimed the -princess joyfully, as soon as she saw him, and she went straight up to -him.</p> -<p class="par">A splendid feast was made ready, the father gave his -kingdom into their hands, and that is the end of this story. -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb39" href="#pb39" name="pb39">39</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch3" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e290">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">BOOTS, CLOAK, AND RING</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once there was a blacksmith, and he had only one -son, John by name. They sent him to school, but fortune changed and his -parents fell into poverty, so they were forced to take their son home -again. John had already passed through the higher standard, but he -could not support his parents. So one day he said:</p> -<p class="par">“Father and mother! What can I do at home? There -is no business here, so I can’t be a clerk, and I am too old now -to learn a trade. So I will go out into the world and find myself a -job, and, whenever I can, I will send you some money. And when I get a -good job, you must sell your cottage and come and live with -me.”</p> -<p class="par">His father and mother wept, because he wanted to leave -them, but they knew that he was right, for there was no chance for him -if he stayed at home. So they let him go. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb40" href="#pb40" name="pb40">40</a>]</span>They gave him their -blessing before he went out into the world. John wept till his heart -nearly broke at parting with his aged parents.</p> -<p class="par">He walked on till noon. At noon he sat down beneath a -lime-tree beside a well, and had his meal and a drink. Then, -strengthened and refreshed, he walked on till nightfall. The country -was quite unknown to him, so he had to spend the night in the forest. -The next day he went on again till he came into a wild mountain -country. There he stopped and thought over what he should do next. He -stood awhile, and then he went on again. He reached a pleasant valley, -and there he found three brothers. They were quarrelling and on the -point of coming to blows. John asked them what the matter was. The -eldest answered:</p> -<p class="par">“Our father has died, and he bequeathed to us -these boots, this cloak, and this hat. And each of us would like to own -the boots.”</p> -<p class="par">“Why?” asked John.</p> -<p class="par">“Because they have the property that whoever puts -them on can cover ten miles in the moment he wishes it. The cloak has -the property that its owner can fly as far and as high as he likes. And -the property <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb41" href="#pb41" name="pb41">41</a>]</span>of the hat is that it makes its wearer -invisible.”</p> -<p class="par">John said: “You are brothers, and you ought not to -quarrel. You must love one another. So that you won’t quarrel any -more, I will decide the matter for you. Give me those -things.”</p> -<p class="par">They gave him the boots, the cloak, and the hat. He put -the hat on, and they couldn’t see him any more; he wrapped -himself in the cloak, took the boots, and flew away.</p> -<p class="par">He flew some distance before he alighted upon a log and -put the boots on. As he sat on the log, it turned over, and he saw a -big hole under it. He went down the hole and came to some stairs, and -went down them to the bottom without any difficulty. There he found a -big room without any human being in it. The table was laid for one -person. He thought: “I am hungry. Shall I eat this meal?” -Finally he decided to risk it; he took off his hat and began to -eat.</p> -<p class="par">When he had finished, an old crone entered the room, and -asked: “Did you like your meal?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb42" href="#pb42" name="pb42">42</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“Oh, it was very nice indeed,” answered -John; “and, by the way, could you give me lodging for the -night?”</p> -<p class="par">“I will, if you can stand it; for at midnight -twenty-four ghosts will come, and they will try to make you play cards -with them and dance with them. But you must sit still and not so much -as look at them.”</p> -<p class="par">So the first night came. John was sitting eating his -meal. When he had finished, he remained at table. After eleven -o’clock two dozen ghosts entered the room and asked him to play -cards with them. He refused, so they began preparations for playing -skittles, and again asked him to join them, but he would not. Then a -delightful music began to play, and they asked him to dance with them. -No, he wouldn’t; he did not so much as look at them. They kept on -dragging him about, tearing and biting him, till he began to think it -was all over with him. But just then it struck twelve, and the ghosts -vanished.</p> -<p class="par">In the morning the old crone came back and waked him, -for he was still asleep on the ground. She asked him: “How did -you sleep?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb43" href="#pb43" -name="pb43">43</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“Very well,” said John.</p> -<p class="par">“Did you, now?” answered the old woman. -“Well, next night will be still worse, if you can stand it. Two -score of ghosts will come, and they’ll urge you to play cards and -skittles with them and to dance with them. But you must sit quiet; -don’t so much as look at them.”</p> -<p class="par">He stayed there that day, and had a good time. Then the -second night came. After eleven o’clock twoscore ghosts rushed -in. They urged him to play cards and skittles with them and to dance -with them. But John wouldn’t. He sat still, without so much as -looking at them. So they began to torture him again, and dragged him -about even worse than before. But when it struck twelve they left him -on the ground and disappeared.</p> -<p class="par">In the morning the old crone came. She washed him with -some lotion till he recovered. She asked him: “How did you -sleep?”</p> -<p class="par">“Splendidly,” said he.</p> -<p class="par">“Did you, now?” said she. “It was a -bad lodging for you, but the third night will be even worse, if you can -stand it. Three score of ghosts will come, and will <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb44" href="#pb44" name="pb44">44</a>]</span>urge you -to play cards and skittles and to dance with them. But you must sit -still and not so much as look at them.”</p> -<p class="par">All that day he had a good time again. The third night -came, and after eleven o’clock three score of ghosts rushed in. -They gathered round him, and urged, prayed, and besought him to play -and dance with him. When he refused, they seized him and began knocking -him against the ground, tearing and biting him, so that he lost his -senses and did not see them go away.</p> -<p class="par">In the morning the old crone came and anointed him with -a precious salve till he recovered. The old woman said: “You -wouldn’t have had such a bad time if you had not stolen the -boots, the cloak, and the hat. The ghosts would simply have pressed -you; they would have had no power over you. As you followed my advice -and did not play with them, you have delivered an enchanted town and a -beautiful princess. She will come to you at once. Now you are rich, -return the stolen goods.”</p> -<p class="par">Then there came a girl in a white robe. It was the -beautiful princess, and she thanked him for delivering her and the -whole town. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb45" href="#pb45" name="pb45">45</a>]</span>He went to the window, and outside he saw streets -full of people and soldiers and a great bustle going on. The princess -said:</p> -<p class="par">“My father is a king, and you will marry me and -succeed him. But my father dwells far from here, and we will go to him. -Do you take this ring here.”</p> -<p class="par">So they went off. When the wedding was to take place, -John wanted his parents to be present, so he asked the princess: -“May I go to see my parents? I would like them to be at our -wedding.”</p> -<p class="par">The princess answered: “They live a great way from -us, but you will be able to get to them. The ring I gave you has the -property that, when you turn it on your finger and wish to go a hundred -miles, you will cover that distance in a moment. On your way you will -come to a king who has a beautiful daughter. But you must not think of -her nor of me, for then you will lose the ring, and you will not be -able to go any farther.”</p> -<p class="par">John started. He turned the ring, and in a moment he was -a hundred miles off, and found himself with a king who had several -sons. They entertained him splendidly. Then <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb46" href="#pb46" name="pb46">46</a>]</span>he came -to another king who had an only daughter, and she was very vulgar. The -king insisted that John should marry her. John thought: “What are -you thinking of, my man? My bright one is so beautiful that there is -not her equal in the wide world, while your daughter is only a vulgar -creature.” At the moment he thought of his bride the ring slipped -from his finger and disappeared.</p> -<p class="par">John left them then. He was very sad, and considered -what he should do. “My bride is far away now,” he thought. -“I cannot find my way either to her or to my parents.”</p> -<p class="par">As he was walking along in this sad mood, he thought of -his cloak, and it came into his mind that, if he could reach the -Sun’s abode the same day, he could ask where his bride’s -castle was. As soon as he thought of this he was at the Sun’s -house. The Sun was not in; only his housekeeper was at home. He asked -her for a lodging, and said that he would like to ask the Sun whether -he knew the castle where his bride dwelt. She gave him the lodging. -When the Sun returned home in the evening, John asked <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb47" href="#pb47" name="pb47">47</a>]</span>him -whether he had any knowledge of the castle in which his wife dwelt. The -Sun answered: “I don’t know. I never shone there. But go -and ask the Moon.”</p> -<p class="par">The next day, as soon as he woke, he flew off on his -cloak to the Moon’s castle. When he got there, the Moon was not -in, and John asked the housekeeper for a night’s lodging. He said -he would like to ask the Moon’s advice.</p> -<p class="par">The housekeeper said: “You must wait till the Moon -comes home, but you will be very cold, for my mistress is an extremely -cold person.”</p> -<p class="par">“I will crouch in a corner and wait till the -mistress comes; in any case, my cloak is warm enough.”</p> -<p class="par">When the morning drew near, the Moon returned home, and -John asked her whether she knew where his bride’s castle was.</p> -<p class="par">The Moon said: “I never shone there. But go to the -Wind. He is a fellow who penetrates everywhere, and so he is likely to -know where that castle is.”</p> -<p class="par">So John went to the Wind’s house. The Wind was not -in, but Melusine, his wife, was alone at home. John asked her to let -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb48" href="#pb48" name="pb48">48</a>]</span>him stay there for the night. She tried to -dissuade him.</p> -<p class="par">“It is impossible, good sir. My lord is used to -blow terribly. It will be exceedingly cold.”</p> -<p class="par">He answered: “I will cover myself up and crouch -somewhere. I can endure cold, and, anyhow, my cloak is warm -enough.” So he stayed there for the night.</p> -<p class="par">After midnight the Wind came home and asked: “Who -is here with you, wife? I smell a man.”</p> -<p class="par">“Who should be here?” she said. “Your -nose is still full of the human smell.”</p> -<p class="par">But the Wind persisted: “There is somebody here! -Tell me!”</p> -<p class="par">So she confessed. “Don’t be angry, dear -husband! There is a man staying here for the night, and he wants to ask -you whether you will be kind enough to take him to his bride’s -castle.”</p> -<p class="par">The Wind answered: “It is very far from here, and -I must ask the Lord how strongly I am to blow, if we are to get there. -I was there yesterday; they are going to celebrate a wedding there, and -they have been drying some shirts ready for it, and I have been helping -them.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb49" href="#pb49" name="pb49">49</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The Wind went to ask the Lord; and when he came back, he -said to John: “I can blow strongly enough, but I don’t know -whether you will be able to keep step with me.”</p> -<p class="par">John answered: “I have got good boots, and I am -sure I can.”</p> -<p class="par">So he wrapped himself in his cloak, covered his head -with his hat, and put his boots on, and he went ahead so quickly that -the Wind could hardly keep step with him. As they drew near to the -castle, the Wind said: “Here it is,” and disappeared in a -whirl.</p> -<p class="par">The other bridegroom had already arrived, and was at the -wedding feast. John passed through the castle, and came to the table at -which they were dining. Nobody could see him. He remained standing near -the bride, and whenever she lifted the food to her mouth, he ate it -before it could reach her mouth, so that the spoon reached her mouth -empty.</p> -<p class="par">After the banquet she said: “My plates were well -filled, and yet it is as though I had been eating nothing at all. Who -is it that has eaten my food? My glass was full too. I have not drunk, -and yet it is empty. Who has drunk my wine?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb50" href="#pb50" name="pb50">50</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">Then she went to the kitchen, and John followed close at -her heels. When she was alone he revealed himself. He took his hat off, -and she knew him. She was greatly rejoiced at this, and ran to the room -and said:</p> -<p class="par">“Gentlemen, I would like to ask you a question. I -had a golden key and I lost it. So I had a silver key made for me, and, -now that it is made, I have found the golden key. Would you be so kind -as to advise me which of them I ought to keep?”</p> -<p class="par">The bridegroom stepped forward and said: “Keep the -golden key.”</p> -<p class="par">Off she went. She dressed John in beautiful garments, -and then presented him to the guests, saying: “This is my golden -key. He delivered me from torment, and I was to marry him. He went to -see his parents, but he could not reach them. Now he has come back to -me just as I was going to marry another man, the silver key of my -story, though I had given up all hope of his return. Yet he has come -back, and I shall keep him, the golden key, for the silver key has -himself decided so.”</p> -<p class="par">The wedding was celebrated the next day, and John took -charge of the old king’s <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb51" -href="#pb51" name="pb51">51</a>]</span>kingdom. Then they both went to -visit his old parents, and brought them back with them to the palace. -On their way back they called on the three brothers, and John gave them -back the boots, the cloak, and the hat. And if they haven’t died -since, they are still alive enjoying their kingdom. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb54" href="#pb54" name="pb54">54</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e1086width"><img src="images/p054.jpg" alt="Coach with four horses and woman on side of road." width="577" height= -"720"></div> -<p class="par"><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb55" href="#pb55" name="pb55">55</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch4" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e299">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">SILLY JURA</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once there were two brothers. They were lazy -fellows, and thieves into the bargain. They were expected to give a -feast. They said to one another: “We haven’t got anything. -Wherever shall we find food for the feast?”</p> -<p class="par">So the first said: “I’ll go to our -neighbour’s. He has some fine apples, and I’ll pluck some -of them.”</p> -<p class="par">The second said: “I’ll go to the -shepherd’s. He has some fine rams. I’ll steal a ram from -him.”</p> -<p class="par">These two brothers hated the third, and so they abused -him: “Silly Jura! You won’t get anything yourself, but -you’ll be ready enough to eat what we get.”</p> -<p class="par">So Jura said: “I’ll go to the -burgomaster’s and get some nuts.”</p> -<p class="par">In the evening they went their ways. When he had -finished plucking the nuts, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb56" href="#pb56" name="pb56">56</a>]</span>Jura went into the charnel-house at -the back of the church and began to crack the nuts there. The watchmen -heard the cracking in the charnel-house, and they thought the place was -haunted. As there was no priest in the village (he lived in the next -village), they went to the burgomaster and asked him to go with them to -the charnel-house, saying that the place was haunted.</p> -<p class="par">The burgomaster said: “I am so ill that I -can’t stand on my feet; no doctor can help me.”</p> -<p class="par">But the watchmen insisted, and so the burgomaster told -his servant to take him on his back and carry him to the place. The -servant carried him along, and the watchmen called at the -churchwarden’s to ask for some holy water.</p> -<p class="par">When they came near to the charnel-house, Jura thought -it was his brother bringing the ram, so he called out: “Are you -bringing him?”</p> -<p class="par">The servant was frightened, and let the burgomaster fall -and ran away. The burgomaster was terrified too. He jumped up and ran -after the servant. He cleared a wooden fence with one leap in his -flight, and it <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb57" href="#pb57" name="pb57">57</a>]</span>wasn’t long till he reached home. His family -wondered to see him cured so quickly without the help of a doctor.</p> -<p class="par">Next day the burgomaster proclaimed that he would give a -pound to the man who had stolen his nuts the day before, if he would -only come to see him. So Jura went to him, and the burgomaster said: -“I ought to punish you for stealing, but since you have cured my -illness which nobody was able to cure, I’ll give you the pound I -promised, but you mustn’t steal any more.” So Jura promised -not to steal any more, and went home.</p> -<p class="par">The brothers grew very fond of him now that he had -money. They borrowed the money from him and bought themselves new -clothes, and said: “We’ll go to see the world and to get -wives for ourselves. As for you, Silly Jura, you must stay at home; -you’d never get a good wife for yourself.”</p> -<p class="par">So off they went. But Jura went too. He went to the -forest and he was utterly dazzled. He had often heard that there was an -enchanted castle in that forest. When he came to the place where the -ruins of the castle were, night overtook him, and so he <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb58" href="#pb58" name="pb58">58</a>]</span>could -see nothing except what looked like a light in a cellar. So he went -into the cellar to make his night’s lodging there. There was -nobody in the cellar but a cat. The cat greeted him: “Welcome, -dear Jura! How did you come here?”</p> -<p class="par">Jura was frightened when he heard the cat speak, and was -going to run away. But the cat told him not to go; there was no need to -be frightened. He must come back, and no harm would be done to him. If -he wanted to eat, he could go into the storeroom and take what he -wanted. She would take him for her servant.</p> -<p class="par">So he stayed there a year and had a good time. He never -saw a cook, but he always found meals ready prepared in the storeroom. -He had nothing to do but get firewood, and at the end of the year he -was told to make a great pile of it. Then the cat said: “You must -light the pile to-day, and throw me into the fire. You must not help me -out, however I entreat you, but you must let me be consumed.”</p> -<p class="par">Jura answered: “I can’t do that. I have had -a good time with you. Why should I repay you in such an evil -way?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb59" href="#pb59" name="pb59">59</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The cat said: “If you don’t do as I have -said, you will be very unhappy. If you do it, you will be -happy.”</p> -<p class="par">So Jura kindled the pile, and, when it was well alight, -he picked up the cat and threw her into the fire. She wanted to escape -from the fire, but he wouldn’t let her go. At last he was so -weary that he was forced to lie down, and soon he fell asleep. When he -awoke, he opened his eyes, and behold! there was no ruin; he heard -delightful music and saw a beautiful palace with crowds of servants. He -was wondering at all this, when a splendidly dressed lady came up to -him and asked him if he did not know her.</p> -<p class="par">Jura said: “How should I know your ladyship? I -never saw you before in my life.”</p> -<p class="par">The lady said: “I am that cat. Witches had put me -under enchantment in the shape of a cat. Now we will go after your -brothers who hated you so much and see how they are getting -on.”</p> -<p class="par">She ordered her people to dress him in fine clothes, a -fine carriage was prepared, and they drove off. As they were -approaching the village, the lady said to her bridegroom: <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb60" href="#pb60" name="pb60">60</a>]</span>“Put your old clothes on.” Then she -called an old, ragged beggarwoman and sent him with her. She herself -remained outside of the village.</p> -<p class="par">When the brothers saw Jura coming with the ragged -beggarwoman, they shouted: “He is bringing home an old ragged -bride, and he’s in rags too.” The other brothers were -married too, and they were pretty badly off, so they turned him out and -wouldn’t have him at home.</p> -<p class="par">So Jura went out of the village; he changed his clothes -and drove back with the lady to his brothers’ cottage. When the -carriage stopped before the cottage, the brothers said: “What a -fine carriage! Who is that noble lord and the beautiful lady who have -come to our cottage?” They did not recognize their brother.</p> -<p class="par">So she said: “Look here. You were always hard on -your brother, always sneering at him, and now you are badly off enough, -while he is getting on splendidly. If you mend your ways, you will get -on too.”</p> -<p class="par">Afterwards she gave them some money and went away with -Jura. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb61" href="#pb61" name="pb61">61</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch5" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e306">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">SLEEPY JOHN</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once there was a lad named John, and he used to go -to sleep always and everywhere. One day he came to an inn where some -farmers were feeding their horses. So he crept into the cart, lay down -on the straw, and went to sleep. When the farmers had driven some -distance, they noticed John asleep in the cart. They thought: -“What are we to do with him? We have a beer cask here. -We’ll put him in it and leave him in the forest.” So they -shut him in the cask, and off they drove.</p> -<p class="par">John went on sleeping in the cask for a long time. -Suddenly he woke up and found himself in the cask, but he did not know -how he had got into it, neither did he know where he was. There was -something running to and fro near the cask, so he looked through the -bunghole and saw a great number of wolves gathered under the rocks. -They had <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb62" href="#pb62" name="pb62">62</a>]</span>flocked round, attracted by the human smell. One -of the wolves pushed his tail through the hole, and Sleepy John began -to think that the hour of his death was approaching. But he wound the -wolf’s tail round his hand. The wolf was terrified, and, dragging -the cask after him, he ran after the rest of the wolves, who set off in -all directions. Their terror grew greater and greater as the cask -bumped after them. At last the cask struck against a rock and was -smashed. John let go the wolf, who took himself off as fast as he -could.</p> -<p class="par">Now John found himself in a wild mountain region. He -began walking about among the mountains and he met a hermit. The hermit -said to him: “You may stay here with me. I shall die in three -days. Bury me then, and I will pay you well for it.”</p> -<p class="par">So John stayed with him, and, when the third day came, -the hermit, who was about to die, gave him a stick, saying: “In -whatever direction you point this stick, you will find yourself -there.” Then he gave him a knapsack, saying: “Anything you -want you will find in this knapsack.” Then he gave him a cap, -saying: “As soon as you <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb63" href="#pb63" name="pb63">63</a>]</span>put this cap on, nobody will be able -to see you.”</p> -<p class="par">Then the hermit died, and John buried him.</p> -<p class="par">John gathered his things together, pointed the stick, -and said: “Let me be instantly in the town where the king -lives.” He found himself there on the instant, and he was told -that the queen would every night wear out a dozen pairs of shoes, yet -nobody was able to follow her track. The lords were all flocking to -offer to follow the queen’s traces, and John went too. He went -into the palace and had himself announced to the king. When he came -before the king, he said that he would like to trace the queen. The -king asked him: “Who are you?”</p> -<p class="par">He answered “Sleepy John.”</p> -<p class="par">The king said: “And how are you going to trace -her, when you are sleeping all the time? If you fail to trace her you -will lose your head.”</p> -<p class="par">John answered that he would try to trace her all the -same.</p> -<p class="par">When the evening was come the queen went to bed in one -room and John went to bed in the next room, through which the queen had -to pass. He did not go to sleep, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb64" -href="#pb64" name="pb64">64</a>]</span>but when the queen was going by -he pretended to be in a deep slumber. So the queen lit a candle and -scorched the soles of his feet to make sure that he was asleep. But -John didn’t stir, and so she was certain that he was asleep. Then -she took her twelve pairs of new shoes and off she went.</p> -<p class="par">John got up, put his cap on, and pointed with his stick -and said: “Let me be where the queen is.”</p> -<p class="par">Now, when the queen came to a certain rock, the earth -opened before her and two dragons came to meet her. They took her on -their backs and carried her as far as the lead forest. Then John said: -“Let me be where the queen is,” and instantly he was in the -lead forest. So he broke off a twig for a proof and put it in his -knapsack. But when he broke off the twig it gave out a shrill sound as -if a bell were ringing. The queen was frightened, but she rode on -again. John pointed with his stick and said: “Let me be where the -queen is,” and instantly he was in the tin forest. He broke off a -twig again and put it in his knapsack, and it rang again. The queen -turned pale, but she rode on again. John pointed with his stick -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb65" href="#pb65" name="pb65">65</a>]</span>again and said: “Let me be where the queen -is,” and instantly he was in the silver forest. He broke off a -twig again and put it into his knapsack. As he broke it, it gave out a -ringing sound and the queen fainted. The dragons hastened on again till -they came to a green meadow.</p> -<p class="par">A crowd of devils came to meet them here, and they -revived the queen. Then they had a feast. Sleepy John was there too. -The cook was not at home that day, so John sat down in his place, and, -as he had his cap on, nobody could see him. They put aside a part of -the food for the cook, but John ate it all. They were all surprised to -see all the food they put aside disappearing. They couldn’t make -out what was happening, but they didn’t care very much. And when -the banquet was at an end the devils began to dance with the queen, and -they kept on dancing until the queen had worn out all her shoes. When -her shoes were worn out, those two dragons took her on their backs -again and brought her to the place where the earth had opened before -her. John said: “Let me be where the queen is.” By this -time she was walking on the earth again, and he followed her. When they -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb66" href="#pb66" name="pb66">66</a>]</span>came near the palace he went ahead of the queen -and went to bed; and, as the queen was going in, she saw him sleeping, -and so she went to her own room and lay down and slept.</p> -<p class="par">In the morning the lords gathered together and the king -asked whether any of them had tracked the queen. But none of them could -say “Yes.”</p> -<p class="par">So he summoned Sleepy John before him. John said:</p> -<p class="par">“Gracious Lord King, I did indeed track her, and I -know that she used up those twelve pairs of shoes upon the green -meadows in Hell.”</p> -<p class="par">The queen stood forth at once, and John took from his -knapsack the leaden twig and said: “The queen was carried by two -dragons towards Hell, and she came to the leaden forest; there I broke -off this twig and the queen was frightened.”</p> -<p class="par">The king said: “That’s no good. You might -have made the twig yourself.”</p> -<p class="par">So John produced the tin twig from his knapsack and -said: “After that the queen drove through the tin forest, and -there I broke off this twig. That time the queen grew pale.” -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb67" href="#pb67" name="pb67">67</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The king said: “You might have made even this -twig.”</p> -<p class="par">So John produced the silver twig and said: -“Afterwards the queen drove through the silver forest, and when I -broke off this twig she fainted, and so she was until the devils -brought her to life again.”</p> -<p class="par">The queen, seeing that all was known, cried out: -“Let the earth swallow me!” and she was swallowed by the -earth.</p> -<p class="par">Sleepy John got the half of the kingdom, and, when the -king died, the other half too. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb70" -href="#pb70" name="pb70">70</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e1220width"><img src="images/p070.jpg" alt="Woman with dove." width="571" height="720"></div> -<p class="par"><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb71" href="#pb71" name="pb71">71</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch6" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e313">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THREE DOVES</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">A certain merchant died. His son was nineteen -years old at the time. He said to his mother: “Mother dear, -I’m going to try my luck in the world.”</p> -<p class="par">His mother answered: “Go, dear son, but -don’t stay long there, for I am old, and should like some help in -my old age.” She fitted him out for the journey, and said -good-bye to him.</p> -<p class="par">Out into the world went the son, and he travelled on -till he came into a forest. He had been going through it for three -days, and no end appeared. On the third day he kept on and came at last -to a cottage. He went into the cottage and he saw a horrible being -seated on a stool. The fellow asked him where he was going.</p> -<p class="par">“I don’t know where I am going. I’m -seeking my fortune in some service.”</p> -<p class="par">“Well, if you like, you can enter my -service.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb72" href="#pb72" name="pb72">72</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The lad was very hungry, so he took service with the -other.</p> -<p class="par">His master said to him: “You must serve me for a -year at least.”</p> -<p class="par">So he served him for a year. He was treated very well, -and he was a faithful servant to his master. The master was a sorcerer, -but he didn’t do any harm to the lad. He had a big pond, and -three doves used to come there to bathe. Each of them had three golden -feathers. These three doves were three enchanted princesses.</p> -<p class="par">When the year’s service was ended, the sorcerer -said: “What wages shall I give you?”</p> -<p class="par">The lad said he left it to him.</p> -<p class="par">“You’re a good lad,” said the -sorcerer. “Come with me to my cellar and take as much money as -you like, gold or silver, just as you wish.”</p> -<p class="par">So the lad took as much as he could carry, and the -sorcerer gave him one of the three doves too, saying:</p> -<p class="par">“When you get home, if you haven’t got a -house of your own, have one built, and then pluck those three feathers -out of the dove, and hide them away so carefully that no human -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb73" href="#pb73" name="pb73">73</a>]</span>eye can see them. The dove will turn into a lovely -princess and you may marry her.”</p> -<p class="par">So he took the dove and returned home. He had a house -built and made a secret place in one of the walls for the three -feathers. When he plucked out the feathers the dove became a beautiful -princess, but she did not know where the feathers were. But his mother -knew quite well, for he had told her all and showed her where the -feathers were hidden.</p> -<p class="par">When they had been living together for three years he -went a-hunting one day with another lord, and his mother stayed at home -with her daughter-in-law. The mother said to her: “Dear -daughter-in-law, I can’t tell you how beautiful I think you. If -one were to search the whole world through, one couldn’t find so -beautiful a woman.”</p> -<p class="par">The daughter-in-law answered: “Dear lady, the -beauty I have now is nothing to what I should have had I but one of my -golden feathers.”</p> -<p class="par">The mother went straight off, fetched one of the -feathers, and gave it to her.</p> -<p class="par">She thrust it into her skin, and she was immediately far -more beautiful than before. The mother kept looking at her, and said: -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb74" href="#pb74" name="pb74">74</a>]</span>“If you had the others as well, you would be -even more beautiful.” Then she fetched the other two feathers and -gave them to her.</p> -<p class="par">She thrust them into her skin, and behold! she was a -dove again. She flew off through the window, thanking her -mother-in-law: “Thank you, dearest mother, for giving me these -three feathers. I will wait a little for my husband, to say good-bye to -him.”</p> -<p class="par">So she perched on the roof to wait till her husband -should return from the forest.</p> -<p class="par">Now, the husband’s nose fell to bleeding -violently. He grew frightened, and began to wonder what great -misfortune had befallen him at home. He mounted his horse and hastened -home. As he was approaching the door the dove called out: -“Good-bye, dear husband. I thank you for your true love, but you -will never see me more.”</p> -<p class="par">Then the dove flew away, and the husband began to weep -and to wail. Of course, he was very angry with his mother, and he -decided to go away again and follow wherever his eyes might lead him. -So he started off, and he went back to the sorcerer in whose service he -had been before. As soon as he entered the sorcerer said: <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb75" href="#pb75" name="pb75">75</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“Aha! you have not followed my advice. I -won’t help you this time; the three doves are gone from here. But -go to my brother, for all the birds and animals are under his power, -and perhaps some of them might know where the doves are. I will give -you a ball, and when you roll it three times, you will get there this -evening. You must ask him whether he knows anything about the doves, -and you must tell him, too, that I sent you to him.”</p> -<p class="par">The lad thanked him heartily and went on his way. He -rolled the ball thrice and reached the other brother’s by -evening. He told him that his brother had asked to be remembered kindly -to him, and then he asked whether he knew where the doves that used to -bathe in his brother’s pond were.</p> -<p class="par">The brother answered: “My good lad, I know nothing -at all about them. You must wait till morning. All the birds and -animals are under my power, and if they know anything about it, it will -be all right.”</p> -<p class="par">In the morning they went to the forest. The brother blew -a whistle, and instantly swarms of birds gathered round, asking what -was their master’s will. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb76" -href="#pb76" name="pb76">76</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">He said: “Tell me, does any one of you know about -those three golden doves which used to bathe in my brother’s -pond?”</p> -<p class="par">None of them knew, so he blew his whistle again and all -manner of animals gathered round him: bears, lions, squirrels, wolves, -every kind of wild animal, and they asked what was their master’s -will.</p> -<p class="par">He said: “I would know whether any one of you -knows anything about three golden doves which used to bathe in my -brother’s pond.”</p> -<p class="par">None of them knew. So he said:</p> -<p class="par">“My dear lad, I cannot help you any more in this -matter, but I have another brother, and, if he cannot tell you anything -about them, then you will never hear of them any more. He dwells twice -seventy miles from here, and all the devils of Hell are subjected to -him. I will give you another ball like the one you had yesterday, and, -when you have rolled it thrice, you will get there before -evening.”</p> -<p class="par">He rolled the ball thrice and got there the same -evening. The sorcerer was sitting in his garden on the grass. His hair -was all dishevelled like a mop, his paunch was bare <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb77" href="#pb77" name="pb77">77</a>]</span>like a -pail, his nose reached to his middle, and was as bare as a -stick—in fact, his appearance was terrible.</p> -<p class="par">The lad was terrified, but the sorcerer said: -“Don’t be frightened, my boy; though I look so hideous, yet -I have a good heart. What do you want?”</p> -<p class="par">“I have come from your brother to ask whether you -can tell me about the three doves which used to bathe in your -brother’s pond.”</p> -<p class="par">“My dear lad, I know nothing about them, but as -soon as you get up in the morning I will call my apprentices, to find -if any one of them knows anything about the doves.”</p> -<p class="par">In the morning they got up and went into the forest. The -sorcerer blew a whistle, and at once hosts of devils appeared, such a -multitude that they darkened the whole forest.</p> -<p class="par">The lad was frightened, but the sorcerer said: -“Don’t be afraid; not a hair of your head shall be -harmed.”</p> -<p class="par">The devils asked what was their master’s will.</p> -<p class="par">He said: “Does any one of you know anything, about -the three doves which used to bathe in my brother’s pond?” -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb78" href="#pb78" name="pb78">78</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">None of them knew anything. The sorcerer looked about -him and asked: “Where is the lame one?”</p> -<p class="par">The lame one had been left behind, but he was hurrying -up for fear he should be too late. He came and asked what was his -master’s will. The sorcerer answered: “I want to find out -whether you know anything about those three doves that used to bathe in -my brother’s pond.”</p> -<p class="par">“Of course I know about them, for I have been -driving them before me. They are bathing in the Red Sea now.”</p> -<p class="par">The sorcerer said: “You must take up this man and -carry him as far as their gold-roofed palace,” and he took the -lad aside and whispered in his ear:</p> -<p class="par">“When the devil asks you how quick he is to take -you, if he says: ‘As quickly as the wind blows?’ say -‘No’; and if he says, ‘As quickly as the step -goes?’ say ‘No’ again. But if he says, ‘As -quickly as the air goes?’ say ‘Even so.’ If your cap -falls, do not look after it, and don’t tell the devil about it, -or he will let you fall and won’t carry you to the palace. When -you are seven miles from the palace you will see it, and the devil -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb79" href="#pb79" name="pb79">79</a>]</span>will ask you if you see it; but shut your eyes -tight and say that you can’t see it. When you are three miles -from it, you will see it quite plainly, and he will ask you again -whether you see it. But you must shut your eyes tight and say that you -can’t see it. Then you will be above the palace roof, and he will -ask you again whether you see it. You must say again that you -can’t see it, or he will let you drop on the roof and you -won’t be able to get down.”</p> -<p class="par">The devil took the man and flew with him as the air -goes. When they were seven miles from the palace, the devil asked: -“Do you see the palace now? It is quite plain to see -now.”</p> -<p class="par">The lad shut his eyes tight and said that he -couldn’t see it. So they flew on, and when they were three miles -from the castle the devil asked him did he see it now. He shut his eyes -tight and said that he couldn’t see it. When they were right over -the roof, the devil asked: “Surely you must see it now; we are -just over the roof.”</p> -<p class="par">But he shut his eyes tight and said: “I -don’t see it.”</p> -<p class="par">The devil said angrily: “You must be <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb80" href="#pb80" name="pb80">80</a>]</span>blind if -you can’t see it; we are just above the roof.” And he -seized him in anger, and set him on the golden table in that royal -castle.</p> -<p class="par">The three princesses were sitting at the table, knitting -with golden thread. His own wife was the middle one, and she knew him -at once. She sprang up right gladly and welcomed him with joy. She -nearly fainted, she was so pleased that he had been able to come so -many miles in such a short time.</p> -<p class="par">“Welcome, dear husband, welcome! Welcome, our -deliverer! You will save us from the enchantment under which we are in -this castle.”</p> -<p class="par">The time passed very slowly there. So one day his wife -brought him the keys and showed him through all the rooms and closets, -letting him see everything except one room, which she would not open -for him.</p> -<p class="par">The three princesses had to take the shape of doves for -two hours in the morning and three hours before the evening, and they -had to go to the Red Sea to bathe there. One day when they had gone out -to bathe he thought: “Why don’t you want to open that room -for me?” So he went and searched <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb81" href="#pb81" name="pb81">81</a>]</span>among the other keys for -the key, and opened the room for himself.</p> -<p class="par">In the room he saw a three-headed dragon, and each of -its heads was stuck upon a hook so that it hung down from it. Under the -dragon were placed three glasses of water. The lad was terrified and -started to run away. But the dragon kept on calling out: -“Don’t be frightened, don’t run away, but come back -again and give me that glass of water. Your life shall be spared this -once.”</p> -<p class="par">So he gave him the glass of water; the dragon drained it -up, and instantly one of the heads fell from the hook. He begged again: -“Now give me that other glass of water, and your life shall be -spared a second time.”</p> -<p class="par">He gave it him; the dragon drank it up, and immediately -the second head fell from the hook. Then the dragon said: “Now do -as you like. But you must give me the third glass of water, whether you -like it or not!”</p> -<p class="par">In terror he gave him the third glass; the third head -drank it up and fell from its hook. Now the dragon was quite free, and -instantly he made for the Red Sea, and began to chase <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb82" href="#pb82" name="pb82">82</a>]</span>after -the three doves until he caught one of them. It was the lad’s -wife.</p> -<p class="par">The other two princesses came back again and began to -weep and to wail.</p> -<p class="par">“Thou luckless fellow! we were happy in the hope -that thou wouldst deliver us, and now we are worse off than -ever—now our torments will last till doomsday!”</p> -<p class="par">He, too, burst into tears, for he was sad at heart that -the dragon had carried off his wife, whom he had won at the risk of his -life.</p> -<p class="par">The princesses’ three brothers were under -enchantment too. One of them was in the castle, changed into the shape -of a horse. One day the horse said to the sorrowing husband: “The -dragon is away from home now. Let us go and steal the -princess.”</p> -<p class="par">So they went to the dragon’s castle, carried off -the princess, and ran for home. The other brother of the three -princesses was in the dragon’s castle under enchantment in the -shape of a horse.</p> -<p class="par">When the dragon came home, he said to the horse: -“Where is my princess?”</p> -<p class="par">The horse answered: “They came and carried her -away.”</p> -<p class="par">The dragon mounted the horse at once <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb83" href="#pb83" name="pb83">83</a>]</span>and -said: “Now we’ll ride as fast as we can. We must overtake -them.”</p> -<p class="par">The horse answered: “We cannot possibly overtake -them.”</p> -<p class="par">But the dragon said: “Only let us start; we shall -overtake them.”</p> -<p class="par">They started, and they overtook them near the castle. -The dragon snapped the princess away at once, saying to the lad: -“I promised to spare your life in return for that glass of water; -now I have spared it, but don’t dare to come to my castle ever -again.”</p> -<p class="par">And with that the dragon rode home, carrying the -princess with him.</p> -<p class="par">Some time after that the horse said to the sorrowing -husband: “The dragon is away from home again. Let us go and steal -the princess.”</p> -<p class="par">So they went and stole her again.</p> -<p class="par">The dragon came home and asked the horse: “Where -is my princess?”</p> -<p class="par">The horse answered: “Hibad! They have stolen her -again, but we cannot overtake them this time.”</p> -<p class="par">The dragon said: “We must overtake -them.”</p> -<p class="par">He mounted the horse, and they went <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb84" href="#pb84" name="pb84">84</a>]</span>flying -after them till at last they overtook them. The dragon snapped away the -princess, saying to the lad: “There’s your life spared for -the second glass. But if you come again, I’ll tear you to -pieces.”</p> -<p class="par">The lad was sorrowful, and wept and bewailed his fate -because he had lost his wife for ever. But the horse said:</p> -<p class="par">“I will give you one more counsel. I know a place -where there are some young ravens. We will go there, and you must take -the young ravens from their nest on the tree. The old ones will fly at -you and peck you—they won’t want to let you have their -young chicks; but tell them that you won’t give them back their -chicks unless they bring you the healing water and the water of -life.</p> -<p class="par">“When they bring the water, take one of the young -ravens and pull its head off; then dip it in the healing water and put -the head to the body again. That’s how you will be certain that -they have brought you the real water of life. If the wound grows -together again, you may be sure it is the real water of life. As soon -as the wound has grown together, take the water of life and pour some -of it into the raven’s bill, and <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb85" href="#pb85" name="pb85">85</a>]</span>when the bird revives, -you will know quite certainly that it is the water of life.”</p> -<p class="par">The lad did all this. The old ravens brought him the -water in leather bottles. He took one of the chicks, pulled its head -off, dipped it into the healing water, and the wound grew together -again. Then he poured some of the water of life into its bill, and it -came alive again. Then he put the young ravens back into the nest -again, took the water, and went home.</p> -<p class="par">When he got there, the horse said to him: “The -dragon is away from home to-day. Let us go and see if we can get the -princess.”</p> -<p class="par">So off they went and carried away the princess. They ran -off as fast as they could.</p> -<p class="par">The dragon came home and asked the horse: “Where -is my princess?”</p> -<p class="par">The horse replied: “She’s gone from us. -They’ve carried her off again, and this time we shall never catch -up with them.”</p> -<p class="par">The dragon said in a rage: “What should prevent us -from getting her back? Let’s go at once.”</p> -<p class="par">So they flew after them, and they reached the castle -just as the fugitives were going in through the gate. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb86" href="#pb86" name="pb86">86</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The dragon snapped the princess away, saying to the lad: -“You rascal! I told you I would tear you to pieces if you came a -third time for her.”</p> -<p class="par">So he caught hold of him, and took a foot in each claw, -and tore him in two. Then he went off with the princess and the -horse.</p> -<p class="par">The lad’s horse took the healing water, dipped the -two halves into it, put the one against the other, and they grew -together. Then he took the water of life and poured it into the -lad’s mouth, and he was alive again. Then they went into the -castle.</p> -<p class="par">The lad was weeping bitterly and crying out that all was -over, that now he would be separated from his wife for ever. But the -horse gave him comfort, saying:</p> -<p class="par">“Well, I really don’t know what advice I -ought to give you now. We have been three times, and he caught up with -us every time. And the last time you were torn in pieces. I don’t -know how things will turn out. But I have another brother across the -Red Sea, and he is stronger than I or the dragon. If we could only get -him, we should be sure to kill the dragon. But it’s a hard -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb87" href="#pb87" name="pb87">87</a>]</span>thing to do, for he is in service with the -Devil’s grandmother. We will try it together, if only we can -manage to cross the Red Sea. And, if you follow the advice I give you, -you will get the horse.</p> -<p class="par">“You must serve the Devil’s grandmother for -three days, and, when you have served the three days, you must ask for -that lean horse as wages. You will have to herd twelve horses for three -days. Nobody has ever managed to do it yet. When the first day’s -service is done, on the next day the Devil’s grandmother always -cuts off the servant’s head and hangs it on a hook. Now, listen -carefully. While you are herding the horses, anything the hag gives you -to eat at home, eat your fill of it. But, if she gives you anything to -eat in the field, do not eat it, but throw it away. If you were to eat -it, sleep would come down on you, your horses would stray, and the -Devil’s grandmother would cut off your head and hang it upon a -hook.”</p> -<p class="par">So off they went together till they came to the Red Sea. -As they were drawing near to the sea, they saw a huge fly entangled in -a cobweb and struggling to free itself. So the lad went up to it and -said: “Poor fly! <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb88" href="#pb88" -name="pb88">88</a>]</span>You can’t get out of that cobweb; wait -a bit, and I will help you.”</p> -<p class="par">The cobweb was as big as a sheet, but he tore it in two -and the fly crept out.</p> -<p class="par">The fly said: “Thank you for helping me out of the -cobweb. Tear one of my feet from under my belly, and, whenever you are -in need, think of me, and I will help you.”</p> -<p class="par">The lad thought: “Poor fly! how could you help -me?” Nevertheless, he tore off one of her feet and kept it.</p> -<p class="par">Then he went on his way, and he saw a wolf with his tail -trapped under a heavy log, and he was unable to help himself, for -wolves have stiff backs, and no wolf has ever been able to turn. The -lad rolled the log away and released the wolf.</p> -<p class="par">The wolf said: “Thank you for helping me. Take one -of my claws, and, whenever you are in sore need, think of me, and I -will help you.” So the lad took one of his claws and kept it.</p> -<p class="par">When he got quite close to the sea, he saw a crab as big -as a barrel. The crab was lying on the sand with his belly upwards, and -he couldn’t manage to turn himself over again. So the lad went -and turned <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb89" href="#pb89" name="pb89">89</a>]</span>the crab over again. The crab asked him where he -was going. He said he was going to the Devil’s grandmother across -the Red Sea.</p> -<p class="par">The crab said: “My dear lad, I’ll make a -bridge for you across the sea, so that you will be able to get across. -But, besides that, you must pluck off one of my claws from under my -belly, and when you are in sore need, think of me, and I will help -you.”</p> -<p class="par">So he plucked off one of the claws and kept it. The crab -sidled into the sea, and immediately all the crabs of the sea came -together, and they closed in on one another so that they made a bridge -across the sea. The lad crossed the bridge and came to the -Devil’s grandmother. She was standing waiting for him in the -doorway of her house, and welcomed him. He’d just come at the -right time; she wanted him to herd her horses. She gave him plenty of -good food to eat, and sent him out to the fields. She put twelve horses -in his charge, and said to him:</p> -<p class="par">“Look to it that you herd them well, for if you -lose one of them you will lose your head. Just look here at these -twenty-four <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb90" href="#pb90" name="pb90">90</a>]</span>posts, with a hook on each one of them. There are -heads on twenty-three of them. The last hook is waiting for your head. -If you herd my horses badly, that hook is waiting for your -head.”</p> -<p class="par">Then she fitted him out for herding the horses. She gave -him a piece of bread, so that he might have enough to eat and not -starve. He meant to follow the horse’s advice, and threw the -bread away. But a fierce hunger came upon him, and he had to go and -look for the bread and eat it up.</p> -<p class="par">The moment he had eaten it he fell asleep and all the -horses were lost. When he awoke there wasn’t a single horse -there. Sorrowfully he said: “The Devil’s grandmother was -right; my head will hang from that hook.” In his grief he thought -of the fly, and it came flying up and called out: “Why are you -weeping and wailing?”</p> -<p class="par">He said that he had been hungry, and had been forced to -eat the bread, so that he fell asleep and all the horses were lost.</p> -<p class="par">The fly tried to comfort him, saying: “Don’t -be troubled, dear lad; I will help you.”</p> -<p class="par">So she called together all the flies, and <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb91" href="#pb91" name="pb91">91</a>]</span>they -flew everywhere looking for the horses, and when they found them, they -buzzed round them and plagued them till they drove them up to the -herdsman. He drove them joyfully home.</p> -<p class="par">The Devil’s grandmother welcomed them, and when -she saw that all the horses were there, she said: “You’ve -herded them well enough, for you have brought them all back.” -Then she seized a hatchet and began to beat the horses with it, and -most of all the lean one, till the flesh hung in strips from its body. -The lad was sorry for the horse, for the hag was beating it hardest and -it was the leanest of them all. But the Devil’s grandmother took -a salve and anointed the horses’ wounds, and they were healed by -morning.</p> -<p class="par">The next day she fitted him out again for herding the -horses, and gave him some more of the bread, telling him to eat it all. -But when he came to the pasture he crumbled the bread and trampled the -crumbs into the ground, so that it should be uneatable. But it was no -good. He was forced to dig it up and eat it, earth and all, so great -was the hunger that the Devil’s grandmother had <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb92" href="#pb92" name="pb92">92</a>]</span>sent -against him. In a moment he fell asleep and all the horses were -lost.</p> -<p class="par">When he woke he saw that there were no horses there. He -wept and wailed. But he thought of the wolf, and the wolf came running -up and asked him: “Why are you weeping and wailing? Don’t -be troubled; I will help you.”</p> -<p class="par">He went and summoned all the wolves. A great flock of -wolves ran up, and they scattered everywhere, looking for the horses. -When they found them, they drove them to the herdsman, each horse with -a wolf at its side leading it by the ear. The herdsman was overjoyed, -and took the horses and drove them home.</p> -<p class="par">The Devil’s grandmother was waiting for him in -front of the house. She said: “Indeed you have herded them well; -this is the second day that you have brought them all home.” But -she beat the horses with the hatchet far worse than the day before; -then she anointed their wounds with the salve, so that they should be -healed by morning.</p> -<p class="par">On the third day she sent him out again to herd the -horses, and gave him some more <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb93" -href="#pb93" name="pb93">93</a>]</span>of the bread, telling him to eat -it and not to throw it away. But when he came to the pasture he threw -the bread down on the sand and trampled it in, so that it should be -uneatable. But he had to search it out again, so great was the hunger -the Devil’s grandmother sent against him. The moment he had -finished it he fell asleep and the horses were lost. When he woke he -burst into tears. This time it was all up with him; the fly and the -wolf had helped him before, but the crab had already made a bridge for -him, so there was nobody to help him. The horses didn’t know -where to hide themselves to save themselves from being beaten by the -Devil’s grandmother, so they leapt into the sea, where nobody -could find them.</p> -<p class="par">The herdsman was in agony, and he kept on wailing that -now his head must hang upon that hook. At last he thought of the crab. -The crab turned round in the sea, and instantly all the crabs collected -and began searching the sea for the horses, and they pinched them until -they drove them out of the sea. But the lean one, since he -couldn’t think of a better hiding-place, crouched under the -crab’s belly. The other crabs set <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb94" href="#pb94" name="pb94">94</a>]</span>to work to look for him, -and at last they found him. The big crab had to turn over, and then -they drove the lean horse out. The herdsman took the horses and drove -them home joyfully, because his three days of service were now -over.</p> -<p class="par">The Devil’s grandmother was waiting for him, and -she beat the horses with the hatchet so fiercely that their flesh hung -in strips from their bodies. Then she anointed them with the salve, and -the wounds healed by morning. In the morning she asked the herdsman -what wages he wanted. He answered: “I want nothing but that lean -old horse.”</p> -<p class="par">She said: “It would be a sorry thing to give you -such a wretched horse in return for such good service; I will give you -the best horse.”</p> -<p class="par">He answered: “I won’t take any horse but the -lean one.”</p> -<p class="par">She asked him why he wanted the leanest one. He replied: -“Because I am sorry for him, for he always gets the worst -beating. I will have that one, and no other.”</p> -<p class="par">So she said: “Well, I will give him to you, if you -must have him, but I will give <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb95" -href="#pb95" name="pb95">95</a>]</span>you this fat one too. You can -ride on his back home and lead the lean one with you.”</p> -<p class="par">He mounted the fat horse and rode off. But when they -were drawing near to the gate, the lean horse said: “Get down -from that horse and mount me, or you will be the worse for -it.”</p> -<p class="par">So he jumped down from the fat horse and mounted the -lean one.</p> -<p class="par">The fat horse growled: “It’s the Devil gave -you that advice.”</p> -<p class="par">And the lean horse said: “If you had gone under -the gate on that horse’s back, he would have dashed you against -the vault of the gate, so that your head would have been knocked off, -and you would have been killed.”</p> -<p class="par">So they came safely home. When the princesses saw him -come back they were delighted.</p> -<p class="par">The other horse said: “Now, brother, let us go. -The dragon is away from home, and the princess will be ours.” So -they went and carried off the princess.</p> -<p class="par">When the dragon came home, he asked his horse: -“Where is my princess?”</p> -<p class="par">The horse replied: “She has gone, and <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb96" href="#pb96" name="pb96">96</a>]</span>this -time we shan’t get her back. The horse from the Red Sea has come, -and he will get the better of us all.”</p> -<p class="par">The dragon took no heed of that, but flew after them and -caught them up just by the gate. He was going to snap the princess -away, but this time he could not do it. For the horse from over the Red -Sea kicked his nose with his hoof, so that the dragon fell down from -his horse, and the other two horses fell upon him, and between them -they killed the dragon.</p> -<p class="par">They came to the castle with the princess, and they were -congratulating one another on their victory over their enemy. Then the -horse which had been giving good advice to his rider all the time said: -“Now, dear brother-in-law, take my sword there hanging from the -ceiling and cut my head off.”</p> -<p class="par">He was sad and said: “How could I do that, after -all the acts of kindness you have done for me?”</p> -<p class="par">The horse said: “My good friend, I cannot tell you -why you must behead me, but you would do me a great wrong if you did -not do it.”</p> -<p class="par">So he hesitated no longer, but cut his head <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb97" href="#pb97" name="pb97">97</a>]</span>off. The -blood spurted up twelve feet high, and instantly the horse became a -beautiful youth. Seeing that, the lad was quick to behead the other -horses, and they all turned into handsome princes like the first -one.</p> -<p class="par">They all thanked him for delivering them, and they made -him king of that castle, and there he lived with his wife and her two -sisters in all happiness and harmony till they died. The three brothers -took possession of the dragon’s castle. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb98" href="#pb98" name="pb98">98</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch7" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e320">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE BEAR, THE EAGLE, AND THE FISH</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once there was a count and he had three daughters. -All of them were young and as pretty as peacocks, but the youngest was -the loveliest of them all. The count had little money to spend, for he -had lost it all by gambling. And so—since he had to spend the -time in some way or other—he used to go hunting. One day, when he -was out hunting he lost his way in a forest, and he could not find his -way out of it. Suddenly a big bear rushed out at him, shouting at the -top of his voice. He said he would show him the way out of the forest -and, besides, he would give him as much gold and silver as he wanted on -one condition, and that condition was that the count should give him -one of his daughters in marriage. The count was terrified. But after -thinking it over for a time, he consented at last. The bear showed him -the way out <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb99" href="#pb99" name="pb99">99</a>]</span>of the forest and gave him everything he had -promised, and so the count was pleased.</p> -<p class="par">He spent his time eating and drinking and gambling, till -all the money melted away. He never so much as gave a thought to the -bear, until one day, when the eldest daughter was marriageable, a -carriage came rolling up. The carriage was drawn by a pair of -raven-black horses, and in it sat a prince with cheeks of white and -red, whose robes blazed with gold. He came and took the eldest daughter -and drove off. The countess wept, but the count did not mind a bit, but -being short of money, he began hunting again.</p> -<p class="par">One day he lost his way again, and this time an eagle -flew down to him and promised to show him the way out of the forest, -and to give him heaps of money into the bargain, if he would only give -him his second daughter in return. The bargain was made and the eagle -fetched away the second daughter, and only the youngest was left at -home. Yet even her the count sold, and it was a fish that got her.</p> -<p class="par">So the count and the countess were left alone. They were -very sad, but after a time a boy was born to them, and they watched -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb100" href="#pb100" name="pb100">100</a>]</span>over him like the apple of their eye. When the -boy was grown up, he saw that the countess looked sad sometimes, and he -gave her no rest till she had told him everything. When he had heard -the story, he put his best clothes on, took his sword, mounted his -horse, and said good-bye to his parents, telling them that he was going -to search for his lost sisters.</p> -<p class="par">So he rode on till he came to the eldest sister. Her he -found playing with three little bear cubs, for these were her babies. -He met his brother-in-law, who gave him three hairs and told him to rub -those hairs with his fingers if he found himself in any difficulty. -Then he went to the second sister, and found her with two eaglets and -the old eagle, his brother-in-law, as well. The eagle gave him three -feathers, saying they would be of help to him in time of need. He -thanked the eagle for that and went on his way, and at last he came to -his youngest sister. It was not so easy to get to her, for she dwelt -under the water, and he had to drop into her house through the chimney. -He would have missed the chimney if it hadn’t been for the smoke -from it: it was bluish smoke, hardly visible. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb101" href="#pb101" name="pb101">101</a>]</span>His -sister welcomed him heartily and showed him her baby, a pretty little -fish, and her husband, a giant fish. The lad got three fish-scales from -the husband to use in time of trouble.</p> -<p class="par">He learned that the bear and the eagle were the brothers -of the fish. They were sons of a powerful king, but they had been -enchanted by an envious magician and turned into these shapes. The -sorcerer could take different forms. But the brother must not let that -dismay him. He must get hold of a golden egg which was hidden in the -sorcerer and throw it on the ground. If he began to grow faint and did -not know what to do, he must call one of his brothers-in-law, and he -would advise him what to do.</p> -<p class="par">And so it was. The young count attacked the magician, -who turned into a bull. But the young count was not afraid: he rubbed -the bear’s hair; the bear came running up and tore the bull in -pieces. But out of the bull flew a wild duck and tried to escape. Then -the count thought of the eagle feathers, and immediately the eagle flew -up, and he tore the duck to pieces. But a golden egg fell from the duck -and it rolled into the pond. But that <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb102" href="#pb102" name="pb102">102</a>]</span>too was of no avail, -for the count rubbed the fish scales, and after a while the fish threw -the egg upon the bank. The count caught it and flung it to the ground -so that it was smashed into many pieces.</p> -<p class="par">At once all around was changed. The pond turned into a -meadow upon which a beautiful castle was shining. The castle was full -of servants and the three princes, with their wives and children, were -just walking out of it. All were overjoyed to be so happily delivered, -and, when they had enough of rejoicing, they started off to find their -parents.</p> -<p class="par">Their first journey was to the old count and countess, -so that they might enjoy the sight of their children and grandchildren. -Afterwards they hastened to the old king. He ordered many cannon to be -fired, and prepared a splendid banquet. And he gave the kingdom to his -eldest son. The second son went to the land of the count, and it was -divided between him and his brother-in-law. And the youngest went to -the disenchanted castle. All of them reigned prosperously and wisely in -their several realms and, if they haven’t died since, they are -reigning still. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb103" href="#pb103" -name="pb103">103</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch8" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e327">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">KOJATA</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once there was a king who had an only son. One day -the king went to inspect his estates. He came to the first farm and -found it all right. Before he had finished going the round of his -estates, thirteen big farms in all, he forgot that his wife was about -to have a child. On his way home he came to a forest, and such a thirst -came upon him that he bade his driver stop and look for some water. The -driver looked everywhere for water, but he couldn’t find any. So -the king himself went to look for it, and he found a well.</p> -<p class="par">Now, just as he was going to drink, he kneeled down and -he saw something in the well which had claws like a crab and red eyes. -It seized him by the beard with one of its claws—he had a pretty -long beard—and it refused to let him go unless he promised to -give it the thing that he had at <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb104" -href="#pb104" name="pb104">104</a>]</span>home unknown to himself. So -he said to himself: “I know everything at home.” But he -forgot about his wife’s condition. By this time his wife had been -delivered of a prince, and so the king, without knowing it, had -promised his son to the thing in the well. And on that it let him -go.</p> -<p class="par">When he got home he saw the new-born prince, and of -course he was very sad. He remained so for twelve years. The prince -asked him why he was so sad. And the king answered: “Because you -are sold.” The prince told him not to worry about it; he would be -able to help himself.</p> -<p class="par">The prince called for his horse and started out. He had -been riding five days’ journey from his home, when he came to a -lake. There he tethered his horse. He saw thirteen ducks swimming on -the lake, and there were thirteen shifts lying on the bank. So he -carried off one of the shifts and hid himself. When they saw this, -twelve of the ducks flew away, but the thirteenth was running hither -and thither, looking for her shift. So when he saw her running hither -and thither looking for her shift, he came out of his hiding-place. Now -the father of <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb105" href="#pb105" name="pb105">105</a>]</span>those ducks was the being which had seized the -king by the beard. He was a sorcerer, and his name was Kojata.</p> -<p class="par">This girl was his youngest daughter. And she said to the -prince:</p> -<p class="par">“Now I will give you a good counsel. You will save -me and I will save you. My father will set you a difficult task. I will -perform it for you, but you must not let him know that I am helping -you. Leave your horse here and hurry on to my father’s. He will -give you a lodging, and he will give you three days to consider over -the task. You will be in your room alone, and in the evening I will -come humming to your window, for I shall come to you in a bee’s -shape, because I can’t come in any other way. And you must follow -my advice. My father has thirteen daughters, and we all resemble one -another exactly and we all wear the same sort of clothes. You will have -to find out which is the youngest, but you will have no other means of -recognizing me than by noticing a tiny fly under my left eye, so be -very careful about it.”</p> -<p class="par">So it was. The sorcerer called him in and the thirteen -daughters were standing <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb106" href="#pb106" name="pb106">106</a>]</span>in a row. The sorcerer asked him -whether he could make out which was the youngest; if he could do so, -his life would be spared. So he went the round of them three times, but -it was as much as he could do to recognize her. But he pointed her out. -She was the third from the end. So the sorcerer asked him who had been -giving him advice. But the prince answered that it was none of his -business.</p> -<p class="par">The next day the sorcerer gave him another task: to -build a palace of pure gold and silver without using hammer or trowel. -The prince was very worried about it. But in the evening the youngest -daughter came flying to him again, and she gave him a wand. At a single -stroke of the wand the palace rose up ready-built, and it was more -perfect than the old one. In the morning he was strolling about the -palace looking round him. When King Kojata saw him, he came up to him -and stopped: “Who has given you this counsel?” he asked. -The prince answered that it was the person who had given him advice the -time before.</p> -<p class="par">So the sorcerer set him the third task, and this time -the daughter was not able to <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb107" href="#pb107" name="pb107">107</a>]</span>advise him. She came to him in the -evening and said: “I have no other advice than for both of us to -flee at once, otherwise you will be lost and I too.”</p> -<p class="par">Now, in the evening she turned herself into a horse, and -he mounted her and rode as far as the lake. There he found his own -horse, and they both mounted it and rode off at full speed. Soon she -heard a great noise behind her, so she turned herself into a church and -the prince became a monk. The sorcerer’s apprentices were riding -in pursuit of them. When they got as far as the church they turned and -went back to Kojata. When they came to him they said that they had not -overtaken anybody; they had only seen a church and a monk in it. And he -said: “Those were they!”</p> -<p class="par">Next day he sent them again to pursue the runaways. -Though they were riding faster than the day before, again they heard a -trampling behind them. So she turned herself into a great river and him -into an old broken bridge. Their pursuers came as far as the river and -the bridge, and then they turned back and reported to their king, -Kojata, that they had seen nothing but a <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb108" href="#pb108" name="pb108">108</a>]</span>river and a bridge. -He said at once: “Well, those were they!”</p> -<p class="par">On the third day the runaways started again and made for -the border as fast as they could, and soon they were in their own land. -When they reached the third church, the sorcerer had no more power over -them. He began to tear his hair and knock his head against the ground -and to curse his daughter for tricking him.</p> -<p class="par">So the young king came home, bringing a lovely young -princess with him. His father was very pleased at that! <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb110" href="#pb110" name="pb110">110</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e1621width"><img src="images/p110.jpg" alt="St. George and the dragon, two women and text: “Hynek.”" -width="522" height="720"></div> -<p class="par"><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb111" href="#pb111" name="pb111">111</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch9" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e335">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">SHEPHERD HYNEK</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">To cut a long story short, there was a prince and -he had three sons. The first two followed in their father’s -footsteps, but the third did not. He said he would like to be a -forester. The father was angry and turned him out of the house. What -was he to do with the fellow, when he was so obstinate and would be a -forester?</p> -<p class="par">“Well, be whatever you like,” said the -prince, and he gave him a shepherd’s dress and Hynek went out -into the world.</p> -<p class="par">He had been walking through a forest for three days. He -was hungry and cold, and everything seemed to be against him. He was -tired too, and at last he fell asleep under a tree. As he was sleeping, -a black man came to him. He would not leave him to sleep, but waked him -up. Hynek was frightened. But he told him there was no need to be -afraid. He was a good man, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb112" href="#pb112" name="pb112">112</a>]</span>though his skin was black. So -Hynek stayed with him for seven years and learnt the seven languages, -zither playing, and all that sort of thing.</p> -<p class="par">Now the seven years were over. In that land there was a -king who had an only daughter. And there was a fierce dragon which was -ravaging the whole of that kingdom, and everybody was forced to give -him one sheep and one human being to appease him. So the lot fell upon -the princess too. The black man told Hynek that something ought to be -done to deliver the people and to save the princess from being devoured -by that dragon.</p> -<p class="par">“Go to the next homestead,” he said, -“and ask to be taken on as a shepherd, and in the morning you -will have to drive the sheep into this forest.”</p> -<p class="par">So they took leave of one another. Hynek was engaged as -shepherd, and in the morning he drove the sheep into the forest, where -the black man was waiting for him. When he came with the sheep, the -black man gave him a wand and a ring, and said:</p> -<p class="par">“When you turn this ring, you will be brought to a -castle where a giant dwells, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb113" href="#pb113" name="pb113">113</a>]</span>and you will have to tackle the -giant. This wand will help you to do it. Then you must take his robe, -his horse, and his sword. Then you will be brought to the town, and it -will be about the time that the princess will be brought -out.”</p> -<p class="par">So Hynek took his leave and found everything just as he -had said. As he came near to the castle, the giant was looking out and -said:</p> -<p class="par">“You earthworm, what are you looking -for?”</p> -<p class="par">“Oh! I should like to have a try for that big head -of yours.”</p> -<p class="par">The giant fell into a rage. He was holding a great club -in his hand, and he flung it at Hynek, but Hynek dodged aside and the -club sank deep into the ground, it had been flung with such force. So -Hynek went right up to him, and, crack! he struck him with the wand. So -the giant tumbled over. Hynek took his sword and struck his head off. -Then he took an iron key out of the giant’s pocket. He opened the -lock, took the robe and the horse, and dressed himself as became a -knight. Then he turned the ring, and in a moment he found himself on -the road along <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb114" href="#pb114" name="pb114">114</a>]</span>which they were bringing the princess to be -devoured by the dragon. When he saw the procession, he asked:</p> -<p class="par">“What’s going on here, and why are the -people in such grief?”</p> -<p class="par">“Because the princess is to be devoured by a -dragon to-day.”</p> -<p class="par">Hynek said: “For the sake of her beauty, show me -his den where he dwells.”</p> -<p class="par">So he rode up to the rock and called out loudly: -“Now, dragon, come on; your meal is ready here, waiting for -you.”</p> -<p class="par">But the dragon answered: “I don’t want it -to-day; come to-morrow, at eleven.”</p> -<p class="par">So Hynek returned. He rode towards them and said that -the dragon would not leave his den to-day. So they all went back to the -town with the knight, and the king would not let him go away on any -account. But Hynek began to make excuses. He had to deliver a letter -for the field marshal and he could not remain there. Then he turned the -ring on his finger, and instantly he was in the castle again. He left -the clothes and the horse there, putting the clothes tidily together. -Then he put on his shepherd’s dress, turned the ring, and at once -he was <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb115" href="#pb115" name="pb115">115</a>]</span>near the forest, where the black man had been -tending his sheep meanwhile. He greeted him kindly:</p> -<p class="par">“You have done everything well. Always act like -that.”</p> -<p class="par">So he drove the sheep home and played the zither again. -Everybody ran up to the door to listen to the magic playing of the -shepherd. But he said nothing to anybody.</p> -<p class="par">The next day he drove the sheep to the forest still -earlier. The black man was there waiting for him, and said: -“Follow my advice and you will be happy.”</p> -<p class="par">He said that he would do so. The black man was to mind -the sheep again. He gave Hynek the wand and the ring, and Hynek came to -another castle.</p> -<p class="par">The giant was looking out as he came up; he was standing -in the doorway. He asked the lad grimly what he was looking for.</p> -<p class="par">“Oh! it’s nothing. I only want to try for -that big head of yours.”</p> -<p class="par">The giant was holding a hammer and he hurled it at him. -No eye could see where it fell. Hynek leapt towards him, and, crack! he -struck him with the wand, and the giant fell over and Hynek cut his -head off too. He <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb116" href="#pb116" -name="pb116">116</a>]</span>took a silver key out of the giant’s -pocket and went straight to the castle. There he chose a robe, girded -on a sword, took a horse, and turned the ring again. Once more he was -on the road where the princess was being brought to be devoured. He -asked them in a different language why they were wailing so.</p> -<p class="par">“Well, our princess is to be devoured by the -dragon to-day. He would not leave his den yesterday.”</p> -<p class="par">“Show me his den: I will sacrifice myself for the -sake of her beauty.”</p> -<p class="par">They showed him the rock, and he rode straight up to it -and called out: “Now, dragon, come on; your meal is ready -here.”</p> -<p class="par">“I don’t want it to-day, wait till eleven -to-morrow.”</p> -<p class="par">The king was still less willing to let him go this time, -but he found some excuse, turned his horse, and went back with -everything to the castle.</p> -<p class="par">Then he returned to the forest and the black man. The -black man said: “Drive your sheep home now, but come earlier -to-morrow, for a heavy task awaits you.”</p> -<p class="par">Hynek could not rest that night: he was so afraid that -he would be too late. As soon <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb117" -href="#pb117" name="pb117">117</a>]</span>as dawn came he let out the -flock and drove it to the forest. When he got there, the black man said -to him: “There’s only to-day now. It will be the last time. -But it will be a heavy task for you to tackle the third giant and the -dragon.” Then he gave him the wand and the ring, and said that -the key to-day would be of gold. He must choose the robe and take a -black horse, and he must take with him the sword with which he had -killed the giant and the dragon.</p> -<p class="par">He turned the ring and was brought to the third castle. -Here was a giant again, much huger than the other two. He ran at Hynek, -but, crack! Hynek struck him with the wand. Then he took his sword and -killed him. Then he opened the castle with a golden key; he went to the -stable, then he put on a green robe and brought out a black horse. -There was a sword hanging there, and he girded it on. Then he turned -the ring, and in a moment he was on the road along which they were -bringing the princess to be devoured by the dragon.</p> -<p class="par">He asked them in yet another language why they were so -sorrowful. He was ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of her -beauty. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb118" href="#pb118" name="pb118">118</a>]</span>So they showed him the den in which the dragon -dwelt, and he called out: “Well, come on, dragon; your meal is -ready and waiting for you here.”</p> -<p class="par">Now the rock began to shake; all the stones came rolling -down, and the dragon flew out of the rock, his seven heads burning with -flame, and he made straight for Hynek. Hynek began cutting at the seven -heads until he was weary that he could not do any more. Then the horse -began to crush the dragon, until after a while Hynek, being rested, -took his sword, and at once he cut all the seven heads off.</p> -<p class="par">He was so scorched by the fire that he could not run -away, and he fainted on the spot. The people had seen what was -happening, so they rode up and carried him away, lest he should perish -of the dragon’s poison. They brought him and laid him in the -princess’s lap. She gave him her ring and a golden neckchain, and -so he recovered his senses and found himself lying in the -princess’s lap. He was afraid that he had stayed too long, for he -was supposed to be with the marshal by this time. They were all trying -to hold him back from going, but he found an excuse <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb119" href="#pb119" name="pb119">119</a>]</span>and -promised he would come back within three days. So at last they just had -to let him go.</p> -<p class="par">He returned to the castle, where he put everything back -in its place again, except the sword, which he took with him and gave -to the black man. The black man said to him: “You have succeeded -now, and it will be well with both of us.”</p> -<p class="par">So Hynek drove his sheep home rejoicing. He was playing -the zither, and all the people gathered outside to listen to his rare -and sweet music. He asked what had happened to the princess: had the -dragon devoured her?</p> -<p class="par">“Oh no! A knight delivered her, and the king is -going to give her in marriage to him.”</p> -<p class="par">“Alas! silly shepherd that I am, why did I not -tackle him myself with my shepherd’s staff!”</p> -<p class="par">But they all laughed at him: “You mind your sheep, -that’s what befits you.”</p> -<p class="par">In the royal castle the wedding-feast was ready. The -sixth day had come and they were still waiting for him. But the -bridegroom did not come and the princess was sad. On the sixth day he -asked the marshal if he <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb120" href="#pb120" name="pb120">120</a>]</span>could go to the castle to play his -zither to the princess; he would like to cheer her, since she was so -sad.</p> -<p class="par">“You may go, and, if you succeed, you shall make -some extra money.”</p> -<p class="par">So Hynek went and played, and the music was so sweet -that the lords could listen to nothing but his beautiful playing. He -played for three hours, and then he must go home. They asked him what -reward he would like.</p> -<p class="par">“Nothing but to drink a cup of wine with the -princess.”</p> -<p class="par">He had ready the ring which the princess had given him -when he was in her lap. His request was granted, and the rest of the -musicians who were there were angry with him for claiming so -insignificant a reward. When they had filled the cup for him, he drank -the wine and dropped the ring into the cup.</p> -<p class="par">Now, the cupbearer who was filling the cup looked into -it and saw the glittering ring. So he hastened to the princess with it. -She recognized it as her own, so she ordered them to bring that -shepherd before her.</p> -<p class="par">“Well,” he said, “surely they -won’t beat me!”</p> -<p class="par">They brought him before the princess, and <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb121" href="#pb121" name="pb121">121</a>]</span>she -made him tell her how he had got that ring and how he had been -clothed.</p> -<p class="par">So he said: “All those three days I was with -you.”</p> -<p class="par">Hynek did not go back to the marshal, though he -complained of the loss of his shepherd. He was clad in royal robes now, -and they had a splendid wedding in the castle. But the princess did not -know what his parentage was, although she could see that he was not a -low-born man.</p> -<p class="par">So after a year he said he would like to visit his -parents, and he told her to prepare for the journey. She was to send a -letter to Prince So-and-So that the young queen was going to visit him. -He would go on ahead.</p> -<p class="par">So he put his shepherd’s dress on once more and -purposely tore it in several places, and, when his princess arrived and -everybody was welcoming her, he went straight into the great hall. Now, -when the old Prince saw that it was his son all tattered and torn, he -bade them put him under lock and key. But he had no difficulty in -escaping, and while they were feasting, he came into the hall again and -sat down next to the princess. The father was furious that his son -should behave so shamefully. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb122" href="#pb122" name="pb122">122</a>]</span>But the princess reassured him. It -was all right, she said. She did not mind at all; he might sit where he -pleased.</p> -<p class="par">After dinner she called for a bath. They prepared it for -her. But Hynek was quicker, and slipped into the bathroom before her. -She shut the door and he put on his royal robes, and then they went -before his father. The Prince was frightened, since he had thought so -ill of his son, and he fell on his knees. But Hynek lifted him up and -himself kneeled before him and asked his forgiveness.</p> -<p class="par">Then came in the black man. He gave Hynek the sword and -bade him cut his head off. Hynek would not repay his kindness in this -way.</p> -<p class="par">“Then we shall both be unhappy.”</p> -<p class="par">So when he saw what he was to do, he cut the head off -and, when he had done that, an English prince appeared in his stead. He -was only eighteen years old. All his followers woke up too. Hynek -accompanied him to England, and then took leave of him.</p> -<p class="par">How are they all now?</p> -<p class="par">I don’t know. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb123" -href="#pb123" name="pb123">123</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch10" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e342">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE THREE ROSES</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once upon a time there was a mother who had three -daughters. There was to be a market in the next town, and she said she -would go to it. She asked the daughters what she should bring them -back. Two of them named a great number of things; she must buy all of -them, they said. You know the sort of women, and the sort of things -they would want. Well, when they had asked for more than enough, the -mother asked the third daughter:</p> -<p class="par">“And you, don’t you want -anything?”</p> -<p class="par">“No, I don’t want anything; but, if you -like, you can bring me three roses, please.”</p> -<p class="par">If she wanted no more than that, her mother was ready to -bring them.</p> -<p class="par">When the mother knew all she wanted, she went off to -market. She bought all she could, piled it all on her back, and started -for home. But she was overtaken by nightfall, and the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb124" href="#pb124" name="pb124">124</a>]</span>poor -mother completely lost her way and could go no farther. She wandered -through the forest till she was quite worn out, and at last she came to -a palace, though she had never before heard of any palace there. There -was a large garden full of roses, so beautiful that no painter alive -could paint them, and all the roses were smiling at her. So she -remembered her youngest daughter, who had wished for just such roses. -She had forgotten it entirely till then. Surely that was because she -was so old! Now she thought: “There are plenty of roses here, so -I will take these three.”</p> -<p class="par">So she went into the garden and took the roses. At once -a basilisk came and demanded her daughter in exchange for the roses. -The mother was terrified and wanted to throw the flowers away. But the -basilisk said that wouldn’t be any use, and he threatened to tear -her to pieces. So she had to promise him her daughter. There was no -help for it, and so she went home.</p> -<p class="par">She took the three roses to her daughter and said: -“Here are the roses, but I had to pay dearly for them. You must -go to yonder castle in payment for them, and I don’t even know -whether you will ever come back.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb125" href="#pb125" name="pb125">125</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">But Mary seemed as though she didn’t mind at all, -and she said she would go. So the mother took her to the castle. There -was everything she wanted there. Soon the basilisk appeared and told -Mary that she must nurse him in her lap for three hours every day. -There was no way out, do it she must, and so the basilisk came and she -nursed him for three hours. Then he went out, but he came next day and -the day after that. On the third day he brought a sword and told poor -Mary to cut his head off.</p> -<p class="par">She protested that she wasn’t used to doing things -like that, and do it she could not. But the basilisk said in a rage -that, if that was so, he would tear her to pieces. As there was no -choice, she went up to him and cut his head off. And as the -basilisk’s head rolled on the ground, there came forth from his -body a long serpent, hissing horribly. He asked her to cut his head off -again. Mary did not hesitate this time, but cut his head off at -once.</p> -<p class="par">The serpent (by the way, he held the golden keys of that -palace in his mouth) was immediately changed into a beautiful youth, -and he said in a pleasant voice: “This <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb126" href="#pb126" name="pb126">126</a>]</span>castle belongs to me, and, as you have delivered -me, there is no help for it: I must marry you.”</p> -<p class="par">So there was a great wedding, the castle was full of -their attendants, and they all had to play and dance. But the floor was -of paper, so I fell through it, and here I am now. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb128" href="#pb128" name="pb128">128</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e1806width"><img src="images/p128.jpg" alt="Two men in pub; one drinking beer, another smoking." width="586" -height="694"></div> -<p class="par"><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb129" href="#pb129" name="pb129">129</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch11" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e349">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE ENCHANTED PRINCESSES</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">In the days of King Bambita, his two noble -daughters oppressed the people, laying heavy taxes on them without the -king’s knowledge. The people cursed them, and the curses did -their work. The princesses vanished. The king sent some of his servants -to look for the princesses. But the servants came back empty-handed. -None of them had been able to find the princesses.</p> -<p class="par">Now, a captain and a lieutenant heard of the -king’s trouble. So the lieutenant went to the king, and “I -see,” says he, “that you are in trouble. I will go and look -for the princesses.”</p> -<p class="par">“How much do you want for it?” asked the -king.</p> -<p class="par">“Twenty pounds.”</p> -<p class="par">The king agreed, and gave him the money. “If you -find them,” said he, “half of my kingdom is yours.” -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb130" href="#pb130" name="pb130">130</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The lieutenant and the captain had plenty of money now, -so they went to an inn and passed the time drinking. On the third day -the captain said: “To-day I will go to the king. If he gave you -twenty pounds, he is certain to give me more.”</p> -<p class="par">So he went to the king and said: “I see that your -majesty is in trouble. I should like to go and look for the -princesses.”</p> -<p class="par">“How much do you want for it?” said the -king.</p> -<p class="par">“Thirty pounds.”</p> -<p class="par">Well, the king gave him the money without any more ado, -adding that, if he found the princesses, he would get half of his -kingdom.</p> -<p class="par">They fell to drinking again and had a splendid time.</p> -<p class="par">There was a drummer near them, and he heard them saying -that they were to look for the princesses. So he went to the king and -said: “I hear that your majesty is prostrated by sore trouble. I, -too, would like to look for the princesses.”</p> -<p class="par">“How much do you want for it?”</p> -<p class="par">“Forty pounds, at least.”</p> -<p class="par">The king gave him the money without <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb131" href="#pb131" name="pb131">131</a>]</span>more -ado. The two officers and the drummer left that inn for another, and so -they went on spending their money recklessly in one drinking-house -after another. The drummer went with the other two, but he was more -careful than they were. He was not such a spendthrift as the two -officers.</p> -<p class="par">They asked him where he meant to go.</p> -<p class="par">“Wherever you go, I will go too,” he -replied.</p> -<p class="par">“Then why don’t you join us and lead a gay -life?”</p> -<p class="par">“That I can’t do until I know where to find -the princesses.”</p> -<p class="par">They invited him to join them, but he refused to do -it.</p> -<p class="par">At last they bought some bread and other food, and they -all set out together on their journey. They came to a dark forest, and -for a fortnight they searched it through and through, but they could -find nothing. They couldn’t find their way out of the forest -either, so they agreed that one of them should climb to the top of the -highest tree to see which way they ought to go. The drummer, being the -youngest, climbed up a pine-tree. He called out: <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb132" href="#pb132" name="pb132">132</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“I can see a cottage. Look, I will throw my hat -towards it, and do you follow the hat.”</p> -<p class="par">Well, they went on until they reached the cottage.</p> -<p class="par">“Go into the room,” says the drummer.</p> -<p class="par">“After you,” said both the officers at -once.</p> -<p class="par">So the drummer stepped inside, and an old crone welcomed -him.</p> -<p class="par">“Welcome, Drummer Anthony,” said she. -“How did you get here?”</p> -<p class="par">“I have come to deliver the princesses, and only -for that.”</p> -<p class="par">“Well, you will find them, but those other two -fellows will get them from you by a trick.”</p> -<p class="par">She gave him a rope three hundred fathoms long and told -him to bind it round his body. She also gave him some wine and a -sponge. Then she said: “Not far from here there is a well. When -you come to it, you must say that you will let yourself down into the -well, if the other fellows will drink the fountain dry.”</p> -<p class="par">When they got to the well, the captain and the -lieutenant began to drink the fountain, but it was just as full as -before. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb133" href="#pb133" name="pb133">133</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“If we kept on drinking this fountain till -doomsday,” they said, “we could not drink it -dry.”</p> -<p class="par">So the drummer took the sponge, and at once the water -began to disappear, and soon the well was dry. They began to quarrel as -to who should go down the well. The one on the right side said the -other ought to go, but at last they agreed that the drummer, who was -the lightest, should go.</p> -<p class="par">So he went down, and, when he reached the bottom of the -well, he found a stone there. He drew it aside, and then he saw the -light of the other world. He lowered himself on the rope into the other -world. There he saw a beautiful palace. He went towards it. When he -reached it, he saw that the table was laid for two persons. He ate his -meal and then went into the second room. There he laid himself down to -sleep, and when he awoke in the morning, he found the Princess Anne in -the third room.</p> -<p class="par">“Welcome,” she said; “what has brought -you here?”</p> -<p class="par">He told her that he had come to deliver her.</p> -<p class="par">She said: “I don’t know whether you will -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb134" href="#pb134" name="pb134">134</a>]</span>succeed in that. Here is a sword; see if you can -brandish it.”</p> -<p class="par">The drummer took hold of the sword, but he could not -even lift it, it was so heavy.</p> -<p class="par">Then the princess gave him a ring. “Take -this,” she said, “and whenever you think of me, you will -become strong. I have to hold the dragon in my lap for a whole hour. As -soon as he comes, he will smell a man. But you must cut him in two, for -then I shall be delivered. Just at nine o’clock he -comes.”</p> -<p class="par">Just at nine o’clock the palace began to tremble -and the dragon came in. But the drummer encountered him and struck him -in two with the sword.</p> -<p class="par">After that the princess took him into another room. -“Now you have delivered me,” she said. “But my sister -is in worse trouble still. She has to hold a dragon in her lap for two -hours, and that dragon is even stronger than this one.”</p> -<p class="par">Then they went into the fourth room, where was the -Princess Antonia. She, too, greeted him, and told him that he would be -able to deliver her if he could brandish the sword beside her. He -tried, but he could <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb135" href="#pb135" -name="pb135">135</a>]</span>not even move it. Then she gave him a ring -and told him that, whenever he thought of her, he would have the -strength of two hundred men. She said, too, that if he succeeded in -setting her free she would marry him.</p> -<p class="par">Soon eleven o’clock came. The hall began to -tremble and the dragon appeared. But, as he was coming in, Anthony was -ready for him near the door, and he managed to cut the dragon in -two.</p> -<p class="par">Now, when the two princesses had been set free, they -gathered all the precious stones they could to take with them, and went -to the opening that led into the world. But the drummer had quite -forgotten the old crone’s warning about the other two fellows, -and he sent the princesses up before him. Each of the officers took a -princess for himself, and the drummer was left behind at the bottom of -the well. When his turn came, he was careful enough to tie a stone to -the rope. His companions on the top pulled it up a little way and then -suddenly let it drop, throwing down other stones into the well to kill -the drummer. But he had remembered the crone’s warning that his -friends would try to <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb136" href="#pb136" -name="pb136">136</a>]</span>trick him. So he jumped aside and remained -there in the other world.</p> -<p class="par">He went back to the palace and entered the seventh room. -On the table were three boxes. He opened the first and found a whistle -inside it. He blew the whistle, and in came some generals and asked -what was his majesty’s will. He said he had only whistled to find -out if they were attending to their duty. Then he looked into the -second box, and there he saw a bugle. He blew the bugle, and in came -some officers, who said just what the generals had said. In the third -box he found a drum. He beat the drum, and immediately he was -surrounded by infantry and cavalry, a great multitude of soldiers. He -asked whether any of them had ever been in Europe. Two men were found -among them who had been shipwrecked.</p> -<p class="par">“Where is the ship?” said the drummer.</p> -<p class="par">“Here on the seacoast,” they replied.</p> -<p class="par">At that, Anthony decked himself out in a royal robe and -started on his travels for Europe.</p> -<p class="par">Meanwhile the two princesses had reached home. One was -engaged to be married to the lieutenant, the other to the captain. -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb137" href="#pb137" name="pb137">137</a>]</span>But when the time for the wedding came, both the -princesses, still thinking of Anthony, asked for a delay of one year, -and their royal father granted their request.</p> -<p class="par">Anthony arrived safely in that land. He met a traveller -and said to him, “Look here, why should you not change clothes -with me?”</p> -<p class="par">He was glad to do so, and Anthony went on to the town in -which the princesses lived and sought out a goldsmith. He asked the -goldsmith for work.</p> -<p class="par">“I haven’t work enough for myself,” -said the goldsmith.</p> -<p class="par">“Well,” said the drummer, “I have had -an order for two rings, although I was only walking the -street.”</p> -<p class="par">“You are a lucky fellow,” said the -goldsmith, and his wife, when she heard of it, spoke in the -drummer’s favour, so he was taken on as assistant.</p> -<p class="par">“Now,” said he, “give me what I want -and I will make the rings. But nobody must enter my room: I will take -my meals in at the door.”</p> -<p class="par">On the third day one ring was finished, and this one was -meant for the Princess Anne. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb138" href="#pb138" name="pb138">138</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“You must take this ring to the Princess Anne, -master,” said he.</p> -<p class="par">“So I will,” said the goldsmith; “but -what is your price for it?”</p> -<p class="par">“A thousand pounds,” said he.</p> -<p class="par">“If that’s so, I won’t go. They would -put me in jail.”</p> -<p class="par">“Be easy,” said Anthony, “nothing will -happen to you.”</p> -<p class="par">So the goldsmith went to the palace, and sent in a -message that his assistant had made a ring for the Princess Anne. She -sent a message that she had not ordered a ring, but she would look at -it. As soon as she saw it, she asked: “How much do you want for -this?” He replied that he was almost afraid to say that it was -worth a thousand pounds.</p> -<p class="par">“Oh! it is worth much more than that,” she -said, and she paid the sum at once.</p> -<p class="par">The goldsmith returned home and told his wife what he -had got for the ring. She wondered what sort of person their new -assistant was. The master brought the money to him, but the assistant -would not accept it.</p> -<p class="par">“You can keep the money for yourself,” he -said, “and I have just finished the ring for <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb139" href="#pb139" name="pb139">139</a>]</span>the -Princess Antonia. You will have to go to the palace again with -this.”</p> -<p class="par">This time the master-goldsmith was ready enough to go. -“How much am I to ask for this ring?” he said.</p> -<p class="par">“Ask two thousand pounds.”</p> -<p class="par">So he was brought to the princess, and he told her that -his apprentice had made a ring for her. She answered that she had not -ordered a ring. “However, show it to me.”</p> -<p class="par">As soon as she glanced at it, she said: “How much -do you want for this?”</p> -<p class="par">“Two thousand pounds.”</p> -<p class="par">“Oh! it’s worth much more than that,” -she said.</p> -<p class="par">So she paid down the money and told the master-goldsmith -to fetch his assistant to her. As soon as the master came home, he told -his wife everything. She was still more astonished.</p> -<p class="par">“O Lord!” she said, “I cannot -understand it at all.”</p> -<p class="par">The master told Anthony that the princess bade him come -and see her.</p> -<p class="par">“She can come to me,” was his reply.</p> -<p class="par">When the princess heard that, she lost no time, but took -some royal garments for him, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb140" href="#pb140" name="pb140">140</a>]</span>and drove to Anthony’s house -in the royal coach. She went straight to him and said, “I am come -to bring you home with me, Anthony.”</p> -<p class="par">She bade him put on the royal robe she had brought with -her for him, and they drove together to the palace, and their marriage -was celebrated not long after.</p> -<p class="par">The two officers thought the king would banish them or -inflict some punishment upon them, but he pardoned them and gave them -sufficient money to live at the court. Anthony himself did not care for -royalty. He and his wife arranged that they would return to the place -where he had first found the princesses. So they departed for that -land, but a storm drove them on shore near to the place where he had -met the old crone. She gave him welcome.</p> -<p class="par">“So you are back again,” she said.</p> -<p class="par">They explained to her that what they wished was to go -back to that palace beneath the fountain.</p> -<p class="par">“Well,” she said, “I will show you the -way to the other world, and I will let you down the well.”</p> -<p class="par">They came to the opening, and Anthony <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb141" href="#pb141" name="pb141">141</a>]</span>was -about to enter the well, but the old hag begged him to wait with her -and let the princess go on before.</p> -<p class="par">So the princess was let down to the bottom of the well, -and then the crone said: “I won’t let you follow her unless -you first cut off my head.”</p> -<p class="par">“This is a strange way to repay the good you have -done me,” said Anthony.</p> -<p class="par">“Well, unless you promise this you will never see -your princess again.”</p> -<p class="par">So he had to promise, and with that she waved her wand -and a road appeared, which led them straight to the princess. Then -Anthony struck off the crone’s head, and they found themselves -amid crowds of farmers who were ploughing and soldiers standing at -attention, and one and all welcoming their new lords. For this land was -an enchanted land, and the old crone was a witch. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb142" href="#pb142" name="pb142">142</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch12" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e356">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE TWIN BROTHERS</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once there was a princess, and she was under a -curse and enchantment, so that she had to spend her life in the shape -of a fish. One day a woman happened to be working in the meadow by the -river, and she saw a flock of birds flying above the river and talking -to the fish. The woman wondered what it was that was there, so she went -to the waterside and looked in. All she saw was a fish swimming about. -So she said: “I should like to eat you, fish. I feel sure you -would do me good.”</p> -<p class="par">Now, when she said that, the fish answered: “You -could save me. You will have twin sons, although you have never had any -children before.”</p> -<p class="par">The woman said that, if she could help her in that, -there was nothing the fish could ask that she would not do to deliver -her.</p> -<p class="par">The fish answered: “Catch me and take me -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb143" href="#pb143" name="pb143">143</a>]</span>to your field. There you must bury me and plant -a rose-tree over me. When the roses first come into bloom you will bear -twin sons. After three years, dig in the place where you buried me and -you will find two swords, and these you must keep. Your mare will have -two foals and your bitch will have two pups, and each of your twins -will have a sword, a horse, and a dog. Those swords will have the -virtue that they will help your sons to victory over everybody. I shall -be delivered as soon as my body has rotted.”</p> -<p class="par">When the twin sons grew up they were very clever, and so -they said: “We must try our luck in the world. We are bold -enough. One of us will go to the East and one to the West. Each of us -must look at his sword every morning to see if the other needs his -help. For the sword will begin to rust as soon as one of us is in -peril.”</p> -<p class="par">So they cast lots which way they should go, and each of -them took his sword, his horse, and his dog, and away they went.</p> -<p class="par">The first rode through deep forests, and he met a fierce -dragon and a lion; so he attacked the dragon, which had nine heads. The -lion stayed quiet while the knight attacked the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb144" href="#pb144" name="pb144">144</a>]</span>dragon, and at last he succeeded in cutting one -of the dragon’s heads off. He felt tired then, and the lion took -his place; then the knight cut two more heads off the dragon. And so it -went on till he had all the heads cut off. Then he cut out the tongues -from all the nine heads and kept them, and so went forward on his -adventurous journey.</p> -<p class="par">Now, it chanced that there were some woodcutters in -these forests, and one of them collected all the dragon’s heads, -having come across them by chance. That dragon used to come to the town -and devour one person every visit. This time the lot had fallen upon -the princess, and so she was to be devoured by the dragon. So the town -was all hung with black cloth. The woodcutter knew all about this, so -he went with the heads to the town to sue for the princess, for it had -been proclaimed that whoever killed the dragon should be her husband. -When the princess saw that such a low-born man was to be her husband -she was taken aback, and tried by all the means in her power to delay -the wedding.</p> -<p class="par">The knight happened to come to the town just then, and -he saw a good inn, so he rode <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb145" -href="#pb145" name="pb145">145</a>]</span>up to it. The innkeeper came -at once to ask what he could do for him. Now, there were other guests -there, and it was a busy place. The guests were all talking of the one -matter: when the princess was going to marry the man who had killed the -dragon. The wedding ought to have been long ago, but the bride and her -parents kept putting it off. The knight listened to all this talk, and -then he asked:</p> -<p class="par">“Are you sure that it was that woodcutter who -killed the dragon?”</p> -<p class="par">They answered that it certainly was, for the heads were -preserved in the palace.</p> -<p class="par">The knight said nothing, but when he thought the proper -time had come he rode to the palace. The princess saw him from the -window, and she wondered who it might be. He was ushered in, and he -went straight to the princess and told her everything. He asked her -whether he might attend the wedding.</p> -<p class="par">She answered: “I am not at all pleased with my -marriage. I would much rather marry you, sir.”</p> -<p class="par">He asked her why.</p> -<p class="par">“If he killed the dragon he must be a great -man.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb146" href="#pb146" name="pb146">146</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“He is such a low-born man,” said she, -“that it is not likely that he killed the dragon.”</p> -<p class="par">“I should like to see him,” said he.</p> -<p class="par">So they brought the woodcutter before him, and the -knight asked to see the heads. So they brought the heads. He looked at -the heads and said:</p> -<p class="par">“There are no tongues in these heads. Where are -the tongues?”</p> -<p class="par">Then he turned to the woodcutter: “Did you really -kill the cruel dragon?” he said.</p> -<p class="par">The woodcutter persisted in his story.</p> -<p class="par">“And how did you cut the heads off?”</p> -<p class="par">“With my hatchet.”</p> -<p class="par">“Why, you couldn’t do it with your hatchet. -You are a liar.”</p> -<p class="par">The woodcutter was taken aback and did not know what to -say. He was frightened already, but he said: “It happened that -the dragon didn’t have any tongues.”</p> -<p class="par">The knight produced the tongues and said: “Here -are the tongues, and it was I who killed the cruel dragon.”</p> -<p class="par">The princess took hold of him and embraced and kissed -him, and she was ready to marry him on the spot. As for the woodcutter, -he was kicked out in disgrace, and they put him <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb147" href="#pb147" name="pb147">147</a>]</span>into -jail for some time too. So the princess married the knight and they -lived happily together.</p> -<p class="par">One day, looking out of the window, he saw in the -distance, among the mountains, a black castle. He asked his wife what -castle it was and to whom it belonged.</p> -<p class="par">“That is an enchanted castle, and nobody who goes -into it ever returns.”</p> -<p class="par">But he could not rest, and he was eager to explore the -castle. So one morning he ordered his horse to be saddled, and, -accompanied by his dog, he rode to the castle. When they reached it -they found the gate open. As he went in he saw men and animals all -turned to stone. In the hall an old hag was sitting by the fire. When -she saw him she pretended to tremble.</p> -<p class="par">“Dear lord,” said she, “bind your dog. -He might bite me.”</p> -<p class="par">He said: “Do not be afraid. He will do you no -harm.”</p> -<p class="par">He bent down to pat the dog, and at that moment the hag -took her wand and struck him with it. He was turned to stone, and his -horse and dog too.</p> -<p class="par">The princess waited for her lord, but he did not -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb148" href="#pb148" name="pb148">148</a>]</span>return. She mourned for him, and the citizens, -who loved their lord, were grieved at his loss.</p> -<p class="par">Now, the other brother looked at his sword, and the -sword began to rust; so he was sure that his brother was in trouble. He -felt that he must help him, so he rode off in that direction and came -to the town. The town was hung with black flags. As he rode through the -streets the citizens saw him, and they thought he was their lord, for -he had a horse and a dog just like their lord’s horse and dog. -When the princess saw him, she embraced him and said: “Where have -you been so long, my dear husband?”</p> -<p class="par">He said that he had lost his way in the forest and that -he had fallen among robbers, and, since he had no choice, he had to -pretend to be a robber too, and to promise to stay with them and to -show them good hiding-places. The robbers, so he said, admitted him to -be of their company, and he had not been able to escape before -this.</p> -<p class="par">Everybody was delighted, and the lord’s brother -was careful enough not to say that he was only the brother. But, -whenever they went to bed, he put his sword between himself and the -lady. The princess was troubled at <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb149" -href="#pb149" name="pb149">149</a>]</span>this, and she tried to find -different explanations for the conduct of her supposed husband. One -morning, as he was looking out of the window, he saw that same castle, -and he asked what castle it was.</p> -<p class="par">She answered: “I have told you already that it is -an enchanted castle, and that nobody who goes there ever -returns.”</p> -<p class="par">So he thought: “It is surely there that my brother -is.”</p> -<p class="par">He ordered his horse to be saddled and, without saying a -word to anybody, he rode off to the castle. As soon as he entered the -castle he saw his brother and his dog turned to stone. He saw, too, all -the petrified knights and their horses, and the hag sitting and keeping -up the fire.</p> -<p class="par">He said: “You old hag, unless you bring my brother -to life again I’ll hew you in pieces with this sword of -mine.”</p> -<p class="par">The hag knew that the sword had magical virtues, and so -she said:</p> -<p class="par">“Pray, sir, do not be angry with me. Take that box -there and rub the ointment beneath his nose and he will come to life -again.”</p> -<p class="par">“Curse you, you evil old hag; do it yourself, and -instantly.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb150" href="#pb150" -name="pb150">150</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">And he went and caught hold of her wand and struck her -with it, and at once she was turned into stone. He had not meant to do -that, for he did not know that the wand had such power. He took the box -and rubbed the ointment beneath his brother’s nose, and the -brother came to life again. Then he anointed all the others who had -been turned to stone, and they all came to life again. As for the hag, -he left her there just as she was.</p> -<p class="par">Then the brothers rode off to the princess. When she saw -them, she did not know which of them was her husband, they were so like -one another.</p> -<p class="par">So she said: “What am I to do now? Which of you is -my lord?”</p> -<p class="par">They came before her and bade her choose the right one. -But still she hesitated. So her husband went up to her and took her by -the hand and said: “I am the right one and that is my -brother.”</p> -<p class="par">He told her everything, and she was glad that her real -husband had come again. So they lived happily together, and, as for the -other brother, he went to seek his fortune elsewhere. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb151" href="#pb151" name="pb151">151</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch13" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e367">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE WATERNICK</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once upon a time there were two children, a boy -and a girl. They only had a mother, who was a widow. One day their -mother sent them to get some wood for the fire. Off they went. The girl -was just learning to knit, so she put a ball of wool in her pocket. -They went on as far as they knew the way. Then suddenly they began to -wonder whether they could find their way home.</p> -<p class="par">The girl said: “I will bind the end of the thread -to a tree, and so we shall be able to find our way back.”</p> -<p class="par">So they went on till the thread had all run out. Then -they turned back, but they found that wild creatures had broken the -thread. What were they to do? They wandered on till night fell, and -then they saw that they would have to spend the night in the forest. -They came to a pond, and they found that they could not go any farther. -So they <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb152" href="#pb152" name="pb152">152</a>]</span>walked round the pond till the Waternick got -hold of them. He took them with him, and there they were.</p> -<p class="par">When he got home with them, his wife was waiting for -him. Round the stove there were some shelves for vessels that they used -for catching poor souls in. The Waternick and his wife were delighted -with the children; they decided that they would employ them as -servants, so Mrs. Waternick took charge of them. The children spent -some years in this way and learned about everything under the -water.</p> -<p class="par">One day the Waternick went away to catch some human -souls, and he gave orders to Mrs. Waternick not to leave the children -alone. But the old hag fell asleep, and the children walked some -distance from the hut, till they thought she would scold them, and so -they returned home. But they meant to go farther the next day, if only -the old hag went to sleep again. As soon as they were sure that she was -asleep they ran out of the hut and went as far as they could.</p> -<p class="par">The old hag woke up and cried out: “Where are you, -children?”</p> -<p class="par">She jumped to her feet and ran after them. They were -within a few steps of getting safe <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb153" -href="#pb153" name="pb153">153</a>]</span>away, when, alas! she -overtook them. She took them back and forced them to work, and they had -to stay at home besides.</p> -<p class="par">When the Waternick came home, she told him all about it, -and the Waternick said<span class="corr" id="xd21e2158" title= -"Not in source">:</span> “Never mind, I’ll set them to -work, and they won’t have time to think about making their way -home.”</p> -<p class="par">So in the morning he took them to the forest and gave -them a wooden hatchet and a wooden saw and bade them, fell the -trees.</p> -<p class="par">“When they are all cut down, you shall go back -again.”</p> -<p class="par">So the Waternick left them, and the children began the -work at once. They took the saw and tried to cut down a tree. But the -saw soon broke and they were done for. So they took the hatchet, and -the hatchet split in two after one stroke. They began to cry.</p> -<p class="par">“Things look bad for us,” they said.</p> -<p class="par">Since they saw that they could not help themselves, they -stayed where they were, and presently they fell asleep. I don’t -know how long they had been sleeping. But it was already time to go -back.</p> -<p class="par">The Waternick came and asked: “Have you -finished?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb154" href="#pb154" -name="pb154">154</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">They said that the hatchet and saw were only made of -wood, and that both were broken. He took them home.</p> -<p class="par">Next day the Waternick went about his work, while Mrs. -Waternick was busy outside the hut. The children looked at the cups on -the shelves. The cups were tilted up. So the girl lifted one of them. -And she heard the words: “God speed you!” She lifted -another, and the same greeting came again. So she kept on lifting the -cups till she had lifted all of them. Human souls had been imprisoned -under those cups. Now the hag came into the room and she saw that all -the cups had been lifted. She began to curse, and she said that the -children would certainly get a good thrashing when the old man came -home.</p> -<p class="par">The children often felt lonely; they thought of their -mother and wondered if she were still alive, and what they could do to -get away. So they decided that the next day, when the hag was sleeping, -they would try how far they could get.</p> -<p class="par">“If only we could get as far as home, it would be -all right then.”</p> -<p class="par">In the morning the girl had to comb Mrs. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb155" href="#pb155" name="pb155">155</a>]</span>Waternick’s hair and dress her in her -smart dress. When she had finished, Mrs. Waternick had a sleep. Now the -children took to their heels; they were as quick as ravens, trying to -get away before Mrs. Waternick should wake. Being swift of foot, they -reached the shore. They leapt out and ran straight on again. Of course -they heard the hag screeching behind them, but they were on dry land, -so they thought: “We needn’t care for anything -now.”</p> -<p class="par">The hag soon stopped her pursuit. The children were -tired, so they lay down under a tree in the forest and fell asleep. As -they were sleeping, somebody woke them up. It was the forester. They -told him that they were afraid of falling into the Waternick’s -hands again. But the forester told them not to be afraid, and asked how -they came there. The children told him everything just as it had -happened.</p> -<p class="par">Now, the forester remembered that he had heard of a -widow who had lost her children. So he thought that these must be the -children. He said nothing, but he told his wife to get them some food, -and asked the children to sit down and eat. The children thought the -food <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb156" href="#pb156" name="pb156">156</a>]</span>was very nice, so he asked them what they were -accustomed to eat. They said they were accustomed to eat flowers. So -they ate plenty.</p> -<p class="par">The forester decided to do all he could to get the -children home. At last it was discovered where their mother lived, and -so the children came back to her, and they lived with her until they -died. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb157" href="#pb157" name="pb157">157</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch14" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e374">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE MAN WHO MET MISERY</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once upon a time there lived a rich man, so rich -that you might almost say he oozed gold. He had a son, and from his -boyhood the lad was a real spendthrift, for he knew nothing about hard -times. Yet he had often been told that there was Misery in the world. -So when he was grown up, he thought: “Well, I’m sick of -staying at home, so I’ll go out into the world to see if I can -meet Misery.”</p> -<p class="par">He told this to his father, and his father said at once: -“Yes, you can go. If you stay at home, you’ll soon turn -into a lazy old woman. You’ll get experience in the world, and -that can’t do you any harm.”</p> -<p class="par">So our Francis—that was his name, though really it -doesn’t matter very much what his name was—took everything -he wanted and started off on his travels. So long as he had enough -money, he was all right, he couldn’t meet with Misery. But when -his money was <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb158" href="#pb158" name="pb158">158</a>]</span>all spent—that’s when everybody -feels the pinch—he began to hang his head and his travels lost a -good deal of their charm. But he told people his name and his -father’s name, and for a time they helped him. But at last he -came into a country that was quite strange to him. There was a vast -desert, through which he walked for a long time, and he began to feel -hungry and thirsty, but there was no water—no, not so much as -would moisten his tongue.</p> -<p class="par">Now, as he went on his way, he saw a flight of stairs -going down into a hole, and, without hesitating, down he went.</p> -<p class="par">He came into a cellar, and there he saw a man lying on a -table. It was an awfully big man, of the kind that used to be called -ogres, and he was snoring like a circular saw.</p> -<p class="par">Francis looked about him, and he saw all sorts of human -bones lying about. He thought: “That’s a nice mess. I -expect the fellow’s a man-eater, and he’ll swallow me down -like a currant. I’m done for now.”</p> -<p class="par">He would have liked to go away, but he was afraid to -move. But he had a dagger, so he drew it from its sheath without making -any noise, and tried to steal up to the ogre <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb159" href="#pb159" name="pb159">159</a>]</span>quietly. The ogre’s head was lying on the -table, so he pierced both his eyes with the dagger. The ogre sprang up, -cursing horribly. He groped about him and found that he was totally -blind.</p> -<p class="par">Francis cleared the stairs in two jumps and off he ran, -trying to get as far from the ogre as he could. But the ogre knew the -place well and kept close on his heels.</p> -<p class="par">“To think that a shrimp like that could make me -suffer so!” he thought; and yet he found that, run as he would, -he couldn’t catch the lad. So he cried out: “Wait a bit, -you worm! Since you’re such a champion and have managed to tackle -me, I’ll give you something to remember me by.”</p> -<p class="par">As he said this, he flung a ring at the lad, and the -jewel in it shone like flame. The lad heard the ring tinkle as he ran -by, so he picked it up and put it on his finger. But as soon as the -ring was on his finger, the giant called out: “Where are you, -ring?” And the ring answered: “Here I am,” and the -ogre ran after the sound. Francis jumped on one side, but the ogre -called out again, “Where are you?” and the ring answered: -“Here!” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb160" href="#pb160" -name="pb160">160</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">So it went on for some time, until Francis was so tired -that his only thought was: “Well, if he kills me, he kills -me.” He tried to pull the ring off, but it clung tight, really -cutting into the flesh, and the ogre was still following close on his -heels. At last—there was no other choice, for the ring kept on -calling out “Here I am”—Francis stretched out that -finger, and the ogre broke it off with one grip. Off ran Francis, glad -enough to get off with his life.</p> -<p class="par">When he reached home, they asked him: “Did you -meet Misery?”</p> -<p class="par">“Indeed I did. I know what it is now. It gave me a -nice run for it. It’s an awful thing, and there’s no joking -with it.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb161" href="#pb161" -name="pb161">161</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch15" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e381">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">NINE AT A BLOW</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once upon a time there was a tailor, and, whenever -he hadn’t a job, he used to spend his time mending stockings. One -day after dinner the table was covered with flies. The tailor struck at -them with a stocking and killed nine of them at a blow.</p> -<p class="par">As he hadn’t any job in hand, he started out to -see the world, and his belt had written on it “Nine at a -blow.” On his way he met a boy, who asked him to buy a finch from -him. He bought it, put it in his knapsack, and went on his way. Then he -came to a farm where the farmer’s wife was making cheese. He -asked her for something to eat, so she gave him some sour milk and a -piece of Yorkshire cheese. The tailor drank the milk and put the cheese -in his knapsack and went on his way. At last he reached a town. It was -a hot day, so he lay down and fell asleep. Now, a giant happened to -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb162" href="#pb162" name="pb162">162</a>]</span>pass that way, and he saw written in golden -letters: “Nine at a blow.”</p> -<p class="par">So he waked the tailor and asked him: “Have you -really killed nine at a blow?”</p> -<p class="par">The tailor answered that he had, and the giant said: -“Let’s have a trial which of us is the stronger. I’ll -cast a stone, and it will be an hour before it comes down.”</p> -<p class="par">The tailor said: “I’ll cast a stone that -won’t come down at all.”</p> -<p class="par">So the giant cast a stone, and it was a full hour before -it came down again. Instead of casting a stone, the tailor let the -finch go, and, of course, it didn’t come back again.</p> -<p class="par">So the giant said: “Let’s have another try. -I’ll crush a stone to powder.”</p> -<p class="par">The tailor said: “I’ll squeeze water from a -stone.”</p> -<p class="par">So the giant took a pebble and crushed it to powder. The -tailor took the cheese and squeezed it till the water oozed out of -it.</p> -<p class="par">The giant gave in, and acknowledged that the tailor was -the stronger of the two. So they went on together till they came to a -cherry-tree growing near a meadow, and the cherries were ripe. They -wanted to pick some of the cherries for themselves. So the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb163" href="#pb163" name="pb163">163</a>]</span>tailor climbed the tree, but the giant simply -bent down the top of the tree and began to pluck the cherries. When he -had finished he let go, and the tailor was flung onto a heap of dry -grass piled up in the meadow. So the tailor said: “If it -hadn’t been for my skill in flying, I should have broken my -neck,” and he promised to teach the giant how to fly.</p> -<p class="par">So they went on their way again, and they came to a -town. The town was all in mourning. They asked the reason, and they -were told that a dragon had taken up his headquarters in the church and -was killing the people. The king would give a thousand pounds to -whoever could kill the dragon. So they told the king that they would -kill the dragon.</p> -<p class="par">They ordered a big hammer and a big pair of tongs to be -made for them. When they were made, the giant took the tongs and he -gave the hammer to the tailor to carry. But the tailor said: -“Wouldn’t it shame you if people should see us, each -carrying such a trifle? Take both the things yourself.”</p> -<p class="par">When they came near the church door, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb164" href="#pb164" name="pb164">164</a>]</span>the -giant gave the hammer to the tailor, who stuck fast to it. Then the -dragon came dashing out, and flung the tailor behind him, but the giant -split him in twain. But the tailor protested:</p> -<p class="par">“A nice mess you’ve made of it. I meant to -take the dragon alive. We should have got more money for him so.” -Then he said: “Now I will teach you how to fly.”</p> -<p class="par">So they climbed up the church steeple, and the tailor -said: “When I say ‘One, two, three,’ you must -jump.” And the giant jumped and broke his neck.</p> -<p class="par">The tailor told the king that the dragon had killed the -giant, so he pocketed the thousand pounds for himself. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb165" href="#pb165" name="pb165">165</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch16" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e393">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">A CLEVER LASS</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once upon a time there was a shepherd. He used to -pasture his sheep upon a hill, and one day he saw something glittering -on the opposite hill. So he went there to see what it was. It was a -golden mortar. He took it up and said to his daughter: “I will -give this mortar to our king.”</p> -<p class="par">But she said: “Don’t do that. If you give -him the mortar, you won’t have the pestle, and he is sure to ask -for it, and then you will get into trouble.”</p> -<p class="par">But the shepherd thought that she was only a silly girl. -He took the mortar, and, when he came before the king, he said: -“Begging your pardon, Mr. King, I want to give you this -mortar.”</p> -<p class="par">The king answered him roughly: “If you give me the -mortar, I must have the pestle as well. Unless the pestle is here -within three days, your life will be forfeit.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb166" href="#pb166" name="pb166">166</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">The shepherd began to lament: “My daughter was -right when she said that when you had got the mortar you would want the -pestle too. I wouldn’t listen to her, so it serves me -right.”</p> -<p class="par">“Have you such a clever daughter as that?” -asked the king.</p> -<p class="par">“Indeed I have,” said the shepherd.</p> -<p class="par">“Then tell your daughter that I will marry her, if -she comes neither walking nor riding, clothed nor unclothed, neither by -day nor by night, neither at noon nor in the morning. And I won’t -ask for the pestle either.”</p> -<p class="par">The shepherd went home and said: “You can get me -out of this, if you go to Mr. King neither clothed nor -unclothed,” and the rest of it.</p> -<p class="par">But the daughter wasn’t a bit frightened. She came -with the fall of dusk (and that was neither at noon nor in the -morning); she dressed herself in fishing-nets; she took a goat, and she -partly rode on the goat and partly she walked.</p> -<p class="par">And when the king saw that she had only a fishing-net -on, that she came with the approach of dusk, and that she was partly -walking, partly riding on the goat, he was <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb167" href="#pb167" name="pb167">167</a>]</span>bound to marry her. But he said to her: -“You will be my wife so long as you don’t give advice to -anybody; but if you do, you must part with me.”</p> -<p class="par">Well, she didn’t give advice to anybody until one -day there was a market in the town, and a farmer’s mare had a -foal at the market. The foal ran away to another farmer, who was there -with a gelding, and the farmer said: “This foal belongs to -me.”</p> -<p class="par">They went to law about it, and at last the matter came -before the king. And the king, considering that every animal ought to -run to its mother, decided that a gelding had had a foal.</p> -<p class="par">The farmer who owned the mare went down the stairs, -saying over and over again: “The gelding has foaled! the gelding -has foaled!”</p> -<p class="par">The queen heard him, and she said: “Man, you are -talking nonsense.”</p> -<p class="par">So he told her that he had been at the market, that his -mare had foaled, but the foal ran to another farmer who was there with -a gelding. “And now,” he said, “it has been decided -that the gelding has foaled.” So he thought there could be no -mistake; at any rate, he couldn’t help it. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb168" href="#pb168" name="pb168">168</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">When the queen heard this story she said: -“To-morrow, my lord the king will go out for a stroll. Take a -fishing-net, and begin fishing on the road in front of him. The king -will ask you: ‘Why are you fishing on a dry road?’ And you -must answer: ‘Why not? it’s as hopeful as expecting a -gelding to foal.’ But you must not say who gave you this -advice.”</p> -<p class="par">So it was. As the king was walking along he saw the -farmer fishing on the dry road. He asked him why he was fishing -there.</p> -<p class="par">“Why not?” said he, “it’s as -hopeful as expecting a gelding to foal.”</p> -<p class="par">The king at once began to rate the farmer. -“That’s not out of your own head,” he said, and he -kept at the farmer until he let the secret out.</p> -<p class="par">So the king came home, summoned the queen, and said to -her: “You have been with me for a long time, and you have given -advice in spite of all, so you must go to-morrow. But I will allow you -to take with you the thing you like best.”</p> -<p class="par">It was no good arguing. So the king invited all his -courtiers and prepared a splendid banquet. When the banquet was -finished, the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb169" href="#pb169" name="pb169">169</a>]</span>queen said to the king: “Before we part, -you must drink this glass of wine to my health,” and she had put -some opium into the wine on the sly.</p> -<p class="par">The king drank it at a draught and fell asleep at once. -A carriage was got ready, and the queen put the king in it and drove to -her father’s old hut. There she laid the king on the straw, and, -when he woke up, he asked where he was.</p> -<p class="par">“You are with me. Didn’t you tell me that I -could take the thing I liked best with me?”</p> -<p class="par">The king saw how clever she was, and he said: “Now -you can give advice to anybody you like.”</p> -<p class="par">And so they drove home again, and he was king and she -queen again. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb170" href="#pb170" name="pb170">170</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch17" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e400">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE SOLDIER AND THE DEVIL</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">A discharged soldier was going home. He had only -threepence in his pocket. As he was going through a forest he met a -beggar. The beggar asked him for a penny. The soldier gave him one, and -went on his way. Then he met another beggar. This beggar was very ill, -and he asked the soldier for a penny. So the soldier gave him the other -penny. Then he met a third beggar. This beggar was half-dead. The -soldier took pity on him and gave him the third penny. Soon after he -had left the forest our Lord appeared to him, and in return for those -three pennies He granted him three boons. For the first boon the -soldier chose a pipe that should be full of tobacco whenever he wished, -so that he might always have a smoke handy. The second boon he asked -was that, if he wanted to put any one in his knapsack, they should be -in it as soon as he said: “Leap into that <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb171" href="#pb171" name="pb171">171</a>]</span>knapsack.” The third boon was that his -purse should be full of gold coins whenever he knocked on it.</p> -<p class="par">Our Lord said: “So be it!”</p> -<p class="par">Soon afterwards he came to a mill and asked for a -night’s lodging. They said that they only had one room for -themselves; the other one was haunted by a devil every midnight. But -the soldier wasn’t afraid. He said that they could leave him -there alone; he didn’t mind a bit.</p> -<p class="par">He sat down at the table and played cards. When midnight -came there was a terrible noise, and the devil appeared, sure enough. -When he saw the soldier playing cards he grinned; he was sure he had -him. So he sat down opposite him and began to play too. It was nearly -one o’clock at last, time for him to go, so he caught hold of the -soldier and tried to tear him in pieces. But he had no success. For the -soldier said: “Leap into my knapsack,” and the devil was in -it. Then the soldier threw the sack with the devil in it under the bed, -and went to sleep in the bed.</p> -<p class="par">In the morning, as soon as he had got up, the millers -went to see if the soldier was still <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb172" href="#pb172" name="pb172">172</a>]</span>alive. They were -greatly surprised to find him all right. They said they would give him -anything he wanted, but he wouldn’t take anything. Off he went, -and called at a blacksmith’s. He told the blacksmith to give the -devil in the sack a good hammering, and then he let the devil go.</p> -<p class="par">After that he came into a town. He heard that there was -a count’s daughter there who was an accomplished cardplayer. She -won everybody’s money from them. He went to her palace and asked -her if she would play with him. She was ready. So they played and -played, but she couldn’t win all his money from him, for his -purse was always fuller than before. It was late by now and the lady -was sick of the game, so he went to bed. He put the three precious -gifts on the table, but when he got up in the morning they were gone; -the lady had stolen them from him. He grieved over his bad luck, but it -was no use, and he had to leave the palace.</p> -<p class="par">As he went on his way, he saw a fine apple-tree by the -side of the road with delicious apples on it. So he took an apple and -ate half of it. Then he went on his <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb173" href="#pb173" name="pb173">173</a>]</span>way, but he was -surprised to see that everybody who looked at him ran away from him. So -he went to a well and saw that he had horns on his head; that came from -his eating the apple. Back he went, and he found a pear-tree; he ate -half of a pear and the horns fell off.</p> -<p class="par">He thought that he would give the other half of the -apple to the lady, and perhaps she would get horns too. So he went and -gave her the half apple. She enjoyed it very well, but soon horns grew -on her head. The count called together all the doctors and asked them -to operate on the horns. But the more they cut at the horns the longer -they grew. So the king proclaimed that she would marry the man who -should rid her of the horns, but if he failed, his life should be -forfeit. So the soldier came back and told the lady that he would rid -her of the horns if she would give him his three treasures back. She -agreed at once. So he gave her the other half of the pear; she ate it, -and the horns fell off.</p> -<p class="par">The soldier was quite happy now. One day he met Death, -and he said to him: “Leap into my knapsack.” And -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb174" href="#pb174" name="pb174">174</a>]</span>Death was immediately imprisoned in the -knapsack.</p> -<p class="par">The soldier was carrying Death about for some time, -until at last the Lord appeared to him and told him he must not do -that: he must let Death go, for people could not die, and there would -soon be too many of them in the world. So he let Death go. He wanted to -go to Heaven himself. But he went to Hell, and as he drew near Hell the -devils closed the gate, they were so frightened of him. When he reached -the gate of Heaven, he knocked. St. Peter opened the gate, but he -wouldn’t let him in. The soldier asked him to let him have just -one peep, so that at least he might know what Heaven looked like.</p> -<p class="par">Now, he remembered that he still had his soldier’s -cloak in his knapsack, so he took it out of the knapsack and threw it -into Heaven. Then he jumped after it and sat down on it, and then he -said he was sitting on his own property. He sat there for a full -hundred years, though it only seemed a short time to him. But he -couldn’t come to an agreement with St. Peter on the case, so our -Lord told him that he must first die, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb175" href="#pb175" name="pb175">175</a>]</span>for no living people -were admitted into Heaven. So the soldier had to leave the premises. He -returned to this world, and afterwards he went to Heaven again, and -there he is still, as right as rain. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb178" href="#pb178" name="pb178">178</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e2378width"><img src="images/p178.jpg" alt="Couple dancing." width="581" height="718"></div> -<p class="par"><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb179" href="#pb179" name="pb179">179</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch18" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e410">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">OLD NICK AND KITTY</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once upon a time there was an old maid-servant on -a farm. She was a score or two years old, but she wanted to get -married, though nobody would even touch her. She never missed a dance; -she was sure to turn up at every one of them, though nobody ever asked -her to dance. So at last she said:</p> -<p class="par">“I’d dance with Old Nick if only he’d -come.”</p> -<p class="par">The clock struck eleven and a youth clothed in green -entered the room. He went straight up to our Kitty and began to dance -with her. All the girls couldn’t keep from laughing, but they -daren’t laugh openly. So they held their aprons over their faces. -Kitty was very angry, but she kept on dancing like the wind. She -thought: “Let the fools laugh; they’d be glad enough to -dance with the lad themselves.”</p> -<p class="par">It was hard upon twelve now, and Old Nick—for Old -Nick it was—had to start <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb180" -href="#pb180" name="pb180">180</a>]</span>for home. But Kitty -wouldn’t let him go. What was he to do with her? He was -absolutely at a loss what to do, for she was clinging on to him -behind.</p> -<p class="par">He went to the pond, thinking he’d be able to -throw her in. He tried to do it, but she clasped him round the neck and -he couldn’t manage it. So off he went to Hell with her. But the -people of Hell made an outcry against her and wouldn’t let her -stay at any price.</p> -<p class="par">“Hang it all!” says Old Nick, “I -can’t go all round the world with her.”</p> -<p class="par">At last he met a shepherd: “I say, -shepherd,” says he, “would you like this maiden -here?”</p> -<p class="par">“A nice maiden that is, the ugly old spinster! -Keep her for yourself. You can pickle her.”</p> -<p class="par">Now, when the devil saw that he was going to fail again, -he promised the shepherd a heap of money, only to rid himself of the -hideous old crone. But the shepherd refused.</p> -<p class="par">“I’ll make it so much,” says Old -Nick.</p> -<p class="par">“Well, if you will, I agree.”</p> -<p class="par">Now, the shepherd was a good-looking fellow, and Kitty -was easily persuaded to stay <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb181" href="#pb181" name="pb181">181</a>]</span>with him. He had lots of money -now, and he had the same idea as the devil, to throw her into the pond. -What else could he do with such a hideous old hag? He had a great fur -coat, and he put it on so high over his head that she couldn’t -catch hold of his neck, and, plump! off she went into the pond. But, -you know, a bad one’s a bad one, and you can’t get rid of -them so easily. So it was with Kitty. She wasn’t drowned.</p> -<p class="par">A short time after this, Old Nick had an appointment -with a man. I don’t exactly know how the case stood, but anyhow -the devil was to get him. The man asked the shepherd to save him; he -was quite ready to pay him well for it.</p> -<p class="par">“All right,” says the shepherd, “I can -do that much for you. Old Nick and I are the best of -friends.”</p> -<p class="par">Now, a crowd of people had collected and they were all -wondering how it was going to end. In comes Old Nick. The shepherd runs -to meet him and: “Old Kitty’s here asking for you,” -says he.</p> -<p class="par">The devil left things as they were, and before you could -say “Jack Robinson” he was off. So it all turned out all -right. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb182" href="#pb182" name="pb182">182</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch19" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e417">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE KNIGHT BAMBUS</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">There was a poor gamekeeper once, who had suffered -from hard times all his life, so as he grew older, he wanted to get -rich. He was only an under-forester. One day the forester said: -“Near those old ruins, you know the ones I mean, a fox or a roe, -or some creature of that sort, often crosses my path, and I can never -manage to hit it, though I have shot at it a hundred times. If you -happen to be going in that direction, look out for it.”</p> -<p class="par">When the gamekeeper heard this, the first thing he did -was to go to the ruins. Just as he got there, a huge fox appeared with -a rustling noise. The gamekeeper felt uneasy, but the fox disappeared -at once, so he sat down, put five big charges in his gun, and waited. -It wasn’t long till the fox appeared again, and this time he was -carrying a young fawn in his mouth. The gamekeeper shot at -him—boom! The fox cried out, and ran <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb183" href="#pb183" name="pb183">183</a>]</span>off -into the bushes. But the gamekeeper saw that the fawn had run away and -hidden itself in a cave. He thought: “The fox cried out, so he -has some of my shots in his fur coat. I’ll get him some other -time.”</p> -<p class="par">So he went into the ruins through the gate. Within, -there was a courtyard all deserted, and with its wall fallen down. So -the gamekeeper passed through the courtyard and came into a spacious -cellar. There he saw three lamps burning, and looking round, he was -filled with amazement. But all this was as nothing, for in the corner -were three glittering heaps of golden coins and one heap of big gold -pieces. The gamekeeper reflected: “If I had all that, I should -give up gamekeeping and have a splendid time.”</p> -<p class="par">No sooner had he said this than a grey old man appeared -and asked: “What are you looking for, gamekeeper?”</p> -<p class="par">“Well, I shot at a fox and he ran in somewhere -here, and so I’m wandering about looking for him.”</p> -<p class="par">“You won’t get the fox you’re looking -for, for I am he.”</p> -<p class="par">“And why are you here in a fox’s shape? -What’s the reason of that?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb184" href="#pb184" name="pb184">184</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">“I am the Knight Bambus, and all these forests -belong to this castle. I was a robber-knight, and so as a punishment I -have to keep watch here now.”</p> -<p class="par">“And how long is it to last?”</p> -<p class="par">“When three poor people come here, and each of -them takes away two sackfuls of gold, I shall be delivered. I am bound -to give all this gold away for nothing. Already I have outlived three -generations of my kinsmen here.”</p> -<p class="par">Then he bade him fetch two leather sacks from the other -room and collect the gold into them, filling them up to the brim. He -must keep it all for himself and must not tell any one what he had -seen. The gamekeeper promised that he wouldn’t even tell his -wife, Hátička, how he had got the money. So he filled the -two sacks up to the brim, and the old man helped him to hoist them on -to his shoulders and saw him out of the door. All the time he kept -warning him to keep his mouth shut: “For what a woman knows all -the world knows; that’s gospel truth, sure enough.”</p> -<p class="par">So the gamekeeper left the castle, carrying those two -sacks, and the man shook hands with him before he left. At the border -of the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb185" href="#pb185" name="pb185">185</a>]</span>forest, near a beech-tree, his wife, -Háta, was standing looking for him. She ran up to him.</p> -<p class="par">“Great Heavens, Florian! where have you been all -this long time? I have been looking everywhere for you for three -days.”</p> -<p class="par">Now Florian was delighted that his wife had come to meet -him, so he blurted out: “Hátička, wife, Count Bambus -has given me these two sacks of gold pieces. Have a look here—see -what heaps of the stuff there are!” and he let one of the sacks -fall on the ground. But behold! instead of gold there were only -rustling leaves in it. Then he remembered that he was not to say -anything about it. He frowned, and his wife burst into tears; and they -had to spend the rest of their life, until they died, in poverty just -as before. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb186" href="#pb186" name="pb186">186</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch20" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e425">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">FRANCIS AND MARTIN</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once there was a father who had only one son, -Francis by name. They had a farmhand called Martin. One day Martin and -Francis were ploughing behind the barn. Francis’s mother brought -their meal for them, and Francis said: “Well, mother, the old man -must have a lot more money than he lets on to have. We are not in debt, -and yet he’s always complaining that he hasn’t any -money.”</p> -<p class="par">“Well, my son, you see, he’s built that -large building.”</p> -<p class="par">Next day Francis and Martin were ploughing together -again. They decided that they must get on the old man’s track to -see whether he had any money, and where he hid it. Francis promised -Martin that, if he could find it out, he would build a cottage for him -at the back of the barn. So they agreed that Martin should stay away -from church to try to find out if <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb187" -href="#pb187" name="pb187">187</a>]</span>the farmer had any money -hidden away at home.</p> -<p class="par">When Sunday came, Francis went to church, but Martin -kept on saying he wouldn’t go, until the farmer forced him to go. -So he dressed for church and went out through the farm gate. But he -came back on the other side, climbed over the fence, and hid himself in -the barn. Soon after this the farmer came into the barn, carrying a -basket full of coins. He dug a hole in the threshing-floor, put the -money in it, and said: “Black Barabbas! preserve this money for -me! Thou black bird! I put it in thy power!” Then he went and -fetched a second basket and put it in the hole. But while he was gone -to fetch the money, Martin slipped out of his hiding-place, took some -of the money, and put it in his boots. Now, the farmer came back again -with a third basket, and said once more: “Thou black bird! keep -this money for me, and let nobody else have it, unless he gets it by -ploughing this threshing-floor with three black goats!”</p> -<p class="par">As he was saying these words, a blackbird was soaring -above his head and crying out: “Master, what about the money in -the boots?”</p> -<p class="par">But the farmer did not understand what it <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb188" href="#pb188" name="pb188">188</a>]</span>meant, and so he went to look at his own boots, -which were in the room. But he found no money there, so he was angry -and said: “What, you devil! it’s rubbish you are talking. -I’ve looked in my boots and there’s nothing there.” -Then he buried the money, stamped down the threshing-floor hard again, -and went out.</p> -<p class="par">Martin went to the stable, and there he found Francis -waiting for him to tell him what the parson’s sermon had been -about that day, so that he would know what to say if the farmer asked -him about it.</p> -<p class="par">Soon afterwards the old man was taken ill and died. The -two lads were pleased at this, for they hoped that they wouldn’t -be long about getting the money. Martin got three black goats, he put -them in the plough, and sent Francis to plough there. The wind began to -blow violently, and the whole barn looked as though it were on fire. He -was frightened and stopped ploughing, and immediately the whole barn -was just as it had been before. So he went out of the barn and asked -Martin to plough for him. Martin started, and, although the wind blew -violently enough, he kept on ploughing until he got the money. -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb189" href="#pb189" name="pb189">189</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par">When Francis had the money, he began to build just as he -wanted until he had spent it all. Then he gave Martin the sack.</p> -<p class="par">Martin said sorrowfully: “This is the -world’s gratitude.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb190" -href="#pb190" name="pb190">190</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">WITCHES AT THE CROSS</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Though the witches used to be pretty lively in -other places, they were fond of climbing up and down the cross that -stands by the road to Malá Čermá (near -Slaný). Joe Hilma heard tell of this, so he took his horse and -off he rode to see. He took with him a piece of chalk which had been -blessed, and made a circle with it. Then he went into the circle and -waited till midnight. Then, sure enough, he saw the witches, a great -swarm of them, climbing up and down the cross. They didn’t see -him while this was going on, but when he rode out of the circle, off -went the witches after him. He galloped home at full speed. When he -rode into the yard they were close on his heels. They couldn’t go -any farther, for they had no power to do it. I don’t know how it -happened, but one of them flung a burning broom after him. The broom -hit the door, and the door was burned. Joe had quite enough of seeing -the witches. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb191" href="#pb191" name="pb191">191</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch22" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e442">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE WITCH AND THE HORSESHOES</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">Once there was a farmer’s wife—I -can’t tell you which one—who was a witch. Now these folks -used to have a feast every Eve of St. Philip and St. James. As soon as -they began to burn the brooms she couldn’t rest: go she must. So -she stripped her clothes off, and, standing under the chimney, she -anointed herself with some ointment. When she had finished, she said: -“Fly, but don’t touch anything.” And away she flew in -the twinkling of an eye. Yes, that was just how it was.</p> -<p class="par">But the farmhand was watching all this from the stables, -and he watched carefully where she put the ointment. So he went in too, -stripped his clothes off, and anointed himself. He said: “Fly, -but don’t touch anything.” And off he flew till he came to -the place where the witches were having their feast. Now, when he came -there, the farmer’s wife knew him, and, to hide herself from him, -she turned <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb192" href="#pb192" name="pb192">192</a>]</span>herself into a white horse. But he did not lose -sight of the horse. He mounted it and went to the smith with it, and -told him to shoe it. Next day the woman had four horseshoes on, two on -her hands and two on her feet. And she had to stay like that always! -<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb194" href="#pb194" name="pb194">194</a>]</span></p> -<p class="par"></p> -<div class="figure xd21e2508width"><img src="images/p194.jpg" alt="Old man cooking under tree with monkey and bear." width="585" height= -"707"></div> -<p class="par"><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb195" href="#pb195" name="pb195">195</a>]</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div id="ch23" class="div1 story"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#xd21e449">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divHead"> -<h2 class="main">THE HAUNTED MILL</h2> -</div> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first">There was a haunted mill, and, dear me, what was -it like! A rope-dancer came there with some monkeys. In the evening the -Waternick came with a basketful of fishes. He made a fire and fried the -fishes. Meanwhile the monkeys had been sitting behind the stove, but -when the Nick put the fishes in the pan and was tasting whether they -were done, the monkeys came from behind the stove, and one of them put -its paw into the pan. The man smacked him over the paw and said: -“Get away, pussy! You didn’t catch them, so don’t eat -them.” And the monkey ran away.</p> -<p class="par">After awhile comes another monkey and puts his paw in -the pan. He smacked him too and said the same. But the rope-dancer had -a bear, too, which was lying under the table all the time; and, when he -heard the Waternick speak, he came from under the table, ran straight -to the pan, and put his <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb196" href="#pb196" name="pb196">196</a>]</span>paw into it. The Waternick did the -same to him as he had done to the monkeys. But the bear couldn’t -stand that. He sprang upon the poor Waternick and gave him a good -beating. The Waternick had to run off, leaving the fishes behind. He -didn’t haunt the mill any more, and that’s how they got rid -of him.</p> -</div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="back"> -<div class="div1 imprint"><span class="pagenum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span> -<div class="divBody"> -<p class="par first xd21e2525"><i>Printed in Great Britain by</i><br> -UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, THE GRESHAM PRESS, WOKING AND LONDON</p> -</div> -</div> -<div class="transcribernote"> -<h2 class="main">Colophon</h2> -<h3 class="main">Corrections</h3> -<p>The following corrections have been applied to the text:</p> -<table class="correctiontable" summary= -"Overview of corrections applied to the text."> -<tr> -<th>Page</th> -<th>Source</th> -<th>Correction</th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd21e157">N.A.</a></td> -<td class="width40 bottom">BAUDIS</td> -<td class="width40 bottom">BAUDIŠ</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd21e279">xi</a></td> -<td class="width40 bottom">2</td> -<td class="width40 bottom">1</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd21e292">xi</a></td> -<td class="width40 bottom">..</td> -<td class="width40 bottom">.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd21e385">xii</a></td> -<td class="width40 bottom">Ceský</td> -<td class="width40 bottom">Český</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd21e456">xii</a></td> -<td class="width40 bottom">Joseph Manes</td> -<td class="width40 bottom">Josef Mánes</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd21e2158">153</a></td> -<td class="width40 bottom">[<i>Not in source</i>]</td> -<td class="width40 bottom">:</td> -</tr> -</table> -</div> -</div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Czech Folk Tales, by Josef Baudiš - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CZECH FOLK TALES *** - -***** This file should be named 52596-h.htm or 52596-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/5/9/52596/ - -Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project -Gutenberg (This file was produced from images generously -made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Czech Folk Tales - -Author: Josef Baudi - -Release Date: July 17, 2016 [EBook #52596] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CZECH FOLK TALES *** - - - - -Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project -Gutenberg (This file was produced from images generously -made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - CZECH FOLK TALES - - SELECTED AND TRANSLATED BY - - DR. JOSEF BAUDIS, M.R.I.A. - - LECTURER IN COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY - AT THE PRAGUE UNIVERSITY - - - WITH 8 ILLUSTRATIONS - - - LONDON: GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD. - RUSKIN HOUSE 40 MUSEUM STREET, W.C. 1 - - - - - - - - -PREFACE - - -The present collection has been selected from the following sources:-- - - - Josef Kubn, Povdky kladsk, i., ii. (in "Nrodopisn vestnk - ceskoslovansk"). V. Vondrk, Nekolik pohdek z Dubu u Vodnan - (S. Bohemia), in "Cesk Lid," xiii. - - V. Tille, Povdky sebran na Valassku (S. Moravia). "Nrodopisn - sbornk ceskoslovansk," Svazek vii. Prague, 1901. - - Elpl, Rada pohdek a povest nasbranch v Lsni u Brna (Moravia). - - B. M. Kulda, Moravsk nrodn pohdky a povesti, i. (Prague, - 1874). From Moravia. - - The first two stories ("Twelve Months," "Vtazko") have been retold - by the novelist Bozena Nemcov (from the Slovak). - - -My translation could not be, of course, a literal one, because many -phrases in the original might seem strange to the English reader's ear. - -Finally, I wish to express my thanks to Miss Eleanor Hull and Mr. Robin -Flower for revising my English. - - -JOSEF BAUDIS. - -London, October 1917. - - - - - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - PREFACE vii - INTRODUCTION xiii - THE TWELVE MONTHS. From B. Nemcov 2 - VTAZKO. From B. Nemcov 16 - BOOTS, CLOAK, AND RING. From B. M. Kulda 39 - SILLY JURA. From B. M. Kulda 55 - SLEEPY JOHN. From B. M. Kulda 61 - THREE DOVES. From B. M. Kulda 71 - THE BEAR, THE EAGLE, AND THE FISH. From Elpl 98 - KOJATA. From V. Tille 103 - SHEPHERD HYNEK. From Kubn 111 - THE THREE ROSES. From Kubn 123 - THE ENCHANTED PRINCESSES. From Kubn 129 - THE TWIN BROTHERS. From "Cesk Lid," xiii. p. 84 142 - THE WATERNICK. From Kubn 151 - THE MAN WHO MET MISERY. From Kubn 157 - NINE AT A BLOW. From "Cesk Lid," xiii. p. 130 161 - A CLEVER LASS. From Kubn 165 - THE SOLDIER AND THE DEVIL. From "Cesk Lid," xiii. - p. 167 170 - OLD NICK AND KITTY. From Kubn 179 - THE KNIGHT BAMBUS. From Kubn 182 - FRANCIS AND MARTIN. From "Cesk Lid," xiii. p. 213 186 - WITCHES AT THE CROSS. From Kubn 190 - THE WITCH AND THE HORSESHOES. From Kubn 191 - THE HAUNTED MILL. From Kubn 195 - - - -The first two illustrations are copies of pictures by Josef Mnes; -the others have been drawn by Mr. E. Stanek, who in some cases has -adapted drawings by Mikuls Ales. - - - - - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -The present collection is intended to exemplify the spirit of the -Czech race. It may perhaps be objected that folk-tale themes are part -of a common stock belonging to all European races, and even to many -primitive peoples: but though this is perfectly true, it is also no -less certain that the spirit of the nation manifests itself in the -manner of their telling. The selection has been made from all sorts -of folk tales, artistic and primitive alike; and yet two things are -common to all of them: the moral tendency and a sense of humour. By -this I do not mean morality in the vulgar sense of retribution for -evil, or of filial devotion, or the sentimental insistence upon -"every one living happily ever afterwards," and above all upon Jack -marrying his Molly. I mean that higher sort of morality which was the -mainspring of Protestantism. It is often supposed that Protestantism is -very unfavourable to the development and preservation of folk tales; -but those of Bohemia are certainly an exception to this rule. The -Czech nation was the first to adopt the Protestant faith, and even -to-day is still Protestant at heart, though the Habsburgs forced it -back into the Catholic fold. - -The Czechs, then, have preserved their love for folk tales, -adapting them to the higher morality and to the national sentiment, -and discarding many of their supernatural features, or where the -supernatural was allowed to remain for a moment, reverting very soon to -the strict limits of probability. It is the very same method which, for -example, Mr. Wells employs in some of his novels. That the Slav nations -have a certain tendency to lay stress upon the ethical side in their -folk tales has already been pointed out by the Czech poet Erben, whose -tales have been translated into English in Wratislaw's Collection. - -As for their humour, the Czechs have a natural tendency to satire. The -best works in Old Czech literature are satires, and in modern times -one of the most brilliant of Czech politicians, Karel Havlicek, was -also the greatest Czech satirist. This spirit may also be seen in -the present collection; but in every case the story-teller, instead -of assuming the attitude of the morality preacher or of indulging -in theatrical invective against the wickedness of the times, rests -content with a good-humoured gibe at the folly of the world, at the -frailty of his fellow-men, and, it may be, at his own. - -These two traits are inherent in the nature of the Czech people; -and those who know their love of such tales and of the literature -which has grown out of them, can realize their search for a haven of -refuge from the cruel present and their fond dream-pictures of a land -where all was good, where at last everything was bound to end well, -where truth and justice at last had conquered. Alas! to the victims of -Habsburg rule and Austrian bayonets the bare possibility seemed utterly -excluded. And yet why should they not dream of such a land? Amo quia -absurdum! But at the very moment their humorous ego could not suppress -a sneer. Yes, even in that wonderland which their fancy painted are -foolish kings, ever prone to break their word: even there people are -bad and stupid! But our tale says that the bad were vanquished and -the foolish put to shame: let, then, the tale be told! And even as he -tells it, his heart nurses the inward hope that the foreign tyrants -who oppress him may one day be vanquished and annihilated. - -That such were the wishes of the Czech people, the Great War has -shown. They have proved by their deeds their love of freedom; and -to-day Czechs are fighting bravely in every Allied army and in their -own national units formed in Russia. May their Austrian oppressors be -brought to the ground, and may Bohemia regain the freedom for which -she has longed for three centuries! - - - - - - - - -THE TWELVE MONTHS - - -Once upon a time there lived a mother who had two daughters. One was -her own child, the other her stepdaughter. She was very fond of her own -daughter, but she would not so much as look at her stepdaughter. The -only reason was that Marusa, the stepdaughter, was prettier than her -own daughter, Holena. The gentle-hearted Marusa did not know how -beautiful she was, and so she could never make out why her mother -was so cross with her whenever she looked at her. She had to do all -the housework, tidying up the cottage, cooking, washing, and sewing, -and then she had to take the hay to the cow and look after her. She -did all this work alone, while Holena spent the time adorning herself -and lazing about. But Marusa liked work, for she was a patient girl, -and when her mother scolded and rated her, she bore it like a lamb. It -was no good, however, for they grew crueller and crueller every day, -only because Marusa was growing prettier and Holena uglier every day. - -At last the mother thought: "Why should I keep a pretty stepdaughter -in my house? When the lads come courting here, they will fall in love -with Marusa and they won't look at Holena." - -From that moment the stepmother and her daughter were constantly -scheming how to get rid of poor Marusa. They starved her and they -beat her. But she bore it all, and in spite of all she kept on growing -prettier every day. They invented torments that the cruellest of men -would never have thought of. - -One day--it was in the middle of January--Holena felt a longing for -the scent of violets. - -"Go, Marusa, and get me some violets from the forest; I want to wear -them at my waist and to smell them," she said to her sister. - -"Great heavens! sister. What a strange notion! Who ever heard of -violets growing under the snow?" said poor Marusa. - -"You wretched tatterdemalion! how dare you argue when I tell you to -do something? Off you go at once, and if you don't bring me violets -from the forest I'll kill you!" said Holena threateningly. - -The stepmother caught hold of Marusa, turned her out of the door, and -slammed it to after her. She went into the forest weeping bitterly. The -snow lay deep, and there wasn't a human footprint to be seen. Marusa -wandered about for a long time, tortured by hunger and trembling with -cold. She begged God to take her from the world. - -At last she saw a light in the distance. She went towards the glow, -and came at last to the top of a mountain. A big fire was burning -there, and round the fire were twelve stones with twelve men sitting -on them. Three of them had snow-white beards, three were not so old, -and three were still younger. The three youngest were the handsomest of -them all. They were not speaking, but all sitting silent. These twelve -men were the twelve months. Great January sat highest of all; his -hair and beard were as white as snow, and in his hand he held a club. - -Marusa was frightened. She stood still for a time in terror, but, -growing bolder, she went up to them and said: "Please, kind sirs, -let me warm my hands at your fire. I am trembling with the cold." - -Great January nodded, and asked her: "Why have you come here, my dear -little girl? What are you looking for?" - -"I am looking for violets," answered Marusa. - -"This is no time to be looking for violets, for everything is covered -with snow," answered Great January. - -"Yes, I know; but my sister Holena and my stepmother said that I must -bring them some violets from the forest. If I don't bring them, they'll -kill me. Tell me, fathers, please tell me where I can find them." - -Great January stood up and went to one of the younger months--it -was March--and, giving him the club, he said: "Brother, take the -high seat." - -March took the high seat upon the stone and waved the club over the -fire. The fire blazed up, the snow began to melt, the trees began to -bud, and the ground under the young beech-trees was at once covered -with grass and the crimson daisy buds began to peep through the -grass. It was springtime. Under the bushes the violets were blooming -among their little leaves, and before Marusa had time to think, so -many of them had sprung up that they looked like a blue cloth spread -out on the ground. - -"Pick them quickly, Marusa!" commanded March. - -Marusa picked them joyfully till she had a big bunch. Then she thanked -the months with all her heart and scampered merrily home. - -Holena and the stepmother wondered when they saw Marusa bringing the -violets. They opened the door to her, and the scent of violets filled -all the cottage. - -"Where did you get them?" asked Holena sulkily. - -"They are growing under the bushes in a forest on the high mountains." - -Holena put them in her waistband. She let her mother smell them, -but she did not say to her sister: "Smell them." - -Another day she was lolling near the stove, and now she longed for -some strawberries. So she called to her sister and said: "Go, Marusa, -and get me some strawberries from the forest." - -"Alas! dear sister, where could I find any strawberries? Who ever -heard of strawberries growing under the snow?" said Marusa. - -"You wretched little tatterdemalion, how dare you argue when I tell -you to do a thing? Go at once and get me the strawberries, or I'll -kill you!" - -The stepmother caught hold of Marusa and pushed her out of the door -and shut it after her. Marusa went to the forest weeping bitterly. The -snow was lying deep, and there wasn't a human footprint to be seen -anywhere. She wandered about for a long time, tortured by hunger and -trembling with cold. At last she saw the light she had seen the other -day. Overjoyed, she went towards it. She came to the great fire with -the twelve months sitting round it. - -"Please, kind sirs, let me warm my hands at the fire. I am trembling -with cold." - -Great January nodded, and asked her: "Why have you come again, and -what are you looking for here?" - -"I am looking for strawberries." - -"But it is winter now, and strawberries don't grow on the snow," -said January. - -"Yes, I know," said Marusa sadly; "but my sister Holena and my -stepmother bade me bring them some strawberries, and if I don't -bring them, they will kill me. Tell me, fathers, tell me, please, -where I can find them." - -Great January arose. He went over to the month sitting opposite -to him--it was June--and handed the club to him, saying: "Brother, -take the high seat." - -June took the high seat upon the stone and swung the club over the -fire. The fire shot up, and its heat melted the snow in a moment. The -ground was all green, the trees were covered with leaves, the birds -began to sing, and the forest was filled with all kinds of flowers. It -was summer. The ground under the bushes was covered with white -starlets, the starry blossoms were turning into strawberries every -minute. They ripened at once, and before Marusa had time to think, -there were so many of them that it looked as though blood had been -sprinkled on the ground. - -"Pick them at once, Marusa!" commanded June. - -Marusa picked them joyfully till she had filled her apron full. Then -she thanked the months with all her heart and scampered merrily -home. Holena and the stepmother wondered when they saw Marusa bringing -the strawberries. Her apron was full of them. They ran to open the door -for her, and the scent of the strawberries filled the whole cottage. - -"Where did you pick them?" asked Holena sulkily. - -"There are plenty of them growing under the young beech-trees in the -forest on the high mountains." - -Holena took the strawberries, and went on eating them till she could -eat no more. So did the stepmother too, but they didn't say to Marusa: -"Here is one for you." - -When Holena had enjoyed the strawberries, she grew greedy for other -dainties, and so on the third day she longed for some red apples. - -"Marusa, go into the forest and get me some red apples," she said to -her sister. - -"Alas! sister dear, how am I to get apples for you in -winter?" protested Marusa. - -"You wretched little tatterdemalion, how dare you argue when I tell -you to do a thing? Go to the forest at once, and if you don't bring -me the apples I will kill you!" threatened Holena. - -The stepmother caught hold of Marusa and pushed her out of the door and -shut it after her. Marusa went to the forest weeping bitterly. The -snow was lying deep; there wasn't a human footprint to be seen -anywhere. But she didn't wander about this time. She ran straight to -the top of the mountain where the big fire was burning. The twelve -months were sitting round the fire; yes, there they certainly were, -and Great January was sitting on the high seat. - -"Please, kind sirs, let me warm my hands at the fire. I am trembling -with cold." - -Great January nodded, and asked her: "Why have you come here, and -what are you looking for?" - -"I am looking for red apples." - -"It is winter now, and red apples don't grow in winter," answered -January. - -"Yes, I know," said Marusa sadly; "but my sister and my stepmother, -too, bade me bring them some red apples from the forest. If I don't -bring them, they will kill me. Tell me, father, tell me, please, -where I could find them." - -Great January rose up. He went over to one of the older months--it -was September. He handed the club to him and said: "Brother, take -the high seat." - -Month September took the high seat upon the stone and swung the club -over the fire. The fire began to burn with a red flame, the snow began -to melt. But the trees were not covered with leaves; the leaves were -wavering down one after the other, and the cold wind was driving them -to and fro over the yellowing ground. This time Marusa did not see -so many flowers. Only red pinks were blooming on the hillside, and -meadow saffrons were flowering in the valley. High fern and thick -ivy were growing under the young beech-trees. But Marusa was only -looking for red apples, and at last she saw an apple-tree with red -apples hanging high among its branches. - -"Shake the tree at once, Marusa!" commanded the month. - -Right gladly Marusa shook the tree, and one apple fell down. She -shook it a second time, and another apple fell down. - -"Now, Marusa, run home quickly!" shouted the month. - -Marusa obeyed at once. She picked up the apples, thanked the months -with all her heart, and ran merrily home. - -Holena and the stepmother wondered when they saw Marusa bringing -the apples. They ran to open the door for her, and she gave them -two apples. - -"Where did you get them?" asked Holena. - -"There are plenty of them in the forest on the high mountain." - -"And why didn't you bring more? Or did you eat them on the way -home?" said Holena harshly. - -"Alas! sister dear, I didn't eat a single one. But when I had shaken -the tree once, one apple fell down, and when I shook it a second time, -another apple fell down, and they wouldn't let me shake it again. They -shouted to me to go straight home," protested Marusa. - -Holena began to curse her: "May you be struck to death by -lightning!" and she was going to beat her. - -Marusa began to cry bitterly, and she prayed to God to take her -to Himself, or she would be killed by her wicked sister and her -stepmother. She ran away into the kitchen. - -Greedy Holena stopped cursing and began to eat the apple. It tasted -so delicious that she told her mother she had never tasted anything -so nice in all her life. The stepmother liked it too. When they had -finished, they wanted some more. - -"Mother, give me my fur coat. I'll go to the forest myself. That ragged -little wretch would eat them all up again on her way home. I'll find -the place all right, and I'll shake them all down, however they shout -at me." - -Her mother tried to dissuade her, but it was no good. She took her -fur coat, wrapped a cloth round her head, and off she went to the -forest. Her mother stood on the threshold, watching to see how Holena -would manage to walk in the wintry weather. - -The snow lay deep, and there wasn't a human footprint to be seen -anywhere. Holena wandered about for a long time, but the desire of -the sweet apple kept driving her on. At last she saw a light in the -distance. She went towards it, and climbed to the top of the mountain -where the big fire was burning, and round the fire on twelve stones -the twelve months were sitting. She was terrified at first, but she -soon recovered. She stepped up to the fire and stretched out her -hands to warm them, but she didn't say as much as "By your leave" -to the twelve months; no, she didn't say a single word to them. - -"Why have you come here, and what are you looking for?" asked Great -January crossly. - -"Why do you want to know, you old fool? It's no business of yours," -replied Holena angrily, and she turned away from the fire and went -into the forest. - -Great January frowned and swung the club over his head. The sky grew -dark in a moment, the fire burned low, the snow began to fall as thick -as if the feathers had been shaken out of a down quilt, and an icy -wind began to blow through the forest. Holena couldn't see one step -in front of her; she lost her way altogether, and several times she -fell into snowdrifts. Then her limbs grew weak and began slowly to -stiffen. The snow kept on falling and the icy wind blew more icily -than ever. Holena began to curse Marusa and the Lord God. Her limbs -began to freeze, despite her fur coat. - -Her mother was waiting for Holena; she kept on looking out for her, -first at the window, then outside the door, but all in vain. - -"Does she like the apples so much that she can't leave them, or -what is the matter? I must see for myself where she is," decided the -stepmother at last. So she put on her fur coat, she wrapped a shawl -round her head, and went out to look for Holena. The snow was lying -deep; there wasn't a human footprint to be seen; the snow fell fast, -and the icy wind was blowing through the forest. - -Marusa had cooked the dinner, she had seen to the cow, and yet -Holena and her mother did not come back. "Where are they staying so -long?" thought Marusa, as she sat down to work at the distaff. The -spindle was full already and it was quite dark in the room, and yet -Holena and the stepmother had not come back. - -"Alas, Lord! what has come to them?" cried Marusa, peering anxiously -through the window. The sky was bright and the earth was all -glittering, but there wasn't a human soul to be seen.... Sadly she -shut the window; she crossed herself, and prayed for her sister and -her mother.... In the morning she waited with breakfast, she waited -with dinner; but however much she waited, it was no good. Neither -her mother nor her sister ever came back. Both of them were frozen -to death in the forest. - -So good Marusa inherited the cottage, a piece of ploughland and -the cow. She married a kind husband, and they both lived happily -ever after. - - - - - - - - -VTAZKO - - -Once there was a mother, and, being a mother, she had a son. She -suckled him for twice seven years. After that she took him into a -forest and told him to pull up a fir-tree, roots and all. But the -lad could not pull up the fir-tree. - -"You are not strong enough yet," said the mother. So she suckled him -for another seven years. When she had suckled him for thrice seven -years, she took him to the forest again and told him to pull up a -beech-tree, roots and all. He seized hold of the beech and pulled -it up. - -"Now you are strong enough. So you are Victor (Vtazko). Now you can -provide for me." - -"Yes, I will. Only tell me what I can do for you." - -"You must get me a good house first, and then you can take me there," -said the mother, and she went home. - -Vtazko took the beech-tree which he had pulled up, and, carrying -it in his hand like a club, he started in search of a house for his -mother. Following the wind, he walked by old roads and paths until -he came to a castle. This castle was inhabited by griffins. - -When Vtazko reached the castle, the griffins would not let him in. But -he did not wait long for their permission: he smashed the gate and -went into the castle and killed the griffins; their bodies he flung -over the wall, and then he went for a walk through the castle. He was -pleased with everything he saw. The rooms were nice, nine in number, -but the tenth was closed. When he had gone through the nine he went -into the tenth, and there he saw a griffin chained to the wall by -three iron bands. - -"What are you doing here?" asked Vtazko. - -"I am sitting here, as you see. My brothers have chained me here. Untie -my bonds and I will give you a splendid reward." - -"You must be a wicked old rascal if your own brothers tied you there. I -won't unfasten your bonds either," said Vtazko. - -So he slammed the door, and went off to fetch his mother to the -castle. When he had brought her there, he showed her everything, but -he did not open the tenth room, and he forbade her to enter that room, -for otherwise there would be trouble. As soon as Vtazko left the -house, the mother could not rest, and she kept on walking near the -door of that tenth room, till at last she went in, and, of course, -she found the griffin there. - -"What are you doing here, and who are you?" - -"I am a griffin. My own brothers chained me here. They would have -unfastened my bonds again, but your son has killed them all. Untie -my bonds and I will reward you, and, if you like, I will marry you," -said the griffin. - -"And what would Vtazko say?" answered the mother. - -"What could he say? We will put him out of the world, and you will -be your own mistress." - -The mother hesitated long enough, but at last she consented, and then -she asked the griffin how she could untie his bonds. - -"Go into the cellar and fetch me a cup of wine from the last cask." - -The mother went into the cellar and brought him a glass of wine -from the last cask. As soon as he had drained the first cup, -crash! the first chain fell down. The mother brought him another cup -and--well! the second chain snapped. So he begged her to bring him -a third cup, and when she brought him the third cup the third chain -broke too and the griffin was free again. - -"But what am I to tell my son when he comes back?" said the mother -anxiously. - -"Oh! you must feign illness, and when he asks you what will save you, -say that nothing can save you but a suckling of the earth sow. When -he goes to get it, the sow will tear him in pieces." - -Well (but not particularly well!), when Vtazko returned from the -chase, bringing a buck for his mother, she groaned and complained: -"Alas! my dear son, your toil has been in vain. It is no use your -bringing me this good food; I cannot eat it, for I am deadly sick." - -"Alas! mother, you must not die. Only tell me what would cure you, -and I will bring it for you, even though it were from hell," cried -the good Vtazko, for he loved his mother well. - -"I can only be cured if I get the suckling of the earth sow." - -Vtazko did not wait; he took his beech-tree and set off in quest of -the earth sow. He wandered through the country, poor soul! for he did -not know where to go, till at last he came to a tower, and there he -found Holy Sunday. - -"Where are you going?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"I am going to the earth sow to get one of her sucklings. My mother -is ill, but this will cure her." - -"My dear boy, it will be a hard task for you to get that -piglet. However, I will help you. Only you must follow my advice -exactly." - -Vtazko promised that he would follow it exactly. So first she gave -him a long, sharp spit, and then she said: - -"Go to the stable and take my horse. He will bring you to the place -where the earth sow lies buried in the earth. When you have come there -you must prick one of her pigs. The pig will squeak, and the sow, -hearing it, will start up and run round the earth in a moment. But -she won't see you or anybody else, and so she will tell the pigs that -if they squeak again she will tear them to pieces. Then she will -lie down to sleep, and then you must spit the pig and run quickly -away. The pig will be afraid to squeak, the sow won't stir, and my -horse will carry you away." - -Vtazko promised to carry out her directions exactly. He took the -spit, mounted the magic horse, and it brought him swiftly to the -place--far, very far it was--where the earth sow lay buried in the -earth. Vtazko pricked one of the pigs, and it squeaked terribly. The -sow started wildly up and ran round the earth in one moment. But the -magic horse did not move, so the sow did not see him or anybody else, -and she said angrily to the pigs: - -"If one of you squeaks, I will tear you all to pieces at once." - -Having said this, she buried herself again. - -At once Vtazko spitted the pig. It kept quiet and didn't squeak at -all, and the magic horse began to fly, and it wasn't long till they -were home again. - -"Well, Vtazko, how did it go?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"Well, it went just as you said, and here is the pig." - -"Very well. Take it to your mother." - -Vtazko gave her back the spit; he led the magic horse back to its -stall, thanked Holy Sunday, and, hanging the pig from the beech-tree, -made haste to go home to his mother. - -The mother and the griffin were feasting; they did not expect Vtazko, -and here he was. They ran away and discussed what they should do -with him. - -"When he has given you the pig, you must still pretend to be ill," -said the griffin; "and when he asks you what will save you, tell him -that only the Water of Life and the Water of Death can cure you. If -he goes in quest of that, he is bound to perish." - -Vtazko came running to the castle full of joy. He gave the pig to -his mother, but she still went on groaning and complaining that she -was going to die, and that the pig would not cure her. - -"Alas! mother, don't die, but tell me what will cure you, so that I -may bring it for you at once," said Vtazko anxiously. - -"Ah! my dear son, I can only be cured by the Water of Life and the -Water of Death, and where would you get that?" sighed the mother. - -Vtazko did not waste time thinking about it. He grasped his beech, -and off he went to Holy Sunday. - -"Where are you going, Vtazko?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"I am coming to you to ask where I could find the Water of Life and -the Water of Death, for my mother is still ill, and only those will -cure her." - -"It will be a hard task for you to get them, but I will help you as -well as I can. Here are two jugs; mount my magic horse, and he will -bring you to two banks. Beneath those two banks spring forth the -Water of Life and the Water of Death. The right bank opens at noon, -and from beneath it gushes the Water of Life. The left bank opens at -midnight, and beneath it is the Water of Death. As soon as the bank -opens, run up to it and fill your jug with water, and so you must do -in the other case too. When you have the water, come back. Follow my -instructions carefully." - -Saying this, she gave him two jugs. He took them and mounted the magic -horse, and in a moment they were gone like the wind. The two banks were -in a far distant land, and thither the magic horse brought Vtazko. At -noon he raised the right bank and the Water of Life gushed forth, then, -crash! the bank fell down again, and it was a wonder that it did not -take Vtazko's heels off. Quickly Vtazko mounted the magic horse and -made haste for the left bank. There they waited till midnight. When -the bank lifted, beneath it was the Water of Death. He hurried to it -and filled the jug, and, crash! down fell the bank again; and it was -a marvel it didn't take Vtazko's hand off. Quickly he mounted the -magic horse, the horse flew off, and soon they were home again. - -"Well, Vtazko, how have you fared?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"Oh! everything went all right, Holy Sunday; and here is the water," -said Vtazko, giving her the water. - -Holy Sunday kept the water, and gave him two jugs full of spring -water and told him to take them to his mother. Vtazko thanked her -and went home. - -The mother and the griffin were carousing as before, for they did not -expect that he would ever return--and there he was just outside. They -were terribly frightened, and considered how they could get rid of him. - -"You must pretend to be sick still, and tell him you won't recover -unless you get the Pelican bird, and he will perish on the quest," -said the griffin. - -Vtazko brought the water joyfully, but the mother was still groaning -and complaining; even that was no good, she was sure she was going -to die. - -"Ah! don't die, sweet mother. Tell me what will cure you, and I shall -be glad to get it all for you," said the good lad. - -"There is no help for me unless I can see the Pelican bird. Where -could you get it for me?" groaned the mother. - -Vtazko took his beech again, and it was no trouble to him to go to -Holy Sunday once more. - -"Where are you going?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"Well, I am coming to you to ask for advice. Mother is still sick; -the water did not cure her either, and she says she must see the -Pelican bird. And where is the Pelican bird?" - -"My dear child, it would be very hard for you to get the Pelican -bird. But I will help you all I can. The Pelican bird is a gigantic -bird. His neck is very long, and, whenever he shakes his wings, -he raises such a wind that the trees begin to shake. Here is a gun; -mount my magic horse, and he will bring you to the place where the -Pelican bird lives. But be careful. Point the gun against the wind -from whatever quarter it blows, and when the hammer falls, ram the gun -with the ramrod and come quickly back. You must not look into the gun." - -Vtazko took the gun and mounted the magic horse, and the horse spread -his wings, and they were flying through the air a long way until -they came to a vast desert, where dwelt the Pelican bird. There the -magic horse stopped. Now Vtazko perceived that the wind was blowing -strongly on his left cheek, so he pointed the gun in that direction, -and, clap! the hammer fell. Vtazko rammed the gun quickly with the -ramrod and flung it over his shoulder, and the horse started flying, -and very soon they were home again. - -"Well, how did things go?" - -"I don't know whether they went well or ill, but I did what you -commanded," answered Vtazko, handing down the gun to Holy Sunday. - -"All right. You did quite right. Here he is!" she said. And then -she took out the Pelican bird. Then she gave Vtazko another gun -to shoot an eagle with. He went out into the forest, and returned -before long with an eagle. She gave him this eagle for his mother, -in place of the Pelican bird. - -The griffin and the mother were making merry again, hoping that Vtazko -would never come back, but he was already near. They were terrified, -and began to consider what new task they were to set him. - -"You must pretend to be sick still, and tell him nothing can do you -any good but the golden apples from the garden of the Griffin. If -he goes there the Griffin will tear him in pieces, for he is enraged -because Vtazko has killed his brothers." - -Joyfully Vtazko gave the bird to his mother, but she still kept -on groaning; nothing was any good, only the golden apples from the -garden of the Griffin could save her. - -"You shall have them," said Vtazko, and without resting, he started -again and came to Holy Sunday. - -"Where are you going, Vtazko?" - -"Well," he replied, "not even that did her any good. Mother is still -sick, for only the golden apples from the garden of the Griffin will -cure her." - -"Well, you'll have to fight, my boy," said Holy Sunday; "but, even -though you were stronger than you are, it would be a bad look-out -for you. Still, I will help you all I can. Here is a ring for you; -put it on your finger, and, when you are in need, think of me, turn -the ring round on your finger, and you will have the strength of a -hundred men. Now mount the magic horse; he will take you there." - -Vtazko thanked her heartily, mounted the magic horse, and was carried -by him a far journey, till they came to a garden hedged about by -a high rampart. Had it not been for the magic horse Vtazko could -never have got into the garden, but the horse flew like a bird over -the rampart. Vtazko leapt down from the horse, and instantly began -to look for a tree with golden apples. A beautiful girl met him and -asked him what he was looking for. Vtazko said that he was looking -for golden apples to cure his sick mother, and begged her to tell -him where to look for them. - -"The apple-tree is under my charge, and I must not give the apples -to anybody, or the Griffin would tear me to pieces. I am a king's -daughter, and the Griffin carried me off and brought me to this garden -and put me in charge of the apples. Go back, good youth, go back, -for the Griffin is very strong, and, if he sees you, he will kill -you like a fly," said the girl. - -But Vtazko was not to be turned back, and he hastened on into the -garden. So the princess pulled off a priceless ring and handed it to -Vtazko, saying: "Take this ring, and when you think of me and turn -this ring round on your finger, you will have the strength of a hundred -men, otherwise you could not gain the victory over the Griffin." - -Vtazko took the ring and put it on his finger. He thanked her and went -off to the centre of the garden. In the middle of the garden stood -an apple-tree full of golden apples, and underneath it a horrible -Griffin was lying. - -"What do you want here, murderer of my brothers?" shouted the Griffin. - -"I have come to get some apples from this tree," answered Vtazko -undauntedly. - -"You shall not have any of the apples unless you wrestle with me," -exclaimed the Griffin angrily. - -"I will if you like. Come on!" said Vtazko, and he turned the ring -on his right hand and thought of Holy Sunday. He set his legs wide -apart and they began to wrestle. In the first round the Griffin moved -Vtazko a little, but Vtazko drove him into the ground above his -ankles. Just at this moment they heard a swirl of wings above them, -and a black raven shouted to them: - -"Which am I to help, the Griffin or Vtazko?" - -"Help me," said the Griffin. - -"And what will you give me?" - -"I will give you gold and silver as much as you like." - -"Help me," cried Vtazko, "and I will give you all those horses -grazing on yonder meadow." - -"I will help you, then," said the raven. "But how am I to help you?" - -"Cool me when I grow hot," said Vtazko. He felt hot indeed, for -the Griffin was breathing out fire against him. So they went on -wrestling. The Griffin seized Vtazko and drove him into the ground up -to his ankles. Vtazko turned the ring, and again he thought of Holy -Sunday. He put his arms round the Griffin's waist and drove him down -into the ground above his knees. The black raven dipped his wings -in a spring, and then he alighted on Vtazko's head and sprinkled -cool drops over Vtazko's hot cheeks, and thus he cooled him. Then -Vtazko turned the other ring and thought of the beautiful maiden, -and they began wrestling again. So the Griffin drove Vtazko into the -ground up to his ankles, but Vtazko took hold of him and drove him -into the ground up to his shoulders, and quickly he seized his sword, -the gift of Holy Sunday, and cut the Griffin's head off. - -The princess came to him at once and plucked the golden apples for -him. She thanked him too for delivering her, and said that she liked -him well and she would marry him. - -"I like you well too," confessed Vtazko, "and, if I could, I would go -with you at once. But if you really love me, and if you will consent -to wait a year for me, I will come to you then." - -The princess pledged herself by shaking hands with him, and she said -she would wait a year for him. And so they said good-bye to each -other. Vtazko mounted his horse, cleared the rampart at a leap, -killed the horses on the meadow for the black raven, and hastened home. - -"Well, how have you fared?" asked Holy Sunday. - -"Very well, but if it hadn't been for a ring which was given me by -a princess I should have fared very badly," answered Vtazko, and he -told her everything. She told him to go home with the golden apples -and to take the magic horse with him too. Vtazko obeyed. - -The griffin and the mother were carousing again. They were greatly -startled when Vtazko came riding home; they had never expected that -he would return alive even from the garden of the Griffin. The mother -asked what she should do; but the griffin had no more shifts; he made -off to the tenth room at once and hid himself there. When Vtazko had -given the apples to his mother, she pretended that the mere sight of -them had cured her, and, rising from the bed, she put the finest of -food before Vtazko and then began to caress him as she used to do -sometimes when he was a tiny baby. Vtazko was delighted to see his -mother in good health again. The mother took a strong cotton cord and -said jestingly: "Lie down, dear son; I will wind this cord round you -as I used to wind it round your father, to see if you are as strong -as he was, and if you can break it." - -Vtazko smiled and laid himself down, and allowed his mother to wind -the cord round him. When she had finished, he stretched his limbs -and snapt the cord in pieces. - -"You are strong," she said. "But wait! I will wind this thin silk -cord round you to see if you can break it also." - -So she did. Vtazko tried to stretch his limbs, but the more he -stretched, the deeper the cord cut into him. So he was helpless, -and had to lie like a baby in its swaddling-clothes. Now the griffin -hastened to cut his head off; he hewed the body in pieces and hung -the heart from the ceiling. The mother packed the body in a cloth, -and put the bundle on the back of the magic horse, which was waiting -in the courtyard, saying: - -"You carried him alive, so you can carry him dead too, wherever -you like." - -The horse did not wait, but flew off, and soon they reached home. - -Holy Sunday had been expecting him, for she knew what would probably -happen to him. Without delay she rubbed the body with the Water of -Death, then she put it together and poured the Water of Life over -it. Vtazko yawned, and rose to his feet alive and well. "Well, -I have had a long sleep," he said to himself. - -"You would have been sleeping till doomsday if I hadn't awakened -you. Well, how do you feel now?" - -"Oh! I am all right! Only, it's funny: it's as though I had not got -any heart." - -"That is true; you haven't got a heart," answered Holy Sunday. - -"Where can it be, then?" - -"Where else should it be, but in the castle, hanging from the -crossbeam?" said Holy Sunday, and she told him all that had happened -to him. - -But Vtazko could not be angry, neither could he weep, for he had -no heart. So he had to go and get it. Holy Sunday gave him a fiddle -and sent him to the castle. He was to play on the fiddle, and, as a -reward, was to ask for the heart, and, when he got it, he must return -at once to Holy Sunday--those were her orders. - -Vtazko went to the castle, and when he saw that his mother was -looking out of the window, he began playing beautifully. The mother -was delighted with the music below, so she called the old fiddler -(for Holy Sunday had put that shape upon him) into the castle and -asked him to play. He played, and the mother danced with the griffin; -they danced hard, and did not stop until they were tired. Then the -mother gave the fiddler meat and drink, and she offered him gold, -but he would not take it. - -"What could I do with all that money? I am too old for it," he -answered. - -"Well, what am I to give you, then? It is for you to ask," said -the mother. - -"What are you to give me?" said he, looking round the room. "Oh! give -me that heart, hanging there from the crossbeam!" - -"If you like that, we can give it to you," said the griffin, and the -mother took it down and gave it to Vtazko. He thanked them for it, -and hastened from the castle to Holy Sunday. - -"It is lucky that we have got it again," said Holy Sunday; and -she took the heart in her hands, washed it first in the Water of -Death and afterwards in the Water of Life, and then she put it in -the bill of the Pelican bird. The bird stretched out his long neck -and replaced the heart in Vtazko's breast. At once Vtazko felt it -joyfully leaping. And for this service Holy Sunday gave the Pelican -bird his freedom again. - -And now she said to Vtazko: "You must go once more to the castle and -deal out justice. Take the form of a pigeon and, when you think of me, -you will regain your own shape." - -No sooner had she said this than Vtazko was changed into a pigeon, and -away he flew to the castle. The mother and the griffin were caressing -each other when suddenly a pigeon alighted on the window-sill. As -soon as the mother saw the pigeon she sent the griffin to shoot him, -but before the griffin could get hold of his crossbow the pigeon -flew down into the hall, took human form, seized the sword and cut -the griffin's head off at a stroke. - -"And what am I to do with thee, thou good-for-nothing mother?" he -said, turning to his mother, who in terror fell at his feet begging -for mercy. "Do not be afraid--I will not do you any harm. Let God -judge between us." He took her hand and led her to the castle yard, -unsheathed his sword, and said: "Behold, mother! I will throw this -sword into the air. If I am guilty, it will strike me; if you are -guilty, it is you it will strike. Let God decide." - -The sword whirled through the air, it darted past Vtazko's head, -and smote straight into his mother's heart. - -Vtazko lamented over her and buried her. Then he returned to Holy -Sunday and thanked her well for all her kindness. He girded on the -sword, took his beech-tree in his hand, and went to his beautiful -princess. He found her with her royal father, who had tried to make her -marry various kings and princes, but she would marry none of them. She -would wait a year, she said. The year was not yet over when one day -Vtazko arrived in the royal palace to ask for the maiden's hand. - -"This is my betrothed," exclaimed the princess joyfully, as soon as -she saw him, and she went straight up to him. - -A splendid feast was made ready, the father gave his kingdom into -their hands, and that is the end of this story. - - - - - - - - -BOOTS, CLOAK, AND RING - - -Once there was a blacksmith, and he had only one son, John by -name. They sent him to school, but fortune changed and his parents fell -into poverty, so they were forced to take their son home again. John -had already passed through the higher standard, but he could not -support his parents. So one day he said: - -"Father and mother! What can I do at home? There is no business here, -so I can't be a clerk, and I am too old now to learn a trade. So I -will go out into the world and find myself a job, and, whenever I can, -I will send you some money. And when I get a good job, you must sell -your cottage and come and live with me." - -His father and mother wept, because he wanted to leave them, but they -knew that he was right, for there was no chance for him if he stayed -at home. So they let him go. They gave him their blessing before he -went out into the world. John wept till his heart nearly broke at -parting with his aged parents. - -He walked on till noon. At noon he sat down beneath a lime-tree beside -a well, and had his meal and a drink. Then, strengthened and refreshed, -he walked on till nightfall. The country was quite unknown to him, -so he had to spend the night in the forest. The next day he went on -again till he came into a wild mountain country. There he stopped -and thought over what he should do next. He stood awhile, and then -he went on again. He reached a pleasant valley, and there he found -three brothers. They were quarrelling and on the point of coming to -blows. John asked them what the matter was. The eldest answered: - -"Our father has died, and he bequeathed to us these boots, this cloak, -and this hat. And each of us would like to own the boots." - -"Why?" asked John. - -"Because they have the property that whoever puts them on can cover -ten miles in the moment he wishes it. The cloak has the property that -its owner can fly as far and as high as he likes. And the property -of the hat is that it makes its wearer invisible." - -John said: "You are brothers, and you ought not to quarrel. You must -love one another. So that you won't quarrel any more, I will decide -the matter for you. Give me those things." - -They gave him the boots, the cloak, and the hat. He put the hat on, -and they couldn't see him any more; he wrapped himself in the cloak, -took the boots, and flew away. - -He flew some distance before he alighted upon a log and put the boots -on. As he sat on the log, it turned over, and he saw a big hole under -it. He went down the hole and came to some stairs, and went down them -to the bottom without any difficulty. There he found a big room without -any human being in it. The table was laid for one person. He thought: -"I am hungry. Shall I eat this meal?" Finally he decided to risk it; -he took off his hat and began to eat. - -When he had finished, an old crone entered the room, and asked: -"Did you like your meal?" - -"Oh, it was very nice indeed," answered John; "and, by the way, -could you give me lodging for the night?" - -"I will, if you can stand it; for at midnight twenty-four ghosts will -come, and they will try to make you play cards with them and dance -with them. But you must sit still and not so much as look at them." - -So the first night came. John was sitting eating his meal. When he had -finished, he remained at table. After eleven o'clock two dozen ghosts -entered the room and asked him to play cards with them. He refused, -so they began preparations for playing skittles, and again asked -him to join them, but he would not. Then a delightful music began -to play, and they asked him to dance with them. No, he wouldn't; -he did not so much as look at them. They kept on dragging him about, -tearing and biting him, till he began to think it was all over with -him. But just then it struck twelve, and the ghosts vanished. - -In the morning the old crone came back and waked him, for he was -still asleep on the ground. She asked him: "How did you sleep?" - -"Very well," said John. - -"Did you, now?" answered the old woman. "Well, next night will be -still worse, if you can stand it. Two score of ghosts will come, and -they'll urge you to play cards and skittles with them and to dance -with them. But you must sit quiet; don't so much as look at them." - -He stayed there that day, and had a good time. Then the second night -came. After eleven o'clock twoscore ghosts rushed in. They urged -him to play cards and skittles with them and to dance with them. But -John wouldn't. He sat still, without so much as looking at them. So -they began to torture him again, and dragged him about even worse -than before. But when it struck twelve they left him on the ground -and disappeared. - -In the morning the old crone came. She washed him with some lotion -till he recovered. She asked him: "How did you sleep?" - -"Splendidly," said he. - -"Did you, now?" said she. "It was a bad lodging for you, but the third -night will be even worse, if you can stand it. Three score of ghosts -will come, and will urge you to play cards and skittles and to dance -with them. But you must sit still and not so much as look at them." - -All that day he had a good time again. The third night came, and -after eleven o'clock three score of ghosts rushed in. They gathered -round him, and urged, prayed, and besought him to play and dance with -him. When he refused, they seized him and began knocking him against -the ground, tearing and biting him, so that he lost his senses and -did not see them go away. - -In the morning the old crone came and anointed him with a precious -salve till he recovered. The old woman said: "You wouldn't have had -such a bad time if you had not stolen the boots, the cloak, and the -hat. The ghosts would simply have pressed you; they would have had no -power over you. As you followed my advice and did not play with them, -you have delivered an enchanted town and a beautiful princess. She -will come to you at once. Now you are rich, return the stolen goods." - -Then there came a girl in a white robe. It was the beautiful princess, -and she thanked him for delivering her and the whole town. He went -to the window, and outside he saw streets full of people and soldiers -and a great bustle going on. The princess said: - -"My father is a king, and you will marry me and succeed him. But my -father dwells far from here, and we will go to him. Do you take this -ring here." - -So they went off. When the wedding was to take place, John wanted his -parents to be present, so he asked the princess: "May I go to see my -parents? I would like them to be at our wedding." - -The princess answered: "They live a great way from us, but you will -be able to get to them. The ring I gave you has the property that, -when you turn it on your finger and wish to go a hundred miles, you -will cover that distance in a moment. On your way you will come to a -king who has a beautiful daughter. But you must not think of her nor -of me, for then you will lose the ring, and you will not be able to -go any farther." - -John started. He turned the ring, and in a moment he was a hundred -miles off, and found himself with a king who had several sons. They -entertained him splendidly. Then he came to another king who had an -only daughter, and she was very vulgar. The king insisted that John -should marry her. John thought: "What are you thinking of, my man? My -bright one is so beautiful that there is not her equal in the wide -world, while your daughter is only a vulgar creature." At the moment he -thought of his bride the ring slipped from his finger and disappeared. - -John left them then. He was very sad, and considered what he should -do. "My bride is far away now," he thought. "I cannot find my way -either to her or to my parents." - -As he was walking along in this sad mood, he thought of his cloak, -and it came into his mind that, if he could reach the Sun's abode -the same day, he could ask where his bride's castle was. As soon -as he thought of this he was at the Sun's house. The Sun was not -in; only his housekeeper was at home. He asked her for a lodging, -and said that he would like to ask the Sun whether he knew the -castle where his bride dwelt. She gave him the lodging. When the -Sun returned home in the evening, John asked him whether he had any -knowledge of the castle in which his wife dwelt. The Sun answered: -"I don't know. I never shone there. But go and ask the Moon." - -The next day, as soon as he woke, he flew off on his cloak to the -Moon's castle. When he got there, the Moon was not in, and John asked -the housekeeper for a night's lodging. He said he would like to ask -the Moon's advice. - -The housekeeper said: "You must wait till the Moon comes home, but -you will be very cold, for my mistress is an extremely cold person." - -"I will crouch in a corner and wait till the mistress comes; in any -case, my cloak is warm enough." - -When the morning drew near, the Moon returned home, and John asked -her whether she knew where his bride's castle was. - -The Moon said: "I never shone there. But go to the Wind. He is a -fellow who penetrates everywhere, and so he is likely to know where -that castle is." - -So John went to the Wind's house. The Wind was not in, but Melusine, -his wife, was alone at home. John asked her to let him stay there -for the night. She tried to dissuade him. - -"It is impossible, good sir. My lord is used to blow terribly. It -will be exceedingly cold." - -He answered: "I will cover myself up and crouch somewhere. I can -endure cold, and, anyhow, my cloak is warm enough." So he stayed -there for the night. - -After midnight the Wind came home and asked: "Who is here with you, -wife? I smell a man." - -"Who should be here?" she said. "Your nose is still full of the -human smell." - -But the Wind persisted: "There is somebody here! Tell me!" - -So she confessed. "Don't be angry, dear husband! There is a man staying -here for the night, and he wants to ask you whether you will be kind -enough to take him to his bride's castle." - -The Wind answered: "It is very far from here, and I must ask the -Lord how strongly I am to blow, if we are to get there. I was there -yesterday; they are going to celebrate a wedding there, and they have -been drying some shirts ready for it, and I have been helping them." - -The Wind went to ask the Lord; and when he came back, he said to John: -"I can blow strongly enough, but I don't know whether you will be -able to keep step with me." - -John answered: "I have got good boots, and I am sure I can." - -So he wrapped himself in his cloak, covered his head with his hat, -and put his boots on, and he went ahead so quickly that the Wind -could hardly keep step with him. As they drew near to the castle, -the Wind said: "Here it is," and disappeared in a whirl. - -The other bridegroom had already arrived, and was at the wedding -feast. John passed through the castle, and came to the table at which -they were dining. Nobody could see him. He remained standing near the -bride, and whenever she lifted the food to her mouth, he ate it before -it could reach her mouth, so that the spoon reached her mouth empty. - -After the banquet she said: "My plates were well filled, and yet it -is as though I had been eating nothing at all. Who is it that has -eaten my food? My glass was full too. I have not drunk, and yet it -is empty. Who has drunk my wine?" - -Then she went to the kitchen, and John followed close at her -heels. When she was alone he revealed himself. He took his hat off, -and she knew him. She was greatly rejoiced at this, and ran to the -room and said: - -"Gentlemen, I would like to ask you a question. I had a golden key -and I lost it. So I had a silver key made for me, and, now that it is -made, I have found the golden key. Would you be so kind as to advise -me which of them I ought to keep?" - -The bridegroom stepped forward and said: "Keep the golden key." - -Off she went. She dressed John in beautiful garments, and then -presented him to the guests, saying: "This is my golden key. He -delivered me from torment, and I was to marry him. He went to see -his parents, but he could not reach them. Now he has come back to me -just as I was going to marry another man, the silver key of my story, -though I had given up all hope of his return. Yet he has come back, -and I shall keep him, the golden key, for the silver key has himself -decided so." - -The wedding was celebrated the next day, and John took charge of the -old king's kingdom. Then they both went to visit his old parents, -and brought them back with them to the palace. On their way back they -called on the three brothers, and John gave them back the boots, -the cloak, and the hat. And if they haven't died since, they are -still alive enjoying their kingdom. - - - - - - - - -SILLY JURA - - -Once there were two brothers. They were lazy fellows, and thieves -into the bargain. They were expected to give a feast. They said to -one another: "We haven't got anything. Wherever shall we find food -for the feast?" - -So the first said: "I'll go to our neighbour's. He has some fine -apples, and I'll pluck some of them." - -The second said: "I'll go to the shepherd's. He has some fine -rams. I'll steal a ram from him." - -These two brothers hated the third, and so they abused him: "Silly -Jura! You won't get anything yourself, but you'll be ready enough to -eat what we get." - -So Jura said: "I'll go to the burgomaster's and get some nuts." - -In the evening they went their ways. When he had finished plucking -the nuts, Jura went into the charnel-house at the back of the church -and began to crack the nuts there. The watchmen heard the cracking -in the charnel-house, and they thought the place was haunted. As -there was no priest in the village (he lived in the next village), -they went to the burgomaster and asked him to go with them to the -charnel-house, saying that the place was haunted. - -The burgomaster said: "I am so ill that I can't stand on my feet; -no doctor can help me." - -But the watchmen insisted, and so the burgomaster told his servant to -take him on his back and carry him to the place. The servant carried -him along, and the watchmen called at the churchwarden's to ask for -some holy water. - -When they came near to the charnel-house, Jura thought it was his -brother bringing the ram, so he called out: "Are you bringing him?" - -The servant was frightened, and let the burgomaster fall and ran -away. The burgomaster was terrified too. He jumped up and ran after -the servant. He cleared a wooden fence with one leap in his flight, -and it wasn't long till he reached home. His family wondered to see -him cured so quickly without the help of a doctor. - -Next day the burgomaster proclaimed that he would give a pound to the -man who had stolen his nuts the day before, if he would only come to -see him. So Jura went to him, and the burgomaster said: "I ought to -punish you for stealing, but since you have cured my illness which -nobody was able to cure, I'll give you the pound I promised, but -you mustn't steal any more." So Jura promised not to steal any more, -and went home. - -The brothers grew very fond of him now that he had money. They borrowed -the money from him and bought themselves new clothes, and said: "We'll -go to see the world and to get wives for ourselves. As for you, Silly -Jura, you must stay at home; you'd never get a good wife for yourself." - -So off they went. But Jura went too. He went to the forest and he -was utterly dazzled. He had often heard that there was an enchanted -castle in that forest. When he came to the place where the ruins of the -castle were, night overtook him, and so he could see nothing except -what looked like a light in a cellar. So he went into the cellar to -make his night's lodging there. There was nobody in the cellar but a -cat. The cat greeted him: "Welcome, dear Jura! How did you come here?" - -Jura was frightened when he heard the cat speak, and was going to -run away. But the cat told him not to go; there was no need to be -frightened. He must come back, and no harm would be done to him. If -he wanted to eat, he could go into the storeroom and take what he -wanted. She would take him for her servant. - -So he stayed there a year and had a good time. He never saw a cook, -but he always found meals ready prepared in the storeroom. He had -nothing to do but get firewood, and at the end of the year he was told -to make a great pile of it. Then the cat said: "You must light the -pile to-day, and throw me into the fire. You must not help me out, -however I entreat you, but you must let me be consumed." - -Jura answered: "I can't do that. I have had a good time with you. Why -should I repay you in such an evil way?" - -The cat said: "If you don't do as I have said, you will be very -unhappy. If you do it, you will be happy." - -So Jura kindled the pile, and, when it was well alight, he picked up -the cat and threw her into the fire. She wanted to escape from the -fire, but he wouldn't let her go. At last he was so weary that he was -forced to lie down, and soon he fell asleep. When he awoke, he opened -his eyes, and behold! there was no ruin; he heard delightful music -and saw a beautiful palace with crowds of servants. He was wondering -at all this, when a splendidly dressed lady came up to him and asked -him if he did not know her. - -Jura said: "How should I know your ladyship? I never saw you before -in my life." - -The lady said: "I am that cat. Witches had put me under enchantment -in the shape of a cat. Now we will go after your brothers who hated -you so much and see how they are getting on." - -She ordered her people to dress him in fine clothes, a fine carriage -was prepared, and they drove off. As they were approaching the village, -the lady said to her bridegroom: "Put your old clothes on." Then she -called an old, ragged beggarwoman and sent him with her. She herself -remained outside of the village. - -When the brothers saw Jura coming with the ragged beggarwoman, they -shouted: "He is bringing home an old ragged bride, and he's in rags -too." The other brothers were married too, and they were pretty badly -off, so they turned him out and wouldn't have him at home. - -So Jura went out of the village; he changed his clothes and drove back -with the lady to his brothers' cottage. When the carriage stopped -before the cottage, the brothers said: "What a fine carriage! Who -is that noble lord and the beautiful lady who have come to our -cottage?" They did not recognize their brother. - -So she said: "Look here. You were always hard on your brother, always -sneering at him, and now you are badly off enough, while he is getting -on splendidly. If you mend your ways, you will get on too." - -Afterwards she gave them some money and went away with Jura. - - - - - - - - -SLEEPY JOHN - - -Once there was a lad named John, and he used to go to sleep always -and everywhere. One day he came to an inn where some farmers were -feeding their horses. So he crept into the cart, lay down on the -straw, and went to sleep. When the farmers had driven some distance, -they noticed John asleep in the cart. They thought: "What are we to -do with him? We have a beer cask here. We'll put him in it and leave -him in the forest." So they shut him in the cask, and off they drove. - -John went on sleeping in the cask for a long time. Suddenly he woke -up and found himself in the cask, but he did not know how he had got -into it, neither did he know where he was. There was something running -to and fro near the cask, so he looked through the bunghole and saw -a great number of wolves gathered under the rocks. They had flocked -round, attracted by the human smell. One of the wolves pushed his -tail through the hole, and Sleepy John began to think that the hour -of his death was approaching. But he wound the wolf's tail round his -hand. The wolf was terrified, and, dragging the cask after him, he -ran after the rest of the wolves, who set off in all directions. Their -terror grew greater and greater as the cask bumped after them. At last -the cask struck against a rock and was smashed. John let go the wolf, -who took himself off as fast as he could. - -Now John found himself in a wild mountain region. He began walking -about among the mountains and he met a hermit. The hermit said to him: -"You may stay here with me. I shall die in three days. Bury me then, -and I will pay you well for it." - -So John stayed with him, and, when the third day came, the hermit, -who was about to die, gave him a stick, saying: "In whatever direction -you point this stick, you will find yourself there." Then he gave -him a knapsack, saying: "Anything you want you will find in this -knapsack." Then he gave him a cap, saying: "As soon as you put this -cap on, nobody will be able to see you." - -Then the hermit died, and John buried him. - -John gathered his things together, pointed the stick, and said: -"Let me be instantly in the town where the king lives." He found -himself there on the instant, and he was told that the queen would -every night wear out a dozen pairs of shoes, yet nobody was able -to follow her track. The lords were all flocking to offer to follow -the queen's traces, and John went too. He went into the palace and -had himself announced to the king. When he came before the king, -he said that he would like to trace the queen. The king asked him: -"Who are you?" - -He answered "Sleepy John." - -The king said: "And how are you going to trace her, when you are -sleeping all the time? If you fail to trace her you will lose your -head." - -John answered that he would try to trace her all the same. - -When the evening was come the queen went to bed in one room and John -went to bed in the next room, through which the queen had to pass. He -did not go to sleep, but when the queen was going by he pretended to -be in a deep slumber. So the queen lit a candle and scorched the soles -of his feet to make sure that he was asleep. But John didn't stir, -and so she was certain that he was asleep. Then she took her twelve -pairs of new shoes and off she went. - -John got up, put his cap on, and pointed with his stick and said: -"Let me be where the queen is." - -Now, when the queen came to a certain rock, the earth opened before -her and two dragons came to meet her. They took her on their backs -and carried her as far as the lead forest. Then John said: "Let me -be where the queen is," and instantly he was in the lead forest. So -he broke off a twig for a proof and put it in his knapsack. But -when he broke off the twig it gave out a shrill sound as if a bell -were ringing. The queen was frightened, but she rode on again. John -pointed with his stick and said: "Let me be where the queen is," and -instantly he was in the tin forest. He broke off a twig again and -put it in his knapsack, and it rang again. The queen turned pale, -but she rode on again. John pointed with his stick again and said: -"Let me be where the queen is," and instantly he was in the silver -forest. He broke off a twig again and put it into his knapsack. As -he broke it, it gave out a ringing sound and the queen fainted. The -dragons hastened on again till they came to a green meadow. - -A crowd of devils came to meet them here, and they revived the -queen. Then they had a feast. Sleepy John was there too. The cook was -not at home that day, so John sat down in his place, and, as he had his -cap on, nobody could see him. They put aside a part of the food for the -cook, but John ate it all. They were all surprised to see all the food -they put aside disappearing. They couldn't make out what was happening, -but they didn't care very much. And when the banquet was at an end the -devils began to dance with the queen, and they kept on dancing until -the queen had worn out all her shoes. When her shoes were worn out, -those two dragons took her on their backs again and brought her to -the place where the earth had opened before her. John said: "Let me be -where the queen is." By this time she was walking on the earth again, -and he followed her. When they came near the palace he went ahead of -the queen and went to bed; and, as the queen was going in, she saw -him sleeping, and so she went to her own room and lay down and slept. - -In the morning the lords gathered together and the king asked whether -any of them had tracked the queen. But none of them could say "Yes." - -So he summoned Sleepy John before him. John said: - -"Gracious Lord King, I did indeed track her, and I know that she used -up those twelve pairs of shoes upon the green meadows in Hell." - -The queen stood forth at once, and John took from his knapsack the -leaden twig and said: "The queen was carried by two dragons towards -Hell, and she came to the leaden forest; there I broke off this twig -and the queen was frightened." - -The king said: "That's no good. You might have made the twig yourself." - -So John produced the tin twig from his knapsack and said: "After that -the queen drove through the tin forest, and there I broke off this -twig. That time the queen grew pale." - -The king said: "You might have made even this twig." - -So John produced the silver twig and said: "Afterwards the queen drove -through the silver forest, and when I broke off this twig she fainted, -and so she was until the devils brought her to life again." - -The queen, seeing that all was known, cried out: "Let the earth -swallow me!" and she was swallowed by the earth. - -Sleepy John got the half of the kingdom, and, when the king died, -the other half too. - - - - - - - - -THREE DOVES - - -A certain merchant died. His son was nineteen years old at the -time. He said to his mother: "Mother dear, I'm going to try my luck -in the world." - -His mother answered: "Go, dear son, but don't stay long there, for -I am old, and should like some help in my old age." She fitted him -out for the journey, and said good-bye to him. - -Out into the world went the son, and he travelled on till he came -into a forest. He had been going through it for three days, and -no end appeared. On the third day he kept on and came at last to a -cottage. He went into the cottage and he saw a horrible being seated -on a stool. The fellow asked him where he was going. - -"I don't know where I am going. I'm seeking my fortune in some -service." - -"Well, if you like, you can enter my service." - -The lad was very hungry, so he took service with the other. - -His master said to him: "You must serve me for a year at least." - -So he served him for a year. He was treated very well, and he was -a faithful servant to his master. The master was a sorcerer, but he -didn't do any harm to the lad. He had a big pond, and three doves used -to come there to bathe. Each of them had three golden feathers. These -three doves were three enchanted princesses. - -When the year's service was ended, the sorcerer said: "What wages -shall I give you?" - -The lad said he left it to him. - -"You're a good lad," said the sorcerer. "Come with me to my cellar -and take as much money as you like, gold or silver, just as you wish." - -So the lad took as much as he could carry, and the sorcerer gave him -one of the three doves too, saying: - -"When you get home, if you haven't got a house of your own, have one -built, and then pluck those three feathers out of the dove, and hide -them away so carefully that no human eye can see them. The dove will -turn into a lovely princess and you may marry her." - -So he took the dove and returned home. He had a house built and made -a secret place in one of the walls for the three feathers. When he -plucked out the feathers the dove became a beautiful princess, but she -did not know where the feathers were. But his mother knew quite well, -for he had told her all and showed her where the feathers were hidden. - -When they had been living together for three years he went a-hunting -one day with another lord, and his mother stayed at home with her -daughter-in-law. The mother said to her: "Dear daughter-in-law, -I can't tell you how beautiful I think you. If one were to search -the whole world through, one couldn't find so beautiful a woman." - -The daughter-in-law answered: "Dear lady, the beauty I have now is -nothing to what I should have had I but one of my golden feathers." - -The mother went straight off, fetched one of the feathers, and gave -it to her. - -She thrust it into her skin, and she was immediately far more beautiful -than before. The mother kept looking at her, and said: "If you had the -others as well, you would be even more beautiful." Then she fetched -the other two feathers and gave them to her. - -She thrust them into her skin, and behold! she was a dove again. She -flew off through the window, thanking her mother-in-law: "Thank you, -dearest mother, for giving me these three feathers. I will wait a -little for my husband, to say good-bye to him." - -So she perched on the roof to wait till her husband should return -from the forest. - -Now, the husband's nose fell to bleeding violently. He grew frightened, -and began to wonder what great misfortune had befallen him at home. He -mounted his horse and hastened home. As he was approaching the door -the dove called out: "Good-bye, dear husband. I thank you for your -true love, but you will never see me more." - -Then the dove flew away, and the husband began to weep and to wail. Of -course, he was very angry with his mother, and he decided to go away -again and follow wherever his eyes might lead him. So he started -off, and he went back to the sorcerer in whose service he had been -before. As soon as he entered the sorcerer said: - -"Aha! you have not followed my advice. I won't help you this time; -the three doves are gone from here. But go to my brother, for all -the birds and animals are under his power, and perhaps some of them -might know where the doves are. I will give you a ball, and when you -roll it three times, you will get there this evening. You must ask -him whether he knows anything about the doves, and you must tell him, -too, that I sent you to him." - -The lad thanked him heartily and went on his way. He rolled the -ball thrice and reached the other brother's by evening. He told him -that his brother had asked to be remembered kindly to him, and then -he asked whether he knew where the doves that used to bathe in his -brother's pond were. - -The brother answered: "My good lad, I know nothing at all about -them. You must wait till morning. All the birds and animals are under -my power, and if they know anything about it, it will be all right." - -In the morning they went to the forest. The brother blew a whistle, -and instantly swarms of birds gathered round, asking what was their -master's will. - -He said: "Tell me, does any one of you know about those three golden -doves which used to bathe in my brother's pond?" - -None of them knew, so he blew his whistle again and all manner of -animals gathered round him: bears, lions, squirrels, wolves, every -kind of wild animal, and they asked what was their master's will. - -He said: "I would know whether any one of you knows anything about -three golden doves which used to bathe in my brother's pond." - -None of them knew. So he said: - -"My dear lad, I cannot help you any more in this matter, but I have -another brother, and, if he cannot tell you anything about them, -then you will never hear of them any more. He dwells twice seventy -miles from here, and all the devils of Hell are subjected to him. I -will give you another ball like the one you had yesterday, and, -when you have rolled it thrice, you will get there before evening." - -He rolled the ball thrice and got there the same evening. The sorcerer -was sitting in his garden on the grass. His hair was all dishevelled -like a mop, his paunch was bare like a pail, his nose reached to -his middle, and was as bare as a stick--in fact, his appearance -was terrible. - -The lad was terrified, but the sorcerer said: "Don't be frightened, -my boy; though I look so hideous, yet I have a good heart. What do -you want?" - -"I have come from your brother to ask whether you can tell me about -the three doves which used to bathe in your brother's pond." - -"My dear lad, I know nothing about them, but as soon as you get up -in the morning I will call my apprentices, to find if any one of them -knows anything about the doves." - -In the morning they got up and went into the forest. The sorcerer -blew a whistle, and at once hosts of devils appeared, such a multitude -that they darkened the whole forest. - -The lad was frightened, but the sorcerer said: "Don't be afraid; -not a hair of your head shall be harmed." - -The devils asked what was their master's will. - -He said: "Does any one of you know anything, about the three doves -which used to bathe in my brother's pond?" - -None of them knew anything. The sorcerer looked about him and asked: -"Where is the lame one?" - -The lame one had been left behind, but he was hurrying up for fear he -should be too late. He came and asked what was his master's will. The -sorcerer answered: "I want to find out whether you know anything -about those three doves that used to bathe in my brother's pond." - -"Of course I know about them, for I have been driving them before -me. They are bathing in the Red Sea now." - -The sorcerer said: "You must take up this man and carry him as far -as their gold-roofed palace," and he took the lad aside and whispered -in his ear: - -"When the devil asks you how quick he is to take you, if he says: -'As quickly as the wind blows?' say 'No'; and if he says, 'As quickly -as the step goes?' say 'No' again. But if he says, 'As quickly as the -air goes?' say 'Even so.' If your cap falls, do not look after it, -and don't tell the devil about it, or he will let you fall and won't -carry you to the palace. When you are seven miles from the palace you -will see it, and the devil will ask you if you see it; but shut your -eyes tight and say that you can't see it. When you are three miles from -it, you will see it quite plainly, and he will ask you again whether -you see it. But you must shut your eyes tight and say that you can't -see it. Then you will be above the palace roof, and he will ask you -again whether you see it. You must say again that you can't see it, -or he will let you drop on the roof and you won't be able to get down." - -The devil took the man and flew with him as the air goes. When they -were seven miles from the palace, the devil asked: "Do you see the -palace now? It is quite plain to see now." - -The lad shut his eyes tight and said that he couldn't see it. So they -flew on, and when they were three miles from the castle the devil -asked him did he see it now. He shut his eyes tight and said that he -couldn't see it. When they were right over the roof, the devil asked: -"Surely you must see it now; we are just over the roof." - -But he shut his eyes tight and said: "I don't see it." - -The devil said angrily: "You must be blind if you can't see it; we -are just above the roof." And he seized him in anger, and set him on -the golden table in that royal castle. - -The three princesses were sitting at the table, knitting with golden -thread. His own wife was the middle one, and she knew him at once. She -sprang up right gladly and welcomed him with joy. She nearly fainted, -she was so pleased that he had been able to come so many miles in -such a short time. - -"Welcome, dear husband, welcome! Welcome, our deliverer! You will -save us from the enchantment under which we are in this castle." - -The time passed very slowly there. So one day his wife brought him -the keys and showed him through all the rooms and closets, letting -him see everything except one room, which she would not open for him. - -The three princesses had to take the shape of doves for two hours -in the morning and three hours before the evening, and they had to -go to the Red Sea to bathe there. One day when they had gone out to -bathe he thought: "Why don't you want to open that room for me?" So -he went and searched among the other keys for the key, and opened -the room for himself. - -In the room he saw a three-headed dragon, and each of its heads was -stuck upon a hook so that it hung down from it. Under the dragon were -placed three glasses of water. The lad was terrified and started to run -away. But the dragon kept on calling out: "Don't be frightened, don't -run away, but come back again and give me that glass of water. Your -life shall be spared this once." - -So he gave him the glass of water; the dragon drained it up, and -instantly one of the heads fell from the hook. He begged again: "Now -give me that other glass of water, and your life shall be spared a -second time." - -He gave it him; the dragon drank it up, and immediately the second -head fell from the hook. Then the dragon said: "Now do as you like. But -you must give me the third glass of water, whether you like it or not!" - -In terror he gave him the third glass; the third head drank it up and -fell from its hook. Now the dragon was quite free, and instantly he -made for the Red Sea, and began to chase after the three doves until -he caught one of them. It was the lad's wife. - -The other two princesses came back again and began to weep and to wail. - -"Thou luckless fellow! we were happy in the hope that thou wouldst -deliver us, and now we are worse off than ever--now our torments will -last till doomsday!" - -He, too, burst into tears, for he was sad at heart that the dragon -had carried off his wife, whom he had won at the risk of his life. - -The princesses' three brothers were under enchantment too. One of -them was in the castle, changed into the shape of a horse. One day -the horse said to the sorrowing husband: "The dragon is away from -home now. Let us go and steal the princess." - -So they went to the dragon's castle, carried off the princess, and -ran for home. The other brother of the three princesses was in the -dragon's castle under enchantment in the shape of a horse. - -When the dragon came home, he said to the horse: "Where is my -princess?" - -The horse answered: "They came and carried her away." - -The dragon mounted the horse at once and said: "Now we'll ride as -fast as we can. We must overtake them." - -The horse answered: "We cannot possibly overtake them." - -But the dragon said: "Only let us start; we shall overtake them." - -They started, and they overtook them near the castle. The dragon -snapped the princess away at once, saying to the lad: "I promised to -spare your life in return for that glass of water; now I have spared -it, but don't dare to come to my castle ever again." - -And with that the dragon rode home, carrying the princess with him. - -Some time after that the horse said to the sorrowing husband: "The -dragon is away from home again. Let us go and steal the princess." - -So they went and stole her again. - -The dragon came home and asked the horse: "Where is my princess?" - -The horse answered: "Hibad! They have stolen her again, but we cannot -overtake them this time." - -The dragon said: "We must overtake them." - -He mounted the horse, and they went flying after them till at last they -overtook them. The dragon snapped away the princess, saying to the lad: -"There's your life spared for the second glass. But if you come again, -I'll tear you to pieces." - -The lad was sorrowful, and wept and bewailed his fate because he had -lost his wife for ever. But the horse said: - -"I will give you one more counsel. I know a place where there are -some young ravens. We will go there, and you must take the young -ravens from their nest on the tree. The old ones will fly at you -and peck you--they won't want to let you have their young chicks; -but tell them that you won't give them back their chicks unless they -bring you the healing water and the water of life. - -"When they bring the water, take one of the young ravens and pull its -head off; then dip it in the healing water and put the head to the -body again. That's how you will be certain that they have brought you -the real water of life. If the wound grows together again, you may -be sure it is the real water of life. As soon as the wound has grown -together, take the water of life and pour some of it into the raven's -bill, and when the bird revives, you will know quite certainly that -it is the water of life." - -The lad did all this. The old ravens brought him the water in leather -bottles. He took one of the chicks, pulled its head off, dipped it -into the healing water, and the wound grew together again. Then he -poured some of the water of life into its bill, and it came alive -again. Then he put the young ravens back into the nest again, took -the water, and went home. - -When he got there, the horse said to him: "The dragon is away from -home to-day. Let us go and see if we can get the princess." - -So off they went and carried away the princess. They ran off as fast -as they could. - -The dragon came home and asked the horse: "Where is my princess?" - -The horse replied: "She's gone from us. They've carried her off again, -and this time we shall never catch up with them." - -The dragon said in a rage: "What should prevent us from getting her -back? Let's go at once." - -So they flew after them, and they reached the castle just as the -fugitives were going in through the gate. - -The dragon snapped the princess away, saying to the lad: "You rascal! I -told you I would tear you to pieces if you came a third time for her." - -So he caught hold of him, and took a foot in each claw, and tore him -in two. Then he went off with the princess and the horse. - -The lad's horse took the healing water, dipped the two halves into -it, put the one against the other, and they grew together. Then he -took the water of life and poured it into the lad's mouth, and he -was alive again. Then they went into the castle. - -The lad was weeping bitterly and crying out that all was over, that -now he would be separated from his wife for ever. But the horse gave -him comfort, saying: - -"Well, I really don't know what advice I ought to give you now. We -have been three times, and he caught up with us every time. And -the last time you were torn in pieces. I don't know how things will -turn out. But I have another brother across the Red Sea, and he is -stronger than I or the dragon. If we could only get him, we should -be sure to kill the dragon. But it's a hard thing to do, for he is -in service with the Devil's grandmother. We will try it together, -if only we can manage to cross the Red Sea. And, if you follow the -advice I give you, you will get the horse. - -"You must serve the Devil's grandmother for three days, and, when -you have served the three days, you must ask for that lean horse as -wages. You will have to herd twelve horses for three days. Nobody -has ever managed to do it yet. When the first day's service is done, -on the next day the Devil's grandmother always cuts off the servant's -head and hangs it on a hook. Now, listen carefully. While you are -herding the horses, anything the hag gives you to eat at home, eat -your fill of it. But, if she gives you anything to eat in the field, -do not eat it, but throw it away. If you were to eat it, sleep would -come down on you, your horses would stray, and the Devil's grandmother -would cut off your head and hang it upon a hook." - -So off they went together till they came to the Red Sea. As they were -drawing near to the sea, they saw a huge fly entangled in a cobweb -and struggling to free itself. So the lad went up to it and said: -"Poor fly! You can't get out of that cobweb; wait a bit, and I will -help you." - -The cobweb was as big as a sheet, but he tore it in two and the fly -crept out. - -The fly said: "Thank you for helping me out of the cobweb. Tear one -of my feet from under my belly, and, whenever you are in need, think -of me, and I will help you." - -The lad thought: "Poor fly! how could you help me?" Nevertheless, -he tore off one of her feet and kept it. - -Then he went on his way, and he saw a wolf with his tail trapped under -a heavy log, and he was unable to help himself, for wolves have stiff -backs, and no wolf has ever been able to turn. The lad rolled the -log away and released the wolf. - -The wolf said: "Thank you for helping me. Take one of my claws, and, -whenever you are in sore need, think of me, and I will help you." So -the lad took one of his claws and kept it. - -When he got quite close to the sea, he saw a crab as big as a -barrel. The crab was lying on the sand with his belly upwards, and -he couldn't manage to turn himself over again. So the lad went and -turned the crab over again. The crab asked him where he was going. He -said he was going to the Devil's grandmother across the Red Sea. - -The crab said: "My dear lad, I'll make a bridge for you across the -sea, so that you will be able to get across. But, besides that, you -must pluck off one of my claws from under my belly, and when you are -in sore need, think of me, and I will help you." - -So he plucked off one of the claws and kept it. The crab sidled into -the sea, and immediately all the crabs of the sea came together, -and they closed in on one another so that they made a bridge -across the sea. The lad crossed the bridge and came to the Devil's -grandmother. She was standing waiting for him in the doorway of her -house, and welcomed him. He'd just come at the right time; she wanted -him to herd her horses. She gave him plenty of good food to eat, -and sent him out to the fields. She put twelve horses in his charge, -and said to him: - -"Look to it that you herd them well, for if you lose one of them -you will lose your head. Just look here at these twenty-four posts, -with a hook on each one of them. There are heads on twenty-three of -them. The last hook is waiting for your head. If you herd my horses -badly, that hook is waiting for your head." - -Then she fitted him out for herding the horses. She gave him a piece -of bread, so that he might have enough to eat and not starve. He -meant to follow the horse's advice, and threw the bread away. But a -fierce hunger came upon him, and he had to go and look for the bread -and eat it up. - -The moment he had eaten it he fell asleep and all the horses were -lost. When he awoke there wasn't a single horse there. Sorrowfully -he said: "The Devil's grandmother was right; my head will hang from -that hook." In his grief he thought of the fly, and it came flying -up and called out: "Why are you weeping and wailing?" - -He said that he had been hungry, and had been forced to eat the bread, -so that he fell asleep and all the horses were lost. - -The fly tried to comfort him, saying: "Don't be troubled, dear lad; -I will help you." - -So she called together all the flies, and they flew everywhere looking -for the horses, and when they found them, they buzzed round them and -plagued them till they drove them up to the herdsman. He drove them -joyfully home. - -The Devil's grandmother welcomed them, and when she saw that all -the horses were there, she said: "You've herded them well enough, -for you have brought them all back." Then she seized a hatchet and -began to beat the horses with it, and most of all the lean one, -till the flesh hung in strips from its body. The lad was sorry for -the horse, for the hag was beating it hardest and it was the leanest -of them all. But the Devil's grandmother took a salve and anointed -the horses' wounds, and they were healed by morning. - -The next day she fitted him out again for herding the horses, and -gave him some more of the bread, telling him to eat it all. But -when he came to the pasture he crumbled the bread and trampled the -crumbs into the ground, so that it should be uneatable. But it was no -good. He was forced to dig it up and eat it, earth and all, so great -was the hunger that the Devil's grandmother had sent against him. In -a moment he fell asleep and all the horses were lost. - -When he woke he saw that there were no horses there. He wept and -wailed. But he thought of the wolf, and the wolf came running up -and asked him: "Why are you weeping and wailing? Don't be troubled; -I will help you." - -He went and summoned all the wolves. A great flock of wolves ran up, -and they scattered everywhere, looking for the horses. When they found -them, they drove them to the herdsman, each horse with a wolf at its -side leading it by the ear. The herdsman was overjoyed, and took the -horses and drove them home. - -The Devil's grandmother was waiting for him in front of the house. She -said: "Indeed you have herded them well; this is the second day that -you have brought them all home." But she beat the horses with the -hatchet far worse than the day before; then she anointed their wounds -with the salve, so that they should be healed by morning. - -On the third day she sent him out again to herd the horses, and gave -him some more of the bread, telling him to eat it and not to throw it -away. But when he came to the pasture he threw the bread down on the -sand and trampled it in, so that it should be uneatable. But he had to -search it out again, so great was the hunger the Devil's grandmother -sent against him. The moment he had finished it he fell asleep and -the horses were lost. When he woke he burst into tears. This time -it was all up with him; the fly and the wolf had helped him before, -but the crab had already made a bridge for him, so there was nobody -to help him. The horses didn't know where to hide themselves to save -themselves from being beaten by the Devil's grandmother, so they -leapt into the sea, where nobody could find them. - -The herdsman was in agony, and he kept on wailing that now his head -must hang upon that hook. At last he thought of the crab. The crab -turned round in the sea, and instantly all the crabs collected and -began searching the sea for the horses, and they pinched them until -they drove them out of the sea. But the lean one, since he couldn't -think of a better hiding-place, crouched under the crab's belly. The -other crabs set to work to look for him, and at last they found -him. The big crab had to turn over, and then they drove the lean -horse out. The herdsman took the horses and drove them home joyfully, -because his three days of service were now over. - -The Devil's grandmother was waiting for him, and she beat the horses -with the hatchet so fiercely that their flesh hung in strips from -their bodies. Then she anointed them with the salve, and the wounds -healed by morning. In the morning she asked the herdsman what wages -he wanted. He answered: "I want nothing but that lean old horse." - -She said: "It would be a sorry thing to give you such a wretched -horse in return for such good service; I will give you the best horse." - -He answered: "I won't take any horse but the lean one." - -She asked him why he wanted the leanest one. He replied: "Because I -am sorry for him, for he always gets the worst beating. I will have -that one, and no other." - -So she said: "Well, I will give him to you, if you must have him, -but I will give you this fat one too. You can ride on his back home -and lead the lean one with you." - -He mounted the fat horse and rode off. But when they were drawing -near to the gate, the lean horse said: "Get down from that horse and -mount me, or you will be the worse for it." - -So he jumped down from the fat horse and mounted the lean one. - -The fat horse growled: "It's the Devil gave you that advice." - -And the lean horse said: "If you had gone under the gate on that -horse's back, he would have dashed you against the vault of the gate, -so that your head would have been knocked off, and you would have -been killed." - -So they came safely home. When the princesses saw him come back they -were delighted. - -The other horse said: "Now, brother, let us go. The dragon is away -from home, and the princess will be ours." So they went and carried -off the princess. - -When the dragon came home, he asked his horse: "Where is my princess?" - -The horse replied: "She has gone, and this time we shan't get her -back. The horse from the Red Sea has come, and he will get the better -of us all." - -The dragon took no heed of that, but flew after them and caught them -up just by the gate. He was going to snap the princess away, but this -time he could not do it. For the horse from over the Red Sea kicked -his nose with his hoof, so that the dragon fell down from his horse, -and the other two horses fell upon him, and between them they killed -the dragon. - -They came to the castle with the princess, and they were congratulating -one another on their victory over their enemy. Then the horse which -had been giving good advice to his rider all the time said: "Now, -dear brother-in-law, take my sword there hanging from the ceiling -and cut my head off." - -He was sad and said: "How could I do that, after all the acts of -kindness you have done for me?" - -The horse said: "My good friend, I cannot tell you why you must behead -me, but you would do me a great wrong if you did not do it." - -So he hesitated no longer, but cut his head off. The blood spurted -up twelve feet high, and instantly the horse became a beautiful -youth. Seeing that, the lad was quick to behead the other horses, -and they all turned into handsome princes like the first one. - -They all thanked him for delivering them, and they made him king of -that castle, and there he lived with his wife and her two sisters -in all happiness and harmony till they died. The three brothers took -possession of the dragon's castle. - - - - - - - - -THE BEAR, THE EAGLE, AND THE FISH - - -Once there was a count and he had three daughters. All of them were -young and as pretty as peacocks, but the youngest was the loveliest -of them all. The count had little money to spend, for he had lost it -all by gambling. And so--since he had to spend the time in some way -or other--he used to go hunting. One day, when he was out hunting -he lost his way in a forest, and he could not find his way out of -it. Suddenly a big bear rushed out at him, shouting at the top of -his voice. He said he would show him the way out of the forest and, -besides, he would give him as much gold and silver as he wanted on -one condition, and that condition was that the count should give him -one of his daughters in marriage. The count was terrified. But after -thinking it over for a time, he consented at last. The bear showed -him the way out of the forest and gave him everything he had promised, -and so the count was pleased. - -He spent his time eating and drinking and gambling, till all the money -melted away. He never so much as gave a thought to the bear, until -one day, when the eldest daughter was marriageable, a carriage came -rolling up. The carriage was drawn by a pair of raven-black horses, -and in it sat a prince with cheeks of white and red, whose robes -blazed with gold. He came and took the eldest daughter and drove -off. The countess wept, but the count did not mind a bit, but being -short of money, he began hunting again. - -One day he lost his way again, and this time an eagle flew down to -him and promised to show him the way out of the forest, and to give -him heaps of money into the bargain, if he would only give him his -second daughter in return. The bargain was made and the eagle fetched -away the second daughter, and only the youngest was left at home. Yet -even her the count sold, and it was a fish that got her. - -So the count and the countess were left alone. They were very sad, -but after a time a boy was born to them, and they watched over him -like the apple of their eye. When the boy was grown up, he saw that -the countess looked sad sometimes, and he gave her no rest till she -had told him everything. When he had heard the story, he put his best -clothes on, took his sword, mounted his horse, and said good-bye to his -parents, telling them that he was going to search for his lost sisters. - -So he rode on till he came to the eldest sister. Her he found playing -with three little bear cubs, for these were her babies. He met his -brother-in-law, who gave him three hairs and told him to rub those -hairs with his fingers if he found himself in any difficulty. Then -he went to the second sister, and found her with two eaglets and the -old eagle, his brother-in-law, as well. The eagle gave him three -feathers, saying they would be of help to him in time of need. He -thanked the eagle for that and went on his way, and at last he came -to his youngest sister. It was not so easy to get to her, for she -dwelt under the water, and he had to drop into her house through -the chimney. He would have missed the chimney if it hadn't been for -the smoke from it: it was bluish smoke, hardly visible. His sister -welcomed him heartily and showed him her baby, a pretty little fish, -and her husband, a giant fish. The lad got three fish-scales from -the husband to use in time of trouble. - -He learned that the bear and the eagle were the brothers of the -fish. They were sons of a powerful king, but they had been enchanted -by an envious magician and turned into these shapes. The sorcerer could -take different forms. But the brother must not let that dismay him. He -must get hold of a golden egg which was hidden in the sorcerer and -throw it on the ground. If he began to grow faint and did not know -what to do, he must call one of his brothers-in-law, and he would -advise him what to do. - -And so it was. The young count attacked the magician, who turned into -a bull. But the young count was not afraid: he rubbed the bear's hair; -the bear came running up and tore the bull in pieces. But out of the -bull flew a wild duck and tried to escape. Then the count thought of -the eagle feathers, and immediately the eagle flew up, and he tore -the duck to pieces. But a golden egg fell from the duck and it rolled -into the pond. But that too was of no avail, for the count rubbed -the fish scales, and after a while the fish threw the egg upon the -bank. The count caught it and flung it to the ground so that it was -smashed into many pieces. - -At once all around was changed. The pond turned into a meadow upon -which a beautiful castle was shining. The castle was full of servants -and the three princes, with their wives and children, were just walking -out of it. All were overjoyed to be so happily delivered, and, when -they had enough of rejoicing, they started off to find their parents. - -Their first journey was to the old count and countess, so that they -might enjoy the sight of their children and grandchildren. Afterwards -they hastened to the old king. He ordered many cannon to be fired, -and prepared a splendid banquet. And he gave the kingdom to his -eldest son. The second son went to the land of the count, and it -was divided between him and his brother-in-law. And the youngest -went to the disenchanted castle. All of them reigned prosperously -and wisely in their several realms and, if they haven't died since, -they are reigning still. - - - - - - - - -KOJATA - - -Once there was a king who had an only son. One day the king went -to inspect his estates. He came to the first farm and found it -all right. Before he had finished going the round of his estates, -thirteen big farms in all, he forgot that his wife was about to have -a child. On his way home he came to a forest, and such a thirst came -upon him that he bade his driver stop and look for some water. The -driver looked everywhere for water, but he couldn't find any. So the -king himself went to look for it, and he found a well. - -Now, just as he was going to drink, he kneeled down and he saw -something in the well which had claws like a crab and red eyes. It -seized him by the beard with one of its claws--he had a pretty long -beard--and it refused to let him go unless he promised to give it the -thing that he had at home unknown to himself. So he said to himself: "I -know everything at home." But he forgot about his wife's condition. By -this time his wife had been delivered of a prince, and so the king, -without knowing it, had promised his son to the thing in the well. And -on that it let him go. - -When he got home he saw the new-born prince, and of course he was -very sad. He remained so for twelve years. The prince asked him why he -was so sad. And the king answered: "Because you are sold." The prince -told him not to worry about it; he would be able to help himself. - -The prince called for his horse and started out. He had been riding -five days' journey from his home, when he came to a lake. There -he tethered his horse. He saw thirteen ducks swimming on the lake, -and there were thirteen shifts lying on the bank. So he carried off -one of the shifts and hid himself. When they saw this, twelve of the -ducks flew away, but the thirteenth was running hither and thither, -looking for her shift. So when he saw her running hither and thither -looking for her shift, he came out of his hiding-place. Now the father -of those ducks was the being which had seized the king by the beard. He -was a sorcerer, and his name was Kojata. - -This girl was his youngest daughter. And she said to the prince: - -"Now I will give you a good counsel. You will save me and I will save -you. My father will set you a difficult task. I will perform it for -you, but you must not let him know that I am helping you. Leave your -horse here and hurry on to my father's. He will give you a lodging, -and he will give you three days to consider over the task. You will -be in your room alone, and in the evening I will come humming to your -window, for I shall come to you in a bee's shape, because I can't -come in any other way. And you must follow my advice. My father has -thirteen daughters, and we all resemble one another exactly and we -all wear the same sort of clothes. You will have to find out which is -the youngest, but you will have no other means of recognizing me than -by noticing a tiny fly under my left eye, so be very careful about it." - -So it was. The sorcerer called him in and the thirteen daughters -were standing in a row. The sorcerer asked him whether he could -make out which was the youngest; if he could do so, his life would -be spared. So he went the round of them three times, but it was as -much as he could do to recognize her. But he pointed her out. She was -the third from the end. So the sorcerer asked him who had been giving -him advice. But the prince answered that it was none of his business. - -The next day the sorcerer gave him another task: to build a palace of -pure gold and silver without using hammer or trowel. The prince was -very worried about it. But in the evening the youngest daughter came -flying to him again, and she gave him a wand. At a single stroke of -the wand the palace rose up ready-built, and it was more perfect than -the old one. In the morning he was strolling about the palace looking -round him. When King Kojata saw him, he came up to him and stopped: -"Who has given you this counsel?" he asked. The prince answered that -it was the person who had given him advice the time before. - -So the sorcerer set him the third task, and this time the daughter -was not able to advise him. She came to him in the evening and said: -"I have no other advice than for both of us to flee at once, otherwise -you will be lost and I too." - -Now, in the evening she turned herself into a horse, and he mounted her -and rode as far as the lake. There he found his own horse, and they -both mounted it and rode off at full speed. Soon she heard a great -noise behind her, so she turned herself into a church and the prince -became a monk. The sorcerer's apprentices were riding in pursuit of -them. When they got as far as the church they turned and went back to -Kojata. When they came to him they said that they had not overtaken -anybody; they had only seen a church and a monk in it. And he said: -"Those were they!" - -Next day he sent them again to pursue the runaways. Though they -were riding faster than the day before, again they heard a trampling -behind them. So she turned herself into a great river and him into -an old broken bridge. Their pursuers came as far as the river and the -bridge, and then they turned back and reported to their king, Kojata, -that they had seen nothing but a river and a bridge. He said at once: -"Well, those were they!" - -On the third day the runaways started again and made for the border -as fast as they could, and soon they were in their own land. When -they reached the third church, the sorcerer had no more power over -them. He began to tear his hair and knock his head against the ground -and to curse his daughter for tricking him. - -So the young king came home, bringing a lovely young princess with -him. His father was very pleased at that! - - - - - - - - -SHEPHERD HYNEK - - -To cut a long story short, there was a prince and he had three -sons. The first two followed in their father's footsteps, but the third -did not. He said he would like to be a forester. The father was angry -and turned him out of the house. What was he to do with the fellow, -when he was so obstinate and would be a forester? - -"Well, be whatever you like," said the prince, and he gave him a -shepherd's dress and Hynek went out into the world. - -He had been walking through a forest for three days. He was hungry -and cold, and everything seemed to be against him. He was tired -too, and at last he fell asleep under a tree. As he was sleeping, -a black man came to him. He would not leave him to sleep, but waked -him up. Hynek was frightened. But he told him there was no need to -be afraid. He was a good man, though his skin was black. So Hynek -stayed with him for seven years and learnt the seven languages, -zither playing, and all that sort of thing. - -Now the seven years were over. In that land there was a king who had -an only daughter. And there was a fierce dragon which was ravaging -the whole of that kingdom, and everybody was forced to give him -one sheep and one human being to appease him. So the lot fell upon -the princess too. The black man told Hynek that something ought to -be done to deliver the people and to save the princess from being -devoured by that dragon. - -"Go to the next homestead," he said, "and ask to be taken on as a -shepherd, and in the morning you will have to drive the sheep into -this forest." - -So they took leave of one another. Hynek was engaged as shepherd, and -in the morning he drove the sheep into the forest, where the black -man was waiting for him. When he came with the sheep, the black man -gave him a wand and a ring, and said: - -"When you turn this ring, you will be brought to a castle where a -giant dwells, and you will have to tackle the giant. This wand will -help you to do it. Then you must take his robe, his horse, and his -sword. Then you will be brought to the town, and it will be about -the time that the princess will be brought out." - -So Hynek took his leave and found everything just as he had said. As -he came near to the castle, the giant was looking out and said: - -"You earthworm, what are you looking for?" - -"Oh! I should like to have a try for that big head of yours." - -The giant fell into a rage. He was holding a great club in his hand, -and he flung it at Hynek, but Hynek dodged aside and the club sank -deep into the ground, it had been flung with such force. So Hynek -went right up to him, and, crack! he struck him with the wand. So -the giant tumbled over. Hynek took his sword and struck his head -off. Then he took an iron key out of the giant's pocket. He opened -the lock, took the robe and the horse, and dressed himself as became a -knight. Then he turned the ring, and in a moment he found himself on -the road along which they were bringing the princess to be devoured -by the dragon. When he saw the procession, he asked: - -"What's going on here, and why are the people in such grief?" - -"Because the princess is to be devoured by a dragon to-day." - -Hynek said: "For the sake of her beauty, show me his den where -he dwells." - -So he rode up to the rock and called out loudly: "Now, dragon, come -on; your meal is ready here, waiting for you." - -But the dragon answered: "I don't want it to-day; come to-morrow, -at eleven." - -So Hynek returned. He rode towards them and said that the dragon would -not leave his den to-day. So they all went back to the town with the -knight, and the king would not let him go away on any account. But -Hynek began to make excuses. He had to deliver a letter for the field -marshal and he could not remain there. Then he turned the ring on his -finger, and instantly he was in the castle again. He left the clothes -and the horse there, putting the clothes tidily together. Then he put -on his shepherd's dress, turned the ring, and at once he was near the -forest, where the black man had been tending his sheep meanwhile. He -greeted him kindly: - -"You have done everything well. Always act like that." - -So he drove the sheep home and played the zither again. Everybody ran -up to the door to listen to the magic playing of the shepherd. But -he said nothing to anybody. - -The next day he drove the sheep to the forest still earlier. The -black man was there waiting for him, and said: "Follow my advice and -you will be happy." - -He said that he would do so. The black man was to mind the sheep -again. He gave Hynek the wand and the ring, and Hynek came to another -castle. - -The giant was looking out as he came up; he was standing in the -doorway. He asked the lad grimly what he was looking for. - -"Oh! it's nothing. I only want to try for that big head of yours." - -The giant was holding a hammer and he hurled it at him. No eye could -see where it fell. Hynek leapt towards him, and, crack! he struck -him with the wand, and the giant fell over and Hynek cut his head -off too. He took a silver key out of the giant's pocket and went -straight to the castle. There he chose a robe, girded on a sword, -took a horse, and turned the ring again. Once more he was on the road -where the princess was being brought to be devoured. He asked them -in a different language why they were wailing so. - -"Well, our princess is to be devoured by the dragon to-day. He would -not leave his den yesterday." - -"Show me his den: I will sacrifice myself for the sake of her beauty." - -They showed him the rock, and he rode straight up to it and called out: -"Now, dragon, come on; your meal is ready here." - -"I don't want it to-day, wait till eleven to-morrow." - -The king was still less willing to let him go this time, but he -found some excuse, turned his horse, and went back with everything -to the castle. - -Then he returned to the forest and the black man. The black man said: -"Drive your sheep home now, but come earlier to-morrow, for a heavy -task awaits you." - -Hynek could not rest that night: he was so afraid that he would be too -late. As soon as dawn came he let out the flock and drove it to the -forest. When he got there, the black man said to him: "There's only -to-day now. It will be the last time. But it will be a heavy task for -you to tackle the third giant and the dragon." Then he gave him the -wand and the ring, and said that the key to-day would be of gold. He -must choose the robe and take a black horse, and he must take with -him the sword with which he had killed the giant and the dragon. - -He turned the ring and was brought to the third castle. Here was a -giant again, much huger than the other two. He ran at Hynek, but, -crack! Hynek struck him with the wand. Then he took his sword and -killed him. Then he opened the castle with a golden key; he went -to the stable, then he put on a green robe and brought out a black -horse. There was a sword hanging there, and he girded it on. Then he -turned the ring, and in a moment he was on the road along which they -were bringing the princess to be devoured by the dragon. - -He asked them in yet another language why they were so sorrowful. He -was ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of her beauty. So they -showed him the den in which the dragon dwelt, and he called out: -"Well, come on, dragon; your meal is ready and waiting for you here." - -Now the rock began to shake; all the stones came rolling down, and the -dragon flew out of the rock, his seven heads burning with flame, and -he made straight for Hynek. Hynek began cutting at the seven heads -until he was weary that he could not do any more. Then the horse -began to crush the dragon, until after a while Hynek, being rested, -took his sword, and at once he cut all the seven heads off. - -He was so scorched by the fire that he could not run away, and he -fainted on the spot. The people had seen what was happening, so they -rode up and carried him away, lest he should perish of the dragon's -poison. They brought him and laid him in the princess's lap. She gave -him her ring and a golden neckchain, and so he recovered his senses -and found himself lying in the princess's lap. He was afraid that he -had stayed too long, for he was supposed to be with the marshal by -this time. They were all trying to hold him back from going, but he -found an excuse and promised he would come back within three days. So -at last they just had to let him go. - -He returned to the castle, where he put everything back in its place -again, except the sword, which he took with him and gave to the black -man. The black man said to him: "You have succeeded now, and it will -be well with both of us." - -So Hynek drove his sheep home rejoicing. He was playing the zither, -and all the people gathered outside to listen to his rare and sweet -music. He asked what had happened to the princess: had the dragon -devoured her? - -"Oh no! A knight delivered her, and the king is going to give her in -marriage to him." - -"Alas! silly shepherd that I am, why did I not tackle him myself with -my shepherd's staff!" - -But they all laughed at him: "You mind your sheep, that's what -befits you." - -In the royal castle the wedding-feast was ready. The sixth day had -come and they were still waiting for him. But the bridegroom did not -come and the princess was sad. On the sixth day he asked the marshal -if he could go to the castle to play his zither to the princess; -he would like to cheer her, since she was so sad. - -"You may go, and, if you succeed, you shall make some extra money." - -So Hynek went and played, and the music was so sweet that the lords -could listen to nothing but his beautiful playing. He played for -three hours, and then he must go home. They asked him what reward he -would like. - -"Nothing but to drink a cup of wine with the princess." - -He had ready the ring which the princess had given him when he was -in her lap. His request was granted, and the rest of the musicians -who were there were angry with him for claiming so insignificant a -reward. When they had filled the cup for him, he drank the wine and -dropped the ring into the cup. - -Now, the cupbearer who was filling the cup looked into it and saw the -glittering ring. So he hastened to the princess with it. She recognized -it as her own, so she ordered them to bring that shepherd before her. - -"Well," he said, "surely they won't beat me!" - -They brought him before the princess, and she made him tell her how -he had got that ring and how he had been clothed. - -So he said: "All those three days I was with you." - -Hynek did not go back to the marshal, though he complained of the -loss of his shepherd. He was clad in royal robes now, and they had a -splendid wedding in the castle. But the princess did not know what his -parentage was, although she could see that he was not a low-born man. - -So after a year he said he would like to visit his parents, and he -told her to prepare for the journey. She was to send a letter to -Prince So-and-So that the young queen was going to visit him. He -would go on ahead. - -So he put his shepherd's dress on once more and purposely tore it -in several places, and, when his princess arrived and everybody was -welcoming her, he went straight into the great hall. Now, when the old -Prince saw that it was his son all tattered and torn, he bade them -put him under lock and key. But he had no difficulty in escaping, -and while they were feasting, he came into the hall again and sat -down next to the princess. The father was furious that his son should -behave so shamefully. But the princess reassured him. It was all right, -she said. She did not mind at all; he might sit where he pleased. - -After dinner she called for a bath. They prepared it for her. But -Hynek was quicker, and slipped into the bathroom before her. She shut -the door and he put on his royal robes, and then they went before -his father. The Prince was frightened, since he had thought so ill -of his son, and he fell on his knees. But Hynek lifted him up and -himself kneeled before him and asked his forgiveness. - -Then came in the black man. He gave Hynek the sword and bade him cut -his head off. Hynek would not repay his kindness in this way. - -"Then we shall both be unhappy." - -So when he saw what he was to do, he cut the head off and, when he -had done that, an English prince appeared in his stead. He was only -eighteen years old. All his followers woke up too. Hynek accompanied -him to England, and then took leave of him. - -How are they all now? - -I don't know. - - - - - - - - -THE THREE ROSES - - -Once upon a time there was a mother who had three daughters. There -was to be a market in the next town, and she said she would go to -it. She asked the daughters what she should bring them back. Two of -them named a great number of things; she must buy all of them, they -said. You know the sort of women, and the sort of things they would -want. Well, when they had asked for more than enough, the mother -asked the third daughter: - -"And you, don't you want anything?" - -"No, I don't want anything; but, if you like, you can bring me three -roses, please." - -If she wanted no more than that, her mother was ready to bring them. - -When the mother knew all she wanted, she went off to market. She bought -all she could, piled it all on her back, and started for home. But -she was overtaken by nightfall, and the poor mother completely lost -her way and could go no farther. She wandered through the forest till -she was quite worn out, and at last she came to a palace, though she -had never before heard of any palace there. There was a large garden -full of roses, so beautiful that no painter alive could paint them, -and all the roses were smiling at her. So she remembered her youngest -daughter, who had wished for just such roses. She had forgotten it -entirely till then. Surely that was because she was so old! Now she -thought: "There are plenty of roses here, so I will take these three." - -So she went into the garden and took the roses. At once a basilisk -came and demanded her daughter in exchange for the roses. The mother -was terrified and wanted to throw the flowers away. But the basilisk -said that wouldn't be any use, and he threatened to tear her to -pieces. So she had to promise him her daughter. There was no help -for it, and so she went home. - -She took the three roses to her daughter and said: "Here are the -roses, but I had to pay dearly for them. You must go to yonder castle -in payment for them, and I don't even know whether you will ever -come back." - -But Mary seemed as though she didn't mind at all, and she said she -would go. So the mother took her to the castle. There was everything -she wanted there. Soon the basilisk appeared and told Mary that she -must nurse him in her lap for three hours every day. There was no -way out, do it she must, and so the basilisk came and she nursed him -for three hours. Then he went out, but he came next day and the day -after that. On the third day he brought a sword and told poor Mary -to cut his head off. - -She protested that she wasn't used to doing things like that, and do -it she could not. But the basilisk said in a rage that, if that was so, -he would tear her to pieces. As there was no choice, she went up to him -and cut his head off. And as the basilisk's head rolled on the ground, -there came forth from his body a long serpent, hissing horribly. He -asked her to cut his head off again. Mary did not hesitate this time, -but cut his head off at once. - -The serpent (by the way, he held the golden keys of that palace in -his mouth) was immediately changed into a beautiful youth, and he -said in a pleasant voice: "This castle belongs to me, and, as you -have delivered me, there is no help for it: I must marry you." - -So there was a great wedding, the castle was full of their attendants, -and they all had to play and dance. But the floor was of paper, -so I fell through it, and here I am now. - - - - - - - - -THE ENCHANTED PRINCESSES - - -In the days of King Bambita, his two noble daughters oppressed the -people, laying heavy taxes on them without the king's knowledge. The -people cursed them, and the curses did their work. The princesses -vanished. The king sent some of his servants to look for the -princesses. But the servants came back empty-handed. None of them -had been able to find the princesses. - -Now, a captain and a lieutenant heard of the king's trouble. So the -lieutenant went to the king, and "I see," says he, "that you are in -trouble. I will go and look for the princesses." - -"How much do you want for it?" asked the king. - -"Twenty pounds." - -The king agreed, and gave him the money. "If you find them," said he, -"half of my kingdom is yours." - -The lieutenant and the captain had plenty of money now, so they went -to an inn and passed the time drinking. On the third day the captain -said: "To-day I will go to the king. If he gave you twenty pounds, -he is certain to give me more." - -So he went to the king and said: "I see that your majesty is in -trouble. I should like to go and look for the princesses." - -"How much do you want for it?" said the king. - -"Thirty pounds." - -Well, the king gave him the money without any more ado, adding that, -if he found the princesses, he would get half of his kingdom. - -They fell to drinking again and had a splendid time. - -There was a drummer near them, and he heard them saying that they -were to look for the princesses. So he went to the king and said: -"I hear that your majesty is prostrated by sore trouble. I, too, -would like to look for the princesses." - -"How much do you want for it?" - -"Forty pounds, at least." - -The king gave him the money without more ado. The two officers and the -drummer left that inn for another, and so they went on spending their -money recklessly in one drinking-house after another. The drummer -went with the other two, but he was more careful than they were. He -was not such a spendthrift as the two officers. - -They asked him where he meant to go. - -"Wherever you go, I will go too," he replied. - -"Then why don't you join us and lead a gay life?" - -"That I can't do until I know where to find the princesses." - -They invited him to join them, but he refused to do it. - -At last they bought some bread and other food, and they all set out -together on their journey. They came to a dark forest, and for a -fortnight they searched it through and through, but they could find -nothing. They couldn't find their way out of the forest either, so they -agreed that one of them should climb to the top of the highest tree -to see which way they ought to go. The drummer, being the youngest, -climbed up a pine-tree. He called out: - -"I can see a cottage. Look, I will throw my hat towards it, and do -you follow the hat." - -Well, they went on until they reached the cottage. - -"Go into the room," says the drummer. - -"After you," said both the officers at once. - -So the drummer stepped inside, and an old crone welcomed him. - -"Welcome, Drummer Anthony," said she. "How did you get here?" - -"I have come to deliver the princesses, and only for that." - -"Well, you will find them, but those other two fellows will get them -from you by a trick." - -She gave him a rope three hundred fathoms long and told him to bind -it round his body. She also gave him some wine and a sponge. Then -she said: "Not far from here there is a well. When you come to it, -you must say that you will let yourself down into the well, if the -other fellows will drink the fountain dry." - -When they got to the well, the captain and the lieutenant began to -drink the fountain, but it was just as full as before. - -"If we kept on drinking this fountain till doomsday," they said, -"we could not drink it dry." - -So the drummer took the sponge, and at once the water began to -disappear, and soon the well was dry. They began to quarrel as to who -should go down the well. The one on the right side said the other -ought to go, but at last they agreed that the drummer, who was the -lightest, should go. - -So he went down, and, when he reached the bottom of the well, he found -a stone there. He drew it aside, and then he saw the light of the other -world. He lowered himself on the rope into the other world. There -he saw a beautiful palace. He went towards it. When he reached it, -he saw that the table was laid for two persons. He ate his meal and -then went into the second room. There he laid himself down to sleep, -and when he awoke in the morning, he found the Princess Anne in the -third room. - -"Welcome," she said; "what has brought you here?" - -He told her that he had come to deliver her. - -She said: "I don't know whether you will succeed in that. Here is a -sword; see if you can brandish it." - -The drummer took hold of the sword, but he could not even lift it, -it was so heavy. - -Then the princess gave him a ring. "Take this," she said, "and whenever -you think of me, you will become strong. I have to hold the dragon in -my lap for a whole hour. As soon as he comes, he will smell a man. But -you must cut him in two, for then I shall be delivered. Just at nine -o'clock he comes." - -Just at nine o'clock the palace began to tremble and the dragon -came in. But the drummer encountered him and struck him in two with -the sword. - -After that the princess took him into another room. "Now you have -delivered me," she said. "But my sister is in worse trouble still. She -has to hold a dragon in her lap for two hours, and that dragon is -even stronger than this one." - -Then they went into the fourth room, where was the Princess -Antonia. She, too, greeted him, and told him that he would be able -to deliver her if he could brandish the sword beside her. He tried, -but he could not even move it. Then she gave him a ring and told him -that, whenever he thought of her, he would have the strength of two -hundred men. She said, too, that if he succeeded in setting her free -she would marry him. - -Soon eleven o'clock came. The hall began to tremble and the dragon -appeared. But, as he was coming in, Anthony was ready for him near -the door, and he managed to cut the dragon in two. - -Now, when the two princesses had been set free, they gathered all the -precious stones they could to take with them, and went to the opening -that led into the world. But the drummer had quite forgotten the old -crone's warning about the other two fellows, and he sent the princesses -up before him. Each of the officers took a princess for himself, and -the drummer was left behind at the bottom of the well. When his turn -came, he was careful enough to tie a stone to the rope. His companions -on the top pulled it up a little way and then suddenly let it drop, -throwing down other stones into the well to kill the drummer. But -he had remembered the crone's warning that his friends would try to -trick him. So he jumped aside and remained there in the other world. - -He went back to the palace and entered the seventh room. On the table -were three boxes. He opened the first and found a whistle inside -it. He blew the whistle, and in came some generals and asked what was -his majesty's will. He said he had only whistled to find out if they -were attending to their duty. Then he looked into the second box, and -there he saw a bugle. He blew the bugle, and in came some officers, -who said just what the generals had said. In the third box he found a -drum. He beat the drum, and immediately he was surrounded by infantry -and cavalry, a great multitude of soldiers. He asked whether any of -them had ever been in Europe. Two men were found among them who had -been shipwrecked. - -"Where is the ship?" said the drummer. - -"Here on the seacoast," they replied. - -At that, Anthony decked himself out in a royal robe and started on -his travels for Europe. - -Meanwhile the two princesses had reached home. One was engaged to -be married to the lieutenant, the other to the captain. But when -the time for the wedding came, both the princesses, still thinking -of Anthony, asked for a delay of one year, and their royal father -granted their request. - -Anthony arrived safely in that land. He met a traveller and said to -him, "Look here, why should you not change clothes with me?" - -He was glad to do so, and Anthony went on to the town in which the -princesses lived and sought out a goldsmith. He asked the goldsmith -for work. - -"I haven't work enough for myself," said the goldsmith. - -"Well," said the drummer, "I have had an order for two rings, although -I was only walking the street." - -"You are a lucky fellow," said the goldsmith, and his wife, when -she heard of it, spoke in the drummer's favour, so he was taken on -as assistant. - -"Now," said he, "give me what I want and I will make the rings. But -nobody must enter my room: I will take my meals in at the door." - -On the third day one ring was finished, and this one was meant for -the Princess Anne. - -"You must take this ring to the Princess Anne, master," said he. - -"So I will," said the goldsmith; "but what is your price for it?" - -"A thousand pounds," said he. - -"If that's so, I won't go. They would put me in jail." - -"Be easy," said Anthony, "nothing will happen to you." - -So the goldsmith went to the palace, and sent in a message that his -assistant had made a ring for the Princess Anne. She sent a message -that she had not ordered a ring, but she would look at it. As soon -as she saw it, she asked: "How much do you want for this?" He replied -that he was almost afraid to say that it was worth a thousand pounds. - -"Oh! it is worth much more than that," she said, and she paid the -sum at once. - -The goldsmith returned home and told his wife what he had got for the -ring. She wondered what sort of person their new assistant was. The -master brought the money to him, but the assistant would not accept it. - -"You can keep the money for yourself," he said, "and I have just -finished the ring for the Princess Antonia. You will have to go to -the palace again with this." - -This time the master-goldsmith was ready enough to go. "How much am -I to ask for this ring?" he said. - -"Ask two thousand pounds." - -So he was brought to the princess, and he told her that his apprentice -had made a ring for her. She answered that she had not ordered a -ring. "However, show it to me." - -As soon as she glanced at it, she said: "How much do you want for -this?" - -"Two thousand pounds." - -"Oh! it's worth much more than that," she said. - -So she paid down the money and told the master-goldsmith to fetch -his assistant to her. As soon as the master came home, he told his -wife everything. She was still more astonished. - -"O Lord!" she said, "I cannot understand it at all." - -The master told Anthony that the princess bade him come and see her. - -"She can come to me," was his reply. - -When the princess heard that, she lost no time, but took some royal -garments for him, and drove to Anthony's house in the royal coach. She -went straight to him and said, "I am come to bring you home with me, -Anthony." - -She bade him put on the royal robe she had brought with her for -him, and they drove together to the palace, and their marriage was -celebrated not long after. - -The two officers thought the king would banish them or inflict -some punishment upon them, but he pardoned them and gave them -sufficient money to live at the court. Anthony himself did not care -for royalty. He and his wife arranged that they would return to the -place where he had first found the princesses. So they departed for -that land, but a storm drove them on shore near to the place where -he had met the old crone. She gave him welcome. - -"So you are back again," she said. - -They explained to her that what they wished was to go back to that -palace beneath the fountain. - -"Well," she said, "I will show you the way to the other world, and -I will let you down the well." - -They came to the opening, and Anthony was about to enter the well, -but the old hag begged him to wait with her and let the princess go -on before. - -So the princess was let down to the bottom of the well, and then -the crone said: "I won't let you follow her unless you first cut off -my head." - -"This is a strange way to repay the good you have done me," said -Anthony. - -"Well, unless you promise this you will never see your princess again." - -So he had to promise, and with that she waved her wand and a road -appeared, which led them straight to the princess. Then Anthony struck -off the crone's head, and they found themselves amid crowds of farmers -who were ploughing and soldiers standing at attention, and one and -all welcoming their new lords. For this land was an enchanted land, -and the old crone was a witch. - - - - - - - - -THE TWIN BROTHERS - - -Once there was a princess, and she was under a curse and enchantment, -so that she had to spend her life in the shape of a fish. One day a -woman happened to be working in the meadow by the river, and she saw -a flock of birds flying above the river and talking to the fish. The -woman wondered what it was that was there, so she went to the waterside -and looked in. All she saw was a fish swimming about. So she said: -"I should like to eat you, fish. I feel sure you would do me good." - -Now, when she said that, the fish answered: "You could save me. You -will have twin sons, although you have never had any children before." - -The woman said that, if she could help her in that, there was nothing -the fish could ask that she would not do to deliver her. - -The fish answered: "Catch me and take me to your field. There you must -bury me and plant a rose-tree over me. When the roses first come into -bloom you will bear twin sons. After three years, dig in the place -where you buried me and you will find two swords, and these you must -keep. Your mare will have two foals and your bitch will have two pups, -and each of your twins will have a sword, a horse, and a dog. Those -swords will have the virtue that they will help your sons to victory -over everybody. I shall be delivered as soon as my body has rotted." - -When the twin sons grew up they were very clever, and so they said: -"We must try our luck in the world. We are bold enough. One of us -will go to the East and one to the West. Each of us must look at his -sword every morning to see if the other needs his help. For the sword -will begin to rust as soon as one of us is in peril." - -So they cast lots which way they should go, and each of them took -his sword, his horse, and his dog, and away they went. - -The first rode through deep forests, and he met a fierce dragon and a -lion; so he attacked the dragon, which had nine heads. The lion stayed -quiet while the knight attacked the dragon, and at last he succeeded -in cutting one of the dragon's heads off. He felt tired then, and -the lion took his place; then the knight cut two more heads off the -dragon. And so it went on till he had all the heads cut off. Then -he cut out the tongues from all the nine heads and kept them, and so -went forward on his adventurous journey. - -Now, it chanced that there were some woodcutters in these forests, and -one of them collected all the dragon's heads, having come across them -by chance. That dragon used to come to the town and devour one person -every visit. This time the lot had fallen upon the princess, and so -she was to be devoured by the dragon. So the town was all hung with -black cloth. The woodcutter knew all about this, so he went with the -heads to the town to sue for the princess, for it had been proclaimed -that whoever killed the dragon should be her husband. When the princess -saw that such a low-born man was to be her husband she was taken aback, -and tried by all the means in her power to delay the wedding. - -The knight happened to come to the town just then, and he saw a good -inn, so he rode up to it. The innkeeper came at once to ask what he -could do for him. Now, there were other guests there, and it was a -busy place. The guests were all talking of the one matter: when the -princess was going to marry the man who had killed the dragon. The -wedding ought to have been long ago, but the bride and her parents -kept putting it off. The knight listened to all this talk, and then -he asked: - -"Are you sure that it was that woodcutter who killed the dragon?" - -They answered that it certainly was, for the heads were preserved in -the palace. - -The knight said nothing, but when he thought the proper time had come -he rode to the palace. The princess saw him from the window, and she -wondered who it might be. He was ushered in, and he went straight to -the princess and told her everything. He asked her whether he might -attend the wedding. - -She answered: "I am not at all pleased with my marriage. I would much -rather marry you, sir." - -He asked her why. - -"If he killed the dragon he must be a great man." - -"He is such a low-born man," said she, "that it is not likely that -he killed the dragon." - -"I should like to see him," said he. - -So they brought the woodcutter before him, and the knight asked to see -the heads. So they brought the heads. He looked at the heads and said: - -"There are no tongues in these heads. Where are the tongues?" - -Then he turned to the woodcutter: "Did you really kill the cruel -dragon?" he said. - -The woodcutter persisted in his story. - -"And how did you cut the heads off?" - -"With my hatchet." - -"Why, you couldn't do it with your hatchet. You are a liar." - -The woodcutter was taken aback and did not know what to say. He was -frightened already, but he said: "It happened that the dragon didn't -have any tongues." - -The knight produced the tongues and said: "Here are the tongues, -and it was I who killed the cruel dragon." - -The princess took hold of him and embraced and kissed him, and she was -ready to marry him on the spot. As for the woodcutter, he was kicked -out in disgrace, and they put him into jail for some time too. So -the princess married the knight and they lived happily together. - -One day, looking out of the window, he saw in the distance, among -the mountains, a black castle. He asked his wife what castle it was -and to whom it belonged. - -"That is an enchanted castle, and nobody who goes into it ever -returns." - -But he could not rest, and he was eager to explore the castle. So one -morning he ordered his horse to be saddled, and, accompanied by his -dog, he rode to the castle. When they reached it they found the gate -open. As he went in he saw men and animals all turned to stone. In -the hall an old hag was sitting by the fire. When she saw him she -pretended to tremble. - -"Dear lord," said she, "bind your dog. He might bite me." - -He said: "Do not be afraid. He will do you no harm." - -He bent down to pat the dog, and at that moment the hag took her -wand and struck him with it. He was turned to stone, and his horse -and dog too. - -The princess waited for her lord, but he did not return. She mourned -for him, and the citizens, who loved their lord, were grieved at -his loss. - -Now, the other brother looked at his sword, and the sword began to -rust; so he was sure that his brother was in trouble. He felt that -he must help him, so he rode off in that direction and came to the -town. The town was hung with black flags. As he rode through the -streets the citizens saw him, and they thought he was their lord, for -he had a horse and a dog just like their lord's horse and dog. When -the princess saw him, she embraced him and said: "Where have you been -so long, my dear husband?" - -He said that he had lost his way in the forest and that he had fallen -among robbers, and, since he had no choice, he had to pretend to be -a robber too, and to promise to stay with them and to show them good -hiding-places. The robbers, so he said, admitted him to be of their -company, and he had not been able to escape before this. - -Everybody was delighted, and the lord's brother was careful enough -not to say that he was only the brother. But, whenever they went to -bed, he put his sword between himself and the lady. The princess was -troubled at this, and she tried to find different explanations for the -conduct of her supposed husband. One morning, as he was looking out of -the window, he saw that same castle, and he asked what castle it was. - -She answered: "I have told you already that it is an enchanted castle, -and that nobody who goes there ever returns." - -So he thought: "It is surely there that my brother is." - -He ordered his horse to be saddled and, without saying a word to -anybody, he rode off to the castle. As soon as he entered the castle -he saw his brother and his dog turned to stone. He saw, too, all the -petrified knights and their horses, and the hag sitting and keeping -up the fire. - -He said: "You old hag, unless you bring my brother to life again I'll -hew you in pieces with this sword of mine." - -The hag knew that the sword had magical virtues, and so she said: - -"Pray, sir, do not be angry with me. Take that box there and rub the -ointment beneath his nose and he will come to life again." - -"Curse you, you evil old hag; do it yourself, and instantly." - -And he went and caught hold of her wand and struck her with it, -and at once she was turned into stone. He had not meant to do that, -for he did not know that the wand had such power. He took the box -and rubbed the ointment beneath his brother's nose, and the brother -came to life again. Then he anointed all the others who had been -turned to stone, and they all came to life again. As for the hag, -he left her there just as she was. - -Then the brothers rode off to the princess. When she saw them, she did -not know which of them was her husband, they were so like one another. - -So she said: "What am I to do now? Which of you is my lord?" - -They came before her and bade her choose the right one. But still -she hesitated. So her husband went up to her and took her by the hand -and said: "I am the right one and that is my brother." - -He told her everything, and she was glad that her real husband had -come again. So they lived happily together, and, as for the other -brother, he went to seek his fortune elsewhere. - - - - - - - - -THE WATERNICK - - -Once upon a time there were two children, a boy and a girl. They only -had a mother, who was a widow. One day their mother sent them to get -some wood for the fire. Off they went. The girl was just learning to -knit, so she put a ball of wool in her pocket. They went on as far -as they knew the way. Then suddenly they began to wonder whether they -could find their way home. - -The girl said: "I will bind the end of the thread to a tree, and so -we shall be able to find our way back." - -So they went on till the thread had all run out. Then they turned back, -but they found that wild creatures had broken the thread. What were -they to do? They wandered on till night fell, and then they saw that -they would have to spend the night in the forest. They came to a pond, -and they found that they could not go any farther. So they walked round -the pond till the Waternick got hold of them. He took them with him, -and there they were. - -When he got home with them, his wife was waiting for him. Round the -stove there were some shelves for vessels that they used for catching -poor souls in. The Waternick and his wife were delighted with the -children; they decided that they would employ them as servants, so -Mrs. Waternick took charge of them. The children spent some years in -this way and learned about everything under the water. - -One day the Waternick went away to catch some human souls, and he -gave orders to Mrs. Waternick not to leave the children alone. But -the old hag fell asleep, and the children walked some distance from -the hut, till they thought she would scold them, and so they returned -home. But they meant to go farther the next day, if only the old hag -went to sleep again. As soon as they were sure that she was asleep -they ran out of the hut and went as far as they could. - -The old hag woke up and cried out: "Where are you, children?" - -She jumped to her feet and ran after them. They were within a few steps -of getting safe away, when, alas! she overtook them. She took them -back and forced them to work, and they had to stay at home besides. - -When the Waternick came home, she told him all about it, and the -Waternick said: "Never mind, I'll set them to work, and they won't -have time to think about making their way home." - -So in the morning he took them to the forest and gave them a wooden -hatchet and a wooden saw and bade them, fell the trees. - -"When they are all cut down, you shall go back again." - -So the Waternick left them, and the children began the work at -once. They took the saw and tried to cut down a tree. But the saw -soon broke and they were done for. So they took the hatchet, and the -hatchet split in two after one stroke. They began to cry. - -"Things look bad for us," they said. - -Since they saw that they could not help themselves, they stayed where -they were, and presently they fell asleep. I don't know how long they -had been sleeping. But it was already time to go back. - -The Waternick came and asked: "Have you finished?" - -They said that the hatchet and saw were only made of wood, and that -both were broken. He took them home. - -Next day the Waternick went about his work, while Mrs. Waternick -was busy outside the hut. The children looked at the cups on the -shelves. The cups were tilted up. So the girl lifted one of them. And -she heard the words: "God speed you!" She lifted another, and the -same greeting came again. So she kept on lifting the cups till she -had lifted all of them. Human souls had been imprisoned under those -cups. Now the hag came into the room and she saw that all the cups -had been lifted. She began to curse, and she said that the children -would certainly get a good thrashing when the old man came home. - -The children often felt lonely; they thought of their mother and -wondered if she were still alive, and what they could do to get -away. So they decided that the next day, when the hag was sleeping, -they would try how far they could get. - -"If only we could get as far as home, it would be all right then." - -In the morning the girl had to comb Mrs. Waternick's hair and dress -her in her smart dress. When she had finished, Mrs. Waternick had a -sleep. Now the children took to their heels; they were as quick as -ravens, trying to get away before Mrs. Waternick should wake. Being -swift of foot, they reached the shore. They leapt out and ran straight -on again. Of course they heard the hag screeching behind them, but they -were on dry land, so they thought: "We needn't care for anything now." - -The hag soon stopped her pursuit. The children were tired, so they -lay down under a tree in the forest and fell asleep. As they were -sleeping, somebody woke them up. It was the forester. They told him -that they were afraid of falling into the Waternick's hands again. But -the forester told them not to be afraid, and asked how they came -there. The children told him everything just as it had happened. - -Now, the forester remembered that he had heard of a widow who had -lost her children. So he thought that these must be the children. He -said nothing, but he told his wife to get them some food, and asked -the children to sit down and eat. The children thought the food was -very nice, so he asked them what they were accustomed to eat. They -said they were accustomed to eat flowers. So they ate plenty. - -The forester decided to do all he could to get the children home. At -last it was discovered where their mother lived, and so the children -came back to her, and they lived with her until they died. - - - - - - - - -THE MAN WHO MET MISERY - - -Once upon a time there lived a rich man, so rich that you might almost -say he oozed gold. He had a son, and from his boyhood the lad was a -real spendthrift, for he knew nothing about hard times. Yet he had -often been told that there was Misery in the world. So when he was -grown up, he thought: "Well, I'm sick of staying at home, so I'll go -out into the world to see if I can meet Misery." - -He told this to his father, and his father said at once: "Yes, you can -go. If you stay at home, you'll soon turn into a lazy old woman. You'll -get experience in the world, and that can't do you any harm." - -So our Francis--that was his name, though really it doesn't matter -very much what his name was--took everything he wanted and started off -on his travels. So long as he had enough money, he was all right, he -couldn't meet with Misery. But when his money was all spent--that's -when everybody feels the pinch--he began to hang his head and his -travels lost a good deal of their charm. But he told people his name -and his father's name, and for a time they helped him. But at last -he came into a country that was quite strange to him. There was a -vast desert, through which he walked for a long time, and he began -to feel hungry and thirsty, but there was no water--no, not so much -as would moisten his tongue. - -Now, as he went on his way, he saw a flight of stairs going down into -a hole, and, without hesitating, down he went. - -He came into a cellar, and there he saw a man lying on a table. It -was an awfully big man, of the kind that used to be called ogres, -and he was snoring like a circular saw. - -Francis looked about him, and he saw all sorts of human bones lying -about. He thought: "That's a nice mess. I expect the fellow's a -man-eater, and he'll swallow me down like a currant. I'm done for now." - -He would have liked to go away, but he was afraid to move. But he -had a dagger, so he drew it from its sheath without making any noise, -and tried to steal up to the ogre quietly. The ogre's head was lying -on the table, so he pierced both his eyes with the dagger. The ogre -sprang up, cursing horribly. He groped about him and found that he -was totally blind. - -Francis cleared the stairs in two jumps and off he ran, trying to -get as far from the ogre as he could. But the ogre knew the place -well and kept close on his heels. - -"To think that a shrimp like that could make me suffer so!" he thought; -and yet he found that, run as he would, he couldn't catch the lad. So -he cried out: "Wait a bit, you worm! Since you're such a champion and -have managed to tackle me, I'll give you something to remember me by." - -As he said this, he flung a ring at the lad, and the jewel in it shone -like flame. The lad heard the ring tinkle as he ran by, so he picked it -up and put it on his finger. But as soon as the ring was on his finger, -the giant called out: "Where are you, ring?" And the ring answered: -"Here I am," and the ogre ran after the sound. Francis jumped on one -side, but the ogre called out again, "Where are you?" and the ring -answered: "Here!" - -So it went on for some time, until Francis was so tired that his only -thought was: "Well, if he kills me, he kills me." He tried to pull -the ring off, but it clung tight, really cutting into the flesh, and -the ogre was still following close on his heels. At last--there was -no other choice, for the ring kept on calling out "Here I am"--Francis -stretched out that finger, and the ogre broke it off with one grip. Off -ran Francis, glad enough to get off with his life. - -When he reached home, they asked him: "Did you meet Misery?" - -"Indeed I did. I know what it is now. It gave me a nice run for -it. It's an awful thing, and there's no joking with it." - - - - - - - - -NINE AT A BLOW - - -Once upon a time there was a tailor, and, whenever he hadn't a job, -he used to spend his time mending stockings. One day after dinner -the table was covered with flies. The tailor struck at them with a -stocking and killed nine of them at a blow. - -As he hadn't any job in hand, he started out to see the world, and -his belt had written on it "Nine at a blow." On his way he met a -boy, who asked him to buy a finch from him. He bought it, put it in -his knapsack, and went on his way. Then he came to a farm where the -farmer's wife was making cheese. He asked her for something to eat, -so she gave him some sour milk and a piece of Yorkshire cheese. The -tailor drank the milk and put the cheese in his knapsack and went on -his way. At last he reached a town. It was a hot day, so he lay down -and fell asleep. Now, a giant happened to pass that way, and he saw -written in golden letters: "Nine at a blow." - -So he waked the tailor and asked him: "Have you really killed nine -at a blow?" - -The tailor answered that he had, and the giant said: "Let's have a -trial which of us is the stronger. I'll cast a stone, and it will be -an hour before it comes down." - -The tailor said: "I'll cast a stone that won't come down at all." - -So the giant cast a stone, and it was a full hour before it came down -again. Instead of casting a stone, the tailor let the finch go, and, -of course, it didn't come back again. - -So the giant said: "Let's have another try. I'll crush a stone -to powder." - -The tailor said: "I'll squeeze water from a stone." - -So the giant took a pebble and crushed it to powder. The tailor took -the cheese and squeezed it till the water oozed out of it. - -The giant gave in, and acknowledged that the tailor was the stronger -of the two. So they went on together till they came to a cherry-tree -growing near a meadow, and the cherries were ripe. They wanted to pick -some of the cherries for themselves. So the tailor climbed the tree, -but the giant simply bent down the top of the tree and began to pluck -the cherries. When he had finished he let go, and the tailor was flung -onto a heap of dry grass piled up in the meadow. So the tailor said: -"If it hadn't been for my skill in flying, I should have broken my -neck," and he promised to teach the giant how to fly. - -So they went on their way again, and they came to a town. The town -was all in mourning. They asked the reason, and they were told that -a dragon had taken up his headquarters in the church and was killing -the people. The king would give a thousand pounds to whoever could -kill the dragon. So they told the king that they would kill the dragon. - -They ordered a big hammer and a big pair of tongs to be made for -them. When they were made, the giant took the tongs and he gave the -hammer to the tailor to carry. But the tailor said: "Wouldn't it shame -you if people should see us, each carrying such a trifle? Take both -the things yourself." - -When they came near the church door, the giant gave the hammer to -the tailor, who stuck fast to it. Then the dragon came dashing out, -and flung the tailor behind him, but the giant split him in twain. But -the tailor protested: - -"A nice mess you've made of it. I meant to take the dragon alive. We -should have got more money for him so." Then he said: "Now I will -teach you how to fly." - -So they climbed up the church steeple, and the tailor said: "When I -say 'One, two, three,' you must jump." And the giant jumped and broke -his neck. - -The tailor told the king that the dragon had killed the giant, so he -pocketed the thousand pounds for himself. - - - - - - - - -A CLEVER LASS - - -Once upon a time there was a shepherd. He used to pasture his sheep -upon a hill, and one day he saw something glittering on the opposite -hill. So he went there to see what it was. It was a golden mortar. He -took it up and said to his daughter: "I will give this mortar to -our king." - -But she said: "Don't do that. If you give him the mortar, you won't -have the pestle, and he is sure to ask for it, and then you will get -into trouble." - -But the shepherd thought that she was only a silly girl. He took the -mortar, and, when he came before the king, he said: "Begging your -pardon, Mr. King, I want to give you this mortar." - -The king answered him roughly: "If you give me the mortar, I must -have the pestle as well. Unless the pestle is here within three days, -your life will be forfeit." - -The shepherd began to lament: "My daughter was right when she said -that when you had got the mortar you would want the pestle too. I -wouldn't listen to her, so it serves me right." - -"Have you such a clever daughter as that?" asked the king. - -"Indeed I have," said the shepherd. - -"Then tell your daughter that I will marry her, if she comes neither -walking nor riding, clothed nor unclothed, neither by day nor by -night, neither at noon nor in the morning. And I won't ask for the -pestle either." - -The shepherd went home and said: "You can get me out of this, if you -go to Mr. King neither clothed nor unclothed," and the rest of it. - -But the daughter wasn't a bit frightened. She came with the fall of -dusk (and that was neither at noon nor in the morning); she dressed -herself in fishing-nets; she took a goat, and she partly rode on the -goat and partly she walked. - -And when the king saw that she had only a fishing-net on, that she came -with the approach of dusk, and that she was partly walking, partly -riding on the goat, he was bound to marry her. But he said to her: -"You will be my wife so long as you don't give advice to anybody; -but if you do, you must part with me." - -Well, she didn't give advice to anybody until one day there was a -market in the town, and a farmer's mare had a foal at the market. The -foal ran away to another farmer, who was there with a gelding, and -the farmer said: "This foal belongs to me." - -They went to law about it, and at last the matter came before the -king. And the king, considering that every animal ought to run to -its mother, decided that a gelding had had a foal. - -The farmer who owned the mare went down the stairs, saying over and -over again: "The gelding has foaled! the gelding has foaled!" - -The queen heard him, and she said: "Man, you are talking nonsense." - -So he told her that he had been at the market, that his mare had -foaled, but the foal ran to another farmer who was there with a -gelding. "And now," he said, "it has been decided that the gelding -has foaled." So he thought there could be no mistake; at any rate, -he couldn't help it. - -When the queen heard this story she said: "To-morrow, my lord the king -will go out for a stroll. Take a fishing-net, and begin fishing on the -road in front of him. The king will ask you: 'Why are you fishing on a -dry road?' And you must answer: 'Why not? it's as hopeful as expecting -a gelding to foal.' But you must not say who gave you this advice." - -So it was. As the king was walking along he saw the farmer fishing -on the dry road. He asked him why he was fishing there. - -"Why not?" said he, "it's as hopeful as expecting a gelding to foal." - -The king at once began to rate the farmer. "That's not out of your own -head," he said, and he kept at the farmer until he let the secret out. - -So the king came home, summoned the queen, and said to her: "You have -been with me for a long time, and you have given advice in spite of -all, so you must go to-morrow. But I will allow you to take with you -the thing you like best." - -It was no good arguing. So the king invited all his courtiers and -prepared a splendid banquet. When the banquet was finished, the queen -said to the king: "Before we part, you must drink this glass of wine -to my health," and she had put some opium into the wine on the sly. - -The king drank it at a draught and fell asleep at once. A carriage was -got ready, and the queen put the king in it and drove to her father's -old hut. There she laid the king on the straw, and, when he woke up, -he asked where he was. - -"You are with me. Didn't you tell me that I could take the thing I -liked best with me?" - -The king saw how clever she was, and he said: "Now you can give advice -to anybody you like." - -And so they drove home again, and he was king and she queen again. - - - - - - - - -THE SOLDIER AND THE DEVIL - - -A discharged soldier was going home. He had only threepence in his -pocket. As he was going through a forest he met a beggar. The beggar -asked him for a penny. The soldier gave him one, and went on his -way. Then he met another beggar. This beggar was very ill, and he asked -the soldier for a penny. So the soldier gave him the other penny. Then -he met a third beggar. This beggar was half-dead. The soldier took -pity on him and gave him the third penny. Soon after he had left the -forest our Lord appeared to him, and in return for those three pennies -He granted him three boons. For the first boon the soldier chose a -pipe that should be full of tobacco whenever he wished, so that he -might always have a smoke handy. The second boon he asked was that, -if he wanted to put any one in his knapsack, they should be in it as -soon as he said: "Leap into that knapsack." The third boon was that -his purse should be full of gold coins whenever he knocked on it. - -Our Lord said: "So be it!" - -Soon afterwards he came to a mill and asked for a night's lodging. They -said that they only had one room for themselves; the other one was -haunted by a devil every midnight. But the soldier wasn't afraid. He -said that they could leave him there alone; he didn't mind a bit. - -He sat down at the table and played cards. When midnight came there -was a terrible noise, and the devil appeared, sure enough. When he saw -the soldier playing cards he grinned; he was sure he had him. So he sat -down opposite him and began to play too. It was nearly one o'clock at -last, time for him to go, so he caught hold of the soldier and tried -to tear him in pieces. But he had no success. For the soldier said: -"Leap into my knapsack," and the devil was in it. Then the soldier -threw the sack with the devil in it under the bed, and went to sleep -in the bed. - -In the morning, as soon as he had got up, the millers went to see if -the soldier was still alive. They were greatly surprised to find him -all right. They said they would give him anything he wanted, but he -wouldn't take anything. Off he went, and called at a blacksmith's. He -told the blacksmith to give the devil in the sack a good hammering, -and then he let the devil go. - -After that he came into a town. He heard that there was a count's -daughter there who was an accomplished cardplayer. She won everybody's -money from them. He went to her palace and asked her if she would -play with him. She was ready. So they played and played, but she -couldn't win all his money from him, for his purse was always fuller -than before. It was late by now and the lady was sick of the game, -so he went to bed. He put the three precious gifts on the table, but -when he got up in the morning they were gone; the lady had stolen -them from him. He grieved over his bad luck, but it was no use, -and he had to leave the palace. - -As he went on his way, he saw a fine apple-tree by the side of the -road with delicious apples on it. So he took an apple and ate half -of it. Then he went on his way, but he was surprised to see that -everybody who looked at him ran away from him. So he went to a well -and saw that he had horns on his head; that came from his eating the -apple. Back he went, and he found a pear-tree; he ate half of a pear -and the horns fell off. - -He thought that he would give the other half of the apple to the lady, -and perhaps she would get horns too. So he went and gave her the half -apple. She enjoyed it very well, but soon horns grew on her head. The -count called together all the doctors and asked them to operate on the -horns. But the more they cut at the horns the longer they grew. So the -king proclaimed that she would marry the man who should rid her of the -horns, but if he failed, his life should be forfeit. So the soldier -came back and told the lady that he would rid her of the horns if she -would give him his three treasures back. She agreed at once. So he gave -her the other half of the pear; she ate it, and the horns fell off. - -The soldier was quite happy now. One day he met Death, and he said -to him: "Leap into my knapsack." And Death was immediately imprisoned -in the knapsack. - -The soldier was carrying Death about for some time, until at last -the Lord appeared to him and told him he must not do that: he must -let Death go, for people could not die, and there would soon be too -many of them in the world. So he let Death go. He wanted to go to -Heaven himself. But he went to Hell, and as he drew near Hell the -devils closed the gate, they were so frightened of him. When he -reached the gate of Heaven, he knocked. St. Peter opened the gate, -but he wouldn't let him in. The soldier asked him to let him have -just one peep, so that at least he might know what Heaven looked like. - -Now, he remembered that he still had his soldier's cloak in his -knapsack, so he took it out of the knapsack and threw it into -Heaven. Then he jumped after it and sat down on it, and then he said -he was sitting on his own property. He sat there for a full hundred -years, though it only seemed a short time to him. But he couldn't -come to an agreement with St. Peter on the case, so our Lord told -him that he must first die, for no living people were admitted into -Heaven. So the soldier had to leave the premises. He returned to this -world, and afterwards he went to Heaven again, and there he is still, -as right as rain. - - - - - - - - -OLD NICK AND KITTY - - -Once upon a time there was an old maid-servant on a farm. She was a -score or two years old, but she wanted to get married, though nobody -would even touch her. She never missed a dance; she was sure to turn -up at every one of them, though nobody ever asked her to dance. So -at last she said: - -"I'd dance with Old Nick if only he'd come." - -The clock struck eleven and a youth clothed in green entered the -room. He went straight up to our Kitty and began to dance with -her. All the girls couldn't keep from laughing, but they daren't laugh -openly. So they held their aprons over their faces. Kitty was very -angry, but she kept on dancing like the wind. She thought: "Let the -fools laugh; they'd be glad enough to dance with the lad themselves." - -It was hard upon twelve now, and Old Nick--for Old Nick it was--had -to start for home. But Kitty wouldn't let him go. What was he to do -with her? He was absolutely at a loss what to do, for she was clinging -on to him behind. - -He went to the pond, thinking he'd be able to throw her in. He tried -to do it, but she clasped him round the neck and he couldn't manage -it. So off he went to Hell with her. But the people of Hell made an -outcry against her and wouldn't let her stay at any price. - -"Hang it all!" says Old Nick, "I can't go all round the world with -her." - -At last he met a shepherd: "I say, shepherd," says he, "would you -like this maiden here?" - -"A nice maiden that is, the ugly old spinster! Keep her for -yourself. You can pickle her." - -Now, when the devil saw that he was going to fail again, he promised -the shepherd a heap of money, only to rid himself of the hideous old -crone. But the shepherd refused. - -"I'll make it so much," says Old Nick. - -"Well, if you will, I agree." - -Now, the shepherd was a good-looking fellow, and Kitty was easily -persuaded to stay with him. He had lots of money now, and he had -the same idea as the devil, to throw her into the pond. What else -could he do with such a hideous old hag? He had a great fur coat, -and he put it on so high over his head that she couldn't catch hold -of his neck, and, plump! off she went into the pond. But, you know, -a bad one's a bad one, and you can't get rid of them so easily. So -it was with Kitty. She wasn't drowned. - -A short time after this, Old Nick had an appointment with a man. I -don't exactly know how the case stood, but anyhow the devil was to -get him. The man asked the shepherd to save him; he was quite ready -to pay him well for it. - -"All right," says the shepherd, "I can do that much for you. Old Nick -and I are the best of friends." - -Now, a crowd of people had collected and they were all wondering how it -was going to end. In comes Old Nick. The shepherd runs to meet him and: -"Old Kitty's here asking for you," says he. - -The devil left things as they were, and before you could say "Jack -Robinson" he was off. So it all turned out all right. - - - - - - - - -THE KNIGHT BAMBUS - - -There was a poor gamekeeper once, who had suffered from hard times -all his life, so as he grew older, he wanted to get rich. He was -only an under-forester. One day the forester said: "Near those old -ruins, you know the ones I mean, a fox or a roe, or some creature of -that sort, often crosses my path, and I can never manage to hit it, -though I have shot at it a hundred times. If you happen to be going -in that direction, look out for it." - -When the gamekeeper heard this, the first thing he did was to go to -the ruins. Just as he got there, a huge fox appeared with a rustling -noise. The gamekeeper felt uneasy, but the fox disappeared at once, so -he sat down, put five big charges in his gun, and waited. It wasn't -long till the fox appeared again, and this time he was carrying -a young fawn in his mouth. The gamekeeper shot at him--boom! The -fox cried out, and ran off into the bushes. But the gamekeeper saw -that the fawn had run away and hidden itself in a cave. He thought: -"The fox cried out, so he has some of my shots in his fur coat. I'll -get him some other time." - -So he went into the ruins through the gate. Within, there was -a courtyard all deserted, and with its wall fallen down. So the -gamekeeper passed through the courtyard and came into a spacious -cellar. There he saw three lamps burning, and looking round, he was -filled with amazement. But all this was as nothing, for in the corner -were three glittering heaps of golden coins and one heap of big gold -pieces. The gamekeeper reflected: "If I had all that, I should give -up gamekeeping and have a splendid time." - -No sooner had he said this than a grey old man appeared and asked: -"What are you looking for, gamekeeper?" - -"Well, I shot at a fox and he ran in somewhere here, and so I'm -wandering about looking for him." - -"You won't get the fox you're looking for, for I am he." - -"And why are you here in a fox's shape? What's the reason of that?" - -"I am the Knight Bambus, and all these forests belong to this castle. I -was a robber-knight, and so as a punishment I have to keep watch -here now." - -"And how long is it to last?" - -"When three poor people come here, and each of them takes away two -sackfuls of gold, I shall be delivered. I am bound to give all this -gold away for nothing. Already I have outlived three generations of -my kinsmen here." - -Then he bade him fetch two leather sacks from the other room and -collect the gold into them, filling them up to the brim. He must keep -it all for himself and must not tell any one what he had seen. The -gamekeeper promised that he wouldn't even tell his wife, Hticka, -how he had got the money. So he filled the two sacks up to the brim, -and the old man helped him to hoist them on to his shoulders and -saw him out of the door. All the time he kept warning him to keep -his mouth shut: "For what a woman knows all the world knows; that's -gospel truth, sure enough." - -So the gamekeeper left the castle, carrying those two sacks, and the -man shook hands with him before he left. At the border of the forest, -near a beech-tree, his wife, Hta, was standing looking for him. She -ran up to him. - -"Great Heavens, Florian! where have you been all this long time? I -have been looking everywhere for you for three days." - -Now Florian was delighted that his wife had come to meet him, so -he blurted out: "Hticka, wife, Count Bambus has given me these two -sacks of gold pieces. Have a look here--see what heaps of the stuff -there are!" and he let one of the sacks fall on the ground. But -behold! instead of gold there were only rustling leaves in it. Then -he remembered that he was not to say anything about it. He frowned, -and his wife burst into tears; and they had to spend the rest of -their life, until they died, in poverty just as before. - - - - - - - - -FRANCIS AND MARTIN - - -Once there was a father who had only one son, Francis by name. They had -a farmhand called Martin. One day Martin and Francis were ploughing -behind the barn. Francis's mother brought their meal for them, and -Francis said: "Well, mother, the old man must have a lot more money -than he lets on to have. We are not in debt, and yet he's always -complaining that he hasn't any money." - -"Well, my son, you see, he's built that large building." - -Next day Francis and Martin were ploughing together again. They -decided that they must get on the old man's track to see whether he -had any money, and where he hid it. Francis promised Martin that, -if he could find it out, he would build a cottage for him at the back -of the barn. So they agreed that Martin should stay away from church -to try to find out if the farmer had any money hidden away at home. - -When Sunday came, Francis went to church, but Martin kept on saying -he wouldn't go, until the farmer forced him to go. So he dressed for -church and went out through the farm gate. But he came back on the -other side, climbed over the fence, and hid himself in the barn. Soon -after this the farmer came into the barn, carrying a basket full of -coins. He dug a hole in the threshing-floor, put the money in it, -and said: "Black Barabbas! preserve this money for me! Thou black -bird! I put it in thy power!" Then he went and fetched a second basket -and put it in the hole. But while he was gone to fetch the money, -Martin slipped out of his hiding-place, took some of the money, and -put it in his boots. Now, the farmer came back again with a third -basket, and said once more: "Thou black bird! keep this money for -me, and let nobody else have it, unless he gets it by ploughing this -threshing-floor with three black goats!" - -As he was saying these words, a blackbird was soaring above his head -and crying out: "Master, what about the money in the boots?" - -But the farmer did not understand what it meant, and so he went to -look at his own boots, which were in the room. But he found no money -there, so he was angry and said: "What, you devil! it's rubbish you -are talking. I've looked in my boots and there's nothing there." Then -he buried the money, stamped down the threshing-floor hard again, -and went out. - -Martin went to the stable, and there he found Francis waiting for -him to tell him what the parson's sermon had been about that day, -so that he would know what to say if the farmer asked him about it. - -Soon afterwards the old man was taken ill and died. The two lads -were pleased at this, for they hoped that they wouldn't be long about -getting the money. Martin got three black goats, he put them in the -plough, and sent Francis to plough there. The wind began to blow -violently, and the whole barn looked as though it were on fire. He -was frightened and stopped ploughing, and immediately the whole barn -was just as it had been before. So he went out of the barn and asked -Martin to plough for him. Martin started, and, although the wind blew -violently enough, he kept on ploughing until he got the money. - -When Francis had the money, he began to build just as he wanted until -he had spent it all. Then he gave Martin the sack. - -Martin said sorrowfully: "This is the world's gratitude." - - - - - - - - -WITCHES AT THE CROSS - - -Though the witches used to be pretty lively in other places, they -were fond of climbing up and down the cross that stands by the road -to Mal Cerm (near Slan). Joe Hilma heard tell of this, so he took -his horse and off he rode to see. He took with him a piece of chalk -which had been blessed, and made a circle with it. Then he went into -the circle and waited till midnight. Then, sure enough, he saw the -witches, a great swarm of them, climbing up and down the cross. They -didn't see him while this was going on, but when he rode out of the -circle, off went the witches after him. He galloped home at full -speed. When he rode into the yard they were close on his heels. They -couldn't go any farther, for they had no power to do it. I don't know -how it happened, but one of them flung a burning broom after him. The -broom hit the door, and the door was burned. Joe had quite enough of -seeing the witches. - - - - - - - - -THE WITCH AND THE HORSESHOES - - -Once there was a farmer's wife--I can't tell you which one--who was -a witch. Now these folks used to have a feast every Eve of St. Philip -and St. James. As soon as they began to burn the brooms she couldn't -rest: go she must. So she stripped her clothes off, and, standing -under the chimney, she anointed herself with some ointment. When she -had finished, she said: "Fly, but don't touch anything." And away -she flew in the twinkling of an eye. Yes, that was just how it was. - -But the farmhand was watching all this from the stables, and he -watched carefully where she put the ointment. So he went in too, -stripped his clothes off, and anointed himself. He said: "Fly, -but don't touch anything." And off he flew till he came to the -place where the witches were having their feast. Now, when he came -there, the farmer's wife knew him, and, to hide herself from him, -she turned herself into a white horse. But he did not lose sight of -the horse. He mounted it and went to the smith with it, and told him -to shoe it. Next day the woman had four horseshoes on, two on her -hands and two on her feet. And she had to stay like that always! - - - - - - - - -THE HAUNTED MILL - - -There was a haunted mill, and, dear me, what was it like! A rope-dancer -came there with some monkeys. In the evening the Waternick came with -a basketful of fishes. He made a fire and fried the fishes. Meanwhile -the monkeys had been sitting behind the stove, but when the Nick -put the fishes in the pan and was tasting whether they were done, -the monkeys came from behind the stove, and one of them put its paw -into the pan. The man smacked him over the paw and said: "Get away, -pussy! You didn't catch them, so don't eat them." And the monkey -ran away. - -After awhile comes another monkey and puts his paw in the pan. He -smacked him too and said the same. But the rope-dancer had a bear, -too, which was lying under the table all the time; and, when he heard -the Waternick speak, he came from under the table, ran straight to the -pan, and put his paw into it. The Waternick did the same to him as he -had done to the monkeys. But the bear couldn't stand that. He sprang -upon the poor Waternick and gave him a good beating. The Waternick -had to run off, leaving the fishes behind. 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