diff options
Diffstat (limited to '640-h/640-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | 640-h/640-h.htm | 13682 |
1 files changed, 13682 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/640-h/640-h.htm b/640-h/640-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d9111a --- /dev/null +++ b/640-h/640-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,13682 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Yellow Fairy Book, by Various + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#ffffcc; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yellow Fairy Book, by Various + +<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> +<tr> +<td> +THIS EBOOK WAS ONE OF PROJECT GUTENBERG'S EARLY FILES PRODUCED AT A +TIME WHEN PROOFING METHODS AND TOOLS WERE NOT WELL DEVELOPED. THERE IS +AN IMPROVED ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <big><b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28314"> +[ #28314 ]</a></b></big> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Yellow Fairy Book + +Author: Various + +Editor: Andrew Lang + +Release Date: November 30, 2009 [EBook #640] +Last Updated: December 16, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, and Charles Keller for Tina + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Various + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Edited By Andrew Lang + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> Dedication TO JOAN, TODDLES, AND TINY + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Books Yellow, Red, and Green and Blue, + All true, or just as good as true, + And here’s the Yellow Book for YOU! + + Hard is the path from A to Z, + And puzzling to a curly head, + Yet leads to Books—Green, Blue, and Red. + + For every child should understand + That letters from the first were planned + To guide us into Fairy Land + + So labour at your Alphabet, + For by that learning shall you get + To lands where Fairies may be met. + + And going where this pathway goes, + You too, at last, may find, who knows? + The Garden of the Singing Rose. + </pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="0"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28314/28314-h/28314-h.htm"><b>A + NEW ILLUSTRATED EDITION</b> </a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + The Editor thinks that children will readily forgive him for publishing + another Fairy Book. We have had the Blue, the Red, the Green, and here is + the Yellow. If children are pleased, and they are so kind as to say that + they are pleased, the Editor does not care very much for what other people + may say. Now, there is one gentleman who seems to think that it is not + quite right to print so many fairy tales, with pictures, and to publish + them in red and blue covers. He is named Mr. G. Laurence Gomme, and he is + president of a learned body called the Folk Lore Society. Once a year he + makes his address to his subjects, of whom the Editor is one, and Mr. + Joseph Jacobs (who has published many delightful fairy tales with pretty + pictures)(1) is another. Fancy, then, the dismay of Mr. Jacobs, and of the + Editor, when they heard their president say that he did not think it very + nice in them to publish fairy books, above all, red, green, and blue fairy + books! They said that they did not see any harm in it, and they were ready + to ‘put themselves on their country,’ and be tried by a jury of children. + And, indeed, they still see no harm in what they have done; nay, like + Father William in the poem, they are ready ‘to do it again and again.’ + </p> + <p> + (1) You may buy them from Mr. Nutt, in the Strand. + </p> + <p> + Where is the harm? The truth is that the Folk Lore Society—made up + of the most clever, learned, and beautiful men and women of the country—is + fond of studying the history and geography of Fairy Land. This is + contained in very old tales, such as country people tell, and savages: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Little Sioux and little Crow, + Little frosty Eskimo.’ +</pre> + <p> + These people are thought to know most about fairyland and its inhabitants. + But, in the Yellow Fairy Book, and the rest, are many tales by persons who + are neither savages nor rustics, such as Madame D’Aulnoy and Herr Hans + Christian Andersen. The Folk Lore Society, or its president, say that + THEIR tales are not so true as the rest, and should not be published with + the rest. But WE say that all the stories which are pleasant to read are + quite true enough for us; so here they are, with pictures by Mr. Ford, and + we do not think that either the pictures or the stories are likely to + mislead children. + </p> + <p> + As to whether there are really any fairies or not, that is a difficult + question. Professor Huxley thinks there are none. The Editor never saw any + himself, but he knows several people who have seen them—in the + Highlands—and heard their music. If ever you are in Nether Lochaber, + go to the Fairy Hill, and you may hear the music yourself, as grown-up + people have done, but you must goon a fine day. Again, if there are really + no fairies, why do people believe in them, all over the world? The ancient + Greeks believed, so did the old Egyptians, and the Hindoos, and the Red + Indians, and is it likely, if there are no fairies, that so many different + peoples would have seen and heard them? The Rev. Mr. Baring-Gould saw + several fairies when he was a boy, and was travelling in the land of the + Troubadours. For these reasons, the Editor thinks that there are certainly + fairies, but they never do anyone any harm; and, in England, they have + been frightened away by smoke and schoolmasters. As to Giants, they have + died out, but real Dwarfs are common in the forests of Africa. Probably a + good many stories not perfectly true have been told about fairies, but + such stories have also been told about Napoleon, Claverhouse, Julius + Caesar, and Joan of Arc, all of whom certainly existed. A wise child will, + therefore, remember that, if he grows up and becomes a member of the Folk + Lore Society, ALL the tales in this book were not offered to him as + absolutely truthful, but were printed merely for his entertainment. The + exact facts he can learn later, or he can leave them alone. + </p> + <p> + There are Russian, German, French, Icelandic, Red Indian, and other + stories here. They were translated by Miss Cheape, Miss Alma, and Miss + Thyra Alleyne, Miss Sellar, Mr. Craigie (he did the Icelandic tales), Miss + Blackley, Mrs. Dent, and Mrs. Lang, but the Red Indian stories are copied + from English versions published by the Smithsonian Bureau of Ethnology, in + America. Mr. Ford did the pictures, and it is hoped that children will + find the book not less pleasing than those which have already been + submitted to their consideration. The Editor cannot say ‘good-bye’ without + advising them, as they pursue their studies, to read The Rose and the + Ring, by the late Mr. Thackeray, with pictures by the author. This book he + thinks quite indispensable in every child’s library, and parents should be + urged to purchase it at the first opportunity, as without it no education + is complete. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A. LANG. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> THE CAT AND THE MOUSE IN PARTNERSHIP </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> THE SIX SWANS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE DRAGON OF THE NORTH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> STORY OF THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> THE GOLDEN CRAB </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> THE IRON STOVE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> THE DRAGON AND HIS GRANDMOTHER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> HOW SIX MEN TRAVELLED THROUGH THE WIDE WORLD + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> THE GLASS MOUNTAIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> THE DEAD WIFE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> IN THE LAND OF SOULS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> THE WHITE DUCK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> THE WITCH AND HER SERVANTS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> THE MAGIC RING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> THE FLOWER QUEEN’S DAUGHTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> THE FLYING SHIP </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> THE SNOW-DAUGHTER AND THE FIRE-SON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> THE STORY OF KING FROST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> THE DEATH OF THE SUN-HERO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> THE WITCH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> THE HAZEL-NUT CHILD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> THE STORY OF BIG KLAUS AND LITTLE KLAUS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> PRINCE RING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> THE SWINEHERD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> HOW TO TELL A TRUE PRINCESS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> THE BLUE MOUNTAINS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> THE TINDER-BOX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> THE WITCH IN THE STONE BOAT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> THUMBELINA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> THE NIGHTINGALE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> HERMOD AND HADVOR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> THE STEADFAST TIN-SOLDIER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> BLOCKHEAD-HANS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> A STORY ABOUT A DARNING-NEEDLE </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CAT AND THE MOUSE IN PARTNERSHIP + </h2> + <p> + A cat had made acquaintance with a mouse, and had spoken so much of the + great love and friendship she felt for her, that at last the Mouse + consented to live in the same house with her, and to go shares in the + housekeeping. ‘But we must provide for the winter or else we shall suffer + hunger,’ said the Cat. ‘You, little Mouse, cannot venture everywhere in + case you run at last into a trap.’ This good counsel was followed, and a + little pot of fat was bought. But they did not know where to put it. At + length, after long consultation, the Cat said, ‘I know of no place where + it could be better put than in the church. No one will trouble to take it + away from there. We will hide it in a corner, and we won’t touch it till + we are in want.’ So the little pot was placed in safety; but it was not + long before the Cat had a great longing for it, and said to the Mouse, ‘I + wanted to tell you, little Mouse, that my cousin has a little son, white + with brown spots, and she wants me to be godmother to it. Let me go out + to-day, and do you take care of the house alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, go certainly,’ replied the Mouse, ‘and when you eat anything good, + think of me; I should very much like a drop of the red christening wine.’ + </p> + <p> + But it was all untrue. The Cat had no cousin, and had not been asked to be + godmother. She went straight to the church, slunk to the little pot of + fat, began to lick it, and licked the top off. Then she took a walk on the + roofs of the town, looked at the view, stretched herself out in the sun, + and licked her lips whenever she thought of the little pot of fat. As soon + as it was evening she went home again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, here you are again!’ said the Mouse; ‘you must certainly have had an + enjoyable day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It went off very well,’ answered the Cat. + </p> + <p> + ‘What was the child’s name?’ asked the Mouse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Top Off,’ said the Cat drily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Topoff!’ echoed the Mouse, ‘it is indeed a wonderful and curious name. Is + it in your family?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is there odd about it?’ said the Cat. ‘It is not worse than + Breadthief, as your godchild is called.’ + </p> + <p> + Not long after this another great longing came over the Cat. She said to + the Mouse, ‘You must again be kind enough to look after the house alone, + for I have been asked a second time to stand godmother, and as this child + has a white ring round its neck, I cannot refuse.’ + </p> + <p> + The kind Mouse agreed, but the Cat slunk under the town wall to the + church, and ate up half of the pot of fat. ‘Nothing tastes better,’ said + she, ‘than what one eats by oneself,’ and she was very much pleased with + her day’s work. When she came home the Mouse asked, ‘What was this child + called?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Half Gone,’ answered the Cat. + </p> + <p> + ‘Halfgone! what a name! I have never heard it in my life. I don’t believe + it is in the calendar.’ + </p> + <p> + Soon the Cat’s mouth began to water once more after her licking business. + ‘All good things in threes,’ she said to the Mouse; ‘I have again to stand + godmother. The child is quite black, and has very white paws, but not a + single white hair on its body. This only happens once in two years, so you + will let me go out?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Topoff! Halfgone!’ repeated the Mouse, ‘they are such curious names; they + make me very thoughtful.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, you sit at home in your dark grey coat and your long tail,’ said the + Cat, ‘and you get fanciful. That comes of not going out in the day.’ + </p> + <p> + The Mouse had a good cleaning out while the Cat was gone, and made the + house tidy; but the greedy Cat ate the fat every bit up. + </p> + <p> + ‘When it is all gone one can be at rest,’ she said to herself, and at + night she came home sleek and satisfied. The Mouse asked at once after the + third child’s name. + </p> + <p> + ‘It won’t please you any better,’ said the Cat, ‘he was called Clean + Gone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Cleangone!’ repeated the Mouse. ‘I do not believe that name has been + printed any more than the others. Cleangone! What can it mean?’ She shook + her head, curled herself up, and went to sleep. + </p> + <p> + From this time on no one asked the Cat to stand godmother; but when the + winter came and there was nothing to be got outside, the Mouse remembered + their provision and said, ‘Come, Cat, we will go to our pot of fat which + we have stored away; it will taste very good.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, indeed,’ answered the Cat; ‘it will taste as good to you as if you + stretched your thin tongue out of the window.’ + </p> + <p> + They started off, and when they reached it they found the pot in its + place, but quite empty! + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah,’ said the Mouse,’ ‘now I know what has happened! It has all come out! + You are a true friend to me! You have eaten it all when you stood + godmother; first the top off, then half of it gone, then——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you be quiet!’ screamed the Cat. ‘Another word and I will eat you + up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Clean-gone’ was already on the poor Mouse’s tongue, and scarcely was it + out than the Cat made a spring at her, seized and swallowed her. + </p> + <p> + You see that is the way of the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SIX SWANS + </h2> + <p> + A king was once hunting in a great wood, and he hunted the game so eagerly + that none of his courtiers could follow him. When evening came on he stood + still and looked round him, and he saw that he had quite lost himself. He + sought a way out, but could find none. Then he saw an old woman with a + shaking head coming towards him; but she was a witch. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good woman,’ he said to her, ‘can you not show me the way out of the + wood?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, certainly, Sir King,’ she replied, ‘I can quite well do that, but on + one condition, which if you do not fulfil you will never get out of the + wood, and will die of hunger.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the condition?’ asked the King. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a daughter,’ said the old woman, ‘who is so beautiful that she has + not her equal in the world, and is well fitted to be your wife; if you + will make her lady-queen I will show you the way out of the wood.’ + </p> + <p> + The King in his anguish of mind consented, and the old woman led him to + her little house where her daughter was sitting by the fire. She received + the King as if she were expecting him, and he saw that she was certainly + very beautiful; but she did not please him, and he could not look at her + without a secret feeling of horror. As soon as he had lifted the maiden on + to his horse the old woman showed him the way, and the King reached his + palace, where the wedding was celebrated. + </p> + <p> + The King had already been married once, and had by his first wife seven + children, six boys and one girl, whom he loved more than anything in the + world. And now, because he was afraid that their stepmother might not + treat them well and might do them harm, he put them in a lonely castle + that stood in the middle of a wood. It lay so hidden, and the way to it + was so hard to find, that he himself could not have found it out had not a + wise-woman given him a reel of thread which possessed a marvellous + property: when he threw it before him it unwound itself and showed him the + way. But the King went so often to his dear children that the Queen was + offended at his absence. She grew curious, and wanted to know what he had + to do quite alone in the wood. She gave his servants a great deal of + money, and they betrayed the secret to her, and also told her of the reel + which alone could point out the way. She had no rest now till she had + found out where the King guarded the reel, and then she made some little + white shirts, and, as she had learnt from her witch-mother, sewed an + enchantment in each of them. + </p> + <p> + And when the King had ridden off she took the little shirts and went into + the wood, and the reel showed her the way. The children, who saw someone + coming in the distance, thought it was their dear father coming to them, + and sprang to meet him very joyfully. Then she threw over each one a + little shirt, which when it had touched their bodies changed them into + swans, and they flew away over the forest. The Queen went home quite + satisfied, and thought she had got rid of her step-children; but the girl + had not run to meet her with her brothers, and she knew nothing of her. + </p> + <p> + The next day the King came to visit his children, but he found no one but + the girl. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are your brothers?’ asked the King. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! dear father,’ she answered, ‘they have gone away and left me all + alone.’ And she told him that looking out of her little window she had + seen her brothers flying over the wood in the shape of swans, and she + showed him the feathers which they had let fall in the yard, and which she + had collected. The King mourned, but he did not think that the Queen had + done the wicked deed, and as he was afraid the maiden would also be taken + from him, he wanted to take her with him. But she was afraid of the + stepmother, and begged the King to let her stay just one night more in the + castle in the wood. The poor maiden thought, ‘My home is no longer here; I + will go and seek my brothers.’ And when night came she fled away into the + forest. She ran all through the night and the next day, till she could go + no farther for weariness. Then she saw a little hut, went in, and found a + room with six little beds. She was afraid to lie down on one, so she crept + under one of them, lay on the hard floor, and was going to spend the night + there. But when the sun had set she heard a noise, and saw six swans + flying in at the window. They stood on the floor and blew at one another, + and blew all their feathers off, and their swan-skin came off like a + shirt. Then the maiden recognised her brothers, and overjoyed she crept + out from under the bed. Her brothers were not less delighted than she to + see their little sister again, but their joy did not last long. + </p> + <p> + ‘You cannot stay here,’ they said to her. ‘This is a den of robbers; if + they were to come here and find you they would kill you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Could you not protect me?’ asked the little sister. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ they answered, ‘for we can only lay aside our swan skins for a + quarter of an hour every evening. For this time we regain our human forms, + but then we are changed into swans again.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the little sister cried and said, ‘Can you not be freed?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no,’ they said, ‘the conditions are too hard. You must not speak or + laugh for six years, and must make in that time six shirts for us out of + star-flowers. If a single word comes out of your mouth, all your labour is + vain.’ And when the brothers had said this the quarter of an hour came to + an end, and they flew away out of the window as swans. + </p> + <p> + But the maiden had determined to free her brothers even if it should cost + her her life. She left the hut, went into the forest, climbed a tree, and + spent the night there. The next morning she went out, collected + star-flowers, and began to sew. She could speak to no one, and she had no + wish to laugh, so she sat there, looking only at her work. + </p> + <p> + When she had lived there some time, it happened that the King of the + country was hunting in the forest, and his hunters came to the tree on + which the maiden sat. They called to her and said ‘Who are you?’ + </p> + <p> + But she gave no answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come down to us,’ they said, ‘we will do you no harm.’ + </p> + <p> + But she shook her head silently. As they pressed her further with + questions, she threw them the golden chain from her neck. But they did not + leave off, and she threw them her girdle, and when this was no use, her + garters, and then her dress. The huntsmen would not leave her alone, but + climbed the tree, lifted the maiden down, and led her to the King. The + King asked, ‘Who are you? What are you doing up that tree?’ + </p> + <p> + But she answered nothing. + </p> + <p> + He asked her in all the languages he knew, but she remained as dumb as a + fish. Because she was so beautiful, however, the King’s heart was touched, + and he was seized with a great love for her. He wrapped her up in his + cloak, placed her before him on his horse, and brought her to his castle. + There he had her dressed in rich clothes, and her beauty shone out as + bright as day, but not a word could be drawn from her. He set her at table + by his side, and her modest ways and behaviour pleased him so much that he + said, ‘I will marry this maiden and none other in the world,’ and after + some days he married her. But the King had a wicked mother who was + displeased with the marriage, and said wicked things of the young Queen. + ‘Who knows who this girl is?’ she said; ‘she cannot speak, and is not + worthy of a king.’ + </p> + <p> + After a year, when the Queen had her first child, the old mother took it + away from her. Then she went to the King and said that the Queen had + killed it. The King would not believe it, and would not allow any harm to + be done her. But she sat quietly sewing at the shirts and troubling + herself about nothing. The next time she had a child the wicked mother did + the same thing, but the King could not make up his mind to believe her. He + said, ‘She is too sweet and good to do such a thing as that. If she were + not dumb and could defend herself, her innocence would be proved.’ But + when the third child was taken away, and the Queen was again accused, and + could not utter a word in her own defence, the King was obliged to give + her over to the law, which decreed that she must be burnt to death. When + the day came on which the sentence was to be executed, it was the last day + of the six years in which she must not speak or laugh, and now she had + freed her dear brothers from the power of the enchantment. The six shirts + were done; there was only the left sleeve wanting to the last. + </p> + <p> + When she was led to the stake, she laid the shirts on her arm, and as she + stood on the pile and the fire was about to be lighted, she looked around + her and saw six swans flying through the air. Then she knew that her + release was at hand and her heart danced for joy. The swans fluttered + round her, and hovered low so that she could throw the shirts over them. + When they had touched them the swan-skins fell off, and her brothers stood + before her living, well and beautiful. Only the youngest had a swan’s wing + instead of his left arm. They embraced and kissed each other, and the + Queen went to the King, who was standing by in great astonishment, and + began to speak to him, saying, ‘Dearest husband, now I can speak and tell + you openly that I am innocent and have been falsely accused.’ + </p> + <p> + She told him of the old woman’s deceit, and how she had taken the three + children away and hidden them. Then they were fetched, to the great joy of + the King, and the wicked mother came to no good end. + </p> + <p> + But the King and the Queen with their six brothers lived many years in + happiness and peace. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DRAGON OF THE NORTH(2) + </h2> + <h3> + (2) ‘Der Norlands Drache,’ from Esthnische Mahrchen. Kreutzwald. + </h3> + <p> + Very long ago, as old people have told me, there lived a terrible monster, + who came out of the North, and laid waste whole tracts of country, + devouring both men and beasts; and this monster was so destructive that it + was feared that unless help came no living creature would be left on the + face of the earth. It had a body like an ox, and legs like a frog, two + short fore-legs, and two long ones behind, and besides that it had a tail + like a serpent, ten fathoms in length. When it moved it jumped like a + frog, and with every spring it covered half a mile of ground. Fortunately + its habit, was to remain for several years in the same place, and not to + move on till the whole neighbourhood was eaten up. Nothing could hunt it, + because its whole body was covered with scales, which were harder than + stone or metal; its two great eyes shone by night, and even by day, like + the brightest lamps, and anyone who had the ill luck to look into those + eyes became as it were bewitched, and was obliged to rush of his own + accord into the monster’s jaws. In this way the Dragon was able to feed + upon both men and beasts without the least trouble to itself, as it needed + not to move from the spot where it was lying. All the neighbouring kings + had offered rich rewards to anyone who should be able to destroy the + monster, either by force or enchantment, and many had tried their luck, + but all had miserably failed. Once a great forest in which the Dragon lay + had been set on fire; the forest was burnt down, but the fire did not do + the monster the least harm. However, there was a tradition amongst the + wise men of the country that the Dragon might be overcome by one who + possessed King Solomon’s signet-ring, upon which a secret writing was + engraved. This inscription would enable anyone who was wise enough to + interpret it to find out how the Dragon could be destroyed. Only no one + knew where the ring was hidden, nor was there any sorcerer or learned man + to be found who would be able to explain the inscription. + </p> + <p> + At last a young man, with a good heart and plenty of courage, set out to + search for the ring. He took his way towards the sunrising, because he + knew that all the wisdom of old time comes from the East. After some years + he met with a famous Eastern magician, and asked for his advice in the + matter. The magician answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Mortal men have but little wisdom, and can give you no help, but the + birds of the air would be better guides to you if you could learn their + language. I can help you to understand it if you will stay with me a few + days.’ + </p> + <p> + The youth thankfully accepted the magician’s offer, and said, ‘I cannot + now offer you any reward for your kindness, but should my undertaking + succeed your trouble shall be richly repaid.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the magician brewed a powerful potion out of nine sorts of herbs + which he had gathered himself all alone by moonlight, and he gave the + youth nine spoonfuls of it daily for three days, which made him able to + understand the language of birds. + </p> + <p> + At parting the magician said to him. ‘If you ever find Solomon’s ring and + get possession of it, then come back to me, that I may explain the + inscription on the ring to you, for there is no one else in the world who + can do this.’ + </p> + <p> + From that time the youth never felt lonely as he walked along; he always + had company, because he understood the language of birds; and in this way + he learned many things which mere human knowledge could never have taught + him. But time went on, and he heard nothing about the ring. It happened + one evening, when he was hot and tired with walking, and had sat down + under a tree in a forest to eat his supper, that he saw two gaily-plumaged + birds, that were strange to him, sitting at the top of the tree talking to + one another about him. The first bird said: + </p> + <p> + ‘I know that wandering fool under the tree there, who has come so far + without finding what he seeks. He is trying to find King Solomon’s lost + ring.’ + </p> + <p> + The other bird answered, ‘He will have to seek help from the + Witch-maiden,(3) who will doubtless be able to put him on the right track. + If she has not got the ring herself, she knows well enough who has it.’ + </p> + <p> + (3) Hollenmadchen. + </p> + <p> + ‘But where is he to find the Witch-maiden?’ said the first bird. ‘She has + no settled dwelling, but is here to-day and gone to-morrow. He might as + well try to catch the wind.’ + </p> + <p> + The other replied, ‘I do not know, certainly, where she is at present, but + in three nights from now she will come to the spring to wash her face, as + she does every month when the moon is full, in order that she may never + grow old nor wrinkled, but may always keep the bloom of youth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said the first bird, ‘the spring is not far from here. Shall we go + and see how it is she does it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Willingly, if you like,’ said the other. + </p> + <p> + The youth immediately resolved to follow the birds to the spring, only two + things made him uneasy: first, lest he might be asleep when the birds + went, and secondly, lest he might lose sight of them, since he had not + wings to carry him along so swiftly. He was too tired to keep awake all + night, yet his anxiety prevented him from sleeping soundly, and when with + the earliest dawn he looked up to the tree-top, he was glad to see his + feathered companions still asleep with their heads under their wings. He + ate his breakfast, and waited until the birds should start, but they did + not leave the place all day. They hopped about from one tree to another + looking for food, all day long until the evening, when they went back to + their old perch to sleep. The next day the same thing happened, but on the + third morning one bird said to the other, ‘To-day we must go to the spring + to see the Witch-maiden wash her face.’ They remained on the tree till + noon; then they flew away and went towards the south. The young man’s + heart beat with anxiety lest he should lose sight of his guides, but he + managed to keep the birds in view until they again perched upon a tree. + The young man ran after them until he was quite exhausted and out of + breath, and after three short rests the birds at length reached a small + open space in the forest, on the edge of which they placed themselves on + the top of a high tree. When the youth had overtaken them, he saw that + there was a clear spring in the middle of the space. He sat down at the + foot of the tree upon which the birds were perched, and listened + attentively to what they were saying to each other. + </p> + <p> + ‘The sun is not down yet,’ said the first bird; ‘we must wait yet awhile + till the moon rises and the maiden comes to the spring. Do you think she + will see that young man sitting under the tree?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing is likely to escape her eyes, certainly not a young man, said the + other bird. ‘Will the youth have the sense not to let himself be caught in + her toils?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We will wait,’ said the first bird, ‘and see how they get on together.’ + </p> + <p> + The evening light had quite faded, and the full moon was already shining + down upon the forest, when the young man heard a slight rustling sound. + After a few moments there came out of the forest a maiden, gliding over + the grass so lightly that her feet seemed scarcely to touch the ground, + and stood beside the spring. The youth could not turn away his eyes from + the maiden, for he had never in his life seen a woman so beautiful. + Without seeming to notice anything, she went to the spring, looked up to + the full moon, then knelt down and bathed her face nine times, then looked + up to the moon again and walked nine times round the well, and as she + walked she sang this song: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Full-faced moon with light unshaded, + Let my beauty ne’er be faded. + Never let my cheek grow pale! + While the moon is waning nightly, + May the maiden bloom more brightly, + May her freshness never fail!’ +</pre> + <p> + Then she dried her face with her long hair, and was about to go away, when + her eye suddenly fell upon the spot where the young man was sitting, and + she turned towards the tree. The youth rose and stood waiting. Then the + maiden said, ‘You ought to have a heavy punishment because you have + presumed to watch my secret doings in the moonlight. But I will forgive + you this time, because you are a stranger and knew no better. But you must + tell me truly who you are and how you came to this place, where no mortal + has ever set foot before.’ + </p> + <p> + The youth answered humbly: ‘Forgive me, beautiful maiden, if I have + unintentionally offended you. I chanced to come here after long wandering, + and found a good place to sleep under this tree. At your coming I did not + know what to do, but stayed where I was, because I thought my silent + watching could not offend you.’ + </p> + <p> + The maiden answered kindly, ‘Come and spend this night with us. You will + sleep better on a pillow than on damp moss.’ + </p> + <p> + The youth hesitated for a little, but presently he heard the birds saying + from the top of the tree, ‘Go where she calls you, but take care to give + no blood, or you will sell your soul.’ So the youth went with her, and + soon they reached a beautiful garden, where stood a splendid house, which + glittered in the moonlight as if it was all built out of gold and silver. + When the youth entered he found many splendid chambers, each one finer + than the last. Hundreds of tapers burnt upon golden candlesticks, and shed + a light like the brightest day. At length they reached a chamber where a + table was spread with the most costly dishes. At the table were placed two + chairs, one of silver, the other of gold. The maiden seated herself upon + the golden chair, and offered the silver one to her companion. They were + served by maidens dressed in white, whose feet made no sound as they moved + about, and not a word was spoken during the meal. Afterwards the youth and + the Witch-maiden conversed pleasantly together, until a woman, dressed in + red, came in to remind them that it was bedtime. The youth was now shown + into another room, containing a silken bed with down cushions, where he + slept delightfully, yet he seemed to hear a voice near his bed which + repeated to him, ‘Remember to give no blood!’ + </p> + <p> + The next morning the maiden asked him whether he would not like to stay + with her always in this beautiful place, and as he did not answer + immediately, she continued: ‘You see how I always remain young and + beautiful, and I am under no one’s orders, but can do just what I like, so + that I have never thought of marrying before. But from the moment I saw + you I took a fancy to you, so if you agree, we might be married and might + live together like princes, because I have great riches.’ + </p> + <p> + The youth could not but be tempted with the beautiful maiden’s offer, but + he remembered how the birds had called her the witch, and their warning + always sounded in his ears. Therefore he answered cautiously, ‘Do not be + angry, dear maiden, if I do not decide immediately on this important + matter. Give me a few days to consider before we come to an + understanding.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not?’ answered the maiden. ‘Take some weeks to consider if you like, + and take counsel with your own heart.’ And to make the time pass + pleasantly, she took the youth over every part of her beautiful dwelling, + and showed him all her splendid treasures. But these treasures were all + produced by enchantment, for the maiden could make anything she wished + appear by the help of King Solomon’s signet ring; only none of these + things remained fixed; they passed away like the wind without leaving a + trace behind. But the youth did not know this; he thought they were all + real. + </p> + <p> + One day the maiden took him into a secret chamber, where a little gold box + was standing on a silver table. Pointing to the box, she said, ‘Here is my + greatest treasure, whose like is not to be found in the whole world. It is + a precious gold ring. When you marry me, I will give you this ring as a + marriage gift, and it will make you the happiest of mortal men. But in + order that our love may last for ever, you must give me for the ring three + drops of blood from the little finger of your left hand.’ + </p> + <p> + When the youth heard these words a cold shudder ran over him, for he + remembered that his soul was at stake. He was cunning enough, however, to + conceal his feelings and to make no direct answer, but he only asked the + maiden, as if carelessly, what was remarkable about the ring? + </p> + <p> + She answered, ‘No mortal is able entirely to understand the power of this + ring, because no one thoroughly understands the secret signs engraved upon + it. But even with my half-knowledge I can work great wonders. If I put the + ring upon the little finger of my left hand, then I can fly like a bird + through the air wherever I wish to go. If I put it on the third finger of + my left hand I am invisible, and I can see everything that passes around + me, though no one can see me. If I put the ring upon the middle finger of + my left hand, then neither fire nor water nor any sharp weapon can hurt + me. If I put it on the forefinger of my left hand, then I can with its + help produce whatever I wish. I can in a single moment build houses or + anything I desire. Finally, as long as I wear the ring on the thumb of my + left hand, that hand is so strong that it can break down rocks and walls. + Besides these, the ring has other secret signs which, as I said, no one + can understand. No doubt it contains secrets of great importance. The ring + formerly belonged to King Solomon, the wisest of kings, during whose reign + the wisest men lived. But it is not known whether this ring was ever made + by mortal hands: it is supposed that an angel gave it to the wise King.’ + </p> + <p> + When the youth heard all this he determined to try and get possession of + the ring, though he did not quite believe in all its wonderful gifts. He + wished the maiden would let him have it in his hand, but he did not quite + like to ask her to do so, and after a while she put it back into the box. + A few days after they were again speaking of the magic ring, and the youth + said, ‘I do not think it possible that the ring can have all the power you + say it has.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the maiden opened the box and took the ring out, and it glittered as + she held it like the clearest sunbeam. She put it on the middle finger of + her left hand, and told the youth to take a knife and try as hard as he + could to cut her with it, for he would not be able to hurt her. He was + unwilling at first, but the maiden insisted. Then he tried, at first only + in play, and then seriously, to strike her with the knife, but an + invisible wall of iron seemed to be between them, and the maiden stood + before him laughing and unhurt. Then she put the ring on her third finger, + and in an instant she had vanished from his eyes. Presently she was beside + him again laughing, and holding the ring between her fingers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do let me try,’ said the youth, ‘whether I can do these wonderful + things.’ + </p> + <p> + The maiden, suspecting no treachery, gave him the magic ring. + </p> + <p> + The youth pretended to have forgotten what to do, and asked what finger he + must put the ring on so that no sharp weapon could hurt him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, the middle finger of your left hand,’ the maiden answered, laughing. + </p> + <p> + She took the knife and tried to strike the youth, and he even tried to cut + himself with it, but found it impossible. Then he asked the maiden to show + him how to split stones and rocks with the help of the ring. So she led + him into a courtyard where stood a great boulder-stone. ‘Now,’ she said, + ‘put the ring upon the thumb of your left hand, and you will see how + strong that hand has become. The youth did so, and found to his + astonishment that with a single blow of his fist the stone flew into a + thousand pieces. Then the youth bethought him that he who does not use his + luck when he has it is a fool, and that this was a chance which once lost + might never return. So while they stood laughing at the shattered stone he + placed the ring, as if in play, upon the third finger of his left hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ said the maiden, ‘you are invisible to me until you take the ring + off again.’ + </p> + <p> + But the youth had no mind to do that; on the contrary, he went farther + off, then put the ring on the little finger of his left hand, and soared + into the air like a bird. + </p> + <p> + When the maiden saw him flying away she thought at first that he was still + in play, and cried, ‘Come back, friend, for now you see I have told you + the truth.’ But the young man never came back. + </p> + <p> + Then the maiden saw she was deceived, and bitterly repented that she had + ever trusted him with the ring. + </p> + <p> + The young man never halted in his flight until he reached the dwelling of + the wise magician who had taught him the speech of birds. The magician was + delighted to find that his search had been successful, and at once set to + work to interpret the secret signs engraved upon the ring, but it took him + seven weeks to make them out clearly. Then he gave the youth the following + instructions how to overcome the Dragon of the North: ‘You must have an + iron horse cast, which must have little wheels under each foot. You must + also be armed with a spear two fathoms long, which you will be able to + wield by means of the magic ring upon your left thumb. The spear must be + as thick in the middle as a large tree, and both its ends must be sharp. + In the middle of the spear you must have two strong chains ten fathoms in + length. As soon as the Dragon has made himself fast to the spear, which + you must thrust through his jaws, you must spring quickly from the iron + horse and fasten the ends of the chains firmly to the ground with iron + stakes, so that he cannot get away from them. After two or three days the + monster’s strength will be so far exhausted that you will be able to come + near him. Then you can put Solomon’s ring upon your left thumb and give + him the finishing stroke, but keep the ring on your third finger until you + have come close to him, so that the monster cannot see you, else he might + strike you dead with his long tail. But when all is done, take care you do + not lose the ring, and that no one takes it from you by cunning.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man thanked the magician for his directions, and promised, + should they succeed, to reward him. But the magician answered, ‘I have + profited so much by the wisdom the ring has taught me that I desire no + other reward.’ Then they parted, and the youth quickly flew home through + the air. After remaining in his own home for some weeks, he heard people + say that the terrible Dragon of the North was not far off, and might + shortly be expected in the country. The King announced publicly that he + would give his daughter in marriage, as well as a large part of his + kingdom, to whosoever should free the country from the monster. The youth + then went to the King and told him that he had good hopes of subduing the + Dragon, if the King would grant him all he desired for the purpose. The + King willingly agreed, and the iron horse, the great spear, and the chains + were all prepared as the youth requested. When all was ready, it was found + that the iron horse was so heavy that a hundred men could not move it from + the spot, so the youth found there was nothing for it but to move it with + his own strength by means of the magic ring. The Dragon was now so near + that in a couple of springs he would be over the frontier. The youth now + began to consider how he should act, for if he had to push the iron horse + from behind he could not ride upon it as the sorcerer had said he must. + But a raven unexpectedly gave him this advice: ‘Ride upon the horse, and + push the spear against the ground, as if you were pushing off a boat from + the land.’ The youth did so, and found that in this way he could easily + move forwards. The Dragon had his monstrous jaws wide open, all ready for + his expected prey. A few paces nearer, and man and horse would have been + swallowed up by them! The youth trembled with horror, and his blood ran + cold, yet he did not lose his courage; but, holding the iron spear upright + in his hand, he brought it down with all his might right through the + monster’s lower jaw. Then quick as lightning he sprang from his horse + before the Dragon had time to shut his mouth. A fearful clap like thunder, + which could be heard for miles around, now warned him that the Dragon’s + jaws had closed upon the spear. When the youth turned round he saw the + point of the spear sticking up high above the Dragon’s upper jaw, and knew + that the other end must be fastened firmly to the ground; but the Dragon + had got his teeth fixed in the iron horse, which was now useless. The + youth now hastened to fasten down the chains to the ground by means of the + enormous iron pegs which he had provided. The death struggle of the + monster lasted three days and three nights; in his writhing he beat his + tail so violently against the ground, that at ten miles’ distance the + earth trembled as if with an earthquake. When he at length lost power to + move his tail, the youth with the help of the ring took up a stone which + twenty ordinary men could not have moved, and beat the Dragon so hard + about the head with it that very soon the monster lay lifeless before him. + </p> + <p> + You can fancy how great was the rejoicing when the news was spread abroad + that the terrible monster was dead. His conqueror was received into the + city with as much pomp as if he had been the mightiest of kings. The old + King did not need to urge his daughter to marry the slayer of the Dragon; + he found her already willing to bestow her hand upon this hero, who had + done all alone what whole armies had tried in vain to do. In a few days a + magnificent wedding was celebrated, at which the rejoicings lasted four + whole weeks, for all the neighbouring kings had met together to thank the + man who had freed the world from their common enemy. But everyone forgot + amid the general joy that they ought to have buried the Dragon’s monstrous + body, for it began now to have such a bad smell that no one could live in + the neighbourhood, and before long the whole air was poisoned, and a + pestilence broke out which destroyed many hundreds of people. In this + distress, the King’s son-in-law resolved to seek help once more from the + Eastern magician, to whom he at once travelled through the air like a bird + by the help of the ring. But there is a proverb which says that ill-gotten + gains never prosper, and the Prince found that the stolen ring brought him + ill-luck after all. The Witch-maiden had never rested night nor day until + she had found out where the ring was. As soon as she had discovered by + means of magical arts that the Prince in the form of a bird was on his way + to the Eastern magician, she changed herself into an eagle and watched in + the air until the bird she was waiting for came in sight, for she knew him + at once by the ring which was hung round his neck by a ribbon. Then the + eagle pounced upon the bird, and the moment she seized him in her talons + she tore the ring from his neck before the man in bird’s shape had time to + prevent her. Then the eagle flew down to the earth with her prey, and the + two stood face to face once more in human form. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, villain, you are in my power!’ cried the Witch-maiden. ‘I favoured + you with my love, and you repaid me with treachery and theft. You stole my + most precious jewel from me, and do you expect to live happily as the + King’s son-in-law? Now the tables are turned; you are in my power, and I + will be revenged on you for your crimes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Forgive me! forgive me!’ cried the Prince; ‘I know too well how deeply I + have wronged you, and most heartily do I repent it.’ + </p> + <p> + The maiden answered, ‘Your prayers and your repentance come too late, and + if I were to spare you everyone would think me a fool. You have doubly + wronged me; first you scorned my love, and then you stole my ring, and you + must bear the punishment.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words she put the ring upon her left thumb, lifted the young + man with one hand, and walked away with him under her arm. This time she + did not take him to a splendid palace, but to a deep cave in a rock, where + there were chains hanging from the wall. The maiden now chained the young + man’s hands and feet so that he could not escape; then she said in an + angry voice, ‘Here you shall remain chained up until you die. I will bring + you every day enough food to prevent you dying of hunger, but you need + never hope for freedom any more.’ With these words she left him. + </p> + <p> + The old King and his daughter waited anxiously for many weeks for the + Prince’s return, but no news of him arrived. The King’s daughter often + dreamed that her husband was going through some great suffering: she + therefore begged her father to summon all the enchanters and magicians, + that they might try to find out where the Prince was and how he could be + set free. But the magicians, with all their arts, could find out nothing, + except that he was still living and undergoing great suffering; but none + could tell where he was to be found. At last a celebrated magician from + Finland was brought before the King, who had found out that the King’s + son-in-law was imprisoned in the East, not by men, but by some more + powerful being. The King now sent messengers to the East to look for his + son-in-law, and they by good luck met with the old magician who had + interpreted the signs on King Solomon’s ring, and thus was possessed of + more wisdom than anyone else in the world. The magician soon found out + what he wished to know, and pointed out the place where the Prince was + imprisoned, but said: ‘He is kept there by enchantment, and cannot be set + free without my help. I will therefore go with you myself.’ + </p> + <p> + So they all set out, guided by birds, and after some days came to the cave + where the unfortunate Prince had been chained up for nearly seven years. + He recognised the magician immediately, but the old man did not know him, + he had grown so thin. However, he undid the chains by the help of magic, + and took care of the Prince until he recovered and became strong enough to + travel. When he reached home he found that the old King had died that + morning, so that he was now raised to the throne. And now after his long + suffering came prosperity, which lasted to the end of his life; but he + never got back the magic ring, nor has it ever again been seen by mortal + eyes. + </p> + <p> + Now, if YOU had been the Prince, would you not rather have stayed with the + pretty witch-maiden? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + STORY OF THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES(4) + </h2> + <h3> + (4) Andersen. + </h3> + <p> + Many years ago there lived an Emperor who was so fond of new clothes that + he spent all his money on them in order to be beautifully dressed. He did + not care about his soldiers, he did not care about the theatre; he only + liked to go out walking to show off his new clothes. He had a coat for + every hour of the day; and just as they say of a king, ‘He is in the + council-chamber,’ they always said here, ‘The Emperor is in the wardrobe.’ + </p> + <p> + In the great city in which he lived there was always something going on; + every day many strangers came there. One day two impostors arrived who + gave themselves out as weavers, and said that they knew how to manufacture + the most beautiful cloth imaginable. Not only were the texture and pattern + uncommonly beautiful, but the clothes which were made of the stuff + possessed this wonderful property that they were invisible to anyone who + was not fit for his office, or who was unpardonably stupid. + </p> + <p> + ‘Those must indeed be splendid clothes,’ thought the Emperor. ‘If I had + them on I could find out which men in my kingdom are unfit for the offices + they hold; I could distinguish the wise from the stupid! Yes, this cloth + must be woven for me at once.’ And he gave both the impostors much money, + so that they might begin their work. + </p> + <p> + They placed two weaving-looms, and began to do as if they were working, + but they had not the least thing on the looms. They also demanded the + finest silk and the best gold, which they put in their pockets, and worked + at the empty looms till late into the night. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like very much to know how far they have got on with the cloth,’ + thought the Emperor. But he remembered when he thought about it that + whoever was stupid or not fit for his office would not be able to see it. + Now he certainly believed that he had nothing to fear for himself, but he + wanted first to send somebody else in order to see how he stood with + regard to his office. Everybody in the whole town knew what a wonderful + power the cloth had, and they were all curious to see how bad or how + stupid their neighbour was. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will send my old and honoured minister to the weavers,’ thought the + Emperor. ‘He can judge best what the cloth is like, for he has intellect, + and no one understands his office better than he.’ + </p> + <p> + Now the good old minister went into the hall where the two impostors sat + working at the empty weaving-looms. ‘Dear me!’ thought the old minister, + opening his eyes wide, ‘I can see nothing!’ But he did not say so. + </p> + <p> + Both the impostors begged him to be so kind as to step closer, and asked + him if it were not a beautiful texture and lovely colours. They pointed to + the empty loom, and the poor old minister went forward rubbing his eyes; + but he could see nothing, for there was nothing there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear, dear!’ thought he, ‘can I be stupid? I have never thought that, and + nobody must know it! Can I be not fit for my office? No, I must certainly + not say that I cannot see the cloth!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you nothing to say about it?’ asked one of the men who was weaving. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, it is lovely, most lovely!’ answered the old minister, looking + through his spectacles. ‘What a texture! What colours! Yes, I will tell + the Emperor that it pleases me very much.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we are delighted at that,’ said both the weavers, and thereupon they + named the colours and explained the make of the texture. + </p> + <p> + The old minister paid great attention, so that he could tell the same to + the Emperor when he came back to him, which he did. + </p> + <p> + The impostors now wanted more money, more silk, and more gold to use in + their weaving. They put it all in their own pockets, and there came no + threads on the loom, but they went on as they had done before, working at + the empty loom. The Emperor soon sent another worthy statesman to see how + the weaving was getting on, and whether the cloth would soon be finished. + It was the same with him as the first one; he looked and looked, but + because there was nothing on the empty loom he could see nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it not a beautiful piece of cloth?’ asked the two impostors, and they + pointed to and described the splendid material which was not there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stupid I am not!’ thought the man, ‘so it must be my good office for + which I am not fitted. It is strange, certainly, but no one must be + allowed to notice it.’ And so he praised the cloth which he did not see, + and expressed to them his delight at the beautiful colours and the + splendid texture. ‘Yes, it is quite beautiful,’ he said to the Emperor. + </p> + <p> + Everybody in the town was talking of the magnificent cloth. + </p> + <p> + Now the Emperor wanted to see it himself while it was still on the loom. + With a great crowd of select followers, amongst whom were both the worthy + statesmen who had already been there before, he went to the cunning + impostors, who were now weaving with all their might, but without fibre or + thread. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it not splendid!’ said both the old statesmen who had already been + there. ‘See, your Majesty, what a texture! What colours!’ And then they + pointed to the empty loom, for they believed that the others could see the + cloth quite well. + </p> + <p> + ‘What!’ thought the Emperor, ‘I can see nothing! This is indeed horrible! + Am I stupid? Am I not fit to be Emperor? That were the most dreadful thing + that could happen to me. Oh, it is very beautiful,’ he said. ‘It has my + gracious approval.’ And then he nodded pleasantly, and examined the empty + loom, for he would not say that he could see nothing. + </p> + <p> + His whole Court round him looked and looked, and saw no more than the + others; but they said like the Emperor, ‘Oh! it is beautiful!’ And they + advised him to wear these new and magnificent clothes for the first time + at the great procession which was soon to take place. ‘Splendid! Lovely! + Most beautiful!’ went from mouth to mouth; everyone seemed delighted over + them, and the Emperor gave to the impostors the title of Court weavers to + the Emperor. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the whole of the night before the morning on which the + procession was to take place, the impostors were up and were working by + the light of over sixteen candles. The people could see that they were + very busy making the Emperor’s new clothes ready. They pretended they were + taking the cloth from the loom, cut with huge scissors in the air, sewed + with needles without thread, and then said at last, ‘Now the clothes are + finished!’ + </p> + <p> + The Emperor came himself with his most distinguished knights, and each + impostor held up his arm just as if he were holding something, and said, + ‘See! here are the breeches! Here is the coat! Here the cloak!’ and so on. + </p> + <p> + ‘Spun clothes are so comfortable that one would imagine one had nothing on + at all; but that is the beauty of it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said all the knights, but they could see nothing, for there was + nothing there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Will it please your Majesty graciously to take off your clothes,’ said + the impostors, ‘then we will put on the new clothes, here before the + mirror.’ + </p> + <p> + The Emperor took off all his clothes, and the impostors placed themselves + before him as if they were putting on each part of his new clothes which + was ready, and the Emperor turned and bent himself in front of the mirror. + </p> + <p> + ‘How beautifully they fit! How well they sit!’ said everybody. ‘What + material! What colours! It is a gorgeous suit!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are waiting outside with the canopy which your Majesty is wont to + have borne over you in the procession,’ announced the Master of the + Ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look, I am ready,’ said the Emperor. ‘Doesn’t it sit well!’ And he turned + himself again to the mirror to see if his finery was on all right. + </p> + <p> + The chamberlains who were used to carry the train put their hands near the + floor as if they were lifting up the train; then they did as if they were + holding something in the air. They would not have it noticed that they + could see nothing. + </p> + <p> + So the Emperor went along in the procession under the splendid canopy, and + all the people in the streets and at the windows said, ‘How matchless are + the Emperor’s new clothes! That train fastened to his dress, how + beautifully it hangs!’ + </p> + <p> + No one wished it to be noticed that he could see nothing, for then he + would have been unfit for his office, or else very stupid. None of the + Emperor’s clothes had met with such approval as these had. + </p> + <p> + ‘But he has nothing on!’ said a little child at last. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just listen to the innocent child!’ said the father, and each one + whispered to his neighbour what the child had said. + </p> + <p> + ‘But he has nothing on!’ the whole of the people called out at last. + </p> + <p> + This struck the Emperor, for it seemed to him as if they were right; but + he thought to himself, ‘I must go on with the procession now. And the + chamberlains walked along still more uprightly, holding up the train which + was not there at all. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GOLDEN CRAB(5) + </h2> + <h3> + (5) ‘Prinz Krebs,’ from Griechische Mahrchen. Schmidt. + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a fisherman who had a wife and three children. + Every morning he used to go out fishing, and whatever fish he caught he + sold to the King. One day, among the other fishes, he caught a golden + crab. When he came home he put all the fishes together into a great dish, + but he kept the Crab separate because it shone so beautifully, and placed + it upon a high shelf in the cupboard. Now while the old woman, his wife, + was cleaning the fish, and had tucked up her gown so that her feet were + visible, she suddenly heard a voice, which said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Let down, let down thy petticoat + That lets thy feet be seen.’ +</pre> + <p> + She turned round in surprise, and then she saw the little creature, the + Golden Crab. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! You can speak, can you, you ridiculous crab?’ she said, for she was + not quite pleased at the Crab’s remarks. Then she took him up and placed + him on a dish. + </p> + <p> + When her husband came home and they sat down to dinner, they presently + heard the Crab’s little voice saying, ‘Give me some too.’ They were all + very much surprised, but they gave him something to eat. When the old man + came to take away the plate which had contained the Crab’s dinner, he + found it full of gold, and as the same thing happened every day he soon + became very fond of the Crab. + </p> + <p> + One day the Crab said to the fisherman’s wife, ‘Go to the King and tell + him I wish to marry his younger daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman went accordingly, and laid the matter before the King, who + laughed a little at the notion of his daughter marrying a crab, but did + not decline the proposal altogether, because he was a prudent monarch, and + knew that the Crab was likely to be a prince in disguise. He said, + therefore, to the fisherman’s wife, ‘Go, old woman, and tell the Crab I + will give him my daughter if by to-morrow morning he can build a wall in + front of my castle much higher than my tower, upon which all the flowers + of the world must grow and bloom.’ + </p> + <p> + The fisherman’s wife went home and gave this message. + </p> + <p> + Then the Crab gave her a golden rod, and said, ‘Go and strike with this + rod three times upon the ground on the place which the King showed you, + and to-morrow morning the wall will be there.’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman did so and went away again. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, when the King awoke, what do you think he saw? The wall + stood there before his eyes, exactly as he had bespoken it! + </p> + <p> + Then the old woman went back to the King and said to him, ‘Your Majesty’s + orders have been fulfilled.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is all very well,’ said the King, ‘but I cannot give away my + daughter until there stands in front of my palace a garden in which there + are three fountains, of which the first must play gold, the second + diamonds, and the third brilliants.’ + </p> + <p> + So the old woman had to strike again three times upon the ground with the + rod, and the next morning the garden was there. The King now gave his + consent, and the wedding was fixed for the very next day. + </p> + <p> + Then the Crab said to the old fisherman, ‘Now take this rod; go and knock + with it on a certain mountain; then a black man(6) will come out and ask + you what you wish for. Answer him thus: ‘’Your master, the King, has sent + me to tell you that you must send him his golden garment that is like the + sun.‘’ Make him give you, besides, the queenly robes of gold and precious + stones which are like the flowery meadows, and bring them both to me. And + bring me also the golden cushion.’ + </p> + <p> + (6) Ein Mohr. + </p> + <p> + The old man went and did his errand. When he had brought the precious + robes, the Crab put on the golden garment and then crept upon the golden + cushion, and in this way the fisherman carried him to the castle, where + the Crab presented the other garment to his bride. Now the ceremony took + place, and when the married pair were alone together the Crab made himself + known to his young wife, and told her how he was the son of the greatest + king in the world, and how he was enchanted, so that he became a crab by + day and was a man only at night; and he could also change himself into an + eagle as often as he wished. No sooner had he said this than he shook + himself, and immediately became a handsome youth, but the next morning he + was forced to creep back again into his crab-shell. And the same thing + happened every day. But the Princess’s affection for the Crab, and the + polite attention with which she behaved to him, surprised the royal family + very much. They suspected some secret, but though they spied and spied, + they could not discover it. Thus a year passed away, and the Princess had + a son, whom she called Benjamin. But her mother still thought the whole + matter very strange. At last she said to the King that he ought to ask his + daughter whether she would not like to have another husband instead of the + Crab? But when the daughter was questioned she only answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘I am married to the Crab, and him only will I have.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the King said to her, ‘I will appoint a tournament in your honour, + and I will invite all the princes in the world to it, and if any one of + them pleases you, you shall marry him.’ + </p> + <p> + In the evening the Princess told this to the Crab, who said to her, ‘Take + this rod, go to the garden gate and knock with it, then a black man will + come out and say to you, ‘’Why have you called me, and what do you require + of me?’’ Answer him thus: ‘Your master the King has sent me hither to tell + you to send him his golden armour and his steed and the silver apple.‘’ + And bring them to me.’ + </p> + <p> + The Princess did so, and brought him what he desired. + </p> + <p> + The following evening the Prince dressed himself for the tournament. + Before he went he said to his wife, ‘Now mind you do not say when you see + me that I am the Crab. For if you do this evil will come of it. Place + yourself at the window with your sisters; I will ride by and throw you the + silver apple. Take it in your hand, but if they ask you who I am, say that + you do not know.’ So saying, he kissed her, repeated his warning once + more, and went away. + </p> + <p> + The Princess went with her sisters to the window and looked on at the + tournament. Presently her husband rode by and threw the apple up to her. + She caught it in her hand and went with it to her room, and by-and-by her + husband came back to her. But her father was much surprised that she did + not seem to care about any of the Princes; he therefore appointed a second + tournament. + </p> + <p> + The Crab then gave his wife the same directions as before, only this time + the apple which she received from the black man was of gold. But before + the Prince went to the tournament he said to his wife, ‘Now I know you + will betray me to-day.’ + </p> + <p> + But she swore to him that she would not tell who he was. He then repeated + his warning and went away. + </p> + <p> + In the evening, while the Princess, with her mother and sisters, was + standing at the window, the Prince suddenly galloped past on his steed and + threw her the golden apple. + </p> + <p> + Then her mother flew into a passion, gave her a box on the ear, and cried + out, ‘Does not even that prince please you, you fool?’ + </p> + <p> + The Princess in her fright exclaimed, ‘That is the Crab himself!’ + </p> + <p> + Her mother was still more angry because she had not been told sooner, ran + into her daughter’s room where the crab-shell was still lying, took it up + and threw it into the fire. Then the poor Princess cried bitterly, but it + was of no use; her husband did not come back. + </p> + <p> + Now we must leave the Princess and turn to the other persons in the story. + One day an old man went to a stream to dip in a crust of bread which he + was going to eat, when a dog came out of the water, snatched the bread + from his hand, and ran away. The old man ran after him, but the dog + reached a door, pushed it open, and ran in, the old man following him. He + did not overtake the dog, but found himself above a staircase, which he + descended. Then he saw before him a stately palace, and, entering, he + found in a large hall a table set for twelve persons. He hid himself in + the hall behind a great picture, that he might see what would happen. At + noon he heard a great noise, so that he trembled with fear. When he took + courage to look out from behind the picture, he saw twelve eagles flying + in. At this sight his fear became still greater. The eagles flew to the + basin of a fountain that was there and bathed themselves, when suddenly + they were changed into twelve handsome youths. Now they seated themselves + at the table, and one of them took up a goblet filled with wine, and said, + ‘A health to my father!’ And another said, ‘A health to my mother!’ and so + the healths went round. Then one of them said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘A health to my dearest lady, + Long may she live and well! + But a curse on the cruel mother + That burnt my golden shell!’ +</pre> + <p> + And so saying he wept bitterly. Then the youths rose from the table, went + back to the great stone fountain, turned themselves into eagles again, and + flew away. + </p> + <p> + Then the old man went away too, returned to the light of day, and went + home. Soon after he heard that the Princess was ill, and that the only + thing that did her good was having stories told to her. He therefore went + to the royal castle, obtained an audience of the Princess, and told her + about the strange things he had seen in the underground palace. No sooner + had he finished than the Princess asked him whether he could find the way + to that palace. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ he answered, ‘certainly.’ + </p> + <p> + And now she desired him to guide her thither at once. The old man did so, + and when they came to the palace he hid her behind the great picture and + advised her to keep quite still, and he placed himself behind the picture + also. Presently the eagles came flying in, and changed themselves into + young men, and in a moment the Princess recognised her husband amongst + them all, and tried to come out of her hiding-place; but the old man held + her back. The youths seated themselves at the table; and now the Prince + said again, while he took up the cup of wine: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘A health to my dearest lady, + Long may she live and well! + But a curse on the cruel mother + That burnt my golden shell!’ +</pre> + <p> + Then the Princess could restrain herself no longer, but ran forward and + threw her arms round her husband. And immediately he knew her again, and + said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you remember how I told you that day that you would betray me? Now you + see that I spoke the truth. But all that bad time is past. Now listen to + me: I must still remain enchanted for three months. Will you stay here + with me till that time is over?’ + </p> + <p> + So the Princess stayed with him, and said to the old man, ‘Go back to the + castle and tell my parents that I am staying here.’ + </p> + <p> + Her parents were very much vexed when the old man came back and told them + this, but as soon as the three months of the Prince’s enchantment were + over, he ceased to be an eagle and became once more a man, and they + returned home together. And then they lived happily, and we who hear the + story are happier still. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE IRON STOVE(7) + </h2> + <h3> + (7) Grimm. + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time when wishes came true there was a king’s son who was + enchanted by an old witch, so that he was obliged to sit in a large iron + stove in a wood. There he lived for many years, and no one could free him. + At last a king’s daughter came into the wood; she had lost her way, and + could not find her father’s kingdom again. She had been wandering round + and round for nine days, and she came at last to the iron case. A voice + came from within and asked her, ‘Where do you come from, and where do you + want to go?’ She answered, ‘I have lost my way to my father’s kingdom, and + I shall never get home again.’ Then the voice from the iron stove said, ‘I + will help you to find your home again, and that in a very short time, if + you will promise to do what I ask you. I am a greater prince than you are + a princess, and I will marry you.’ Then she grew frightened, and thought, + ‘What can a young lassie do with an iron stove?’ But as she wanted very + much to go home to her father, she promised to do what he wished. + </p> + <p> + He said, ‘You must come again, and bring a knife with you to scrape a hole + in the iron.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he gave her someone for a guide, who walked near her and said + nothing, but he brought her in two hours to her house. There was great joy + in the castle when the Princess came back, and the old King fell on her + neck and kissed her. But she was very much troubled, and said, ‘Dear + father, listen to what has befallen me! I should never have come home + again out of the great wild wood if I had not come to an iron stove, to + whom I have had to promise that I will go back to free him and marry him!’ + The old King was so frightened that he nearly fainted, for she was his + only daughter. So they consulted together, and determined that the + miller’s daughter, who was very beautiful, should take her place. They + took her there, gave her a knife, and said she must scrape at the iron + stove. She scraped for twenty-four hours, but did not make the least + impression. When the day broke, a voice called from the iron stove, ‘It + seems to me that it is day outside.’ Then she answered, ‘It seems so to + me; I think I hear my father’s mill rattling.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So you are a miller’s daughter! Then go away at once, and tell the King’s + daughter to come.’ + </p> + <p> + Then she went away, and told the old King that the thing inside the iron + stove would not have her, but wanted the Princess. The old King was + frightened, and his daughter wept. But they had a swineherd’s daughter who + was even more beautiful than the miller’s daughter, and they gave her a + piece of gold to go to the iron stove instead of the Princess. Then she + was taken out, and had to scrape for four-and-twenty hours, but she could + make no impression. As soon as the day broke the voice from the stove + called out, ‘It seems to be daylight outside.’ Then she answered, ‘It + seems so to me too; I think I hear my father blowing his horn.’ ‘So you + are a swineherd’s daughter! Go away at once, and let the King’s daughter + come. And say to her that what I foretell shall come to pass, and if she + does not come everything in the kingdom shall fall into ruin, and not one + stone shall be left upon another.’ When the Princess heard this she began + to cry, but it was no good; she had to keep her word. She took leave of + her father, put a knife in her belt, and went to the iron stove in the + wood. As soon as she reached it she began to scrape, and the iron gave way + and before two hours had passed she had made a little hole. Then she + peeped in and saw such a beautiful youth all shining with gold and + precious stones that she fell in love with him on the spot. So she scraped + away harder than ever, and made the hole so large that he could get out. + Then he said, ‘You are mine, and I am thine; you are my bride and have set + me free!’ He wanted to take her with him to his kingdom, but she begged + him just to let her go once more to her father; and the Prince let her go, + but told her not to say more than three words to her father, then to come + back again. So she went home, but alas! she said MORE THAN THREE WORDS; + and immediately the iron stove vanished and went away over a mountain of + glass and sharp swords. But the Prince was free, and was no longer shut up + in it. Then she said good-bye to her father, and took a little money with + her, and went again into the great wood to look for the iron stove; but + she could not find it. She sought it for nine days, and then her hunger + became so great that she did not know how she could live any longer. And + when it was evening she climbed a little tree and wished that the night + would not come, because she was afraid of the wild beasts. When midnight + came she saw afar off a little light, and thought, ‘Ah! if only I could + reach that!’ Then she got down from the tree and went towards the light. + She came to a little old house with a great deal of grass growing round, + and stood in front of a little heap of wood. She thought, ‘Alas! what am I + coming to?’ and peeped through the window; but she saw nothing inside + except big and little toads, and a table beautifully spread with roast + meats and wine, and all the dishes and drinking-cups were of silver. Then + she took heart and knocked. Then a fat toad called out: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Little green toad with leg like crook, + Open wide the door, and look + Who it was the latch that shook.’ +</pre> + <p> + And a little toad came forward and let her in. When she entered they all + bid her welcome, and made her sit down. They asked her how she came there + and what she wanted. Then she told everything that had happened to her, + and how, because she had exceeded her permission only to speak three + words, the stove had disappeared with the Prince; and how she had searched + a very long time, and must wander over mountain and valley till she found + him. + </p> + <p> + Then the old toad said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Little green toad whose leg doth twist, + Go to the corner of which you wist, + And bring to me the large old kist.’ +</pre> + <p> + And the little toad went and brought out a great chest. Then they gave her + food and drink, and led her to a beautifully made bed of silk and samite, + on which she lay down and slept soundly. When the day dawned she arose, + and the old toad gave her three things out of the huge chest to take with + her. She would have need of them, for she had to cross a high glass + mountain, three cutting swords, and a great lake. When she had passed + these she would find her lover again. So she was given three large + needles, a plough-wheel, and three nuts, which she was to take great care + of. She set out with these things, and when she came to the glass mountain + which was so slippery she stuck the three needles behind her feet and then + in front, and so got over it, and when she was on the other side put them + carefully away. + </p> + <p> + Then she reached the three cutting swords, and got on her plough-wheel and + rolled over them. At last she came to a great lake, and, when she had + crossed that, arrived at a beautiful castle. She went in and gave herself + out as a servant, a poor maid who would gladly be engaged. But she knew + that the Prince whom she had freed from the iron stove in the great wood + was in the castle. So she was taken on as a kitchen-maid for very small + wages. Now the Prince was about to marry another princess, for he thought + she was dead long ago. + </p> + <p> + In the evening, when she had washed up and was ready, she felt in her + pocket and found the three nuts which the old toad had given her. She + cracked one and was going to eat the kernel, when behold! there was a + beautiful royal dress inside it! When the bride heard of this, she came + and begged for the dress, and wanted to buy it, saying that it was not a + dress for a serving-maid. Then she said she would not sell it unless she + was granted one favour—namely, to sleep by the Prince’s door. The + bride granted her this, because the dress was so beautiful and she had so + few like it. When it was evening she said to her bridegroom, ‘That stupid + maid wants to sleep by your door.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you are contented, I am,’ he said. But she gave him a glass of wine in + which she had poured a sleeping-draught. Then they both went to his room, + but he slept so soundly that she could not wake him. The maid wept all + night long, and said, ‘I freed you in the wild wood out of the iron stove; + I have sought you, and have crossed a glassy mountain, three sharp swords, + and a great lake before I found you, and will you not hear me now?’ The + servants outside heard how she cried the whole night, and they told their + master in the morning. + </p> + <p> + When she had washed up the next evening she bit the second nut, and there + was a still more beautiful dress inside. When the bride saw it she wanted + to buy it also. But the maid did not want money, and asked that she should + sleep again by the Prince’s door. The bride, however, gave him a + sleeping-draught, and he slept so soundly that he heard nothing. But the + kitchen-maid wept the whole night long, and said, ‘I have freed you in a + wood and from an iron stove; I sought you and have crossed a glassy + mountain, three sharp swords, and a great lake to find you, and now you + will not hear me!’ The servants outside heard how she cried the whole + night, and in the morning they told their master. + </p> + <p> + And when she had washed up on the third night she bit the third nut, and + there was a still more beautiful dress inside that was made of pure gold. + When the bride saw it she wanted to have it, but the maid would only give + it her on condition that she should sleep for the third time by the + Prince’s door. But the Prince took care not to drink the sleeping-draught. + When she began to weep and to say, ‘Dearest sweetheart, I freed you in the + horrible wild wood, and from an iron stove,’ he jumped up and said, ‘You + are right. You are mine, and I am thine.’ Though it was still night, he + got into a carriage with her, and they took the false bride’s clothes + away, so that she could not follow them. When they came to the great lake + they rowed across, and when they reached the three sharp swords they sat + on the plough-wheel, and on the glassy mountain they stuck the three + needles in. So they arrived at last at the little old house, but when they + stepped inside it turned into a large castle. The toads were all freed, + and were beautiful King’s children, running about for joy. There they were + married, and they remained in the castle, which was much larger than that + of the Princess’s father’s. But because the old man did not like being + left alone, they went and fetched him. So they had two kingdoms and lived + in great wealth. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A mouse has run, + My story’s done. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DRAGON AND HIS GRANDMOTHER + </h2> + <p> + There was once a great war, and the King had a great many soldiers, but he + gave them so little pay that they could not live upon it. Then three of + them took counsel together and determined to desert. + </p> + <p> + One of them said to the others, ‘If we are caught, we shall be hanged on + the gallows; how shall we set about it?’ The other said, ‘Do you see that + large cornfield there? If we were to hide ourselves in that, no one could + find us. The army cannot come into it, and to-morrow it is to march on.’ + </p> + <p> + They crept into the corn, but the army did not march on, but remained + encamped close around them. They sat for two days and two nights in the + corn, and grew so hungry that they nearly died; but if they were to + venture out, it was certain death. + </p> + <p> + They said at last, ‘What use was it our deserting? We must perish here + miserably.’ + </p> + <p> + Whilst they were speaking a fiery dragon came flying through the air. It + hovered near them, and asked why they were hidden there. + </p> + <p> + They answered, ‘We are three soldiers, and have deserted because our pay + was so small. Now if we remain here we shall die of hunger, and if we move + out we shall be strung up on the gallows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you will serve me for seven years,’ said the dragon, I will lead you + through the midst of the army so that no one shall catch you.’ ‘We have no + choice, and must take your offer,’ said they. Then the dragon seized them + in his claws, took them through the air over the army, and set them down + on the earth a long way from it. + </p> + <p> + He gave them a little whip, saying, ‘Whip and slash with this, and as much + money as you want will jump up before you. You can then live as great + lords, keep horses, and drive about in carriages. But after seven years + you are mine.’ Then he put a book before them, which he made all three of + them sign. ‘I will then give you a riddle,’ he said; ‘if you guess it, you + shall be free and out of my power.’ The dragon then flew away, and they + journeyed on with their little whip. They had as much money as they + wanted, wore grand clothes, and made their way into the world. Wherever + they went they lived in merrymaking and splendour, drove about with horses + and carriages, ate and drank, but did nothing wrong. + </p> + <p> + The time passed quickly away, and when the seven years were nearly ended + two of them grew terribly anxious and frightened, but the third made light + of it, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, brothers, I wasn’t born yesterday; I will + guess the riddle.’ + </p> + <p> + They went into a field, sat down, and the two pulled long faces. An old + woman passed by, and asked them why they were so sad. ‘Alas! what have you + to do with it? You cannot help us.’ ‘Who knows?’ she answered. ‘Only + confide your trouble in me.’ + </p> + <p> + Then they told her that they had become the servants of the Dragon for + seven long years, and how he had given them money as plentifully as + blackberries; but as they had signed their names they were his, unless + when the seven years had passed they could guess a riddle. The old woman + said, ‘If you would help yourselves, one of you must go into the wood, and + there he will come upon a tumble-down building of rocks which looks like a + little house. He must go in, and there he will find help.’ + </p> + <p> + The two melancholy ones thought, ‘That won’t save us!’ and they remained + where they were. But the third and merry one jumped up and went into the + wood till he found the rock hut. In the hut sat a very old woman, who was + the Dragon’s grandmother. She asked him how he came, and what was his + business there. He told her all that happened, and because she was pleased + with him she took compassion on him, and said she would help him. + </p> + <p> + She lifted up a large stone which lay over the cellar, saying, ‘Hide + yourself there; you can hear all that is spoken in this room. Only sit + still and don’t stir. When the Dragon comes, I will ask him what the + riddle is, for he tells me everything; then listen carefully what he + answers.’ + </p> + <p> + At midnight the Dragon flew in, and asked for his supper. His grandmother + laid the table, and brought out food and drink till he was satisfied, and + they ate and drank together. Then in the course of the conversation she + asked him what he had done in the day, and how many souls he had + conquered. + </p> + <p> + ‘I haven’t had much luck to-day,’ he said, ‘but I have a tight hold on + three soldiers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed! three soldiers!’ said she. ‘Who cannot escape you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are mine,’ answered the Dragon scornfully, ‘for I shall only give + them one riddle which they will never be able to guess.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What sort of a riddle is it?’ she asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will tell you this. In the North Sea lies a dead sea-cat—that + shall be their roast meat; and the rib of a whale—that shall be + their silver spoon; and the hollow foot of a dead horse—that shall + be their wineglass.’ + </p> + <p> + When the Dragon had gone to bed, his old grandmother pulled up the stone + and let out the soldier. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you pay attention to everything?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘I know enough, and can help myself splendidly.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he went by another way through the window secretly, and in all haste + back to his comrades. He told them how the Dragon had been outwitted by + his grandmother, and how he had heard from his own lips the answer to the + riddle. + </p> + <p> + Then they were all delighted and in high spirits, took out their whip, and + cracked so much money that it came jumping up from the ground. When the + seven years had quite gone, the Fiend came with his book, and, pointing at + the signatures, said, ‘I will take you underground with me; you shall have + a meal there. If you can tell me what you will get for your roast meat, + you shall be free, and shall also keep the whip.’ + </p> + <p> + Then said the first soldier, ‘In the North Sea lies a dead sea-cat; that + shall be the roast meat.’ + </p> + <p> + The Dragon was much annoyed, and hummed and hawed a good deal, and asked + the second, ‘But what shall be your spoon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The rib of a whale shall be our silver spoon.’ + </p> + <p> + The Dragon-made a face, and growled again three times, ‘Hum, hum, hum,’ + and said to the third, ‘Do you know what your wineglass shall be?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘An old horse’s hoof shall be our wineglass.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the Dragon flew away with a loud shriek, and had no more power over + them. But the three soldiers took the little whip, whipped as much money + as they wanted, and lived happily to their lives end. + </p> + <p> + THE DONKEY CABBAGE + </p> + <p> + There was once a young Hunter who went boldly into the forest. He had a + merry and light heart, and as he went whistling along there came an ugly + old woman, who said to him, ‘Good-day, dear hunter! You are very merry and + contented, but I suffer hunger and thirst, so give me a trifle.’ The + Hunter was sorry for the poor old woman, and he felt in his pocket and + gave her all he could spare. He was going on then, but the old woman + stopped him and said, ‘Listen, dear hunter, to what I say. Because of your + kind heart I will make you a present. Go on your way, and in a short time + you will come to a tree on which sit nine birds who have a cloak in their + claws and are quarrelling over it. Then take aim with your gun and shoot + in the middle of them; they will let the cloak fall, but one of the birds + will be hit and will drop down dead. Take the cloak with you; it is a + wishing-cloak, and when you throw it on your shoulders you have only to + wish yourself at a certain place, and in the twinkling of an eye you are + there. Take the heart out of the dead bird and swallow it whole, and early + every morning when you get up you will find a gold piece under your + pillow.’ + </p> + <p> + The Hunter thanked the wise woman, and thought to himself ‘These are + splendid things she has promised me, if only they come to pass!’ So he + walked on about a hundred yards, and then he heard above him in the + branches such a screaming and chirping that he looked up, and there he saw + a heap of birds tearing a cloth with their beaks and feet, shrieking, + tugging, and fighting, as if each wanted it for himself. ‘Well,’ said the + Hunter, ‘this is wonderful! It is just as the old woman said’; and he took + his gun on his shoulder, pulled the trigger, and shot into the midst of + them, so that their feathers flew about. Then the flock took flight with + much screaming, but one fell dead, and the cloak fluttered down. Then the + Hunter did as the old woman had told him: he cut open the bird, found its + heart, swallowed it, and took the cloak home with him. The next morning + when he awoke he remembered the promise, and wanted to see if it had come + true. But when he lifted up his pillow, there sparkled the gold piece, and + the next morning he found another, and so on every time he got up. He + collected a heap of gold, but at last he thought to himself, ‘What good is + all my gold to me if I stay at home? I will travel and look a bit about me + in the world.’ So he took leave of his parents, slung his hunting knapsack + and his gun round him, and journeyed into the world. + </p> + <p> + It happened that one day he went through a thick wood, and when he came to + the end of it there lay in the plain before him a large castle. At one of + the windows in it stood an old woman with a most beautiful maiden by her + side, looking out. But the old woman was a witch, and she said to the + girl, ‘There comes one out of the wood who has a wonderful treasure in his + body which we must manage to possess ourselves of, darling daughter; we + have more right to it than he. He has a bird’s heart in him, and so every + morning there lies a gold piece under his pillow.’ + </p> + <p> + She told her how they could get hold of it, and how she was to coax it + from him, and at last threatened her angrily, saying, ‘And if you do not + obey me, you shall repent it!’ + </p> + <p> + When the Hunter came nearer he saw the maiden, and said to himself, ‘I + have travelled so far now that I will rest, and turn into this beautiful + castle; money I have in plenty.’ But the real reason was that he had + caught sight of the lovely face. + </p> + <p> + He went into the house, and was kindly received and hospitably + entertained. It was not long before he was so much in love with the + witch-maiden that he thought of nothing else, and only looked in her eyes, + and whatever she wanted, that he gladly did. Then the old witch said, ‘Now + we must have the bird-heart; he will not feel when it is gone.’ She + prepared a drink, and when it was ready she poured it in a goblet and gave + it to the maiden, who had to hand it to the hunter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Drink to me now, my dearest,’ she said. Then he took the goblet, and when + he had swallowed the drink the bird-heart came out of his mouth. The + maiden had to get hold of it secretly and then swallow it herself, for the + old witch wanted to have it. Thenceforward he found no more gold under his + pillow, and it lay under the maiden’s; but he was so much in love and so + much bewitched that he thought of nothing except spending all his time + with the maiden. + </p> + <p> + Then the old witch said, ‘We have the bird-heart, but we must also get the + wishing-cloak from him.’ + </p> + <p> + The maiden answered, ‘We will leave him that; he has already lost his + wealth!’ + </p> + <p> + The old witch grew angry, and said, ‘Such a cloak is a wonderful thing, it + is seldom to be had in the world, and have it I must and will.’ She beat + the maiden, and said that if she did not obey it would go ill with her. + </p> + <p> + So she did her mother’s bidding, and, standing one day by the window, she + looked away into the far distance as if she were very sad. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you standing there looking so sad?’ asked the Hunter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas, my love,’ she replied, ‘over there lies the granite mountain where + the costly precious stones grow. I have a great longing to go there, so + that when I think of it I am very sad. For who can fetch them? Only the + birds who fly; a man, never.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you have no other trouble,’ said the Hunter, ‘that one I can easily + remove from your heart.’ + </p> + <p> + So he wrapped her round in his cloak and wished themselves to the granite + mountain, and in an instant there they were, sitting on it! The precious + stones sparkled so brightly on all sides that it was a pleasure to see + them, and they collected the most beautiful and costly together. But now + the old witch had through her caused the Hunter’s eyes to become heavy. + </p> + <p> + He said to the maiden, ‘We will sit down for a little while and rest; I am + so tired that I can hardly stand on my feet.’ + </p> + <p> + So they sat down, and he laid his head on her lap and fell asleep. As soon + as he was sound asleep she unfastened the cloak from his shoulders, threw + it on her own, left the granite and stones, and wished herself home again. + </p> + <p> + But when the Hunter had finished his sleep and awoke, he found that his + love had betrayed him and left him alone on the wild mountain. ‘Oh,’ said + he, ‘why is faithlessness so great in the world?’ and he sat down in + sorrow and trouble, not knowing what to do. + </p> + <p> + But the mountain belonged to fierce and huge giants, who lived on it and + traded there, and he had not sat long before he saw three of them striding + towards him. So he lay down as if he had fallen into a deep sleep. + </p> + <p> + The giants came up, and the first pushed him with his foot, and said, + ‘What sort of an earthworm is that?’ + </p> + <p> + The second said, ‘Crush him dead.’ + </p> + <p> + But the third said contemptuously, ‘It is not worth the trouble! Let him + live; he cannot remain here, and if he goes higher up the mountain the + clouds will take him and carry him off.’ + </p> + <p> + Talking thus they went away. But the Hunter had listened to their talk, + and as soon as they had gone he rose and climbed to the summit. When he + had sat there a little while a cloud swept by, and, seizing him, carried + him away. It travelled for a time in the sky, and then it sank down and + hovered over a large vegetable garden surrounded by walls, so that he came + safely to the ground amidst cabbages and vegetables. The Hunter then + looked about him, saying, ‘If only I had something to eat! I am so hungry, + and it will go badly with me in the future, for I see here not an apple or + pear or fruit of any kind—nothing but vegetables everywhere.’ At + last he thought, ‘At a pinch I can eat a salad; it does not taste + particularly nice, but it will refresh me.’ So he looked about for a good + head and ate it, but no sooner had he swallowed a couple of mouthfuls than + he felt very strange, and found himself wonderfully changed. Four legs + began to grow on him, a thick head, and two long ears, and he saw with + horror that he had changed into a donkey. But as he was still very hungry + and this juicy salad tasted very good to his present nature, he went on + eating with a still greater appetite. At last he got hold of another kind + of cabbage, but scarcely had swallowed it when he felt another change, and + he once more regained his human form. + </p> + <p> + The Hunter now lay down and slept off his weariness. When he awoke the + next morning he broke off a head of the bad and a head of the good + cabbage, thinking, ‘This will help me to regain my own, and to punish + faithlessness.’ Then he put the heads in his pockets, climbed the wall, + and started off to seek the castle of his love. When he had wandered about + for a couple of days he found it quite easily. He then browned his face + quickly, so that his own mother would not have known him, and went into + the castle, where he begged for a lodging. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am so tired,’ he said, ‘I can go no farther.’ + </p> + <p> + The witch asked, ‘Countryman, who are you, and what is your business?’ + </p> + <p> + He answered, ‘I am a messenger of the King, and have been sent to seek the + finest salad that grows under the sun. I have been so lucky as to find it, + and am bringing it with me; but the heat of the sun is so great that the + tender cabbage threatens to grow soft, and I do not know if I shall be + able to bring it any farther.’ + </p> + <p> + When the old witch heard of the fine salad she wanted to eat it, and said, + ‘Dear countryman, just let me taste the wonderful salad.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not?’ he answered; ‘I have brought two heads with me, and will give + you one.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, he opened his sack and gave her the bad one. The witch + suspected no evil, and her mouth watered to taste the new dish, so that + she went into the kitchen to prepare it herself. When it was ready she + could not wait till it was served at the table, but she immediately took a + couple of leaves and put them in her mouth. No sooner, however, had she + swallowed them than she lost human form, and ran into the courtyard in the + shape of a donkey. + </p> + <p> + Now the servant came into the kitchen, and when she saw the salad standing + there ready cooked she was about to carry it up, but on the way, according + to her old habit, she tasted it and ate a couple of leaves. Immediately + the charm worked, and she became a donkey, and ran out to join the old + witch, and the dish with the salad in it fell to the ground. In the + meantime, the messenger was sitting with the lovely maiden, and as no one + came with the salad, and she wanted very much to taste it, she said, ‘I + don’t know where the salad is.’ + </p> + <p> + Then thought the Hunter, ‘The cabbage must have already begun to work.’ + And he said, ‘I will go to the kitchen and fetch it myself.’ + </p> + <p> + When he came there he saw the two donkeys running about in the courtyard, + but the salad was lying on the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s all right,’ said he; ‘two have had their share!’ And lifting the + remaining leaves up, he laid them on the dish and brought them to the + maiden. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am bringing you the delicious food my own self,’ he said, ‘so that you + need not wait any longer.’ + </p> + <p> + Then she ate, and, as the others had done, she at once lost her human + form, and ran as a donkey into the yard. + </p> + <p> + When the Hunter had washed his face, so that the changed ones might know + him, he went into the yard, saying, ‘Now you shall receive a reward for + your faithlessness.’ + </p> + <p> + He tied them all three with a rope, and drove them away till he came to a + mill. He knocked at the window, and the miller put his head out and asked + what he wanted. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have three tiresome animals,’ he answered, ‘which I don’t want to keep + any longer. If you will take them, give them food and stabling, and do as + I tell you with them, I will pay you as much as you want.’ + </p> + <p> + The miller replied, ‘Why not? What shall I do with them?’ + </p> + <p> + Then the Hunter said that to the old donkey, which was the witch, three + beatings and one meal; to the younger one, which was the servant, one + beating and three meals; and to the youngest one, which was the maiden, no + beating and three meals; for he could not find it in his heart to let the + maiden be beaten. + </p> + <p> + Then he went back into the castle, and he found there all that he wanted. + After a couple of days the miller came and said that he must tell him that + the old donkey which was to have three beatings and only one meal had + died. ‘The two others,’ he added, ‘are certainly not dead, and get their + three meals every day, but they are so sad that they cannot last much + longer.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the Hunter took pity on them, laid aside his anger, and told the + miller to drive them back again. And when they came he gave them some of + the good cabbage to eat, so that they became human again. Then the + beautiful maiden fell on her knees before him, saying, ‘Oh, my dearest, + forgive me the ill I have done you! My mother compelled me to do it; it + was against my will, for I love you dearly. Your wishing-cloak is hanging + in a cupboard, and as for the bird-heart I will make a drink and give it + back to you.’ + </p> + <p> + But he changed his mind, and said, ‘Keep it; it makes no difference, for I + will take you to be my own dear true wife.’ + </p> + <p> + And the wedding was celebrated, and they lived happy together till death. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE LITTLE GREEN FROG(8) +</pre> + <p> + (8) Cabinet des Fees. + </p> + <p> + In a part of the world whose name I forget lived once upon a time two + kings, called Peridor and Diamantino. They were cousins as well as + neighbours, and both were under the protection of the fairies; though it + is only fair to say that the fairies did not love them half so well as + their wives did. + </p> + <p> + Now it often happens that as princes can generally manage to get their own + way it is harder for them to be good than it is for common people. So it + was with Peridor and Diamantino; but of the two, the fairies declared that + Diamantino was much the worst; indeed, he behaved so badly to his wife + Aglantino, that the fairies would not allow him to live any longer; and he + died, leaving behind him a little daughter. As she was an only child, of + course this little girl was the heiress of the kingdom, but, being still + only a baby, her mother, the widow of Diamantino, was proclaimed regent. + The Queen-dowager was wise and good, and tried her best to make her people + happy. The only thing she had to vex her was the absence of her daughter; + for the fairies, for reasons of their own, determined to bring up the + little Princess Serpentine among themselves. + </p> + <p> + As to the other King, he was really fond of his wife, Queen Constance, but + he often grieved her by his thoughtless ways, and in order to punish him + for his carelessness, the fairies caused her to die quite suddenly. When + she was gone the King felt how much he had loved her, and his grief was so + great (though he never neglected his duties) that his subjects called him + Peridor the Sorrowful. It seems hardly possible that any man should live + like Peridor for fifteen years plunged in such depth of grief, and most + likely he would have died too if it had not been for the fairies. + </p> + <p> + The one comfort the poor King had was his son, Prince Saphir, who was only + three years old at the time of his mother’s death, and great care was + given to his education. By the time he was fifteen Saphir had learnt + everything that a prince should know, and he was, besides, charming and + agreeable. + </p> + <p> + It was about this time that the fairies suddenly took fright lest his love + for his father should interfere with the plans they had made for the young + prince. So, to prevent this, they placed in a pretty little room of which + Saphir was very fond a little mirror in a black frame, such as were often + brought from Venice. The Prince did not notice for some days that there + was anything new in the room, but at last he perceived it, and went up to + look at it more closely. What was his surprise to see reflected in the + mirror, not his own face, but that of a young girl as lovely as the + morning! And, better still, every movement of the girl, just growing out + of childhood, was also reflected in the wonderful glass. + </p> + <p> + As might have been expected, the young Prince lost his heart completely to + the beautiful image, and it was impossible to get him out of the room, so + busy was he in watching the lovely unknown. Certainly it was very + delightful to be able to see her whom he loved at any moment he chose, but + his spirits sometimes sank when he wondered what was to be the end of this + adventure. + </p> + <p> + The magic mirror had been for about a year in the Prince’s possession, + when one day a new subject of disquiet seized upon him. As usual, he was + engaged in looking at the girl, when suddenly he thought he saw a second + mirror reflected in the first, exactly like his own, and with the same + power. And in this he was perfectly right. The young girl had only + possessed it for a short time, and neglected all her duties for the sake + of the mirror. Now it was not difficult for Saphir to guess the reason of + the change in her, nor why the new mirror was consulted so often; but try + as he would he could never see the face of the person who was reflected in + it, for the young girl’s figure always came between. All he knew was that + the face was that of a man, and this was quite enough to make him madly + jealous. This was the doing of the fairies, and we must suppose that they + had their reasons for acting as they did. + </p> + <p> + When these things happened Saphir was about eighteen years old, and + fifteen years had passed away since the death of his mother. King Peridor + had grown more and more unhappy as time went on, and at last he fell so + ill that it seemed as if his days were numbered. He was so much beloved by + his subjects that this sad news was heard with despair by the nation, and + more than all by the Prince. + </p> + <p> + During his whole illness the King never spoke of anything but the Queen, + his sorrow at having grieved her, and his hope of one day seeing her + again. All the doctors and all the water-cures in the kingdom had been + tried, and nothing would do him any good. At last he persuaded them to let + him lie quietly in his room, where no one came to trouble him. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the worst pain he had to bear was a sort of weight on his chest, + which made it very hard for him to breathe. So he commanded his servants + to leave the windows open in order that he might get more air. One day, + when he had been left alone for a few minutes, a bird with brilliant + plumage came and fluttered round the window, and finally rested on the + sill. His feathers were sky-blue and gold, his feet and his beak of such + glittering rubies that no one could bear to look at them, his eyes made + the brightest diamonds look dull, and on his head he wore a crown. I + cannot tell you what the crown was made of, but I am quite certain that it + was still more splendid than all the rest. As to his voice I can say + nothing about that, for the bird never sang at all. In fact, he did + nothing but gaze steadily at the King, and as he gazed, the King felt his + strength come back to him. In a little while the bird flew into the room, + still with his eyes fixed on the King, and at every glance the strength of + the sick man became greater, till he was once more as well as he used to + be before the Queen died. Filled with joy at his cure, he tried to seize + the bird to whom he owed it all, but, swifter than a swallow, it managed + to avoid him. In vain he described the bird to his attendants, who rushed + at his first call; in vain they sought the wonderful creature both on + horse and foot, and summoned the fowlers to their aid: the bird could + nowhere be found. The love the people bore King Peridor was so strong, and + the reward he promised was so large, that in the twinkling of an eye every + man, woman, and child had fled into the fields, and the towns were quite + empty. + </p> + <p> + All this bustle, however, ended in nothing but confusion, and, what was + worse, the King soon fell back into the same condition as he was in + before. Prince Saphir, who loved his father very dearly, was so unhappy at + this that he persuaded himself that he might succeed where the others had + failed, and at once prepared himself for a more distant search. In spite + of the opposition he met with, he rode away, followed by his household, + trusting to chance to help him. He had formed no plan, and there was no + reason that he should choose one path more than another. His only idea was + to make straight for those spots which were the favourite haunts of birds. + But in vain he examined all the hedges and all the thickets; in vain he + questioned everyone he met along the road. The more he sought the less he + found. + </p> + <p> + At last he came to one of the largest forests in all the world, composed + entirely of cedars. But in spite of the deep shadows cast by the + wide-spreading branches of the trees, the grass underneath was soft and + green, and covered with the rarest flowers. It seemed to Saphir that this + was exactly the place where the birds would choose to live, and he + determined not to quit the wood until he had examined it from end to end. + And he did more. He ordered some nets to be prepared and painted of the + same colours as the bird’s plumage, thinking that we are all easily caught + by what is like ourselves. In this he had to help him not only the fowlers + by profession, but also his attendants, who excelled in this art. For a + man is not a courtier unless he can do everything. + </p> + <p> + After searching as usual for nearly a whole day Prince Saphir began to + feel overcome with thirst. He was too tired to go any farther, when + happily he discovered a little way off a bubbling fountain of the clearest + water. Being an experienced traveller, he drew from his pocket a little + cup (without which no one should ever take a journey), and was just about + to dip it in the water, when a lovely little green frog, much prettier + than frogs generally are, jumped into the cup. Far from admiring its + beauty, Saphir shook it impatiently off; but it was no good, for quick as + lightning the frog jumped back again. Saphir, who was raging with thirst, + was just about to shake it off anew, when the little creature fixed upon + him the most beautiful eyes in the world, and said, ‘I am a friend of the + bird you are seeking, and when you have quenched your thirst listen to + me.’ + </p> + <p> + So the Prince drank his fill, and then, by the command of the Little Green + Frog, he lay down on the grass to rest himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ she began, ‘be sure you do exactly in every respect what I tell + you. First you must call together your attendants, and order them to + remain in a little hamlet close by until you want them. Then go, quite + alone, down a road that you will find on your right hand, looking + southwards. This road is planted all the way with cedars of Lebanon; and + after going down it a long way you will come at last to a magnificent + castle. And now,’ she went on, ‘attend carefully to what I am going to + say. Take this tiny grain of sand, and put it into the ground as close as + you can to the gate of the castle. It has the virtue both of opening the + gate and also of sending to sleep all the inhabitants. Then go at once to + the stable, and pay no heed to anything except what I tell you. Choose the + handsomest of all the horses, leap quickly on its back, and come to me as + fast as you can. Farewell, Prince; I wish you good luck,’ and with these + words the Little Frog plunged into the water and disappeared. + </p> + <p> + The Prince, who felt more hopeful than he had done since he left home, did + precisely as he had been ordered. He left his attendants in the hamlet, + found the road the frog had described to him, and followed it all alone, + and at last he arrived at the gate of the castle, which was even more + splendid than he had expected, for it was built of crystal, and all its + ornaments were of massive gold. However, he had no thoughts to spare for + its beauty, and quickly buried his grain of sand in the earth. In one + instant the gates flew open, and all the dwellers inside fell sound + asleep. Saphir flew straight to the stable, and already had his hand on + the finest horse it contained, when his eye was caught by a suit of + magnificent harness hanging up close by. It occurred to him directly that + the harness belonged to the horse, and without ever thinking of harm (for + indeed he who steals a horse can hardly be blamed for taking his saddle), + he hastily placed it on the animal’s back. Suddenly the people in the + castle became broad awake, and rushed to the stable. They flung themselves + on the Prince, seized him, and dragged him before their lord; but, luckily + for the Prince, who could only find very lame excuses for his conduct, the + lord of the castle took a fancy to his face, and let him depart without + further questions. + </p> + <p> + Very sad, and very much ashamed of himself poor Saphir crept back to the + fountain, where the Frog was awaiting him with a good scolding. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whom do you take me for?’ she exclaimed angrily. ‘Do you really believe + that it was just for the pleasure of talking that I gave you the advice + you have neglected so abominably?’ + </p> + <p> + But the Prince was so deeply grieved, and apologised so very humbly, that + after some time the heart of the good little Frog was softened, and she + gave him another tiny little grain, but instead of being sand it was now a + grain of gold. She directed him to do just as he had done before, with + only this difference, that instead of going to the stable which had been + the ruin of his hopes, he was to enter right into the castle itself, and + to glide as fast as he could down the passages till he came to a room + filled with perfume, where he would find a beautiful maiden asleep on a + bed. He was to wake the maiden instantly and carry her off, and to be sure + not to pay any heed to whatever resistance she might make. + </p> + <p> + The Prince obeyed the Frog’s orders one by one, and all went well for this + second time also. The gate opened, the inhabitants fell sound asleep, and + he walked down the passage till he found the girl on her bed, exactly as + he had been told he would. He woke her, and begged her firmly, but + politely, to follow him quickly. After a little persuasion the maiden + consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her + dress. This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the + Prince’s head to refuse her request. + </p> + <p> + But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace + suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound. He was + so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he + did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly + with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his + captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly. However, + what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had + been his benefactress. How was he ever to appear before her with this + tale? Still, after a long struggle with himself, he made up his mind that + there was nothing else to be done, and that he deserved whatever she might + say to him. And she said a great deal, for she had worked herself into a + terrible passion; but the Prince humbly implored her pardon, and ventured + to point out that it would have been very hard to refuse the young lady’s + reasonable request. ‘You must learn to do as you are told,’ was all the + Frog would reply. + </p> + <p> + But poor Saphir was so unhappy, and begged so hard for forgiveness, that + at last the Frog’s anger gave way, and she held up to him a tiny diamond + stone. ‘Go back,’ she said, ‘to the castle, and bury this little diamond + close to the door. But be careful not to return to the stable or to the + bedroom; they have proved too fatal to you. Walk straight to the garden + and enter through a portico, into a small green wood, in the midst of + which is a tree with a trunk of gold and leaves of emeralds. Perched on + this tree you will see the beautiful bird you have been seeking so long. + You must cut the branch on which it is sitting, and bring it back to me + without delay. But I warn you solemnly that if you disobey my directions, + as you have done twice before, you have nothing more to expect either of + me or anyone else.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words she jumped into the water, and the Prince, who had taken + her threats much to heart, took his departure, firmly resolved not to + deserve them. He found it all just as he had been told: the portico, the + wood, the magnificent tree, and the beautiful bird, which was sleeping + soundly on one of the branches. He speedily lopped off the branch, and + though he noticed a splendid golden cage hanging close by, which would + have been very useful for the bird to travel in, he left it alone, and + came back to the fountain, holding his breath and walking on tip-toe all + the way, for fear lest he should awake his prize. But what was his + surprise, when instead of finding the fountain in the spot where he had + left it, he saw in its place a little rustic palace built in the best + taste, and standing in the doorway a charming maiden, at whose sight his + mind seemed to give way. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! Madam!’ he cried, hardly knowing what he said. ‘What! Is it you?’ + </p> + <p> + The maiden blushed and answered: ‘Ah, my lord, it is long since I first + beheld your face, but I did not think you had ever seen mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, madam,’ replied he, ‘you can never guess the days and the hours I + have passed lost in admiration of you.’ And after these words they each + related all the strange things that had happened, and the more they talked + the more they felt convinced of the truth of the images they had seen in + their mirrors. After some time spent in the most tender conversation, the + Prince could not restrain himself from asking the lovely unknown by what + lucky chance she was wandering in the forest; where the fountain had gone; + and if she knew anything of the Frog to whom he owed all his happiness, + and to whom he must give up the bird, which, somehow or other, was still + sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, my lord,’ she replied, with rather an awkward air, ‘as to the Frog, + she stands before you. Let me tell you my story; it is not a long one. I + know neither my country nor my parents, and the only thing I can say for + certain is that I am called Serpentine. The fairies, who have taken care + of me ever since I was born, wished me to be in ignorance as to my family, + but they have looked after my education, and have bestowed on me endless + kindness. I have always lived in seclusion, and for the last two years I + have wished for nothing better. I had a mirror’—here shyness and + embarrassment choked her words—but regaining her self-control, she + added, ‘You know that fairies insist on being obeyed without questioning. + It was they who changed the little house you saw before you into the + fountain for which you are now asking, and, having turned me into a frog, + they ordered me to say to the first person who came to the fountain + exactly what I repeated to you. But, my lord, when you stood before me, it + was agony to my heart, filled as it was with thoughts of you, to appear to + your eyes under so monstrous a form. However, there was no help for it, + and, painful as it was, I had to submit. I desired your success with all + my soul, not only for your own sake, but also for my own, because I could + not get back my proper shape till you had become master of the beautiful + bird, though I am quite ignorant as to your reason for seeking it.’ + </p> + <p> + On this Saphir explained about the state of his father’s health, and all + that has been told before. + </p> + <p> + On hearing this story Serpentine grew very sad, and her lovely eyes filled + with tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, my lord,’ she said, ‘you know nothing of me but what you have seen in + the mirror; and I, who cannot even name my parents, learn that you are a + king’s son.’ + </p> + <p> + In vain Saphir declared that love made them equal; Serpentine would only + reply: ‘I love you too much to allow you to marry beneath your rank. I + shall be very unhappy, of course, but I shall never alter my mind. If I do + not find from the fairies that my birth is worthy of you, then, whatever + be my feelings, I will never accept your hand.’ + </p> + <p> + The conversation was at this point, and bid fair to last some time longer, + when one of the fairies appeared in her ivory car, accompanied by a + beautiful woman past her early youth. At this moment the bird suddenly + awakened, and, flying on to Saphir’s shoulder (which it never afterwards + left), began fondling him as well as a bird can do. The fairy told + Serpentine that she was quite satisfied with her conduct, and made herself + very agreeable to Saphir, whom she presented to the lady she had brought + with her, explaining that the lady was no other than his Aunt Aglantine, + widow of Diamantino. + </p> + <p> + Then they all fell into each other’s arms, till the fairy mounted her + chariot, placed Aglantine by her side, and Saphir and Serpentine on the + front seat. She also sent a message to the Prince’s attendants that they + might travel slowly back to the Court of King Peridor, and that the + beautiful bird had really been found. This matter being comfortably + arranged, she started off her chariot. But in spite of the swiftness with + which they flew through the air, the time passed even quicker for Saphir + and Serpentine, who had so much to think about. + </p> + <p> + They were still quite confused with the pleasure of seeing each other, + when the chariot arrived at King Peridor’s palace. He had had himself + carried to a room on the roof, where his nurses thought that he would die + at any moment. Directly the chariot drew within sight of the castle the + beautiful bird took flight, and, making straight for the dying King, at + once cured him of his sickness. Then she resumed her natural shape, and he + found that the bird was no other than the Queen Constance, whom he had + long believed to be dead. Peridor was rejoiced to embrace his wife and his + son once more, and with the help of the fairies began to make preparations + for the marriage of Saphir and Serpentine, who turned out to be the + daughter of Aglantine and Diamantino, and as much a princess as he was a + prince. The people of the kingdom were delighted, and everybody lived + happy and contented to the end of their lives. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE SEVEN-HEADED SERPENT(9) +</pre> + <p> + (9) ‘Die Siebenkopfige Schlange,’ from Schmidt’s Griechische Mahrchen. + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a king who determined to take a long voyage. He + assembled his fleet and all the seamen, and set out. They went straight on + night and day, until they came to an island which was covered with large + trees, and under every tree lay a lion. As soon as the King had landed his + men, the lions all rose up together and tried to devour them. After a long + battle they managed to overcome the wild beasts, but the greater number of + the men were killed. Those who remained alive now went on through the + forest and found on the other side of it a beautiful garden, in which all + the plants of the world flourished together. + </p> + <p> + There were also in the garden three springs: the first flowed with silver, + the second with gold, and the third with pearls. The men unbuckled their + knapsacks and filled them with those precious things. In the middle of the + garden they found a large lake, and when they reached the edge of it the + Lake began to speak, and said to them, ‘What men are you, and what brings + you here? Are you come to visit our king?’ But they were too much + frightened to answer. + </p> + <p> + Then the Lake said, ‘You do well to be afraid, for it is at your peril + that you are come hither. Our king, who has seven heads, is now asleep, + but in a few minutes he will wake up and come to me to take his bath! Woe + to anyone who meets him in the garden, for it is impossible to escape from + him. This is what you must do if you wish to save your lives. Take off + your clothes and spread them on the path which leads from here to the + castle. The King will then glide over something soft, which he likes very + much, and he will be so pleased with that that he will not devour you. He + will give you some punishment, but then he will let you go.’ + </p> + <p> + The men did as the Lake advised them, and waited for a time. At noon the + earth began to quake, and opened in many places, and out of the openings + appeared lions, tigers, and other wild beasts, which surrounded the + castle, and thousands and thousands of beasts came out of the castle + following their king, the Seven-headed Serpent. The Serpent glided over + the clothes which were spread for him, came to the Lake, and asked it who + had strewed those soft things on the path? The Lake answered that it had + been done by people who had come to do him homage. The King commanded that + the men should be brought before him. They came humbly on their knees, and + in a few words told him their story. Then he spoke to them with a mighty + and terrible voice, and said, ‘Because you have dared to come here, I lay + upon you the punishment. Every year you must bring me from among your + people twelve youths and twelve maidens, that I may devour them. If you do + not do this, I will destroy your whole nation.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he desired one of his beasts to show the men the way out of the + garden, and dismissed them. They then left the island and went back to + their own country, where they related what had happened to them. Soon the + time came round when the king of the beasts would expect the youths and + maidens to be brought to him. The King therefore issued a proclamation + inviting twelve youths and twelve maidens to offer themselves up to save + their country; and immediately many young people, far more than enough, + hastened to do so. A new ship was built, and set with black sails, and in + it the youths and maidens who were appointed for the king of the beasts + embarked and set out for his country. When they arrived there they went at + once to the Lake, and this time the lions did not stir, nor did the + springs flow, and neither did the Lake speak. So they waited then, and it + was not long before the earth quaked even more terribly than the first + time. The Seven-headed Serpent came without his train of beasts, saw his + prey waiting for him, and devoured it at one mouthful. Then the ship’s + crew returned home, and the same thing happened yearly until many years + had passed. + </p> + <p> + Now the King of this unhappy country was growing old, and so was the + Queen, and they had no children. One day the Queen was sitting at the + window weeping bitterly because she was childless, and knew that the crown + would therefore pass to strangers after the King’s death. Suddenly a + little old woman appeared before her, holding an apple in her hand, and + said, ‘Why do you weep, my Queen, and what makes you so unhappy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas, good mother,’ answered the Queen, ‘I am unhappy because I have no + children.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that what vexes you?’ said the old woman. ‘Listen to me. I am a nun + from the Spinning Convent,(10) and my mother when she died left me this + apple. Whoever eats this apple shall have a child.’ + </p> + <p> + (10) Convent Gnothi. + </p> + <p> + The Queen gave money to the old woman, and bought the apple from her. Then + she peeled it, ate it, and threw the rind out of the window, and it so + happened that a mare that was running loose in the court below ate up the + rind. After a time the Queen had a little boy, and the mare also had a + male foal. The boy and the foal grew up together and loved each other like + brothers. In course of time the King died, and so did the Queen, and their + son, who was now nineteen years old, was left alone. One day, when he and + his horse were talking together, the Horse said to him, ‘Listen to me, for + I love you and wish for your good and that of the country. If you go on + every year sending twelve youths and twelve maidens to the King of the + Beasts, your country will very soon be ruined. Mount upon my back: I will + take you to a woman who can direct you how to kill the Seven-headed + Serpent.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the youth mounted his horse, who carried him far away to a mountain + which was hollow, for in its side was a great underground cavern. In the + cavern sat an old woman spinning. This was the cloister of the nuns, and + the old woman was the Abbess. They all spent their time in spinning, and + that is why the convent has this name. All round the walls of the cavern + there were beds cut out of the solid rock, upon which the nuns slept, and + in the middle a light was burning. It was the duty of the nuns to watch + the light in turns, that it might never go out, and if anyone of them let + it go out the others put her to death. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the King’s son saw the old Abbess spinning he threw himself at + her feet and entreated her to tell him how he could kill the Seven-headed + Serpent. + </p> + <p> + She made the youth rise, embraced him, and said, ‘Know, my son, that it is + I who sent the nun to your mother and caused you to be born, and with you + the horse, with whose help you will be able to free the world from the + monster. I will tell you what you have to do. Load your horse with cotton, + and go by a secret passage which I will show you, which is hidden from the + wild beasts, to the Serpent’s palace. You will find the King asleep upon + his bed, which is all hung round with bells, and over his bed you will see + a sword hanging. With this sword only it is possible to kill the Serpent, + because even if its blade breaks a new one will grow again for every head + the monster has. Thus you will be able to cut off all his seven heads. And + this you must also do in order to deceive the King: you must slip into his + bed-chamber very softly, and stop up all the bells which are round his bed + with cotton. Then take down the sword gently, and quickly give the monster + a blow on his tail with it. This will make him waken up, and if he catches + sight of you he will seize you. But you must quickly cut off his first + head, and then wait till the next one comes up. Then strike it off also, + and so go on till you have cut off all his seven heads.’ + </p> + <p> + The old Abbess then gave the Prince her blessing, and he set out upon his + enterprise, arrived at the Serpent’s castle by following the secret + passage which she had shown him, and by carefully attending to all her + directions he happily succeeded in killing the monster. As soon as the + wild beasts heard of their king’s death, they all hastened to the castle, + but the youth had long since mounted his horse and was already far out of + their reach. They pursued him as fast as they could, but they found it + impossible to overtake him, and he reached home in safety. Thus he freed + his country from this terrible oppression. + </p> + <p> + THE GRATEFUL BEASTS(11) + </p> + <p> + (11) From the Hungarian. Kletke. + </p> + <p> + There was once upon a time a man and woman who had three fine-looking + sons, but they were so poor that they had hardly enough food for + themselves, let alone their children. So the sons determined to set out + into the world and to try their luck. Before starting their mother gave + them each a loaf of bread and her blessing, and having taken a tender + farewell of her and their father the three set forth on their travels. + </p> + <p> + The youngest of the three brothers, whose name was Ferko, was a beautiful + youth, with a splendid figure, blue eyes, fair hair, and a complexion like + milk and roses. His two brothers were as jealous of him as they could be, + for they thought that with his good looks he would be sure to be more + fortunate than they would ever be. + </p> + <p> + One day all the three were sitting resting under a tree, for the sun was + hot and they were tired of walking. Ferko fell fast asleep, but the other + two remained awake, and the eldest said to the second brother, ‘What do + you say to doing our brother Ferko some harm? He is so beautiful that + everyone takes a fancy to him, which is more than they do to us. If we + could only get him out of the way we might succeed better.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I quite agree with you,’ answered the second brother, ‘and my advice is + to eat up his loaf of bread, and then to refuse to give him a bit of ours + until he has promised to let us put out his eyes or break his legs.’ + </p> + <p> + His eldest brother was delighted with this proposal, and the two wicked + wretches seized Ferko’s loaf and ate it all up, while the poor boy was + still asleep. + </p> + <p> + When he did awake he felt very hungry and turned to eat his bread, but his + brothers cried out, ‘You ate your loaf in your sleep, you glutton, and you + may starve as long as you like, but you won’t get a scrap of ours.’ + </p> + <p> + Ferko was at a loss to understand how he could have eaten in his sleep, + but he said nothing, and fasted all that day and the next night. But on + the following morning he was so hungry that he burst into tears, and + implored his brothers to give him a little bit of their bread. Then the + cruel creatures laughed, and repeated what they had said the day before; + but when Ferko continued to beg and beseech them, the eldest said at last, + ‘If you will let us put out one of your eyes and break one of your legs, + then we will give you a bit of our bread.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words poor Ferko wept more bitterly than before, and bore the + torments of hunger till the sun was high in the heavens; then he could + stand it no longer, and he consented to allow his left eye to be put out + and his left leg to be broken. When this was done he stretched out his + hand eagerly for the piece of bread, but his brothers gave him such a tiny + scrap that the starving youth finished it in a moment and besought them + for a second bit. + </p> + <p> + But the more Ferko wept and told his brothers that he was dying of hunger, + the more they laughed and scolded him for his greed. So he endured the + pangs of starvation all that day, but when night came his endurance gave + way, and he let his right eye be put out and his right leg broken for a + second piece of bread. + </p> + <p> + After his brothers had thus successfully maimed and disfigured him for + life, they left him groaning on the ground and continued their journey + without him. + </p> + <p> + Poor Ferko ate up the scrap of bread they had left him and wept bitterly, + but no one heard him or came to his help. Night came on, and the poor + blind youth had no eyes to close, and could only crawl along the ground, + not knowing in the least where he was going. But when the sun was once + more high in the heavens, Ferko felt the blazing heat scorch him, and + sought for some cool shady place to rest his aching limbs. He climbed to + the top of a hill and lay down in the grass, and as he thought under the + shadow of a big tree. But it was no tree he leant against, but a gallows + on which two ravens were seated. The one was saying to the other as the + weary youth lay down, ‘Is there anything the least wonderful or remarkable + about this neighbourhood?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should just think there was,’ replied the other; ‘many things that + don’t exist anywhere else in the world. There is a lake down there below + us, and anyone who bathes in it, though he were at death’s door, becomes + sound and well on the spot, and those who wash their eyes with the dew on + this hill become as sharp-sighted as the eagle, even if they have been + blind from their youth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ answered the first raven, ‘my eyes are in no want of this healing + bath, for, Heaven be praised, they are as good as ever they were; but my + wing has been very feeble and weak ever since it was shot by an arrow many + years ago, so let us fly at once to the lake that I may be restored to + health and strength again.’ And so they flew away. + </p> + <p> + Their words rejoiced Ferko’s heart, and he waited impatiently till evening + should come and he could rub the precious dew on his sightless eyes. + </p> + <p> + At last it began to grow dusk, and the sun sank behind the mountains; + gradually it became cooler on the hill, and the grass grew wet with dew. + Then Ferko buried his face in the ground till his eyes were damp with + dewdrops, and in a moment he saw clearer than he had ever done in his life + before. The moon was shining brightly, and lighted him to the lake where + he could bathe his poor broken legs. + </p> + <p> + Then Ferko crawled to the edge of the lake and dipped his limbs in the + water. No sooner had he done so than his legs felt as sound and strong as + they had been before, and Ferko thanked the kind fate that had led him to + the hill where he had overheard the ravens’ conversation. He filled a + bottle with the healing water, and then continued his journey in the best + of spirits. + </p> + <p> + He had not gone far before he met a wolf, who was limping disconsolately + along on three legs, and who on perceiving Ferko began to howl dismally. + </p> + <p> + ‘My good friend,’ said the youth, ‘be of good cheer, for I can soon heal + your leg,’ and with these words he poured some of the precious water over + the wolf’s paw, and in a minute the animal was springing about sound and + well on all fours. The grateful creature thanked his benefactor warmly, + and promised Ferko to do him a good turn if he should ever need it. + </p> + <p> + Ferko continued his way till he came to a ploughed field. Here he noticed + a little mouse creeping wearily along on its hind paws, for its front paws + had both been broken in a trap. + </p> + <p> + Ferko felt so sorry for the little beast that he spoke to it in the most + friendly manner, and washed its small paws with the healing water. In a + moment the mouse was sound and whole, and after thanking the kind + physician it scampered away over the ploughed furrows. + </p> + <p> + Ferko again proceeded on his journey, but he hadn’t gone far before a + queen bee flew against him, trailing one wing behind her, which had been + cruelly torn in two by a big bird. Ferko was no less willing to help her + than he had been to help the wolf and the mouse, so he poured some healing + drops over the wounded wing. On the spot the queen bee was cured, and + turning to Ferko she said, ‘I am most grateful for your kindness, and + shall reward you some day.’ And with these words she flew away humming, + gaily. + </p> + <p> + Then Ferko wandered on for many a long day, and at length reached a + strange kingdom. Here, he thought to himself, he might as well go straight + to the palace and offer his services to the King of the country, for he + had heard that the King’s daughter was as beautiful as the day. + </p> + <p> + So he went to the royal palace, and as he entered the door the first + people he saw were his two brothers who had so shamefully ill-treated him. + They had managed to obtain places in the King’s service, and when they + recognised Ferko with his eyes and legs sound and well they were + frightened to death, for they feared he would tell the King of their + conduct, and that they would be hung. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had Ferko entered the palace than all eyes were turned on the + handsome youth, and the King’s daughter herself was lost in admiration, + for she had never seen anyone so handsome in her life before. His brothers + noticed this, and envy and jealousy were added to their fear, so much so + that they determined once more to destroy him. They went to the King and + told him that Ferko was a wicked magician, who had come to the palace with + the intention of carrying off the Princess. + </p> + <p> + Then the King had Ferko brought before him, and said, ‘You are accused of + being a magician who wishes to rob me of my daughter, and I condemn you to + death; but if you can fulfil three tasks which I shall set you to do your + life shall be spared, on condition you leave the country; but if you + cannot perform what I demand you shall be hung on the nearest tree.’ + </p> + <p> + And turning to the two wicked brothers he said, ‘Suggest something for him + to do; no matter how difficult, he must succeed in it or die.’ + </p> + <p> + They did not think long, but replied, ‘Let him build your Majesty in one + day a more beautiful palace than this, and if he fails in the attempt let + him be hung.’ + </p> + <p> + The King was pleased with this proposal, and commanded Ferko to set to + work on the following day. The two brothers were delighted, for they + thought they had now got rid of Ferko for ever. The poor youth himself was + heart-broken, and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the + King’s domain. As he was wandering disconsolately about the meadows round + the palace, wondering how he could escape being put to death, a little bee + flew past, and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear, ‘What is + troubling you, my kind benefactor? Can I be of any help to you? I am the + bee whose wing you healed, and would like to show my gratitude in some + way.’ + </p> + <p> + Ferko recognised the queen bee, and said, ‘Alas! how could you help me? + for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do, + let him be ever such a genius! To-morrow I must build a palace more + beautiful than the King’s, and it must be finished before evening.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that all?’ answered the bee, ‘then you may comfort yourself; for + before the sun goes down to-morrow night a palace shall be built unlike + any that King has dwelt in before. Just stay here till I come again and + tell you that it is finished.’ Having said this she flew merrily away, and + Ferko, reassured by her words, lay down on the grass and slept peacefully + till the next morning. + </p> + <p> + Early on the following day the whole town was on its feet, and everyone + wondered how and where the stranger would build the wonderful palace. The + Princess alone was silent and sorrowful, and had cried all night till her + pillow was wet, so much did she take the fate of the beautiful youth to + heart. + </p> + <p> + Ferko spent the whole day in the meadows waiting the return of the bee. + And when evening was come the queen bee flew by, and perching on his + shoulder she said, ‘The wonderful palace is ready. Be of good cheer, and + lead the King to the hill just outside the city walls.’ And humming gaily + she flew away again. + </p> + <p> + Ferko went at once to the King and told him the palace was finished. The + whole court went out to see the wonder, and their astonishment was great + at the sight which met their eyes. A splendid palace reared itself on the + hill just outside the walls of the city, made of the most exquisite + flowers that ever grew in mortal garden. The roof was all of crimson + roses, the windows of lilies, the walls of white carnations, the floors of + glowing auriculas and violets, the doors of gorgeous tulips and narcissi + with sunflowers for knockers, and all round hyacinths and other + sweet-smelling flowers bloomed in masses, so that the air was perfumed far + and near and enchanted all who were present. + </p> + <p> + This splendid palace had been built by the grateful queen bee, who had + summoned all the other bees in the kingdom to help her. + </p> + <p> + The King’s amazement knew no bounds, and the Princess’s eyes beamed with + delight as she turned them from the wonderful building on the delighted + Ferko. But the two brothers had grown quite green with envy, and only + declared the more that Ferko was nothing but a wicked magician. + </p> + <p> + The King, although he had been surprised and astonished at the way his + commands had been carried out, was very vexed that the stranger should + escape with his life, and turning to the two brothers he said, ‘He has + certainly accomplished the first task, with the aid no doubt of his + diabolical magic; but what shall we give him to do now? Let us make it as + difficult as possible, and if he fails he shall die.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the eldest brother replied, ‘The corn has all been cut, but it has + not yet been put into barns; let the knave collect all the grain in the + kingdom into one big heap before to-morrow night, and if as much as a + stalk of corn is left let him be put to death. + </p> + <p> + The Princess grew white with terror when she heard these words; but Ferko + felt much more cheerful than he had done the first time, and wandered out + into the meadows again, wondering how he was to get out of the difficulty. + But he could think of no way of escape. The sun sank to rest and night + came on, when a little mouse started out of the grass at Ferko’s feet, and + said to him, ‘I’m delighted to see you, my kind benefactor; but why are + you looking so sad? Can I be of any help to you, and thus repay your great + kindness to me?’ + </p> + <p> + Then Ferko recognised the mouse whose front paws he had healed, and + replied, ‘Alas I how can you help me in a matter that is beyond any human + power! Before to-morrow night all the grain in the kingdom has to be + gathered into one big heap, and if as much as a stalk of corn is wanting I + must pay for it with my life.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that all?’ answered the mouse; ‘that needn’t distress you much. Just + trust in me, and before the sun sets again you shall hear that your task + is done.’ And with these words the little creature scampered away into the + fields. + </p> + <p> + Ferko, who never doubted that the mouse would be as good as its word, lay + down comforted on the soft grass and slept soundly till next morning. The + day passed slowly, and with the evening came the little mouse and said, + ‘Now there is not a single stalk of corn left in any field; they are all + collected in one big heap on the hill out there.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Ferko went joyfully to the King and told him that all he demanded had + been done. And the whole Court went out to see the wonder, and were no + less astonished than they had been the first time. For in a heap higher + than the King’s palace lay all the grain of the country, and not a single + stalk of corn had been left behind in any of the fields. And how had all + this been done? The little mouse had summoned every other mouse in the + land to its help, and together they had collected all the grain in the + kingdom. + </p> + <p> + The King could not hide his amazement, but at the same time his wrath + increased, and he was more ready than ever to believe the two brothers, + who kept on repeating that Ferko was nothing more nor less than a wicked + magician. Only the beautiful Princess rejoiced over Ferko’s success, and + looked on him with friendly glances, which the youth returned. + </p> + <p> + The more the cruel King gazed on the wonder before him, the more angry he + became, for he could not, in the face of his promise, put the stranger to + death. He turned once more to the two brothers and said, ‘His diabolical + magic has helped him again, but now what third task shall we set him to + do? No matter how impossible it is, he must do it or die.’ + </p> + <p> + The eldest answered quickly, ‘Let him drive all the wolves of the kingdom + on to this hill before to-morrow night. If he does this he may go free; if + not he shall be hung as you have said.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the Princess burst into tears, and when the King saw this + he ordered her to be shut up in a high tower and carefully guarded till + the dangerous magician should either have left the kingdom or been hung on + the nearest tree. + </p> + <p> + Ferko wandered out into the fields again, and sat down on the stump of a + tree wondering what he should do next. Suddenly a big wolf ran up to him, + and standing still said, ‘I’m very glad to see you again, my kind + benefactor. What are you thinking about all alone by yourself? If I can + help you in any way only say the word, for I would like to give you a + proof of my gratitude.’ + </p> + <p> + Ferko at once recognised the wolf whose broken leg he had healed, and told + him what he had to do the following day if he wished to escape with his + life. ‘But how in the world,’ he added, ‘am I to collect all the wolves of + the kingdom on to that hill over there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If that’s all you want done,’ answered the wolf, ‘you needn’t worry + yourself. I’ll undertake the task, and you’ll hear from me again before + sunset to-morrow. Keep your spirits up.’ And with these words he trotted + quickly away. + </p> + <p> + Then the youth rejoiced greatly, for now he felt that his life was safe; + but he grew very sad when he thought of the beautiful Princess, and that + he would never see her again if he left the country. He lay down once more + on the grass and soon fell fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + All the next day he spent wandering about the fields, and toward evening + the wolf came running to him in a great hurry and said, ‘I have collected + together all the wolves in the kingdom, and they are waiting for you in + the wood. Go quickly to the King, and tell him to go to the hill that he + may see the wonder you have done with his own eyes. Then return at once to + me and get on my back, and I will help you to drive all the wolves + together.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Ferko went straight to the palace and told the King that he was ready + to perform the third task if he would come to the hill and see it done. + Ferko himself returned to the fields, and mounting on the wolf’s back he + rode to the wood close by. + </p> + <p> + Quick as lightning the wolf flew round the wood, and in a minute many + hundred wolves rose up before him, increasing in number every moment, till + they could be counted by thousands. He drove them all before him on to the + hill, where the King and his whole Court and Ferko’s two brothers were + standing. Only the lovely Princess was not present, for she was shut up in + her tower weeping bitterly. + </p> + <p> + The wicked brothers stamped and foamed with rage when they saw the failure + of their wicked designs. But the King was overcome by a sudden terror when + he saw the enormous pack of wolves approaching nearer and nearer, and + calling out to Ferko he said, ‘Enough, enough, we don’t want any more.’ + </p> + <p> + But the wolf on whose back Ferko sat, said to its rider, ‘Go on! go on!’ + and at the same moment many more wolves ran up the hill, howling horribly + and showing their white teeth. + </p> + <p> + The King in his terror called out, ‘Stop a moment; I will give you half my + kingdom if you will drive all the wolves away.’ But Ferko pretended not to + hear, and drove some more thousands before him, so that everyone quaked + with horror and fear. + </p> + <p> + Then the King raised his voice again and called out, ‘Stop! you shall have + my whole kingdom, if you will only drive these wolves back to the places + they came from.’ + </p> + <p> + But the wolf kept on encouraging Ferko, and said, ‘Go on! go on!’ So he + led the wolves on, till at last they fell on the King and on the wicked + brothers, and ate them and the whole Court up in a moment. + </p> + <p> + Then Ferko went straight to the palace and set the Princess free, and on + the same day he married her and was crowned King of the country. And the + wolves all went peacefully back to their own homes, and Ferko and his + bride lived for many years in peace and happiness together, and were much + beloved by great and small in the land. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE GIANTS AND THE HERD-BOY(12) +</pre> + <p> + (12) From the Bukowniaer. Von Wliolocki. + </p> + <p> + There was once upon a time a poor boy who had neither father nor mother. + In order to gain a living he looked after the sheep of a great Lord. Day + and night he spent out in the open fields, and only when it was very wet + and stormy did he take refuge in a little hut on the edge of a big forest. + Now one night, when he was sitting on the grass beside his flocks, he + heard not very far from him the sound as of some one crying. He rose up + and followed the direction of the noise. To his dismay and astonishment he + found a Giant lying at the entrance of the wood; he was about to run off + as fast as his legs could carry him, when the Giant called out: ‘Don’t be + afraid, I won’t harm you. On the contrary, I will reward you handsomely if + you will bind up my foot. I hurt it when I was trying to root up an + oak-tree.’ The Herd-boy took off his shirt, and bound up the Giant’s + wounded foot with it. Then the Giant rose up and said, ‘Now come and I + will reward you. We are going to celebrate a marriage to-day, and I + promise you we shall have plenty of fun. Come and enjoy yourself, but in + order that my brothers mayn’t see you, put this band round your waist and + then you’ll be invisible.’ With these words he handed the Herd-boy a belt, + and walking on in front he led him to a fountain where hundreds of Giants + and Giantesses were assembled preparing to hold a wedding. They danced and + played different games till midnight; then one of the Giants tore up a + plant by its roots, and all the Giants and Giantesses made themselves so + thin that they disappeared into the earth through the hole made by the + uprooting of the plant. The wounded Giant remained behind to the last and + called out, ‘Herd-boy, where are you?’ ‘Here I am, close to you,’ was the + reply. ‘Touch me,’ said the Giant, ‘so that you too may come with us under + ground.’ The Herd-boy did as he was told, and before he could have + believed it possible he found himself in a big hall, where even the walls + were made of pure gold. Then to his astonishment he saw that the hall was + furnished with the tables and chairs that belonged to his master. In a few + minutes the company began to eat and drink. + </p> + <p> + The banquet was a very gorgeous one, and the poor youth fell to and ate + and drank lustily. When he had eaten and drunk as much as he could he + thought to himself, ‘Why shouldn’t I put a loaf of bread in my pocket? I + shall be glad of it to-morrow.’ So he seized a loaf when no one was + looking and stowed it away under his tunic. No sooner had he done so than + the wounded Giant limped up to him and whispered softly, ‘Herd-boy, where + are you?’ ‘Here I am,’ replied the youth. ‘Then hold on to me,’ said the + Giant, ‘so that I may lead you up above again.’ So the Herd-boy held on to + the Giant, and in a few moments he found himself on the earth once more, + but the Giant had vanished. The Herd-boy returned to his sheep, and took + off the invisible belt which he hid carefully in his bag. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the lad felt hungry, and thought he would cut off a piece + of the loaf he had carried away from the Giants’ wedding feast, and eat + it. But although he tried with all his might, he couldn’t cut off the + smallest piece. Then in despair he bit the loaf, and what was his + astonishment when a piece of gold fell out of his mouth and rolled at his + feet. He bit the bread a second and third time, and each time a piece of + gold fell out of his mouth; but the bread remained untouched. The Herd-boy + was very much delighted over his stroke of good fortune, and, hiding the + magic loaf in his bag, he hurried off to the nearest village to buy + himself something to eat, and then returned to his sheep. + </p> + <p> + Now the Lord whose sheep the Herd-boy looked after had a very lovely + daughter, who always smiled and nodded to the youth when she walked with + her father in his fields. For a long time the Herd-boy had made up his + mind to prepare a surprise for this beautiful creature on her birthday. So + when the day approached he put on his invisible belt, took a sack of gold + pieces with him, and slipping into her room in the middle of the night, he + placed the bag of gold beside her bed and returned to his sheep. The + girl’s joy was great, and so was her parents’ next day when they found the + sack full of gold pieces. The Herd-boy was so pleased to think what + pleasure he had given that the next night he placed another bag of gold + beside the girl’s bed. And this he continued to do for seven nights, and + the girl and her parents made up their minds that it must be a good Fairy + who brought the gold every night. But one night they determined to watch, + and see from their hiding place who the bringer of the sack of gold really + was. + </p> + <p> + On the eighth night a fearful storm of wind and rain came on while the + Herd-boy was on his way to bring the beautiful girl another bag of gold. + Then for the first time he noticed, just as he reached his master’s house, + that he had forgotten the belt which made him invisible. He didn’t like + the idea of going back to his hut in the wind and wet, so he just stepped + as he was into the girl’s room, laid the sack of gold beside her, and was + turning to leave the room, when his master confronted him and said, ‘You + young rogue, so you were going to steal the gold that a good Fairy brings + every night, were you?’ The Herd-boy was so taken aback by his words, that + he stood trembling before him, and did not dare to explain his presence. + Then his master spoke. ‘As you have hitherto always behaved well in my + service I will not send you to prison; but leave your place instantly and + never let me see your face again.’ So the Herd-boy went back to his hut, + and taking his loaf and belt with him, he went to the nearest town. There + he bought himself some fine clothes, and a beautiful coach with four + horses, hired two servants, and drove back to his master. You may imagine + how astonished he was to see his Herd-boy returning to him in this manner! + Then the youth told him of the piece of good luck that had befallen him, + and asked him for the hand of his beautiful daughter. This was readily + granted, and the two lived in peace and happiness to the end of their + lives. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE INVISIBLE PRINCE +</pre> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived a Fairy who had power over the earth, the + sea, fire, and the air; and this Fairy had four sons. The eldest, who was + quick and lively, with a vivid imagination, she made Lord of Fire, which + was in her opinion the noblest of all the elements. To the second son, + whose wisdom and prudence made amends for his being rather dull, she gave + the government of the earth. The third was wild and savage, and of + monstrous stature; and the Fairy, his mother, who was ashamed of his + defects, hoped to hide them by creating him King of the Seas. The + youngest, who was the slave of his passions and of a very uncertain + temper, became Prince of the Air. + </p> + <p> + Being the youngest, he was naturally his mother’s favourite; but this did + not blind her to his weaknesses, and she foresaw that some day he would + suffer much pain through falling in love. So she thought the best thing + she could do was to bring him up with a horror of women; and, to her great + delight, she saw this dislike only increased as he grew older. From his + earliest childhood he heard nothing but stories of princes who had fallen + into all sorts of troubles through love; and she drew such terrible + pictures of poor little Cupid that the young man had no difficulty in + believing that he was the root of all evil. + </p> + <p> + All the time that this wise mother could spare from filling her son with + hatred for all womenkind she passed in giving him a love of the pleasures + of the chase, which henceforth became his chief joy. For his amusement she + had made a new forest, planted with the most splendid trees, and turned + loose in it every animal that could be found in any of the four quarters + of the globe. In the midst of this forest she built a palace which had not + its equal for beauty in the whole world, and then she considered that she + had done enough to make any prince happy. + </p> + <p> + Now it is all very well to abuse the God of Love, but a man cannot + struggle against his fate. In his secret heart the Prince got tired of his + mother’s constant talk on this subject; and when one day she quitted the + palace to attend to some business, begging him never to go beyond the + grounds, he at once jumped at the chance of disobeying her. + </p> + <p> + Left to himself the Prince soon forgot the wise counsels of his mother, + and feeling very much bored with his own company, he ordered some of the + spirits of the air to carry him to the court of a neighbouring sovereign. + This kingdom was situated in the Island of Roses, where the climate is so + delicious that the grass is always green and the flowers always sweet. The + waves, instead of beating on the rocks, seemed to die gently on the shore; + clusters of golden bushes covered the land, and the vines were bent low + with grapes. + </p> + <p> + The King of this island had a daughter named Rosalie, who was more lovely + than any girl in the whole world. No sooner had the eyes of the Prince of + the Air rested on her than he forgot all the terrible woes which had been + prophesied to him ever since he was born, for in one single moment the + plans of years are often upset. He instantly began to think how best to + make himself happy, and the shortest way that occurred to him was to have + Rosalie carried off by his attendant spirits. + </p> + <p> + It is easy to imagine the feelings of the King when he found that his + daughter had vanished. He wept her loss night and day, and his only + comfort was to talk over it with a young and unknown prince, who had just + arrived at the Court. Alas! he did not know what a deep interest the + stranger had in Rosalie, for he too had seen her, and had fallen a victim + to her charms. + </p> + <p> + One day the King, more sorrowful than usual, was walking sadly along the + sea-shore, when after a long silence the unknown Prince, who was his only + companion, suddenly spoke. ‘There is no evil without a remedy,’ he said to + the unhappy father; ‘and if you will promise me your daughter in marriage, + I will undertake to bring her back to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are trying to soothe me by vain promises,’ answered the King. ‘Did I + not see her caught up into the air, in spite of cries which would have + softened the heart of any one but the barbarian who has robbed me of her? + The unfortunate girl is pining away in some unknown land, where perhaps no + foot of man has ever trod, and I shall see her no more. But go, generous + stranger; bring back Rosalie if you can, and live happy with her ever + after in this country, of which I now declare you heir.’ + </p> + <p> + Although the stranger’s name and rank were unknown to Rosalie’s father, he + was really the son of the King of the Golden Isle, which had for capital a + city that extended from one sea to another. The walls, washed by the quiet + waters, were covered with gold, which made one think of the yellow sands. + Above them was a rampart of orange and lemon trees, and all the streets + were paved with gold. + </p> + <p> + The King of this beautiful island had one son, for whom a life of + adventure had been foretold at his birth. This so frightened his father + and mother that in order to comfort them a Fairy, who happened to be + present at the time, produced a little pebble which she told them to keep + for the Prince till he grew up, as by putting it in his mouth he would + become invisible, as long as he did not try to speak, for if he did the + stone would lose all its virtue. In this way the good fairy hoped that the + Prince would be protected against all dangers. + </p> + <p> + No sooner did the Prince begin to grow out of boyhood than he longed to + see if the other countries of the world were as splendid as the one in + which he lived. So, under pretence of visiting some small islands that + belonged to his father, he set out. But a frightful storm drove his ship + on to unknown shores, where most of his followers were put to death by the + savages, and the Prince himself only managed to escape by making use of + his magic pebble. By this means he passed through the midst of them + unseen, and wandered on till he reached the coast, where he re-embarked on + board his ship. + </p> + <p> + The first land he sighted was the Island of Roses, and he went at once to + the court of the King, Rosalie’s father. The moment his eyes beheld the + Princess, he fell in love with her like everyone else. + </p> + <p> + He had already spent several months in this condition when the Prince of + the Air whirled her away, to the grief and despair of every man on the + island. But sad though everybody was, the Prince of the Golden Isle was + perfectly inconsolable, and he passed both days and nights in bemoaning + his loss. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas!’ he cried; ‘shall I never see my lovely Princess again?’ Who knows + where she may be, and what fairy may have her in his keeping? I am only a + man, but I am strong in my love, and I will seek the whole world through + till I find her.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, he left the court, and made ready for his journey. + </p> + <p> + He travelled many weary days without hearing a single word of the lost + Princess, till one morning, as he was walking through a thick forest, he + suddenly perceived a magnificent palace standing at the end of a pine + avenue, and his heart bounded to think that he might be gazing on + Rosalie’s prison. He hastened his steps, and quickly arrived at the gate + of the palace, which was formed of a single agate. The gate swung open to + let him through, and he next passed successively three courts, surrounded + by deep ditches filled with running water, with birds of brilliant plumage + flying about the banks. Everything around was rare and beautiful, but the + Prince scarcely raised his eyes to all these wonders. He thought only of + the Princess and where he should find her, but in vain he opened every + door and searched in every corner; he neither saw Rosalie nor anyone else. + At last there was no place left for him to search but a little wood, which + contained in the centre a sort of hall built entirely of orange-trees, + with four small rooms opening out of the corners. Three of these were + empty except for statues and wonderful things, but in the fourth the + Invisible Prince caught sight of Rosalie. His joy at beholding her again + was, however, somewhat lessened by seeing that the Prince of the Air was + kneeling at her feet, and pleading his own cause. But it was in vain that + he implored her to listen; she only shook her head. ‘No,’ was all she + would say; ‘you snatched me from my father whom I loved, and all the + splendour in the world can never console me. Go! I can never feel anything + towards you but hate and contempt.’ With these words she turned away and + entered her own apartments. + </p> + <p> + Unknown to herself the Invisible Prince had followed her, but fearing to + be discovered by the Princess in the presence of others, he made up his + mind to wait quietly till dark; and employed the long hours in writing a + poem to the Princess, which he laid on the bed beside her. This done, he + thought of nothing but how best to deliver Rosalie, and he resolved to + take advantage of a visit which the Prince of the Air paid every year to + his mother and brothers in order to strike the blow. + </p> + <p> + One day Rosalie was sitting alone in her room thinking of her troubles + when she suddenly saw a pen get up from off the desk and begin to write + all by itself on a sheet of white paper. As she did not know that it was + guided by an invisible hand she was very much astonished, and the moment + that the pen had ceased to move she instantly went over to the table, + where she found some lovely verses, telling her that another shared her + distresses, whatever they might be, and loved her with all his heart; and + that he would never rest until he had delivered her from the hands of the + man she hated. Thus encouraged, she told him all her story, and of the + arrival of a young stranger in her father’s palace, whose looks had so + charmed her that since that day she had thought of no one else. At these + words the Prince could contain himself no longer. He took the pebble from + his mouth, and flung himself at Rosalie’s feet. + </p> + <p> + When they had got over the first rapture of meeting they began to make + plans to escape from the power of the Prince of the Air. But this did not + prove easy, for the magic stone would only serve for one person at a time, + and in order to save Rosalie the Prince of the Golden Isle would have to + expose himself to the fury of his enemy. But Rosalie would not hear of + this. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, Prince,’ she said; ‘since you are here this island no longer feels a + prison. Besides, you are under the protection of a Fairy, who always + visits your father’s court at this season. Go instantly and seek her, and + when she is found implore the gift of another stone with similar powers. + Once you have that, there will be no further difficulty in the way of + escape.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince of the Air returned a few days later from his mother’s palace, + but the Invisible Prince had already set out. He had, however, entirely + forgotten the road by which he had come, and lost himself for so long in + the forest, that when at last he reached home the Fairy had already left, + and, in spite of all his grief, there was nothing for it but to wait till + the Fairy’s next visit, and allow Rosalie to suffer three months longer. + This thought drove him to despair, and he had almost made up his mind to + return to the place of her captivity, when one day, as he was strolling + along an alley in the woods, he saw a huge oak open its trunk, and out of + it step two Princes in earnest conversation. As our hero had the magic + stone in his mouth they imagined themselves alone, and did not lower their + voices. + </p> + <p> + ‘What!’ said one, ‘are you always going to allow yourself to be tormented + by a passion which can never end happily, and in your whole kingdom can + you find nothing else to satisfy you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the use,’ replied the other, ‘of being Prince of the Gnomes, and + having a mother who is queen over all the four elements, if I cannot win + the love of the Princess Argentine? From the moment that I first saw her, + sitting in the forest surrounded by flowers, I have never ceased to think + of her night and day, and, although I love her, I am quite convinced that + she will never care for me. You know that I have in my palace the cabinets + of the years. In the first, great mirrors reflect the past; in the second, + we contemplate the present; in the third, the future can be read. It was + here that I fled after I had gazed on the Princess Argentine, but instead + of love I only saw scorn and contempt. Think how great must be my + devotion, when, in spite of my fate, I still love on!’ + </p> + <p> + Now the Prince of the Golden Isle was enchanted with this conversation, + for the Princess Argentine was his sister, and he hoped, by means of her + influence over the Prince of the Gnomes, to obtain from his brother the + release of Rosalie. So he joyfully returned to his father’s palace, where + he found his friend the Fairy, who at once presented him with a magic + pebble like his own. As may be imagined, he lost no time in setting out to + deliver Rosalie, and travelled so fast that he soon arrived at the forest, + in the midst of which she lay a captive. But though he found the palace he + did not find Rosalie. He hunted high and low, but there was no sign of + her, and his despair was so great that he was ready, a thousand times + over, to take his own life. At last he remembered the conversation of the + two Princes about the cabinets of the years, and that if he could manage + to reach the oak tree, he would be certain to discover what had become of + Rosalie. Happily, he soon found out the secret of the passage and entered + the cabinet of the present, where he saw reflected in the mirrors the + unfortunate Rosalie sitting on the floor weeping bitterly, and surrounded + with genii, who never left her night or day. + </p> + <p> + This sight only increased the misery of the Prince, for he did not know + where the castle was, nor how to set about finding it. However, he + resolved to seek the whole world through till he came to the right place. + He began by setting sail in a favourable wind, but his bad luck followed + him even on the sea. He had scarcely lost sight of the land when a violent + storm arose, and after several hours of beating about, the vessel was + driven on to some rocks, on which it dashed itself to bits. The Prince was + fortunate enough to be able to lay hold of a floating spar, and contrived + to keep himself afloat; and, after a long struggle with the winds and + waves, he was cast upon a strange island. But what was his surprise, on + reaching the shore, to hear sounds of the most heartrending distress, + mingled with the sweetest songs which had ever charmed him! His curiosity + was instantly roused, and he advanced cautiously till he saw two huge + dragons guarding the gate of a wood. They were terrible indeed to look + upon. Their bodies were covered with glittering scales; their curly tails + extended far over the land; flames darted from their mouths and noses, and + their eyes would have made the bravest shudder; but as the Prince was + invisible and they did not see him, he slipped past them into the wood. He + found himself at once in a labyrinth, and wandered about for a long time + without meeting anyone; in fact, the only sight he saw was a circle of + human hands, sticking out of the ground above the wrist, each with a + bracelet of gold, on which a name was written. The farther he advanced in + the labyrinth the more curious he became, till he was stopped by two + corpses lying in the midst of a cypress alley, each with a scarlet cord + round his neck and a bracelet on his arm on which were engraved their own + names, and those of two Princesses. + </p> + <p> + The invisible Prince recognised these dead men as Kings of two large + islands near his own home, but the names of the Princesses were unknown to + him. He grieved for their unhappy fate, and at once proceeded to bury + them; but no sooner had he laid them in their graves, than their hands + started up through the earth and remained sticking up like those of their + fellows. + </p> + <p> + The Prince went on his way, thinking about this strange adventure, when + suddenly at the turn of the walk he perceived a tall man whose face was + the picture of misery, holding in his hands a silken cord of the exact + colour of those round the necks of the dead men. A few steps further this + man came up with another as miserable to the full as he himself; they + silently embraced, and then without a word passed the cords round their + throats, and fell dead side by side. In vain the Prince rushed to their + assistance and strove to undo the cord. He could not loosen it; so he + buried them like the others and continued his path. + </p> + <p> + He felt, however, that great prudence was necessary, or he himself might + become the victim of some enchantment; and he was thankful to slip past + the dragons, and enter a beautiful park, with clear streams and sweet + flowers, and a crowd of men and maidens. But he could not forget the + terrible things he had seen, and hoped eagerly for a clue to the mystery. + Noticing two young people talking together, he drew near thinking that he + might get some explanation of what puzzled him. And so he did. + </p> + <p> + ‘You swear,’ said the Prince, ‘that you will love me till you die, but I + fear your faithless heart, and I feel that I shall soon have to seek the + Fairy Despair, ruler of half this island. She carries off the lovers who + have been cast away by their mistresses, and wish to have done with life. + She places them in a labyrinth where they are condemned to walk for ever, + with a bracelet on their arms and a cord round their necks, unless they + meet another as miserable as themselves. Then the cord is pulled and they + lie where they fall, till they are buried by the first passer by. Terrible + as this death would be,’ added the Prince, ‘it would be sweeter than life + if I had lost your love.’ + </p> + <p> + The sight of all these happy lovers only made the Prince grieve the more, + and he wandered along the seashore spending his days; but one day he was + sitting on a rock bewailing his fate, and the impossibility of leaving the + island, when all in a moment the sea appeared to raise itself nearly to + the skies, and the caves echoed with hideous screams. As he looked a woman + rose from the depths of the sea, flying madly before a furious giant. The + cries she uttered softened the heart of the Prince; he took the stone from + his mouth, and drawing his sword he rushed after the giant, so as to give + the lady time to escape. But hardly had he come within reach of the enemy, + than the giant touched him with a ring that he held in his hand, and the + Prince remained immovable where he stood. The giant then hastily rejoined + his prey, and, seizing her in his arms, he plunged her into the sea. Then + he sent some tritons to bind chains about the Prince of the Golden Isle, + and he too felt himself borne to the depths of the ocean, and without the + hope of ever again seeing the Princess. + </p> + <p> + Now the giant whom the invisible had so rashly attacked was the Lord of + the Sea, and the third son of the Queen of the Elements, and he had + touched the youth with a magic ring which enabled a mortal to live under + water. So the Prince of the Golden Isle found, when bound in chains by the + tritons, he was carried through the homes of strange monsters and past + immense seaweed forests, till he reached a vast sandy space, surrounded by + huge rocks. On the tallest of the rocks sat the giant as on a throne. + </p> + <p> + ‘Rash mortal,’ said he, when the Prince was dragged before him, ‘you have + deserved death, but you shall live only to suffer more cruelly. Go, and + add to the number of those whom it is my pleasure to torture.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the unhappy Prince found himself tied to a rock; but he was + not alone in his misfortunes, for all round him were chained Princes and + Princesses, whom the giant had led captive. Indeed, it was his chief + delight to create a storm, in order to add to the list of his prisoners. + </p> + <p> + As his hands were fastened, it was impossible for the Prince of the Golden + Isle to make use of his magic stone, and he passed his nights and days + dreaming of Rosalie. But at last the time came when the giant took it into + his head to amuse himself by arranging fights between some of his + captives. Lots were drawn, and one fell upon our Prince, whose chains were + immediately loosened. The moment he was set free, he snatched up his + stone, and became invisible. + </p> + <p> + The astonishment of the giant at the sudden disappearance of the Prince + may well be imagined. He ordered all the passages to be watched, but it + was too late, for the Prince had already glided between two rocks. He + wandered for a long while through the forests, where he met nothing but + fearful monsters; he climbed rock after rock, steered his way from tree to + tree, till at length he arrived at the edge of the sea, at the foot of a + mountain that he remembered to have seen in the cabinet of the present, + where Rosalie was held captive. + </p> + <p> + Filled with joy, he made his way to the top of the mountain which pierced + the clouds, and there he found a palace. He entered, and in the middle of + a long gallery he discovered a crystal room, in the midst of which sat + Rosalie, guarded night and day by genii. There was no door anywhere, nor + any window. At this sight the Prince became more puzzled than ever, for he + did not know how he was to warn Rosalie of his return. Yet it broke his + heart to see her weeping from dawn till dark. + </p> + <p> + One day, as Rosalie was walking up and down her room, she was surprised to + see that the crystal which served for a wall had grown cloudy, as if some + one had breathed on it, and, what was more, wherever she moved the + brightness of the crystal always became clouded. This was enough to cause + the Princess to suspect that her lover had returned. In order to set the + Prince of the Air’s mind at rest she began by being very gracious to him, + so that when she begged that her captivity might be a little lightened she + should not be refused. At first the only favour she asked was to be + allowed to walk for one hour every day up and down the long gallery. This + was granted, and the Invisible Prince speedily took the opportunity of + handing her the stone, which she at once slipped into her mouth. No words + can paint the fury of her captor at her disappearance. He ordered the + spirits of the air to fly through all space, and to bring back Rosalie + wherever she might be. They instantly flew off to obey his commands, and + spread themselves over the whole earth. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Rosalie and the Invisible Prince had reached, hand in hand, a + door of the gallery which led through a terrace into the gardens. In + silence they glided along, and thought themselves already safe, when a + furious monster dashed itself by accident against Rosalie and the + Invisible Prince, and in her fright she let go his hand. No one can speak + as long as he is invisible, and besides, they knew that the spirits were + all around them, and at the slightest sound they would be recognised; so + all they could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might + once more meet. + </p> + <p> + But, alas! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time. The Princess, + having wandered in vain up and down the forest, stopped at last on the + edge of a fountain. As she walked she wrote on the trees: ‘If ever the + Prince, my lover, comes this way, let him know that it is here I dwell, + and that I sit daily on the edge of this fountain, mingling my tears with + its waters.’ + </p> + <p> + These words were read by one of the genii, who repeated them to his + master. The Prince of the Air, in his turn making himself invisible, was + led to the fountain, and waited for Rosalie. When she drew near he held + out his hand, which she grasped eagerly, taking it for that of her lover; + and, seizing his opportunity, the Prince passed a cord round her arms, and + throwing off his invisibility cried to his spirits to drag her into the + lowest pit. + </p> + <p> + It was at this moment that the Invisible Prince appeared, and at the sight + of the Prince of the Genii mounting into the air, holding a silken cord, + he guessed instantly that he was carrying off Rosalie. + </p> + <p> + He felt so overwhelmed by despair that he thought for an instant of + putting an end to his life. ‘Can I survive my misfortunes?’ he cried. ‘I + fancied I had come to an end of my troubles, and now they are worse than + ever. What will become of me? Never can I discover the place where this + monster will hide Rosalie.’ + </p> + <p> + The unhappy youth had determined to let himself die, and indeed his sorrow + alone was enough to kill him, when the thought that by means of the + cabinets of the years he might find out where the Princess was imprisoned, + gave him a little ray of comfort. So he continued to walk on through the + forest, and after some hours he arrived at the gate of a temple, guarded + by two huge lions. Being invisible, he was able to enter unharmed. In the + middle of the temple was an altar, on which lay a book, and behind the + altar hung a great curtain. The Prince approached the altar and opened the + book, which contained the names of all the lovers in the world: and in it + he read that Rosalie had been carried off by the Prince of the Air to an + abyss which had no entrance except the one that lay by way of the Fountain + of Gold. + </p> + <p> + Now, as the Prince had not the smallest idea where this fountain was to be + found, it might be thought that he was not much nearer Rosalie than + before. This was not, however, the view taken by the Prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘Though every step that I take may perhaps lead me further from her,’ he + said to himself, ‘I am still thankful to know that she is alive + somewhere.’ + </p> + <p> + On leaving the temple the Invisible Prince saw six paths lying before him, + each of which led through the wood. He was hesitating which to choose, + when he suddenly beheld two people coming towards him, down the track + which lay most to his right. They turned out to be the Prince Gnome and + his friend, and the sudden desire to get some news of his sister, Princess + Argentine, caused the Invisible Prince to follow them and to listen to + their conversation. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you think,’ the Prince Gnome was saying, ‘do you think that I would + not break my chains if I could? I know that the Princess Argentine will + never love me, yet each day I feel her dearer still. And as if this were + not enough, I have the horror of feeling that she probably loves another. + So I have resolved to put myself out of my pain by means of the Golden + Fountain. A single drop of its water falling on the sand around will trace + the name of my rival in her heart. I dread the test, and yet this very + dread convinces me of my misfortune.’ + </p> + <p> + It may be imagined that after listening to these words the Invisible + Prince followed Prince Gnome like his shadow, and after walking some time + they arrived at the Golden Fountain. The unhappy lover stooped down with a + sigh, and dipping his finger in the water let fall a drop on the sand. It + instantly wrote the name of Prince Flame, his brother. The shock of this + discovery was so real, that Prince Gnome sank fainting into the arms of + his friend. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the Invisible Prince was turning over in his mind how he could + best deliver Rosalie. As, since he had been touched by the Giant’s ring, + he had the power to live in the water as well as on land, he at once dived + into the fountain. He perceived in one corner a door leading into the + mountain, and at the foot of the mountain was a high rock on which was + fixed an iron ring with a cord attached. The Prince promptly guessed that + the cord was used to chain the Princess, and drew his sword and cut it. In + a moment he felt the Princess’s hand in his, for she had always kept her + magic pebble in her mouth, in spite of the prayers and entreaties of the + Prince of the Air to make herself visible. + </p> + <p> + So hand in hand the invisible Prince and Rosalie crossed the mountain; but + as the Princess had no power of living under water, she could not pass the + Golden Fountain. Speechless and invisible they clung together on the + brink, trembling at the frightful tempest the Prince of the Air had raised + in his fury. The storm had already lasted many days when tremendous heat + began to make itself felt. The lightning flashed, the thunder rattled, + fire bolts fell from heaven, burning up the forests and even the fields of + corn. In one instant the very streams were dried up, and the Prince, + seizing his opportunity, carried the Princess over the Golden Fountain. + </p> + <p> + It took them a long time still to reach the Golden Isle, but at last they + got there, and we may be quite sure they never wanted to leave it any + more. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE CROW(13) +</pre> + <p> + (13) From the Polish. Kletke. + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time there were three Princesses who were all three young and + beautiful; but the youngest, although she was not fairer than the other + two, was the most loveable of them all. + </p> + <p> + About half a mile from the palace in which they lived there stood a + castle, which was uninhabited and almost a ruin, but the garden which + surrounded it was a mass of blooming flowers, and in this garden the + youngest Princess used often to walk. + </p> + <p> + One day when she was pacing to and fro under the lime trees, a black crow + hopped out of a rose-bush in front of her. The poor beast was all torn and + bleeding, and the kind little Princess was quite unhappy about it. When + the crow saw this it turned to her and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not really a black crow, but an enchanted Prince, who has been + doomed to spend his youth in misery. If you only liked, Princess, you + could save me. But you would have to say good-bye to all your own people + and come and be my constant companion in this ruined castle. There is one + habitable room in it, in which there is a golden bed; there you will have + to live all by yourself, and don’t forget that whatever you may see or + hear in the night you must not scream out, for if you give as much as a + single cry my sufferings will be doubled.’ + </p> + <p> + The good-natured Princess at once left her home and her family and hurried + to the ruined castle, and took possession of the room with the golden bed. + </p> + <p> + When night approached she lay down, but though she shut her eyes tight + sleep would not come. At midnight she heard to her great horror some one + coming along the passage, and in a minute her door was flung wide open and + a troop of strange beings entered the room. They at once proceeded to + light a fire in the huge fireplace; then they placed a great cauldron of + boiling water on it. When they had done this, they approached the bed on + which the trembling girl lay, and, screaming and yelling all the time, + they dragged her towards the cauldron. She nearly died with fright, but + she never uttered a sound. Then of a sudden the cock crew, and all the + evil spirits vanished. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment the crow appeared and hopped all round the room with + joy. It thanked the Princess most heartily for her goodness, and said that + its sufferings had already been greatly lessened. + </p> + <p> + Now one of the Princess’s elder sisters, who was very inquisitive, had + found out about everything, and went to pay her youngest sister a visit in + the ruined castle. She implored her so urgently to let her spend the night + with her in the golden bed, that at last the good-natured little Princess + consented. But at midnight, when the odd folk appeared, the elder sister + screamed with terror, and from this time on the youngest Princess insisted + always on keeping watch alone. + </p> + <p> + So she lived in solitude all the daytime, and at night she would have been + frightened, had she not been so brave; but every day the crow came and + thanked her for her endurance, and assured her that his sufferings were + far less than they had been. + </p> + <p> + And so two years passed away, when one day the crow came to the Princess + and said: ‘In another year I shall be freed from the spell I am under at + present, because then the seven years will be over. But before I can + resume my natural form, and take possession of the belongings of my + forefathers, you must go out into the world and take service as a + maidservant.’ + </p> + <p> + The young Princess consented at once, and for a whole year she served as a + maid; but in spite of her youth and beauty she was very badly treated, and + suffered many things. One evening, when she was spinning flax, and had + worked her little white hands weary, she heard a rustling beside her and a + cry of joy. Then she saw a handsome youth standing beside her; who knelt + down at her feet and kissed the little weary white hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am the Prince,’ he said, ‘who you in your goodness, when I was + wandering about in the shape of a black crow, freed from the most awful + torments. Come now to my castle with me, and let us live there happily + together.’ + </p> + <p> + So they went to the castle where they had both endured so much. But when + they reached it, it was difficult to believe that it was the same, for it + had all been rebuilt and done up again. And there they lived for a hundred + years, a hundred years of joy and happiness. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOW SIX MEN TRAVELLED THROUGH THE WIDE WORLD + </h2> + <p> + There was once upon a time a man who understood all sorts of arts; he + served in the war, and bore himself bravely and well; but when the war was + over, he got his discharge, and set out on his travels with three + farthings of his pay in his pocket. ‘Wait,’ he said; ‘that does not please + me; only let me find the right people, and the King shall yet give me all + the treasures of his kingdom.’ He strode angrily into the forest, and + there he saw a man standing who had uprooted six trees as if they were + straws. He said to him, ‘Will you be my servant and travel with me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ he answered; ‘but first of all I will take this little bundle of + sticks home to my mother,’ and he took one of the trees and wound it round + the other five, raised the bundle on his shoulders and bore it off. Then + he came back and went with his master, who said, ‘We two ought to be able + to travel through the wide world!’ And when they had gone a little way + they came upon a hunter, who was on his knees, his gun on his shoulder, + aiming at something. The master said to him, ‘Hunter, what are you aiming + at?’ + </p> + <p> + He answered, ‘Two miles from this place sits a fly on a branch of an oak; + I want to shoot out its left eye.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, go with me,’ said the man; ‘if we three are together we shall easily + travel through the wide world.’ + </p> + <p> + The hunter agreed and went with him, and they came to seven windmills + whose sails were going round quite fast, and yet there was not a breath of + wind, nor was a leaf moving. The man said, ‘I don’t know what is turning + those windmills; there is not the slightest breeze blowing.’ So he walked + on with his servants, and when they had gone two miles they saw a man + sitting on a tree, holding one of his nostrils and blowing out of the + other. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fellow, what are you puffing at up there?’ asked the man. + </p> + <p> + He replied, ‘Two miles from this place are standing seven windmills; see, + I am blowing to drive them round.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, go with me,’ said the man; ‘if we four are together we shall easily + travel through the wide world.’ + </p> + <p> + So the blower got down and went with him, and after a time they saw a man + who was standing on one leg, and had unstrapped the other and laid it near + him. Then said the master, ‘You have made yourself very comfortable to + rest!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am a runner,’ answered he; ‘and so that I shall not go too quickly, I + have unstrapped one leg; when I run with two legs, I go faster than a bird + flies.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, go with me; if we five are together, we shall easily travel through + the wide world.’ So he went with him, and, not long afterwards, they met a + man who wore a little hat, but he had it slouched over one ear. + </p> + <p> + ‘Manners, manners!’ said the master to him; ‘don’t hang your hat over one + ear; you look like a madman!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I dare not,’ said the other, ‘for if I were to put my hat on straight, + there would come such a frost that the very birds in the sky would freeze + and fall dead on the earth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, go with me,’ said the master; ‘if we six are together, we shall + easily travel through the wide world. + </p> + <p> + Now the Six came to a town in which the King had proclaimed that whoever + should run with his daughter in a race, and win, should become her + husband; but if he lost, he must lose his head. This was reported to the + man who declared he would compete, ‘but,’ he said, ‘I shall let my servant + run for me.’ + </p> + <p> + The King replied, ‘Then both your heads must be staked, and your head and + his must be guaranteed for the winner.’ + </p> + <p> + When this was agreed upon and settled, the man strapped on the runner’s + other leg, saying to him, ‘Now be nimble, and see that we win!’ It was + arranged that whoever should first bring water out of a stream a long way + off, should be the victor. Then the runner got a pitcher, and the King’s + daughter another, and they began to run at the same time; but in a moment, + when the King’s daughter was only just a little way off, no spectator + could see the runner, and it seemed as if the wind had whistled past. In a + short time he reached the stream, filled his pitcher with water, and + turned round again. But, half way home, a great drowsiness came over him; + he put down his pitcher, lay down, and fell asleep. He had, however, put a + horse’s skull which was lying on the ground, for his pillow, so that he + should not be too comfortable and might soon wake up. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the King’s daughter, who could also run well, as well as + an ordinary man could, reached the stream, and hastened back with her + pitcher full of water. When she saw the runner lying there asleep, she was + delighted, and said, ‘My enemy is given into my hands!’ She emptied his + pitcher and ran on. + </p> + <p> + Everything now would have been lost, if by good luck the hunter had not + been standing on the castle tower and had seen everything with his sharp + eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah,’ said he, ‘the King’s daughter shall not overreach us;’ and, loading + his gun, he shot so cleverly, that he shot away the horse’s skull from + under the runner’s head, without its hurting him. Then the runner awoke, + jumped up, and saw that his pitcher was empty and the King’s daughter far + ahead. But he did not lose courage, and ran back to the stream with his + pitcher, filled it once more with water, and was home ten minutes before + the King’s daughter arrived. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look,’ said he, ‘I have only just exercised my legs; that was nothing of + a run.’ + </p> + <p> + But the King was angry, and his daughter even more so, that she should be + carried away by a common, discharged soldier. They consulted together how + they could destroy both him and his companions. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ said the King to her, ‘I have found a way. Don’t be frightened; + they shall not come home again.’ He said to them, ‘You must now make merry + together, and eat and drink,’ and he led them into a room which had a + floor of iron; the doors were also of iron, and the windows were barred + with iron. In the room was a table spread with delicious food. The King + said to them, ‘Go in and enjoy yourselves,’ and as soon as they were + inside he had the doors shut and bolted. Then he made the cook come, and + ordered him to keep up a large fire under the room until the iron was + red-hot. The cook did so, and the Six sitting round the table felt it grow + very warm, and they thought this was because of their good fare; but when + the heat became still greater and they wanted to go out, but found the + doors and windows fastened, then they knew that the King meant them harm + and was trying to suffocate them. + </p> + <p> + ‘But he shall not succeed,’ cried he of the little hat, ‘I will make a + frost come which shall make the fire ashamed and die out!’ So he put his + hat on straight, and at once there came such a frost that all the heat + disappeared and the food on the dishes began to freeze. When a couple of + hours had passed, and the King thought they must be quite dead from the + heat, he had the doors opened and went in himself to see. + </p> + <p> + But when the doors were opened, there stood all Six, alive and well, + saying they were glad they could come out to warm themselves, for the + great cold in the room had frozen all the food hard in the dishes. Then + the King went angrily to the cook, and scolded him, and asked him why he + had not done what he was told. + </p> + <p> + But the cook answered, ‘There is heat enough there; see for yourself.’ + Then the King saw a huge fire burning under the iron room, and understood + that he could do no harm to the Six in this way. The King now began again + to think how he could free himself from his unwelcome guests. He commanded + the master to come before him, and said, ‘If you will take gold, and give + up your right to my daughter, you shall have as much as you like.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes, your Majesty,’ answered he, ‘give me as much as my servant can + carry, and I will give up your daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + The King was delighted, and the man said, ‘I will come and fetch it in + fourteen days.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he called all the tailors in the kingdom together, and made them sit + down for fourteen days sewing at a sack. When it was finished, he made the + strong man who had uprooted the trees take the sack on his shoulder and go + with him to the King. Then the King said, ‘What a powerful fellow that is, + carrying that bale of linen as large as a house on his shoulder!’ and he + was much frightened, and thought ‘What a lot of gold he will make away + with!’ Then he had a ton of gold brought, which sixteen of the strongest + men had to carry; but the strong man seized it with one hand, put it in + the sack, saying, ‘Why don’t you bring me more? That scarcely covers the + bottom!’ Then the King had to send again and again to fetch his treasures, + which the strong man shoved into the sack, and the sack was only half + full. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring more,’ he cried, ‘these crumbs don’t fill it.’ So seven thousand + waggons of the gold of the whole kingdom were driven up; these the strong + man shoved into the sack, oxen and all. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will no longer be particular,’ he said, ‘and will take what comes, so + that the sack shall be full.’ + </p> + <p> + When everything was put in and there was not yet enough, he said, ‘I will + make an end of this; it is easy to fasten a sack when it is not full.’ + Then he threw it on his back and went with his companions. + </p> + <p> + Now, when the King saw how a single man was carrying away the wealth of + the whole country he was very angry, and made his cavalry mount and pursue + the Six, and bring back the strong man with the sack. Two regiments soon + overtook them, and called to them, ‘You are prisoners! lay down the sack + of gold or you shall be cut down.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you say?’ said the blower, ‘we are prisoners? Before that, you + shall dance in the air!’ And he held one nostril and blew with the other + at the two regiments; they were separated and blown away in the blue sky + over the mountains, one this way, and the other that. A sergeant-major + cried for mercy, saying he had nine wounds, and was a brave fellow, and + did not deserve this disgrace. So the blower let him off, and he came down + without hurt. Then he said to him, ‘Now go home to the King, and say that + if he sends any more cavalry I will blow them all into the air.’ + </p> + <p> + When the King received the message, he said, ‘Let the fellows go; they are + bewitched.’ Then the Six brought the treasure home, shared it among + themselves, and lived contentedly till the end of their days. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE WIZARD KING(14) +</pre> + <p> + (14) From Les fees illustres. + </p> + <p> + In very ancient times there lived a King, whose power lay not only in the + vast extent of his dominions, but also in the magic secrets of which he + was master. After spending the greater part of his early youth in + pleasure, he met a Princess of such remarkable beauty that he at once + asked her hand in marriage, and, having obtained it, considered himself + the happiest of men. + </p> + <p> + After a year’s time a son was born, worthy in every way of such + distinguished parents, and much admired by the whole Court. As soon as the + Queen thought him strong enough for a journey she set out with him + secretly to visit her Fairy godmother. I said secretly, because the Fairy + had warned the Queen that the King was a magician; and as from time + immemorial there had been a standing feud between the Fairies and the + Wizards, he might not have approved of his wife’s visit. + </p> + <p> + The Fairy godmother, who took the deepest interest in all the Queen’s + concerns, and who was much pleased with the little Prince, endowed him + with the power of pleasing everybody from his cradle, as well as with a + wonderful ease in learning everything which could help to make him a + perfectly accomplished Prince. Accordingly, to the delight of his + teachers, he made the most rapid progress in his education, constantly + surpassing everyone’s expectations. Before he was many years old, however, + he had the great sorrow of losing his mother, whose last words were to + advise him never to undertake anything of importance without consulting + the Fairy under whose protection she had placed him. + </p> + <p> + The Prince’s grief at the death of his mother was great, but it was + nothing compared to that of the King, his father, who was quite + inconsolable for the loss of his dear wife. Neither time nor reason seemed + to lighten his sorrow, and the sight of all the familiar faces and things + about him only served to remind him of his loss. He therefore resolved to + travel for change, and by means of his magic art was able to visit every + country he came to see under different shapes, returning every few weeks + to the place where he had left a few followers. + </p> + <p> + Having travelled from land to land in this fashion without finding + anything to rivet his attention, it occurred to him to take the form of an + eagle, and in this shape he flew across many countries and arrived at + length in a new and lovely spot, where the air seemed filled with the + scent of jessamine and orange flowers with which the ground was thickly + planted. Attracted by the sweet perfume he flew lower, and perceived some + large and beautiful gardens filled with the rarest flowers, and with + fountains throwing up their clear waters into the air in a hundred + different shapes. A wide stream flowed through the garden, and on it + floated richly ornamented barges and gondolas filled with people dressed + in the most elegant manner and covered with jewels. + </p> + <p> + In one of these barges sat the Queen of that country with her only + daughter, a maiden more beautiful than the Day Star, and attended by the + ladies of the Court. No more exquisitely lovely mortal was ever seen than + this Princess, and it needed all an eagle’s strength of sight to prevent + the King being hopelessly dazzled. He perched on the top of a large orange + tree, whence he was able to survey the scene and to gaze at pleasure on + the Princess’s charms. + </p> + <p> + Now, an eagle with a King’s heart in his breast is apt to be bold, and + accordingly he instantly made up his mind to carry off the lovely damsel, + feeling sure that having once seen her he could not live without her. + </p> + <p> + He waited till he saw her in the act of stepping ashore, when, suddenly + swooping down, he carried her off before her equerry in attendance had + advanced to offer her his hand. The Princess, on finding herself in an + eagle’s talons, uttered the most heart-breaking shrieks and cries; but her + captor, though touched by her distress, would not abandon his lovely prey, + and continued to fly through the air too fast to allow of his saying + anything to comfort her. + </p> + <p> + At length, when he thought they had reached a safe distance, he began to + lower his flight, and gradually descending to earth, deposited his burden + in a flowery meadow. He then entreated her pardon for his violence, and + told her that he was about to carry her to a great kingdom over which he + ruled, and where he desired she should rule with him, adding many tender + and consoling expressions. + </p> + <p> + For some time the Princess remained speechless; but recovering herself a + little, she burst into a flood of tears. The King, much moved, said, + ‘Adorable Princess, dry your tears. I implore you. My only wish is to make + you the happiest person in the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you speak truth, my lord,’ replied the Princess, ‘restore to me the + liberty you have deprived me of. Otherwise I can only look on you as my + worst enemy.’ + </p> + <p> + The King retorted that her opposition filled him with despair, but that he + hoped to carry her to a place where all around would respect her, and + where every pleasure would surround her. So saying, he seized her once + more, and in spite of all her cries he rapidly bore her off to the + neighbourhood of his capital. Here he gently placed her on a lawn, and as + he did so she saw a magnificent palace spring up at her feet. The + architecture was imposing, and in the interior the rooms were handsome and + furnished in the best possible taste. + </p> + <p> + The Princess, who expected to be quite alone, was pleased at finding + herself surrounded by a number of pretty girls, all anxious to wait on + her, whilst a brilliantly-coloured parrot said the most agreeable things + in the world. + </p> + <p> + On arriving at this palace the King had resumed his own form, and though + no longer young, he might well have pleased any other than this Princess, + who had been so prejudiced against him by his violence that she could only + regard him with feelings of hatred, which she was at no pains to conceal. + The King hoped, however, that time might not only soften her anger, but + accustom her to his sight. He took the precaution of surrounding the + palace with a dense cloud, and then hastened to his Court, where his + prolonged absence was causing much anxiety. + </p> + <p> + The Prince and all the courtiers were delighted to see their beloved King + again, but they had to submit themselves to more frequent absences than + ever on his part. He made business a pretext for shutting himself up in + his study, but it was really in order to spend the time with the Princess, + who remained inflexible. + </p> + <p> + Not being able to imagine what could be the cause of so much obstinacy the + King began to fear, lest, in spite of all his precautions, she might have + heard of the charms of the Prince his son, whose goodness, youth and + beauty, made him adored at Court. This idea made him horribly uneasy, and + he resolved to remove the cause of his fears by sending the Prince on his + travels escorted by a magnificent retinue. + </p> + <p> + The Prince, after visiting several Courts, arrived at the one where the + lost Princess was still deeply mourned. The King and Queen received him + most graciously, and some festivities were revived to do him honour. + </p> + <p> + One day when the Prince was visiting the Queen in her own apartments he + was much struck by a most beautiful portrait. He eagerly inquired whose it + was, and the Queen, with many tears, told him it was all that was left her + of her beloved daughter, who had suddenly been carried off, she knew + neither where nor how. + </p> + <p> + The Prince was deeply moved, and vowed that he would search the world for + the Princess, and take no rest till he had found and restored her to her + mother’s arms. The Queen assured him of her eternal gratitude, and + promised, should he succeed, to give him her daughter in marriage, + together with all the estates she herself owned. + </p> + <p> + The Prince, far more attracted by the thoughts of possessing the Princess + than her promised dower, set forth in his quest after taking leave of the + King and Queen, the latter giving him a miniature of her daughter which + she was in the habit of wearing. His first act was to seek the Fairy under + whose protection he had been placed, and he implored her to give him all + the assistance of her art and counsel in this important matter. + </p> + <p> + After listening attentively to the whole adventure, the Fairy asked for + time to consult her books. After due consideration she informed the Prince + that the object of his search was not far distant, but that it was too + difficult for him to attempt to enter the enchanted palace where she was, + as the King his father had surrounded it with a thick cloud, and that the + only expedient she could think of would be to gain possession of the + Princess’s parrot. This, she added, did not appear impossible, as it often + flew about to some distance in the neighbourhood. + </p> + <p> + Having told the Prince all this, the Fairy went out in hopes of seeing the + parrot, and soon returned with the bird in her hand. She promptly shut it + up in a cage, and, touching the Prince with her wand, transformed him into + an exactly similar parrot; after which, she instructed him how to reach + the Princess. + </p> + <p> + The Prince reached the palace in safety, but was so dazzled at first by + the Princess’s beauty, which far surpassed his expectations, that he was + quite dumb for a time. The Princess was surprised and anxious, and fearing + the parrot, who was her greatest comfort, had fallen ill, she took him in + her hand and caressed him. This soon reassured the Prince, and encouraged + him to play his part well, and he began to say a thousand agreeable things + which charmed the Princess. + </p> + <p> + Presently the King appeared, and the parrot noticed with joy how much he + was disliked. As soon as the King left, the Princess retired to her + dressing-room, the parrot flew after her and overheard her lamentations at + the continued persecutions of the King, who had pressed her to consent to + their marriage. The parrot said so many clever and tender things to + comfort her that she began to doubt whether this could indeed be her own + parrot. + </p> + <p> + When he saw her well-disposed towards him, he exclaimed: ‘Madam, I have a + most important secret to confide to you, and I beg you not to be alarmed + by what I am about to say. I am here on behalf of the Queen your mother, + with the object of delivering your Highness; to prove which, behold this + portrait which she gave me herself.’ So saying he drew forth the miniature + from under his wing. The Princess’s surprise was great, but after what she + had seen and heard it was impossible not to indulge in hope, for she had + recognised the likeness of herself which her mother always wore. + </p> + <p> + The parrot, finding she was not much alarmed, told her who he was, all + that her mother had promised him and the help he had already received from + a Fairy who had assured him that she would give him means to transport the + Princess to her mother’s arms. + </p> + <p> + When he found her listening attentively to him, he implored the Princess + to allow him to resume his natural shape. She did not speak, so he drew a + feather from his wing, and she beheld before her a Prince of such + surpassing beauty that it was impossible not to hope that she might owe + her liberty to so charming a person. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the Fairy had prepared a chariot, to which she harnessed two + powerful eagles; then placing the cage, with the parrot in it, she charged + the bird to conduct it to the window of the Princess’s dressing-room. This + was done in a few minutes, and the Princess, stepping into the chariot + with the Prince, was delighted to find her parrot again. + </p> + <p> + As they rose through the air the Princess remarked a figure mounted on an + eagle’s back flying in front of the chariot. She was rather alarmed, but + the Prince reassured her, telling her it was the good Fairy to whom she + owed so much, and who was now conducting her in safety to her mother. + </p> + <p> + That same morning the King woke suddenly from a troubled sleep. He had + dreamt that the Princess was being carried off from him, and, transforming + himself into an eagle, he flew to the palace. When he failed to find her + he flew into a terrible rage, and hastened home to consult his books, by + which means he discovered that it was his son who had deprived him of this + precious treasure. Immediately he took the shape of a harpy, and, filled + with rage, was determined to devour his son, and even the Princess too, if + only he could overtake them. + </p> + <p> + He set out at full speed; but he started too late, and was further delayed + by a strong wind which the Fairy raised behind the young couple so as to + baffle any pursuit. + </p> + <p> + You may imagine the rapture with which the Queen received the daughter she + had given up for lost, as well as the amiable Prince who had rescued her. + The Fairy entered with them, and warned the Queen that the Wizard King + would shortly arrive, infuriated by his loss, and that nothing could + preserve the Prince and Princess from his rage and magic unless they were + actually married. + </p> + <p> + The Queen hastened to inform the King her husband, and the wedding took + place on the spot. + </p> + <p> + As the ceremony was completed the Wizard King arrived. His despair at + being so late bewildered him so entirely that he appeared in his natural + form and attempted to sprinkle some black liquid over the bride and + bridegroom, which was intended to kill them, but the Fairy stretched out + her wand and the liquid dropped on the Magician himself. He fell down + senseless, and the Princess’s father, deeply offended at the cruel revenge + which had been attempted, ordered him to be removed and locked up in + prison. + </p> + <p> + Now as magicians lose all their power as soon as they are in prison, the + King felt himself much embarrassed at being thus at the mercy of those he + had so greatly offended. The Prince implored and obtained his father’s + pardon, and the prison doors were opened. + </p> + <p> + No sooner was this done than the Wizard King was seen in the air under the + form of some unknown bird, exclaiming as he flew off that he would never + forgive either his son or the Fairy the cruel wrong they had done him. + </p> + <p> + Everyone entreated the Fairy to settle in the kingdom where she now was, + to which she consented. She built herself a magnificent palace, to which + she transported her books and fairy secrets, and where she enjoyed the + sight of the perfect happiness she had helped to bestow on the entire + royal family. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE NIXY(15) +</pre> + <p> + (15) From the German. Kletke. + </p> + <p> + There was once upon a time a miller who was very well off, and had as much + money and as many goods as he knew what to do with. But sorrow comes in + the night, and the miller all of a sudden became so poor that at last he + could hardly call the mill in which he sat his own. He wandered about all + day full of despair and misery, and when he lay down at night he could get + no rest, but lay awake all night sunk in sorrowful thoughts. + </p> + <p> + One morning he rose up before dawn and went outside, for he thought his + heart would be lighter in the open air. As he wandered up and down on the + banks of the mill-pond he heard a rustling in the water, and when he + looked near he saw a white woman rising up from the waves. + </p> + <p> + He realised at once that this could be none other than the nixy of the + mill-pond, and in his terror he didn’t know if he should fly away or + remain where he was. While he hesitated the nixy spoke, called him by his + name, and asked him why he was so sad. + </p> + <p> + When the miller heard how friendly her tone was, he plucked up heart and + told her how rich and prosperous he had been all his life up till now, + when he didn’t know what he was to do for want and misery. + </p> + <p> + Then the nixy spoke comforting words to him, and promised that she would + make him richer and more prosperous than he had ever been in his life + before, if he would give her in return the youngest thing in his house. + </p> + <p> + The miller thought she must mean one of his puppies or kittens, so + promised the nixy at once what she asked, and returned to his mill full of + hope. On the threshold he was greeted by a servant with the news that his + wife had just given birth to a boy. + </p> + <p> + The poor miller was much horrified by these tidings, and went in to his + wife with a heavy heart to tell her and his relations of the fatal bargain + he had just struck with the nixy. ‘I would gladly give up all the good + fortune she promised me,’ he said, ‘if I could only save my child.’ But no + one could think of any advice to give him, beyond taking care that the + child never went near the mill-pond. + </p> + <p> + So the boy throve and grew big, and in the meantime all prospered with the + miller, and in a few years he was richer than he had ever been before. But + all the same he did not enjoy his good fortune, for he could not forget + his compact with the nixy, and he knew that sooner or later she would + demand his fulfilment of it. But year after year went by, and the boy grew + up and became a great hunter, and the lord of the land took him into his + service, for he was as smart and bold a hunter as you would wish to see. + In a short time he married a pretty young wife, and lived with her in + great peace and happiness. + </p> + <p> + One day when he was out hunting a hare sprang up at his feet, and ran for + some way in front of him in the open field. The hunter pursued it hotly + for some time, and at last shot it dead. Then he proceeded to skin it, + never noticing that he was close to the mill-pond, which from childhood up + he had been taught to avoid. He soon finished the skinning, and went to + the water to wash the blood off his hands. He had hardly dipped them in + the pond when the nixy rose up in the water, and seizing him in her wet + arms she dragged him down with her under the waves. + </p> + <p> + When the hunter did not come home in the evening his wife grew very + anxious, and when his game bag was found close to the mill-pond she + guessed at once what had befallen him. She was nearly beside herself with + grief, and roamed round and round the pond calling on her husband without + ceasing. At last, worn out with sorrow and fatigue, she fell asleep and + dreamt that she was wandering along a flowery meadow, when she came to a + hut where she found an old witch, who promised to restore her husband to + her. + </p> + <p> + When she awoke next morning she determined to set out and find the witch; + so she wandered on for many a day, and at last she reached the flowery + meadow and found the hut where the old witch lived. The poor wife told her + all that had happened and how she had been told in a dream of the witch’s + power to help her. + </p> + <p> + The witch counselled her to go to the pond the first time there was a full + moon, and to comb her black hair with a golden comb, and then to place the + comb on the bank. The hunter’s wife gave the witch a handsome present, + thanked her heartily, and returned home. + </p> + <p> + Time dragged heavily till the time of the full moon, but it passed at + last, and as soon as it rose the young wife went to the pond, combed her + black hair with a golden comb, and when she had finished, placed the comb + on the bank; then she watched the water impatiently. Soon she heard a + rushing sound, and a big wave rose suddenly and swept the comb off the + bank, and a minute after the head of her husband rose from the pond and + gazed sadly at her. But immediately another wave came, and the head sank + back into the water without having said a word. The pond lay still and + motionless, glittering in the moonshine, and the hunter’s wife was not a + bit better off than she had been before. + </p> + <p> + In despair she wandered about for days and nights, and at last, worn out + by fatigue, she sank once more into a deep sleep, and dreamt exactly the + same dream about the old witch. So next morning she went again to the + flowery meadow and sought the witch in her hut, and told her of her grief. + The old woman counselled her to go to the mill-pond the next full moon and + play upon a golden flute, and then to lay the flute on the bank. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the next moon was full the hunter’s wife went to the mill-pond, + played on a golden flute, and when she had finished placed it on the bank. + Then a rushing sound was heard, and a wave swept the flute off the bank, + and soon the head of the hunter appeared and rose up higher and higher + till he was half out of the water. Then he gazed sadly at his wife and + stretched out his arms towards her. But another rushing wave arose and + dragged him under once more. The hunter’s wife, who had stood on the bank + full of joy and hope, sank into despair when she saw her husband snatched + away again before her eyes. + </p> + <p> + But for her comfort she dreamt the same dream a third time, and betook + herself once more to the old witch’s hut in the flowery meadow. This time + the old woman told her to go the next full moon to the mill-pond, and to + spin there with a golden spinning-wheel, and then to leave the + spinning-wheel on the bank. + </p> + <p> + The hunter’s wife did as she was advised, and the first night the moon was + full she sat and spun with a golden spinning-wheel, and then left the + wheel on the bank. In a few minutes a rushing sound was heard in the + waters, and a wave swept the spinning-wheel from the bank. Immediately the + head of the hunter rose up from the pond, getting higher and higher each + moment, till at length he stepped on to the bank and fell on his wife’s + neck. + </p> + <p> + But the waters of the pond rose up suddenly, overflowed the bank where the + couple stood, and dragged them under the flood. In her despair the young + wife called on the old witch to help her, and in a moment the hunter was + turned into a frog and his wife into a toad. But they were not able to + remain together, for the water tore them apart, and when the flood was + over they both resumed their own shapes again, but the hunter and the + hunter’s wife found themselves each in a strange country, and neither knew + what had become of the other. + </p> + <p> + The hunter determined to become a shepherd, and his wife too became a + shepherdess. So they herded their sheep for many years in solitude and + sadness. + </p> + <p> + Now it happened once that the shepherd came to the country where the + shepherdess lived. The neighbourhood pleased him, and he saw that the + pasture was rich and suitable for his flocks. So he brought his sheep + there, and herded them as before. The shepherd and shepherdess became + great friends, but they did not recognise each other in the least. + </p> + <p> + But one evening when the moon was full they sat together watching their + flocks, and the shepherd played upon his flute. Then the shepherdess + thought of that evening when she had sat at the full moon by the mill-pond + and had played on the golden flute; the recollection was too much for her, + and she burst into tears. The shepherd asked her why she was crying, and + left her no peace till she told him all her story. Then the scales fell + from the shepherd’s eyes, and he recognised his wife, and she him. So they + returned joyfully to their own home, and lived in peace and happiness ever + after. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GLASS MOUNTAIN(16) + </h2> + <h3> + (16) From the Polish. Kletke. + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a Glass Mountain at the top of which stood a + castle made of pure gold, and in front of the castle there grew an + apple-tree on which there were golden apples. + </p> + <p> + Anyone who picked an apple gained admittance into the golden castle, and + there in a silver room sat an enchanted Princess of surpassing fairness + and beauty. She was as rich too as she was beautiful, for the cellars of + the castle were full of precious stones, and great chests of the finest + gold stood round the walls of all the rooms. + </p> + <p> + Many knights had come from afar to try their luck, but it was in vain they + attempted to climb the mountain. In spite of having their horses shod with + sharp nails, no one managed to get more than half-way up, and then they + all fell back right down to the bottom of the steep slippery hill. + Sometimes they broke an arm, sometimes a leg, and many a brave man had + broken his neck even. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful Princess sat at her window and watched the bold knights + trying to reach her on their splendid horses. The sight of her always gave + men fresh courage, and they flocked from the four quarters of the globe to + attempt the work of rescuing her. But all in vain, and for seven years the + Princess had sat now and waited for some one to scale the Glass Mountain. + </p> + <p> + A heap of corpses both of riders and horses lay round the mountain, and + many dying men lay groaning there unable to go any farther with their + wounded limbs. The whole neighbourhood had the appearance of a vast + churchyard. In three more days the seven years would be at an end, when a + knight in golden armour and mounted on a spirited steed was seen making + his way towards the fatal hill. + </p> + <p> + Sticking his spurs into his horse he made a rush at the mountain, and got + up half-way, then he calmly turned his horse’s head and came down again + without a slip or stumble. The following day he started in the same way; + the horse trod on the glass as if it had been level earth, and sparks of + fire flew from its hoofs. All the other knights gazed in astonishment, for + he had almost gained the summit, and in another moment he would have + reached the apple-tree; but of a sudden a huge eagle rose up and spread + its mighty wings, hitting as it did so the knight’s horse in the eye. + </p> + <p> + The beast shied, opened its wide nostrils and tossed its mane, then + rearing high up in the air, its hind feet slipped and it fell with its + rider down the steep mountain side. Nothing was left of either of them + except their bones, which rattled in the battered golden armour like dry + peas in a pod. + </p> + <p> + And now there was only one more day before the close of the seven years. + Then there arrived on the scene a mere schoolboy—a merry, + happy-hearted youth, but at the same time strong and well-grown. He saw + how many knights had broken their necks in vain, but undaunted he + approached the steep mountain on foot and began the ascent. + </p> + <p> + For long he had heard his parents speak of the beautiful Princess who sat + in the golden castle at the top of the Glass Mountain. He listened to all + he heard, and determined that he too would try his luck. But first he went + to the forest and caught a lynx, and cutting off the creature’s sharp + claws, he fastened them on to his own hands and feet. + </p> + <p> + Armed with these weapons he boldly started up the Glass Mountain. + </p> + <p> + The sun was nearly going down, and the youth had not got more than + half-way up. He could hardly draw breath he was so worn out, and his mouth + was parched by thirst. A huge black cloud passed over his head, but in + vain did he beg and beseech her to let a drop of water fall on him. He + opened his mouth, but the black cloud sailed past and not as much as a + drop of dew moistened his dry lips. + </p> + <p> + His feet were torn and bleeding, and he could only hold on now with his + hands. Evening closed in, and he strained his eyes to see if he could + behold the top of the mountain. Then he gazed beneath him, and what a + sight met his eyes! A yawning abyss, with certain and terrible death at + the bottom, reeking with half-decayed bodies of horses and riders! And + this had been the end of all the other brave men who like himself had + attempted the ascent. + </p> + <p> + It was almost pitch dark now, and only the stars lit up the Glass + Mountain. The poor boy still clung on as if glued to the glass by his + blood-stained hands. He made no struggle to get higher, for all his + strength had left him, and seeing no hope he calmly awaited death. Then + all of a sudden he fell into a deep sleep, and forgetful of his dangerous + position, he slumbered sweetly. But all the same, although he slept, he + had stuck his sharp claws so firmly into the glass that he was quite safe + not to fall. + </p> + <p> + Now the golden apple-tree was guarded by the eagle which had overthrown + the golden knight and his horse. Every night it flew round the Glass + Mountain keeping a careful look-out, and no sooner had the moon emerged + from the clouds than the bird rose up from the apple-tree, and circling + round in the air, caught sight of the sleeping youth. + </p> + <p> + Greedy for carrion, and sure that this must be a fresh corpse, the bird + swooped down upon the boy. But he was awake now, and perceiving the eagle, + he determined by its help to save himself. + </p> + <p> + The eagle dug its sharp claws into the tender flesh of the youth, but he + bore the pain without a sound, and seized the bird’s two feet with his + hands. The creature in terror lifted him high up into the air and began to + circle round the tower of the castle. The youth held on bravely. He saw + the glittering palace, which by the pale rays of the moon looked like a + dim lamp; and he saw the high windows, and round one of them a balcony in + which the beautiful Princess sat lost in sad thoughts. Then the boy saw + that he was close to the apple-tree, and drawing a small knife from his + belt, he cut off both the eagle’s feet. The bird rose up in the air in its + agony and vanished into the clouds, and the youth fell on to the broad + branches of the apple-tree. + </p> + <p> + Then he drew out the claws of the eagle’s feet that had remained in his + flesh, and put the peel of one of the golden apples on the wound, and in + one moment it was healed and well again. He pulled several of the + beautiful apples and put them in his pocket; then he entered the castle. + The door was guarded by a great dragon, but as soon as he threw an apple + at it, the beast vanished. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment a gate opened, and the youth perceived a courtyard full + of flowers and beautiful trees, and on a balcony sat the lovely enchanted + Princess with her retinue. + </p> + <p> + As soon as she saw the youth, she ran towards him and greeted him as her + husband and master. She gave him all her treasures, and the youth became a + rich and mighty ruler. But he never returned to the earth, for only the + mighty eagle, who had been the guardian of the Princess and of the castle, + could have carried on his wings the enormous treasure down to the world. + But as the eagle had lost its feet it died, and its body was found in a + wood on the Glass Mountain. + </p> + <p> + . . . . . . . + </p> + <p> + One day when the youth was strolling about in the palace garden with the + Princess, his wife, he looked down over the edge of the Glass Mountain and + saw to his astonishment a great number of people gathered there. He blew + his silver whistle, and the swallow who acted as messenger in the golden + castle flew past. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fly down and ask what the matter is,’ he said to the little bird, who + sped off like lightning and soon returned saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘The blood of the eagle has restored all the people below to life. All + those who have perished on this mountain are awakening up to-day, as it + were from a sleep, and are mounting their horses, and the whole population + are gazing on this unheard-of wonder with joy and amazement.’ + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ALPHEGE, OR THE GREEN MONKEY +</pre> + <p> + Many years ago there lived a King, who was twice married. His first wife, + a good and beautiful woman, died at the birth of her little son, and the + King her husband was so overwhelmed with grief at her loss that his only + comfort was in the sight of his heir. + </p> + <p> + When the time for the young Prince’s christening came the King chose as + godmother a neighbouring Princess, so celebrated for her wisdom and + goodness that she was commonly called ‘the Good Queen.’ She named the baby + Alphege, and from that moment took him to her heart. + </p> + <p> + Time wipes away the greatest griefs, and after two or three years the King + married again. His second wife was a Princess of undeniable beauty, but by + no means of so amiable a disposition as the first Queen. In due time a + second Prince was born, and the Queen was devoured with rage at the + thought that Prince Alphege came between her son and the throne. She took + care however to conceal her jealous feelings from the King. + </p> + <p> + At length she could control herself no longer, so she sent a trusty + servant to her old and faithful friend the Fairy of the Mountain, to beg + her to devise some means by which she might get rid of her stepson. + </p> + <p> + The Fairy replied that, much as she desired to be agreeable to the Queen + in every way, it was impossible for her to attempt anything against the + young Prince, who was under the protection of some greater Power than her + own. + </p> + <p> + The ‘Good Queen’ on her side watched carefully over her godson. She was + obliged to do so from a distance, her own country being a remote one, but + she was well informed of all that went on and knew all about the Queen’s + wicked designs. She therefore sent the Prince a large and splendid ruby, + with injunctions to wear it night and day as it would protect him from all + attacks, but added that the talisman only retained its power as long as + the Prince remained within his father’s dominions. The Wicked Queen + knowing this made every attempt to get the Prince out of the country, but + her efforts failed, till one day accident did what she was unable to + accomplish. + </p> + <p> + The King had an only sister who was deeply attached to him, and who was + married to the sovereign of a distant country. She had always kept up a + close correspondence with her brother, and the accounts she heard of + Prince Alphege made her long to become acquainted with so charming a + nephew. She entreated the King to allow the Prince to visit her, and after + some hesitation which was overruled by his wife, he finally consented. + </p> + <p> + Prince Alphege was at this time fourteen years old, and the handsomest and + most engaging youth imaginable. In his infancy he had been placed in the + charge of one of the great ladies of the Court, who, according to the + prevailing custom, acted first as his head nurse and then as his + governess. When he outgrew her care her husband was appointed as his tutor + and governor, so that he had never been separated from this excellent + couple, who loved him as tenderly as they did their only daughter Zayda, + and were warmly loved by him in return. + </p> + <p> + When the Prince set forth on his travels it was but natural that this + devoted couple should accompany him, and accordingly he started with them + and attended by a numerous retinue. + </p> + <p> + For some time he travelled through his father’s dominions and all went + well; but soon after passing the frontier they had to cross a desert plain + under a burning sun. They were glad to take shelter under a group of trees + near, and here the Prince complained of burning thirst. Luckily a tiny + stream ran close by and some water was soon procured, but no sooner had he + tasted it than he sprang from his carriage and disappeared in a moment. In + vain did his anxious followers seek for him, he was nowhere to be found. + </p> + <p> + As they were hunting and shouting through the trees a black monkey + suddenly appeared on a point of rock and said: ‘Poor sorrowing people, you + are seeking your Prince in vain. Return to your own country and know that + he will not be restored to you till you have for some time failed to + recognise him.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words he vanished, leaving the courtiers sadly perplexed; but + as all their efforts to find the Prince were useless they had no choice + but to go home, bringing with them the sad news, which so greatly + distressed the King that he fell ill and died not long after. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, whose ambition was boundless, was delighted to see the crown on + her son’s head and to have the power in her own hands. Her hard rule made + her very unpopular, and it was commonly believed that she had made away + with Prince Alphege. Indeed, had the King her son not been deservedly + beloved a revolution would certainly have arisen. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the former governess of the unfortunate Alphege, who had lost her + husband soon after the King’s death, retired to her own house with her + daughter, who grew up a lovely and most loveable girl, and both continued + to mourn the loss of their dear Prince. + </p> + <p> + The young King was devoted to hunting, and often indulged in his favourite + pastime, attended by the noblest youths in his kingdom. + </p> + <p> + One day, after a long morning’s chase he stopped to rest near a brook in + the shade of a little wood, where a splendid tent had been prepared for + him. Whilst at luncheon he suddenly spied a little monkey of the brightest + green sitting on a tree and gazing so tenderly at him that he felt quite + moved. He forbade his courtiers to frighten it, and the monkey, noticing + how much attention was being paid him, sprang from bough to bough, and at + length gradually approached the King, who offered him some food. The + monkey took it very daintily and finally came to the table. The King took + him on his knees, and, delighted with his capture, brought him home with + him. He would trust no one else with its care, and the whole Court soon + talked of nothing but the pretty green monkey. + </p> + <p> + One morning, as Prince Alphege’s governess and her daughter were alone + together, the little monkey sprang in through an open window. He had + escaped from the palace, and his manners were so gentle and caressing that + Zayda and her mother soon got over the first fright he had given them. He + had spent some time with them and quite won their hearts by his + insinuating ways, when the King discovered where he was and sent to fetch + him back. But the monkey made such piteous cries, and seemed so unhappy + when anyone attempted to catch him, that the two ladies begged the King to + leave him a little longer with them, to which he consented. + </p> + <p> + One evening, as they sat by the fountain in the garden, the little monkey + kept gazing at Zayda with such sad and loving eyes that she and her mother + could not think what to make of it, and they were still more surprised + when they saw big tears rolling down his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + Next day both mother and daughter were sitting in a jessamine bower in the + garden, and they began to talk of the green monkey and his strange ways. + The mother said, ‘My dear child, I can no longer hide my feelings from + you. I cannot get the thought out of my mind that the green monkey is no + other than our beloved Prince Alphege, transformed in this strange + fashion. I know the idea sounds wild, but I cannot get it out of my heart, + and it leaves me no peace.’ + </p> + <p> + As she spoke she glanced up, and there sat the little monkey, whose tears + and gestures seemed to confirm her words. + </p> + <p> + The following night the elder lady dreamt that she saw the Good Queen, who + said, ‘Do not weep any longer but follow my directions. Go into your + garden and lift up the little marble slab at the foot of the great myrtle + tree. You will find beneath it a crystal vase filled with a bright green + liquid. Take it with you and place the thing which is at present most in + your thoughts into a bath filled with roses and rub it well with the green + liquid.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the sleeper awoke, and lost no time in rising and hurrying + to the garden, where she found all as the Good Queen had described. Then + she hastened to rouse her daughter and together they prepared the bath, + for they would not let their women know what they were about. Zayda + gathered quantities of roses, and when all was ready they put the monkey + into a large jasper bath, where the mother rubbed him all over with the + green liquid. + </p> + <p> + Their suspense was not long, for suddenly the monkey skin dropped off, and + there stood Prince Alphege, the handsomest and most charming of men. The + joy of such a meeting was beyond words. After a time the ladies begged the + Prince to relate his adventures, and he told them of all his sufferings in + the desert when he was first transformed. His only comfort had been in + visits from the Good Queen, who had at length put him in the way of + meeting his brother. + </p> + <p> + Several days were spent in these interesting conversations, but at length + Zayda’s mother began to think of the best means for placing the Prince on + the throne, which was his by right. + </p> + <p> + The Queen on her side was feeling very anxious. She had felt sure from the + first that her son’s pet monkey was no other than Prince Alphege, and she + longed to put an end to him. Her suspicions were confirmed by the Fairy of + the Mountain, and she hastened in tears to the King, her son. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am informed,’ she cried, ‘that some ill-disposed people have raised up + an impostor in the hopes of dethroning you. You must at once have him put + to death.’ + </p> + <p> + The King, who was very brave, assured the Queen that he would soon punish + the conspirators. He made careful inquiries into the matter, and thought + it hardly probable that a quiet widow and a young girl would think of + attempting anything of the nature of a revolution. + </p> + <p> + He determined to go and see them, and to find out the truth for himself; + so one night, without saying anything to the Queen or his ministers, he + set out for the palace where the two ladies lived, attended only by a + small band of followers. + </p> + <p> + The two ladies were at the moment deep in conversation with Prince + Alphege, and hearing a knocking so late at night begged him to keep out of + sight for a time. What was their surprise when the door was opened to see + the King and his suite. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know,’ said the King, ‘that you are plotting against my crown and + person, and I have come to have an explanation with you.’ + </p> + <p> + As she was about to answer Prince Alphege, who had heard all, came forward + and said, ‘It is from me you must ask an explanation, brother.’ He spoke + with such grace and dignity that everyone gazed at him with mute surprise. + </p> + <p> + At length the King, recovering from his astonishment at recognising the + brother who had been lost some years before, exclaimed, ‘Yes, you are + indeed my brother, and now that I have found you, take the throne to which + I have no longer a right.’ So saying, he respectfully kissed the Prince’s + hand. + </p> + <p> + Alphege threw himself into his arms, and the brothers hastened to the + royal palace, where in the presence of the entire court he received the + crown from his brother’s hand. To clear away any possible doubt, he showed + the ruby which the Good Queen had given him in his childhood. As they were + gazing at it, it suddenly split with a loud noise, and at the same moment + the Wicked Queen expired. + </p> + <p> + King Alphege lost no time in marrying his dear and lovely Zayda, and his + joy was complete when the Good Queen appeared at his wedding. She assured + him that the Fairy of the Mountain had henceforth lost all power over him, + and after spending some time with the young couple, and bestowing the most + costly presents on them, she retired to her own country. + </p> + <p> + King Alphege insisted on his brother sharing his throne, and they all + lived to a good old age, universally beloved and admired. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + FAIRER-THAN-A-FAIRY +</pre> + <p> + Once there lived a King who had no children for many years after his + marriage. At length heaven granted him a daughter of such remarkable + beauty that he could think of no name so appropriate for her as + ‘Fairer-than-a-Fairy.’ + </p> + <p> + It never occurred to the good-natured monarch that such a name was certain + to call down the hatred and jealousy of the fairies in a body on the + child, but this was what happened. No sooner had they heard of this + presumptuous name than they resolved to gain possession of her who bore + it, and either to torment her cruelly, or at least to conceal her from the + eyes of all men. + </p> + <p> + The eldest of their tribe was entrusted to carry out their revenge. This + Fairy was named Lagree; she was so old that she only had one eye and one + tooth left, and even these poor remains she had to keep all night in a + strengthening liquid. She was also so spiteful that she gladly devoted all + her time to carrying out all the mean or ill-natured tricks of the whole + body of fairies. + </p> + <p> + With her large experience, added to her native spite, she found but little + difficulty in carrying off Fairer-than-a-Fairy. The poor child, who was + only seven years old, nearly died of fear on finding herself in the power + of this hideous creature. However, when after an hour’s journey + underground she found herself in a splendid palace with lovely gardens, + she felt a little reassured, and was further cheered when she discovered + that her pet cat and dog had followed her. + </p> + <p> + The old Fairy led her to a pretty room which she said should be hers, at + the same time giving her the strictest orders never to let out the fire + which was burning brightly in the grate. She then gave two glass bottles + into the Princess’s charge, desiring her to take the greatest care of + them, and having enforced her orders with the most awful threats in case + of disobedience, she vanished, leaving the little girl at liberty to + explore the palace and grounds and a good deal relieved at having only two + apparently easy tasks set her. + </p> + <p> + Several years passed, during which time the Princess grew accustomed to + her lonely life, obeyed the Fairy’s orders, and by degrees forgot all + about the court of the King her father. + </p> + <p> + One day, whilst passing near a fountain in the garden, she noticed that + the sun’s rays fell on the water in such a manner as to produce a + brilliant rainbow. She stood still to admire it, when, to her great + surprise, she heard a voice addressing her which seemed to come from the + centre of its rays. The voice was that of a young man, and its sweetness + of tone and the agreeable things it uttered, led one to infer that its + owner must be equally charming; but this had to be a mere matter of fancy, + for no one was visible. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful Rainbow informed Fairer-than-a-Fairy that he was young, the + son of a powerful king, and that the Fairy, Lagree, who owed his parents a + grudge, had revenged herself by depriving him of his natural shape for + some years; that she had imprisoned him in the palace, where he had found + his confinement hard to bear for some time, but now, he owned, he no + longer sighed for freedom since he had seen and learned to love + Fairer-than-a-Fairy. + </p> + <p> + He added many other tender speeches to this declaration, and the Princess, + to whom such remarks were a new experience, could not help feeling pleased + and touched by his attentions. + </p> + <p> + The Prince could only appear or speak under the form of a Rainbow, and it + was therefore necessary that the sun should shine on water so as to enable + the rays to form themselves. + </p> + <p> + Fairer-than-a-Fairy lost no moment in which she could meet her lover, and + they enjoyed many long and interesting interviews. One day, however, their + conversation became so absorbing and time passed so quickly that the + Princess forgot to attend to the fire, and it went out. Lagree, on her + return, soon found out the neglect, and seemed only too pleased to have + the opportunity of showing her spite to her lovely prisoner. She ordered + Fairer-than-a-Fairy to start next day at dawn to ask Locrinos for fire + with which to relight the one she had allowed to go out. + </p> + <p> + Now this Locrinos was a cruel monster who devoured everyone he came + across, and especially enjoyed a chance of catching and eating any young + girls. Our heroine obeyed with great sweetness, and without having been + able to take leave of her lover she set off to go to Locrinos as to + certain death. As she was crossing a wood a bird sang to her to pick up a + shining pebble which she would find in a fountain close by, and to use it + when needed. She took the bird’s advice, and in due time arrived at the + house of Locrinos. Luckily she only found his wife at home, who was much + struck by the Princess’s youth and beauty and sweet gentle manners, and + still further impressed by the present of the shining pebble. + </p> + <p> + She readily let Fairer-than-a-Fairy have the fire, and in return for the + stone she gave her another, which, she said, might prove useful some day. + Then she sent her away without doing her any harm. + </p> + <p> + Lagree was as much surprised as displeased at the happy result of this + expedition, and Fairer-than-a Fairy waited anxiously for an opportunity of + meeting Prince Rainbow and telling him her adventures. She found, however, + that he had already been told all about them by a Fairy who protected him, + and to whom he was related. + </p> + <p> + The dread of fresh dangers to his beloved Princess made him devise some + more convenient way of meeting than by the garden fountain, and + Fairer-than-a-Fairy carried out his plan daily with entire success. Every + morning she placed a large basin full of water on her window-sill, and as + soon as the sun’s rays fell on the water the Rainbow appeared as clearly + as it had ever done in the fountain. By this means they were able to meet + without losing sight of the fire or of the two bottles in which the old + Fairy kept her eye and her tooth at night, and for some time the lovers + enjoyed every hour of sunshine together. + </p> + <p> + One day Prince Rainbow appeared in the depths of woe. He had just heard + that he was to be banished from this lovely spot, but he had no idea where + he was to go. The poor young couple were in despair, and only parted with + the last ray of sunshine, and in hopes of meeting next morning. Alas! next + day was dark and gloomy, and it was only late in the afternoon that the + sun broke through the clouds for a few minutes. + </p> + <p> + Fairer-than-a-Fairy eagerly ran to the window, but in her haste she upset + the basin, and spilt all the water with which she had carefully filled it + overnight. No other water was at hand except that in the two bottles. It + was the only chance of seeing her lover before they were separated, and + she did not hesitate to break the bottle and pour their contents into the + basin, when the Rainbow appeared at once. Their farewells were full of + tenderness; the Prince made the most ardent and sincere protestations, and + promised to neglect nothing which might help to deliver his dear + Fairer-than-a-Fairy from her captivity, and implored her to consent to + their marriage as soon as they should both be free. The Princess, on her + side, vowed to have no other husband, and declared herself willing to + brave death itself in order to rejoin him. + </p> + <p> + They were not allowed much time for their adieus; the Rainbow vanished, + and the Princess, resolved to run all risks, started off at once, taking + nothing with her but her dog, her cat, a sprig of myrtle, and the stone + which the wife of Locrinos gave her. + </p> + <p> + When Lagree became aware of her prisoner’s flight she was furious, and set + off at full speed in pursuit. She overtook her just as the poor girl, + overcome by fatigue, had lain down to rest in a cave which the stone had + formed itself into to shelter her. The little dog who was watching her + mistress promptly flew at Lagree and bit her so severely that she stumbled + against a corner of the cave and broke off her only tooth. Before she had + recovered from the pain and rage this caused her, the Princess had time to + escape, and was some way on her road. Fear gave her strength for some + time, but at last she could go no further, and sank down to rest. As she + did so, the sprig of myrtle she carried touched the ground, and + immediately a green and shady bower sprang up round her, in which she + hoped to sleep in peace. + </p> + <p> + But Lagree had not given up her pursuit, and arrived just as + Fairer-than-a-Fairy had fallen fast asleep. This time she made sure of + catching her victim, but the cat spied her out, and, springing from one of + the boughs of the arbour she flew at Lagree’s face and tore out her only + eye, thus delivering the Princess for ever from her persecutor. + </p> + <p> + One might have thought that all would now be well, but no sooner had + Lagree been put to fight than our heroine was overwhelmed with hunger and + thirst. She felt as though she should certainly expire, and it was with + some difficulty that she dragged herself as far as a pretty little green + and white house, which stood at no great distance. Here she was received + by a beautiful lady dressed in green and white to match the house, which + apparently belonged to her, and of which she seemed the only inhabitant. + </p> + <p> + She greeted the fainting Princess most kindly, gave her an excellent + supper, and after a long night’s rest in a delightful bed told her that + after many troubles she should finally attain her desire. + </p> + <p> + As the green and white lady took leave of the Princess she gave her a nut, + desiring her only to open it in the most urgent need. + </p> + <p> + After a long and tiring journey Fairer-than-a-Fairy was once more received + in a house, and by a lady exactly like the one she had quitted. Here again + she received a present with the same injunctions, but instead of a nut + this lady gave her a golden pomegranate. The mournful Princess had to + continue her weary way, and after many troubles and hardships she again + found rest and shelter in a third house exactly similar to the two others. + </p> + <p> + These houses belonged to three sisters, all endowed with fairy gifts, and + all so alike in mind and person that they wished their houses and garments + to be equally alike. Their occupation consisted in helping those in + misfortune, and they were as gentle and benevolent as Lagree had been + cruel and spiteful. + </p> + <p> + The third Fairy comforted the poor traveller, begged her not to lose + heart, and assured her that her troubles should be rewarded. + </p> + <p> + She accompanied her advice by the gift of a crystal smelling-bottle, with + strict orders only to open it in case of urgent need. Fairer-than-a-Fairy + thanked her warmly, and resumed her way cheered by pleasant thoughts. + </p> + <p> + After a time her road led through a wood, full of soft airs and sweet + odours, and before she had gone a hundred yards she saw a wonderful silver + Castle suspended by strong silver chains to four of the largest trees. It + was so perfectly hung that a gentle breeze rocked it sufficiently to send + you pleasantly to sleep. + </p> + <p> + Fairer-than-a-Fairy felt a strong desire to enter this Castle, but besides + being hung a little above the ground there seemed to be neither doors nor + windows. She had no doubt (though really I cannot think why) that the + moment had come in which to use the nut which had been given her. She + opened it, and out came a diminutive hall porter at whose belt hung a tiny + chain, at the end of which was a golden key half as long as the smallest + pin you ever saw. + </p> + <p> + The Princess climbed up one of the silver chains, holding in her hand the + little porter who, in spite of his minute size, opened a secret door with + his golden key and let her in. She entered a magnificent room which + appeared to occupy the entire Castle, and which was lighted by gold and + jewelled stars in the ceiling. In the midst of this room stood a couch, + draped with curtains of all the colours of the rainbow, and suspended by + golden cords so that it swayed with the Castle in a manner which rocked + its occupant delightfully to sleep. + </p> + <p> + On this elegant couch lay Prince Rainbow, looking more beautiful than + ever, and sunk in profound slumber, in which he had been held ever since + his disappearance. + </p> + <p> + Fairy-than-a-Fairy, who now saw him for the first time in his real shape, + hardly dared to gaze at him, fearing lest his appearance might not be in + keeping with the voice and language which had won her heart. At the same + time she could not help feeling rather hurt at the apparent indifference + with which she was received. + </p> + <p> + She related all the dangers and difficulties she had gone through, and + though she repeated the story twenty times in a loud clear voice, the + Prince slept on and took no heed. She then had recourse to the golden + pomegranate, and on opening it found that all the seeds were as many + little violins which flew up in the vaulted roof and at once began playing + melodiously. + </p> + <p> + The Prince was not completely roused, but he opened his eyes a little and + looked all the handsomer. + </p> + <p> + Impatient at not being recognised, Fairer-than-a-Fairy now drew out her + third present, and on opening the crystal scent-bottle a little syren flew + out, who silenced the violins and then sang close to the Prince’s ear the + story of all his lady love had suffered in her search for him. She added + some gentle reproaches to her tale, but before she had got far he was wide + awake, and transported with joy threw himself at the Princess’s feet. At + the same moment the walls of the room expanded and opened out, revealing a + golden throne covered with jewels. A magnificent Court now began to + assemble, and at the same time several elegant carriages filled with + ladies in magnificent dresses drove up. In the first and most splendid of + these carriages sat Prince Rainbow’s mother. She fondly embraced her son, + after which she informed him that his father had been dead for some years, + that the anger of the Fairies was at length appeased, and that he might + return in peace to reign over his people, who were longing for his + presence. + </p> + <p> + The Court received the new King with joyful acclamations which would have + delighted him at any other time, but all his thoughts were full of + Fairer-than-a-Fairy. He was just about to present her to his mother and + the Court, feeling sure that her charms would win all hearts, when the + three green and white sisters appeared. + </p> + <p> + They declared the secret of Fairy-than-a-Fairy’s royal birth, and the + Queen taking the two lovers in her carriage set off with them for the + capital of the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + Here they were received with tumultuous joy. The wedding was celebrated + without delay, and succeeding years diminished neither the virtues, + beauty, nor the mutual affection of King Rainbow and his Queen, + Fairer-than-a-Fairy. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE THREE BROTHERS(17) +</pre> + <p> + (17) From the Polish. Kletke. + </p> + <p> + There was once upon a time a witch, who in the shape of a hawk used every + night to break the windows of a certain village church. In the same + village there lived three brothers, who were all determined to kill the + mischievous hawk. But in vain did the two eldest mount guard in the church + with their guns; as soon as the bird appeared high above their heads, + sleep overpowered them, and they only awoke to hear the windows crashing + in. + </p> + <p> + Then the youngest brother took his turn of guarding the windows, and to + prevent his being overcome by sleep he placed a lot of thorns under his + chin, so that if he felt drowsy and nodded his head, they would prick him + and keep him awake. + </p> + <p> + The moon was already risen, and it was as light as day, when suddenly he + heard a fearful noise, and at the same time a terrible desire to sleep + overpowered him. + </p> + <p> + His eyelids closed, and his head sank on his shoulders, but the thorns ran + into him and were so painful that he awoke at once. He saw the hawk + swooping down upon the church, and in a moment he had seized his gun and + shot at the bird. The hawk fell heavily under a big stone, severely + wounded in its right wing. The youth ran to look at it, and saw that a + huge abyss had opened below the stone. He went at once to fetch his + brothers, and with their help dragged a lot of pine-wood and ropes to the + spot. They fastened some of the burning pine-wood to the end of the rope, + and let it slowly down to the bottom of the abyss. At first it was quite + dark, and the flaming torch only lit up dirty grey stone walls. But the + youngest brother determined to explore the abyss, and letting himself down + by the rope he soon reached the bottom. Here he found a lovely meadow full + of green trees and exquisite flowers. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the meadow stood a huge stone castle, with an iron gate + leading to it, which was wide open. Everything in the castle seemed to be + made of copper, and the only inhabitant he could discover was a lovely + girl, who was combing her golden hair; and he noticed that whenever one of + her hairs fell on the ground it rang out like pure metal. The youth looked + at her more closely, and saw that her skin was smooth and fair, her blue + eyes bright and sparkling, and her hair as golden as the sun. He fell in + love with her on the spot, and kneeling at her feet, he implored her to + become his wife. + </p> + <p> + The lovely girl accepted his proposal gladly; but at the same time she + warned him that she could never come up to the world above till her + mother, the old witch, was dead. And she went on to tell him that the only + way in which the old creature could be killed was with the sword that hung + up in the castle; but the sword was so heavy that no one could lift it. + </p> + <p> + Then the youth went into a room in the castle where everything was made of + silver, and here he found another beautiful girl, the sister of his bride. + She was combing her silver hair, and every hair that fell on the ground + rang out like pure metal. The second girl handed him the sword, but though + he tried with all his strength he could not lift it. At last a third + sister came to him and gave him a drop of something to drink, which she + said would give him the needful strength. He drank one drop, but still he + could not lift the sword; then he drank a second, and the sword began to + move; but only after he had drunk a third drop was he able to swing the + sword over his head. + </p> + <p> + Then he hid himself in the castle and awaited the old witch’s arrival. At + last as it was beginning to grow dark she appeared. She swooped down upon + a big apple-tree, and after shaking some golden apples from it, she + pounced down upon the earth. As soon as her feet touched the ground she + became transformed from a hawk into a woman. This was the moment the youth + was waiting for, and he swung his mighty sword in the air with all his + strength and the witch’s head fell off, and her blood spurted up on the + walls. + </p> + <p> + Without fear of any further danger, he packed up all the treasures of the + castle into great chests, and gave his brothers a signal to pull them up + out of the abyss. First the treasures were attached to the rope and then + the three lovely girls. And now everything was up above and only he + himself remained below. But as he was a little suspicious of his brothers, + he fastened a heavy stone on to the rope and let them pull it up. At first + they heaved with a will, but when the stone was half way up they let it + drop suddenly, and it fell to the bottom broken into a hundred pieces. + </p> + <p> + ‘So that’s what would have happened to my bones had I trusted myself to + them,’ said the youth sadly; and he began to cry bitterly, not because of + the treasures, but because of the lovely girl with her swanlike neck and + golden hair. + </p> + <p> + For a long time he wandered sadly all through the beautiful underworld, + and one day he met a magician who asked him the cause of his tears. The + youth told him all that had befallen him, and the magician said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not grieve, young man! If you will guard the children who are hidden + in the golden apple-tree, I will bring you at once up to the earth. + Another magician who lives in this land always eats my children up. It is + in vain that I have hidden them under the earth and locked them into the + castle. Now I have hidden them in the apple-tree; hide yourself there too, + and at midnight you will see my enemy.’ + </p> + <p> + The youth climbed up the tree, and picked some of the beautiful golden + apples, which he ate for his supper. + </p> + <p> + At midnight the wind began to rise, and a rustling sound was heard at the + foot of the tree. The youth looked down and beheld a long thick serpent + beginning to crawl up the tree. It wound itself round the stem and + gradually got higher and higher. It stretched its huge head, in which the + eyes glittered fiercely, among the branches, searching for the nest in + which the little children lay. They trembled with terror when they saw the + hideous creature, and hid themselves beneath the leaves. + </p> + <p> + Then the youth swung his mighty sword in the air, and with one blow cut + off the serpent’s head. He cut up the rest of the body into little bits + and strewed them to the four winds. + </p> + <p> + The father of the rescued children was so delighted over the death of his + enemy that he told the youth to get on his back, and in this way he + carried him up to the world above. + </p> + <p> + With what joy did he hurry now to his brothers’ house! He burst into a + room where they were all assembled, but no one knew who he was. Only his + bride, who was serving as cook to her sisters, recognised her lover at + once. + </p> + <p> + His brothers, who had quite believed he was dead, yielded him up his + treasures at once, and flew into the woods in terror. But the good youth + forgave them all they had done, and divided his treasures with them. Then + he built himself a big castle with golden windows, and there he lived + happily with his golden-haired wife till the end of their lives. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE BOY AND THE WOLVES, OR THE BROKEN PROMISE(18) +</pre> + <p> + (18) A North American Indian story. + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time an Indian hunter built himself a house in the middle of a + great forest, far away from all his tribe; for his heart was gentle and + kind, and he was weary of the treachery and cruel deeds of those who had + been his friends. So he left them, and took his wife and three children, + and they journeyed on until they found a spot near to a clear stream, + where they began to cut down trees, and to make ready their wigwam. For + many years they lived peacefully and happily in this sheltered place, + never leaving it except to hunt the wild animals, which served them both + for food and clothes. At last, however, the strong man felt sick, and + before long he knew he must die. + </p> + <p> + So he gathered his family round him, and said his last words to them. + ‘You, my wife, the companion of my days, will follow me ere many moons + have waned to the island of the blest. But for you, O my children, whose + lives are but newly begun, the wickedness, unkindness, and ingratitude + from which I fled are before you. Yet I shall go hence in peace, my + children, if you will promise always to love each other, and never to + forsake your youngest brother. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never!’ they replied, holding out their hands. And the hunter died + content. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely eight moons had passed when, just as he had said, the wife went + forth, and followed her husband; but before leaving her children she bade + the two elder ones think of their promise never to forsake the younger, + for he was a child, and weak. And while the snow lay thick upon the + ground, they tended him and cherished him; but when the earth showed green + again, the heart of the young man stirred within him, and he longed to see + the wigwams of the village where his father’s youth was spent. + </p> + <p> + Therefore he opened all his heart to his sister, who answered: ‘My + brother, I understand your longing for our fellow-men, whom here we cannot + see. But remember our father’s words. Shall we not seek our own pleasures, + and forget the little one?’ + </p> + <p> + But he would not listen, and, making no reply, he took his bow and arrows + and left the hut. The snows fell and melted, yet he never returned; and at + last the heart of the girl grew cold and hard, and her little boy became a + burden in her eyes, till one day she spoke thus to him: ‘See, there is + food for many days to come. Stay here within the shelter of the hut. I go + to seek our brother, and when I have found him I shall return hither.’ + </p> + <p> + But when, after hard journeying, she reached the village where her brother + dwelt, and saw that he had a wife and was happy, and when she, too, was + sought by a young brave, then she also forgot the boy alone in the forest, + and thought only of her husband. + </p> + <p> + Now as soon as the little boy had eaten all the food which his sister had + left him, he went out into the woods, and gathered berries and dug up + roots, and while the sun shone he was contented and had his fill. But when + the snows began and the wind howled, then his stomach felt empty and his + limbs cold, and he hid in trees all the night, and only crept out to eat + what the wolves had left behind. And by-and-by, having no other friends, + he sought their company, and sat by while they devoured their prey, and + they grew to know him, and gave him food. And without them he would have + died in the snow. + </p> + <p> + But at last the snows melted, and the ice upon the great lake, and as the + wolves went down to the shore, the boy went after them. And it happened + one day that his big brother was fishing in his canoe near the shore, and + he heard the voice of a child singing in the Indian tone— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘My brother, my brother! + I am becoming a wolf, + I am becoming a wolf!’ +</pre> + <p> + And when he had so sung he howled as wolves howl. Then the heart of the + elder sunk, and he hastened towards him, crying, ‘Brother, little brother, + come to me;’ but he, being half a wolf, only continued his song. And the + louder the elder called him, ‘Brother, little brother, come to me,’ the + swifter he fled after his brothers the wolves, and the heavier grew his + skin, till, with a long howl, he vanished into the depths of the forest. + </p> + <p> + So, with shame and anguish in his soul, the elder brother went back to his + village, and, with his sister, mourned the little boy and the broken + promise till the end of his life. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE GLASS AXE(19) +</pre> + <p> + (19) From the Hungarian. Kletke. + </p> + <p> + There was once upon a time a King and Queen who had everything they could + possibly wish for in this world except a child. At last, after twelve + years, the Queen gave birth to a son; but she did not live long to enjoy + her happiness, for on the following day she died. But before her death she + called her husband to her and said, ‘Never let the child put his feet on + the ground, for as soon as he does so he will fall into the power of a + wicked Fairy, who will do him much harm.’ And these were the last words + the poor Queen spoke. + </p> + <p> + The boy throve and grew big, and when he was too heavy for his nurse to + carry, a chair was made for him on little wheels, in which he could wander + through the palace gardens without help; at other times he was carried + about on a litter, and he was always carefully watched and guarded for + fear he should at any time put his feet to the ground. + </p> + <p> + But as this sort of life was bad for his health, the doctors ordered him + horse exercise, and he soon became a first-rate rider, and used to go out + for long excursions on horseback, accompanied always by his father’s + stud-groom and a numerous retinue. + </p> + <p> + Every day he rode through the neighbouring fields and woods, and always + returned home in the evening safe and well. In this way many years passed, + and the Prince grew to manhood, and hardly anyone remembered the Queen’s + warning, though precautions were still taken, more from use and wont than + for any other reason. + </p> + <p> + One day the Prince and his suite went out for a ride in a wood where his + father sometimes held a hunt. Their way led through a stream whose banks + were overgrown with thick brushwood. Just as the horsemen were about to + ford the river, a hare, startled by the sound of the horses’ hoofs, + started up from the grass and ran towards the thicket. The young Prince + pursued the little creature, and had almost overtaken it, when the girth + of his saddle suddenly broke in two and he fell heavily to the ground. No + sooner had his foot touched the earth than he disappeared before the eyes + of the horrified courtiers. + </p> + <p> + They sought for him far and near, but all in vain, and they were forced to + recognise the power of the evil Fairy, against which the Queen had warned + them on her death-bed. The old King was much grieved when they brought him + the news of his son’s disappearance, but as he could do nothing to free + him from his fate, he gave himself up to an old age of grief and + loneliness, cherishing at the same time the hope that some lucky chance + might one day deliver the youth out of the hands of his enemy. + </p> + <p> + Hardly had the Prince touched the ground than he felt himself violently + seized by an unseen power, and hurried away he knew not whither. A whole + new world stretched out before him, quite unlike the one he had left. A + splendid castle surrounded by a huge lake was the abode of the Fairy, and + the only approach to it was over a bridge of clouds. On the other side of + the lake high mountains rose up, and dark woods stretched along the banks; + over all hung a thick mist, and deep silence reigned everywhere. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the Fairy reached her own domain than she made herself + visible, and turning to the Prince she told him that unless he obeyed all + her commands down to the minutest detail he would be severely punished. + Then she gave him an axe made of glass, and bade him cross the bridge of + clouds and go into the wood beyond and cut down all the trees there before + sunset. At the same time she cautioned him with many angry words against + speaking to a black girl he would most likely meet in the wood. + </p> + <p> + The Prince listened to her words meekly, and when she had finished took up + the glass axe and set out for the forest. At every step he seemed to sink + into the clouds, but fear gave wings to his feet, and he crossed the lake + in safety and set to work at once. + </p> + <p> + But no sooner had he struck the first blow with his axe than it broke into + a thousand pieces against the tree. The poor youth was so terrified he did + not know what to do, for he was in mortal dread of the punishment the + wicked old Fairy would inflict on him. He wandered to and fro in the wood, + not knowing where he was going, and at last, worn out by fatigue and + misery, he sank on the ground and fell fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + He did not know how long he had slept when a sudden sound awoke him, and + opening his eyes he saw a black girl standing beside him. Mindful of the + Fairy’s warning he did not dare to address her, but she on her part + greeted him in the most friendly manner, and asked him at once if he were + under the power of the wicked Fairy. The Prince nodded his head silently + in answer. + </p> + <p> + Then the black girl told him that she too was in the power of the Fairy, + who had doomed her to wander about in her present guise until some youth + should take pity on her and bear her in safety to the other side of the + river which they saw in the distance, and on the other side of which the + Fairy’s domain and power ended. + </p> + <p> + The girl’s words so inspired the Prince with confidence that he told her + all his tale of woe, and ended up by asking her advice as to how he was to + escape the punishment the Fairy would be sure to inflict on him when she + discovered that he had not cut down the trees in the wood and that he had + broken her axe. + </p> + <p> + ‘You must know,’ answered the black girl, ‘that the Fairy in whose power + we both are is my own mother, but you must not betray this secret, for it + would cost me my life. If you will only promise to try and free me I will + stand by you, and will accomplish for you all the tasks which my mother + sets you.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince promised joyfully all she asked; then having once more warned + him not to betray her confidence, she handed him a draught to drink which + very soon sunk his senses in a deep slumber. + </p> + <p> + His astonishment was great when he awoke to find the glass axe whole and + unbroken at his side, and all the trees of the wood lying felled around + him! + </p> + <p> + He made all haste across the bridge of clouds, and told the Fairy that her + commands were obeyed. She was much amazed when she heard that all the wood + was cut down, and saw the axe unbroken in his hand, and since she could + not believe that he had done all this by himself, she questioned him + narrowly if he had seen or spoken to the black girl. But the Prince lied + manfully, and swore he had never looked up from his work for a moment. + Seeing she could get nothing more out of him, she gave him a little bread + and water, and showing him to a small dark cupboard she told him he might + sleep there. + </p> + <p> + Morning had hardly dawned when the Fairy awoke the Prince, and giving him + the glass axe again she told him to cut up all the wood he had felled the + day before, and to put it in bundles ready for firewood; at the same time + she warned him once more against approaching or speaking a word to the + black girl if he met her in the wood. + </p> + <p> + Although his task was no easier than that of the day before, the youth set + out much more cheerfully, because he knew he could count an the help of + the black girl. With quicker and lighter step he crossed the bridge of + clouds, and hardly had he reached the other side than his friend stood + before him and greeted him cheerfully. When she heard what the Fairy + demanded this time, she answered smilingly, ‘Never fear,’ and handed him + another draught, which very soon caused the Prince to sink into a deep + sleep. + </p> + <p> + When he awoke everything, was done. All the trees of the wood were cut up + into firewood and arranged in bundles ready for use. + </p> + <p> + He returned to the castle as quickly as he could, and told the Fairy that + her commands were obeyed. She was even more amazed than she had been + before, and asked him again if he had either seen or spoken to the black + girl; but the Prince knew better than to betray his word, and once more + lied freely. + </p> + <p> + On the following day the Fairy set him a third task to do, even harder + than the other two. She told him he must build a castle on the other side + of the lake, made of nothing but gold, silver, and precious stones, and + unless he could accomplish this within an hour, the most frightful doom + awaited him. + </p> + <p> + The Prince heard her words without anxiety, so entirely did he rely on the + help of his black friend. Full of hope he hurried across the bridge, and + recognised at once the spot where the castle was to stand, for spades, + hammers, axes, and every other building implement lay scattered on the + ground ready for the workman’s hand, but of gold, silver, and precious + stones there was not a sign. But before the Prince had time to feel + despondent the black girl beckoned to him in the distance from behind a + rock, where she had hidden herself for fear her mother should catch sight + of her. Full of joy the youth hurried towards her, and begged her aid and + counsel in the new piece of work he had been given to do. + </p> + <p> + But this time the Fairy had watched the Prince’s movements from her + window, and she saw him hiding himself behind the rock with her daughter. + She uttered a piercing shriek so that the mountains re-echoed with the + sound of it, and the terrified pair had hardly dared to look out from + their hiding-place when the enraged woman, with her dress and hair flying + in the wind, hurried over the bridge of clouds. The Prince at once gave + himself up for lost, but the girl told him to be of good courage and to + follow her as quickly as he could. But before they left their shelter she + broke off a little bit of the rock, spoke some magic words over it, and + threw it in the direction her mother was coming from. In a moment a + glittering palace arose before the eyes of the Fairy which blinded her + with its dazzling splendour, and with its many doors and passages + prevented her for some time from finding her way out of it. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the black girl hurried on with the Prince, hastening to + reach the river, where once on the other side they would for ever be out + of the wicked Fairy’s power. But before they had accomplished half the way + they heard again the rustle of her garments and her muttered curses + pursuing them closely. + </p> + <p> + The Prince was terrified; he dared not look back, and he felt his strength + giving way. But before he had time to despair the girl uttered some more + magic words, and immediately she herself was changed into a pond, and the + Prince into a duck swimming on its surface. + </p> + <p> + When the Fairy saw this her rage knew no bounds, and she used all her + magic wits to make the pond disappear; she caused a hill of sand to arise + at her feet, meaning it to dry up the water at once. But the sand hill + only drove the pond a little farther away, and its waters seemed to + increase instead of diminishing. When the old woman saw that the powers of + her magic were of so little avail, she had recourse to cunning. She threw + a lot of gold nuts into the pond, hoping in this way to catch the duck, + but all her efforts were fruitless, for the little creature refused to let + itself be caught. + </p> + <p> + Then a new idea struck the wicked old woman, and hiding herself behind the + rock which had sheltered the fugitives, she waited behind it, watching + carefully for the moment when the Prince and her daughter should resume + their natural forms and continue their journey. + </p> + <p> + She had not to wait long, for as soon as the girl thought her mother was + safely out of the way, she changed herself and the Prince once more into + their human shape, and set out cheerfully for the river. + </p> + <p> + But they had not gone many steps when the wicked Fairy hurried after them, + a drawn dagger in her hand, and was close upon them, when suddenly, + instead of the Prince and her daughter, she found herself in front of a + great stone church, whose entrance was carefully guarded by a huge monk. + </p> + <p> + Breathless with rage and passion, she tried to plunge her dagger into the + monk’s heart, but it fell shattered in pieces at her feet. In her + desperation she determined to pull down the church, and thus to destroy + her two victims for ever. She stamped three times on the ground, and the + earth trembled, and both the church and the monk began to shake. As soon + as the Fairy saw this she retreated to some distance from the building, so + as not to be hurt herself by its fall. But once more her scheme was doomed + to failure, for hardly had she gone a yard from the church than both it + and the monk disappeared, and she found herself in a wood black as night, + and full of wolves and bears and wild animals of all sorts and + descriptions. + </p> + <p> + Then her wrath gave place to terror, for she feared every moment to be + torn in pieces by the beasts who one and all seemed to defy her power. She + thought it wisest to make her way as best she could out of the forest, and + then to pursue the fugitives once more and accomplish their destruction + either by force or cunning. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the Prince and the black girl had again assumed their + natural forms, and were hurrying on as fast as they could to reach the + river. But when they got there they found that there was no way in which + they could cross it, and the girl’s magic art seemed no longer to have any + power. Then turning to the Prince she said, ‘The hour for my deliverance + has not yet come, but as you promised to do all you could to free me, you + must do exactly as I bid you now. Take this bow and arrow and kill every + beast you see with them, and be sure you spare no living creature.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words she disappeared, and hardly had she done so than a huge + wild boar started out of the thicket near and made straight for the + Prince. But the youth did not lose his presence of mind, and drawing his + bow he pierced the beast with his arrow right through the skull. The + creature fell heavily on the ground, and out of its side sprang a little + hare, which ran like the wind along the river bank. The Prince drew his + bow once more, and the hare lay dead at his feet; but at the same moment a + dove rose up in the air, and circled round the Prince’s head in the most + confiding manner. But mindful of the black girl’s commands, he dared not + spare the little creature’s life, and taking another arrow from his quiver + he laid it as dead as the boar and the hare. But when he went to look at + the body of the bird he found instead of the dove a round white egg lying + on the ground. + </p> + <p> + While he was gazing on it and wondering what it could mean, he heard the + sweeping of wings above him, and looking up he saw a huge vulture with + open claws swooping down upon him. In a moment he seized the egg and flung + it at the bird with all his might, and lo and behold! instead of the ugly + monster the most beautiful girl he had ever seen stood before the + astonished eyes of the Prince. + </p> + <p> + But while all this was going on the wicked old Fairy had managed to make + her way out of the wood, and was now using the last resource in her power + to overtake her daughter and the Prince. As soon as she was in the open + again she mounted her chariot, which was drawn by a fiery dragon, and flew + through the air in it. But just as she got to the river she saw the two + lovers in each other’s arms swimming through the water as easily as two + fishes. + </p> + <p> + Quick as lightning, and forgetful of every danger, she flew down upon + them. But the waters seized her chariot and sunk it in the lowest depths, + and the waves bore the wicked old woman down the stream till she was + caught in some thorn bushes, where she made a good meal for all the little + fishes that were swimming about. + </p> + <p> + And so at last the Prince and his lovely Bride were free. They hurried as + quickly as they could to the old King, who received them with joy and + gladness. On the following day a most gorgeous wedding feast was held, and + as far as we know the Prince and his bride lived happily for ever + afterwards. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DEAD WIFE(20) + </h2> + <h3> + (20) From the Iroquois. + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there were a man and his wife who lived in the forest, + very far from the rest of the tribe. Very often they spent the day in + hunting together, but after a while the wife found that she had so many + things to do that she was obliged to stay at home; so he went alone, + though he found that when his wife was not with him he never had any luck. + One day, when he was away hunting, the woman fell ill, and in a few days + she died. + </p> + <p> + Her husband grieved bitterly, and buried her in the house where she had + passed her life; but as the time went on he felt so lonely without her + that he made a wooden doll about her height and size for company, and + dressed it in her clothes. He seated it in front of the fire, and tried to + think he had his wife back again. The next day he went out to hunt, and + when he came home the first thing he did was to go up to the doll and + brush off some of the ashes from the fire which had fallen on its face. + But he was very busy now, for he had to cook and mend, besides getting + food, for there was no one to help him. And so a whole year passed away. + </p> + <p> + At the end of that time he came back from hunting one night and found some + wood by the door and a fire within. The next night there was not only wood + and fire, but a piece of meat in the kettle, nearly ready for eating. He + searched all about to see who could have done this, but could find no one. + The next time he went to hunt he took care not to go far, and came in + quite early. And while he was still a long way off he saw a woman going + into the house with wood on her shoulders. So he made haste, and opened + the door quickly, and instead of the wooden doll, his wife sat in front of + the fire. + </p> + <p> + Then she spoke to him and said, ‘The Great Spirit felt sorry for you, + because you would not be comforted, so he let me come back to you, but you + must not stretch out your hand to touch me till we have seen the rest of + our people. If you do, I shall die.’ + </p> + <p> + So the man listened to her words, and the woman dwelt there, and brought + the wood and kindled the fire, till one day her husband said to her, ‘It + is now two years since you died. Let us now go back to our tribe. Then you + will be well, and I can touch you.’ + </p> + <p> + And with that he prepared food for the journey, a string of deer’s flesh + for her to carry, and one for himself; and so they started. Now the camp + of the tribe was distant six days’ journey, and when they were yet one + day’s journey off it began to snow, and they felt weary and longed for + rest. Therefore they made a fire, cooked some food, and spread out their + skins to sleep. + </p> + <p> + Then the heart of the man was greatly stirred, and he stretched out his + arms to his wife, but she waved her hands and said, ‘We have seen no one + yet; it is too soon.’ + </p> + <p> + But he would not listen to her, and caught her to him, and behold! he was + clasping the wooden doll. And when he saw it was the doll he pushed it + from him in his misery and rushed away to the camp, and told them all his + story. And some doubted, and they went back with him to the place where he + and his wife had stopped to rest, and there lay the doll, and besides, + they saw in the snow the steps of two people, and the foot of one was like + the foot of the doll. And the man grieved sore all the days of his life. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IN THE LAND OF SOULS (21) + </h2> + <h3> + (21) From the Red Indian. + </h3> + <p> + Far away, in North America, where the Red Indians dwell, there lived a + long time ago a beautiful maiden, who was lovelier than any other girl in + the whole tribe. Many of the young braves sought her in marriage, but she + would listen to one only—a handsome chief, who had taken her fancy + some years before. So they were to be married, and great rejoicings were + made, and the two looked forward to a long life of happiness together, + when the very night before the wedding feast a sudden illness seized the + girl, and, without a word to her friends who were weeping round her, she + passed silently away. + </p> + <p> + The heart of her lover had been set upon her, and the thought of her + remained with him night and day. He put aside his bow, and went neither to + fight nor to hunt, but from sunrise to sunset he sat by the place where + she was laid, thinking of his happiness that was buried there. At last, + after many days, a light seemed to come to him out of the darkness. He + remembered having heard from the old, old people of the tribe, that there + was a path that led to the Land of Souls—that if you sought + carefully you could find it. + </p> + <p> + So the next morning he got up early, and put some food in his pouch and + slung an extra skin over his shoulders, for he knew not how long his + journey would take, nor what sort of country he would have to go through. + Only one thing he knew, that if the path was there, he would find it. At + first he was puzzled, as there seemed no reason he should go in one + direction more than another. Then all at once he thought he had heard one + of the old men say that the Land of Souls lay to the south, and so, filled + with new hope and courage, he set his face southwards. For many, many + miles the country looked the same as it did round his own home. The + forests, the hills, and the rivers all seemed exactly like the ones he had + left. The only thing that was different was the snow, which had lain thick + upon the hills and trees when he started, but grew less and less the + farther he went south, till it disappeared altogether. Soon the trees put + forth their buds, and flowers sprang up under his feet, and instead of + thick clouds there was blue sky over his head, and everywhere the birds + were singing. Then he knew that he was in the right road. + </p> + <p> + The thought that he should soon behold his lost bride made his heart beat + for joy, and he sped along lightly and swiftly. Now his way led through a + dark wood, and then over some steep cliffs, and on the top of these he + found a hut or wigwam. An old man clothed in skins, and holding a staff in + his hand, stood in the doorway; and he said to the young chief who was + beginning to tell his story, ‘I was waiting for you, wherefore you have + come I know. It is but a short while since she whom you seek was here. + Rest in my hut, as she also rested, and I will tell you what you ask, and + whither you should go.’ + </p> + <p> + On hearing these words, the young man entered the hut, but his heart was + too eager within him to suffer him to rest, and when he arose, the old man + rose too, and stood with him at the door. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘at the water + which lies far out yonder, and the plains which stretch beyond. That is + the Land of Souls, but no man enters it without leaving his body behind + him. So, lay down your body here; your bow and arrows, your skin and your + dog. They shall be kept for you safely.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he turned away, and the young chief, light as air, seemed hardly to + touch the ground; and as he flew along the scents grew sweeter and the + flowers more beautiful, while the animals rubbed their noses against him, + instead of hiding as he approached, and birds circled round him, and + fishes lifted up their heads and looked as he went by. Very soon he + noticed with wonder, that neither rocks nor trees barred his path. He + passed through them without knowing it, for indeed, they were not rocks + and trees at all, but only the souls of them; for this was the Land of + Shadows. + </p> + <p> + So he went on with winged feet till he came to the shores of a great lake, + with a lovely island in the middle of it; while on the bank of the lake + was a canoe of glittering stone, and in the canoe were two shining + paddles. + </p> + <p> + The chief jumped straight into the canoe, and seizing the paddles pushed + off from the shore, when to his joy and wonder he saw following him in + another canoe exactly like his own the maiden for whose sake he had made + this long journey. But they could not touch each other, for between them + rolled great waves, which looked as if they would sink the boats, yet + never did. And the young man and the maiden shrank with fear, for down in + the depths of the water they saw the bones of those who had died before, + and in the waves themselves men and women were struggling, and but few + passed over. Only the children had no fear, and reached the other side in + safety. Still, though the chief and the young girl quailed in terror at + these horrible sights and sounds, no harm came to them, for their lives + had been free from evil, and the Master of Life had said that no evil + should happen unto them. So they reached unhurt the shore of the Happy + Island, and wandered through the flowery fields and by the banks of + rushing streams, and they knew not hunger nor thirst; neither cold nor + heat. The air fed them and the sun warmed them, and they forgot the dead, + for they saw no graves, and the young man’s thoughts turned not to wars, + neither to the hunting of animals. And gladly would these two have walked + thus for ever, but in the murmur of the wind he heard the Master of Life + saying to him, ‘Return whither you came, for I have work for you to do, + and your people need you, and for many years you shall rule over them. At + the gate my messenger awaits you, and you shall take again your body which + you left behind, and he will show you what you are to do. Listen to him, + and have patience, and in time to come you shall rejoin her whom you must + now leave, for she is accepted, and will remain ever young and beautiful, + as when I called her hence from the Land of Snows.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WHITE DUCK + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time a great and powerful King married a lovely Princess. No + couple were ever so happy; but before their honeymoon was over they were + forced to part, for the King had to go on a warlike expedition to a far + country, and leave his young wife alone at home. Bitter were the tears she + shed, while her husband sought in vain to soothe her with words of comfort + and counsel, warning her, above all things, never to leave the castle, to + hold no intercourse with strangers, to beware of evil counsellors, and + especially to be on her guard against strange women. And the Queen + promised faithfully to obey her royal lord and master in these four + matters. + </p> + <p> + So when the King set out on his expedition she shut herself up with her + ladies in her own apartments, and spent her time in spinning and weaving, + and in thinking of her royal husband. Often she was very sad and lonely, + and it happened that one day while she was seated at the window, letting + salt tears drop on her work, an old woman, a kind, homely-looking old + body, stepped up to the window, and, leaning upon her crutch, addressed + the Queen in friendly, flattering tones, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you sad and cast down, fair Queen? You should not mope all day in + your rooms, but should come out into the green garden, and hear the birds + sing with joy among the trees, and see the butterflies fluttering above + the flowers, and hear the bees and insects hum, and watch the sunbeams + chase the dew-drops through the rose-leaves and in the lily-cups. All the + brightness outside would help to drive away your cares, O Queen.’ + </p> + <p> + For long the Queen resisted her coaxing words, remembering the promise she + had given the King, her husband; but at last she thought to herself: After + all, what harm would it do if I were to go into the garden for a short + time and enjoy myself among the trees and flowers, and the singing birds + and fluttering butterflies and humming insects, and look at the dew-drops + hiding from the sunbeams in the hearts of the roses and lilies, and wander + about in the sunshine, instead of remaining all day in this room? For she + had no idea that the kind-looking old woman leaning on her crutch was in + reality a wicked witch, who envied the Queen her good fortune, and was + determined to ruin her. And so, in all ignorance, the Queen followed her + out into the garden and listened to her smooth, flattering words. Now, in + the middle of the garden there was a pond of water, clear as crystal, and + the old woman said to the Queen: + </p> + <p> + ‘The day is so warm, and the sun’s rays so scorching, that the water in + the pond looks very cool and inviting. Would you not like to bathe in it, + fair Queen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I think not,’ answered the Queen; but the next moment she regretted + her words, and thought to herself: Why shouldn’t I bathe in that cool, + fresh water? No harm could come of it. And, so saying, she slipped off her + robes and stepped into the water. But scarcely had her tender feet touched + the cool ripples when she felt a great shove on her shoulders, and the + wicked witch had pushed her into the deep water, exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + ‘Swim henceforth, White Duck!’ + </p> + <p> + And the witch herself assumed the form of the Queen, and decked herself + out in the royal robes, and sat among the Court ladies, awaiting the + King’s return. And suddenly the tramp of horses’ hoofs was heard, and the + barking of dogs, and the witch hastened forward to meet the royal + carriages, and, throwing her arms round the King’s neck, kissed him. And + in his great joy the King did not know that the woman he held in his arms + was not his own dear wife, but a wicked witch. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, outside the palace walls, the poor White Duck swam up and + down the pond; and near it laid three eggs, out of which there came one + morning two little fluffy ducklings and a little ugly drake. And the White + Duck brought the little creatures up, and they paddled after her in the + pond, and caught gold-fish, and hopped upon the bank and waddled about, + ruffling their feathers and saying ‘Quack, quack’ as they strutted about + on the green banks of the pond. But their mother used to warn them not to + stray too far, telling them that a wicked witch lived in the castle beyond + the garden, adding, ‘She has ruined me, and she will do her best to ruin + you.’ But the young ones did not listen to their mother, and, playing + about the garden one day, they strayed close up to the castle windows. The + witch at once recognised them by their smell, and ground her teeth with + anger; but she hid her feelings, and, pretending to be very kind she + called them to her and joked with them, and led them into a beautiful + room, where she gave them food to eat, and showed them a soft cushion on + which they might sleep. Then she left them and went down into the palace + kitchens, where she told the servants to sharpen the knives, and to make a + great fire ready, and hang a large kettleful of water over it. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the two little ducklings had fallen asleep, and the little + drake lay between them, covered up by their wings, to be kept warm under + their feathers. But the little drake could not go to sleep, and as he lay + there wide awake in the night he heard the witch come to the door and say: + </p> + <p> + ‘Little ones, are you asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + And the little drake answered for the other two: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘We cannot sleep, we wake and weep, + Sharp is the knife, to take our life; + The fire is hot, now boils the pot, + And so we wake, and lie and quake.’ +</pre> + <p> + ‘They are not asleep yet,’ muttered the witch to herself; and she walked + up and down in the passage, and then came back to the door, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Little ones, are you asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + And again the little drake answered for his sisters: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘We cannot sleep, we wake and weep, + Sharp is the knife, to take our life; + The fire is hot, now boils the pot, + And so we wake, and lie and quake.’ +</pre> + <p> + ‘Just the same answer,’ muttered the witch; ‘I think I’ll go in and see.’ + So she opened the door gently, and seeing the two little ducklings sound + asleep, she there and then killed them. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the White Duck wandered round the pond in a distracted + manner, looking for her little ones; she called and she searched, but + could find no trace of them. And in her heart she had a foreboding that + evil had befallen them, and she fluttered up out of the water and flew to + the palace. And there, laid out on the marble floor of the court, dead and + stone cold, were her three children. The White Duck threw herself upon + them, and, covering up their little bodies with her wings, she cried: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Quack, quack—my little loves! + Quack, quack—my turtle-doves! + I brought you up with grief and pain, + And now before my eyes you’re slain. + + I gave you always of the best; + I kept you warm in my soft nest. + I loved and watched you day and night— + You were my joy, my one delight.’ +</pre> + <p> + The King heard the sad complaint of the White Duck, and called to the + witch: ‘Wife, what a wonder is this? Listen to that White Duck.’ + </p> + <p> + But the witch answered, ‘My dear husband, what do you mean? There is + nothing wonderful in a duck’s quacking. Here, servants! Chase that duck + out of the courtyard.’ But though the servants chased and chevied, they + could not get rid of the duck; for she circled round and round, and always + came back to the spot where her children lay, crying: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Quack, quack—my little loves! + Quack, quack—my turtle-doves! + The wicked witch your lives did take— + The wicked witch, the cunning snake. + First she stole my King away, + Then my children did she slay. + Changed me, from a happy wife, + To a duck for all my life. + Would I were the Queen again; + Would that you had never been slain.’ +</pre> + <p> + And as the King heard her words he began to suspect that he had been + deceived, and he called out to the servants, ‘Catch that duck, and bring + it here.’ But, though they ran to and fro, the duck always fled past them, + and would not let herself be caught. So the King himself stepped down + amongst them, and instantly the duck fluttered down into his hands. And as + he stroked her wings she was changed into a beautiful woman, and he + recognised his dear wife. And she told him that a bottle would be found in + her nest in the garden, containing some drops from the spring of healing. + And it was brought to her; and the ducklings and little drake were + sprinkled with the water, and from the little dead bodies three lovely + children arose. And the King and Queen were overjoyed when they saw their + children, and they all lived happily together in the beautiful palace. But + the wicked witch was taken by the King’s command, and she came to no good + end. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WITCH AND HER SERVANTS(22) + </h2> + <h3> + (22) From the Russian. Kletke. + </h3> + <p> + Long time ago there lived a King who had three sons; the eldest was called + Szabo, the second Warza, and the youngest Iwanich. + </p> + <p> + One beautiful spring morning the King was walking through his gardens with + these three sons, gazing with admiration at the various fruit-trees, some + of which were a mass of blossom, whilst others were bowed to the ground + laden with rich fruit. During their wanderings they came unperceived on a + piece of waste land where three splendid trees grew. The King looked on + them for a moment, and then, shaking his head sadly, he passed on in + silence. + </p> + <p> + The sons, who could not understand why he did this, asked him the reason + of his dejection, and the King told them as follows: + </p> + <p> + ‘These three trees, which I cannot see without sorrow, were planted by me + on this spot when I was a youth of twenty. A celebrated magician, who had + given the seed to my father, promised him that they would grow into the + three finest trees the world had ever seen. My father did not live to see + his words come true; but on his death-bed he bade me transplant them here, + and to look after them with the greatest care, which I accordingly did. At + last, after the lapse of five long years, I noticed some blossoms on the + branches, and a few days later the most exquisite fruit my eyes had ever + seen. + </p> + <p> + ‘I gave my head-gardener the strictest orders to watch the trees + carefully, for the magician had warned my father that if one unripe fruit + were plucked from the tree, all the rest would become rotten at once. When + it was quite ripe the fruit would become a golden yellow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Every day I gazed on the lovely fruit, which became gradually more and + more tempting-looking, and it was all I could do not to break the + magician’s commands. + </p> + <p> + ‘One night I dreamt that the fruit was perfectly ripe; I ate some of it, + and it was more delicious than anything I had ever tasted in real life. As + soon as I awoke I sent for the gardener and asked him if the fruit on the + three trees had not ripened in the night to perfection. + </p> + <p> + ‘But instead of replying, the gardener threw himself at my feet and swore + that he was innocent. He said that he had watched by the trees all night, + but in spite of it, and as if by magic, the beautiful trees had been + robbed of all their fruit. + </p> + <p> + ‘Grieved as I was over the theft, I did not punish the gardener, of whose + fidelity I was well assured, but I determined to pluck off all the fruit + in the following year before it was ripe, as I had not much belief in the + magician’s warning. + </p> + <p> + ‘I carried out my intention, and had all the fruit picked off the tree, + but when I tasted one of the apples it was bitter and unpleasant, and the + next morning the rest of the fruit had all rotted away. + </p> + <p> + ‘After this I had the beautiful fruit of these trees carefully guarded by + my most faithful servants; but every year, on this very night, the fruit + was plucked and stolen by an invisible hand, and next morning not a single + apple remained on the trees. For some time past I have given up even + having the trees watched.’ + </p> + <p> + When the King had finished his story, Szabo, his eldest son, said to him: + ‘Forgive me, father, if I say I think you are mistaken. I am sure there + are many men in your kingdom who could protect these trees from the + cunning arts of a thieving magician; I myself, who as your eldest son + claim the first right to do so, will mount guard over the fruit this very + night.’ + </p> + <p> + The King consented, and as soon as evening drew on Szabo climbed up on to + one of the trees, determined to protect the fruit even if it cost him his + life. So he kept watch half the night; but a little after midnight he was + overcome by an irresistible drowsiness, and fell fast asleep. He did not + awake till it was bright daylight, and all the fruit on the trees had + vanished. + </p> + <p> + The following year Warza, the second brother, tried his luck, but with the + same result. Then it came to the turn of the third and youngest son. + </p> + <p> + Iwanich was not the least discouraged by the failure of his elder + brothers, though they were both much older and stronger than he was, and + when night came climbed up the tree as they had done, The moon had risen, + and with her soft light lit up the whole neighbourhood, so that the + observant Prince could distinguish the smallest object distinctly. + </p> + <p> + At midnight a gentle west wind shook the tree, and at the same moment a + snow-white swan-like bird sank down gently on his breast. The Prince + hastily seized the bird’s wings in his hands, when, lo! to his + astonishment he found he was holding in his arms not a bird but the most + beautiful girl he had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + ‘You need not fear Militza,’ said the beautiful girl, looking at the + Prince with friendly eyes. ‘An evil magician has not robbed you of your + fruit, but he stole the seed from my mother, and thereby caused her death. + When she was dying she bade me take the fruit, which you have no right to + possess, from the trees every year as soon as it was ripe. This I would + have done to-night too, if you had not seized me with such force, and so + broken the spell I was under.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich, who had been prepared to meet a terrible magician and not a + lovely girl, fell desperately in love with her. They spent the rest of the + night in pleasant conversation, and when Militza wished to go away he + begged her not to leave him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I would gladly stay with you longer,’ said Militza, ‘but a wicked witch + once cut off a lock of my hair when I was asleep, which has put me in her + power, and if morning were still to find me here she would do me some + harm, and you, too, perhaps.’ + </p> + <p> + Having said these words, she drew a sparkling diamond ring from her + finger, which she handed to the Prince, saying: ‘Keep this ring in memory + of Militza, and think of her sometimes if you never see her again. But if + your love is really true, come and find me in my own kingdom. I may not + show you the way there, but this ring will guide you. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you have love and courage enough to undertake this journey, whenever + you come to a cross-road always look at this diamond before you settle + which way you are going to take. If it sparkles as brightly as ever go + straight on, but if its lustre is dimmed choose another path.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Militza bent over the Prince and kissed him on his forehead, and + before he had time to say a word she vanished through the branches of the + tree in a little white cloud. + </p> + <p> + Morning broke, and the Prince, still full of the wonderful apparition, + left his perch and returned to the palace like one in a dream, without + even knowing if the fruit had been taken or not; for his whole mind was + absorbed by thoughts of Militza and how he was to find her. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the head-gardener saw the Prince going towards the palace he + ran to the trees, and when he saw them laden with ripe fruit he hastened + to tell the King the joyful news. The King was beside himself for joy, and + hurried at once to the garden and made the gardener pick him some of the + fruit. He tasted it, and found the apple quite as luscious as it had been + in his dream. He went at once to his son Iwanich, and after embracing him + tenderly and heaping praises on him, he asked him how he had succeeded in + protecting the costly fruit from the power of the magician. + </p> + <p> + This question placed Iwanich in a dilemma. But as he did not want the real + story to be known, he said that about midnight a huge wasp had flown + through the branches, and buzzed incessantly round him. He had warded it + off with his sword, and at dawn, when he was becoming quite worn out, the + wasp had vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. + </p> + <p> + The King, who never doubted the truth of this tale, bade his son go to + rest at once and recover from the fatigues of the night; but he himself + went and ordered many feasts to be held in honour of the preservation of + the wonderful fruit. + </p> + <p> + The whole capital was in a stir, and everyone shared in the King’s joy; + the Prince alone took no part in the festivities. + </p> + <p> + While the King was at a banquet, Iwanich took some purses of gold, and + mounting the quickest horse in the royal stable, he sped off like the wind + without a single soul being any the wiser. + </p> + <p> + It was only on the next day that they missed him; the King was very + distressed at his disappearance, and sent search-parties all over the + kingdom to look for him, but in vain; and after six months they gave him + up as dead, and in another six months they had forgotten all about him. + But in the meantime the Prince, with the help of his ring, had had a most + successful journey, and no evil had befallen him. + </p> + <p> + At the end of three months he came to the entrance of a huge forest, which + looked as if it had never been trodden by human foot before, and which + seemed to stretch out indefinitely. The Prince was about to enter the wood + by a little path he had discovered, when he heard a voice shouting to him: + ‘Hold, youth! Whither are you going?’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich turned round, and saw a tall, gaunt-looking man, clad in miserable + rags, leaning on a crooked staff and seated at the foot of an oak tree, + which was so much the same colour as himself that it was little wonder the + Prince had ridden past the tree without noticing him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where else should I be going,’ he said, ‘than through the wood?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Through the wood?’ said the old man in amazement. ‘It’s easily seen that + you have heard nothing of this forest, that you rush so blindly to meet + your doom. Well, listen to me before you ride any further; let me tell you + that this wood hides in its depths a countless number of the fiercest + tigers, hyenas, wolves, bears, and snakes, and all sorts of other + monsters. If I were to cut you and your horse up into tiny morsels and + throw them to the beasts, there wouldn’t be one bit for each hundred of + them. Take my advice, therefore, and if you wish to save your life follow + some other path.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince was rather taken aback by the old man’s words, and considered + for a minute what he should do; then looking at his ring, and perceiving + that it sparkled as brightly as ever, he called out: ‘If this wood held + even more terrible things than it does, I cannot help myself, for I must + go through it.’ + </p> + <p> + Here he spurred his horse and rode on; but the old beggar screamed so + loudly after him that the Prince turned round and rode back to the oak + tree. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am really sorry for you,’ said the beggar, ‘but if you are quite + determined to brave the dangers of the forest, let me at least give you a + piece of advice which will help you against these monsters. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this bagful of bread-crumbs and this live hare. I will make you a + present of them both, as I am anxious to save your life; but you must + leave your horse behind you, for it would stumble over the fallen trees or + get entangled in the briers and thorns. When you have gone about a hundred + yards into the wood the wild beasts will surround you. Then you must + instantly seize your bag, and scatter the bread-crumbs among them. They + will rush to eat them up greedily, and when you have scattered the last + crumb you must lose no time in throwing the hare to them; as soon as the + hare feels itself on the ground it will run away as quickly as possible, + and the wild beasts will turn to pursue it. In this way you will be able + to get through the wood unhurt.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich thanked the old man for his counsel, dismounted from his horse, + and, taking the bag and the hare in his arms, he entered the forest. He + had hardly lost sight of his gaunt grey friend when he heard growls and + snarls in the thicket close to him, and before he had time to think he + found himself surrounded by the most dreadful-looking creatures. On one + side he saw the glittering eye of a cruel tiger, on the other the gleaming + teeth of a great she-wolf; here a huge bear growled fiercely, and there a + horrible snake coiled itself in the grass at his feet. + </p> + <p> + But Iwanich did not forget the old man’s advice, and quickly put his hand + into the bag and took out as many bread-crumbs as he could hold in his + hand at a time. He threw them to the beasts, but soon the bag grew lighter + and lighter, and the Prince began to feel a little frightened. And now the + last crumb was gone, and the hungry beasts thronged round him, greedy for + fresh prey. Then he seized the hare and threw it to them. + </p> + <p> + No sooner did the little creature feel itself on the ground than it lay + back its ears and flew through the wood like an arrow from a bow, closely + pursued by the wild beasts, and the Prince was left alone. He looked at + his ring, and when he saw that it sparkled as brightly as ever he went + straight on through the forest. + </p> + <p> + He hadn’t gone very far when he saw a most extraordinary looking man + coming towards him. He was not more than three feet high, his legs were + quite crooked, and all his body was covered with prickles like a hedgehog. + Two lions walked with him, fastened to his side by the two ends of his + long beard. + </p> + <p> + He stopped the Prince and asked him in a harsh voice: ‘Are you the man who + has just fed my body-guard?’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich was so startled that he could hardly reply, but the little man + continued: ‘I am most grateful to you for your kindness; what can I give + you as a reward?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All I ask,’ replied Iwanich, ‘is, that I should be allowed to go through + this wood in safety.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Most certainly,’ answered the little man; ‘and for greater security I + will give you one of my lions as a protector. But when you leave this wood + and come near a palace which does not belong to my domain, let the lion + go, in order that he may not fall into the hands of an enemy and be + killed.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words he loosened the lion from his beard and bade the beast + guard the youth carefully. + </p> + <p> + With this new protector Iwanich wandered on through the forest, and though + he came upon a great many more wolves, hyenas, leopards, and other wild + beasts, they always kept at a respectful distance when they saw what sort + of an escort the Prince had with him. + </p> + <p> + Iwanich hurried through the wood as quickly as his legs would carry him, + but, nevertheless, hour after hour went by and not a trace of a green + field or a human habitation met his eyes. At length, towards evening, the + mass of trees grew more transparent, and through the interlaced branches a + wide plain was visible. + </p> + <p> + At the exit of the wood the lion stood still, and the Prince took leave of + him, having first thanked him warmly for his kind protection. It had + become quite dark, and Iwanich was forced to wait for daylight before + continuing his journey. + </p> + <p> + He made himself a bed of grass and leaves, lit a fire of dry branches, and + slept soundly till the next morning. + </p> + <p> + Then he got up and walked towards a beautiful white palace which he saw + gleaming in the distance. In about an hour he reached the building, and + opening the door he walked in. + </p> + <p> + After wandering through many marble halls, he came to a huge staircase + made of porphyry, leading down to a lovely garden. + </p> + <p> + The Prince burst into a shout of joy when he suddenly perceived Militza in + the centre of a group of girls who were weaving wreaths of flowers with + which to deck their mistress. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Militza saw the Prince she ran up to him and embraced him + tenderly; and after he had told her all his adventures, they went into the + palace, where a sumptuous meal awaited them. Then the Princess called her + court together, and introduced Iwanich to them as her future husband. + </p> + <p> + Preparations were at once made for the wedding, which was held soon after + with great pomp and magnificence. + </p> + <p> + Three months of great happiness followed, when Militza received one day an + invitation to visit her mother’s sister. + </p> + <p> + Although the Princess was very unhappy at leaving her husband, she did not + like to refuse the invitation, and, promising to return in seven days at + the latest, she took a tender farewell of the Prince, and said: ‘Before I + go I will hand you over all the keys of the castle. Go everywhere and do + anything you like; only one thing I beg and beseech you, do not open the + little iron door in the north tower, which is closed with seven locks and + seven bolts; for if you do, we shall both suffer for it.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich promised what she asked, and Militza departed, repeating her + promise to return in seven days. + </p> + <p> + When the Prince found himself alone he began to be tormented by pangs of + curiosity as to what the room in the tower contained. For two days he + resisted the temptation to go and look, but on the third he could stand it + no longer, and taking a torch in his hand he hurried to the tower, and + unfastened one lock after the other of the little iron door until it burst + open. + </p> + <p> + What an unexpected sight met his gaze! The Prince perceived a small room + black with smoke, lit up feebly by a fire from which issued long blue + flames. Over the fire hung a huge cauldron full of boiling pitch, and + fastened into the cauldron by iron chains stood a wretched man screaming + with agony. + </p> + <p> + Iwanich was much horrified at the sight before him, and asked the man what + terrible crime he had committed to be punished in this dreadful fashion. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will tell you everything,’ said the man in the cauldron; ‘but first + relieve my torments a little, I implore you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how can I do that?’ asked the Prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘With a little water,’ replied the man; ‘only sprinkle a few drops over me + and I shall feel better.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince, moved by pity, without thinking what he was doing, ran to the + courtyard of the castle, and filled a jug with water, which he poured over + the man in the cauldron. + </p> + <p> + In a moment a most fearful crash was heard, as if all the pillars of the + palace were giving way, and the palace itself, with towers and doors, + windows and the cauldron, whirled round the bewildered Prince’s head. This + continued for a few minutes, and then everything vanished into thin air, + and Iwanich found himself suddenly alone upon a desolate heath covered + with rocks and stones. + </p> + <p> + The Prince, who now realised what his heedlessness had done, cursed too + late his spirit of curiosity. In his despair he wandered on over the + heath, never looking where he put his feet, and full of sorrowful + thoughts. At last he saw a light in the distance, which came from a + miserable-looking little hut. + </p> + <p> + The owner of it was none other than the kind-hearted gaunt grey beggar who + had given the Prince the bag of bread-crumbs and the hare. Without + recognising Iwanich, he opened the door when he knocked and gave him + shelter for the night. + </p> + <p> + On the following morning the Prince asked his host if he could get him any + work to do, as he was quite unknown in the neighbourhood, and had not + enough money to take him home. + </p> + <p> + ‘My son,’ replied the old man, ‘all this country round here is + uninhabited; I myself have to wander to distant villages for my living, + and even then I do not very often find enough to satisfy my hunger. But if + you would like to take service with the old witch Corva, go straight up + the little stream which flows below my hut for about three hours, and you + will come to a sand-hill on the left-hand side; that is where she lives.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich thanked the gaunt grey beggar for his information, and went on his + way. + </p> + <p> + After walking for about three hours the Prince came upon a dreary-looking + grey stone wall; this was the back of the building and did not attract + him; but when he came upon the front of the house he found it even less + inviting, for the old witch had surrounded her dwelling with a fence of + spikes, on every one of which a man’s skull was stuck. In this horrible + enclosure stood a small black house, which had only two grated windows, + all covered with cobwebs, and a battered iron door. + </p> + <p> + The Prince knocked, and a rasping woman’s voice told him to enter. + </p> + <p> + Iwanich opened the door, and found himself in a smoke-begrimed kitchen, in + the presence of a hideous old woman who was warming her skinny hands at a + fire. The Prince offered to become her servant, and the old hag told him + she was badly in want of one, and he seemed to be just the person to suit + her. + </p> + <p> + When Iwanich asked what his work, and how much his wages would be, the + witch bade him follow her, and led the way through a narrow damp passage + into a vault, which served as a stable. Here he perceived two pitch-black + horses in a stall. + </p> + <p> + ‘You see before you,’ said the old woman, ‘a mare and her foal; you have + nothing to do but to lead them out to the fields every day, and to see + that neither of them runs away from you. If you look after them both for a + whole year I will give you anything you like to ask; but if, on the other + hand, you let either of the animals escape you, your last hour is come, + and your head shall be stuck on the last spike of my fence. The other + spikes, as you see, are already adorned, and the skulls are all those of + different servants I have had who have failed to do what I demanded.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich, who thought he could not be much worse off than he was already, + agreed to the witch’s proposal. + </p> + <p> + At daybreak nest morning he drove his horses to the field, and brought + them back in the evening without their ever having attempted to break away + from him. The witch stood at her door and received him kindly, and set a + good meal before him. + </p> + <p> + So it continued for some time, and all went well with the Prince. + </p> + <p> + Early every morning he led the horses out to the fields, and brought them + home safe and sound in the evening. + </p> + <p> + One day, while he was watching the horses, he came to the banks of a + river, and saw a big fish, which through some mischance had been cast on + the land, struggling hard to get back into the water. + </p> + <p> + Iwanich, who felt sorry for the poor creature, seized it in his arms and + flung it into the stream. But no sooner did the fish find itself in the + water again, than, to the Prince’s amazement, it swam up to the bank and + said: + </p> + <p> + ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I desire nothing,’ answered the Prince. ‘I am quite content to have been + able to be of some service to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my + body, and keep it carefully. If you should ever need my help, throw it + into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich bowed, loosened a scale from the body of the grateful beast, put + it carefully away, and returned home. + </p> + <p> + A short time after this, when he was going early one morning to the usual + grazing place with his horses, he noticed a flock of birds assembled + together making a great noise and flying wildly backwards and forwards. + </p> + <p> + Full of curiosity, Iwanich hurried up to the spot, and saw that a large + number of ravens had attacked an eagle, and although the eagle was big and + powerful and was making a brave fight, it was overpowered at last by + numbers, and had to give in. + </p> + <p> + But the Prince, who was sorry for the poor bird, seized the branch of a + tree and hit out at the ravens with it; terrified at this unexpected + onslaught they flew away, leaving many of their number dead or wounded on + the battlefield. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the eagle saw itself free from its tormentors it plucked a + feather from its wing, and, handing it to the Prince, said: ‘Here, my kind + benefactor, take this feather as a proof of my gratitude; should you ever + be in need of my help blow this feather into the air, and I will help you + as much as is in my power.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich thanked the bird, and placing the feather beside the scale he + drove the horses home. + </p> + <p> + Another day he had wandered farther than usual, and came close to a + farmyard; the place pleased the Prince, and as there was plenty of good + grass for the horses he determined to spend the day there. Just as he was + sitting down under a tree he heard a cry close to him, and saw a fox which + had been caught in a trap placed there by the farmer. + </p> + <p> + In vain did the poor beast try to free itself; then the good-natured + Prince came once more to the rescue, and let the fox out of the trap. + </p> + <p> + The fox thanked him heartily, tore two hairs out of his bushy tail, and + said: ‘Should you ever stand in need of my help throw these two hairs into + the fire, and in a moment I shall be at your side ready to obey you.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich put the fox’s hairs with the scale and the feather, and as it was + getting dark he hastened home with his horses. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime his service was drawing near to an end, and in three more + days the year was up, and he would be able to get his reward and leave the + witch. + </p> + <p> + On the first evening of these last three days, when he came home and was + eating his supper, he noticed the old woman stealing into the stables. + </p> + <p> + The Prince followed her secretly to see what she was going to do. He + crouched down in the doorway and heard the wicked witch telling the horses + to wait next morning till Iwanich was asleep, and then to go and hide + themselves in the river, and to stay there till she told them to return; + and if they didn’t do as she told them the old woman threatened to beat + them till they bled. + </p> + <p> + When Iwanich heard all this he went back to his room, determined that + nothing should induce him to fall asleep next day. On the following + morning he led the mare and foal to the fields as usual, but bound a cord + round them both which he kept in his hand. + </p> + <p> + But after a few hours, by the magic arts of the old witch, he was + overpowered by sleep, and the mare and foal escaped and did as they had + been told to do. The Prince did not awake till late in the evening; and + when he did, he found, to his horror, that the horses had disappeared. + Filled with despair, he cursed the moment when he had entered the service + of the cruel witch, and already he saw his head sticking up on the sharp + spike beside the others. + </p> + <p> + Then he suddenly remembered the fish’s scale, which, with the eagle’s + feather and the fox’s hairs, he always carried about with him. He drew the + scale from his pocket, and hurrying to the river he threw it in. In a + minute the grateful fish swam towards the bank on which Iwanich was + standing, and said: ‘What do you command, my friend and benefactor?’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince replied: ‘I had to look after a mare and foal, and they have + run away from me and have hidden themselves in the river; if you wish to + save my life drive them back to the land.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait a moment,’ answered the fish, ‘and I and my friends will soon drive + them out of the water.’ With these words the creature disappeared into the + depths of the stream. + </p> + <p> + Almost immediately a rushing hissing sound was heard in the waters, the + waves dashed against the banks, the foam was tossed into the air, and the + two horses leapt suddenly on to the dry land, trembling and shaking with + fear. + </p> + <p> + Iwanich sprang at once on to the mare’s back, seized the foal by its + bridle, and hastened home in the highest spirits. + </p> + <p> + When the witch saw the Prince bringing the horses home she could hardly + conceal her wrath, and as soon as she had placed Iwanich’s supper before + him she stole away again to the stables. The Prince followed her, and + heard her scolding the beasts harshly for not having hidden themselves + better. She bade them wait next morning till Iwanich was asleep and then + to hide themselves in the clouds, and to remain there till she called. If + they did not do as she told them she would beat them till they bled. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, after Iwanich had led his horses to the fields, he fell + once more into a magic sleep. The horses at once ran away and hid + themselves in the clouds, which hung down from the mountains in soft + billowy masses. + </p> + <p> + When the Prince awoke and found that both the mare and the foal had + disappeared, he bethought him at once of the eagle, and taking the feather + out of his pocket he blew it into the air. + </p> + <p> + In a moment the bird swooped down beside him and asked: ‘What do you wish + me to do?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My mare and foal,’ replied the Prince, ‘have run away from me, and have + hidden themselves in the clouds; if you wish to save my life, restore both + animals to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait a minute,’ answered the eagle; ‘with the help of my friends I will + soon drive them back to you.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words the bird flew up into the air and disappeared among the + clouds. + </p> + <p> + Almost directly Iwanich saw his two horses being driven towards him by a + host of eagles of all sizes. He caught the mare and foal, and having + thanked the eagle he drove them cheerfully home again. + </p> + <p> + The old witch was more disgusted than ever when she saw him appearing, and + having set his supper before him she stole into the stables, and Iwanich + heard her abusing the horses for not having hidden themselves better in + the clouds. Then she bade them hide themselves next morning, as soon as + Iwanich was asleep, in the King’s hen-house, which stood on a lonely part + of the heath, and to remain there till she called. If they failed to do as + she told them she would certainly beat them this time till they bled. + </p> + <p> + On the following morning the Prince drove his horses as usual to the + fields. After he had been overpowered by sleep, as on the former days, the + mare and foal ran away and hid themselves in the royal hen house. + </p> + <p> + When the Prince awoke and found the horses gone he determined to appeal to + the fox; so, lighting a fire, he threw the two hairs into it, and in a few + moments the fox stood beside him and asked: ‘In what way can I serve you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish to know,’ replied Iwanich, ‘where the King’s hen-house is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hardly an hour’s walk from here,’ answered the fox, and offered to show + the Prince the way to it. + </p> + <p> + While they were walking along the fox asked him what he wanted to do at + the royal hen-house. The Prince told him of the misfortune that had + befallen him, and of the necessity of recovering the mare and foal. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is no easy matter,’ replied the fox. ‘But wait a moment. I have an + idea. Stand at the door of the hen-house, and wait there for your horses. + In the meantime I will slip in among the hens through a hole in the wall + and give them a good chase, so that the noise they make will arouse the + royal henwives, and they will come to see what is the matter. When they + see the horses they will at once imagine them to be the cause of the + disturbance, and will drive them out. Then you must lay hands on the mare + and foal and catch them. + </p> + <p> + All turned out exactly as the sly fox had foreseen. The Prince swung + himself on the mare, seized the foal by its bridle, and hurried home. + </p> + <p> + While he was riding over the heath in the highest of spirits the mare + suddenly said to her rider: ‘You are the first person who has ever + succeeded in outwitting the old witch Corva, and now you may ask what + reward you like for your service. If you promise never to betray me I will + give you a piece of advice which you will do well to follow.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince promised never to betray her confidence, and the mare + continued: ‘Ask nothing else as a reward than my foal, for it has not its + like in the world, and is not to be bought for love or money; for it can + go from one end of the earth to another in a few minutes. Of course the + cunning Corva will do her best to dissuade you from taking the foal, and + will tell you that it is both idle and sickly; but do not believe her, and + stick to your point.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich longed to possess such an animal, and promised the mare to follow + her advice. + </p> + <p> + This time Corva received him in the most friendly manner, and set a + sumptuous repast before him. As soon as he had finished she asked him what + reward he demanded for his year’s service. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing more nor less,’ replied the Prince, ‘than the foal of your mare.’ + </p> + <p> + The witch pretended to be much astonished at his request, and said that he + deserved something much better than the foal, for the beast was lazy and + nervous, blind in one eye, and, in short, was quite worthless. + </p> + <p> + But the Prince knew what he wanted, and when the old witch saw that he had + made up his mind to have the foal, she said, ‘I am obliged to keep my + promise and to hand you over the foal; and as I know who you are and what + you want, I will tell you in what way the animal will be useful to you. + The man in the cauldron of boiling pitch, whom you set free, is a mighty + magician; through your curiosity and thoughtlessness Militza came into his + power, and he has transported her and her castle and belongings into a + distant country. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are the only person who can kill him; and in consequence he fears you + to such an extent that he has set spies to watch you, and they report your + movements to him daily. + </p> + <p> + ‘When you have reached him, beware of speaking a single word to him, or + you will fall into the power of his friends. Seize him at once by the + beard and dash him to the ground.’ + </p> + <p> + Iwanich thanked the old witch, mounted his foal, put spurs to its sides, + and they flew like lightning through the air. + </p> + <p> + Already it was growing dark, when Iwanich perceived some figures in the + distance; they soon came up to them, and then the Prince saw that it was + the magician and his friends who were driving through the air in a + carriage drawn by owls. + </p> + <p> + When the magician found himself face to face with Iwanich, without hope of + escape, he turned to him with false friendliness and said: ‘Thrice my kind + benefactor!’ + </p> + <p> + But the Prince, without saying a word, seized him at once by his beard and + dashed him to the ground. At the same moment the foal sprang on the top of + the magician and kicked and stamped on him with his hoofs till he died. + </p> + <p> + Then Iwanich found himself once more in the palace of his bride, and + Militza herself flew into his arms. + </p> + <p> + From this time forward they lived in undisturbed peace and happiness till + the end of their lives. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MAGIC RING + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived an old couple who had one son called Martin. + Now when the old man’s time had come, he stretched himself out on his bed + and died. Though all his life long he had toiled and moiled, he only left + his widow and son two hundred florins. The old woman determined to put by + the money for a rainy day; but alas! the rainy day was close at hand, for + their meal was all consumed, and who is prepared to face starvation with + two hundred florins at their disposal? So the old woman counted out a + hundred of her florins, and giving them to Martin, told him to go into the + town and lay in a store of meal for a year. + </p> + <p> + So Martin started off for the town. When he reached the meat-market he + found the whole place in turmoil, and a great noise of angry voices and + barking of dogs. Mixing in the crowd, he noticed a stag-hound which the + butchers had caught and tied to a post, and which was being flogged in a + merciless manner. Overcome with pity, Martin spoke to the butchers, + saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘Friends, why are you beating the poor dog so cruelly?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We have every right to beat him,’ they replied; ‘he has just devoured a + newly-killed pig.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave off beating him,’ said Martin, ‘and sell him to me instead.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you choose to buy him,’ answered the butchers derisively; ‘but for + such a treasure we won’t take a penny less than a hundred florins.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A hundred!’ exclaimed Martin. ‘Well, so be it, if you will not take + less;’ and, taking the money out of his pocket, he handed it over in + exchange for the dog, whose name was Schurka. + </p> + <p> + When Martin got home, his mother met him with the question: + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, what have you bought?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Schurka, the dog,’ replied Martin, pointing to his new possession. + Whereupon his mother became very angry, and abused him roundly. He ought + to be ashamed of himself, when there was scarcely a handful of meal in the + house, to have spent the money on a useless brute like that. On the + following day she sent him back to the town, saying, ‘Here, take our last + hundred florins, and buy provisions with them. I have just emptied the + last grains of meal out of the chest, and baked a bannock; but it won’t + last over to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + Just as Martin was entering the town he met a rough-looking peasant who + was dragging a cat after him by a string which was fastened round the poor + beast’s neck. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop,’ cried Martin; ‘where are you dragging that poor cat?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean to drown him,’ was the answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘What harm has the poor beast done?’ said Martin. + </p> + <p> + ‘It has just killed a goose,’ replied the peasant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t drown him, sell him to me instead,’ begged Martin. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not for a hundred florins,’ was the answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely for a hundred florins you’ll sell it?’ said Martin. ‘See! here is + the money;’ and, so saying, he handed him the hundred florins, which the + peasant pocketed, and Martin took possession of the cat, which was called + Waska. + </p> + <p> + When he reached his home his mother greeted him with the question: + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, what have you brought back?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have brought this cat, Waska,’ answered Martin. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what besides?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I had no money over to buy anything else with,’ replied Martin. + </p> + <p> + ‘You useless ne’er-do-weel!’ exclaimed his mother in a great passion. + ‘Leave the house at once, and go and beg your bread among strangers;’ and + as Martin did not dare to contradict her, he called Schurka and Waska and + started off with them to the nearest village in search of work. On the way + he met a rich peasant, who asked him where he was going. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want to get work as a day labourer,’ he answered. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come along with me, then. But I must tell you I engage my labourers + without wages. If you serve me faithfully for a year, I promise you it + shall be for your advantage.’ + </p> + <p> + So Martin consented, and for a year he worked diligently, and served his + master faithfully, not sparing himself in any way. When the day of + reckoning had come the peasant led him into a barn, and pointing to two + full sacks, said: ‘Take whichever of these you choose.’ + </p> + <p> + Martin examined the contents of the sacks, and seeing that one was full of + silver and the other of sand, he said to himself: + </p> + <p> + ‘There must be some trick about this; I had better take the sand.’ And + throwing the sack over his shoulders he started out into the world, in + search of fresh work. On and on he walked, and at last he reached a great + gloomy wood. In the middle of the wood he came upon a meadow, where a fire + was burning, and in the midst of the fire, surrounded by flames, was a + lovely damsel, more beautiful than anything that Martin had ever seen, and + when she saw him she called to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Martin, if you would win happiness, save my life. Extinguish the flames + with the sand that you earned in payment of your faithful service.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly,’ thought Martin to himself, ‘it would be more sensible to save a + fellow-being’s life with this sand than to drag it about on one’s back, + seeing what a weight it is.’ And forthwith he lowered the sack from his + shoulders and emptied its contents on the flames, and instantly the fire + was extinguished; but at the same moment lo! and behold the lovely damsel + turned into a Serpent, and, darting upon him, coiled itself round his + neck, and whispered lovingly in his ear: + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not be afraid of me, Martin; I love you, and will go with you through + the world. But first you must follow me boldly into my Father’s Kingdom, + underneath the earth; and when we get there, remember this—he will + offer you gold and silver, and dazzling gems, but do not touch them. Ask + him, instead, for the ring which he wears on his little finger, for in + that ring lies a magic power; you have only to throw it from one hand to + the other, and at once twelve young men will appear, who will do your + bidding, no matter how difficult, in a single night.’ + </p> + <p> + So they started on their way, and after much wandering they reached a spot + where a great rock rose straight up in the middle of the road. Instantly + the Serpent uncoiled itself from his neck, and, as it touched the damp + earth, it resumed the shape of the lovely damsel. Pointing to the rock, + she showed him an opening just big enough for a man to wriggle through. + Passing into it, they entered a long underground passage, which led out on + to a wide field, above which spread a blue sky. In the middle of the field + stood a magnificent castle, built out of porphyry, with a roof of gold and + with glittering battlements. And his beautiful guide told him that this + was the palace in which her father lived and reigned over his kingdom in + the Under-world. + </p> + <p> + Together they entered the palace, and were received by the King with great + kindness. Turning to his daughter, he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘My child, I had almost given up the hope of ever seeing you again. Where + have you been all these years?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My father,’ she replied, ‘I owe my life to this youth, who saved me from + a terrible death.’ + </p> + <p> + Upon which the King turned to Martin with a gracious smile, saying: ‘I + will reward your courage by granting you whatever your heart desires. Take + as much gold, silver, and precious stones as you choose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thank you, mighty King, for your gracious offer,’ answered Martin,’ + ‘but I do not covet either gold, silver, or precious stones; yet if you + will grant me a favour, give me, I beg, the ring from off the little + finger of your royal hand. Every time my eye falls on it I shall think of + your gracious Majesty, and when I marry I shall present it to my bride.’ + </p> + <p> + So the King took the ring from his finger and gave it to Martin, saying: + ‘Take it, good youth; but with it I make one condition—you are never + to confide to anyone that this is a magic ring. If you do, you will + straightway bring misfortune on yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + Martin took the ring, and, having thanked the King, he set out on the same + road by which he had come down into the Under-world. When he had regained + the upper air he started for his old home, and having found his mother + still living in the old house where he had left her, they settled down + together very happily. So uneventful was their life that it almost seemed + as if it would go on in this way always, without let or hindrance. But one + day it suddenly came into his mind that he would like to get married, and, + moreover, that he would choose a very grand wife—a King’s daughter, + in short. But as he did not trust himself as a wooer, he determined to + send his old mother on the mission. + </p> + <p> + ‘You must go to the King,’ he said to her, ‘and demand the hand of his + lovely daughter in marriage for me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you thinking of, my son?’ answered the old woman, aghast at the + idea. ‘Why cannot you marry someone in your own rank? That would be far + more fitting than to send a poor old woman like me a-wooing to the King’s + Court for the hand of a Princess. Why, it is as much as our heads are + worth. Neither my life nor yours would be worth anything if I went on such + a fool’s errand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never fear, little mother,’ answered Martin. ‘Trust me; all will be well. + But see that you do not come back without an answer of some kind.’ + </p> + <p> + And so, obedient to her son’s behest, the old woman hobbled off to the + palace, and, without being hindered, reached the courtyard, and began to + mount the flight of steps leading to the royal presence chamber. At the + head of the landing rows of courtiers were collected in magnificent + attire, who stared at the queer old figure, and called to her, and + explained to her, with every kind of sign, that it was strictly forbidden + to mount those steps. But their stern words and forbidding gestures made + no impression whatever on the old woman, and she resolutely continued to + climb the stairs, bent on carrying out her son’s orders. Upon this some of + the courtiers seized her by the arms, and held her back by sheer force, at + which she set up such a yell that the King himself heard it, and stepped + out on to the balcony to see what was the matter. When he beheld the old + woman flinging her arms wildly about, and heard her scream that she would + not leave the place till she had laid her case before the King, he ordered + that she should be brought into his presence. And forthwith she was + conducted into the golden presence chamber, where, leaning back amongst + cushions of royal purple, the King sat, surrounded by his counsellors and + courtiers. Courtesying low, the old woman stood silent before him. ‘Well, + my good old dame, what can I do for you?’ asked the King. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have come,’ replied Martin’s mother—‘and your Majesty must not be + angry with me—I have come a-wooing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is the woman out of her mind?’ said the King, with an angry frown. + </p> + <p> + But Martin’s mother answered boldly: ‘If the King will only listen + patiently to me, and give me a straightforward answer, he will see that I + am not out of my mind. You, O King, have a lovely daughter to give in + marriage. I have a son—a wooer—as clever a youth and as good a + son-in-law as you will find in your whole kingdom. There is nothing that + he cannot do. Now tell me, O King, plump and plain, will you give your + daughter to my son as wife?’ The King listened to the end of the old + woman’s strange request, but every moment his face grew blacker, and his + features sterner; till all at once he thought to himself, ‘Is it worth + while that I, the King, should be angry with this poor old fool?’ And all + the courtiers and counsellors were amazed when they saw the hard lines + round his mouth and the frown on his brow grow smooth, and heard the mild + but mocking tones in which he answered the old woman, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘If your son is as wonderfully clever as you say, and if there is nothing + in the world that he cannot do, let him build a magnificent castle, just + opposite my palace windows, in four and twenty hours. The palace must be + joined together by a bridge of pure crystal. On each side of the bridge + there must be growing trees, having golden and silver apples, and with + birds of Paradise among the branches. At the right of the bridge there + must be a church, with five golden cupolas; in this church your son shall + be wedded to my daughter, and we will keep the wedding festivities in the + new castle. But if he fails to execute this my royal command, then, as a + just but mild monarch, I shall give orders that you and he are taken, and + first dipped in tar and then in feathers, and you shall be executed in the + market-place for the entertainment of my courtiers.’ + </p> + <p> + And a smile played round the King’s lips as he finished speaking, and his + courtiers and counsellors shook with laughter when they thought of the old + woman’s folly, and praised the King’s wise device, and said to each other, + ‘What a joke it will be when we see the pair of them tarred and feathered! + The son is just as able to grow a beard on the palm of his hand as to + execute such a task in twenty-four hours.’ + </p> + <p> + Now the poor old woman was mortally afraid and, in a trembling voice she + asked: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that really your royal will, O King? Must I take this order to my poor + son?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, old dame; such is my command. If your son carries out my order, he + shall be rewarded with my daughter; but if he fails, away to the + tar-barrel and the stake with you both!’ + </p> + <p> + On her way home the poor old woman shed bitter tears, and when she saw + Martin she told him what the King had said, and sobbed out: + </p> + <p> + ‘Didn’t I tell you, my son, that you should marry someone of your own + rank? It would have been better for us this day if you had. As I told you, + my going to Court has been as much as our lives are worth, and now we will + both be tarred and feathered, and burnt in the public market-place. It is + terrible!’ and she moaned and cried. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never fear, little mother,’ answered Martin; ‘trust me, and you will see + all will be well. You may go to sleep with a quiet mind.’ + </p> + <p> + And, stepping to the front of the hut, Martin threw his ring from the palm + of one hand into the other, upon which twelve youths instantly appeared, + and demanded what he wanted them to do. Then he told them the King’s + commands, and they answered that by next morning all should be + accomplished exactly as the King had ordered. + </p> + <p> + Next morning when the King awoke, and looked out of his window, to his + amazement he beheld a magnificent castle, just opposite his own palace, + and joined to it a bridge of pure crystal. + </p> + <p> + At each side of the bridge trees were growing, from whose branches hung + golden and silver apples, among which birds of Paradise perched. At the + right, gleaming in the sun, were the five golden cupolas of a splendid + church, whose bells rang out, as if they would summon people from all + corners of the earth to come and behold the wonder. Now, though the King + would much rather have seen his future son-in-law tarred, feathered, and + burnt at the stake, he remembered his royal oath, and had to make the best + of a bad business. So he took heart of grace, and made Martin a Duke, and + gave his daughter a rich dowry, and prepared the grandest wedding-feast + that had ever been seen, so that to this day the old people in the country + still talk of it. + </p> + <p> + After the wedding Martin and his royal bride went to dwell in the + magnificent new palace, and here Martin lived in the greatest comfort and + luxury, such luxury as he had never imagined. But though he was as happy + as the day was long, and as merry as a grig, the King’s daughter fretted + all day, thinking of the indignity that had been done her in making her + marry Martin, the poor widow’s son, instead of a rich young Prince from a + foreign country. So unhappy was she that she spent all her time wondering + how she should get rid of her undesirable husband. And first she + determined to learn the secret of his power, and, with flattering, + caressing words, she tried to coax him to tell her how he was so clever + that there was nothing in the world that he could not do. At first he + would tell her nothing; but once, when he was in a yielding mood, she + approached him with a winning smile on her lovely face, and, speaking + flattering words to him, she gave him a potion to drink, with a sweet, + strong taste. And when he had drunk it Martin’s lips were unsealed, and he + told her that all his power lay in the magic ring that he wore on his + finger, and he described to her how to use it, and, still speaking, he + fell into a deep sleep. And when she saw that the potion had worked, and + that he was sound asleep, the Princess took the magic ring from his + finger, and, going into the courtyard, she threw it from the palm of one + hand into the other. + </p> + <p> + On the instant the twelve youths appeared, and asked her what she + commanded them to do. Then she told them that by the next morning they + were to do away with the castle, and the bridge, and the church, and put + in their stead the humble hut in which Martin used to live with his + mother, and that while he slept her husband was to be carried to his old + lowly room; and that they were to bear her away to the utmost ends of the + earth, where an old King lived who would make her welcome in his palace, + and surround her with the state that befitted a royal Princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘You shall be obeyed,’ answered the twelve youths at the same moment. And + lo and behold! the following morning, when the King awoke and looked out + of his window he beheld to his amazement that the palace, bridge, church, + and trees had all vanished, and there was nothing in their place but a + bare, miserable-looking hut. + </p> + <p> + Immediately the King sent for his son-in-law, and commanded him to explain + what had happened. But Martin looked at his royal father-in-law, and + answered never a word. Then the King was very angry, and, calling a + council together, he charged Martin with having been guilty of witchcraft, + and of having deceived the King, and having made away with the Princess; + and he was condemned to imprisonment in a high stone tower, with neither + meat nor drink, till he should die of starvation. + </p> + <p> + Then, in the hour of his dire necessity, his old friends Schurka (the dog) + and Waska (the cat) remembered how Martin had once saved them from a cruel + death; and they took counsel together as to how they should help him. And + Schurka growled, and was of opinion that he would like to tear everyone in + pieces; but Waska purred meditatively, and scratched the back of her ear + with a velvet paw, and remained lost in thought. At the end of a few + minutes she had made up her mind, and, turning to Schurka, said: ‘Let us + go together into the town, and the moment we meet a baker you must make a + rush between his legs and upset the tray from off his head; I will lay + hold of the rolls, and will carry them off to our master.’ No sooner said + than done. Together the two faithful creatures trotted off into the town, + and very soon they met a baker bearing a tray on his head, and looking + round on all sides, while he cried: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Fresh rolls, sweet cake, + Fancy bread of every kind. + Come and buy, come and take, + Sure you’ll find it to your mind,’ +</pre> + <p> + At that moment Schurka made a rush between his legs—the baker + stumbled, the tray was upset, the rolls fell to the ground, and, while the + man angrily pursued Schurka, Waska managed to drag the rolls out of sight + behind a bush. And when a moment later Schurka joined her, they set off at + full tilt to the stone tower where Martin was a prisoner, taking the rolls + with them. Waska, being very agile, climbed up by the outside to the + grated window, and called in an anxious voice: + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you alive, master?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Scarcely alive—almost starved to death,’ answered Martin in a weak + voice. ‘I little thought it would come to this, that I should die of + hunger.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never fear, dear master. Schurka and I will look after you,’ said Waska. + And in another moment she had climbed down and brought him back a roll, + and then another, and another, till she had brought him the whole + tray-load. Upon which she said: ‘Dear master, Schurka and I are going off + to a distant kingdom at the utmost ends of the earth to fetch you back + your magic ring. You must be careful that the rolls last till our return.’ + </p> + <p> + And Waska took leave of her beloved master, and set off with Schurka on + their journey. On and on they travelled, looking always to right and left + for traces of the Princess, following up every track, making inquiries of + every cat and dog they met, listening to the talk of every wayfarer they + passed; and at last they heard that the kingdom at the utmost ends of the + earth where the twelve youths had borne the Princess was not very far off. + And at last one day they reached that distant kingdom, and, going at once + to the palace, they began to make friends with all the dogs and cats in + the place, and to question them about the Princess and the magic ring; but + no one could tell them much about either. Now one day it chanced that + Waska had gone down to the palace cellar to hunt for mice and rats, and + seeing an especially fat, well-fed mouse, she pounced upon it, buried her + claws in its soft fur, and was just going to gobble it up, when she was + stopped by the pleading tones of the little creature, saying, ‘If you will + only spare my life I may be of great service to you. I will do everything + in my power for you; for I am the King of the Mice, and if I perish the + whole race will die out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So be it,’ said Waska. ‘I will spare your life; but in return you must do + something for me. In this castle there lives a Princess, the wicked wife + of my dear master. She has stolen away his magic ring. You must get it + away from her at whatever cost; do you hear? Till you have done this I + won’t take my claws out of your fur.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good!’ replied the mouse; ‘I will do what you ask.’ And, so saying, he + summoned all the mice in his kingdom together. A countless number of mice, + small and big, brown and grey, assembled, and formed a circle round their + king, who was a prisoner under Waska’s claws. Turning to them he said: + ‘Dear and faithful subjects, who ever among you will steal the magic ring + from the strange Princess will release me from a cruel death; and I shall + honour him above all the other mice in the kingdom.’ + </p> + <p> + Instantly a tiny mouse stepped forward and said: ‘I often creep about the + Princess’s bedroom at night, and I have noticed that she has a ring which + she treasures as the apple of her eye. All day she wears it on her finger, + and at night she keeps it in her mouth. I will undertake, sire, to steal + away the ring for you.’ + </p> + <p> + And the tiny mouse tripped away into the bedroom of the Princess, and + waited for nightfall; then, when the Princess had fallen asleep, it crept + up on to her bed, and gnawed a hole in the pillow, through which it + dragged one by one little down feathers, and threw them under the + Princess’s nose. And the fluff flew into the Princess’s nose, and into her + mouth, and starting up she sneezed and coughed, and the ring fell out of + her mouth on to the coverlet. In a flash the tiny mouse had seized it, and + brought it to Waska as a ransom for the King of the Mice. Thereupon Waska + and Schurka started off, and travelled night and day till they reached the + stone tower where Martin was imprisoned; and the cat climbed up the + window, and called out to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Martin, dear master, are you still alive?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Waska, my faithful little cat, is that you?’ replied a weak voice. ‘I + am dying of hunger. For three days I have not tasted food.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be of good heart, dear master,’ replied Waska; ‘from this day forth you + will know nothing but happiness and prosperity. If this were a moment to + trouble you with riddles, I would make you guess what Schurka and I have + brought you back. Only think, we have got you your ring!’ + </p> + <p> + At these words Martin’s joy knew no bounds, and he stroked her fondly, and + she rubbed up against him and purred happily, while below Schurka bounded + in the air, and barked joyfully. Then Martin took the ring, and threw it + from one hand into the other, and instantly the twelve youths appeared and + asked what they were to do. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fetch me first something to eat and drink, as quickly as possible; and + after that bring musicians hither, and let us have music all day long.’ + </p> + <p> + Now when the people in the town and palace heard music coming from the + tower they were filled with amazement, and came to the King with the news + that witchcraft must be going on in Martin’s Tower, for, instead of dying + of starvation, he was seemingly making merry to the sound of music, and to + the clatter of plates, and glass, and knives and forks; and the music was + so enchantingly sweet that all the passers-by stood still to listen to it. + On this the King sent at once a messenger to the Starvation Tower, and he + was so astonished with what he saw that he remained rooted to the spot. + Then the King sent his chief counsellors, and they too were transfixed + with wonder. At last the King came himself, and he likewise was spellbound + by the beauty of the music. + </p> + <p> + Then Martin summoned the twelve youths, spoke to them, saying, ‘Build up + my castle again, and join it to the King’s Palace with a crystal bridge; + do not forget the trees with the golden and silver apples, and with the + birds of Paradise in the branches; and put back the church with the five + cupolas, and let the bells ring out, summoning the people from the four + corners of the kingdom. And one thing more: bring back my faithless wife, + and lead her into the women’s chamber.’ + </p> + <p> + And it was all done as he commanded, and, leaving the Starvation Tower, he + took the King, his father-in-law, by the arm, and led him into the new + palace, where the Princess sat in fear and trembling, awaiting her death. + And Martin spoke to the King, saying, ‘King and royal father, I have + suffered much at the hands of your daughter. What punishment shall be + dealt to her?’ + </p> + <p> + Then the mild King answered: ‘Beloved Prince and son-in-law, if you love + me, let your anger be turned to grace—forgive my daughter, and + restore her to your heart and favour.’ + </p> + <p> + And Martin’s heart was softened and he forgave his wife, and they lived + happily together ever after. And his old mother came and lived with him, + and he never parted with Schurka and Waska; and I need hardly tell you + that he never again let the ring out of his possession. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FLOWER QUEEN’S DAUGHTER(23) + </h2> + <h3> + (23) From the Bukowinaer. Von Wliolocki. + </h3> + <p> + A young Prince was riding one day through a meadow that stretched for + miles in front of him, when he came to a deep open ditch. He was turning + aside to avoid it, when he heard the sound of someone crying in the ditch. + He dismounted from his horse, and stepped along in the direction the sound + came from. To his astonishment he found an old woman, who begged him to + help her out of the ditch. The Prince bent down and lifted her out of her + living grave, asking her at the same time how she had managed to get + there. + </p> + <p> + ‘My son,’ answered the old woman, ‘I am a very poor woman, and soon after + midnight I set out for the neighbouring town in order to sell my eggs in + the market on the following morning; but I lost my way in the dark, and + fell into this deep ditch, where I might have remained for ever but for + your kindness.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the Prince said to her, ‘You can hardly walk; I will put you on my + horse and lead you home. Where do you live?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Over there, at the edge of the forest in the little hut you see in the + distance,’ replied the old woman. + </p> + <p> + The Prince lifted her on to his horse, and soon they reached the hut, + where the old woman got down, and turning to the Prince said, ‘Just wait a + moment, and I will give you something.’ And she disappeared into her hut, + but returned very soon and said, ‘You are a mighty Prince, but at the same + time you have a kind heart, which deserves to be rewarded. Would you like + to have the most beautiful woman in the world for your wife?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Most certainly I would,’ replied the Prince. + </p> + <p> + So the old woman continued, ‘The most beautiful woman in the whole world + is the daughter of the Queen of the Flowers, who has been captured by a + dragon. If you wish to marry her, you must first set her free, and this I + will help you to do. I will give you this little bell: if you ring it + once, the King of the Eagles will appear; if you ring it twice, the King + of the Foxes will come to you; and if you ring it three times, you will + see the King of the Fishes by your side. These will help you if you are in + any difficulty. Now farewell, and heaven prosper your undertaking.’ She + handed him the little bell, and there disappeared hut and all, as though + the earth had swallowed her up. + </p> + <p> + Then it dawned on the Prince that he had been speaking to a good fairy, + and putting the little bell carefully in his pocket, he rode home and told + his father that he meant to set the daughter of the Flower Queen free, and + intended setting out on the following day into the wide world in search of + the maid. + </p> + <p> + So the next morning the Prince mounted his fine horse and left his home. + He had roamed round the world for a whole year, and his horse had died of + exhaustion, while he himself had suffered much from want and misery, but + still he had come on no trace of her he was in search of. At last one day + he came to a hut, in front of which sat a very old man. The Prince asked + him, ‘Do you not know where the Dragon lives who keeps the daughter of the + Flower Queen prisoner?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I do not,’ answered the old man. ‘But if you go straight along this + road for a year, you will reach a hut where my father lives, and possibly + he may be able to tell you.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince thanked him for his information, and continued his journey for + a whole year along the same road, and at the end of it came to the little + hut, where he found a very old man. He asked him the same question, and + the old man answered, ‘No, I do not know where the Dragon lives. But go + straight along this road for another year, and you will come to a hut in + which my father lives. I know he can tell you.’ + </p> + <p> + And so the Prince wandered on for another year, always on the same road, + and at last reached the hut where he found the third old man. He put the + same question to him as he had put to his son and grandson; but this time + the old man answered, ‘The Dragon lives up there on the mountain, and he + has just begun his year of sleep. For one whole year he is always awake, + and the next he sleeps. But if you wish to see the Flower Queen’s daughter + go up the second mountain: the Dragon’s old mother lives there, and she + has a ball every night, to which the Flower Queen’s daughter goes + regularly.’ + </p> + <p> + So the Prince went up the second mountain, where he found a castle all + made of gold with diamond windows. He opened the big gate leading into the + courtyard, and was just going to walk in, when seven dragons rushed on him + and asked him what he wanted? + </p> + <p> + The Prince replied, ‘I have heard so much of the beauty and kindness of + the Dragon’s Mother, and would like to enter her service.’ + </p> + <p> + This flattering speech pleased the dragons, and the eldest of them said, + ‘Well, you may come with me, and I will take you to the Mother Dragon.’ + </p> + <p> + They entered the castle and walked through twelve splendid halls, all made + of gold and diamonds. In the twelfth room they found the Mother Dragon + seated on a diamond throne. She was the ugliest woman under the sun, and, + added to it all, she had three heads. Her appearance was a great shock to + the Prince, and so was her voice, which was like the croaking of many + ravens. She asked him, ‘Why have you come here?’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince answered at once, ‘I have heard so much of your beauty and + kindness, that I would very much like to enter your service.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said the Mother Dragon; ‘but if you wish to enter my service, + you must first lead my mare out to the meadow and look after her for three + days; but if you don’t bring her home safely every evening, we will eat + you up.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince undertook the task and led the mare out to the meadow. + </p> + <p> + But no sooner had they reached the grass than she vanished. The Prince + sought for her in vain, and at last in despair sat down on a big stone and + contemplated his sad fate. As he sat thus lost in thought, he noticed an + eagle flying over his head. Then he suddenly bethought him of his little + bell, and taking it out of his pocket he rang it once. In a moment he + heard a rustling sound in the air beside him, and the King of the Eagles + sank at his feet. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know what you want of me,’ the bird said. ‘You are looking for the + Mother Dragon’s mare who is galloping about among the clouds. I will + summon all the eagles of the air together, and order them to catch the + mare and bring her to you.’ And with these words the King of the Eagles + flew away. Towards evening the Prince heard a mighty rushing sound in the + air, and when he looked up he saw thousands of eagles driving the mare + before them. They sank at his feet on to the ground and gave the mare over + to him. Then the Prince rode home to the old Mother Dragon, who was full + of wonder when she saw him, and said, ‘You have succeeded to-day in + looking after my mare, and as a reward you shall come to my ball + to-night.’ She gave him at the same time a cloak made of copper, and led + him to a big room where several young he-dragons and she-dragons were + dancing together. Here, too, was the Flower Queen’s beautiful daughter. + Her dress was woven out of the most lovely flowers in the world, and her + complexion was like lilies and roses. As the Prince was dancing with her + he managed to whisper in her ear, ‘I have come to set you free!’ + </p> + <p> + Then the beautiful girl said to him, ‘If you succeed in bringing the mare + back safely the third day, ask the Mother Dragon to give you a foal of the + mare as a reward.’ + </p> + <p> + The ball came to an end at midnight, and early next morning the Prince + again led the Mother Dragon’s mare out into the meadow. But again she + vanished before his eyes. Then he took out his little bell and rang it + twice. + </p> + <p> + In a moment the King of the Foxes stood before him and said: ‘I know + already what you want, and will summon all the foxes of the world together + to find the mare who has hidden herself in a hill.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words the King of the Foxes disappeared, and in the evening + many thousand foxes brought the mare to the Prince. + </p> + <p> + Then he rode home to the Mother-Dragon, from whom he received this time a + cloak made of silver, and again she led him to the ball-room. + </p> + <p> + The Flower Queen’s daughter was delighted to see him safe and sound, and + when they were dancing together she whispered in his ear: ‘If you succeed + again to-morrow, wait for me with the foal in the meadow. After the ball + we will fly away together.’ + </p> + <p> + On the third day the Prince led the mare to the meadow again; but once + more she vanished before his eyes. Then the Prince took out his little + bell and rang it three times. + </p> + <p> + In a moment the King of the Fishes appeared, and said to him: ‘I know + quite well what you want me to do, and I will summon all the fishes of the + sea together, and tell them to bring you back the mare, who is hiding + herself in a river.’ + </p> + <p> + Towards evening the mare was returned to him, and when he led her home to + the Mother Dragon she said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a brave youth, and I will make you my body-servant. But what + shall I give you as a reward to begin with?’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince begged for a foal of the mare, which the Mother Dragon at once + gave him, and over and above, a cloak made of gold, for she had fallen in + love with him because he had praised her beauty. + </p> + <p> + So in the evening he appeared at the ball in his golden cloak; but before + the entertainment was over he slipped away, and went straight to the + stables, where he mounted his foal and rode out into the meadow to wait + for the Flower Queen’s daughter. Towards midnight the beautiful girl + appeared, and placing her in front of him on his horse, the Prince and she + flew like the wind till they reached the Flower Queen’s dwelling. But the + dragons had noticed their flight, and woke their brother out of his year’s + sleep. He flew into a terrible rage when he heard what had happened, and + determined to lay siege to the Flower Queen’s palace; but the Queen caused + a forest of flowers as high as the sky to grow up round her dwelling, + through which no one could force a way. + </p> + <p> + When the Flower Queen heard that her daughter wanted to marry the Prince, + she said to him: ‘I will give my consent to your marriage gladly, but my + daughter can only stay with you in summer. In winter, when everything is + dead and the ground covered with snow, she must come and live with me in + my palace underground.’ The Prince consented to this, and led his + beautiful bride home, where the wedding was held with great pomp and + magnificence. The young couple lived happily together till winter came, + when the Flower Queen’s daughter departed and went home to her mother. In + summer she returned to her husband, and their life of joy and happiness + began again, and lasted till the approach of winter, when the Flower + Queen’s daughter went back again to her mother. This coming and going + continued all her life long, and in spite of it they always lived happily + together. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FLYING SHIP(24) + </h2> + <h3> + (24) From the Russian. + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived an old couple who had three sons; the two + elder were clever, but the third was a regular dunce. The clever sons were + very fond of their mother, gave her good clothes, and always spoke + pleasantly to her; but the youngest was always getting in her way, and she + had no patience with him. Now, one day it was announced in the village + that the King had issued a decree, offering his daughter, the Princess, in + marriage to whoever should build a ship that could fly. Immediately the + two elder brothers determined to try their luck, and asked their parents’ + blessing. So the old mother smartened up their clothes, and gave them a + store of provisions for their journey, not forgetting to add a bottle of + brandy. When they had gone the poor Simpleton began to tease his mother to + smarten him up and let him start off. + </p> + <p> + ‘What would become of a dolt like you?’ she answered. ‘Why, you would be + eaten up by wolves.’ + </p> + <p> + But the foolish youth kept repeating, ‘I will go, I will go, I will go!’ + </p> + <p> + Seeing that she could do nothing with him, the mother gave him a crust of + bread and a bottle of water, and took no further heed of him. + </p> + <p> + So the Simpleton set off on his way. When he had gone a short distance he + met a little old manikin. They greeted one another, and the manikin asked + him where he was going. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am off to the King’s Court,’ he answered. ‘He has promised to give his + daughter to whoever can make a flying ship.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And can you make such a ship?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not I.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then why in the world are you going?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Can’t tell,’ replied the Simpleton. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, if that is the case,’ said the manikin, ‘sit down beside me; we can + rest for a little and have something to eat. Give me what you have got in + your satchel.’ + </p> + <p> + Now, the poor Simpleton was ashamed to show what was in it. However, he + thought it best not to make a fuss, so he opened the satchel, and could + scarcely believe his own eyes, for, instead of the hard crust, he saw two + beautiful fresh rolls and some cold meat. He shared them with the manikin, + who licked his lips and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, go into that wood, and stop in front of the first tree, bow three + times, and then strike the tree with your axe, fall on your knees on the + ground, with your face on the earth, and remain there till you are raised + up. You will then find a ship at your side, step into it and fly to the + King’s Palace. If you meet anyone on the way, take him with you.’ + </p> + <p> + The Simpleton thanked the manikin very kindly, bade him farewell, and went + into the road. When he got to the first tree he stopped in front of it, + did everything just as he had been told, and, kneeling on the ground with + his face to the earth, fell asleep. After a little time he was aroused; he + awoke and, rubbing his eyes, saw a ready-made ship at his side, and at + once got into it. + </p> + <p> + And the ship rose and rose, and in another minute was flying through the + air, when the Simpleton, who was on the look out, cast his eyes down to + the earth and saw a man beneath him on the road, who was kneeling with his + ear upon the damp ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hallo!’ he called out, ‘what are you doing down there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am listening to what is going on in the world,’ replied the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come with me in my ship,’ said the Simpleton. + </p> + <p> + So the man was only too glad, and got in beside him; and the ship flew, + and flew, and flew through the air, till again from his outlook the + Simpleton saw a man on the road below, who was hopping on one leg, while + his other leg was tied up behind his ear. So he hailed him, calling out: + </p> + <p> + ‘Hallo! what are you doing, hopping on one leg?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I can’t help it,’ replied the man. ‘I walk so fast that unless I tied up + one leg I should be at the end of the earth in a bound.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come with us on my ship,’ he answered; and the man made no objections, + but joined them; and the ship flew on, and on, and on, till suddenly the + Simpleton, looking down on the road below, beheld a man aiming with a gun + into the distance. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hallo!’ he shouted to him, ‘what are you aiming at? As far as eye can + see, there is no bird in sight.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What would be the good of my taking a near shot?’ replied the man; ‘I can + hit beast or bird at a hundred miles’ distance. That is the kind of shot I + enjoy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come into the ship with us,’ answered the Simpleton; and the man was only + too glad to join them, and he got in; and the ship flew on, farther and + farther, till again the Simpleton from his outlook saw a man on the road + below, carrying on his back a basket full of bread. And he waved to him, + calling out: + </p> + <p> + ‘Hallo! where are you going?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To fetch bread for my breakfast.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bread? Why, you have got a whole basket-load of it on your back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s nothing,’ answered the man; ‘I should finish that in one + mouthful.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come along with us in my ship, then.’ + </p> + <p> + And so the glutton joined the party, and the ship mounted again into the + air, and flew up and onward, till the Simpleton from his outlook saw a man + walking by the shore of a great lake, and evidently looking for something. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hallo!’ he cried to him,’ what are you seeking? + </p> + <p> + ‘I want water to drink, I’m so thirsty,’ replied the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, there’s a whole lake in front of you; why don’t you drink some of + that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you call that enough?’ answered the other. ‘Why, I should drink it up + in one gulp.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, come with us in the ship.’ + </p> + <p> + And so the mighty drinker was added to the company; and the ship flew + farther, and even farther, till again the Simpleton looked out, and this + time he saw a man dragging a bundle of wood, walking through the forest + beneath them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hallo!’ he shouted to him, ‘why are you carrying wood through a forest?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This is not common wood,’ answered the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘What sort of wood is it, then?’ said the Simpleton. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you throw it upon the ground,’ said the man, ‘it will be changed into + an army of soldiers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come into the ship with us, then.’ + </p> + <p> + And so he too joined them; and away the ship flew on, and on, and on, and + once more the Simpleton looked out, and this time he saw a man carrying + straw upon his back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hallo! Where are you carrying that straw to?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To the village,’ said the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you mean to say there is no straw in the village?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! but this is quite a peculiar straw. If you strew it about even in the + hottest summer the air at once becomes cold, and snow falls, and the + people freeze.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the Simpleton asked him also to join them. + </p> + <p> + At last the ship, with its strange crew, arrived at the King’s Court. The + King was having his dinner, but he at once despatched one of his courtiers + to find out what the huge, strange new bird could be that had come flying + through the air. The courtier peeped into the ship, and, seeing what it + was, instantly went back to the King and told him that it was a flying + ship, and that it was manned by a few peasants. + </p> + <p> + Then the King remembered his royal oath; but he made up his mind that he + would never consent to let the Princess marry a poor peasant. So he + thought and thought, and then said to himself: + </p> + <p> + ‘I will give him some impossible tasks to perform; that will be the best + way of getting rid of him.’ And he there and then decided to despatch one + of his courtiers to the Simpleton, with the command that he was to fetch + the King the healing water from the world’s end before he had finished his + dinner. + </p> + <p> + But while the King was still instructing the courtier exactly what he was + to say, the first man of the ship’s company, the one with the miraculous + power of hearing, had overheard the King’s words, and hastily reported + them to the poor Simpleton. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas, alas!’ he cried; ‘what am I to do now? It would take me quite a + year, possibly my whole life, to find the water.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never fear,’ said his fleet-footed comrade, ‘I will fetch what the King + wants.’ + </p> + <p> + Just then the courtier arrived, bearing the King’s command. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell his Majesty,’ said the Simpleton, ‘that his orders shall be obeyed; + ‘and forthwith the swift runner unbound the foot that was strung up behind + his ear and started off, and in less than no time had reached the world’s + end and drawn the healing water from the well. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear me,’ he thought to himself, ‘that’s rather tiring! I’ll just rest + for a few minutes; it will be some little time yet before the King has got + to dessert.’ So he threw himself down on the grass, and, as the sun was + very dazzling, he closed his eyes, and in a few seconds had fallen sound + asleep. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime all the ship’s crew were anxiously awaiting him; the + King’s dinner would soon be finished, and their comrade had not yet + returned. So the man with the marvellous quick hearing lay down and, + putting his ear to the ground, listened. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s a nice sort of fellow!’ he suddenly exclaimed. ‘He’s lying on the + ground, snoring hard!’ + </p> + <p> + At this the marksman seized his gun, took aim, and fired in the direction + of the world’s end, in order to awaken the sluggard. And a moment later + the swift runner reappeared, and, stepping on board the ship, handed the + healing water to the Simpleton. So while the King was still sitting at + table finishing his dinner news was brought to him that his orders had + been obeyed to the letter. + </p> + <p> + What was to be done now? The King determined to think of a still more + impossible task. So he told another courtier to go to the Simpleton with + the command that he and his comrades were instantly to eat up twelve oxen + and twelve tons of bread. Once more the sharp-eared comrade overheard the + King’s words while he was still talking to the courtier, and reported them + to the Simpleton. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas, alas!’ he sighed; ‘what in the world shall I do? Why, it would take + us a year, possibly our whole lives, to eat up twelve oxen and twelve tons + of bread.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never fear,’ said the glutton. ‘It will scarcely be enough for me, I’m so + hungry.’ + </p> + <p> + So when the courtier arrived with the royal message he was told to take + back word to the King that his orders should be obeyed. Then twelve + roasted oxen and twelve tons of bread were brought alongside of the ship, + and at one sitting the glutton had devoured it all. + </p> + <p> + ‘I call that a small meal,’ he said. ‘I wish they’d brought me some more.’ + </p> + <p> + Next, the King ordered that forty casks of wine, containing forty gallons + each, were to be drunk up on the spot by the Simpleton and his party. When + these words were overheard by the sharp-eared comrade and repeated to the + Simpleton, he was in despair. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas, alas!’ he exclaimed; ‘what is to be done? It would take us a year, + possibly our whole lives, to drink so much.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never fear,’ said his thirsty comrade. ‘I’ll drink it all up at a gulp, + see if I don’t.’ And sure enough, when the forty casks of wine containing + forty gallons each were brought alongside of the ship, they disappeared + down the thirsty comrade’s throat in no time; and when they were empty he + remarked: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, I’m still thirsty. I should have been glad of two more casks.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the King took counsel with himself and sent an order to the Simpleton + that he was to have a bath, in a bath-room at the royal palace, and after + that the betrothal should take place. Now the bath-room was built of iron, + and the King gave orders that it was to be heated to such a pitch that it + would suffocate the Simpleton. And so when the poor silly youth entered + the room, he discovered that the iron walls were red hot. But, + fortunately, his comrade with the straw on his back had entered behind + him, and when the door was shut upon them he scattered the straw about, + and suddenly the red-hot walls cooled down, and it became so very cold + that the Simpleton could scarcely bear to take a bath, and all the water + in the room froze. So the Simpleton climbed up upon the stove, and, + wrapping himself up in the bath blankets, lay there the whole night. And + in the morning when they opened the door there he lay sound and safe, + singing cheerfully to himself. + </p> + <p> + Now when this strange tale was told to the King he became quite sad, not + knowing what he should do to get rid of so undesirable a son-in-law, when + suddenly a brilliant idea occurred to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell the rascal to raise me an army, now at this instant!’ he exclaimed + to one of his courtiers. ‘Inform him at once of this, my royal will.’ And + to himself he added, ‘I think I shall do for him this time.’ + </p> + <p> + As on former occasions, the quick-eared comrade had overheard the King’s + command and repeated it to the Simpleton. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas, alas!’ he groaned; ‘now I am quite done for.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all,’ replied one of his comrades (the one who had dragged the + bundle of wood through the forest). ‘Have you quite forgotten me?’ + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the courtier, who had run all the way from the palace, + reached the ship panting and breathless, and delivered the King’s message. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good!’ remarked the Simpleton. ‘I will raise an army for the King,’ and + he drew himself up. ‘But if, after that, the King refuses to accept me as + his son-in-law, I will wage war against him, and carry the Princess off by + force.’ + </p> + <p> + During the night the Simpleton and his comrade went, together into a big + field, not forgetting to take the bundle of wood with them, which the man + spread out in all directions—and in a moment a mighty army stood + upon the spot, regiment on regiment of foot and horse soldiers; the bugles + sounded and the drums beat, the chargers neighed, and their riders put + their lances in rest, and the soldiers presented arms. + </p> + <p> + In the morning when the King awoke he was startled by these warlike + sounds, the bugles and the drums, and the clatter of the horses, and the + shouts of the soldiers. And, stepping to the window, he saw the lances + gleam in the sunlight and the armour and weapons glitter. And the proud + monarch said to himself, ‘I am powerless in comparison with this man.’ So + he sent him royal robes and costly jewels, and commanded him to come to + the palace to be married to the Princess. And his son-in-law put on the + royal robes, and he looked so grand and stately that it was impossible to + recognise the poor Simpleton, so changed was he; and the Princess fell in + love with him as soon as ever she saw him. + </p> + <p> + Never before had so grand a wedding been seen, and there was so much food + and wine that even the glutton and the thirsty comrade had enough to eat + and drink. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SNOW-DAUGHTER AND THE FIRE-SON(25) + </h2> + <h3> + (25) From the Bukowinaer Tales and Legends. Von Wliolocki. + </h3> + <p> + There was once upon a time a man and his wife, and they had no children, + which was a great grief to them. One winter’s day, when the sun was + shining brightly, the couple were standing outside their cottage, and the + woman was looking at all the little icicles which hung from the roof. She + sighed, and turning to her husband said, ‘I wish I had as many children as + there are icicles hanging there.’ ‘Nothing would please me more either,’ + replied her husband. Then a tiny icicle detached itself from the roof, and + dropped into the woman’s mouth, who swallowed it with a smile, and said, + ‘Perhaps I shall give birth to a snow child now!’ Her husband laughed at + his wife’s strange idea, and they went back into the house. + </p> + <p> + But after a short time the woman gave birth to a little girl, who was as + white as snow and as cold as ice. If they brought the child anywhere near + the fire, it screamed loudly till they put it back into some cool place. + The little maid throve wonderfully, and in a few months she could run + about and speak. But she was not altogether easy to bring up, and gave her + parents much trouble and anxiety, for all summer she insisted on spending + in the cellar, and in the winter she would sleep outside in the snow, and + the colder it was the happier she seemed to be. Her father and mother + called her simply ‘Our Snow-daughter,’ and this name stuck to her all her + life. + </p> + <p> + One day her parents sat by the fire, talking over the extraordinary + behaviour of their daughter, who was disporting herself in the snowstorm + that raged outside. The woman sighed deeply and said, ‘I wish I had given + birth to a Fire-son!’ As she said these words, a spark from the big wood + fire flew into the woman’s lap, and she said with a laugh, ‘Now perhaps I + shall give birth to a Fire-son!’ The man laughed at his wife’s words, and + thought it was a good joke. But he ceased to think it a joke when his wife + shortly afterwards gave birth to a boy, who screamed lustily till he was + put quite close to the fire, and who nearly yelled himself into a fit if + the Snow-daughter came anywhere near him. The Snow-daughter herself + avoided him as much as she could, and always crept into a corner as far + away from him as possible. The parents called the boy simply ‘Our + Fire-son,’ a name which stuck to him all his life. They had a great deal + of trouble and worry with him too; but he throve and grew very quickly, + and before he was a year old he could run about and talk. He was as red as + fire, and as hot to touch, and he always sat on the hearth quite close to + the fire, and complained of the cold; if his sister were in the room he + almost crept into the flames, while the girl on her part always complained + of the great heat if her brother were anywhere near. In summer the boy + always lay out in the sun, while the girl hid herself in the cellar: so it + happened that the brother and sister came very little into contact with + each other—in fact, they carefully avoided it. + </p> + <p> + Just as the girl grew up into a beautiful woman, her father and mother + both died one after the other. Then the Fire-son, who had grown up in the + meantime into a fine, strong young man, said to his sister, ‘I am going + out into the world, for what is the use of remaining on here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall go with you,’ she answered, ‘for, except you, I have no one in + the world, and I have a feeling that if we set out together we shall be + lucky.’ + </p> + <p> + The Fire-son said, ‘I love you with all my heart, but at the same time I + always freeze if you are near me, and you nearly die of heat if I approach + you! How shall we travel about together without being odious the one to + the other?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t worry about that,’ replied the girl, ‘for I’ve thought it all over, + and have settled on a plan which will make us each able to bear with the + other! See, I have had a fur cloak made for each of us, and if we put them + on I shall not feel the heat so much nor you the cold.’ So they put on the + fur cloaks, and set out cheerfully on their way, and for the first time in + their lives quite happy in each other’s company. + </p> + <p> + For a long time the Fire-son and the Snow-daughter wandered through the + world, and when at the beginning of winter they came to a big wood they + determined to stay there till spring. The Fire-son built himself a hut + where he always kept up a huge fire, while his sister with very few + clothes on stayed outside night and day. Now it happened one day that the + King of the land held a hunt in this wood, and saw the Snow-daughter + wandering about in the open air. He wondered very much who the beautiful + girl clad in such garments could be, and he stopped and spoke to her. He + soon learnt that she could not stand heat, and that her brother could not + endure cold. The King was so charmed by the Snow-daughter, that he asked + her to be his wife. The girl consented, and the wedding was held with much + state. The King had a huge house of ice made for his wife underground, so + that even in summer it did not melt. But for his brother-in-law he had a + house built with huge ovens all round it, that were kept heated all day + and night. The Fire-son was delighted, but the perpetual heat in which he + lived made his body so hot, that it was dangerous to go too close to him. + </p> + <p> + One day the King gave a great feast, and asked his brother-in-law among + the other guests. The Fire-son did not appear till everyone had assembled, + and when he did, everyone fled outside to the open air, so intense was the + heat he gave forth. Then the King was very angry and said, ‘If I had known + what a lot of trouble you would have been, I would never have taken you + into my house.’ Then the Fire-son replied with a laugh, ‘Don’t be angry, + dear brother! I love heat and my sister loves cold—come here and let + me embrace you, and then I’ll go home at once.’ And before the King had + time to reply, the Fire-son seized him in a tight embrace. The King + screamed aloud in agony, and when his wife, the Snow-daughter, who had + taken refuge from her brother in the next room, hurried to him, the King + lay dead on the ground burnt to a cinder. When the Snow-daughter saw this + she turned on her brother and flew at him. Then a fight began, the like of + which had never been seen on earth. When the people, attracted by the + noise, hurried to the spot, they saw the Snow-daughter melting into water + and the Fire-son burn to a cinder. And so ended the unhappy brother and + sister. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STORY OF KING FROST (26) + </h2> + <h3> + (26) From the Russian. + </h3> + <p> + There was once upon a time a peasant-woman who had a daughter and a + step-daughter. The daughter had her own way in everything, and whatever + she did was right in her mother’s eyes; but the poor step-daughter had a + hard time. Let her do what she would, she was always blamed, and got small + thanks for all the trouble she took; nothing was right, everything wrong; + and yet, if the truth were known, the girl was worth her weight in gold—she + was so unselfish and good-hearted. But her step-mother did not like her, + and the poor girl’s days were spent in weeping; for it was impossible to + live peacefully with the woman. The wicked shrew was determined to get rid + of the girl by fair means or foul, and kept saying to her father: ‘Send + her away, old man; send her away—anywhere so that my eyes sha’n’t be + plagued any longer by the sight of her, or my ears tormented by the sound + of her voice. Send her out into the fields, and let the cutting frost do + for her.’ + </p> + <p> + In vain did the poor old father weep and implore her pity; she was firm, + and he dared not gainsay her. So he placed his daughter in a sledge, not + even daring to give her a horse-cloth to keep herself warm with, and drove + her out on to the bare, open fields, where he kissed her and left her, + driving home as fast as he could, that he might not witness her miserable + death. + </p> + <p> + Deserted by her father, the poor girl sat down under a fir-tree at the + edge of the forest and began to weep silently. Suddenly she heard a faint + sound: it was King Frost springing from tree to tree, and cracking his + fingers as he went. At length he reached the fir-tree beneath which she + was sitting, and with a crisp crackling sound he alighted beside her, and + looked at her lovely face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, maiden,’ he snapped out, ‘do you know who I am? I am King Frost, + king of the red-noses.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All hail to you, great King!’ answered the girl, in a gentle, trembling + voice. ‘Have you come to take me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you warm, maiden?’ he replied. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite warm, King Frost,’ she answered, though she shivered as she spoke. + </p> + <p> + Then King Frost stooped down, and bent over the girl, and the crackling + sound grew louder, and the air seemed to be full of knives and darts; and + again he asked: + </p> + <p> + ‘Maiden, are you warm? Are you warm, you beautiful girl?’ + </p> + <p> + And though her breath was almost frozen on her lips, she whispered gently, + ‘Quite warm, King Frost.’ + </p> + <p> + Then King Frost gnashed his teeth, and cracked his fingers, and his eyes + sparkled, and the crackling, crisp sound was louder than ever, and for the + last time he asked her: + </p> + <p> + ‘Maiden, are you still warm? Are you still warm, little love?’ + </p> + <p> + And the poor girl was so stiff and numb that she could just gasp, ‘Still + warm, O King!’ + </p> + <p> + Now her gentle, courteous words and her uncomplaining ways touched King + Frost, and he had pity on her, and he wrapped her up in furs, and covered + her with blankets, and he fetched a great box, in which were beautiful + jewels and a rich robe embroidered in gold and silver. And she put it on, + and looked more lovely than ever, and King Frost stepped with her into his + sledge, with six white horses. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the wicked step-mother was waiting at home for news of the + girl’s death, and preparing pancakes for the funeral feast. And she said + to her husband: ‘Old man, you had better go out into the fields and find + your daughter’s body and bury her.’ Just as the old man was leaving the + house the little dog under the table began to bark, saying: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘YOUR daughter shall live to be your delight; + HER daughter shall die this very night.’ +</pre> + <p> + ‘Hold your tongue, you foolish beast!’ scolded the woman. ‘There’s a + pancake for you, but you must say: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “HER daughter shall have much silver and gold; + HIS daughter is frozen quite stiff and cold.”’ +</pre> + <p> + But the doggie ate up the pancake and barked, saying: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘His daughter shall wear a crown on her head; + Her daughter shall die unwooed, unwed.’ +</pre> + <p> + Then the old woman tried to coax the doggie with more pancakes and to + terrify it with blows, but he barked on, always repeating the same words. + And suddenly the door creaked and flew open, and a great heavy chest was + pushed in, and behind it came the step-daughter, radiant and beautiful, in + a dress all glittering with silver and gold. For a moment the + step-mother’s eyes were dazzled. Then she called to her husband: ‘Old man, + yoke the horses at once into the sledge, and take my daughter to the same + field and leave her on the same spot exactly; ‘and so the old man took the + girl and left her beneath the same tree where he had parted from his + daughter. In a few minutes King Frost came past, and, looking at the girl, + he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you warm, maiden?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What a blind old fool you must be to ask such a question!’ she answered + angrily. ‘Can’t you see that my hands and feet are nearly frozen?’ + </p> + <p> + Then King Frost sprang to and fro in front of her, questioning her, and + getting only rude, rough words in reply, till at last he got very angry, + and cracked his fingers, and gnashed his teeth, and froze her to death. + </p> + <p> + But in the hut her mother was waiting for her return, and as she grew + impatient she said to her husband: ‘Get out the horses, old man, to go and + fetch her home; but see that you are careful not to upset the sledge and + lose the chest.’ + </p> + <p> + But the doggie beneath the table began to bark, saying: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Your daughter is frozen quite stiff and cold, + And shall never have a chest full of gold.’ +</pre> + <p> + ‘Don’t tell such wicked lies!’ scolded the woman. ‘There’s a cake for you; + now say: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “HER daughter shall marry a mighty King.” + </pre> + <p> + At that moment the door flew open, and she rushed out to meet her + daughter, and as she took her frozen body in her arms she too was chilled + to death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DEATH OF THE SUN-HERO (27) + </h2> + <h3> + (27) From the Bukowinaer Tales and Legends. Von Wliolocki. + </h3> + <p> + Many, many thousand years ago there lived a mighty King whom heaven had + blessed with a clever and beautiful son. When he was only ten years old + the boy was cleverer than all the King’s counsellors put together, and + when he was twenty he was the greatest hero in the whole kingdom. His + father could not make enough of his son, and always had him clothed in + golden garments which shone and sparkled like the sun; and his mother gave + him a white horse, which never slept, and which flew like the wind. All + the people in the land loved him dearly, and called him the Sun-Hero, for + they did not think his like existed under the sun. Now it happened one + night that both his parents had the same extraordinary dream. They dreamt + that a girl all dressed in red had come to them and said: ‘If you wish + that your son should really become the Sun-Hero in deed and not only in + name, let him go out into the world and search for the Tree of the Sun, + and when he has found it, let him pluck a golden apple from it and bring + it home.’ + </p> + <p> + When the King and Queen had each related their dreams to the other, they + were much amazed that they should both have dreamt exactly the same about + their son, and the King said to his wife, ‘This is clearly a sign from + heaven that we should send our son out into the world in order that he may + come home the great Sun-Hero, as the Red Girl said, not only in name but + in deed.’ + </p> + <p> + The Queen consented with many tears, and the King at once bade his son set + forth in search of the Tree of the Sun, from which he was to pluck a + golden apple. The Prince was delighted at the prospect, and set out on his + travels that very day. + </p> + <p> + For a long time he wandered all through the world, and it was not till the + ninety-ninth day after he started that he found an old man who was able to + tell him where the Tree of the Sun grew. He followed his directions, and + rode on his way, and after another ninety-nine days he arrived at a golden + castle, which stood in the middle of a vast wilderness. He knocked at the + door, which was opened noiselessly and by invisible hands. Finding no one + about, the Prince rode on, and came to a great meadow, where the Sun-Tree + grew. When he reached the tree he put out his hand to pick a golden apple; + but all of a sudden the tree grew higher, so that he could not reach its + fruit. Then he heard some one behind him laughing. Turning round, he saw + the girl in red walking towards him, who addressed him in these words: + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you really imagine, brave son of the earth, that you can pluck an + apple so easily from the Tree of the Sun? Before you can do that, you have + a difficult task before you. You must guard the tree for nine days and + nine nights from the ravages of two wild black wolves, who will try to + harm it. Do you think you can undertake this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ answered the Sun-Hero, ‘I will guard the Tree of the Sun nine days + and nine nights.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the girl continued: ‘Remember, though, if you do not succeed the Sun + will kill you. Now begin your watch.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words the Red Girl went back into the golden castle. She had + hardly left him when the two black wolves appeared: but the Sun-Hero beat + them off with his sword, and they retired, only, however, to reappear in a + very short time. The Sun-Hero chased them away once more, but he had + hardly sat down to rest when the two black wolves were on the scene again. + This went on for seven days and nights, when the white horse, who had + never done such a thing before, turned to the Sun-Hero and said in a human + voice: ‘Listen to what I am going to say. A Fairy gave me to your mother + in order that I might be of service to you; so let me tell you, that if + you go to sleep and let the wolves harm the tree, the Sun will surely kill + you. The Fairy, foreseeing this, put everyone in the world under a spell, + which prevents their obeying the Sun’s command to take your life. But all + the same, she has forgotten one person, who will certainly kill you if you + fall asleep and let the wolves damage the tree. So watch and keep the + wolves away.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the Sun-Hero strove with all his might and kept the black wolves at + bay, and conquered his desire to sleep; but on the eighth night his + strength failed him, and he fell fast asleep. When he awoke a woman in + black stood beside him, who said: ‘You have fulfilled your task very + badly, for you have let the two black wolves damage the Tree of the Sun. I + am the mother of the Sun, and I command you to ride away from here at + once, and I pronounce sentence of death upon you, for you proudly let + yourself be called the Sun-Hero without having done anything to deserve + the name.’ + </p> + <p> + The youth mounted his horse sadly, and rode home. The people all thronged + round him on his return, anxious to hear his adventures, but he told them + nothing, and only to his mother did he confide what had befallen him. But + the old Queen laughed, and said to her son: ‘Don’t worry, my child; you + see, the Fairy has protected you so far, and the Sun has found no one to + kill you. So cheer up and be happy.’ + </p> + <p> + After a time the Prince forgot all about his adventure, and married a + beautiful Princess, with whom he lived very happily for some time. But one + day when he was out hunting he felt very thirsty, and coming to a stream + he stooped down to drink from it, and this caused his death, for a crab + came swimming up, and with its claws tore out his tongue. He was carried + home in a dying condition, and as he lay on his death-bed the black woman + appeared and said: ‘So the Sun has, after all, found someone, who was not + under the Fairy’s spell, who has caused your death. And a similar fate + will overtake everyone under the Sun who wrongfully assumes a title to + which he has no right.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WITCH (28) + </h2> + <h3> + (28) From the Russian. + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a peasant whose wife died, leaving him with two + children—twins—a boy and a girl. For some years the poor man + lived on alone with the children, caring for them as best he could; but + everything in the house seemed to go wrong without a woman to look after + it, and at last he made up his mind to marry again, feeling that a wife + would bring peace and order to his household and take care of his + motherless children. So he married, and in the following years several + children were born to him; but peace and order did not come to the + household. For the step-mother was very cruel to the twins, and beat them, + and half-starved them, and constantly drove them out of the house; for her + one idea was to get them out of the way. All day she thought of nothing + but how she should get rid of them; and at last an evil idea came into her + head, and she determined to send them out into the great gloomy wood where + a wicked witch lived. And so one morning she spoke to them, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘You have been such good children that I am going to send you to visit my + granny, who lives in a dear little hut in the wood. You will have to wait + upon her and serve her, but you will be well rewarded, for she will give + you the best of everything.’ + </p> + <p> + So the children left the house together; and the little sister, who was + very wise for her years, said to the brother: + </p> + <p> + ‘We will first go and see our own dear grandmother, and tell her where our + step-mother is sending us.’ + </p> + <p> + And when the grandmother heard where they were going, she cried and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘You poor motherless children! How I pity you; and yet I can do nothing to + help you! Your step-mother is not sending you to her granny, but to a + wicked witch who lives in that great gloomy wood. Now listen to me, + children. You must be civil and kind to everyone, and never say a cross + word to anyone, and never touch a crumb belonging to anyone else. Who + knows if, after all, help may not be sent to you?’ + </p> + <p> + And she gave her grandchildren a bottle of milk and a piece of ham and a + loaf of bread, and they set out for the great gloomy wood. When they + reached it they saw in front of them, in the thickest of the trees, a + queer little hut, and when they looked into it, there lay the witch, with + her head on the threshold of the door, with one foot in one corner and the + other in the other corner, and her knees cocked up, almost touching the + ceiling. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who’s there?’ she snarled, in an awful voice, when she saw the children. + </p> + <p> + And they answered civilly, though they were so terrified that they hid + behind one another, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-morning, granny; our step-mother has sent us to wait upon you, and + serve you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘See that you do it well, then,’ growled the witch. ‘If I am pleased with + you, I’ll reward you; but if I am not, I’ll put you in a pan and fry you + in the oven—that’s what I’ll do with you, my pretty dears! You have + been gently reared, but you’ll find my work hard enough. See if you + don’t.’ + </p> + <p> + And, so saying, she set the girl down to spin yarn, and she gave the boy a + sieve in which to carry water from the well, and she herself went out into + the wood. Now, as the girl was sitting at her distaff, weeping bitterly + because she could not spin, she heard the sound of hundreds of little + feet, and from every hole and corner in the hut mice came pattering along + the floor, squeaking and saying: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Little girl, why are your eyes so red? + If you want help, then give us some bread.’ +</pre> + <p> + And the girl gave them the bread that her grandmother had given her. Then + the mice told her that the witch had a cat, and the cat was very fond of + ham; if she would give the cat her ham, it would show her the way out of + the wood, and in the meantime they would spin the yarn for her. So the + girl set out to look for the cat, and, as she was hunting about, she met + her brother, in great trouble because he could not carry water from the + well in a sieve, as it came pouring out as fast as he put it in. And as + she was trying to comfort him they heard a rustling of wings, and a flight + of wrens alighted on the ground beside them. And the wrens said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Give us some crumbs, then you need not grieve. + + For you’ll find that water will stay in the sieve.’ +</pre> + <p> + Then the twins crumbled their bread on the ground, and the wrens pecked + it, and chirruped and chirped. And when they had eaten the last crumb they + told the boy to fill up the holes of the sieve with clay, and then to draw + water from the well. So he did what they said, and carried the sieve full + of water into the hut without spilling a drop. When they entered the hut + the cat was curled up on the floor. So they stroked her, and fed her with + ham, and said to her: + </p> + <p> + ‘Pussy, grey pussy, tell us how we are to get away from the witch?’ + </p> + <p> + Then the cat thanked them for the ham, and gave them a pocket-handkerchief + and a comb, and told them that when the witch pursued them, as she + certainly would, all they had to do was to throw the handkerchief on the + ground and run as fast as they could. As soon as the handkerchief touched + the ground a deep, broad river would spring up, which would hinder the + witch’s progress. If she managed to get across it, they must throw the + comb behind them and run for their lives, for where the comb fell a dense + forest would start up, which would delay the witch so long that they would + be able to get safely away. + </p> + <p> + The cat had scarcely finished speaking when the witch returned to see if + the children had fulfilled their tasks. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you have done well enough for to-day,’ she grumbled; ‘but to-morrow + you’ll have something more difficult to do, and if you don’t do it well, + you pampered brats, straight into the oven you go.’ + </p> + <p> + Half-dead with fright, and trembling in every limb, the poor children lay + down to sleep on a heap of straw in the corner of the hut; but they dared + not close their eyes, and scarcely ventured to breathe. In the morning the + witch gave the girl two pieces of linen to weave before night, and the boy + a pile of wood to cut into chips. Then the witch left them to their tasks, + and went out into the wood. As soon as she had gone out of sight the + children took the comb and the handkerchief, and, taking one another by + the hand, they started and ran, and ran, and ran. And first they met the + watch-dog, who was going to leap on them and tear them to pieces; but they + threw the remains of their bread to him, and he ate them and wagged his + tail. Then they were hindered by the birch-trees, whose branches almost + put their eyes out. But the little sister tied the twigs together with a + piece of ribbon, and they got past safely, and, after running through the + wood, came out on to the open fields. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime in the hut the cat was busy weaving the linen and tangling + the threads as it wove. And the witch returned to see how the children + were getting on; and she crept up to the window, and whispered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you weaving, my little dear?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, granny, I am weaving,’ answered the cat. + </p> + <p> + When the witch saw that the children had escaped her, she was furious, + and, hitting the cat with a porringer, she said: ‘Why did you let the + children leave the hut? Why did you not scratch their eyes out?’ + </p> + <p> + But the cat curled up its tail and put its back up, and answered: ‘I have + served you all these years and you never even threw me a bone, but the + dear children gave me their own piece of ham.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the witch was furious with the watch-dog and with the birch-trees, + because they had let the children pass. But the dog answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘I have served you all these years and you never gave me so much as a hard + crust, but the dear children gave me their own loaf of bread.’ + </p> + <p> + And the birch rustled its leaves, and said: ‘I have served you longer than + I can say, and you never tied a bit of twine even round my branches; and + the dear children bound them up with their brightest ribbons.’ + </p> + <p> + So the witch saw there was no help to be got from her old servants, and + that the best thing she could do was to mount on her broom and set off in + pursuit of the children. And as the children ran they heard the sound of + the broom sweeping the ground close behind them, so instantly they threw + the handkerchief down over their shoulder, and in a moment a deep, broad + river flowed behind them. + </p> + <p> + When the witch came up to it, it took her a long time before she found a + place which she could ford over on her broom-stick; but at last she got + across, and continued the chase faster than before. And as the children + ran they heard a sound, and the little sister put her ear to the ground, + and heard the broom sweeping the earth close behind them; so, quick as + thought, she threw the comb down on the ground, and in an instant, as the + cat had said, a dense forest sprung up, in which the roots and branches + were so closely intertwined, that it was impossible to force a way through + it. So when the witch came up to it on her broom she found that there was + nothing for it but to turn round and go back to her hut. + </p> + <p> + But the twins ran straight on till they reached their own home. Then they + told their father all that they had suffered, and he was so angry with + their step-mother that he drove her out of the house, and never let her + return; but he and the children lived happily together; and he took care + of them himself, and never let a stranger come near them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE HAZEL-NUT CHILD (29) + </h2> + <h3> + (29) From the Bukowniaer. Van Wliolocki. + </h3> + <p> + There was once upon a time a couple who had no children, and they prayed + Heaven every day to send them a child, though it were no bigger than a + hazel-nut. At last Heaven heard their prayer and sent them a child exactly + the size of a hazel-nut, and it never grew an inch. The parents were very + devoted to the little creature, and nursed and tended it carefully. Their + tiny son too was as clever as he could be, and so sharp and sensible that + all the neighbours marvelled over the wise things he said and did. + </p> + <p> + When the Hazel-nut child was fifteen years old, and was sitting one day in + an egg-shell on the table beside his mother, she turned to him and said, + ‘You are now fifteen years old, and nothing can be done with you. What do + you intend to be?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A messenger,’ answered the Hazel-nut child. + </p> + <p> + Then his mother burst out laughing and said, ‘What an idea! You a + messenger! Why, your little feet would take an hour to go the distance an + ordinary person could do in a minute!’ + </p> + <p> + But the Hazel-nut child replied, ‘Nevertheless I mean to be a messenger! + Just send me a message and you’ll see that I shall be back in next to no + time.’ + </p> + <p> + So his mother said, ‘Very well, go to your aunt in the neighbouring + village, and fetch me a comb.’ The Hazel-nut child jumped quickly out of + the egg-shell and ran out into the street. Here he found a man on + horseback who was just setting out for the neighbouring village. He crept + up the horse’s leg, sat down under the saddle, and then began to pinch the + horse and to prick it with a pin. The horse plunged and reared and then + set off at a hard gallop, which it continued in spite of its rider’s + efforts to stop it. When they reached the village, the Hazel-nut child + left off pricking the horse, and the poor tired creature pursued its way + at a snail’s pace. The Hazel-nut child took advantage of this, and crept + down the horse’s leg; then he ran to his aunt and asked her for a comb. On + the way home he met another rider, and did the return journey in exactly + the same way. When he handed his mother the comb that his aunt had given + him, she was much amazed and asked him, ‘But how did you manage to get + back so quickly?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! mother,’ he replied, ‘you see I was quite right when I said I knew a + messenger was the profession for me.’ + </p> + <p> + His father too possessed a horse which he often used to take out into the + fields to graze. One day he took the Hazel-nut child with him. At midday + the father turned to his small son and said, ‘Stay here and look after the + horse. I must go home and give your mother a message, but I shall be back + soon.’ + </p> + <p> + When his father had gone, a robber passed by and saw the horse grazing + without any one watching it, for of course he could not see the Hazel-nut + child hidden in the grass. So he mounted the horse and rode away. But the + Hazel-nut child, who was the most active little creature, climbed up the + horse’s tail and began to bite it on the back, enraging the creature to + such an extent that it paid no attention to the direction the robber tried + to make it go in, but galloped straight home. The father was much + astonished when he saw a stranger riding his horse, but the Hazel-nut + child climbed down quickly and told him all that had happened, and his + father had the robber arrested at once and put into prison. + </p> + <p> + One autumn when the Hazel-nut child was twenty years old he said to his + parents: ‘Farewell, my dear father and mother. I am going to set out into + the world, and as soon as I have become rich I will return home to you.’ + </p> + <p> + The parents laughed at the little man’s words, but did not believe him for + a moment. In the evening the Hazel-nut child crept on to the roof, where + some storks had built their nest. The storks were fast asleep, and he + climbed on to the back of the father-stork and bound a silk cord round the + joint of one of its wings, then he crept among its soft downy feathers and + fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the storks flew towards the south, for winter was + approaching. The Hazel-nut child flew through the air on the stork’s back, + and when he wanted to rest he bound his silk cord on to the joint of the + bird’s other wing, so that it could not fly any farther. In this way he + reached the country of the black people, where the storks took up their + abode close to the capital. When the people saw the Hazel-nut child they + were much astonished, and took him with the stork to the King of the + country. The King was delighted with the little creature and kept him + always beside him, and he soon grew so fond of the little man that he gave + him a diamond four times as big as himself. The Hazel-nut child fastened + the diamond firmly under the stork’s neck with a ribbon, and when he saw + that the other storks were getting ready for their northern flight, he + untied the silk cord from his stork’s wings, and away they went, getting + nearer home every minute. At length the Hazel-nut child came to his native + village; then he undid the ribbon from the stork’s neck and the diamond + fell to the ground; he covered it first with sand and stones, and then ran + to get his parents, so that they might carry the treasure home, for he + himself was not able to lift the great diamond. + </p> + <p> + So the Hazel-nut child and his parents lived in happiness and prosperity + after this till they died. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STORY OF BIG KLAUS AND LITTLE KLAUS + </h2> + <p> + In a certain village there lived two people who had both the same name. + Both were called Klaus, but one owned four horses and the other only one. + In order to distinguish the one from the other, the one who had four + horses was called Big Klaus, and the one who had only one horse, Little + Klaus. Now you shall hear what befell them both, for this is a true story. + </p> + <p> + The whole week through Little Klaus had to plough for Big Klaus, and lend + him his one horse; then Big Klaus lent him his four horses, but only once + a week, and that was on Sunday. Hurrah! how loudly Little Klaus cracked + his whip over all the five horses! for they were indeed as good as his on + this one day. The sun shone brightly, and all the bells in the + church-towers were pealing; the people were dressed in their best clothes, + and were going to church, with their hymn books under their arms, to hear + the minister preach. They saw Little Klaus ploughing with the five horses; + but he was so happy that he kept on cracking his whip, and calling out + ‘Gee-up, my five horses!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You mustn’t say that,’ said Big Klaus. ‘Only one horse is yours.’ + </p> + <p> + But as soon as someone else was going by Little Klaus forgot that he must + not say it, and called out ‘Gee-up, my five horses!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now you had better stop that,’ said Big Klaus, ‘for if you say it once + more I will give your horse such a crack on the head that it will drop + down dead on the spot!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I really won’t say it again!’ said Little Klaus. But as soon as more + people passed by, and nodded him good-morning, he became so happy in + thinking how well it looked to have five horses ploughing his field that, + cracking his whip, he called out ‘Gee-up, my five horses!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll see to your horses!’ said Big Klaus; and, seizing an iron bar, he + struck Little Klaus’ one horse such a blow on the head that it fell down + and died on the spot. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! Now I have no horse!’ said Little Klaus, beginning to cry. Then he + flayed the skin off his horse, dried it, and put it in a sack, which he + threw over his shoulder, and went into the town to sell it. He had a long + way to go, and had to pass through a great dark forest. A dreadful storm + came on, in which he lost his way, and before he could get on to the right + road night came on, and it was impossible to reach the town that evening. + </p> + <p> + Right in front of him was a large farm-house. The window-shutters were + closed, but the light came through the chinks. ‘I should very much like to + be allowed to spend the night there,’ thought Little Klaus; and he went + and knocked at the door. The farmer’s wife opened it, but when she heard + what he wanted she told him to go away; her husband was not at home, and + she took in no strangers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I must lie down outside,’ said Little Klaus; and the farmer’s wife + shut the door in his face. Close by stood a large haystack, and between it + and the house a little out-house, covered with a flat thatched roof. + </p> + <p> + ‘I can lie down there,’ thought Little Klaus, looking at the roof; ‘it + will make a splendid bed, if only the stork won’t fly down and bite my + legs.’ For a live stork was standing on the roof, where it had its nest. + So Little Klaus crept up into the out-house, where he lay down, and made + himself comfortable for the night. The wooden shutters over the windows + were not shut at the top, and he could just see into the room. + </p> + <p> + There stood a large table, spread with wine and roast meat and a beautiful + fish. The farmer’s wife and the sexton sat at the table, but there was no + one else. She was filling up his glass, while he stuck his fork into the + fish which was his favourite dish. + </p> + <p> + ‘If one could only get some of that!’ thought Little Klaus, stretching his + head towards the window. Ah, what delicious cakes he saw standing there! + It WAS a feast! + </p> + <p> + Then he heard someone riding along the road towards the house. It was the + farmer coming home. He was a very worthy man; but he had one great + peculiarity—namely, that he could not bear to see a sexton. If he + saw one he was made quite mad. That was why the sexton had gone to say + good-day to the farmer’s wife when he knew that her husband was not at + home, and the good woman therefore put in front of him the best food she + had. But when they heard the farmer coming they were frightened, and the + farmer’s wife begged the sexton to creep into a great empty chest. He did + so, as he knew the poor man could not bear to see a sexton. The wife + hastily hid all the beautiful food and the wine in her oven; for if her + husband had seen it, he would have been sure to ask what it all meant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, dear! oh, dear!’ groaned Little Klaus up in the shed, when he saw the + good food disappearing. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is anybody up there?’ asked the farmer, catching sight of Little Klaus. + ‘Why are you lying there? Come with me into the house.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Little Klaus told him how he had lost his way, and begged to be + allowed to spend the night there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, certainly,’ said the farmer; ‘but we must first have something to + eat!’ + </p> + <p> + The wife received them both very kindly, spread a long table, and gave + them a large plate of porridge. The farmer was hungry, and ate with a good + appetite; but Little Klaus could not help thinking of the delicious dishes + of fish and roast meats and cakes which he knew were in the oven. Under + the table at his feet he had laid the sack with the horse-skin in it, for, + as we know, he was going to the town to sell it. The porridge did not + taste good to him, so he trod upon his sack, and the dry skin in the sack + squeaked loudly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ said Little Klaus to his sack, at the same time treading on it + again so that it squeaked even louder than before. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hallo! what have you got in your sack?’ asked the farmer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, it is a wizard!’ said Little Klaus. ‘He says we should not eat + porridge, for he has conjured the whole oven full of roast meats and fish + and cakes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Goodness me!’ said the farmer; and opening the oven he saw all the + delicious, tempting dishes his wife had hidden there, but which he now + believed the wizard in the sack had conjured up for them. The wife could + say nothing, but she put the food at once on the table, and they ate the + fish, the roast meat, and the cakes. Little Klaus now trod again on his + sack, so that the skin squeaked. + </p> + <p> + ‘What does he say now?’ asked the farmer. + </p> + <p> + ‘He says,’ replied Little Klans, ‘that he has also conjured up for us + three bottles of wine; they are standing in the corner by the oven!’ + </p> + <p> + The wife had to fetch the wine which she had hidden, and the farmer drank + and grew very merry. He would very much like to have had such a wizard as + Little Klaus had in the sack. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can he conjure up the Devil?’ asked the farmer. ‘I should like to see him + very much, for I feel just now in very good spirits!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Little Klaus; ‘my wizard can do everything that I ask. Isn’t + that true?’ he asked, treading on the sack so that it squeaked. ‘Do you + hear? He says ‘’Yes;’’ but that the Devil looks so ugly that we should not + like to see him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! I’m not at all afraid. What does he look like?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He will show himself in the shape of a sexton!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I say!’ said the farmer, ‘he must be ugly! You must know that I can’t + bear to look at a sexton! But it doesn’t matter. I know that it is the + Devil, and I sha’n’t mind! I feel up to it now. But he must not come too + near me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I must ask my wizard,’ said Little Klaus, treading on the sack and + putting his ear to it. + </p> + <p> + ‘What does he say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He says you can open the chest in the corner there, and you will see the + Devil squatting inside it; but you must hold the lid so that he shall not + escape.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you help me to hold him?’ begged the farmer, going towards the chest + where his wife had hidden the real sexton, who was sitting inside in a + terrible fright. The farmer opened the lid a little way, and saw him + inside. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ugh!’ he shrieked, springing back. ‘Yes, now I have seen him; he looked + just like our sexton. Oh, it was horrid!’ + </p> + <p> + So he had to drink again, and they drank till far on into the night. + </p> + <p> + ‘You MUST sell me the wizard,’ said the farmer. ‘Ask anything you like! I + will pay you down a bushelful of money on the spot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I really can’t,’ said Little Klans. ‘Just think how many things I can + get from this wizard!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! I should like to have him so much!’ said the farmer, begging very + hard. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well!’ said Little Klaus at last, ‘as you have been so good as to give me + shelter to-night, I will sell him. You shall have the wizard for a bushel + of money, but I must have full measure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That you shall,’ said the farmer. ‘But you must take the chest with you. + I won’t keep it another hour in the house. Who knows that he isn’t in + there still?’ + </p> + <p> + Little Klaus gave the farmer his sack with the dry skin, and got instead a + good bushelful of money. The farmer also gave him a wheelbarrow to carry + away his money and the chest. ‘Farewell,’ said Little Klaus; and away he + went with his money and the big chest, wherein sat the sexton. + </p> + <p> + On the other side of the wood was a large deep river. The water flowed so + rapidly that you could scarcely swim against the stream. + </p> + <p> + A great new bridge had been built over it, on the middle of which Little + Klaus stopped, and said aloud so that the sexton might hear: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, what am I to do with this stupid chest? It is as heavy as if it were + filled with stones! I shall only be tired, dragging it along; I will throw + it into the river. If it swims home to me, well and good; and if it + doesn’t, it’s no matter.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he took the chest with one hand and lifted it up a little, as if he + were going to throw it into the water. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, don’t do that!’ called out the sexton in the chest. ‘Let me get out + first!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, oh!’ said Little Klaus, pretending that he was afraid. ‘He is still + in there! I must throw him quickly into the water to drown him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! no, no!’ cried the sexton. ‘I will give you a whole bushelful of + money if you will let me go!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, that’s quite another thing!’ said Little Klaus, opening the chest. + The sexton crept out very quickly, pushed the empty chest into the water + and went to his house, where he gave Little Klaus a bushel of money. One + he had had already from the farmer, and now he had his wheelbarrow full of + money. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I have got a good price for the horse!’ said he to himself when he + shook all his money out in a heap in his room. ‘This will put Big Klaus in + a rage when he hears how rich I have become through my one horse; but I + won’t tell him just yet!’ + </p> + <p> + So he sent a boy to Big Klaus to borrow a bushel measure from him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now what can he want with it?’ thought Big Klaus; and he smeared some tar + at the bottom, so that of whatever was measured a little should remain in + it. And this is just what happened; for when he got his measure back, + three new silver five-shilling pieces were sticking to it. + </p> + <p> + What does this mean?’ said Big Klaus, and he ran off at once to Little + Klaus. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where did you get so much money from?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, that was from my horse-skin. I sold it yesterday evening.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s certainly a good price!’ said Big Klaus; and running home in great + haste, he took an axe, knocked all his four horses on the head, skinned + them, and went into the town. + </p> + <p> + ‘Skins! skins! Who will buy skins?’ he cried through the streets. + </p> + <p> + All the shoemakers and tanners came running to ask him what he wanted for + them. ‘A bushel of money for each,’ said Big Klaus. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you mad?’ they all exclaimed. ‘Do you think we have money by the + bushel?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Skins! skins! Who will buy skins?’ he cried again, and to all who asked + him what they cost, he answered, ‘A bushel of money.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is making game of us,’ they said; and the shoemakers seized their yard + measures and the tanners their leathern aprons and they gave Big Klaus a + good beating. ‘Skins! skins!’ they cried mockingly; yes, we will tan YOUR + skin for you! Out of the town with him!’ they shouted; and Big Klaus had + to hurry off as quickly as he could, if he wanted to save his life. + </p> + <p> + ‘Aha!’ said he when he came home, ‘Little Klaus shall pay dearly for this. + I will kill him!’ + </p> + <p> + Little Klaus’ grandmother had just died. Though she had been very unkind + to him, he was very much distressed, and he took the dead woman and laid + her in his warm bed to try if he could not bring her back to life. There + she lay the whole night, while he sat in the corner and slept on a chair, + which he had often done before. And in the night as he sat there the door + opened, and Big Klaus came in with his axe. He knew quite well where + Little Klaus’s bed stood, and going up to it he struck the grandmother on + the head just where he thought Little Klaus would be. ‘There!’ said he. + ‘Now you won’t get the best of me again!’ And he went home. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a very wicked man!’ thought Little Klaus. ‘He was going to kill me! + It was a good thing for my grandmother that she was dead already, or else + he would have killed her!’ + </p> + <p> + Then he dressed his grandmother in her Sunday clothes, borrowed a horse + from his neighbour, harnessed the cart to it, sat his grandmother on the + back seat so that she could not fall out when he drove, and away they + went. When the sun rose they were in front of a large inn. Little Klaus + got down, and went in to get something to drink. The host was very rich. + He was a very worthy but hot-tempered man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning!’ said he to Little Klaus. ‘You are early on the road.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Little Klaus. ‘I am going to the town with my grandmother. She + is sitting outside in the cart; I cannot bring her in. Will you not give + her a glass of mead? But you will have to speak loud, for she is very hard + of hearing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes, certainly I will!’ said the host; and, pouring out a large glass + of mead, he took it out to the dead grandmother, who was sitting upright + in the cart. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here is a glass of mead from your son,’ said the host. But the dead woman + did not answer a word, and sat still. ‘Don’t you hear?’ cried the host as + loud as he could. ‘Here is a glass of mead from your son!’ + </p> + <p> + Then he shouted the same thing again, and yet again, but she never moved + in her place; and at last he grew angry, threw the glass in her face, so + that she fell back into the cart, for she was not tied in her place. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hullo!’ cried Little Klaus, running out of the door, and seizing the host + by the throat. ‘You have killed my grandmother! Look! there is a great + hole in her forehead!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, what a misfortune!’ cried the host, wringing his hands. ‘It all comes + from my hot temper! Dear Little Klaus! I will give you a bushel of money, + and will bury your grandmother as if she were my own; only don’t tell + about it, or I shall have my head cut off, and that would be very + uncomfortable.’ + </p> + <p> + So Little Klaus got a bushel of money, and the host buried his grandmother + as if she had been his own. + </p> + <p> + Now when Little Klaus again reached home with so much money he sent his + boy to Big Klaus to borrow his bushel measure. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s this?’ said Big Klaus. ‘Didn’t I kill him? I must see to this + myself!’ + </p> + <p> + So he went himself to Little Klaus with the measure. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, now, where did you get all this money?’ asked he, opening his eyes + at the heap. + </p> + <p> + ‘You killed my grandmother—not me,’ said Little Klaus. ‘I sold her, + and got a bushel of money for her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is indeed a good price!’ said Big Klaus; and, hurrying home, he took + an axe and killed his grandmother, laid her in the cart, and drove off to + the apothecary’s, and asked whether he wanted to buy a dead body. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is it, and how did you get it?’ asked the apothecary. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is my grandmother,’ said Big Klaus. ‘I killed her in order to get a + bushel of money.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are mad!’ said the apothecary. ‘Don’t mention such things, or you + will lose your head!’ And he began to tell him what a dreadful thing he + had done, and what a wicked man he was, and that he ought to be punished; + till Big Klaus was so frightened that he jumped into the cart and drove + home as hard as he could. The apothecary and all the people thought he + must be mad, so they let him go. + </p> + <p> + ‘You shall pay for this!’ said Big Klaus as he drove home. ‘You shall pay + for this dearly, Little Klaus!’ + </p> + <p> + So as soon as he got home he took the largest sack he could find, and went + to Little Klaus and said: ‘You have fooled me again! First I killed my + horses, then my grandmother! It is all your fault; but you sha’n’t do it + again!’ And he seized Little Klaus, pushed him in the sack, threw it over + his shoulder, crying out ‘Now I am going to drown you!’ + </p> + <p> + He had to go a long way before he came to the river, and Little Klaus was + not very light. The road passed by the church; the organ was sounding, and + the people were singing most beautifully. + </p> + <p> + Big Klaus put down the sack with Little Klaus in it by the church-door, + and thought that he might as well go in and hear a psalm before going on + farther. Little Klaus could not get out, and everybody was in church; so + he went in. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, dear! oh, dear!’ groaned Little Klaus in the sack, twisting and + turning himself. But he could not undo the string. + </p> + <p> + There came by an old, old shepherd, with snow-white hair and a long staff + in his hand. He was driving a herd of cows and oxen. These pushed against + the sack so that it was overturned. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas!’ moaned Little Klans, ‘I am so young and yet I must die!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And I, poor man,’ said the cattle-driver, ‘I am so old and yet I cannot + die!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Open the sack,’ called out Little Klaus; ‘creep in here instead of me, + and you will die in a moment!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will gladly do that,’ said the cattle-driver; and he opened the sack, + and Little Klaus struggled out at once. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will take care of the cattle, won’t you?’ asked the old man, creeping + into the sack, which Little Klaus fastened up and then went on with the + cows and oxen. Soon after Big Klaus came out of the church, and taking up + the sack on his shoulders it seemed to him as if it had become lighter; + for the old cattle-driver was not half as heavy as Little Klaus. + </p> + <p> + ‘How easy he is to carry now! That must be because I heard part of the + service.’ + </p> + <p> + So he went to the river, which was deep and broad, threw in the sack with + the old driver, and called after it, for he thought Little Klaus was + inside: + </p> + <p> + ‘Down you go! You won’t mock me any more now!’ + </p> + <p> + Then he went home; but when he came to the cross-roads, there he met + Little Klaus, who was driving his cattle. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s this?’ said Big Klaus. ‘Haven’t I drowned you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ replied Little Klaus; ‘you threw me into the river a good half-hour + ago!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how did you get those splendid cattle?’ asked Big Klaus. + </p> + <p> + ‘They are sea-cattle!’ said Little Klaus. ‘I will tell you the whole + story, and I thank you for having drowned me, because now I am on dry land + and really rich! How frightened I was when I was in the sack! How the wind + whistled in my ears as you threw me from the bridge into the cold water! I + sank at once to the bottom; but I did not hurt myself for underneath was + growing the most beautiful soft grass. I fell on this, and immediately the + sack opened; the loveliest maiden in snow-white garments, with a green + garland round her wet hair, took me by the hand, and said! ‘’Are you + Little Klaus? Here are some cattle for you to begin with, and a mile + farther down the road there is another herd, which I will give you as a + present!’’ Now I saw that the river was a great high-road for the + sea-people. Along it they travel underneath from the sea to the land till + the river ends. It was so beautiful, full of flowers and fresh grass; the + fishes which were swimming in the water shot past my ears as the birds do + here in the air. What lovely people there were, and what fine cattle were + grazing in the ditches and dykes!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But why did you come up to us again?’ asked Big Klaus. ‘I should not have + done so, if it is so beautiful down below!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ said Little Klaus, ‘that was just so politic of me. You heard what I + told you, that the sea-maiden said to me a mile farther along the road—and + by the road she meant the river, for she can go by no other way—there + was another herd of cattle waiting for me. But I know what windings the + river makes, now here, now there, so that it is a long way round. + Therefore it makes it much shorter if one comes on the land and drives + across the field to the river. Thus I have spared myself quite half a + mile, and have come much quicker to my sea-cattle!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, you’re a lucky fellow!’ said Big Klaus. ‘Do you think I should also + get some cattle if I went to the bottom of the river?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes! I think so,’ said Little Klaus. ‘But I can’t carry you in a sack + to the river; you are too heavy for me! If you like to go there yourself + and then creep into the sack, I will throw you in with the greatest of + pleasure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you,’ said Big Klaus; ‘but if I don’t get any sea-cattle when I + come there, you will have a good hiding, mind!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no! Don’t be so hard on me!’ Then they went to the river. When the + cattle, which were thirsty, caught sight of the water, they ran as quickly + as they could to drink. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look how they are running!’ said Little Klaus. ‘They want to go to the + bottom again!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; but help me first,’ said Big Klaus, ‘or else you shall have a + beating!’ + </p> + <p> + And so he crept into the large sack, which was lying on the back of one of + the oxen. ‘Put a stone in, for I am afraid I may not reach the bottom,’ + said Big Klaus. + </p> + <p> + ‘It goes all right!’ said Little Klaus; but still he laid a big stone in + the sack, fastened it up tight, and then pushed it in. Plump! there was + Big Klaus in the water, and he sank like lead to the bottom. + </p> + <p> + ‘I doubt if he will find any cattle!’ said Little Klaus as he drove his + own home. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PRINCE RING (30) + </h2> + <h3> + (30) From the Icelandic. + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a King and his Queen in their kingdom. + </p> + <p> + They had one daughter, who was called Ingiborg, and one son, whose name + was Ring. He was less fond of adventures than men of rank usually were in + those days, and was not famous for strength or feats of arms. When he was + twelve years old, one fine winter day he rode into the forest along with + his men to enjoy himself. They went on a long way, until they caught sight + of a hind with a gold ring on its horns. The Prince was eager to catch it, + if possible, so they gave chase and rode on without stopping until all the + horses began to founder beneath them. At last the Prince’s horse gave way + too, and then there came over them a darkness so black that they could no + longer see the hind. By this time they were far away from any house, and + thought it was high time to be making their way home again, but they found + they had got lost now. At first they all kept together, but soon each + began to think that he knew the right way best; so they separated, and all + went in different directions. + </p> + <p> + The Prince, too, had got lost like the rest, and wandered on for a time + until he came to a little clearing in the forest not far from the sea, + where he saw a woman sitting on a chair and a big barrel standing beside + her. The Prince went up to her and saluted her politely, and she received + him very graciously. He looked down into the barrel then, and saw lying at + the bottom an unusually beautiful gold ring, which pleased him so much + that he could not take his eyes off it. The woman saw this, and said that + he might have it if he would take the trouble to get it; for which the + Prince thanked her, and said it was at least worth trying. So he leaned + over into the barrel, which did not seem very deep, and thought he would + easily reach the ring; but the more he stretched down after it the deeper + grew the barrel. As he was thus bending down into it the woman suddenly + rose up and pushed him in head first, saying that now he could take up his + quarters there. Then she fixed the top on the barrel and threw it out into + the sea. + </p> + <p> + The Prince thought himself in a bad plight now, as he felt the barrel + floating out from the land and tossing about on the waves. + </p> + <p> + How many days he spent thus he could not tell, but at last he felt that + the barrel was knocking against rocks, at which he was a little cheered, + thinking it was probably land and not merely a reef in the sea. Being + something of a swimmer, he at last made up his mind to kick the bottom out + of the barrel, and having done so he was able to get on shore, for the + rocks by the sea were smooth and level; but overhead there were high + cliffs. It seemed difficult to get up these, but he went along the foot of + them for a little, till at last he tried to climb up, which at last he + did. + </p> + <p> + Having got to the top, he looked round about him and saw that he was on an + island, which was covered with forest, with apples growing, and altogether + pleasant as far as the land was concerned. After he had been there several + days, he one day heard a great noise in the forest, which made him + terribly afraid, so that he ran to hide himself among the trees. Then he + saw a Giant approaching, dragging a sledge loaded with wood, and making + straight for him, so that he could see nothing for it but to lie down just + where he was. When the Giant came across him, he stood still and looked at + the Prince for a little; then he took him up in his arms and carried him + home to his house, and was exceedingly kind to him. He gave him to his + wife, saying he had found this child in the wood, and she could have it to + help her in the house. The old woman was greatly pleased, and began to + fondle the Prince with the utmost delight. He stayed there with them, and + was very willing and obedient to them in everything, while they grew + kinder to him every day. + </p> + <p> + One day the Giant took him round and showed him all his rooms except the + parlour; this made the Prince curious to have a look into it, thinking + there must be some very rare treasure there. So one day, when the Giant + had gone into the forest, he tried to get into the parlour, and managed to + get the door open half-way. Then he saw that some living creature moved + inside and ran along the floor towards him and said something, which made + him so frightened that he sprang back from the door and shut it again. As + soon as the fright began to pass off he tried it again, for he thought it + would be interesting to hear what it said; but things went just as before + with him. He then got angry with himself, and, summoning up all his + courage, tried it a third time, and opened the door of the room and stood + firm. Then he saw that it was a big Dog, which spoke to him and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Choose me, Prince Ring.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince went away rather afraid, thinking with himself that it was no + great treasure after all; but all the same what it had said to him stuck + in his mind. + </p> + <p> + It is not said how long the Prince stayed with the Giant, but one day the + latter came to him and said he would now take him over to the mainland out + of the island, for he himself had no long time to live. He also thanked + him for his good service, and told him to choose some-one of his + possessions, for he would get whatever he wanted. Ring thanked him + heartily, and said there was no need to pay him for his services, they + were so little worth; but if he did wish to give him anything he would + choose what was in the parlour. The Giant was taken by surprise, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘There, you chose my old woman’s right hand; but I must not break my + word.’ + </p> + <p> + Upon this he went to get the Dog, which came running with signs of great + delight; but the Prince was so much afraid of it that it was all he could + do to keep from showing his alarm. + </p> + <p> + After this the Giant accompanied him down to the sea, where he saw a stone + boat which was just big enough to hold the two of them and the Dog. On + reaching the mainland the Giant took a friendly farewell of Ring, and told + him he might take possession of all that was in the island after he and + his wife died, which would happen within two weeks from that time. The + Prince thanked him for this and for all his other kindnesses, and the + Giant returned home, while Ring went up some distance from the sea; but he + did not know what land he had come to, and was afraid to speak to the Dog. + After he had walked on in silence for a time the Dog spoke to him and + said: + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t seem to have much curiosity, seeing you never ask my name.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince then forced himself to ask, ‘What is your name?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You had best call me Snati-Snati,’ said the Dog. ‘Now we are coming to a + King’s seat, and you must ask the King to keep us all winter, and to give + you a little room for both of us.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince now began to be less afraid of the Dog. They came to the King + and asked him to keep them all the winter, to which he agreed. When the + King’s men saw the Dog they began to laugh at it, and make as if they + would tease it; but when the Prince saw this he advised them not to do it, + or they might have the worst of it. They replied that they didn’t care a + bit what he thought. + </p> + <p> + After Ring had been with the King for some days the latter began to think + there was a great deal in him, and esteemed him more than the others. The + King, however, had a counsellor called Red, who became very jealous when + he saw how much the King esteemed Ring; and one day he talked to him, and + said he could not understand why he had so good an opinion of this + stranger, who had not yet shown himself superior to other men in anything. + The King replied that it was only a short time since he had come there. + Red then asked him to send them both to cut down wood next morning, and + see which of them could do most work. Snati-Snati heard this and told it + to Ring, advising him to ask the King for two axes, so that he might have + one in reserve if the first one got broken. Next morning the King asked + Ring and Red to go and cut down trees for him, and both agreed. Ring got + the two axes, and each went his own way; but when the Prince had got out + into the wood Snati took one of the axes and began to hew along with him. + In the evening the King came to look over their day’s work, as Red had + proposed, and found that Ring’s wood-heap was more than twice as big. + </p> + <p> + ‘I suspected,’ said the King, ‘that Ring was not quite useless; never have + I seen such a day’s work.’ + </p> + <p> + Ring was now in far greater esteem with the King than before, and Red was + all the more discontented. One day he came to the King and said, ‘If Ring + is such a mighty man, I think you might ask him to kill the wild oxen in + the wood here, and flay them the same day, and bring you the horns and the + hides in the evening.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t you think that a desperate errand?’ said the King, ‘seeing they are + so dangerous, and no one has ever yet ventured to go against them?’ + </p> + <p> + Red answered that he had only one life to lose, and it would be + interesting to see how brave he was; besides, the King would have good + reason to ennoble him if he overcame them. The King at last allowed + himself, though rather unwillingly, to be won over by Red’s persistency, + and one day asked Ring to go and kill the oxen that were in the wood for + him, and bring their horns and hides to him in the evening. Not knowing + how dangerous the oxen were, Ring was quite ready, and went off at once, + to the great delight of Red, who was now sure of his death. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Ring came in sight of the oxen they came bellowing to meet him; + one of them was tremendously big, the other rather less. Ring grew + terribly afraid. + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you like them?’ asked Snati. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not well at all,’ said the Prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘We can do nothing else,’ said Snati, ‘than attack them, if it is to go + well; you will go against the little one, and I shall take the other.’ + </p> + <p> + With this Snati leapt at the big one, and was not long in bringing him + down. Meanwhile the Prince went against the other with fear and trembling, + and by the time Snati came to help him the ox had nearly got him under, + but Snati was not slow in helping his master to kill it. + </p> + <p> + Each of them then began to flay their own ox, but Ring was only half + through by the time Snati had finished his. In the evening, after they had + finished this task, the Prince thought himself unfit to carry all the + horns and both the hides, so Snati told him to lay them all on his back + until they got to the Palace gate. + </p> + <p> + The Prince agreed, and laid everything on the Dog except the skin of the + smaller ox, which he staggered along with himself. At the Palace gate he + left everything lying, went before the King, and asked him to come that + length with him, and there handed over to him the hides and horns of the + oxen. The King was greatly surprised at his valour, and said he knew no + one like him, and thanked him heartily for what he had done. + </p> + <p> + After this the King set Ring next to himself, and all esteemed him highly, + and held him to be a great hero; nor could Red any longer say anything + against him, though he grew still more determined to destroy him. One day + a good idea came into his head. He came to the King and said he had + something to say to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that?’ said the King. + </p> + <p> + Red said that he had just remembered the gold cloak, gold chess-board, and + bright gold piece that the King had lost about a year before. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t remind me of them!’ said the King. + </p> + <p> + Red, however, went on to say that, since Ring was such a mighty man that + he could do everything, it had occurred to him to advise the King to ask + him to search for these treasures, and come back with them before + Christmas; in return the King should promise him his daughter. + </p> + <p> + The King replied that he thought it altogether unbecoming to propose such + a thing to Ring, seeing that he could not tell him where the things were; + but Red pretended not to hear the King’s excuses, and went on talking + about it until the King gave in to him. One day, a month or so before + Christmas, the King spoke to Ring, saying that he wished to ask a great + favour of him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that?’ said Ring. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is this,’ said the King: ‘that you find for me my gold cloak, my gold + chess-board, and my bright gold piece, that were stolen from me about a + year ago. If you can bring them to me before Christmas I will give you my + daughter in marriage.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where am I to look for them, then?’ said Ring. + </p> + <p> + ‘That you must find out for yourself,’ said the King: ‘I don’t know.’ + </p> + <p> + Ring now left the King, and was very silent, for he saw he was in a great + difficulty: but, on the other hand, he thought it was excellent to have + such a chance of winning the King’s daughter. Snati noticed that his + master was at a loss, and said to him that he should not disregard what + the King had asked him to do; but he would have to act upon his advice, + otherwise he would get into great difficulties. The Prince assented to + this, and began to prepare for the journey. + </p> + <p> + After he had taken leave of the King, and was setting out on the search, + Snati said to him, ‘Now you must first of all go about the neighbourhood, + and gather as much salt as ever you can.’ The Prince did so, and gathered + so much salt that he could hardly carry it; but Snati said, ‘Throw it on + my back,’ which he accordingly did, and the Dog then ran on before the + Prince, until they came to the foot of a steep cliff. + </p> + <p> + ‘We must go up here,’ said Snati. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t think that will be child’s play,’ said the Prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold fast by my tail,’ said Snati; and in this way he pulled Ring up on + the lowest shelf of the rock. The Prince began to get giddy, but up went + Snati on to the second shelf. Ring was nearly swooning by this time, but + Snati made a third effort and reached the top of the cliff, where the + Prince fell down in a faint. After a little, however, he recovered again, + and they went a short distance along a level plain, until they came to a + cave. This was on Christmas Eve. They went up above the cave, and found a + window in it, through which they looked, and saw four trolls lying asleep + beside the fire, over which a large porridge-pot was hanging. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now you must empty all the salt into the porridge-pot,’ said Snati. + </p> + <p> + Ring did so, and soon the trolls wakened up. The old hag, who was the most + frightful of them all, went first to taste the porridge. + </p> + <p> + ‘How comes this?’ she said; ‘the porridge is salt! I got the milk by + witchcraft yesterday out of four kingdoms, and now it is salt!’ + </p> + <p> + All the others then came to taste the porridge, and thought it nice, but + after they had finished it the old hag grew so thirsty that she could + stand it no longer, and asked her daughter to go out and bring her some + water from the river that ran near by. + </p> + <p> + ‘I won’t go,’ said she, ‘unless you lend me your bright gold piece.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Though I should die you shan’t have that,’ said the hag. + </p> + <p> + ‘Die, then,’ said the girl. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, then, take it, you brat,’ said the old hag, ‘and be off with you, + and make haste with the water.’ + </p> + <p> + The girl took the gold and ran out with it, and it was so bright that it + shone all over the plain. As soon as she came to the river she lay down to + take a drink of the water, but meanwhile the two of them had got down off + the roof and thrust her, head first, into the river. + </p> + <p> + The old hag began now to long for the water, and said that the girl would + be running about with the gold piece all over the plain, so she asked her + son to go and get her a drop of water. + </p> + <p> + ‘I won’t go,’ said he, ‘unless I get the gold cloak.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Though I should die you shan’t have that,’ said the hag. + </p> + <p> + ‘Die, then,’ said the son. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, then, take it,’ said the old hag, ‘and be off with you, but you + must make haste with the water.’ + </p> + <p> + He put on the cloak, and when he came outside it shone so bright that he + could see to go with it. On reaching the river he went to take a drink + like his sister, but at that moment Ring and Snati sprang upon him, took + the cloak from him, and threw him into the river. + </p> + <p> + The old hag could stand the thirst no longer, and asked her husband to go + for a drink for her; the brats, she said, were of course running about and + playing themselves, just as she had expected they would, little wretches + that they were. + </p> + <p> + ‘I won’t go,’ said the old troll, ‘unless you lend me the gold + chess-board.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Though I should die you shan’t have that,’ said the hag. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think you may just as well do that,’ said he, ‘since you won’t grant me + such a little favour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take it, then, you utter disgrace!’ said the old hag, ‘since you are just + like these two brats.’ + </p> + <p> + The old troll now went out with the gold chess-board, and down to the + river, and was about to take a drink, when Ring and Snati came upon him, + took the chess-board from him, and threw him into the river. Before they + had got back again, however, and up on top of the cave, they saw the poor + old fellow’s ghost come marching up from the river. Snati immediately + sprang upon him, and Ring assisted in the attack, and after a hard + struggle they mastered him a second time. When they got back again to the + window they saw that the old hag was moving towards the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we must go in at once,’ said Snati, ‘and try to master her there, for + if she once gets out we shall have no chance with her. She is the worst + witch that ever lived, and no iron can cut her. One of us must pour + boiling porridge out of the pot on her, and the other punch her with + red-hot iron.’ + </p> + <p> + In they went then, and no sooner did the hag see them than she said, ‘So + you have come, Prince Ring; you must have seen to my husband and + children.’ + </p> + <p> + Snati saw that she was about to attack them, and sprang at her with a + red-hot iron from the fire, while Ring kept pouring boiling porridge on + her without stopping, and in this way they at last got her killed. Then + they burned the old troll and her to ashes, and explored the cave, where + they found plenty of gold and treasures. The most valuable of these they + carried with them as far as the cliff, and left them there. Then they + hastened home to the King with his three treasures, where they arrived + late on Christmas night, and Ring handed them over to him. + </p> + <p> + The King was beside himself with joy, and was astonished at how clever a + man Ring was in all kinds of feats, so that he esteemed him still more + highly than before, and betrothed his daughter to him; and the feast for + this was to last all through Christmastide. Ring thanked the King + courteously for this and all his other kindnesses, and as soon as he had + finished eating and drinking in the hall went off to sleep in his own + room. Snati, however, asked permission to sleep in the Prince’s bed for + that night, while the Prince should sleep where the Dog usually lay. Ring + said he was welcome to do so, and that he deserved more from him than that + came to. So Snati went up into the Prince’s bed, but after a time he came + back, and told Ring he could go there himself now, but to take care not to + meddle with anything that was in the bed. + </p> + <p> + Now the story comes back to Red, who came into the hall and showed the + King his right arm wanting the hand, and said that now he could see what + kind of a man his intended son-in-law was, for he had done this to him + without any cause whatever. The King became very angry, and said he would + soon find out the truth about it, and if Ring had cut off his hand without + good cause he should be hanged; but if it was otherwise, then Red should + die. So the King sent for Ring and asked him for what reason he had done + this. Snati, however, had just told Ring what had happened during the + night, and in reply he asked the King to go with him and he would show him + something. The King went with him to his sleeping-room, and saw lying on + the bed a man’s hand holding a sword. + </p> + <p> + ‘This hand,’ said Ring, ‘came over the partition during the night, and was + about to run me through in my bed, if I had not defended myself.’ + </p> + <p> + The King answered that in that case he could not blame him for protecting + his own life, and that Red was well worthy of death. So Red was hanged, + and Ring married the King’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + The first night that they went to bed together Snati asked Ring to allow + him to lie at their feet, and this Ring allowed him to do. During the + night he heard a howling and outcry beside them, struck a light in a hurry + and saw an ugly dog’s skin lying near him, and a beautiful Prince in the + bed. Ring instantly took the skin and burned it, and then shook the + Prince, who was lying unconscious, until he woke up. The bridegroom then + asked his name; he replied that he was called Ring, and was a King’s son. + In his youth he had lost his mother, and in her place his father had + married a witch, who had laid a spell on him that he should turn into a + dog, and never be released from the spell unless a Prince of the same name + as himself allowed him to sleep at his feet the first night after his + marriage. He added further, ‘As soon as she knew that you were my namesake + she tried to get you destroyed, so that you might not free me from the + spell. She was the hind that you and your companions chased; she was the + woman that you found in the clearing with the barrel, and the old hag that + we just now killed in the cave.’ + </p> + <p> + After the feasting was over the two namesakes, along with other men, went + to the cliff and brought all the treasure home to the Palace. Then they + went to the island and removed all that was valuable from it. Ring gave to + his namesake, whom he had freed from the spell, his sister Ingiborg and + his father’s kingdom to look after, but he himself stayed with his + father-in-law the King, and had half the kingdom while he lived and the + whole of it after his death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SWINEHERD + </h2> + <p> + There was once a poor Prince. He possessed a kingdom which, though small, + was yet large enough for him to marry on, and married he wished to be. + </p> + <p> + Now it was certainly a little audacious of him to venture to say to the + Emperor’s daughter, ‘Will you marry me?’ But he did venture to say so, for + his name was known far and wide. There were hundreds of princesses who + would gladly have said ‘Yes,’ but would she say the same? + </p> + <p> + Well, we shall see. + </p> + <p> + On the grave of the Prince’s father grew a rose-tree, a very beautiful + rose-tree. It only bloomed every five years, and then bore but a single + rose, but oh, such a rose! Its scent was so sweet that when you smelt it + you forgot all your cares and troubles. And he had also a nightingale + which could sing as if all the beautiful melodies in the world were shut + up in its little throat. This rose and this nightingale the Princess was + to have, and so they were both put into silver caskets and sent to her. + </p> + <p> + The Emperor had them brought to him in the great hall, where the Princess + was playing ‘Here comes a duke a-riding’ with her ladies-in-waiting. And + when she caught sight of the big caskets which contained the presents, she + clapped her hands for joy. + </p> + <p> + ‘If only it were a little pussy cat!’ she said. But the rose-tree with the + beautiful rose came out. + </p> + <p> + ‘But how prettily it is made!’ said all the ladies-in-waiting. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is more than pretty,’ said the Emperor, ‘it is charming!’ + </p> + <p> + But the Princess felt it, and then she almost began to cry. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ugh! Papa,’ she said, ‘it is not artificial, it is REAL!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ugh!’ said all the ladies-in-waiting, ‘it is real!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us see first what is in the other casket before we begin to be + angry,’ thought the Emperor, and there came out the nightingale. It sang + so beautifully that one could scarcely utter a cross word against it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Superbe! charmant!’ said the ladies-in-waiting, for they all chattered + French, each one worse than the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘How much the bird reminds me of the musical snuff-box of the late + Empress!’ said an old courtier. ‘Ah, yes, it is the same tone, the same + execution!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said the Emperor; and then he wept like a little child. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope that this, at least, is not real?’ asked the Princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it is a real bird,’ said those who had brought it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then let the bird fly away,’ said the Princess; and she would not on any + account allow the Prince to come. + </p> + <p> + ‘But he was nothing daunted. He painted his face brown and black, drew his + cap well over his face, and knocked at the door. ‘Good-day, Emperor,’ he + said. ‘Can I get a place here as servant in the castle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said the Emperor, ‘but there are so many who ask for a place that I + don’t know whether there will be one for you; but, still, I will think of + you. Stay, it has just occurred to me that I want someone to look after + the swine, for I have so very many of them.’ + </p> + <p> + And the Prince got the situation of Imperial Swineherd. He had a wretched + little room close to the pigsties; here he had to stay, but the whole day + he sat working, and when evening was come he had made a pretty little pot. + All round it were little bells, and when the pot boiled they jingled most + beautifully and played the old tune— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Where is Augustus dear? + Alas! he’s not here, here, here!’ +</pre> + <p> + But the most wonderful thing was, that when one held one’s finger in the + steam of the pot, then at once one could smell what dinner was ready in + any fire-place in the town. That was indeed something quite different from + the rose. + </p> + <p> + Now the Princess came walking past with all her ladies-in-waiting, and + when she heard the tune she stood still and her face beamed with joy, for + she also could play ‘Where is Augustus dear?’ + </p> + <p> + It was the only tune she knew, but that she could play with one finger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, that is what I play!’ she said. ‘He must be a most accomplished + Swineherd! Listen! Go down and ask him what the instrument costs.’ + </p> + <p> + And one of the ladies-in-waiting had to go down; but she put on wooden + clogs. ‘What will you take for the pot?’ asked the lady-in-waiting. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will have ten kisses from the Princess,’ answered the Swineherd. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven forbid!’ said the lady-in-waiting. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I will sell it for nothing less,’ replied the Swineherd. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, what does he say?’ asked the Princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘I really hardly like to tell you,’ answered the lady-in-waiting. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, then you can whisper it to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is disobliging!’ said the Princess, and went away. But she had only + gone a few steps when the bells rang out so prettily— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Where is Augustus dear? + Alas! he’s not here, here, here.’ +</pre> + <p> + ‘Listen!’ said the Princess. ‘Ask him whether he will take ten kisses from + my ladies-in-waiting.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, thank you,’ said the Swineherd. ‘Ten kisses from the Princess, or + else I keep my pot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is very tiresome!’ said the Princess. ‘But you must put yourselves + in front of me, so that no one can see.’ + </p> + <p> + And the ladies-in-waiting placed themselves in front and then spread out + their dresses; so the Swineherd got his ten kisses, and she got the pot. + </p> + <p> + What happiness that was! The whole night and the whole day the pot was + made to boil; there was not a fire-place in the whole town where they did + not know what was being cooked, whether it was at the chancellor’s or at + the shoemaker’s. + </p> + <p> + The ladies-in-waiting danced and clapped their hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘We know who is going to have soup and pancakes; we know who is going to + have porridge and sausages—isn’t it interesting?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, very interesting!’ said the first lady-in-waiting. + </p> + <p> + ‘But don’t say anything about it, for I am the Emperor’s daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no, of course we won’t!’ said everyone. + </p> + <p> + The Swineherd—that is to say, the Prince (though they did not know + he was anything but a true Swineherd)—let no day pass without making + something, and one day he made a rattle which, when it was turned round, + played all the waltzes, galops, and polkas which had ever been known since + the world began. + </p> + <p> + ‘But that is superbe!’ said the Princess as she passed by. ‘I have never + heard a more beautiful composition. Listen! Go down and ask him what this + instrument costs; but I won’t kiss him again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He wants a hundred kisses from the Princess,’ said the lady-in-waiting + who had gone down to ask him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe he is mad!’ said the Princess, and then she went on; but she + had only gone a few steps when she stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘One ought to encourage art,’ she said. ‘I am the Emperor’s daughter! Tell + him he shall have, as before, ten kisses; the rest he can take from my + ladies-in-waiting.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But we don’t at all like being kissed by him,’ said the + ladies-in-waiting. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s nonsense,’ said the Princess; ‘and if I can kiss him, you can too. + Besides, remember that I give you board and lodging.’ + </p> + <p> + So the ladies-in-waiting had to go down to him again. + </p> + <p> + ‘A hundred kisses from the Princess,’ said he, ‘or each keeps his own.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Put yourselves in front of us,’ she said then; and so all the + ladies-in-waiting put themselves in front, and he began to kiss the + Princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘What can that commotion be by the pigsties?’ asked the Emperor, who was + standing on the balcony. He rubbed his eyes and put on his spectacles. + ‘Why those are the ladies-in-waiting playing their games; I must go down + to them.’ + </p> + <p> + So he took off his shoes, which were shoes though he had trodden them down + into slippers. What a hurry he was in, to be sure! + </p> + <p> + As soon as he came into the yard he walked very softly, and the + ladies-in-waiting were so busy counting the kisses and seeing fair play + that they never noticed the Emperor. He stood on tiptoe. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that?’ he said, when he saw the kissing; and then he threw one of + his slippers at their heads just as the Swineherd was taking his + eighty-sixth kiss. + </p> + <p> + ‘Be off with you!’ said the Emperor, for he was very angry. And the + Princess and the Swineherd were driven out of the empire. + </p> + <p> + Then she stood still and wept; the Swineherd was scolding, and the rain + was streaming down. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas, what an unhappy creature I am!’ sobbed the Princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘If only I had taken the beautiful Prince! Alas, how unfortunate I am!’ + </p> + <p> + And the Swineherd went behind a tree, washed the black and brown off his + face, threw away his old clothes, and then stepped forward in his splendid + dress, looking so beautiful that the Princess was obliged to courtesy. + </p> + <p> + ‘I now come to this. I despise you!’ he said. ‘You would have nothing to + do with a noble Prince; you did not understand the rose or the + nightingale, but you could kiss the Swineherd for the sake of a toy. This + is what you get for it!’ And he went into his kingdom and shut the door in + her face, and she had to stay outside singing— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Where’s my Augustus dear? + Alas! he’s not here, here, here! +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOW TO TELL A TRUE PRINCESS + </h2> + <p> + There was once upon a time a Prince who wanted to marry a Princess, but + she must be a true Princess. So he travelled through the whole world to + find one, but there was always something against each. There were plenty + of Princesses, but he could not find out if they were true Princesses. In + every case there was some little defect, which showed the genuine article + was not yet found. So he came home again in very low spirits, for he had + wanted very much to have a true Princess. One night there was a dreadful + storm; it thundered and lightened and the rain streamed down in torrents. + It was fearful! There was a knocking heard at the Palace gate, and the old + King went to open it. + </p> + <p> + There stood a Princess outside the gate; but oh, in what a sad plight she + was from the rain and the storm! The water was running down from her hair + and her dress into the points of her shoes and out at the heels again. And + yet she said she was a true Princess! + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, we shall soon find that!’ thought the old Queen. But she said + nothing, and went into the sleeping-room, took off all the bed-clothes, + and laid a pea on the bottom of the bed. Then she put twenty mattresses on + top of the pea, and twenty eider-down quilts on the top of the mattresses. + And this was the bed in which the Princess was to sleep. + </p> + <p> + The next morning she was asked how she had slept. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, very badly!’ said the Princess. ‘I scarcely closed my eyes all night! + I am sure I don’t know what was in the bed. I laid on something so hard + that my whole body is black and blue. It is dreadful!’ + </p> + <p> + Now they perceived that she was a true Princess, because she had felt the + pea through the twenty mattresses and the twenty eider-down quilts. + </p> + <p> + No one but a true Princess could be so sensitive. + </p> + <p> + So the Prince married her, for now he knew that at last he had got hold of + a true Princess. And the pea was put into the Royal Museum, where it is + still to be seen if no one has stolen it. Now this is a true story. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BLUE MOUNTAINS + </h2> + <p> + There were once a Scotsman and an Englishman and an Irishman serving in + the army together, who took it into their heads to run away on the first + opportunity they could get. The chance came and they took it. They went on + travelling for two days through a great forest, without food or drink, and + without coming across a single house, and every night they had to climb up + into the trees through fear of the wild beasts that were in the wood. On + the second morning the Scotsman saw from the top of his tree a great + castle far away. He said to himself that he would certainly die if he + stayed in the forest without anything to eat but the roots of grass, which + would not keep him alive very long. As soon, then, as he got down out of + the tree he set off towards the castle, without so much as telling his + companions that he had seen it at all; perhaps the hunger and want they + had suffered had changed their nature so much that the one did not care + what became of the other if he could save himself. He travelled on most of + the day, so that it was quite late when he reached the castle, and to his + great disappointment found nothing but closed doors and no smoke rising + from the chimneys. He thought there was nothing for it but to die after + all, and had lain down beside the wall, when he heard a window being + opened high above him. At this he looked up, and saw the most beautiful + woman he had ever set eyes on. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, it is Fortune that has sent you to me,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is indeed,’ said she. ‘What are you in need of, or what has sent you + here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Necessity,’ said he. ‘I am dying for want of food and drink.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come inside, then,’ she said; ‘there is plenty of both here.’ + </p> + <p> + Accordingly he went in to where she was, and she opened a large room for + him, where he saw a number of men lying asleep. She then set food before + him, and after that showed him to the room where the others were. He lay + down on one of the beds and fell sound asleep. And now we must go back to + the two that he left behind him in the wood. + </p> + <p> + When nightfall and the time of the wild beasts came upon these, the + Englishman happened to climb up into the very same tree on which the + Scotsman was when he got a sight of the castle; and as soon as the day + began to dawn and the Englishman looked to the four quarters of heaven, + what did he see but the castle too! Off he went without saying a word to + the Irishman, and everything happened to him just as it had done to the + Scotsman. + </p> + <p> + The poor Irishman was now left all alone, and did not know where the + others had gone to, so he just stayed where he was, very sad and + miserable. When night came he climbed up into the same tree as the + Englishman had been on the night before. As soon as day came he also saw + the castle, and set out towards it; but when he reached it he could see no + signs of fire or living being about it. Before long, however, he heard the + window opened above his head, looked up, and beheld the most beautiful + woman he had ever seen. He asked if she would give him food and drink, and + she answered kindly and heartily that she would, if he would only come + inside. This he did very willingly, and she set before him food and drink + that he had never seen the like of before. In the room there was a bed, + with diamond rings hanging at every loop of the curtains, and everything + that was in the room besides astonished him so much that he actually + forgot that he was hungry. When she saw that he was not eating at all, she + asked him what he wanted yet, to which he replied that he would neither + eat nor drink until he knew who she was, or where she came from, or who + had put her there. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall tell you that,’ said she. ‘I am an enchanted Princess, and my + father has promised that the man who releases me from the spell shall have + the third of his kingdom while he is alive, and the whole of it after he + is dead, and marry me as well. If ever I saw a man who looked likely to do + this, you are the one. I have been here for sixteen years now, and no one + who ever came to the castle has asked me who I was, except yourself. Every + other man that has come, so long as I have been here, lies asleep in the + big room down there.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me, then,’ said the Irishman, ‘what is the spell that has been laid + on you, and how you can be freed from it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is a little room there,’ said the Princess, ‘and if I could get a + man to stay in it from ten o’clock till midnight for three nights on end I + should be freed from the spell.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am the man for you, then,’ said he; ‘I will take on hand to do it.’ + </p> + <p> + Thereupon she brought him a pipe and tobacco, and he went into the room; + but before long he heard a hammering and knocking on the outside of the + door, and was told to open it. + </p> + <p> + ‘I won’t,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + The next moment the door came flying in, and those outside along with it. + They knocked him down, and kicked him, and knelt on his body till it came + to midnight; but as soon as the cock crew they all disappeared. The + Irishman was little more than alive by this time. As soon as daylight + appeared the Princess came, and found him lying full length on the floor, + unable to speak a word. She took a bottle, rubbed him from head to foot + with something from it, and thereupon he was as sound as ever; but after + what he had got that night he was very unwilling to try it a second time. + The Princess, however, entreated him to stay, saying that the next night + would not be so bad, and in the end he gave in and stayed. + </p> + <p> + When it was getting near midnight he heard them ordering him to open the + door, and there were three of them for every one that there had been the + previous evening. He did not make the slightest movement to go out to them + or to open the door, but before long they broke it up, and were in on top + of him. They laid hold of him, and kept throwing him between them up to + the ceiling, or jumping above him, until the cock crew, when they all + disappeared. When day came the Princess went to the room to see if he was + still alive, and taking the bottle put it to his nostrils, which soon + brought him to himself. The first thing he said then was that he was a + fool to go on getting himself killed for anyone he ever saw, and was + determined to be off and stay there no longer, When the Princess learned + his intention she entreated him to stay, reminding him that another night + would free her from the spell. ‘Besides,’ she said, ‘if there is a single + spark of life in you when the day comes, the stuff that is in this bottle + will make you as sound as ever you were.’ + </p> + <p> + With all this the Irishman decided to stay; but that night there were + three at him for every one that was there the two nights before, and it + looked very unlikely that he would be alive in the morning after all that + he got. When morning dawned, and the Princess came to see if he was still + alive, she found him lying on the floor as if dead. She tried to see if + there was breath in him, but could not quite make it out. Then she put her + hand on his pulse, and found a faint movement in it. Accordingly she + poured what was in the bottle on him, and before long he rose up on his + feet, and was as well as ever he was. So that business was finished, and + the Princess was freed from the spell. + </p> + <p> + The Princess then told the Irishman that she must go away for the present, + but would return for him in a few days in a carriage drawn by four grey + horses. He told her to ‘be aisy,’ and not speak like that to him. ‘I have + paid dear for you for the last three nights,’ he said, ‘if I have to part + with you now;’ but in the twinkling of an eye she had disappeared. He did + not know what to do with himself when he saw that she was gone, but before + she went she had given him a little rod, with which he could, when he + pleased, waken the men who had been sleeping there, some of them for + sixteen years. + </p> + <p> + After being thus left alone, he went in and stretched himself on three + chairs that were in the room, when what does he see coming in at the door + but a little fair-haired lad. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where did you come from, my lad?’ said the Irishman. + </p> + <p> + ‘I came to make ready your food for you,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who told you to do that?’ said the Irishman. + </p> + <p> + ‘My mistress,’ answered the lad—‘the Princess that was under the + spell and is now free.’ + </p> + <p> + By this the Irishman knew that she had sent the lad to wait on him. The + lad also told him that his mistress wished him to be ready next morning at + nine o’clock, when she would come for him with the carriage, as she had + promised. He was greatly pleased at this, and next morning, when the time + was drawing near, went out into the garden; but the little fair-haired lad + took a big pin out of his pocket, and stuck it into the back of the + Irishman’s coat without his noticing it, whereupon he fell sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + Before long the Princess came with the carriage and four horses, and asked + the lad whether his master was awake. He said that he wasn’t. ‘It is bad + for him,’ said she, ‘when the night is not long enough for him to sleep. + Tell him that if he doesn’t meet me at this time to-morrow it is not + likely that he will ever see me again all his life.’ + </p> + <p> + As soon as she was gone the lad took the pin out of his master’s coat, who + instantly awoke. The first word he said to the lad was, ‘Have you seen + her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said he, ‘and she bade me tell you that if you don’t meet her at + nine o’clock to-morrow you will never see her again.’ + </p> + <p> + He was very sorry when he heard this, and could not understand why the + sleep should have fallen upon him just when she was coming. He decided, + however, to go early to bed that night, in order to rise in time nest + morning, and so he did. When it was getting near nine o’clock he went out + to the garden to wait till she came, and the fair-haired lad along with + him; but as soon as the lad got the chance he stuck the pin into his + master’s coat again and he fell asleep as before. Precisely at nine + o’clock came the Princess in the carriage with four horses, and asked the + lad if his master had got up yet; but he said ‘No, he was asleep, just as + he was the day before.’ ‘Dear! dear!’ said the Princess, ‘I am sorry for + him. Was the sleep he had last night not enough for him? Tell him that he + will never see me here again; and here is a sword that you will give him + in my name, and my blessing along with it.’ + </p> + <p> + With this she went off, and as soon as she had gone the lad took the pin + out of his master’s coat. He awoke instantly, and the first word he said + was, ‘Have you seen her?’ The lad said that he had, and there was the + sword she had left for him. The Irishman was ready to kill the lad out of + sheer vexation, but when he gave a glance over his shoulder not a trace of + the fair-haired lad was left. + </p> + <p> + Being thus left all alone, he thought of going into the room where all the + men were lying asleep, and there among the rest he found his two comrades + who had deserted along with him. Then he remembered what the Princess had + told him—that he had only to touch them with the rod she had given + him and they would all awake; and the first he touched were his own + comrades. They started to their feet at once, and he gave them as much + silver and gold as they could carry when they went away. There was plenty + to do before he got all the others wakened, for the two doors of the + castle were crowded with them all the day long. + </p> + <p> + The loss of the Princess, however, kept rankling in his mind day and + night, till finally he thought he would go about the world to see if he + could find anyone to give him news of her. So he took the best horse in + the stable and set out. Three years he spent travelling through forests + and wildernesses, but could find no one able to tell him anything of the + Princess. At last he fell into so great despair that he thought he would + put an end to his own life, and for this purpose laid hold of the sword + that she had given him by the hands of the fair-haired lad; but on drawing + it from its sheath he noticed that there was some writing on one side of + the blade. He looked at this, and read there, ‘You will find me in the + Blue Mountains.’ This made him take heart again, and he gave up the idea + of killing himself, thinking that he would go on in hope of meeting some + one who could tell him where the Blue Mountains were. After he had gone a + long way without thinking where he was going, he saw at last a light far + away, and made straight for it. On reaching it he found it came from a + little house, and as soon as the man inside heard the noise of the horse’s + feet he came out to see who was there. Seeing a stranger on horseback, he + asked what brought him there and where he was going. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have lived here,’ said he, ‘for three hundred years, and all that time + I have not seen a single human being but yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have been going about for the last three years,’ said the Irishman, ‘to + see if I could find anyone who can tell me where the Blue Mountains are.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come in,’ said the old man, ‘and stay with me all night. I have a book + which contains the history of the world, which I shall go through + to-night, and if there is such a place as the Blue Mountains in it we + shall find it out.’ + </p> + <p> + The Irishman stayed there all night, and as soon as morning came rose to + go. The old man said he had not gone to sleep all night for going through + the book, but there was not a word about the Blue Mountains in it. ‘But + I’ll tell you what,’ he said, ‘if there is such a place on earth at all, I + have a brother who lives nine hundred miles from here, and he is sure to + know where they are, if anyone in this world does.’ The Irishman answered + that he could never go these nine hundred miles, for his horse was giving + in already. ‘That doesn’t matter,’ said the old man; ‘I can do better than + that. I have only to blow my whistle and you will be at my brother’s house + before nightfall.’ + </p> + <p> + So he blew the whistle, and the Irishman did not know where on earth he + was until he found himself at the other old man’s door, who also told him + that it was three hundred years since he had seen anyone, and asked him + where he was going. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going to see if I can find anyone that can tell me where the Blue + Mountains are,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you will stay with me to-night,’ said the old man, ‘I have a book of + the history of the world, and I shall know where they are before daylight, + if there is such a place in it at all.’ + </p> + <p> + He stayed there all night, but there was not a word in the book about the + Blue Mountains. Seeing that he was rather cast down, the old man told him + that he had a brother nine hundred miles away, and that if information + could be got about them from anyone it would be from him; ‘and I will + enable you,’ he said, ‘to reach the place where he lives before night.’ So + he blew his whistle, and the Irishman landed at the brother’s house before + nightfall. When the old man saw him he said he had not seen a single man + for three hundred years, and was very much surprised to see anyone come to + him now. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are you going to?’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going about asking for the Blue Mountains,’ said the Irishman. + </p> + <p> + ‘The Blue Mountains?’ said the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said the Irishman. + </p> + <p> + ‘I never heard the name before; but if they do exist I shall find them + out. I am master of all the birds in the world, and have only to blow my + whistle and every one will come to me. I shall then ask each of them to + tell where it came from, and if there is any way of finding out the Blue + Mountains that is it.’ + </p> + <p> + So he blew his whistle, and when he blew it then all the birds of the + world began to gather. The old man questioned each of them as to where + they had come from, but there was not one of them that had come from the + Blue Mountains. After he had run over them all, however, he missed a big + Eagle that was wanting, and wondered that it had not come. Soon afterwards + he saw something big coming towards him, darkening the sky. It kept coming + nearer and growing bigger, and what was this after all but the Eagle? When + she arrived the old man scolded her, and asked what had kept her so long + behind. + </p> + <p> + ‘I couldn’t help it,’ she said; ‘I had more than twenty times further to + come than any bird that has come here to-day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where have you come from, then?’ said the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘From the Blue Mountains,’ said she. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed!’ said the old man; and what are they doing there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are making ready this very day,’ said the Eagle, ‘for the marriage + of the daughter of the King of the Blue Mountains. For three years now she + has refused to marry anyone whatsoever, until she should give up all hope + of the coming of the man who released her from the spell. Now she can wait + no longer, for three years is the time that she agreed with her father to + remain without marrying.’ + </p> + <p> + The Irishman knew that it was for himself she had been waiting so long, + but he was unable to make any better of it, for he had no hope of reaching + the Blue Mountains all his life. The old man noticed how sad he grew, and + asked the Eagle what she would take for carrying this man on her back to + the Blue Mountains. + </p> + <p> + ‘I must have threescore cattle killed,’ said she, ‘and cut up into + quarters, and every time I look over my shoulder he must throw one of them + into my mouth.’ + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Irishman and the old man heard her demand they went out + hunting, and before evening they had killed three-score cattle. They made + quarters of them, as the Eagle told them, and then the old man asked her + to lie down, till they would get it all heaped up on her back. First of + all, though, they had to get a ladder of fourteen steps, to enable them to + get on to the Eagle’s back, and there they piled up the meat as well as + they could. Then the old man told the Irishman to mount, and to remember + to throw a quarter of beef to her every time she looked round. He went up, + and the old man gave the Eagle the word to be off, which she instantly + obeyed; and every time she turned her head the Irishman threw a quarter of + beef into her mouth. + </p> + <p> + As they came near the borders of the kingdom of the Blue Mountains, + however, the beef was done, and, when the Eagle looked over her shoulder, + what was the Irishman at but throwing the stone between her tail and her + neck! At this she turned a complete somersault, and threw the Irishman off + into the sea, where he fell into the bay that was right in front of the + King’s Palace. Fortunately the points of his toes just touched the bottom, + and he managed to get ashore. + </p> + <p> + When he went up into the town all the streets were gleaming with light, + and the wedding of the Princess was just about to begin. He went into the + first house he came to, and this happened to be the house of the King’s + hen-wife. He asked the old woman what was causing all the noise and light + in the town. + </p> + <p> + ‘The Princess,’ said she, ‘is going to be married to-night against her + will, for she has been expecting every day that the man who freed her from + the spell would come.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is a guinea for you,’ said he; ‘go and bring her here.’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman went, and soon returned along with the Princess. She and the + Irishman recognised each other, and were married, and had a great wedding + that lasted for a year and a day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TINDER-BOX + </h2> + <p> + A soldier came marching along the high road—left, right! A left, + right! He had his knapsack on his back and a sword by his side, for he had + been to the wars and was now returning home. + </p> + <p> + An old Witch met him on the road. She was very ugly to look at: her + under-lip hung down to her breast. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good evening, Soldier!’ she said. ‘What a fine sword and knapsack you + have! You are something like a soldier! You ought to have as much money as + you would like to carry!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, old Witch,’ said the Soldier. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you see that great tree there?’ said the Witch, pointing to a tree + beside them. ‘It is hollow within. You must climb up to the top, and then + you will see a hole through which you can let yourself down into the tree. + I will tie a rope round your waist, so that I may be able to pull you up + again when you call.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What shall I do down there?’ asked the Soldier. + </p> + <p> + ‘Get money!’ answered the Witch. ‘Listen! When you reach the bottom of the + tree you will find yourself in a large hall; it is light there, for there + are more than three hundred lamps burning. Then you will see three doors, + which you can open—the keys are in the locks. If you go into the + first room, you will see a great chest in the middle of the floor with a + dog sitting upon it; he has eyes as large as saucers, but you needn’t + trouble about him. I will give you my blue-check apron, which you must + spread out on the floor, and then go back quickly and fetch the dog and + set him upon it; open the chest and take as much money as you like. It is + copper there. If you would rather have silver, you must go into the next + room, where there is a dog with eyes as large as mill-wheels. But don’t + take any notice of him; just set him upon my apron, and help yourself to + the money. If you prefer gold, you can get that too, if you go into the + third room, and as much as you like to carry. But the dog that guards the + chest there has eyes as large as the Round Tower at Copenhagen! He is a + savage dog, I can tell you; but you needn’t be afraid of him either. Only, + put him on my apron and he won’t touch you, and you can take out of the + chest as much gold as you like!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, this is not bad!’ said the Soldier. ‘But what am I to give you, old + Witch; for surely you are not going to do this for nothing?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I am!’ replied the Witch. ‘Not a single farthing will I take! For me + you shall bring nothing but an old tinder-box which my grandmother forgot + last time she was down there.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, tie the rope round my waist! ‘said the Soldier. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here it is,’ said the Witch, ‘and here is my blue-check apron.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the Soldier climbed up the tree, let himself down through the hole, + and found himself standing, as the Witch had said, underground in the + large hall, where the three hundred lamps were burning. + </p> + <p> + Well, he opened the first door. Ugh! there sat the dog with eyes as big as + saucers glaring at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a fine fellow!’ said the Soldier, and put him on the Witch’s + apron, took as much copper as his pockets could hold; then he shut the + chest, put the dog on it again, and went into the second room. Sure enough + there sat the dog with eyes as large as mill-wheels. + </p> + <p> + ‘You had better not look at me so hard!’ said the Soldier. ‘Your eyes will + come out of their sockets!’ + </p> + <p> + And then he set the dog on the apron. When he saw all the silver in the + chest, he threw away the copper he had taken, and filled his pockets and + knapsack with nothing but silver. + </p> + <p> + Then he went into the third room. Horrors! the dog there had two eyes, + each as large as the Round Tower at Copenhagen, spinning round in his head + like wheels. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good evening!’ said the Soldier and saluted, for he had never seen a dog + like this before. But when he had examined him more closely, he thought to + himself: ‘Now then, I’ve had enough of this!’ and put him down on the + floor, and opened the chest. Heavens! what a heap of gold there was! With + all that he could buy up the whole town, and all the sugar pigs, all the + tin soldiers, whips and rocking-horses in the whole world. Now he threw + away all the silver with which he had filled his pockets and knapsack, and + filled them with gold instead—yes, all his pockets, his knapsack, + cap and boots even, so that he could hardly walk. Now he was rich indeed. + He put the dog back upon the chest, shut the door, and then called up + through the tree: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now pull me up again, old Witch!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you got the tinder-box also?’ asked the Witch. + </p> + <p> + ‘Botheration!’ said the Soldier, ‘I had clean forgotten it!’ And then he + went back and fetched it. + </p> + <p> + The Witch pulled him up, and there he stood again on the high road, with + pockets, knapsack, cap and boots filled with gold. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you want to do with the tinder-box?’ asked the Soldier. + </p> + <p> + ‘That doesn’t matter to you,’ replied the Witch. ‘You have got your money, + give me my tinder-box.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We’ll see!’ said the Soldier. ‘Tell me at once what you want to do with + it, or I will draw my sword, and cut off your head!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No!’ screamed the Witch. + </p> + <p> + The Soldier immediately cut off her head. That was the end of her! But he + tied up all his gold in her apron, slung it like a bundle over his + shoulder, put the tinder-box in his pocket, and set out towards the town. + </p> + <p> + It was a splendid town! He turned into the finest inn, ordered the best + chamber and his favourite dinner; for now that he had so much money he was + really rich. + </p> + <p> + It certainly occurred to the servant who had to clean his boots that they + were astonishingly old boots for such a rich lord. But that was because he + had not yet bought new ones; next day he appeared in respectable boots and + fine clothes. Now, instead of a common soldier he had become a noble lord, + and the people told him about all the grand doings of the town and the + King, and what a beautiful Princess his daughter was. + </p> + <p> + ‘How can one get to see her?’ asked the Soldier. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is never to be seen at all!’ they told him; ‘she lives in a great + copper castle, surrounded by many walls and towers! No one except the King + may go in or out, for it is prophesied that she will marry a common + soldier, and the King cannot submit to that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should very much like to see her,’ thought the Soldier; but he could + not get permission. + </p> + <p> + Now he lived very gaily, went to the theatre, drove in the King’s garden, + and gave the poor a great deal of money, which was very nice of him; he + had experienced in former times how hard it is not to have a farthing in + the world. Now he was rich, wore fine clothes, and made many friends, who + all said that he was an excellent man, a real nobleman. And the Soldier + liked that. But as he was always spending money, and never made any more, + at last the day came when he had nothing left but two shillings, and he + had to leave the beautiful rooms in which he had been living, and go into + a little attic under the roof, and clean his own boots, and mend them with + a darning-needle. None of his friends came to visit him there, for there + were too many stairs to climb. + </p> + <p> + It was a dark evening, and he could not even buy a light. But all at once + it flashed across him that there was a little end of tinder in the + tinder-box, which he had taken from the hollow tree into which the Witch + had helped him down. He found the box with the tinder in it; but just as + he was kindling a light, and had struck a spark out of the tinder-box, the + door burst open, and the dog with eyes as large as saucers, which he had + seen down in the tree, stood before him and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘What does my lord command?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s the meaning of this?’ exclaimed the Soldier. ‘This is a pretty + kind of tinder-box, if I can get whatever I want like this. Get me money!’ + he cried to the dog, and hey, presto! he was off and back again, holding a + great purse full of money in his mouth. + </p> + <p> + Now the Soldier knew what a capital tinder-box this was. If he rubbed + once, the dog that sat on the chest of copper appeared; if he rubbed + twice, there came the dog that watched over the silver chest; and if he + rubbed three times, the one that guarded the gold appeared. Now, the + Soldier went down again to his beautiful rooms, and appeared once more in + splendid clothes. All his friends immediately recognised him again, and + paid him great court. + </p> + <p> + One day he thought to himself: ‘It is very strange that no one can get to + see the Princess. They all say she is very pretty, but what’s the use of + that if she has to sit for ever in the great copper castle with all the + towers? Can I not manage to see her somehow? Where is my tinder-box?’ and + so he struck a spark, and, presto! there came the dog with eyes as large + as saucers. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the middle of the night, I know,’ said the Soldier; ‘but I should + very much like to see the Princess for a moment.’ + </p> + <p> + The dog was already outside the door, and before the Soldier could look + round, in he came with the Princess. She was lying asleep on the dog’s + back, and was so beautiful that anyone could see she was a real Princess. + The Soldier really could not refrain from kissing her—he was such a + thorough Soldier. Then the dog ran back with the Princess. But when it was + morning, and the King and Queen were drinking tea, the Princess said that + the night before she had had such a strange dream about a dog and a + Soldier: she had ridden on the dog’s back, and the Soldier had kissed her. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is certainly a fine story,’ said the Queen. But the next night one + of the ladies-in-waiting was to watch at the Princess’s bed, to see if it + was only a dream, or if it had actually happened. + </p> + <p> + The Soldier had an overpowering longing to see the Princess again, and so + the dog came in the middle of the night and fetched her, running as fast + as he could. But the lady-in-waiting slipped on india-rubber shoes and + followed them. When she saw them disappear into a large house, she thought + to herself: ‘Now I know where it is; ‘and made a great cross on the door + with a piece of chalk. Then she went home and lay down, and the dog came + back also, with the Princess. But when he saw that a cross had been made + on the door of the house where the Soldier lived, he took a piece of chalk + also, and made crosses on all the doors in the town; and that was very + clever, for now the lady-in-waiting could not find the right house, as + there were crosses on all the doors. + </p> + <p> + Early next morning the King, Queen, ladies-in-waiting, and officers came + out to see where the Princess had been. + </p> + <p> + ‘There it is!’ said the King, when he saw the first door with a cross on + it. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, there it is, my dear!’ said the Queen, when she likewise saw a door + with a cross. + </p> + <p> + ‘But here is one, and there is another!’ they all exclaimed; wherever they + looked there was a cross on the door. Then they realised that the sign + would not help them at all. + </p> + <p> + But the Queen was an extremely clever woman, who could do a great deal + more than just drive in a coach. She took her great golden scissors, cut + up a piece of silk, and made a pretty little bag of it. This she filled + with the finest buckwheat grains, and tied it round the Princess’ neck; + this done, she cut a little hole in the bag, so that the grains would + strew the whole road wherever the Princess went. + </p> + <p> + In the night the dog came again, took the Princess on his back and ran + away with her to the Soldier, who was very much in love with her, and + would have liked to have been a Prince, so that he might have had her for + his wife. + </p> + <p> + The dog did not notice how the grains were strewn right from the castle to + the Soldier’s window, where he ran up the wall with the Princess. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the King and the Queen saw plainly where their daughter had + been, and they took the Soldier and put him into prison. + </p> + <p> + There he sat. Oh, how dark and dull it was there! And they told him: + ‘To-morrow you are to be hanged.’ Hearing that did not exactly cheer him, + and he had left his tinder-box in the inn. + </p> + <p> + Next morning he could see through the iron grating in front of his little + window how the people were hurrying out of the town to see him hanged. He + heard the drums and saw the soldiers marching; all the people were running + to and fro. Just below his window was a shoemaker’s apprentice, with + leather apron and shoes; he was skipping along so merrily that one of his + shoes flew off and fell against the wall, just where the Soldier was + sitting peeping through the iron grating. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, shoemaker’s boy, you needn’t be in such a hurry!’ said the Soldier to + him. ‘There’s nothing going on till I arrive. But if you will run back to + the house where I lived, and fetch me my tinder-box, I will give you four + shillings. But you must put your best foot foremost.’ + </p> + <p> + The shoemaker’s boy was very willing to earn four shillings, and fetched + the tinder-box, gave it to the Soldier, and—yes—now you shall + hear. + </p> + <p> + Outside the town a great scaffold had been erected, and all round were + standing the soldiers, and hundreds of thousands of people. The King and + Queen were sitting on a magnificent throne opposite the judges and the + whole council. + </p> + <p> + The Soldier was already standing on the top of the ladder; but when they + wanted to put the rope round his neck, he said that the fulfilment of one + innocent request was always granted to a poor criminal before he underwent + his punishment. He would so much like to smoke a small pipe of tobacco; it + would be his last pipe in this world. + </p> + <p> + The King could not refuse him this, and so he took out his tinder-box, and + rubbed it once, twice, three times. And lo, and behold I there stood all + three dogs—the one with eyes as large as saucers, the second with + eyes as large as mill-wheels, and the third with eyes each as large as the + Round Tower of Copenhagen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Help me now, so that I may not be hanged!’ cried the Soldier. And + thereupon the dogs fell upon the judges and the whole council, seized some + by the legs, others by the nose, and threw them so high into the air that + they fell and were smashed into pieces. + </p> + <p> + ‘I won’t stand this!’ said the King; but the largest dog seized him too, + and the Queen as well, and threw them up after the others. This frightened + the soldiers, and all the people cried: ‘Good Soldier, you shall be our + King, and marry the beautiful Princess!’ + </p> + <p> + Then they put the Soldier into the King’s coach, and the three dogs danced + in front, crying ‘Hurrah!’ And the boys whistled and the soldiers + presented arms. + </p> + <p> + The Princess came out of the copper castle, and became Queen; and that + pleased her very much. + </p> + <p> + The wedding festivities lasted for eight days, and the dogs sat at table + and made eyes at everyone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WITCH IN THE STONE BOAT(31) + </h2> + <h3> + (31) From the Icelandic. + </h3> + <p> + There were once a King and a Queen, and they had a son called Sigurd, who + was very strong and active, and good-looking. When the King came to be + bowed down with the weight of years he spoke to his son, and said that now + it was time for him to look out for a fitting match for himself, for he + did not know how long he might last now, and he would like to see him + married before he died. + </p> + <p> + Sigurd was not averse to this, and asked his father where he thought it + best to look for a wife. The King answered that in a certain country there + was a King who had a beautiful daughter, and he thought it would be most + desirable if Sigurd could get her. So the two parted, and Sigurd prepared + for the journey, and went to where his father had directed him. + </p> + <p> + He came to the King and asked his daughter’s hand, which he readily + granted him, but only on the condition that he should remain there as long + as he could, for the King himself was not strong and not very able to + govern his kingdom. Sigurd accepted this condition, but added that he + would have to get leave to go home again to his own country when he heard + news of his father’s death. After that Sigurd married the Princess, and + helped his father-in-law to govern the kingdom. He and the Princess loved + each other dearly, and after a year a son came to them, who was two years + old when word came to Sigurd that his father was dead. Sigurd now prepared + to return home with his wife and child, and went on board ship to go by + sea. + </p> + <p> + They had sailed for several days, when the breeze suddenly fell, and there + came a dead calm, at a time when they needed only one day’s voyage to + reach home. Sigurd and his Queen were one day on deck, when most of the + others on the ship had fallen asleep. There they sat and talked for a + while, and had their little son along with them. After a time Sigurd + became so heavy with sleep that he could no longer keep awake, so he went + below and lay down, leaving the Queen alone on the deck, playing with her + son. + </p> + <p> + A good while after Sigurd had gone below the Queen saw something black on + the sea, which seemed to be coming nearer. As it approached she could make + out that it was a boat, and could see the figure of some one sitting in it + and rowing it. At last the boat came alongside the ship, and now the Queen + saw that it was a stone boat, out of which there came up on board the ship + a fearfully ugly Witch. The Queen was more frightened than words can + describe, and could neither speak a word nor move from the place so as to + awaken the King or the sailors. The Witch came right up to the Queen, took + the child from her and laid it on the deck; then she took the Queen, and + stripped her of all her fine clothes, which she proceeded to put on + herself, and looked then like a human being. Last of all she took the + Queen, put her into the boat, and said— + </p> + <p> + ‘This spell I lay upon you, that you slacken not your course until you + come to my brother in the Underworld.’ + </p> + <p> + The Queen sat stunned and motionless, but the boat at once shot away from + the ship with her, and before long she was out of sight. + </p> + <p> + When the boat could no longer be seen the child began to cry, and though + the Witch tried to quiet it she could not manage it; so she went below to + where the King was sleeping with the child on her arm, and awakened him, + scolding him for leaving them alone on deck, while he and all the crew + were asleep. It was great carelessness of him, she said, to leave no one + to watch the ship with her. + </p> + <p> + Sigurd was greatly surprised to hear his Queen scold him so much, for she + had never said an angry word to him before; but he thought it was quite + excusable in this case, and tried to quiet the child along with her, but + it was no use. Then he went and wakened the sailors, and bade them hoist + the sails, for a breeze had sprung up and was blowing straight towards the + harbour. + </p> + <p> + They soon reached the land which Sigurd was to rule over, and found all + the people sorrowful for the old King’s death, but they became glad when + they got Sigurd back to the Court, and made him King over them. + </p> + <p> + The King’s son, however, hardly ever stopped crying from the time he had + been taken from his mother on the deck of the ship, although he had always + been such a good child before, so that at last the King had to get a nurse + for him—one of the maids of the Court. As soon as the child got into + her charge he stopped crying, and behaved well as before. + </p> + <p> + After the sea-voyage it seemed to the King that the Queen had altered very + much in many ways, and not for the better. He thought her much more + haughty and stubborn and difficult to deal with than she used to be. + Before long others began to notice this as well as the King. In the Court + there were two young fellows, one of eighteen years old, the other of + nineteen, who were very fond of playing chess, and often sat long inside + playing at it. Their room was next the Queen’s, and often during the day + they heard the Queen talking. + </p> + <p> + One day they paid more attention than usual when they heard her talk, and + put their ears close to a crack in the wall between the rooms, and heard + the Queen say quite plainly, ‘When I yawn a little, then I am a nice + little maiden; when I yawn half-way, then I am half a troll; and when I + yawn fully, then I am a troll altogether.’ + </p> + <p> + As she said this she yawned tremendously, and in a moment had put on the + appearance of a fearfully ugly troll. Then there came up through the floor + of the room a three-headed Giant with a trough full of meat, who saluted + her as his sister and set down the trough before her. She began to eat out + of it, and never stopped till she had finished it. The young fellows saw + all this going on, but did not hear the two of them say anything to each + other. They were astonished though at how greedily the Queen devoured the + meat, and how much she ate of it, and were no longer surprised that she + took so little when she sat at table with the King. As soon as she had + finished it the Giant disappeared with the trough by the same way as he + had come, and the Queen returned to her human shape. + </p> + <p> + Now we must go back to the King’s son after he had been put in charge of + the nurse. One evening, after she had lit a candle and was holding the + child, several planks sprang up in the floor of the room, and out at the + opening came a beautiful woman dressed in white, with an iron belt round + her waist, to which was fastened an iron chain that went down into the + ground. The woman came up to the nurse, took the child from her, and + pressed it to her breast; then she gave it back to the nurse and returned + by the same way as she had come, and the floor closed over her again. + Although the woman had not spoken a single word to her, the nurse was very + much frightened, but told no one about it. + </p> + <p> + Next evening the same thing happened again, just as before, but as the + woman was going away she said in a sad tone, ‘Two are gone, and one only + is left,’ and then disappeared as before. The nurse was still more + frightened when she heard the woman say this, and thought that perhaps + some danger was hanging over the child, though she had no ill-opinion of + the unknown woman, who, indeed, had behaved towards the child as if it + were her own. The most mysterious thing was the woman saying ‘and only one + is left;’ but the nurse guessed that this must mean that only one day was + left, since she had come for two days already. + </p> + <p> + At last the nurse made up her mind to go to the King, and told him the + whole story, and asked him to be present in person next day about the time + when the woman usually came. The King promised to do so, and came to the + nurse’s room a little before the time, and sat down on a chair with his + drawn sword in his hand. Soon after the planks in the floor sprang up as + before, and the woman came up, dressed in white, with the iron belt and + chain. The King saw at once that it was his own Queen, and immediately + hewed asunder the iron chain that was fastened to the belt. This was + followed by such noises and crashings down in the earth that all the + King’s Palace shook, so that no one expected anything else than to see + every bit of it shaken to pieces. At last, however, the noises and shaking + stopped, and they began to come to themselves again. + </p> + <p> + The King and Queen embraced each other, and she told him the whole story—how + the Witch came to the ship when they were all asleep and sent her off in + the boat. After she had gone so far that she could not see the ship, she + sailed on through darkness until she landed beside a three-headed Giant. + The Giant wished her to marry him, but she refused; whereupon he shut her + up by herself, and told her she would never get free until she consented. + After a time she began to plan how to get her freedom, and at last told + him that she would consent if he would allow her to visit her son on earth + three days on end. This he agreed to, but put on her this iron belt and + chain, the other end of which he fastened round his own waist, and the + great noises that were heard when the King cut the chain must have been + caused by the Giant’s falling down the underground passage when the chain + gave way so suddenly. The Giant’s dwelling, indeed, was right under the + Palace, and the terrible shakings must have been caused by him in his + death-throes. + </p> + <p> + The King now understood how the Queen he had had for some time past had + been so ill-tempered. He at once had a sack drawn over her head and made + her be stoned to death, and after that torn in pieces by untamed horses. + The two young fellows also told now what they had heard and seen in the + Queen’s room, for before this they had been afraid to say anything about + it, on account of the Queen’s power. + </p> + <p> + The real Queen was now restored to all her dignity, and was beloved by + all. The nurse was married to a nobleman, and the King and Queen gave her + splendid presents. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THUMBELINA + </h2> + <p> + There was once a woman who wanted to have quite a tiny, little child, but + she did not know where to get one from. So one day she went to an old + Witch and said to her: ‘I should so much like to have a tiny, little + child; can you tell me where I can get one?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, we have just got one ready!’ said the Witch. ‘Here is a barley-corn + for you, but it’s not the kind the farmer sows in his field, or feeds the + cocks and hens with, I can tell you. Put it in a flower-pot, and then you + will see something happen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, thank you!’ said the woman, and gave the Witch a shilling, for that + was what it cost. Then she went home and planted the barley-corn; + immediately there grew out of it a large and beautiful flower, which + looked like a tulip, but the petals were tightly closed as if it were + still only a bud. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a beautiful flower!’ exclaimed the woman, and she kissed the red and + yellow petals; but as she kissed them the flower burst open. It was a real + tulip, such as one can see any day; but in the middle of the blossom, on + the green velvety petals, sat a little girl, quite tiny, trim, and pretty. + She was scarcely half a thumb in height; so they called her Thumbelina. An + elegant polished walnut-shell served Thumbelina as a cradle, the blue + petals of a violet were her mattress, and a rose-leaf her coverlid. There + she lay at night, but in the day-time she used to play about on the table; + here the woman had put a bowl, surrounded by a ring of flowers, with their + stalks in water, in the middle of which floated a great tulip pedal, and + on this Thumbelina sat, and sailed from one side of the bowl to the other, + rowing herself with two white horse-hairs for oars. It was such a pretty + sight! She could sing, too, with a voice more soft and sweet than had ever + been heard before. + </p> + <p> + One night, when she was lying in her pretty little bed, an old toad crept + in through a broken pane in the window. She was very ugly, clumsy, and + clammy; she hopped on to the table where Thumbelina lay asleep under the + red rose-leaf. + </p> + <p> + ‘This would make a beautiful wife for my son,’ said the toad, taking up + the walnut-shell, with Thumbelina inside, and hopping with it through the + window into the garden. + </p> + <p> + There flowed a great wide stream, with slippery and marshy banks; here the + toad lived with her son. Ugh! how ugly and clammy he was, just like his + mother! ‘Croak, croak, croak!’ was all he could say when he saw the pretty + little girl in the walnut-shell. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t talk so load, or you’ll wake her,’ said the old toad. ‘She might + escape us even now; she is as light as a feather. We will put her at once + on a broad water-lily leaf in the stream. That will be quite an island for + her; she is so small and light. She can’t run away from us there, whilst + we are preparing the guest-chamber under the marsh where she shall live.’ + </p> + <p> + Outside in the brook grew many water-lilies, with broad green leaves, + which looked as if they were swimming about on the water. + </p> + <p> + The leaf farthest away was the largest, and to this the old toad swam with + Thumbelina in her walnut-shell. + </p> + <p> + The tiny Thumbelina woke up very early in the morning, and when she saw + where she was she began to cry bitterly; for on every side of the great + green leaf was water, and she could not get to the land. + </p> + <p> + The old toad was down under the marsh, decorating her room with rushes and + yellow marigold leaves, to make it very grand for her new daughter-in-law; + then she swam out with her ugly son to the leaf where Thumbelina lay. She + wanted to fetch the pretty cradle to put it into her room before + Thumbelina herself came there. The old toad bowed low in the water before + her, and said: ‘Here is my son; you shall marry him, and live in great + magnificence down under the marsh.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Croak, croak, croak!’ was all that the son could say. Then they took the + neat little cradle and swam away with it; but Thumbelina sat alone on the + great green leaf and wept, for she did not want to live with the clammy + toad, or marry her ugly son. The little fishes swimming about under the + water had seen the toad quite plainly, and heard what she had said; so + they put up their heads to see the little girl. When they saw her, they + thought her so pretty that they were very sorry she should go down with + the ugly toad to live. No; that must not happen. They assembled in the + water round the green stalk which supported the leaf on which she was + sitting, and nibbled the stem in two. Away floated the leaf down the + stream, bearing Thumbelina far beyond the reach of the toad. + </p> + <p> + On she sailed past several towns, and the little birds sitting in the + bushes saw her, and sang, ‘What a pretty little girl!’ The leaf floated + farther and farther away; thus Thumbelina left her native land. + </p> + <p> + A beautiful little white butterfly fluttered above her, and at last + settled on the leaf. Thumbelina pleased him, and she, too, was delighted, + for now the toads could not reach her, and it was so beautiful where she + was travelling; the sun shone on the water and made it sparkle like the + brightest silver. She took off her sash, and tied one end round the + butterfly; the other end she fastened to the leaf, so that now it glided + along with her faster than ever. + </p> + <p> + A great cockchafer came flying past; he caught sight of Thumbelina, and in + a moment had put his arms round her slender waist, and had flown off with + her to a tree. The green leaf floated away down the stream, and the + butterfly with it, for he was fastened to the leaf and could not get loose + from it. Oh, dear! how terrified poor little Thumbelina was when the + cockchafer flew off with her to the tree! But she was especially + distressed on the beautiful white butterfly’s account, as she had tied him + fast, so that if he could not get away he must starve to death. But the + cockchafer did not trouble himself about that; he sat down with her on a + large green leaf, gave her the honey out of the flowers to eat, and told + her that she was very pretty, although she wasn’t in the least like a + cockchafer. Later on, all the other cockchafers who lived in the same tree + came to pay calls; they examined Thumbelina closely, and remarked, ‘Why, + she has only two legs! How very miserable!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She has no feelers!’ cried another. + </p> + <p> + ‘How ugly she is!’ said all the lady chafers—and yet Thumbelina was + really very pretty. + </p> + <p> + The cockchafer who had stolen her knew this very well; but when he heard + all the ladies saying she was ugly, he began to think so too, and would + not keep her; she might go wherever she liked. So he flew down from the + tree with her and put her on a daisy. There she sat and wept, because she + was so ugly that the cockchafer would have nothing to do with her; and yet + she was the most beautiful creature imaginable, so soft and delicate, like + the loveliest rose-leaf. + </p> + <p> + The whole summer poor little Thumbelina lived alone in the great wood. She + plaited a bed for herself of blades of grass, and hung it up under a + clover-leaf, so that she was protected from the rain; she gathered honey + from the flowers for food, and drank the dew on the leaves every morning. + Thus the summer and autumn passed, but then came winter—the long, + cold winter. All the birds who had sung so sweetly about her had flown + away; the trees shed their leaves, the flowers died; the great clover-leaf + under which she had lived curled up, and nothing remained of it but the + withered stalk. She was terribly cold, for her clothes were ragged, and + she herself was so small and thin. Poor little Thumbelina! she would + surely be frozen to death. It began to snow, and every snow-flake that + fell on her was to her as a whole shovelful thrown on one of us, for we + are so big, and she was only an inch high. She wrapt herself round in a + dead leaf, but it was torn in the middle and gave her no warmth; she was + trembling with cold. + </p> + <p> + Just outside the wood where she was now living lay a great corn-field. But + the corn had been gone a long time; only the dry, bare stubble was left + standing in the frozen ground. This made a forest for her to wander about + in. All at once she came across the door of a field-mouse, who had a + little hole under a corn-stalk. There the mouse lived warm and snug, with + a store-room full of corn, a splendid kitchen and dining-room. Poor little + Thumbelina went up to the door and begged for a little piece of barley, + for she had not had anything to eat for the last two days. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor little creature!’ said the field-mouse, for she was a kind-hearted + old thing at the bottom. ‘Come into my warm room and have some dinner with + me.’ + </p> + <p> + As Thumbelina pleased her, she said: ‘As far as I am concerned you may + spend the winter with me; but you must keep my room clean and tidy, and + tell me stories, for I like that very much.’ + </p> + <p> + And Thumbelina did all that the kind old field-mouse asked, and did it + remarkably well too. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I am expecting a visitor,’ said the field-mouse; ‘my neighbour comes + to call on me once a week. He is in better circumstances than I am, has + great, big rooms, and wears a fine black-velvet coat. If you could only + marry him, you would be well provided for. But he is blind. You must tell + him all the prettiest stories you know.’ + </p> + <p> + But Thumbelina did not trouble her head about him, for he was only a mole. + He came and paid them a visit in his black-velvet coat. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is so rich and so accomplished,’ the field-mouse told her. + </p> + <p> + ‘His house is twenty times larger than mine; he possesses great knowledge, + but he cannot bear the sun and the beautiful flowers, and speaks + slightingly of them, for he has never seen them.’ + </p> + <p> + Thumbelina had to sing to him, so she sang ‘Lady-bird, lady-bird, fly away + home!’ and other songs so prettily that the mole fell in love with her; + but he did not say anything, he was a very cautious man. A short time + before he had dug a long passage through the ground from his own house to + that of his neighbour; in this he gave the field-mouse and Thumbelina + permission to walk as often as they liked. But he begged them not to be + afraid of the dead bird that lay in the passage: it was a real bird with + beak and feathers, and must have died a little time ago, and now laid + buried just where he had made his tunnel. The mole took a piece of rotten + wood in his mouth, for that glows like fire in the dark, and went in + front, lighting them through the long dark passage. When they came to the + place where the dead bird lay, the mole put his broad nose against the + ceiling and pushed a hole through, so that the daylight could shine down. + In the middle of the path lay a dead swallow, his pretty wings pressed + close to his sides, his claws and head drawn under his feathers; the poor + bird had evidently died of cold. Thumbelina was very sorry, for she was + very fond of all little birds; they had sung and twittered so beautifully + to her all through the summer. But the mole kicked him with his bandy legs + and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now he can’t sing any more! It must be very miserable to be a little + bird! I’m thankful that none of my little children are; birds always + starve in winter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, you speak like a sensible man,’ said the field-mouse. ‘What has a + bird, in spite of all his singing, in the winter-time? He must starve and + freeze, and that must be very pleasant for him, I must say!’ + </p> + <p> + Thumbelina did not say anything; but when the other two had passed on she + bent down to the bird, brushed aside the feathers from his head, and + kissed his closed eyes gently. ‘Perhaps it was he that sang to me so + prettily in the summer,’ she thought. ‘How much pleasure he did give me, + dear little bird!’ + </p> + <p> + The mole closed up the hole again which let in the light, and then + escorted the ladies home. But Thumbelina could not sleep that night; so + she got out of bed, and plaited a great big blanket of straw, and carried + it off, and spread it over the dead bird, and piled upon it thistle-down + as soft as cotton-wool, which she had found in the field-mouse’s room, so + that the poor little thing should lie warmly buried. + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell, pretty little bird!’ she said. ‘Farewell, and thank you for + your beautiful songs in the summer, when the trees were green, and the sun + shone down warmly on us!’ Then she laid her head against the bird’s heart. + But the bird was not dead: he had been frozen, but now that she had warmed + him, he was coming to life again. + </p> + <p> + In autumn the swallows fly away to foreign lands; but there are some who + are late in starting, and then they get so cold that they drop down as if + dead, and the snow comes and covers them over. + </p> + <p> + Thumbelina trembled, she was so frightened; for the bird was very large in + comparison with herself—only an inch high. But she took courage, + piled up the down more closely over the poor swallow, fetched her own + coverlid and laid it over his head. + </p> + <p> + Next night she crept out again to him. There he was alive, but very weak; + he could only open his eyes for a moment and look at Thumbelina, who was + standing in front of him with a piece of rotten wood in her hand, for she + had no other lantern. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, pretty little child!’ said the swallow to her. ‘I am so + beautifully warm! Soon I shall regain my strength, and then I shall be + able to fly out again into the warm sunshine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ she said, ‘it is very cold outside; it is snowing and freezing! stay + in your warm bed; I will take care of you!’ + </p> + <p> + Then she brought him water in a petal, which he drank, after which he + related to her how he had torn one of his wings on a bramble, so that he + could not fly as fast as the other swallows, who had flown far away to + warmer lands. So at last he had dropped down exhausted, and then he could + remember no more. The whole winter he remained down there, and Thumbelina + looked after him and nursed him tenderly. Neither the mole nor the + field-mouse learnt anything of this, for they could not bear the poor + swallow. + </p> + <p> + When the spring came, and the sun warmed the earth again, the swallow said + farewell to Thumbelina, who opened the hole in the roof for him which the + mole had made. The sun shone brightly down upon her, and the swallow asked + her if she would go with him; she could sit upon his back. Thumbelina + wanted very much to fly far away into the green wood, but she knew that + the old field-mouse would be sad if she ran away. ‘No, I mustn’t come!’ + she said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell, dear good little girl!’ said the swallow, and flew off into the + sunshine. Thumbelina gazed after him with the tears standing in her eyes, + for she was very fond of the swallow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tweet, tweet!’ sang the bird, and flew into the green wood. Thumbelina + was very unhappy. She was not allowed to go out into the warm sunshine. + The corn which had been sowed in the field over the field-mouse’s home + grew up high into the air, and made a thick forest for the poor little + girl, who was only an inch high. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now you are to be a bride, Thumbelina!’ said the field-mouse, ‘for our + neighbour has proposed for you! What a piece of fortune for a poor child + like you! Now you must set to work at your linen for your dowry, for + nothing must be lacking if you are to become the wife of our neighbour, + the mole!’ + </p> + <p> + Thumbelina had to spin all day long, and every evening the mole visited + her, and told her that when the summer was over the sun would not shine so + hot; now it was burning the earth as hard as a stone. Yes, when the summer + had passed, they would keep the wedding. + </p> + <p> + But she was not at all pleased about it, for she did not like the stupid + mole. Every morning when the sun was rising, and every evening when it was + setting, she would steal out of the house-door, and when the breeze parted + the ears of corn so that she could see the blue sky through them, she + thought how bright and beautiful it must be outside, and longed to see her + dear swallow again. But he never came; no doubt he had flown away far into + the great green wood. + </p> + <p> + By the autumn Thumbelina had finished the dowry. + </p> + <p> + ‘In four weeks you will be married!’ said the field-mouse; ‘don’t be + obstinate, or I shall bite you with my sharp white teeth! You will get a + fine husband! The King himself has not such a velvet coat. His store-room + and cellar are full, and you should be thankful for that.’ + </p> + <p> + Well, the wedding-day arrived. The mole had come to fetch Thumbelina to + live with him deep down under the ground, never to come out into the warm + sun again, for that was what he didn’t like. The poor little girl was very + sad; for now she must say good-bye to the beautiful sun. + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell, bright sun!’ she cried, stretching out her arms towards it, and + taking another step outside the house; for now the corn had been reaped, + and only the dry stubble was left standing. ‘Farewell, farewell!’ she + said, and put her arms round a little red flower that grew there. ‘Give my + love to the dear swallow when you see him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tweet, tweet!’ sounded in her ear all at once. She looked up. There was + the swallow flying past! As soon as he saw Thumbelina, he was very glad. + She told him how unwilling she was to marry the ugly mole, as then she had + to live underground where the sun never shone, and she could not help + bursting into tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘The cold winter is coming now,’ said the swallow. ‘I must fly away to + warmer lands: will you come with me? You can sit on my back, and we will + fly far away from the ugly mole and his dark house, over the mountains, to + the warm countries where the sun shines more brightly than here, where it + is always summer, and there are always beautiful flowers. Do come with me, + dear little Thumbelina, who saved my life when I lay frozen in the dark + tunnel!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I will go with you,’ said Thumbelina, and got on the swallow’s back, + with her feet on one of his outstretched wings. Up he flew into the air, + over woods and seas, over the great mountains where the snow is always + lying. And if she was cold she crept under his warm feathers, only keeping + her little head out to admire all the beautiful things in the world + beneath. At last they came to warm lands; there the sun was brighter, the + sky seemed twice as high, and in the hedges hung the finest green and + purple grapes; in the woods grew oranges and lemons: the air was scented + with myrtle and mint, and on the roads were pretty little children running + about and playing with great gorgeous butterflies. But the swallow flew on + farther, and it became more and more beautiful. Under the most splendid + green trees besides a blue lake stood a glittering white-marble castle. + Vines hung about the high pillars; there were many swallows’ nests, and in + one of these lived the swallow who was carrying Thumbelina. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here is my house!’ said he. ‘But it won’t do for you to live with me; I + am not tidy enough to please you. Find a home for yourself in one of the + lovely flowers that grow down there; now I will set you down, and you can + do whatever you like.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That will be splendid!’ said she, clapping her little hands. + </p> + <p> + There lay a great white marble column which had fallen to the ground and + broken into three pieces, but between these grew the most beautiful white + flowers. The swallow flew down with Thumbelina, and set her upon one of + the broad leaves. But there, to her astonishment, she found a tiny little + man sitting in the middle of the flower, as white and transparent as if he + were made of glass; he had the prettiest golden crown on his head, and the + most beautiful wings on his shoulders; he himself was no bigger than + Thumbelina. He was the spirit of the flower. In each blossom there dwelt a + tiny man or woman; but this one was the King over the others. + </p> + <p> + ‘How handsome he is!’ whispered Thumbelina to the swallow. + </p> + <p> + The little Prince was very much frightened at the swallow, for in + comparison with one so tiny as himself he seemed a giant. But when he saw + Thumbelina, he was delighted, for she was the most beautiful girl he had + ever seen. So he took his golden crown from off his head and put it on + hers, asking her her name, and if she would be his wife, and then she + would be Queen of all the flowers. Yes! he was a different kind of husband + to the son of the toad and the mole with the black-velvet coat. So she + said ‘Yes’ to the noble Prince. And out of each flower came a lady and + gentleman, each so tiny and pretty that it was a pleasure to see them. + Each brought Thumbelina a present, but the best of all was a beautiful + pair of wings which were fastened on to her back, and now she too could + fly from flower to flower. They all wished her joy, and the swallow sat + above in his nest and sang the wedding march, and that he did as well as + he could; but he was sad, because he was very fond of Thumbelina and did + not want to be separated from her. + </p> + <p> + ‘You shall not be called Thumbelina!’ said the spirit of the flower to + her; ‘that is an ugly name, and you are much too pretty for that. We will + call you May Blossom.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell, farewell!’ said the little swallow with a heavy heart, and flew + away to farther lands, far, far away, right back to Denmark. There he had + a little nest above a window, where his wife lived, who can tell + fairy-stories. ‘Tweet, tweet!’ he sang to her. And that is the way we + learnt the whole story. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE NIGHTINGALE + </h2> + <p> + In China, as I daresay you know, the Emperor is a Chinaman, and all his + courtiers are also Chinamen. The story I am going to tell you happened + many years ago, but it is worth while for you to listen to it, before it + is forgotten. + </p> + <p> + The Emperor’s Palace was the most splendid in the world, all made of + priceless porcelain, but so brittle and delicate that you had to take + great care how you touched it. In the garden were the most beautiful + flowers, and on the loveliest of them were tied silver bells which + tinkled, so that if you passed you could not help looking at the flowers. + Everything in the Emperor’s garden was admirably arranged with a view to + effect; and the garden was so large that even the gardener himself did not + know where it ended. If you ever got beyond it, you came to a stately + forest with great trees and deep lakes in it. The forest sloped down to + the sea, which was a clear blue. Large ships could sail under the boughs + of the trees, and in these trees there lived a Nightingale. She sang so + beautifully that even the poor fisherman who had so much to do stood and + listened when he came at night to cast his nets. ‘How beautiful it is!’ he + said; but he had to attend to his work, and forgot about the bird. But + when she sang the next night and the fisherman came there again, he said + the same thing, ‘How beautiful it is!’ + </p> + <p> + From all the countries round came travellers to the Emperor’s town, who + were astonished at the Palace and the garden. But when they heard the + Nightingale they all said, ‘This is the finest thing after all!’ + </p> + <p> + The travellers told all about it when they went home, and learned scholars + wrote many books upon the town, the Palace, and the garden. But they did + not forget the Nightingale; she was praised the most, and all the poets + composed splendid verses on the Nightingale in the forest by the deep sea. + </p> + <p> + The books were circulated throughout the world, and some of them reached + the Emperor. He sat in his golden chair, and read and read. He nodded his + head every moment, for he liked reading the brilliant accounts of the + town, the Palace, and the garden. ‘But the Nightingale is better than + all,’ he saw written. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that?’ said the Emperor. ‘I don’t know anything about the + Nightingale! Is there such a bird in my empire, and so near as in my + garden? I have never heard it! Fancy reading for the first time about it + in a book!’ + </p> + <p> + And he called his First Lord to him. He was so proud that if anyone of + lower rank than his own ventured to speak to him or ask him anything, he + would say nothing but ‘P!’ and that does not mean anything. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here is a most remarkable bird which is called a Nightingale!’ said the + Emperor. ‘They say it is the most glorious thing in my kingdom. Why has no + one ever said anything to me about it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have never before heard it mentioned!’ said the First Lord. ‘I will + look for it and find it!’ + </p> + <p> + But where was it to be found? The First Lord ran up and down stairs, + through the halls and corridors; but none of those he met had ever heard + of the Nightingale. And the First Lord ran again to the Emperor, and told + him that it must be an invention on the part of those who had written the + books. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your Imperial Majesty cannot really believe all that is written! There + are some inventions called the Black Art!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But the book in which I read this,’ said the Emperor, ‘is sent me by His + Great Majesty the Emperor of Japan; so it cannot be untrue, and I will + hear the Nightingale! She must be here this evening! She has my gracious + permission to appear, and if she does not, the whole Court shall be + trampled under foot after supper!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tsing pe!’ said the First Lord; and he ran up and down stairs, through + the halls and corridors, and half the Court ran with him, for they did not + want to be trampled under foot. Everyone was asking after the wonderful + Nightingale which all the world knew of, except those at Court. + </p> + <p> + At last they met a poor little girl in the kitchen, who said, ‘Oh! I know + the Nightingale well. How she sings! I have permission to carry the scraps + over from the Court meals to my poor sick mother, and when I am going home + at night, tired and weary, and rest for a little in the wood, then I hear + the Nightingale singing! It brings tears to my eyes, and I feel as if my + mother were kissing me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Little kitchenmaid!’ said the First Lord, ‘I will give you a place in the + kitchen, and you shall have leave to see the Emperor at dinner, if you can + lead us to the Nightingale, for she is invited to come to Court this + evening.’ + </p> + <p> + And so they all went into the wood where the Nightingale was wont to sing, + and half the Court went too. + </p> + <p> + When they were on the way there they heard a cow mooing. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ said the Courtiers, ‘now we have found her! What a wonderful power + for such a small beast to have! I am sure we have heard her before!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No; that is a cow mooing!’ said the little kitchenmaid. ‘We are still a + long way off!’ + </p> + <p> + Then the frogs began to croak in the marsh. ‘Splendid!’ said the Chinese + chaplain. ‘Now we hear her; it sounds like a little church-bell!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no; those are frogs!’ said the little kitchenmaid. ‘But I think we + shall soon hear her now!’ + </p> + <p> + Then the Nightingale began to sing. + </p> + <p> + ‘There she is!’ cried the little girl. ‘Listen! She is sitting there!’ And + she pointed to a little dark-grey bird up in the branches. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it possible!’ said the First Lord. ‘I should never have thought it! + How ordinary she looks! She must surely have lost her feathers because she + sees so many distinguished men round her!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Little Nightingale,’ called out the little kitchenmaid, ‘our Gracious + Emperor wants you to sing before him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With the greatest of pleasure!’ said the Nightingale; and she sang so + gloriously that it was a pleasure to listen. + </p> + <p> + ‘It sounds like glass bells!’ said the First Lord. ‘And look how her + little throat works! It is wonderful that we have never heard her before! + She will be a great success at Court.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall I sing once more for the Emperor?’ asked the Nightingale, thinking + that the Emperor was there. + </p> + <p> + ‘My esteemed little Nightingale,’ said the First Lord, ‘I have the great + pleasure to invite you to Court this evening, where His Gracious Imperial + Highness will be enchanted with your charming song!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It sounds best in the green wood,’ said the Nightingale; but still, she + came gladly when she heard that the Emperor wished it. + </p> + <p> + At the Palace everything was splendidly prepared. The porcelain walls and + floors glittered in the light of many thousand gold lamps; the most + gorgeous flowers which tinkled out well were placed in the corridors. + There was such a hurrying and draught that all the bells jingled so much + that one could not hear oneself speak. In the centre of the great hall + where the Emperor sat was a golden perch, on which the Nightingale sat. + The whole Court was there, and the little kitchenmaid was allowed to stand + behind the door, now that she was a Court-cook. Everyone was dressed in + his best, and everyone was looking towards the little grey bird to whom + the Emperor nodded. + </p> + <p> + The Nightingale sang so gloriously that the tears came into the Emperor’s + eyes and ran down his cheeks. Then the Nightingale sang even more + beautifully; it went straight to all hearts. The Emperor was so delighted + that he said she should wear his gold slipper round her neck. But the + Nightingale thanked him, and said she had had enough reward already. ‘I + have seen tears in the Emperor’s eyes—that is a great reward. An + Emperor’s tears have such power!’ Then she sang again with her gloriously + sweet voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is the most charming coquetry I have ever seen!’ said all the ladies + round. And they all took to holding water in their mouths that they might + gurgle whenever anyone spoke to them. Then they thought themselves + nightingales. Yes, the lackeys and chambermaids announced that they were + pleased; which means a great deal, for they are the most difficult people + of all to satisfy. In short, the Nightingale was a real success. + </p> + <p> + She had to stay at Court now; she had her own cage, and permission to walk + out twice in the day and once at night. + </p> + <p> + She was given twelve servants, who each held a silken string which was + fastened round her leg. There was little pleasure in flying about like + this. + </p> + <p> + The whole town was talking about the wonderful bird, and when two people + met each other one would say ‘Nightin,’ and the other ‘Gale,’ and then + they would both sigh and understand one another. + </p> + <p> + Yes, and eleven grocer’s children were called after her, but not one of + them could sing a note. + </p> + <p> + One day the Emperor received a large parcel on which was written ‘The + Nightingale.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Here is another new book about our famous bird!’ said the Emperor. + </p> + <p> + But it was not a book, but a little mechanical toy, which lay in a box—an + artificial nightingale which was like the real one, only that it was set + all over with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. When it was wound up, it + could sing the piece the real bird sang, and moved its tail up and down, + and glittered with silver and gold. Round its neck was a little collar on + which was written, ‘The Nightingale of the Emperor of Japan is nothing + compared to that of the Emperor of China.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This is magnificent!’ they all said, and the man who had brought the + clockwork bird received on the spot the title of ‘Bringer of the Imperial + First Nightingale.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now they must sing together; what a duet we shall have!’ + </p> + <p> + And so they sang together, but their voices did not blend, for the real + Nightingale sang in her way and the clockwork bird sang waltzes. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not its fault!’ said the bandmaster; ‘it keeps very good time and + is quite after my style!’ + </p> + <p> + Then the artificial bird had to sing alone. It gave just as much pleasure + as the real one, and then it was so much prettier to look at; it sparkled + like bracelets and necklaces. Three-and-thirty times it sang the same + piece without being tired. People would like to have heard it again, but + the Emperor thought that the living Nightingale should sing now—but + where was she? No one had noticed that she had flown out of the open + window away to her green woods. + </p> + <p> + ‘What SHALL we do!’ said the Emperor. + </p> + <p> + And all the Court scolded, and said that the Nightingale was very + ungrateful. ‘But we have still the best bird!’ they said and the + artificial bird had to sing again, and that was the thirty-fourth time + they had heard the same piece. But they did not yet know it by heart; it + was much too difficult. And the bandmaster praised the bird tremendously; + yes, he assured them it was better than a real nightingale, not only + because of its beautiful plumage and diamonds, but inside as well. ‘For + see, my Lords and Ladies and your Imperial Majesty, with the real + Nightingale one can never tell what will come out, but all is known about + the artificial bird! You can explain it, you can open it and show people + where the waltzes lie, how they go, and how one follows the other!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s just what we think!’ said everyone; and the bandmaster received + permission to show the bird to the people the next Sunday. They should + hear it sing, commanded the Emperor. And they heard it, and they were as + pleased as if they had been intoxicated with tea, after the Chinese + fashion, and they all said ‘Oh!’ and held up their forefingers and nodded + time. But the poor fishermen who had heard the real Nightingale said: + ‘This one sings well enough, the tunes glide out; but there is something + wanting—I don’t know what!’ + </p> + <p> + The real Nightingale was banished from the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + The artificial bird was put on silken cushions by the Emperor’s bed, all + the presents which it received, gold and precious stones, lay round it, + and it was given the title of Imperial Night-singer, First from the left. + For the Emperor counted that side as the more distinguished, being the + side on which the heart is; the Emperor’s heart is also on the left. + </p> + <p> + And the bandmaster wrote a work of twenty-five volumes about the + artificial bird. It was so learned, long, and so full of the hardest + Chinese words that everyone said they had read it and understood it; for + once they had been very stupid about a book, and had been trampled under + foot in consequence. So a whole year passed. The Emperor, the Court, and + all the Chinese knew every note of the artificial bird’s song by heart. + But they liked it all the better for this; they could even sing with it, + and they did. The street boys sang ‘Tra-la-la-la-la, and the Emperor sang + too sometimes. It was indeed delightful. + </p> + <p> + But one evening, when the artificial bird was singing its best, and the + Emperor lay in bed listening to it, something in the bird went crack. + Something snapped! Whir-r-r! all the wheels ran down and then the music + ceased. The Emperor sprang up, and had his physician summoned, but what + could HE do! Then the clockmaker came, and, after a great deal of talking + and examining, he put the bird somewhat in order, but he said that it must + be very seldom used as the works were nearly worn out, and it was + impossible to put in new ones. Here was a calamity! Only once a year was + the artificial bird allowed to sing, and even that was almost too much for + it. But then the bandmaster made a little speech full of hard words, + saying that it was just as good as before. And so, of course, it WAS just + as good as before. So five years passed, and then a great sorrow came to + the nation. The Chinese look upon their Emperor as everything, and now he + was ill, and not likely to live it was said. + </p> + <p> + Already a new Emperor had been chosen, and the people stood outside in the + street and asked the First Lord how the old Emperor was. ‘P!’ said he, and + shook his head. + </p> + <p> + Cold and pale lay the Emperor in his splendid great bed; the whole Court + believed him dead, and one after the other left him to pay their respects + to the new Emperor. Everywhere in the halls and corridors cloth was laid + down so that no footstep could be heard, and everything was still—very, + very still. And nothing came to break the silence. + </p> + <p> + The Emperor longed for something to come and relieve the monotony of this + deathlike stillness. If only someone would speak to him! If only someone + would sing to him. Music would carry his thoughts away, and would break + the spell lying on him. The moon was streaming in at the open window; but + that, too, was silent, quite silent. + </p> + <p> + ‘Music! music!’ cried the Emperor. ‘You little bright golden bird, sing! + do sing! I gave you gold and jewels; I have hung my gold slipper round + your neck with my own hand—sing! do sing!’ But the bird was silent. + There was no one to wind it up, and so it could not sing. And all was + silent, so terribly silent! + </p> + <p> + All at once there came in at the window the most glorious burst of song. + It was the little living Nightingale, who, sitting outside on a bough, had + heard the need of her Emperor and had come to sing to him of comfort and + hope. And as she sang the blood flowed quicker and quicker in the + Emperor’s weak limbs, and life began to return. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, thank you!’ said the Emperor. ‘You divine little bird! I know + you. I chased you from my kingdom, and you have given me life again! How + can I reward you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have done that already!’ said the Nightingale. ‘I brought tears to + your eyes the first time I sang. I shall never forget that. They are + jewels that rejoice a singer’s heart. But now sleep and get strong again; + I will sing you a lullaby.’ And the Emperor fell into a deep, calm sleep + as she sang. + </p> + <p> + The sun was shining through the window when he awoke, strong and well. + None of his servants had come back yet, for they thought he was dead. But + the Nightingale sat and sang to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You must always stay with me!’ said the Emperor. ‘You shall sing whenever + you like, and I will break the artificial bird into a thousand pieces.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t do that!’ said the Nightingale. ‘He did his work as long as he + could. Keep him as you have done! I cannot build my nest in the Palace and + live here; but let me come whenever I like. I will sit in the evening on + the bough outside the window, and I will sing you something that will make + you feel happy and grateful. I will sing of joy, and of sorrow; I will + sing of the evil and the good which lies hidden from you. The little + singing-bird flies all around, to the poor fisherman’s hut, to the + farmer’s cottage, to all those who are far away from you and your Court. I + love your heart more than your crown, though that has about it a + brightness as of something holy. Now I will sing to you again; but you + must promise me one thing——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Anything!’ said the Emperor, standing up in his Imperial robes, which he + had himself put on, and fastening on his sword richly embossed with gold. + </p> + <p> + ‘One thing I beg of you! Don’t tell anyone that you have a little bird who + tells you everything. It will be much better not to!’ Then the Nightingale + flew away. + </p> + <p> + The servants came in to look at their dead Emperor. + </p> + <p> + The Emperor said, ‘Good-morning!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HERMOD AND HADVOR (32) + </h2> + <h3> + (32) From the Icelandic. + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there were a King and a Queen who had an only daughter, + called Hadvor, who was fair and beautiful, and being an only child, was + heir to the kingdom. The King and Queen had also a foster son, named + Hermod, who was just about the same age as Hadvor, and was good-looking, + as well as clever at most things. Hermod and Hadvor often played together + while they were children, and liked each other so much that while they + were still young they secretly plighted their troth to each other. + </p> + <p> + As time went on the Queen fell sick, and suspecting that it was her last + illness, sent for the King to come to her. When he came she told him that + she had no long time to live, and therefore wished to ask one thing of + him, which was, that if he married another wife he should promise to take + no other one than the Queen of Hetland the Good. The King gave the + promise, and thereafter the Queen died. + </p> + <p> + Time went past, and the King, growing tired of living alone, fitted out + his ship and sailed out to sea. As he sailed there came upon him so thick + a mist that he altogether lost his bearings, but after long trouble he + found land. There he laid his ship to, and went on shore all alone. After + walking for some time he came to a forest, into which he went a little way + and stopped. Then he heard sweet music from a harp, and went in the + direction of the sound until he came to a clearing, and there he saw three + women, one of whom sat on a golden chair, and was beautifully and grandly + dressed; she held a harp in her hands, and was very sorrowful. The second + was also finely dressed, but younger in appearance, and also sat on a + chair, but it was not so grand as the first one’s. The third stood beside + them, and was very pretty to look at; she had a green cloak over her other + clothes, and it was easy to see that she was maid to the other two. + </p> + <p> + After the King had looked at them for a little he went forward and saluted + them. The one that sat on the golden chair asked him who he was and where + he was going; and he told her all the story—how he was a king, and + had lost his queen, and was now on his way to Hetland the Good, to ask the + Queen of that country in marriage. She answered that fortune had contrived + this wonderfully, for pirates had plundered Hetland and killed the King, + and she had fled from the land in terror, and had come hither after great + trouble, and she was the very person he was looking for, and the others + were her daughter and maid. The King immediately asked her hand; she + gladly received his proposal and accepted him at once. Thereafter they all + set out, and made their way to the ship; and after that nothing is told of + their voyage until the King reached his own country. There he made a great + feast, and celebrated his marriage with this woman; and after that things + are quiet for a time. + </p> + <p> + Hermod and Hadvor took but little notice of the Queen and her daughter, + but, on the other hand, Hadvor and the Queen’s maid, whose name was Olof, + were very friendly, and Olof came often to visit Hadvor in her castle. + Before long the King went out to war, and no sooner was he away than the + Queen came to talk with Hermod, and said that she wanted him to marry her + daughter. Hermod told her straight and plain that he would not do so, at + which the Queen grew terribly angry, and said that in that case neither + should he have Hadvor, for she would now lay this spell on him, that he + should go to a desert island and there be a lion by day and a man by + night. He should also think always of Hadvor, which would cause him all + the more sorrow, and from this spell he should never be freed until Hadvor + burned the lion’s skin, and that would not happen very soon. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Queen had finished her speech Hermod replied that he also + laid a spell on her, and that was, that as soon as he was freed from her + enchantments she should become a rat and her daughter a mouse, and fight + with each other in the hall until he killed them with his sword. + </p> + <p> + After this Hermod disappeared, and no one knew what had become of him; the + Queen caused search to be made for him, but he could nowhere be found. One + time, when Olof was in the castle beside Hadvor, she asked the Princess if + she knew where Hermod had gone to. At this Hadvor became very sad, and + said that she did not. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall tell you then,’ said Olof, ‘for I know all about it. Hermod has + disappeared through the wicked devices of the Queen, for she is a witch, + and so is her daughter, though they have put on these beautiful forms. + Because Hermod would not fall in with the Queen’s plans, and marry her + daughter, she has laid a spell on him, to go on an island and be a lion by + day and a man by night, and never be freed from this until you burn the + lion’s skin. Besides,’ said Olof, ‘she has looked out a match for you; she + has a brother in the Underworld, a three-headed Giant, whom she means to + turn into a beautiful prince and get him married to you. This is no new + thing for the Queen; she took me away from my parents’ house and compelled + me to serve her; but she has never done me any harm, for the green cloak I + wear protects me against all mischief. + </p> + <p> + Hadvor now became still sadder than before at the thought of the marriage + destined for her, and entreated Olof to think of some plan to save her. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think,’ said Olof, ‘that your wooer will come up through the floor of + the castle to you, and so you must be prepared when you hear the noise of + his coming and the floor begins to open, and have at hand blazing pitch, + and pour plenty of it into the opening. That will prove too much for him.’ + </p> + <p> + About this time the King came home from his expedition, and thought it a + great blow that no one knew what had become of Hermod; but the Queen + consoled him as best she could, and after a time the King thought less + about his disappearance. + </p> + <p> + Hadvor remained in her castle, and had made preparations to receive her + wooer when he came. One night, not long after, a loud noise and rumbling + was heard under the castle. Hadvor at once guessed what it was, and told + her maids to be ready to help her. The noise and thundering grew louder + and louder, until the floor began to open, whereupon Hadvor made them take + the caldron of pitch and pour plenty of it into the opening. With that the + noises grew fainter and fainter, till at last they ceased altogether. + </p> + <p> + Next morning the Queen rose early, and went out to the Palace gate, and + there she found her brother the Giant lying dead. She went up to him and + said, ‘I pronounce this spell, that you become a beautiful prince, and + that Hadvor shall be unable to say anything against the charges that I + shall bring against her.’ + </p> + <p> + The body of the dead Giant now became that of a beautiful prince, and the + Queen went in again. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t think,’ said she to the King, ‘that your daughter is as good as + she is said to be. My brother came and asked her hand, and she has had him + put to death. I have just found his dead body lying at the Palace gate.’ + </p> + <p> + The King went along with the Queen to see the body, and thought it all + very strange; so beautiful a youth, he said, would have been a worthy + match for Hadvor, and he would readily have agreed to their marriage. The + Queen asked leave to decide what Hadvor’s punishment should be, which the + King was very willing to allow, so as to escape from punishing his own + daughter. The Queen’s decision was that the King should make a big + grave-mound for her brother, and put Hadvor into it beside him. + </p> + <p> + Olof knew all the plans of the Queen, and went to tell the Princess what + had been done, whereupon Hadvor earnestly entreated her to tell her what + to do. + </p> + <p> + ‘First and foremost,’ said Olof, ‘you must get a wide cloak to wear over + your other clothes, when you are put into the mound. The Giant’s ghost + will walk after you are both left together in there, and he will have two + dogs along with him. He will ask you to cut pieces out of his legs to give + to the dogs, but that you must not promise to do unless he tells you where + Hermod has gone to, and tells you how to find him. He will then let you + stand on his shoulders, so as to get out of the mound; but he means to + cheat you all the same, and will catch you by the cloak to pull you back + again; but you must take care to have the cloak loose on your shoulders, + so that he will only get hold of that.’ + </p> + <p> + The mound was all ready now, and the Giant laid in it, and into it Hadvor + also had to go without being allowed to make any defence. After they were + both left there everything happened just as Olof had said. The prince + became a Giant again, and asked Hadvor to cut the pieces out of his legs + for the dogs; but she refused until he told her that Hermod was in a + desert island, which she could not reach unless she took the skin off the + soles of his feet and made shoes out of that; with these shoes she could + travel both on land and sea. This Hadvor now did, and the Giant then let + her get up on his shoulders to get out of the mound. As she sprang out he + caught hold of her cloak; but she had taken care to let it lie loose on + her shoulders, and so escaped. + </p> + <p> + She now made her way down to the sea, to where she knew there was the + shortest distance over to the island in which Hermod was. This strait she + easily crossed, for the shoes kept her up. On reaching the island she + found a sandy beach all along by the sea, and high cliffs above. Nor could + she see any way to get up these, and so, being both sad at heart and tired + with the long journey, she lay down and fell asleep. As she slept she + dreamed that a tall woman came to her and said, ‘I know that you are + Princess Hadvor, and are searching for Hermod. He is on this island; but + it will be hard for you to get to him if you have no one to help you, for + you cannot climb the cliffs by your own strength. I have therefore let + down a rope, by which you will be able to climb up; and as the island is + so large that you might not find Hermod’s dwelling-place so easily, I lay + down this clew beside you. You need only hold the end of the thread, and + the clew will run on before and show you the way. I also lay this belt + beside you, to put on when you awaken; it will keep you from growing faint + with hunger.’ + </p> + <p> + The woman now disappeared, and Hadvor woke, and saw that all her dream had + been true. The rope hung down from the cliff, and the clew and belt lay + beside her. The belt she put on, the rope enabled her to climb up the + cliff, and the clew led her on till she came to the mouth of a cave, which + was not very big. She went into the cave, and saw there a low couch, under + which she crept and lay down. + </p> + <p> + When evening came she heard the noise of footsteps outside, and became + aware that the lion had come to the mouth of the cave, and shook itself + there, after which she heard a man coming towards the couch. She was sure + this was Hermod, because she heard him speaking to himself about his own + condition, and calling to mind Hadvor and other things in the old days. + Hadvor made no sign, but waited till he had fallen asleep, and then crept + out and burned the lion’s skin, which he had left outside. Then she went + back into the cave and wakened Hermod, and they had a most joyful meeting. + </p> + <p> + In the morning they talked over their plans, and were most at a loss to + know how to get out of the island. Hadvor told Hermod her dream, and said + she suspected there was some one in the island who would be able to help + them. Hermod said he knew of a Witch there, who was very ready to help + anyone, and that the only plan was to go to her. So they went to the + Witch’s cave, and found her there with her fifteen young sons, and asked + her to help them to get to the mainland. + </p> + <p> + ‘There are other things easier than that,’ said she, ‘for the Giant that + was buried will be waiting for you, and will attack you on the way, as he + has turned himself into a big whale. I shall lend you a boat, however, and + if you meet the whale and think your lives are in danger, then you can + name me by name.’ + </p> + <p> + They thanked her greatly for her help and advice, and set out from the + island, but on the way they saw a huge fish coming towards them, with + great splashing and dashing of waves. They were sure of what it was, and + thought they had as good reason as ever they would have to call on the + Witch, and so they did. The next minute they saw coming after them another + huge whale, followed by fifteen smaller ones. All of these swam past the + boat and went on to meet the whale. There was a fierce battle then, and + the sea became so stormy that it was not very easy to keep the boat from + being filled by the waves. After this fight had gone on for some time, + they saw that the sea was dyed with blood; the big whale and the fifteen + smaller ones disappeared, and they got to land safe and sound. + </p> + <p> + Now the story goes back to the King’s hall, where strange things had + happened in the meantime. The Queen and her daughter had disappeared, but + a rat and a mouse were always fighting with each other there. Ever so many + people had tried to drive them away, but no one could manage it. Thus some + time went on, while the King was almost beside himself with sorrow and + care for the loss of his Queen, and because these monsters destroyed all + mirth in the hall. + </p> + <p> + One evening, however, while they all sat dull and down-hearted, in came + Hermod with a sword by his side, and saluted the King, who received him + with the greatest joy, as if he had come back from the dead. Before Hermod + sat down, however, he went to where the rat and the mouse were fighting, + and cut them in two with his sword. All were astonished then by seeing two + witches lying dead on the floor of the hall. + </p> + <p> + Hermod now told the whole story to the King, who was very glad to be rid + of such vile creatures. Next he asked for the hand of Hadvor, which the + King readily gave him, and being now an old man, gave the kingdom to him + as well; and so Hermod became King. + </p> + <p> + Olof married a good-looking nobleman, and that is the end of the story. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STEADFAST TIN-SOLDIER + </h2> + <p> + There were once upon a time five-and twenty tin-soldiers—all + brothers, as they were made out of the same old tin spoon. Their uniform + was red and blue, and they shouldered their guns and looked straight in + front of them. The first words that they heard in this world, when the lid + of the box in which they lay was taken off, were: ‘Hurrah, tin-soldiers!’ + This was exclaimed by a little boy, clapping his hands; they had been + given to him because it was his birthday, and now he began setting them + out on the table. Each soldier was exactly like the other in shape, except + just one, who had been made last when the tin had run short; but there he + stood as firmly on his one leg as the others did on two, and he is the one + that became famous. + </p> + <p> + There were many other playthings on the table on which they were being set + out, but the nicest of all was a pretty little castle made of cardboard, + with windows through which you could see into the rooms. In front of the + castle stood some little trees surrounding a tiny mirror which looked like + a lake. Wax swans were floating about and reflecting themselves in it. + That was all very pretty; but the most beautiful thing was a little lady, + who stood in the open doorway. She was cut out of paper, but she had on a + dress of the finest muslin, with a scarf of narrow blue ribbon round her + shoulders, fastened in the middle with a glittering rose made of gold + paper, which was as large as her head. The little lady was stretching out + both her arms, for she was a Dancer, and was lifting up one leg so high in + the air that the Tin-soldier couldn’t find it anywhere, and thought that + she, too, had only one leg. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s the wife for me!’ he thought; ‘but she is so grand, and lives in a + castle, whilst I have only a box with four-and-twenty others. This is no + place for her! But I must make her acquaintance.’ Then he stretched + himself out behind a snuff-box that lay on the table; from thence he could + watch the dainty little lady, who continued to stand on one leg without + losing her balance. + </p> + <p> + When the night came all the other tin-soldiers went into their box, and + the people of the house went to bed. Then the toys began to play at + visiting, dancing, and fighting. The tin-soldiers rattled in their box, + for they wanted to be out too, but they could not raise the lid. The + nut-crackers played at leap-frog, and the slate-pencil ran about the + slate; there was such a noise that the canary woke up and began to talk to + them, in poetry too! The only two who did not stir from their places were + the Tin-soldier and the little Dancer. She remained on tip-toe, with both + arms outstretched; he stood steadfastly on his one leg, never moving his + eyes from her face. + </p> + <p> + The clock struck twelve, and crack! off flew the lid of the snuff-box; but + there was no snuff inside, only a little black imp—that was the + beauty of it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hullo, Tin-soldier!’ said the imp. ‘Don’t look at things that aren’t + intended for the likes of you!’ + </p> + <p> + But the Tin-soldier took no notice, and seemed not to hear. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well, wait till to-morrow!’ said the imp. + </p> + <p> + When it was morning, and the children had got up, the Tin-soldier was put + in the window; and whether it was the wind or the little black imp, I + don’t know, but all at once the window flew open and out fell the little + Tin-soldier, head over heels, from the third-storey window! That was a + terrible fall, I can tell you! He landed on his head with his leg in the + air, his gun being wedged between two paving-stones. + </p> + <p> + The nursery-maid and the little boy came down at once to look for him, + but, though they were so near him that they almost trod on him, they did + not notice him. If the Tin-soldier had only called out ‘Here I am!’ they + must have found him; but he did not think it fitting for him to cry out, + because he had on his uniform. + </p> + <p> + Soon it began to drizzle; then the drops came faster, and there was a + regular down-pour. When it was over, two little street boys came along. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just look!’ cried one. ‘Here is a Tin-soldier! He shall sail up and down + in a boat!’ + </p> + <p> + So they made a little boat out of newspaper, put the Tin-soldier in it, + and made him sail up and down the gutter; both the boys ran along beside + him, clapping their hands. What great waves there were in the gutter, and + what a swift current! The paper-boat tossed up and down, and in the middle + of the stream it went so quick that the Tin-soldier trembled; but he + remained steadfast, showed no emotion, looked straight in front of him, + shouldering his gun. All at once the boat passed under a long tunnel that + was as dark as his box had been. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where can I be coming now?’ he wondered. ‘Oh, dear! This is the black + imp’s fault! Ah, if only the little lady were sitting beside me in the + boat, it might be twice as dark for all I should care!’ + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there came along a great water-rat that lived in the tunnel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you a passport?’ asked the rat. ‘Out with your passport!’ + </p> + <p> + But the Tin-soldier was silent, and grasped his gun more firmly. + </p> + <p> + The boat sped on, and the rat behind it. Ugh! how he showed his teeth, as + he cried to the chips of wood and straw: ‘Hold him, hold him! he has not + paid the toll! He has not shown his passport!’ + </p> + <p> + But the current became swifter and stronger. The Tin-soldier could already + see daylight where the tunnel ended; but in his ears there sounded a + roaring enough to frighten any brave man. Only think! at the end of the + tunnel the gutter discharged itself into a great canal; that would be just + as dangerous for him as it would be for us to go down a waterfall. + </p> + <p> + Now he was so near to it that he could not hold on any longer. On went the + boat, the poor Tin-soldier keeping himself as stiff as he could: no one + should say of him afterwards that he had flinched. The boat whirled three, + four times round, and became filled to the brim with water: it began to + sink! The Tin-soldier was standing up to his neck in water, and deeper and + deeper sank the boat, and softer and softer grew the paper; now the water + was over his head. He was thinking of the pretty little Dancer, whose face + he should never see again, and there sounded in his ears, over and over + again: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Forward, forward, soldier bold! + Death’s before thee, grim and cold!’ +</pre> + <p> + The paper came in two, and the soldier fell—but at that moment he + was swallowed by a great fish. + </p> + <p> + Oh! how dark it was inside, even darker than in the tunnel, and it was + really very close quarters! But there the steadfast little Tin-soldier lay + full length, shouldering his gun. + </p> + <p> + Up and down swam the fish, then he made the most dreadful contortions, and + became suddenly quite still. Then it was as if a flash of lightning had + passed through him; the daylight streamed in, and a voice exclaimed, ‘Why, + here is the little Tin-soldier!’ The fish had been caught, taken to + market, sold, and brought into the kitchen, where the cook had cut it open + with a great knife. She took up the soldier between her finger and thumb, + and carried him into the room, where everyone wanted to see the hero who + had been found inside a fish; but the Tin-soldier was not at all proud. + They put him on the table, and—no, but what strange things do happen + in this world!—the Tin-soldier was in the same room in which he had + been before! He saw the same children, and the same toys on the table; and + there was the same grand castle with the pretty little Dancer. She was + still standing on one leg with the other high in the air; she too was + steadfast. That touched the Tin-soldier, he was nearly going to shed + tin-tears; but that would not have been fitting for a soldier. He looked + at her, but she said nothing. + </p> + <p> + All at once one of the little boys took up the Tin-soldier, and threw him + into the stove, giving no reasons; but doubtless the little black imp in + the snuff-box was at the bottom of this too. + </p> + <p> + There the Tin-soldier lay, and felt a heat that was truly terrible; but + whether he was suffering from actual fire, or from the ardour of his + passion, he did not know. All his colour had disappeared; whether this had + happened on his travels or whether it was the result of trouble, who can + say? He looked at the little lady, she looked at him, and he felt that he + was melting; but he remained steadfast, with his gun at his shoulder. + Suddenly a door opened, the draught caught up the little Dancer, and off + she flew like a sylph to the Tin-soldier in the stove, burst into flames—and + that was the end of her! Then the Tin-soldier melted down into a little + lump, and when next morning the maid was taking out the ashes, she found + him in the shape of a heart. There was nothing left of the little Dancer + but her gilt rose, burnt as black as a cinder. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BLOCKHEAD-HANS + </h2> + <p> + Far away in the country lay an old manor-house where lived an old squire + who had two sons. They thought themselves so clever, that if they had + known only half of what they did know, it would have been quite enough. + They both wanted to marry the King’s daughter, for she had proclaimed that + she would have for her husband the man who knew best how to choose his + words. + </p> + <p> + Both prepared for the wooing a whole week, which was the longest time + allowed them; but, after all, it was quite long enough, for they both had + preparatory knowledge, and everyone knows how useful that is. One knew the + whole Latin dictionary and also three years’ issue of the daily paper of + the town off by heart, so that he could repeat it all backwards or + forwards as you pleased. The other had worked at the laws of corporation, + and knew by heart what every member of the corporation ought to know, so + that he thought he could quite well speak on State matters and give his + opinion. He understood, besides this, how to embroider braces with roses + and other flowers, and scrolls, for he was very ready with his fingers. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall win the king’s daughter!’ they both cried. + </p> + <p> + Their old father gave each of them a fine horse; the one who knew the + dictionary and the daily paper by heart had a black horse, while the other + who was so clever at corporation law had a milk-white one. Then they oiled + the corners of their mouths so that they might be able to speak more + fluently. All the servants stood in the courtyard and saw them mount their + steeds, and here by chance came the third brother; for the squire had + three sons, but nobody counted him with his brothers, for he was not so + learned as they were, and he was generally called ‘Blockhead-Hans.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, oh!’ said Blockhead-Hans. ‘Where are you off to? You are in your + Sunday-best clothes!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We are going to Court, to woo the Princess! Don’t you know what is known + throughout all the country side?’ And they told him all about it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hurrah! I’ll go to!’ cried Blockhead-Hans; and the brothers laughed at + him and rode off. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear father!’ cried Blockhead-Hans, ‘I must have a horse too. What a + desire for marriage has seized me! If she will have me, she WILL have me, + and if she won’t have me, I will have her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop that nonsense!’ said the old man. ‘I will not give you a horse. YOU + can’t speak; YOU don’t know how to choose your words. Your brothers! Ah! + they are very different lads!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said Blockhead-Hans, ‘if I can’t have a horse, I will take the + goat which is mine; he can carry me!’ + </p> + <p> + And he did so. He sat astride on the goat, struck his heels into its side, + and went rattling down the high-road like a hurricane. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hoppetty hop! what a ride!’ Here I come!’ shouted Blockhead-Hans, singing + so that the echoes were roused far and near. But his brothers were riding + slowly in front. They were not speaking, but they were thinking over all + the good things they were going to say, for everything had to be thought + out. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hullo!’ bawled Blockhead-Hans, ‘here I am! Just look what I found on the + road!’—and he showed them a dead crow which he had picked up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Blockhead!’ said his brothers, ‘what are you going to do with it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With the crow? I shall give it to the Princess!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do so, certainly!’ they said, laughing loudly and riding on. + </p> + <p> + ‘Slap! bang! here I am again! Look what I have just found! You don’t find + such things every day on the road!’ And the brothers turned round to see + what in the world he could have found. + </p> + <p> + ‘Blockhead!’ said they, ‘that is an old wooden shoe without the top! Are + you going to send that, too, to the Princess?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course I shall!’ returned Blockhead-Hans; and the brothers laughed and + rode on a good way. + </p> + <p> + ‘Slap! bang! here I am!’ cried Blockhead-Hans; ‘better and better—it + is really famous!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What have you found now?’ asked the brothers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh,’ said Blockhead-Hans, ‘it is really too good! How pleased the + Princess will be!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why!’ said the brothers, ‘this is pure mud, straight from the ditch.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course it is!’ said Blockhead-Hans, ‘and it is the best kind! Look how + it runs through one’s fingers!’ and, so saying, he filled his pocket with + the mud. + </p> + <p> + But the brothers rode on so fast that dust and sparks flew all around, and + they reached the gate of the town a good hour before Blockhead-Hans. Here + came the suitors numbered according to their arrival, and they were ranged + in rows, six in each row, and they were so tightly packed that they could + not move their arms. This was a very good thing, for otherwise they would + have torn each other in pieces, merely because the one was in front of the + other. + </p> + <p> + All the country people were standing round the King’s throne, and were + crowded together in thick masses almost out of the windows to see the + Princess receive the suitors; and as each one came into the room all his + fine phrases went out like a candle! + </p> + <p> + ‘It doesn’t matter!’ said the Princess. ‘Away! out with him!’ + </p> + <p> + At last she came to the row in which the brother who knew the dictionary + by heart was, but he did not know it any longer; he had quite forgotten it + in the rank and file. And the floor creaked, and the ceiling was all made + of glass mirrors, so that he saw himself standing on his head, and by each + window were standing three reporters and an editor; and each of them was + writing down what was said, to publish it in the paper that came out and + was sold at the street corners for a penny. It was fearful, and they had + made up the fire so hot that it was grilling. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is hot in here, isn’t it!’ said the suitor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course it is! My father is roasting young chickens to-day!’ said the + Princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ahem!’ There he stood like an idiot. He was not prepared for such a + speech; he did not know what to say, although he wanted to say something + witty. ‘Ahem!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It doesn’t matter!’ said the Princess. ‘Take him out!’ and out he had to + go. + </p> + <p> + Now the other brother entered. + </p> + <p> + ‘How hot it is!’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course! We are roasting young chickens to-day!’ remarked the Princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you—um!’ he said, and the reporters wrote down. ‘How do you—um.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It doesn’t matter!’ said the Princess. ‘Take him out!’ + </p> + <p> + Now Blockhead-Hans came in; he rode his goat right into the hall. + </p> + <p> + ‘I say! How roasting hot it is here!’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course! I am roasting young chickens to-day!’ said the Princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s good!’ replied Blockhead-Hans; ‘then can I roast a crow with + them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With the greatest of pleasure!’ said the Princess; ‘but have you anything + you can roast them in? for I have neither pot nor saucepan.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, rather!’ said Blockhead-Hans. ‘Here is a cooking implement with tin + rings,’ and he drew out the old wooden shoe, and laid the crow in it. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is quite a meal!’ said the Princess; ‘but where shall we get the + soup from?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ve got that in my pocket!’ said Blockhead-Hans. ‘I have so much that I + can quite well throw some away!’ and he poured some mud out of his pocket. + </p> + <p> + ‘I like you!’ said the Princess. ‘You can answer, and you can speak, and I + will marry you; but do you know that every word which we are saying and + have said has been taken down and will be in the paper to-morrow? By each + window do you see there are standing three reporters and an old editor, + and this old editor is the worst, for he doesn’t understand anything!’ but + she only said this to tease Blockhead-Hans. And the reporters giggled, and + each dropped a blot of ink on the floor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! are those the great people?’ said Blockhead-Hans. ‘Then I will give + the editor the best!’ So saying, he turned his pockets inside out, and + threw the mud right in his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘That was neatly done!’ said the Princess. ‘I couldn’t have done it; but I + will soon learn how to!’ + </p> + <p> + Blockhead-Hans became King, got a wife and a crown, and sat on the throne; + and this we have still damp from the newspaper of the editor and the + reporters—and they are not to be believed for a moment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A STORY ABOUT A DARNING-NEEDLE + </h2> + <p> + There was once a Darning-needle who thought herself so fine that she + believed she was an embroidery-needle. ‘Take great care to hold me tight!’ + said the Darning-needle to the Fingers who were holding her. ‘Don’t let me + fall! If I once fall on the ground I shall never be found again, I am so + fine!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is all right!’ said the Fingers, seizing her round the waist. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look, I am coming with my train!’ said the Darning-needle as she drew a + long thread after her; but there was no knot at the end of the thread. + </p> + <p> + The Fingers were using the needle on the cook’s shoe. The upper leather + was unstitched and had to be sewn together. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is common work!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I shall never get through + it. I am breaking! I am breaking!’ And in fact she did break. ‘Didn’t I + tell you so!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I am too fine!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now she is good for nothing!’ said the Fingers; but they had to hold her + tight while the cook dropped some sealing-wax on the needle and stuck it + in the front of her dress. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I am a breast-pin!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I always knew I should + be promoted. When one is something, one will become something!’ And she + laughed to herself; you can never see when a Darning-needle is laughing. + Then she sat up as proudly as if she were in a State coach, and looked all + round her. + </p> + <p> + ‘May I be allowed to ask if you are gold?’ she said to her neighbour, the + Pin. ‘You have a very nice appearance, and a peculiar head; but it is too + small! You must take pains to make it grow, for it is not everyone who has + a head of sealing-wax.’ And so saying the Darning-needle raised herself up + so proudly that she fell out of the dress, right into the sink which the + cook was rinsing out. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I am off on my travels!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I do hope I + sha’n’t get lost!’ She did indeed get lost. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am too fine for this world!’ said she as she lay in the gutter; ‘but I + know who I am, and that is always a little satisfaction!’ + </p> + <p> + And the Darning-needle kept her proud bearing and did not lose her + good-temper. + </p> + <p> + All kinds of things swam over her—shavings, bits of straw, and + scraps of old newspapers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just look how they sail along!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘They don’t know + what is underneath them! Here I am sticking fast! There goes a shaving + thinking of nothing in the world but of itself, a mere chip! There goes a + straw—well, how it does twist and twirl, to be sure! Don’t think so + much about yourself, or you will be knocked against a stone. There floats + a bit of newspaper. What is written on it is long ago forgotten, and yet + how proud it is! I am sitting patient and quiet. I know who I am, and that + is enough for me!’ + </p> + <p> + One day something thick lay near her which glittered so brightly that the + Darning-needle thought it must be a diamond. But it was a bit of + bottle-glass, and because it sparkled the Darning-needle spoke to it, and + gave herself out as a breast-pin. + </p> + <p> + ‘No doubt you are a diamond?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, something of that kind!’ And each believed that the other was + something very costly; and they both said how very proud the world must be + of them. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have come from a lady’s work-box,’ said Darning-needle, ‘and this lady + was a cook; she had five fingers on each hand; anything so proud as these + fingers I have never seen! And yet they were only there to take me out of + the work-box and to put me back again!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Were they of noble birth, then?’ asked the bit of bottle-glass. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of noble birth!’ said the Darning-needle; ‘no indeed, but proud! They + were five brothers, all called ‘’Fingers.‘’ They held themselves proudly + one against the other, although they were of different sizes. The outside + one, the Thumb, was short and fat; he was outside the rank, and had only + one bend in his back, and could only make one bow; but he said that if he + were cut off from a man that he was no longer any use as a soldier. + Dip-into-everything, the second finger, dipped into sweet things as well + as sour things, pointed to the sun and the moon, and guided the pen when + they wrote. Longman, the third, looked at the others over his shoulder. + Goldband, the fourth, had a gold sash round his waist; and little Playman + did nothing at all, and was the more proud. There was too much + ostentation, and so I came away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And now we are sitting and shining here!’ said the bit of bottle-glass. + </p> + <p> + At that moment more water came into the gutter; it streamed over the edges + and washed the bit of bottle-glass away. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! now he has been promoted!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I remain here; I + am too fine. But that is my pride, which is a sign of respectability!’ And + she sat there very proudly, thinking lofty thoughts. + </p> + <p> + ‘I really believe I must have been born a sunbeam, I am so fine! It seems + to me as if the sunbeams were always looking under the water for me. Ah, I + am so fine that my own mother cannot find me! If I had my old eye which + broke off, I believe I could weep; but I can’t—it is not fine to + weep!’ + </p> + <p> + One day two street-urchins were playing and wading in the gutter, picking + up old nails, pennies, and such things. It was rather dirty work, but it + was a great delight to them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, oh!’ cried out one, as he pricked himself with the Darning-needle; + ‘he is a fine fellow though!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not a fellow; I am a young lady!’ said the Darning-needle; but no + one heard. The sealing-wax had gone, and she had become quite black; but + black makes one look very slim, and so she thought she was even finer than + before. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here comes an egg-shell sailing along!’ said the boys, and they stuck the + Darning-needle into the egg-shell. + </p> + <p> + ‘The walls white and I black—what a pretty contrast it makes!’ said + the Darning-needle. ‘Now I can be seen to advantage! If only I am not + sea-sick! I should give myself up for lost!’ + </p> + <p> + But she was not sea-sick, and did not give herself up. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a good thing to be steeled against sea-sickness; here one has + indeed an advantage over man! Now my qualms are over. The finer one is the + more one can beat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Crack!’ said the egg-shell as a wagon-wheel went over it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! how it presses!’ said the Darning-needle. ‘I shall indeed be sea-sick + now. I am breaking!’ But she did not break, although the wagon-wheel went + over her; she lay there at full length, and there she may lie. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yellow Fairy Book, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 640-h.htm or 640-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/640/ + +Produced by David Widger, and Charles Keller for Tina + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’ WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm’s +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. + +The Foundation’s principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation’s web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |