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diff --git a/641-h/641-h.htm b/641-h/641-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..88f7fe0 --- /dev/null +++ b/641-h/641-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,13937 @@ +<?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 Violet Fairy Book, by Various + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; 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 Violet Fairy Book, by Various + +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 Violet Fairy Book + +Author: Various + +Editor: Andrew Lang + +Release Date: November 29, 2009 [EBook #641] +Last Updated: December 16, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, and Charles Keller for Tina + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Various + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Edited By Andrew Lang + </h2> + <h3> + TO VIOLET MYERS<br /> IS DEDICATED<br /> THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK <br /> <br /> + </h3> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + The Editor takes this opportunity to repeat what he has often said before, + that he is not the author of the stories in the Fairy Books; that he did + not invent them ‘out of his own head.’ He is accustomed to being asked, by + ladies, ‘Have you written anything else except the Fairy Books?’ He is + then obliged to explain that he has NOT written the Fairy Books, but, save + these, has written almost everything else, except hymns, sermons, and + dramatic works. + </p> + <p> + The stories in this Violet Fairy Book, as in all the others of the series, + have been translated out of the popular traditional tales in a number of + different languages. These stories are as old as anything that men have + invented. They are narrated by naked savage women to naked savage + children. They have been inherited by our earliest civilised ancestors, + who really believed that beasts and trees and stones can talk if they + choose, and behave kindly or unkindly. The stories are full of the oldest + ideas of ages when science did not exist, and magic took the place of + science. Anybody who has the curiosity to read the ‘Legendary Australian + Tales,’ which Mrs. Langloh Parker has collected from the lips of the + Australian savages, will find that these tales are closely akin to our + own. Who were the first authors of them nobody knows—probably the + first men and women. Eve may have told these tales to amuse Cain and Abel. + As people grew more civilised and had kings and queens, princes and + princesses, these exalted persons generally were chosen as heroes and + heroines. But originally the characters were just ‘a man,’ and ‘a woman,’ + and ‘a boy,’ and ‘a girl,’ with crowds of beasts, birds, and fishes, all + behaving like human beings. When the nobles and other people became rich + and educated, they forgot the old stories, but the country people did not, + and handed them down, with changes at pleasure, from generation to + generation. Then learned men collected and printed the country people’s + stories, and these we have translated, to amuse children. Their tastes + remain like the tastes of their naked ancestors, thousands of years ago, + and they seem to like fairy tales better than history, poetry, geography, + or arithmetic, just as grown-up people like novels better than anything + else. + </p> + <p> + This is the whole truth of the matter. I have said so before, and I say so + again. But nothing will prevent children from thinking that I invented the + stories, or some ladies from being of the same opinion. But who really + invented the stories nobody knows; it is all so long ago, long before + reading and writing were invented. The first of the stories actually + written down, were written in Egyptian hieroglyphs, or on Babylonian cakes + of clay, three or four thousand years before our time. + </p> + <p> + Of the stories in this book, Miss Blackley translated ‘Dwarf Long Nose,’ + ‘The Wonderful Beggars,’ ‘The Lute Player,’ ‘Two in a Sack,’ and ‘The Fish + that swam in the Air.’ Mr. W. A. Craigie translated from the Scandinavian, + ‘Jasper who herded the Hares.’ Mrs. Lang did the rest. + </p> + <p> + Some of the most interesting are from the Roumanion, and three were + previously published in the late Dr. Steere’s ‘Swahili Tales.’ By the + permission of his representatives these three African stories have here + been abridged and simplified for children. + </p> + <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> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> A TALE OF THE TONTLAWALD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> THE FINEST LIAR IN THE WORLD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> THE STORY OF THREE WONDERFUL BEGGARS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> SCHIPPEITARO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> THE THREE PRINCES AND THEIR BEASTS (LITHUANIAN + FAIRY TALE) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> THE GOAT’S EARS OF THE EMPEROR TROJAN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> THE NINE PEA-HENS AND THE GOLDEN APPLES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> THE LUTE PLAYER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> THE GRATEFUL PRINCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> THE CHILD WHO CAME FROM AN EGG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> STAN BOLOVAN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> THE TWO FROGS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> THE STORY OF A GAZELLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> HOW A FISH SWAM IN THE AIR AND A HARE IN THE + WATER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> TWO IN A SACK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> THE ENVIOUS NEIGHBOUR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> THE FAIRY OF THE DAWN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> THE ENCHANTED KNIFE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> JESPER WHO HERDED THE HARES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> THE UNDERGROUND WORKERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> THE HISTORY OF DWARF LONG NOSE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> THE NUNDA, EATER OF PEOPLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> THE STORY OF HASSEBU </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> THE MAIDEN WITH THE WOODEN HELMET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> THE MONKEY AND THE JELLY-FISH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> THE HEADLESS DWARFS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> THE YOUNG MAN WHO WOULD HAVE HIS EYES OPENED + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> THE BOYS WITH THE GOLDEN STARS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> THE FROG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> THE PRINCESS WHO WAS HIDDEN UNDERGROUND </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> THE GIRL WHO PRETENDED TO BE A BOY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> THE STORY OF HALFMAN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> THE PRINCE WHO WANTED TO SEE THE WORLD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> VIRGILIUS THE SORCERER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> MOGARZEA AND HIS SON </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + A TALE OF THE TONTLAWALD + </h2> + <p> + Long, long ago there stood in the midst of a country covered with lakes a + vast stretch of moorland called the Tontlawald, on which no man ever dared + set foot. From time to time a few bold spirits had been drawn by curiosity + to its borders, and on their return had reported that they had caught a + glimpse of a ruined house in a grove of thick trees, and round about it + were a crowd of beings resembling men, swarming over the grass like bees. + The men were as dirty and ragged as gipsies, and there were besides a + quantity of old women and half-naked children. + </p> + <p> + One night a peasant who was returning home from a feast wandered a little + farther into the Tontlawald, and came back with the same story. A + countless number of women and children were gathered round a huge fire, + and some were seated on the ground, while others danced strange dances on + the smooth grass. One old crone had a broad iron ladle in her hand, with + which every now and then she stirred the fire, but the moment she touched + the glowing ashes the children rushed away, shrieking like night owls, and + it was a long while before they ventured to steal back. And besides all + this there had once or twice been seen a little old man with a long beard + creeping out of the forest, carrying a sack bigger than himself. The women + and children ran by his side, weeping and trying to drag the sack from off + his back, but he shook them off, and went on his way. There was also a + tale of a magnificent black cat as large as a foal, but men could not + believe all the wonders told by the peasant, and it was difficult to make + out what was true and what was false in his story. However, the fact + remained that strange things did happen there, and the King of Sweden, to + whom this part of the country belonged, more than once gave orders to cut + down the haunted wood, but there was no one with courage enough to obey + his commands. At length one man, bolder than the rest, struck his axe into + a tree, but his blow was followed by a stream of blood and shrieks as of a + human creature in pain. The terrified woodcutter fled as fast as his legs + would carry him, and after that neither orders nor threats would drive + anybody to the enchanted moor. + </p> + <p> + A few miles from the Tontlawald was a large village, where dwelt a peasant + who had recently married a young wife. As not uncommonly happens in such + cases, she turned the whole house upside down, and the two quarrelled and + fought all day long. + </p> + <p> + By his first wife the peasant had a daughter called Elsa, a good quiet + girl, who only wanted to live in peace, but this her stepmother would not + allow. She beat and cuffed the poor child from morning till night, but as + the stepmother had the whip-hand of her husband there was no remedy. + </p> + <p> + For two years Elsa suffered all this ill-treatment, when one day she went + out with the other village children to pluck strawberries. Carelessly they + wandered on, till at last they reached the edge of the Tontlawald, where + the finest strawberries grew, making the grass red with their colour. The + children flung themselves down on the ground, and, after eating as many as + they wanted, began to pile up their baskets, when suddenly a cry arose + from one of the older boys: + </p> + <p> + ‘Run, run as fast as you can! We are in the Tontlawald!’ + </p> + <p> + Quicker than lightning they sprang to their feet, and rushed madly away, + all except Elsa, who had strayed farther than the rest, and had found a + bed of the finest strawberries right under the trees. Like the others, she + heard the boy’s cry, but could not make up her mind to leave the + strawberries. + </p> + <p> + ‘After all, what does it matter?’ thought she. ‘The dwellers in the + Tontlawald cannot be worse than my stepmother’; and looking up she saw a + little black dog with a silver bell on its neck come barking towards her, + followed by a maiden clad all in silk. + </p> + <p> + ‘Be quiet,’ said she; then turning to Elsa she added: ‘I am so glad you + did not run away with the other children. Stay here with me and be my + friend, and we will play delightful games together, and every day we will + go and gather strawberries. Nobody will dare to beat you if I tell them + not. Come, let us go to my mother’; and taking Elsa’s hand she led her + deeper into the wood, the little black dog jumping up beside them and + barking with pleasure. + </p> + <p> + Oh! what wonders and splendours unfolded themselves before Elsa’s + astonished eyes! She thought she really must be in Heaven. Fruit trees and + bushes loaded with fruit stood before them, while birds gayer than the + brightest butterfly sat in their branches and filled the air with their + song. And the birds were not shy, but let the girls take them in their + hands, and stroke their gold and silver feathers. In the centre of the + garden was the dwelling-house, shining with glass and precious stones, and + in the doorway sat a woman in rich garments, who turned to Elsa’s + companion and asked: + </p> + <p> + ‘What sort of a guest are you bringing to me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I found her alone in the wood,’ replied her daughter, ‘and brought her + back with me for a companion. You will let her stay?’ + </p> + <p> + The mother laughed, but said nothing, only she looked Elsa up and down + sharply. Then she told the girl to come near, and stroked her cheeks and + spoke kindly to her, asking if her parents were alive, and if she really + would like to stay with them. Elsa stooped and kissed her hand, then, + kneeling down, buried her face in the woman’s lap, and sobbed out: + </p> + <p> + ‘My mother has lain for many years under the ground. My father is still + alive, but I am nothing to him, and my stepmother beats me all the day + long. I can do nothing right, so let me, I pray you, stay with you. I will + look after the flocks or do any work you tell me; I will obey your + lightest word; only do not, I entreat you, send me back to her. She will + half kill me for not having come back with the other children.’ + </p> + <p> + And the woman smiled and answered, ‘Well, we will see what we can do with + you,’ and, rising, went into the house. + </p> + <p> + Then the daughter said to Elsa, ‘Fear nothing, my mother will be your + friend. I saw by the way she looked that she would grant your request when + she had thought over it,’ and, telling Elsa to wait, she entered the house + to seek her mother. Elsa meanwhile was tossed about between hope and fear, + and felt as if the girl would never come. + </p> + <p> + At last Elsa saw her crossing the grass with a box in her hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘My mother says we may play together to-day, as she wants to make up her + mind what to do about you. But I hope you will stay here always, as I + can’t bear you to go away. Have you ever been on the sea?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The sea?’ asked Elsa, staring; ‘what is that? I’ve never heard of such a + thing!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I’ll soon show you,’ answered the girl, taking the lid from the box, + and at the very bottom lay a scrap of a cloak, a mussel shell, and two + fish scales. Two drops of water were glistening on the cloak, and these + the girl shook on the ground. In an instant the garden and lawn and + everything else had vanished utterly, as if the earth had opened and + swallowed them up, and as far as the eye could reach you could see nothing + but water, which seemed at last to touch heaven itself. Only under their + feet was a tiny dry spot. Then the girl placed the mussel shell on the + water and took the fish scales in her hand. The mussel shell grew bigger + and bigger, and turned into a pretty little boat, which would have held a + dozen children. The girls stepped in, Elsa very cautiously, for which she + was much laughed at by her friend, who used the fish scales for a rudder. + The waves rocked the girls softly, as if they were lying in a cradle, and + they floated on till they met other boats filled with men, singing and + making merry. + </p> + <p> + ‘We must sing you a song in return,’ said the girl, but as Elsa did not + know any songs, she had to sing by herself. Elsa could not understand any + of the men’s songs, but one word, she noticed, came over and over again, + and that was ‘Kisika.’ Elsa asked what it meant, and the girl replied that + it was her name. + </p> + <p> + It was all so pleasant that they might have stayed there for ever had not + a voice cried out to them, ‘Children, it is time for you to come home!’ + </p> + <p> + So Kisika took the little box out of her pocket, with the piece of cloth + lying in it, and dipped the cloth in the water, and lo! they were standing + close to a splendid house in the middle of the garden. Everything round + them was dry and firm, and there was no water anywhere. The mussel shell + and the fish scales were put back in the box, and the girls went in. + </p> + <p> + They entered a large hall, where four and twenty richly dressed women were + sitting round a table, looking as if they were about to attend a wedding. + At the head of the table sat the lady of the house in a golden chair. + </p> + <p> + Elsa did not know which way to look, for everything that met her eyes was + more beautiful than she could have dreamed possible. But she sat down with + the rest, and ate some delicious fruit, and thought she must be in heaven. + The guests talked softly, but their speech was strange to Elsa, and she + understood nothing of what was said. Then the hostess turned round and + whispered something to a maid behind her chair, and the maid left the + hall, and when she came back she brought a little old man with her, who + had a beard longer than himself. He bowed low to the lady and then stood + quietly near the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you see this girl?’ said the lady of the house, pointing to Elsa. ‘I + wish to adopt her for my daughter. Make me a copy of her, which we can + send to her native village instead of herself.’ + </p> + <p> + The old man looked Elsa all up and down, as if he was taking her measure, + bowed again to the lady, and left the hall. After dinner the lady said + kindly to Elsa, ‘Kisika has begged me to let you stay with her, and you + have told her you would like to live here. Is that so?’ + </p> + <p> + At these words Elsa fell on her knees, and kissed the lady’s hands and + feet in gratitude for her escape from her cruel stepmother; but her + hostess raised her from the ground and patted her head, saying, ‘All will + go well as long as you are a good, obedient child, and I will take care of + you and see that you want for nothing till you are grown up and can look + after yourself. My waiting-maid, who teaches Kisika all sorts of fine + handiwork, shall teach you too.’ + </p> + <p> + Not long after the old man came back with a mould full of clay on his + shoulders, and a little covered basket in his left hand. He put down his + mould and his basket on the ground, took up a handful of clay, and made a + doll as large as life. When it was finished he bored a hole in the doll’s + breast and put a bit of bread inside; then, drawing a snake out of the + basket, forced it to enter the hollow body. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ he said to the lady, ‘all we want is a drop of the maiden’s blood.’ + </p> + <p> + When she heard this Elsa grew white with horror, for she thought she was + selling her soul to the evil one. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not be afraid!’ the lady hastened to say; ‘we do not want your blood + for any bad purpose, but rather to give you freedom and happiness.’ + </p> + <p> + Then she took a tiny golden needle, pricked Elsa in the arm, and gave the + needle to the old man, who stuck it into the heart of the doll. When this + was done he placed the figure in the basket, promising that the next day + they should all see what a beautiful piece of work he had finished. + </p> + <p> + When Elsa awoke the next morning in her silken bed, with its soft white + pillows, she saw a beautiful dress lying over the back of a chair, ready + for her to put on. A maid came in to comb out her long hair, and brought + the finest linen for her use; but nothing gave Elsa so much joy as the + little pair of embroidered shoes that she held in her hand, for the girl + had hitherto been forced to run about barefoot by her cruel stepmother. In + her excitement she never gave a thought to the rough clothes she had worn + the day before, which had disappeared as if by magic during the night. Who + could have taken them? Well, she was to know that by-and-by. But WE can + guess that the doll had been dressed in them, which was to go back to the + village in her stead. By the time the sun rose the doll had attained her + full size, and no one could have told one girl from the other. Elsa + started back when she met herself as she looked only yesterday. + </p> + <p> + ‘You must not be frightened,’ said the lady, when she noticed her terror; + ‘this clay figure can do you no harm. It is for your stepmother, that she + may beat it instead of you. Let her flog it as hard as she will, it can + never feel any pain. And if the wicked woman does not come one day to a + better mind your double will be able at last to give her the punishment + she deserves.’ + </p> + <p> + From this moment Elsa’s life was that of the ordinary happy child, who has + been rocked to sleep in her babyhood in a lovely golden cradle. She had no + cares or troubles of any sort, and every day her tasks became easier, and + the years that had gone before seemed more and more like a bad dream. But + the happier she grew the deeper was her wonder at everything around her, + and the more firmly she was persuaded that some great unknown power must + be at the bottom of it all. + </p> + <p> + In the courtyard stood a huge granite block about twenty steps from the + house, and when meal times came round the old man with the long beard went + to the block, drew out a small silver staff, and struck the stone with it + three times, so that the sound could be heard a long way off. At the third + blow, out sprang a large golden cock, and stood upon the stone. Whenever + he crowed and flapped his wings the rock opened and something came out of + it. First a long table covered with dishes ready laid for the number of + persons who would be seated round it, and this flew into the house all by + itself. + </p> + <p> + When the cock crowed for the second time, a number of chairs appeared, and + flew after the table; then wine, apples, and other fruit, all without + trouble to anybody. After everybody had had enough, the old man struck the + rock again. The golden cock crowed afresh, and back went dishes, table, + chairs, and plates into the middle of the block. + </p> + <p> + When, however, it came to the turn of the thirteenth dish, which nobody + ever wanted to eat, a huge black cat ran up, and stood on the rock close + to the cock, while the dish was on his other side. + </p> + <p> + There they all remained, till they were joined by the old man. + </p> + <p> + He picked up the dish in one hand, tucked the cat under his arm, told the + cock to get on his shoulder, and all four vanished into the rock. And this + wonderful stone contained not only food, but clothes and everything you + could possibly want in the house. + </p> + <p> + At first a language was often spoken at meals which was strange to Elsa, + but by the help of the lady and her daughter she began slowly to + understand it, though it was years before she was able to speak it + herself. + </p> + <p> + One day she asked Kisika why the thirteenth dish came daily to the table + and was sent daily away untouched, but Kisika knew no more about it than + she did. The girl must, however, have told her mother what Elsa had said, + for a few days later she spoke to Elsa seriously: + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not worry yourself with useless wondering. You wish to know why we + never eat of the thirteenth dish? That, dear child, is the dish of hidden + blessings, and we cannot taste of it without bringing our happy life here + to an end. And the world would be a great deal better if men, in their + greed, did not seek to snatch every thing for themselves, instead of + leaving something as a thankoffering to the giver of the blessings. Greed + is man’s worst fault.’ + </p> + <p> + The years passed like the wind for Elsa, and she grew into a lovely woman, + with a knowledge of many things that she would never have learned in her + native village; but Kisika was still the same young girl that she had been + on the day of her first meeting with Elsa. Each morning they both worked + for an hour at reading and writing, as they had always done, and Elsa was + anxious to learn all she could, but Kisika much preferred childish games + to anything else. If the humour seized her, she would fling aside her + tasks, take her treasure box, and go off to play in the sea, where no harm + ever came to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a pity,’ she would often say to Elsa, ‘that you have grown so big, + you cannot play with me any more.’ + </p> + <p> + Nine years slipped away in this manner, when one day the lady called Elsa + into her room. Elsa was surprised at the summons, for it was unusual, and + her heart sank, for she feared some evil threatened her. As she crossed + the threshold, she saw that the lady’s cheeks were flushed, and her eyes + full of tears, which she dried hastily, as if she would conceal them from + the girl. ‘Dearest child,’ she began, ‘the time has come when we must + part.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Part?’ cried Elsa, burying her head in the lady’s lap. ‘No, dear lady, + that can never be till death parts us. You once opened your arms to me; + you cannot thrust me away now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, be quiet, child,’ replied the lady; ‘you do not know what I would do + to make you happy. Now you are a woman, and I have no right to keep you + here. You must return to the world of men, where joy awaits you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear lady,’ entreated Elsa again. ‘Do not, I beseech you, send me from + you. I want no other happiness but to live and die beside you. Make me + your waiting maid, or set me to any work you choose, but do not cast me + forth into the world. It would have been better if you had left me with my + stepmother, than first to have brought me to heaven and then send me back + to a worse place.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not talk like that, dear child,’ replied the lady; ‘you do not know + all that must be done to secure your happiness, however much it costs me. + But it has to be. You are only a common mortal, who will have to die one + day, and you cannot stay here any longer. Though we have the bodies of + men, we are not men at all, though it is not easy for you to understand + why. Some day or other you will find a husband who has been made expressly + for you, and will live happily with him till death separates you. It will + be very hard for me to part from you, but it has to be, and you must make + up your mind to it.’ Then she drew her golden comb gently through Elsa’s + hair, and bade her go to bed; but little sleep had the poor girl! Life + seemed to stretch before her like a dark starless night. + </p> + <p> + Now let us look back a moment, and see what had been going on in Elsa’s + native village all these years, and how her double had fared. It is a + well-known fact that a bad woman seldom becomes better as she grows older, + and Elsa’s stepmother was no exception to the rule; but as the figure that + had taken the girl’s place could feel no pain, the blows that were + showered on her night and day made no difference. If the father ever tried + to come to his daughter’s help, his wife turned upon him, and things were + rather worse than before. + </p> + <p> + One day the stepmother had given the girl a frightful beating, and then + threatened to kill her outright. Mad with rage, she seized the figure by + the throat with both hands, when out came a black snake from her mouth and + stung the woman’s tongue, and she fell dead without a sound. At night, + when the husband came home, he found his wife lying dead upon the ground, + her body all swollen and disfigured, but the girl was nowhere to be seen. + His screams brought the neighbours from their cottages, but they were + unable to explain how it had all come about. It was true, they said, that + about mid-day they had heard a great noise, but as that was a matter of + daily occurrence they did not think much of it. The rest of the day all + was still, but no one had seen anything of the daughter. The body of the + dead woman was then prepared for burial, and her tired husband went to + bed, rejoicing in his heart that he had been delivered from the firebrand + who had made his home unpleasant. On the table he saw a slice of bread + lying, and, being hungry, he ate it before going to sleep. + </p> + <p> + In the morning he too was found dead, and as swollen as his wife, for the + bread had been placed in the body of the figure by the old man who made + it. A few days later he was placed in the grave beside his wife, but + nothing more was ever heard of their daughter. + </p> + <p> + All night long after her talk with the lady Elsa had wept and wailed her + hard fate in being cast out from her home which she loved. + </p> + <p> + Next morning, when she got up, the lady placed a gold seal ring on her + finger, strung a little golden box on a ribbon, and placed it round her + neck; then she called the old man, and, forcing back her tears, took leave + of Elsa. The girl tried to speak, but before she could sob out her thanks + the old man had touched her softly on the head three times with his silver + staff. In an instant Elsa knew that she was turning into a bird: wings + sprang from beneath her arms; her feet were the feet of eagles, with long + claws; her nose curved itself into a sharp beak, and feathers covered her + body. Then she soared high in the air, and floated up towards the clouds, + as if she had really been hatched an eagle. + </p> + <p> + For several days she flew steadily south, resting from time to time when + her wings grew tired, for hunger she never felt. And so it happened that + one day she was flying over a dense forest, and below hounds were barking + fiercely, because, not having wings themselves, she was out of their + reach. Suddenly a sharp pain quivered through her body, and she fell to + the ground, pierced by an arrow. + </p> + <p> + When Elsa recovered her senses, she found herself lying under a bush in + her own proper form. What had befallen her, and how she got there, lay + behind her like a bad dream. + </p> + <p> + As she was wondering what she should do next the king’s son came riding + by, and, seeing Elsa, sprang from his horse, and took her by the hand, + sawing, ‘Ah! it was a happy chance that brought me here this morning. + Every night, for half a year, have I dreamed, dear lady, that I should one + day find you in this wood. And although I have passed through it hundreds + of times in vain, I have never given up hope. To-day I was going in search + of a large eagle that I had shot, and instead of the eagle I have found—you.’ + Then he took Elsa on his horse, and rode with her to the town, where the + old king received her graciously. + </p> + <p> + A few days later the wedding took place, and as Elsa was arranging the + veil upon her hair fifty carts arrived laden with beautiful things which + the lady of the Tontlawald had sent to Elsa. And after the king’s death + Elsa became queen, and when she was old she told this story. But that was + the last that was ever heard of the Tontlawald. + </p> + <p> + (From Ehstnische Marchen.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FINEST LIAR IN THE WORLD + </h2> + <p> + At the edge of a wood there lived an old man who had only one son, and one + day he called the boy to him and said he wanted some corn ground, but the + youth must be sure never to enter any mill where the miller was beardless. + </p> + <p> + The boy took the corn and set out, and before he had gone very far he saw + a large mill in front of him, with a beardless man standing in the + doorway. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good greeting, beardless one!’ cried he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good greeting, sonny,’ replied the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Could I grind something here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, certainly! I will finish what I am doing and then you can grind as + long as you like.’ + </p> + <p> + But suddenly the boy remembered what his father had told him, and bade + farewell to the man, and went further down the river, till he came to + another mill, not knowing that as soon as his back was turned the + beardless man had picked up a bag of corn and run hastily to the same mill + before him. When the boy reached the second mill, and saw a second + beardless man sitting there, he did not stop, and walked on till he came + to a third mill. But this time also the beardless man had been too clever + for him, and had arrived first by another road. When it happened a fourth + time the boy grew cross, and said to himself, ‘It is no good going on; + there seems to be a beardless man in every mill’; and he took his sack + from his back, and made up his mind to grind his corn where he was. + </p> + <p> + The beardless man finished grinding his own corn, and when he had done he + said to the boy, who was beginning to grind his, ‘Suppose, sonny, we make + a cake of what you have there.’ + </p> + <p> + Now the boy had been rather uneasy when he recollected his father’s words, + but he thought to himself, ‘What is done cannot be undone,’ and answered, + ‘Very well, so let it be.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the beardless one got up, threw the flour into the tub, and made a + hole in the middle, telling the boy to fetch some water from the river in + his two hands, to mix the cake. When the cake was ready for baking they + put it on the fire, and covered it with hot ashes, till it was cooked + through. Then they leaned it up against the wall, for it was too big to go + into a cupboard, and the beardless one said to the boy: + </p> + <p> + ‘Look here, sonny: if we share this cake we shall neither of us have + enough. Let us see who can tell the biggest lie, and the one who lies the + best shall have the whole cake.’ + </p> + <p> + The boy, not knowing what else to do, answered, ‘All right; you begin.’ + </p> + <p> + So the beardless one began to lie with all his might, and when he was + tired of inventing new lies the boy said to him, ‘My good fellow, if THAT + is all you can do it is not much! Listen to me, and I will tell you a true + story. + </p> + <p> + ‘In my youth, when I was an old man, we had a quantity of beehives. Every + morning when I got up I counted them over, and it was quite easy to number + the bees, but I never could reckon the hives properly. One day, as I was + counting the bees, I discovered that my best bee was missing, and without + losing a moment I saddled a cock and went out to look for him. I traced + him as far as the shore, and knew that he had crossed the sea, and that I + must follow. When I had reached the other side I found a man had harnessed + my bee to a plough, and with his help was sowing millet seed. + </p> + <p> + ‘“That is my bee!” I shouted. “Where did you get him from?”’ “Brother,” + replied the man, “if he is yours, take him.” And he not only gave me back + my bee, but a sack of millet seed into the bargain, because he had made + use of my bee. Then I put the bag on my shoulders, took the saddle from + the cock, and placed it on the back of the bee, which I mounted, leading + the cock by a string, so that he should have a rest. As we were flying + home over the sea one of the strings that held the bag of millet broke in + two, and the sack dropped straight into the ocean. It was quite lost, of + course, and there was no use thinking about it, and by the time we were + safe back again night had come. I then got down from my bee, and let him + loose, that he might get his supper, gave the cock some hay, and went to + sleep myself. But when I awoke with the sun what a scene met my eyes! + During the night wolves had come and had eaten my bee. And honey lay + ankle-deep in the valley and knee-deep on the hills. Then I began to + consider how I could best collect some, to take home with me. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now it happened that I had with me a small hatchet, and this I took to + the wood, hoping to meet some animal which I could kill, whose skin I + might turn into a bag. As I entered the forest I saw two roe-deer hopping + on one foot, so I slew them with a single blow, and made three bags from + their skins, all of which I filled with honey and placed on the back of + the cock. At length I reached home, where I was told that my father had + just been born, and that I must go at once to fetch some holy water to + sprinkle him with. As I went I turned over in my mind if there was no way + for me to get back my millet seed, which had dropped into the sea, and + when I arrived at the place with the holy water I saw the seed had fallen + on fruitful soil, and was growing before my eyes. And more than that, it + was even cut by an invisible hand, and made into a cake. + </p> + <p> + ‘So I took the cake as well as the holy water, and was flying back with + them over the sea, when there fell a great rain, and the sea was swollen, + and swept away my millet cake. Ah, how vexed I was at its loss when I was + safe on earth again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Suddenly I remembered that my hair was very long. If I stood it touched + the ground, although if I was sitting it only reached my ears. I seized a + knife and cut off a large lock, which I plaited together, and when night + came tied it into a knot, and prepared to use it for a pillow. But what + was I to do for a fire? A tinder box I had, but no wood. Then it occurred + to me that I had stuck a needle in my clothes, so I took the needle and + split it in pieces, and lit it, then laid myself down by the fire and went + to sleep. But ill-luck still pursued me. While I was sleeping a spark from + the fire lighted on the hair, which was burnt up in a moment. In despair I + threw myself on the ground, and instantly sank in it as far as my waist. I + struggled to get out, but only fell in further; so I ran to the house, + seized a spade, dug myself out, and took home the holy water. On the way I + noticed that the ripe fields were full of reapers, and suddenly the air + became so frightfully hot that the men dropped down in a faint. Then I + called to them, “Why don’t you bring out our mare, which is as tall as two + days, and as broad as half a day, and make a shade for yourselves?” My + father heard what I said and jumped quickly on the mare, and the reapers + worked with a will in the shadow, while I snatched up a wooden pail to + bring them some water to drink. When I got to the well everything was + frozen hard, so in order to draw some water I had to take off my head and + break the ice with it. As I drew near them, carrying the water, the + reapers all cried out, “Why, what has become of your head?” I put up my + hand and discovered that I really had no head, and that I must have left + it in the well. I ran back to look for it, but found that meanwhile a fox + which was passing by had pulled my head out of the water, and was tearing + at my brains. I stole cautiously up to him, and gave him such a kick that + he uttered a loud scream, and let fall a parchment on which was written, + “The cake is mine, and the beardless one goes empty-handed.”’ + </p> + <p> + With these words the boy rose, took the cake, and went home, while the + beardless one remained behind to swallow his disappointment. + </p> + <p> + (Volksmarchen der Serben.) + </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 STORY OF THREE WONDERFUL BEGGARS + </h2> + <p> + There once lived a merchant whose name was Mark, and whom people called + ‘Mark the Rich.’ He was a very hard-hearted man, for he could not bear + poor people, and if he caught sight of a beggar anywhere near his house, + he would order the servants to drive him away, or would set the dogs at + him. + </p> + <p> + One day three very poor old men came begging to the door, and just as he + was going to let the fierce dogs loose on them, his little daughter, + Anastasia, crept close up to him and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear daddy, let the poor old men sleep here to-night, do—to please + me.’ + </p> + <p> + Her father could not bear to refuse her, and the three beggars were + allowed to sleep in a loft, and at night, when everyone in the house was + fast asleep, little Anastasia got up, climbed up to the loft, and peeped + in. + </p> + <p> + The three old men stood in the middle of the loft, leaning on their + sticks, with their long grey beards flowing down over their hands, and + were talking together in low voices. + </p> + <p> + ‘What news is there?’ asked the eldest. + </p> + <p> + ‘In the next village the peasant Ivan has just had his seventh son. What + shall we name him, and what fortune shall we give him?’ said the second. + </p> + <p> + The third whispered, ‘Call him Vassili, and give him all the property of + the hard-hearted man in whose loft we stand, and who wanted to drive us + from his door.’ + </p> + <p> + After a little more talk the three made themselves ready and crept softly + away. + </p> + <p> + Anastasia, who had heard every word, ran straight to her father, and told + him all. + </p> + <p> + Mark was very much surprised; he thought, and thought, and in the morning + he drove to the next village to try and find out if such a child really + had been born. He went first to the priest, and asked him about the + children in his parish. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yesterday,’ said the priest, ‘a boy was born in the poorest house in the + village. I named the unlucky little thing “Vassili.” He is the seventh + son, and the eldest is only seven years old, and they hardly have a + mouthful amongst them all. Who can be got to stand godfather to such a + little beggar boy?’ + </p> + <p> + The merchant’s heart beat fast, and his mind was full of bad thoughts + about that poor little baby. He would be godfather himself, he said, and + he ordered a fine christening feast; so the child was brought and + christened, and Mark was very friendly to its father. After the ceremony + was over he took Ivan aside and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Look here, my friend, you are a poor man. How can you afford to bring up + the boy? Give him to me and I’ll make something of him, and I’ll give you + a present of a thousand crowns. Is that a bargain?’ + </p> + <p> + Ivan scratched his head, and thought, and thought, and then he agreed. + Mark counted out the money, wrapped the baby up in a fox skin, laid it in + the sledge beside him, and drove back towards home. When he had driven + some miles he drew up, carried the child to the edge of a steep precipice + and threw it over, muttering, ‘There, now try to take my property!’ + </p> + <p> + Very soon after this some foreign merchants travelled along that same road + on the way to see Mark and to pay the twelve thousand crowns which they + owed him. + </p> + <p> + As they were passing near the precipice they heard a sound of crying, and + on looking over they saw a little green meadow wedged in between two great + heaps of snow, and on the meadow lay a baby amongst the flowers. + </p> + <p> + The merchants picked up the child, wrapped it up carefully, and drove on. + When they saw Mark they told him what a strange thing they had found. Mark + guessed at once that the child must be his godson, asked to see him, and + said: + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s a nice little fellow; I should like to keep him. If you will make + him over to me, I will let you off your debt.’ + </p> + <p> + The merchants were very pleased to make so good a bargain, left the child + with Mark, and drove off. + </p> + <p> + At night Mark took the child, put it in a barrel, fastened the lid tight + down, and threw it into the sea. The barrel floated away to a great + distance, and at last it floated close up to a monastery. The monks were + just spreading out their nets to dry on the shore, when they heard the + sound of crying. It seemed to come from the barrel which was bobbing about + near the water’s edge. They drew it to land and opened it, and there was a + little child! When the abbot heard the news, he decided to bring up the + boy, and named him ‘Vassili.’ + </p> + <p> + The boy lived on with the monks, and grew up to be a clever, gentle, and + handsome young man. No one could read, write, or sing better than he, and + he did everything so well that the abbot made him wardrobe keeper. + </p> + <p> + Now, it happened about this time that the merchant, Mark, came to the + monastery in the course of a journey. The monks were very polite to him + and showed him their house and church and all they had. When he went into + the church the choir was singing, and one voice was so clear and + beautiful, that he asked who it belonged to. Then the abbot told him of + the wonderful way in which Vassili had come to them, and Mark saw clearly + that this must be his godson whom he had twice tried to kill. + </p> + <p> + He said to the abbot: ‘I can’t tell you how much I enjoy that young man’s + singing. If he could only come to me I would make him overseer of all my + business. As you say, he is so good and clever. Do spare him to me. I will + make his fortune, and will present your monastery with twenty thousand + crowns.’ + </p> + <p> + The abbot hesitated a good deal, but he consulted all the other monks, and + at last they decided that they ought not to stand in the way of Vassili’s + good fortune. + </p> + <p> + Then Mark wrote a letter to his wife and gave it to Vassili to take to + her, and this was what was in the letter: ‘When the bearer of this + arrives, take him into the soap factory, and when you pass near the great + boiler, push him in. If you don’t obey my orders I shall be very angry, + for this young man is a bad fellow who is sure to ruin us all if he + lives.’ + </p> + <p> + Vassili had a good voyage, and on landing set off on foot for Mark’s home. + On the way he met three beggars, who asked him: ‘Where are you going, + Vassili?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going to the house of Mark the Merchant, and have a letter for his + wife,’ replied Vassili. + </p> + <p> + ‘Show us the letter.’ + </p> + <p> + Vassili handed them the letter. They blew on it and gave it back to him, + saying: ‘Now go and give the letter to Mark’s wife. You will not be + forsaken.’ + </p> + <p> + Vassili reached the house and gave the letter. When the mistress read it + she could hardly believe her eyes and called for her daughter. In the + letter was written, quite plainly: ‘When you receive this letter, get + ready for a wedding, and let the bearer be married next day to my + daughter, Anastasia. If you don’t obey my orders I shall be very angry.’ + </p> + <p> + Anastasia saw the bearer of the letter and he pleased her very much. They + dressed Vassili in fine clothes and next day he was married to Anastasia. + </p> + <p> + In due time, Mark returned from his travels. His wife, daughter, and + son-in-law all went out to meet him. When Mark saw Vassili he flew into a + terrible rage with his wife. ‘How dared you marry my daughter without my + consent?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘I only carried out your orders,’ said she. ‘Here is your letter.’ + </p> + <p> + Mark read it. It certainly was his handwriting, but by no means his + wishes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ thought he, ‘you’ve escaped me three times, but I think I shall + get the better of you now.’ And he waited a month and was very kind and + pleasant to his daughter and her husband. + </p> + <p> + At the end of that time he said to Vassili one day, ‘I want you to go for + me to my friend the Serpent King, in his beautiful country at the world’s + end. Twelve years ago he built a castle on some land of mine. I want you + to ask for the rent for those twelve years and also to find out from him + what has become of my twelve ships which sailed for his country three + years ago.’ + </p> + <p> + Vassili dared not disobey. He said good-bye to his young wife, who cried + bitterly at parting, hung a bag of biscuits over his shoulders, and set + out. + </p> + <p> + I really cannot tell you whether the journey was long or short. As he + tramped along he suddenly heard a voice saying: ‘Vassili! where are you + going?’ + </p> + <p> + Vassili looked about him, and, seeing no one, called out: ‘Who spoke to + me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I did; this old wide-spreading oak. Tell me where you are going.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going to the Serpent King to receive twelve years’ rent from him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When the time comes, remember me and ask the king: “Rotten to the roots, + half dead but still green, stands the old oak. Is it to stand much longer + on the earth?”’ + </p> + <p> + Vassili went on further. He came to a river and got into the ferryboat. + The old ferryman asked: ‘Are you going far, my friend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going to the Serpent King.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then think of me and say to the king: “For thirty years the ferryman has + rowed to and fro. Will the tired old man have to row much longer?”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said Vassili; ‘I’ll ask him.’ + </p> + <p> + And he walked on. In time he came to a narrow strait of the sea and across + it lay a great whale over whose back people walked and drove as if it had + been a bridge or a road. As he stepped on it the whale said, ‘Do tell me + where you are going.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going to the Serpent King.’ + </p> + <p> + And the whale begged: ‘Think of me and say to the king: “The poor whale + has been lying three years across the strait, and men and horses have + nearly trampled his back into his ribs. Is he to lie there much longer?”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will remember,’ said Vassili, and he went on. + </p> + <p> + He walked, and walked, and walked, till he came to a great green meadow. + In the meadow stood a large and splendid castle. Its white marble walls + sparkled in the light, the roof was covered with mother o’ pearl, which + shone like a rainbow, and the sun glowed like fire on the crystal windows. + Vassili walked in, and went from one room to another astonished at all the + splendour he saw. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the last room of all, he found a beautiful girl sitting on + a bed. + </p> + <p> + As soon as she saw him she said: ‘Oh, Vassili, what brings you to this + accursed place?’ + </p> + <p> + Vassili told her why he had come, and all he had seen and heard on the + way. + </p> + <p> + The girl said: ‘You have not been sent here to collect rents, but for your + own destruction, and that the serpent may devour you.’ + </p> + <p> + She had not time to say more, when the whole castle shook, and a rustling, + hissing, groaning sound was heard. The girl quickly pushed Vassili into a + chest under the bed, locked it and whispered: ‘Listen to what the serpent + and I talk about.’ + </p> + <p> + Then she rose up to receive the Serpent King. + </p> + <p> + The monster rushed into the room, and threw itself panting on the bed, + crying: ‘I’ve flown half over the world. I’m tired, VERY tired, and want + to sleep—scratch my head.’ + </p> + <p> + The beautiful girl sat down near him, stroking his hideous head, and said + in a sweet coaxing voice: ‘You know everything in the world. After you + left, I had such a wonderful dream. Will you tell me what it means?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Out with it then, quick! What was it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I dreamt I was walking on a wide road, and an oak tree said to me: “Ask + the king this: Rotten at the roots, half dead, and yet green stands the + old oak. Is it to stand much longer on the earth?”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It must stand till some one comes and pushes it down with his foot. Then + it will fall, and under its roots will be found more gold and silver than + even Mark the Rich has got.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I dreamt I came to a river, and the old ferryman said to me: “For + thirty year’s the ferryman has rowed to and fro. Will the tired old man + have to row much longer?”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That depends on himself. If some one gets into the boat to be ferried + across, the old man has only to push the boat off, and go his way without + looking back. The man in the boat will then have to take his place.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And at last I dreamt that I was walking over a bridge made of a whale’s + back, and the living bridge spoke to me and said: “Here have I been + stretched out these three years, and men and horses have trampled my back + down into my ribs. Must I lie here much longer?”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He will have to lie there till he has thrown up the twelve ships of Mark + the Rich which he swallowed. Then he may plunge back into the sea and heal + his back.’ + </p> + <p> + And the Serpent King closed his eyes, turned round on his other side, and + began to snore so loud that the windows rattled. + </p> + <p> + In all haste the lovely girl helped Vassili out of the chest, and showed + him part of his way back. He thanked her very politely, and hurried off. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the strait the whale asked: ‘Have you thought of me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, as soon as I am on the other side I will tell you what you want to + know.’ + </p> + <p> + When he was on the other side Vassili said to the whale: ‘Throw up those + twelve ships of Mark’s which you swallowed three years ago.’ + </p> + <p> + The great fish heaved itself up and threw up all the twelve ships and + their crews. Then he shook himself for joy, and plunged into the sea. + </p> + <p> + Vassili went on further till he reached the ferry, where the old man + asked: ‘Did you think of me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, and as soon as you have ferried me across I will tell you what you + want to know.’ + </p> + <p> + When they had crossed over, Vassili said: ‘Let the next man who comes stay + in the boat, but do you step on shore, push the boat off, and you will be + free, and the other man must take your place. + </p> + <p> + Then Vassili went on further still, and soon came to the old oak tree, + pushed it with his foot, and it fell over. There, at the roots, was more + gold and silver than even Mark the Rich had. + </p> + <p> + And now the twelve ships which the whale had thrown up came sailing along + and anchored close by. On the deck of the first ship stood the three + beggars whom Vassili had met formerly, and they said: ‘Heaven has blessed + you, Vassili.’ Then they vanished away and he never saw them again. + </p> + <p> + The sailors carried all the gold and silver into the ship, and then they + set sail for home with Vassili on board. + </p> + <p> + Mark was more furious than ever. He had his horses harnessed and drove off + himself to see the Serpent King and to complain of the way in which he had + been betrayed. When he reached the river he sprang into the ferryboat. The + ferryman, however, did not get in but pushed the boat off.... + </p> + <p> + Vassili led a good and happy life with his dear wife, and his kind + mother-in-law lived with them. He helped the poor and fed and clothed the + hungry and naked and all Mark’s riches became his. + </p> + <p> + For many years Mark has been ferrying people across the river. His face is + wrinkled, his hair and beard are snow white, and his eyes are dim; but + still he rows on. + </p> + <p> + (From the Serbian.) + </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> + SCHIPPEITARO + </h2> + <p> + It was the custom in old times that as soon as a Japanese boy reached + manhood he should leave his home and roam through the land in search of + adventures. Sometimes he would meet with a young man bent on the same + business as himself, and then they would fight in a friendly manner, + merely to prove which was the stronger, but on other occasions the enemy + would turn out to be a robber, who had become the terror of the + neighbourhood, and then the battle was in deadly earnest. + </p> + <p> + One day a youth started off from his native village, resolved never to + come back till he had done some great deed that would make his name + famous. But adventures did not seem very plentiful just then, and he + wandered about for a long time without meeting either with fierce giants + or distressed damsels. At last he saw in the distance a wild mountain, + half covered with a dense forest, and thinking that this promised well at + once took the road that led to it. The difficulties he met with—huge + rocks to be climbed, deep rivers to be crossed, and thorny tracts to be + avoided—only served to make his heart beat quicker, for he was + really brave all through, and not merely when he could not help himself, + like a great many people. But in spite of all his efforts he could not + find his way out of the forest, and he began to think he should have to + pass the night there. Once more he strained his eyes to see if there was + no place in which he could take shelter, and this time he caught sight of + a small chapel in a little clearing. He hastened quickly towards it, and + curling himself up in a warm corner soon fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + Not a sound was heard through the whole forest for some hours, but at + midnight there suddenly arose such a clamour that the young man, tired as + he was, started broad awake in an instant. Peeping cautiously between the + wooden pillars of the chapel, he saw a troop of hideous cats, dancing + furiously, making the night horrible with their yells. The full moon + lighted up the weird scene, and the young warrior gazed with astonishment, + taking great care to keep still, lest he should be discovered. After some + time he thought that in the midst of all their shrieks he could make out + the words, ‘Do not tell Schippeitaro! Keep it hidden and secret! Do not + tell Schippeitaro!’ Then, the midnight hour having passed, they all + vanished, and the youth was left alone. Exhausted by all that had been + going on round him, he flung himself on the ground and slept till the sun + rose. + </p> + <p> + The moment he woke he felt very hungry, and began to think how he could + get something to eat. So he got up and walked on, and before he had gone + very far was lucky enough to find a little side-path, where he could trace + men’s footsteps. He followed the track, and by-and-by came on some + scattered huts, beyond which lay a village. Delighted at this discovery, + he was about to hasten to the village when he heard a woman’s voice + weeping and lamenting, and calling on the men to take pity on her and help + her. The sound of her distress made him forget he was hungry, and he + strode into the hut to find out for himself what was wrong. But the men + whom he asked only shook their heads and told him it was not a matter in + which he could give any help, for all this sorrow was caused by the Spirit + of the Mountain, to whom every year they were bound to furnish a maiden + for him to eat. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow night,’ said they, ‘the horrible creature will come for his + dinner, and the cries you have heard were uttered by the girl before you, + upon whom the lot has fallen.’ + </p> + <p> + And when the young man asked if the girl was carried off straight from her + home, they answered no, but that a large cask was set in the forest + chapel, and into this she was fastened. + </p> + <p> + As he listened to this story, the young man was filled with a great + longing to rescue the maiden from her dreadful fate. The mention of the + chapel set him thinking of the scene of the previous night, and he went + over all the details again in his mind. ‘Who is Schippeitaro?’ he suddenly + asked; ‘can any of you tell me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Schippeitaro is the great dog that belongs to the overseer of our + prince,’ said they; ‘and he lives not far away.’ And they began to laugh + at the question, which seemed to them so odd and useless. + </p> + <p> + The young man did not laugh with them, but instead left the hut and went + straight to the owner of the dog, whom he begged to lend him the animal + just for one night. Schippeitaro’s master was not at all willing to give + him in charge to a man of whom he knew nothing, but in the end he + consented, and the youth led the dog away, promising faithfully to return + him next day to his master. He next hurried to the hut where the maiden + lived, and entreated her parents to shut her up safely in a closet, after + which he took Schippeitaro to the cask, and fastened him into it. In the + evening he knew that the cask would be placed in the chapel, so he hid + himself there and waited. + </p> + <p> + At midnight, when the full moon appeared above the top of the mountain, + the cats again filled the chapel and shrieked and yelled and danced as + before. But this time they had in their midst a huge black cat who seemed + to be their king, and whom the young man guessed to be the Spirit of the + Mountain. The monster looked eagerly about him, and his eyes sparkled with + joy when he saw the cask. He bounded high into the air with delight and + uttered cries of pleasure; then he drew near and undid the bolts. + </p> + <p> + But instead of fastening his teeth in the neck of a beautiful maiden, + Schippeitaro’s teeth were fastened in HIM, and the youth ran up and cut + off his head with his sword. The other cats were so astonished at the turn + things had taken that they forgot to run away, and the young man and + Schippeitaro between them killed several more before they thought of + escaping. + </p> + <p> + At sunrise the brave dog was taken back to his master, and from that time + the mountain girls were safe, and every year a feast was held in memory of + the young warrior and the dog Schippeitaro. + </p> + <p> + (Japanische Marchen.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE THREE PRINCES AND THEIR BEASTS (LITHUANIAN FAIRY TALE) + </h2> + <p> + Once on a time there were three princes, who had a step-sister. One day + they all set out hunting together. When they had gone some way through a + thick wood they came on a great grey wolf with three cubs. Just as they + were going to shoot, the wolf spoke and said, ‘Do not shoot me, and I will + give each of you one of my young ones. It will be a faithful friend to + you.’ + </p> + <p> + So the princes went on their way, and a little wolf followed each of them. + </p> + <p> + Soon after they came on a lioness with three cubs. And she too begged them + not to shoot her, and she would give each of them a cub. And so it + happened with a fox, a hare, a boar, and a bear, till each prince had + quite a following of young beasts padding along behind him. + </p> + <p> + Towards evening they came to a clearing in the wood, where three birches + grew at the crossing of three roads. The eldest prince took an arrow, and + shot it into the trunk of one of the birch trees. Turning to his brothers + he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let each of us mark one of these trees before we part on different ways. + When any one of us comes back to this place, he must walk round the trees + of the other two, and if he sees blood flowing from the mark in the tree + he will know that that brother is dead, but if milk flows he will know + that his brother is alive.’ + </p> + <p> + So each of the princes did as the eldest brother had said, and when the + three birches were marked by their arrows they turned to their step-sister + and asked her with which of them she meant to live. + </p> + <p> + ‘With the eldest,’ she answered. Then the brothers separated from each + other, and each of them set out down a different road, followed by their + beasts. And the step-sister went with the eldest prince. + </p> + <p> + After they had gone a little way along the road they came into a forest, + and in one of the deepest glades they suddenly found themselves opposite a + castle in which there lived a band of robbers. The prince walked up to the + door and knocked. The moment it was opened the beasts rushed in, and each + seized on a robber, killed him, and dragged the body down to the cellar. + Now, one of the robbers was not really killed, only badly wounded, but he + lay quite still and pretended to be dead like the others. Then the prince + and his step-sister entered the castle and took up their abode in it. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the prince went out hunting. Before leaving he told his + step-sister that she might go into every room in the house except into the + cave where the dead robbers lay. But as soon as his back was turned she + forgot what he had said, and having wandered through all the other rooms + she went down to the cellar and opened the door. As soon as she looked in + the robber who had only pretended to be dead sat up and said to her: + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be afraid. Do what I tell you, and I will be your friend. + </p> + <p> + If you marry me you will be much happier with me than with your brother. + But you must first go into the sitting-room and look in the cupboard. + There you will find three bottles. In one of them there is a healing + ointment which you must put on my chin to heal the wound; then if I drink + the contents of the second bottle it will make me well, and the third + bottle will make me stronger than I ever was before. Then, when your + brother comes back from the wood with his beasts you must go to him and + say, “Brother, you are very strong. If I were to fasten your thumbs behind + your back with a stout silk cord, could you wrench yourself free?” And + when you see that he cannot do it, call me.’ + </p> + <p> + When the brother came home, the step-sister did as the robber had told + her, and fastened her brother’s thumbs behind his back. But with one + wrench he set himself free, and said to her, ‘Sister, that cord is not + strong enough for me.’ + </p> + <p> + The next day he went back to the wood with his beasts, and the robber told + her that she must take a much stouter cord to bind his thumbs with. But + again he freed himself, though not so easily as the first time, and he + said to his sister: + </p> + <p> + ‘Even that cord is not strong enough.’ + </p> + <p> + The third day, on his return from the wood he consented to have his + strength tested for the last time. So she took a very strong cord of silk, + which she had prepared by the robber’s advice, and this time, though the + prince pulled and tugged with all his might, he could not break the cord. + So he called to her and said: ‘Sister, this time the cord is so strong I + cannot break it. Come and unfasten it for me.’ + </p> + <p> + But instead of coming she called to the robber, who rushed into the room + brandishing a knife, with which he prepared to attack the prince. + </p> + <p> + But the prince spoke and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Have patience for one minute. I would like before I die to blow three + blasts on my hunting horn—one in this room, one on the stairs, and + one in the courtyard.’ + </p> + <p> + So the robber consented, and the prince blew the horn. At the first blast, + the fox, which was asleep in the cage in the courtyard, awoke, and knew + that his master needed help. So he awoke the wolf by flicking him across + the eyes with his brush. Then they awoke the lion, who sprang against the + door of the cage with might and main, so that it fell in splinters on the + ground, and the beasts were free. Rushing through the court to their + master’s aid, the fox gnawed the cord in two that bound the prince’s + thumbs behind his back, and the lion flung himself on the robber, and when + he had killed him and torn him in pieces each of the beasts carried off a + bone. + </p> + <p> + Then the prince turned to the step-sister and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not kill you, but I will leave you here to repent.’ And he + fastened her with a chain to the wall, and put a great bowl in front of + her and said, ‘I will not see you again till you have filled this bowl + with your tears.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, he called his beasts, and set out on his travels. When he had + gone a little way he came to an inn. Everyone in the inn seemed so sad + that he asked them what was the matter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah,’ replied they, ‘to-day our king’s daughter is to die. She is to be + handed over to a dreadful nine-headed dragon.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the prince said: ‘Why should she die? I am very strong, I will save + her.’ + </p> + <p> + And he set out to the sea-shore, where the dragon was to meet the + princess. And as he waited with his beasts round him a great procession + came along, accompanying the unfortunate princess: and when the shore was + reached all the people left her, and returned sadly to their houses. But + the prince remained, and soon he saw a movement in the water a long way + off. As it came nearer, he knew what it was, for skimming swiftly along + the waters came a monster dragon with nine heads. Then the prince took + counsel with his beasts, and as the dragon approached the shore the fox + drew his brush through the water and blinded the dragon by scattering the + salt water in his eyes, while the bear and the lion threw up more water + with their paws, so that the monster was bewildered and could see nothing. + Then the prince rushed forward with his sword and killed the dragon, and + the beasts tore the body in pieces. + </p> + <p> + Then the princess turned to the prince and thanked him for delivering her + from the dragon, and she said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Step into this carriage with me, and we will drive back to my father’s + palace.’ And she gave him a ring and half of her handkerchief. But on the + way back the coachman and footman spoke to one another and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why should we drive this stranger back to the palace? Let us kill him, + and then we can say to the king that we slew the dragon and saved the + princess, and one of us shall marry her.’ + </p> + <p> + So they killed the prince, and left him dead on the roadside. And the + faithful beasts came round the dead body and wept, and wondered what they + should do. Then suddenly the wolf had an idea, and he started off into the + wood, where he found an ox, which he straightway killed. Then he called + the fox, and told him to mount guard over the dead ox, and if a bird came + past and tried to peck at the flesh he was to catch it and bring it to the + lion. Soon after a crow flew past, and began to peck at the dead ox. In a + moment the fox had caught it and brought it to the lion. Then the lion + said to the crow: + </p> + <p> + ‘We will not kill you if you will promise to fly to the town where there + are three wells of healing and to bring back water from them in your beak + to make this dead man alive.’ + </p> + <p> + So the crow flew away, and she filled her beak at the well of healing, the + well of strength, and the well of swiftness, and she flew back to the dead + prince and dropped the water from her beak upon his lips, and he was + healed, and could sit up and walk. + </p> + <p> + Then he set out for the town, accompanied by his faithful beasts. + </p> + <p> + And when they reached the king’s palace they found that preparations for a + great feast were being made, for the princess was to marry the coachman. + </p> + <p> + So the prince walked into the palace, and went straight up to the coachman + and said: ‘What token have you got that you killed the dragon and won the + hand of the princess? I have her token here—this ring and half her + handkerchief.’ + </p> + <p> + And when the king saw these tokens he knew that the prince was speaking + the truth. So the coachman was bound in chains and thrown into prison, and + the prince was married to the princess and rewarded with half the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + One day, soon after his marriage, the prince was walking through the woods + in the evening, followed by his faithful beasts. Darkness came on, and he + lost his way, and wandered about among the trees looking for the path that + would lead him back to the palace. As he walked he saw the light of a + fire, and making his way to it he found an old woman raking sticks and + dried leaves together, and burning them in a glade of the wood. + </p> + <p> + As he was very tired, and the night was very dark, the prince determined + not to wander further. So he asked the old woman if he might spend the + night beside her fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course you may,’ she answered. ‘But I am afraid of your beasts. Let me + hit them with my rod, and then I shall not be afraid of them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said the prince, ‘I don’t mind’; and she stretched out her + rod and hit the beasts, and in one moment they were turned into stone, and + so was the prince. + </p> + <p> + Now soon after this the prince’s youngest brother came to the cross-roads + with the three birches, where the brothers had parted from each other when + they set out on their wanderings. Remembering what they had agreed to do, + he walked round the two trees, and when he saw that blood oozed from the + cut in the eldest prince’s tree he knew that his brother must be dead. So + he set out, followed by his beasts, and came to the town over which his + brother had ruled, and where the princess he had married lived. And when + he came into the town all the people were in great sorrow because their + prince had disappeared. + </p> + <p> + But when they saw his youngest brother, and the beasts following him, they + thought it was their own prince, and they rejoiced greatly, and told him + how they had sought him everywhere. Then they led him to the king, and he + too thought that it was his son-in-law. But the princess knew that he was + not her husband, and she begged him to go out into the woods with his + beasts, and to look for his brother till he found him. + </p> + <p> + So the youngest prince set out to look for his brother, and he too lost + his way in the wood and night overtook him. Then he came to the clearing + among the trees, where the fire was burning and where the old woman was + raking sticks and leaves into the flames. And he asked her if he might + spend the night beside her fire, as it was too late and too dark to go + back to the town. + </p> + <p> + And she answered: ‘Certainly you may. But I am afraid of your beasts. May + I give them a stroke with my rod, then I shall not be afraid of them.’ + </p> + <p> + And he said she might, for he did not know that she was a witch. So she + stretched out her rod, and in a moment the beasts and their master were + turned into stone. + </p> + <p> + It happened soon after that the second brother returned from his + wanderings and came to the cross-roads where the three birches grew. As he + went round the trees he saw that blood poured from the cuts in the bark of + two of the trees. Then he wept and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! both my brothers are dead.’ And he too set out towards the town in + which his brother had ruled, and his faithful beasts followed him. When he + entered the town, all the people thought it was their own prince come back + to them, and they gathered round him, as they had gathered round his + youngest brother, and asked him where he had been and why he had not + returned. And they led him to the king’s palace, but the princess knew + that he was not her husband. So when they were alone together she besought + him to go and seek for his brother and bring him home. Calling his beasts + round him, he set out and wandered through the woods. And he put his ear + down to the earth, to listen if he could hear the sound of his brother’s + beasts. And it seemed to him as if he heard a faint sound far off, but he + did not know from what direction it came. So he blew on his hunting horn + and listened again. And again he heard the sound, and this time it seemed + to come from the direction of a fire burning in the wood. So he went + towards the fire, and there the old woman was raking sticks and leaves + into the embers. And he asked her if he might spend the night beside her + fire. But she told him she was afraid of his beasts, and he must first + allow her to give each of them a stroke with her rod. + </p> + <p> + But he answered her: + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly not. I am their master, and no one shall strike them but I + myself. Give me the rod’; and he touched the fox with it, and in a moment + it was turned into stone. Then he knew that the old woman was a witch, and + he turned to her and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Unless you restore my brothers and their beasts back to life at once, my + lion will tear you in pieces.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the witch was terrified, and taking a young oak tree she burnt it + into white ashes, and sprinkled the ashes on the stones that stood around. + And in a moment the two princes stood before their brother, and their + beasts stood round them. + </p> + <p> + Then the three princes set off together to the town. And the king did not + know which was his son-in-law, but the princess knew which was her + husband, and there were great rejoicings throughout the land. + </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 GOAT’S EARS OF THE EMPEROR TROJAN + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived an emperor whose name was Trojan, and he had + ears like a goat. Every morning, when he was shaved, he asked if the man + saw anything odd about him, and as each fresh barber always replied that + the emperor had goat’s ears, he was at once ordered to be put to death. + </p> + <p> + Now after this state of things had lasted a good while, there was hardly a + barber left in the town that could shave the emperor, and it came to be + the turn of the Master of the Company of Barbers to go up to the palace. + But, unluckily, at the very moment that he should have set out, the master + fell suddenly ill, and told one of his apprentices that he must go in his + stead. + </p> + <p> + When the youth was taken to the emperor’s bedroom, he was asked why he had + come and not his master. The young man replied that the master was ill, + and there was no one but himself who could be trusted with the honour. The + emperor was satisfied with the answer, and sat down, and let a sheet of + fine linen be put round him. Directly the young barber began his work, he, + like the rest, remarked the goat’s ears of the emperor, but when he had + finished and the emperor asked his usual question as to whether the youth + had noticed anything odd about him, the young man replied calmly, ‘No, + nothing at all.’ This pleased the emperor so much that he gave him twelve + ducats, and said, ‘Henceforth you shall come every day to shave me.’ + </p> + <p> + So when the apprentice returned home, and the master inquired how he had + got on with the emperor, the young man answered, ‘Oh, very well, and he + says I am to shave him every day, and he has given me these twelve + ducats’; but he said nothing about the goat’s ears of the emperor. + </p> + <p> + From this time the apprentice went regularly up to the palace, receiving + each morning twelve ducats in payment. But after a while, his secret, + which he had carefully kept, burnt within him, and he longed to tell it to + somebody. His master saw there was something on his mind, and asked what + it was. The youth replied that he had been tormenting himself for some + months, and should never feel easy until some one shared his secret. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, trust me,’ said the master, ‘I will keep it to myself; or, if you + do not like to do that, confess it to your pastor, or go into some field + outside the town and dig a hole, and, after you have dug it, kneel down + and whisper your secret three times into the hole. Then put back the earth + and come away.’ + </p> + <p> + The apprentice thought that this seemed the best plan, and that very + afternoon went to a meadow outside the town, dug a deep hole, then knelt + and whispered to it three times over, ‘The Emperor Trojan has goat’s + ears.’ And as he said so a great burden seemed to roll off him, and he + shovelled the earth carefully back and ran lightly home. + </p> + <p> + Weeks passed away, and there sprang up in the hole an elder tree which had + three stems, all as straight as poplars. Some shepherds, tending their + flocks near by, noticed the tree growing there, and one of them cut down a + stem to make flutes of; but, directly he began to play, the flute would do + nothing but sing: ‘The Emperor Trojan has goat’s ears.’ Of course, it was + not long before the whole town knew of this wonderful flute and what it + said; and, at last, the news reached the emperor in his palace. He + instantly sent for the apprentice and said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘What have you been saying about me to all my people?’ + </p> + <p> + The culprit tried to defend himself by saying that he had never told + anyone what he had noticed; but the emperor, instead of listening, only + drew his sword from its sheath, which so frightened the poor fellow that + he confessed exactly what he had done, and how he had whispered the truth + three times to the earth, and how in that very place an elder tree had + sprung up, and flutes had been cut from it, which would only repeat the + words he had said. Then the emperor commanded his coach to be made ready, + and he took the youth with him, and they drove to the spot, for he wished + to see for himself whether the young man’s confession was true; but when + they reached the place only one stem was left. So the emperor desired his + attendants to cut him a flute from the remaining stem, and, when it was + ready, he ordered his chamberlain to play on it. But no tune could the + chamberlain play, though he was the best flute player about the court—nothing + came but the words, ‘The Emperor Trojan has goat’s ears.’ Then the emperor + knew that even the earth gave up its secrets, and he granted the young man + his life, but he never allowed him to be his barber any more. + </p> + <p> + (Volksmarchen der Serben.) + </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 NINE PEA-HENS AND THE GOLDEN APPLES + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there stood before the palace of an emperor a golden + apple tree, which blossomed and bore fruit each night. But every morning + the fruit was gone, and the boughs were bare of blossom, without anyone + being able to discover who was the thief. + </p> + <p> + At last the emperor said to his eldest son, ‘If only I could prevent those + robbers from stealing my fruit, how happy I should be!’ + </p> + <p> + And his son replied, ‘I will sit up to-night and watch the tree, and I + shall soon see who it is!’ + </p> + <p> + So directly it grew dark the young man went and hid himself near the apple + tree to begin his watch, but the apples had scarcely begun to ripen before + he fell asleep, and when he awoke at sunrise the apples were gone. He felt + very much ashamed of himself, and went with lagging feet to tell his + father! + </p> + <p> + Of course, though the eldest son had failed, the second made sure that he + would do better, and set out gaily at nightfall to watch the apple tree. + But no sooner had he lain himself down than his eyes grew heavy, and when + the sunbeams roused him from his slumbers there was not an apple left on + the tree. + </p> + <p> + Next came the turn of the youngest son, who made himself a comfortable bed + under the apple tree, and prepared himself to sleep. Towards midnight he + awoke, and sat up to look at the tree. And behold! the apples were + beginning to ripen, and lit up the whole palace with their brightness. At + the same moment nine golden pea-hens flew swiftly through the air, and + while eight alighted upon the boughs laden with fruit, the ninth fluttered + to the ground where the prince lay, and instantly was changed into a + beautiful maiden, more beautiful far than any lady in the emperor’s court. + The prince at once fell in love with her, and they talked together for + some time, till the maiden said her sisters had finished plucking the + apples, and now they must all go home again. The prince, however, begged + her so hard to leave him a little of the fruit that the maiden gave him + two apples, one for himself and one for his father. Then she changed + herself back into a pea-hen, and the whole nine flew away. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the sun rose the prince entered the palace, and held out the + apple to his father, who was rejoiced to see it, and praised his youngest + son heartily for his cleverness. That evening the prince returned to the + apple tree, and everything passed as before, and so it happened for + several nights. At length the other brothers grew angry at seeing that he + never came back without bringing two golden apples with him, and they went + to consult an old witch, who promised to spy after him, and discover how + he managed to get the apples. So, when the evening came, the old woman hid + herself under the tree and waited for the prince. Before long he arrived + and laid down on his bed, and was soon fast asleep. Towards midnight there + was a rush of wings, and the eight pea-hens settled on the tree, while the + ninth became a maiden, and ran to greet the prince. Then the witch + stretched out her hand, and cut off a lock of the maiden’s hair, and in an + instant the girl sprang up, a pea-hen once more, spread her wings and flew + away, while her sisters, who were busily stripping the boughs, flew after + her. + </p> + <p> + When he had recovered from his surprise at the unexpected disappearance of + the maiden, the prince exclaimed, ‘What can be the matter?’ and, looking + about him, discovered the old witch hidden under the bed. He dragged her + out, and in his fury called his guards, and ordered them to put her to + death as fast as possible. But that did no good as far as the pea-hens + went. They never came back any more, though the prince returned to the + tree every night, and wept his heart out for his lost love. This went on + for some time, till the prince could bear it no longer, and made up his + mind he would search the world through for her. In vain his father tried + to persuade him that his task was hopeless, and that other girls were to + be found as beautiful as this one. The prince would listen to nothing, + and, accompanied by only one servant, set out on his quest. + </p> + <p> + After travelling for many days, he arrived at length before a large gate, + and through the bars he could see the streets of a town, and even the + palace. The prince tried to pass in, but the way was barred by the keeper + of the gate, who wanted to know who he was, why he was there, and how he + had learnt the way, and he was not allowed to enter unless the empress + herself came and gave him leave. A message was sent to her, and when she + stood at the gate the prince thought he had lost his wits, for there was + the maiden he had left his home to seek. And she hastened to him, and took + his hand, and drew him into the palace. In a few days they were married, + and the prince forgot his father and his brothers, and made up his mind + that he would live and die in the castle. + </p> + <p> + One morning the empress told him that she was going to take a walk by + herself, and that she would leave the keys of twelve cellars to his care. + ‘If you wish to enter the first eleven cellars,’ said she, ‘you can; but + beware of even unlocking the door of the twelfth, or it will be the worse + for you.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince, who was left alone in the castle, soon got tired of being by + himself, and began to look about for something to amuse him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What CAN there be in that twelfth cellar,’ he thought to himself, ‘which + I must not see?’ And he went downstairs and unlocked the doors, one after + the other. When he got to the twelfth he paused, but his curiosity was too + much for him, and in another instant the key was turned and the cellar lay + open before him. It was empty, save for a large cask, bound with iron + hoops, and out of the cask a voice was saying entreatingly, ‘For goodness’ + sake, brother, fetch me some water; I am dying of thirst!’ + </p> + <p> + The prince, who was very tender-hearted, brought some water at once, and + pushed it through a hole in the barrel; and as he did so one of the iron + hoops burst. + </p> + <p> + He was turning away, when a voice cried the second time, ‘Brother, for + pity’s sake fetch me some water; I’m dying of thirst!’ + </p> + <p> + So the prince went back, and brought some more water, and again a hoop + sprang. + </p> + <p> + And for the third time the voice still called for water; and when water + was given it the last hoop was rent, the cask fell in pieces, and out flew + a dragon, who snatched up the empress just as she was returning from her + walk, and carried her off. Some servants who saw what had happened came + rushing to the prince, and the poor young man went nearly mad when he + heard the result of his own folly, and could only cry out that he would + follow the dragon to the ends of the earth, until he got his wife again. + </p> + <p> + For months and months he wandered about, first in this direction and then + in that, without finding any traces of the dragon or his captive. At last + he came to a stream, and as he stopped for a moment to look at it he + noticed a little fish lying on the bank, beating its tail convulsively, in + a vain effort to get back into the water. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, for pity’s sake, my brother,’ shrieked the little creature, ‘help me, + and put me back into the river, and I will repay you some day. Take one of + my scales, and when you are in danger twist it in your fingers, and I will + come!’ + </p> + <p> + The prince picked up the fish and threw it into the water; then he took + off one of its scales, as he had been told, and put it in his pocket, + carefully wrapped in a cloth. Then he went on his way till, some miles + further down the road, he found a fox caught in a trap. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! be a brother to me!’ called the fox, ‘and free me from this trap, and + I will help you when you are in need. Pull out one of my hairs, and when + you are in danger twist it in your fingers, and I will come.’ + </p> + <p> + So the prince unfastened the trap, pulled out one of the fox’s hairs, and + continued his journey. And as he was going over the mountain he passed a + wolf entangled in a snare, who begged to be set at liberty. + </p> + <p> + ‘Only deliver me from death,’ he said, ‘and you will never be sorry for + it. Take a lock of my fur, and when you need me twist it in your fingers.’ + And the prince undid the snare and let the wolf go. + </p> + <p> + For a long time he walked on, without having any more adventures, till at + length he met a man travelling on the same road. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, brother!’ asked the prince, ‘tell me, if you can, where the + dragon-emperor lives?’ + </p> + <p> + The man told him where he would find the palace, and how long it would + take him to get there, and the prince thanked him, and followed his + directions, till that same evening he reached the town where the + dragon-emperor lived. When he entered the palace, to his great joy he + found his wife sitting alone in a vast hall, and they began hastily to + invent plans for her escape. + </p> + <p> + There was no time to waste, as the dragon might return directly, so they + took two horses out of the stable, and rode away at lightning speed. + Hardly were they out of sight of the palace than the dragon came home and + found that his prisoner had flown. He sent at once for his talking horse, + and said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me your advice; what shall I do—have my supper as usual, or + set out in pursuit of them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eat your supper with a free mind first,’ answered the horse, ‘and follow + them afterwards.’ + </p> + <p> + So the dragon ate till it was past mid-day, and when he could eat no more + he mounted his horse and set out after the fugitives. In a short time he + had come up with them, and as he snatched the empress out of her saddle he + said to the prince: + </p> + <p> + ‘This time I will forgive you, because you brought me the water when I was + in the cask; but beware how you return here, or you will pay for it with + your life.’ + </p> + <p> + Half mad with grief, the prince rode sadly on a little further, hardly + knowing what he was doing. Then he could bear it no longer and turned back + to the palace, in spite of the dragon’s threats. Again the empress was + sitting alone, and once more they began to think of a scheme by which they + could escape the dragon’s power. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ask the dragon when he comes home,’ said the prince, ‘where he got that + wonderful horse from, and then you can tell me, and I will try to find + another like it.’ + </p> + <p> + Then, fearing to meet his enemy, he stole out of the castle. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the dragon came home, and the empress sat down near him, and + began to coax and flatter him into a good humour, and at last she said: + </p> + <p> + ‘But tell me about that wonderful horse you were riding yesterday. There + cannot be another like it in the whole world. Where did you get it from?’ + </p> + <p> + And he answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘The way I got it is a way which no one else can take. On the top of a + high mountain dwells an old woman, who has in her stables twelve horses, + each one more beautiful than the other. And in one corner is a thin, + wretched-looking animal whom no one would glance at a second time, but he + is in reality the best of the lot. He is twin brother to my own horse, and + can fly as high as the clouds themselves. But no one can ever get this + horse without first serving the old woman for three whole days. And + besides the horses she has a foal and its mother, and the man who serves + her must look after them for three whole days, and if he does not let them + run away he will in the end get the choice of any horse as a present from + the old woman. But if he fails to keep the foal and its mother safe on any + one of the three nights his head will pay.’ + </p> + <p> + The next day the prince watched till the dragon left the house, and then + he crept in to the empress, who told him all she had learnt from her + gaoler. The prince at once determined to seek the old woman on the top of + the mountain, and lost no time in setting out. It was a long and steep + climb, but at last he found her, and with a low bow he began: + </p> + <p> + ‘Good greeting to you, little mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good greeting to you, my son! What are you doing here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish to become your servant,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘So you shall,’ said the old woman. ‘If you can take care of my mare for + three days I will give you a horse for wages, but if you let her stray you + will lose your head’; and as she spoke she led him into a courtyard + surrounded with palings, and on every post a man’s head was stuck. One + post only was empty, and as they passed it cried out: + </p> + <p> + ‘Woman, give me the head I am waiting for!’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman made no answer, but turned to the prince and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Look! all those men took service with me, on the same conditions as you, + but not one was able to guard the mare!’ + </p> + <p> + But the prince did not waver, and declared he would abide by his words. + </p> + <p> + When evening came he led the mare out of the stable and mounted her, and + the colt ran behind. He managed to keep his seat for a long time, in spite + of all her efforts to throw him, but at length he grew so weary that he + fell fast asleep, and when he woke he found himself sitting on a log, with + the halter in his hands. He jumped up in terror, but the mare was nowhere + to be seen, and he started with a beating heart in search of her. He had + gone some way without a single trace to guide him, when he came to a + little river. The sight of the water brought back to his mind the fish + whom he had saved from death, and he hastily drew the scale from his + pocket. It had hardly touched his fingers when the fish appeared in the + stream beside him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it, my brother?’ asked the fish anxiously. + </p> + <p> + ‘The old woman’s mare strayed last night, and I don’t know where to look + for her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I can tell you that: she has changed herself into a big fish, and her + foal into a little one. But strike the water with the halter and say, + “Come here, O mare of the mountain witch!” and she will come.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince did as he was bid, and the mare and her foal stood before him. + Then he put the halter round her neck, and rode her home, the foal always + trotting behind them. The old woman was at the door to receive them, and + gave the prince some food while she led the mare back to the stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘You should have gone among the fishes,’ cried the old woman, striking the + animal with a stick. + </p> + <p> + ‘I did go among the fishes,’ replied the mare; ‘but they are no friends of + mine, for they betrayed me at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, go among the foxes this time,’ said she, and returned to the house, + not knowing that the prince had overheard her. + </p> + <p> + So when it began to grow dark the prince mounted the mare for the second + time and rode into the meadows, and the foal trotted behind its mother. + Again he managed to stick on till midnight: then a sleep overtook him that + he could not battle against, and when he woke up he found himself, as + before, sitting on the log, with the halter in his hands. He gave a shriek + of dismay, and sprang up in search of the wanderers. As he went he + suddenly remembered the words that the old woman had said to the mare, and + he drew out the fox hair and twisted it in his fingers. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it, my brother?’ asked the fox, who instantly appeared before + him. + </p> + <p> + ‘The old witch’s mare has run away from me, and I do not know where to + look for her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She is with us,’ replied the fox, ‘and has changed herself into a big + fox, and her foal into a little one, but strike the ground with a halter + and say, “Come here, O mare of the mountain witch!”’ + </p> + <p> + The prince did so, and in a moment the fox became a mare and stood before + him, with the little foal at her heels. He mounted and rode back, and the + old woman placed food on the table, and led the mare back to the stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘You should have gone to the foxes, as I told you,’ said she, striking the + mare with a stick. + </p> + <p> + ‘I did go to the foxes,’ replied the mare, ‘but they are no friends of + mine and betrayed me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, this time you had better go to the wolves,’ said she, not knowing + that the prince had heard all she had been saying. + </p> + <p> + The third night the prince mounted the mare and rode her out to the + meadows, with the foal trotting after. He tried hard to keep awake, but it + was of no use, and in the morning there he was again on the log, grasping + the halter. He started to his feet, and then stopped, for he remembered + what the old woman had said, and pulled out the wolf’s grey lock. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it, my brother?’ asked the wolf as it stood before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘The old witch’s mare has run away from me,’ replied the prince, ‘and I + don’t know where to find her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, she is with us,’ answered the wolf, ‘and she has changed herself into + a she-wolf, and the foal into a cub; but strike the earth here with the + halter, and cry, “Come to me, O mare of the mountain witch.”’ + </p> + <p> + The prince did as he was bid, and as the hair touched his fingers the wolf + changed back into a mare, with the foal beside her. And when he had + mounted and ridden her home the old woman was on the steps to receive + them, and she set some food before the prince, but led the mare back to + her stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘You should have gone among the wolves,’ said she, striking her with a + stick. + </p> + <p> + ‘So I did,’ replied the mare, ‘but they are no friends of mine and + betrayed me.’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman made no answer, and left the stable, but the prince was at + the door waiting for her. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have served you well,’ said he, ‘and now for my reward.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What I promised that will I perform,’ answered she. ‘Choose one of these + twelve horses; you can have which you like.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me, instead, that half-starved creature in the corner,’ asked the + prince. ‘I prefer him to all those beautiful animals.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You can’t really mean what you say?’ replied the woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I do,’ said the prince, and the old woman was forced to let him have + his way. So he took leave of her, and put the halter round his horse’s + neck and led him into the forest, where he rubbed him down till his skin + was shining like gold. Then he mounted, and they flew straight through the + air to the dragon’s palace. The empress had been looking for him night and + day, and stole out to meet him, and he swung her on to his saddle, and the + horse flew off again. + </p> + <p> + Not long after the dragon came home, and when he found the empress was + missing he said to his horse, ‘What shall we do? Shall we eat and drink, + or shall we follow the runaways?’ and the horse replied, ‘Whether you eat + or don’t eat, drink or don’t drink, follow them or stay at home, matters + nothing now, for you can never, never catch them.’ + </p> + <p> + But the dragon made no reply to the horse’s words, but sprang on his back + and set off in chase of the fugitives. And when they saw him coming they + were frightened, and urged the prince’s horse faster and faster, till he + said, ‘Fear nothing; no harm can happen to us,’ and their hearts grew + calm, for they trusted his wisdom. + </p> + <p> + Soon the dragon’s horse was heard panting behind, and he cried out, ‘Oh, + my brother, do not go so fast! I shall sink to the earth if I try to keep + up with you.’ + </p> + <p> + And the prince’s horse answered, ‘Why do you serve a monster like that? + Kick him off, and let him break in pieces on the ground, and come and join + us.’ + </p> + <p> + And the dragon’s horse plunged and reared, and the dragon fell on a rock, + which broke him in pieces. Then the empress mounted his horse, and rode + back with her husband to her kingdom, over which they ruled for many + years. + </p> + <p> + (Volksmarchen der Serben.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LUTE PLAYER + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a king and queen who lived happily and + comfortably together. They were very fond of each other and had nothing to + worry them, but at last the king grew restless. He longed to go out into + the world, to try his strength in battle against some enemy and to win all + kinds of honour and glory. + </p> + <p> + So he called his army together and gave orders to start for a distant + country where a heathen king ruled who ill-treated or tormented everyone + he could lay his hands on. The king then gave his parting orders and wise + advice to his ministers, took a tender leave of his wife, and set off with + his army across the seas. + </p> + <p> + I cannot say whether the voyage was short or long; but at last he reached + the country of the heathen king and marched on, defeating all who came in + his way. But this did not last long, for in time he came to a mountain + pass, where a large army was waiting for him, who put his soldiers to + flight, and took the king himself prisoner. + </p> + <p> + He was carried off to the prison where the heathen king kept his captives, + and now our poor friend had a very bad time indeed. All night long the + prisoners were chained up, and in the morning they were yoked together + like oxen and had to plough the land till it grew dark. + </p> + <p> + This state of things went on for three years before the king found any + means of sending news of himself to his dear queen, but at last he + contrived to send this letter: ‘Sell all our castles and palaces, and put + all our treasures in pawn and come and deliver me out of this horrible + prison.’ + </p> + <p> + The queen received the letter, read it, and wept bitterly as she said to + herself, ‘How can I deliver my dearest husband? If I go myself and the + heathen king sees me he will just take me to be one of his wives. If I + were to send one of the ministers!—but I hardly know if I can depend + on them.’ + </p> + <p> + She thought, and thought, and at last an idea came into her head. + </p> + <p> + She cut off all her beautiful long brown hair and dressed herself in boy’s + clothes. Then she took her lute and, without saying anything to anyone, + she went forth into the wide world. + </p> + <p> + She travelled through many lands and saw many cities, and went through + many hardships before she got to the town where the heathen king lived. + When she got there she walked all round the palace and at the back she saw + the prison. Then she went into the great court in front of the palace, and + taking her lute in her hand, she began to play so beautifully that one + felt as though one could never hear enough. + </p> + <p> + After she had played for some time she began to sing, and her voice was + sweeter than the lark’s: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘I come from my own country far + Into this foreign land, + Of all I own I take alone + My sweet lute in my hand. + + ‘Oh! who will thank me for my song, + Reward my simple lay? + Like lover’s sighs it still shall rise + To greet thee day by day. + + ‘I sing of blooming flowers + Made sweet by sun and rain; + Of all the bliss of love’s first kiss, + And parting’s cruel pain. + + ‘Of the sad captive’s longing + Within his prison wall, + Of hearts that sigh when none are nigh + To answer to their call. + + ‘My song begs for your pity, + And gifts from out your store, + And as I play my gentle lay + I linger near your door. + + ‘And if you hear my singing + Within your palace, sire, + Oh! give, I pray, this happy day, + To me my heart’s desire.’ +</pre> + <p> + No sooner had the heathen king heard this touching song sung by such a + lovely voice, than he had the singer brought before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Welcome, O lute player,’ said he. ‘Where do you come from?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My country, sire, is far away across many seas. For years I have been + wandering about the world and gaining my living by my music.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay here then a few days, and when you wish to leave I will give you + what you ask for in your song—your heart’s desire.’ + </p> + <p> + So the lute player stayed on in the palace and sang and played almost all + day long to the king, who could never tire of listening and almost forgot + to eat or drink or to torment people. + </p> + <p> + He cared for nothing but the music, and nodded his head as he declared, + ‘That’s something like playing and singing. It makes me feel as if some + gentle hand had lifted every care and sorrow from me.’ + </p> + <p> + After three days the lute player came to take leave of the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said the king, ‘what do you desire as your reward?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sire, give me one of your prisoners. You have so many in your prison, and + I should be glad of a companion on my journeys. When I hear his happy + voice as I travel along I shall think of you and thank you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come along then,’ said the king, ‘choose whom you will.’ And he took the + lute player through the prison himself. + </p> + <p> + The queen walked about amongst the prisoners, and at length she picked out + her husband and took him with her on her journey. They were long on their + way, but he never found out who she was, and she led him nearer and nearer + to his own country. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the frontier the prisoner said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me go now, kind lad; I am no common prisoner, but the king of this + country. Let me go free and ask what you will as your reward.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not speak of reward,’ answered the lute player. ‘Go in peace.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then come with me, dear boy, and be my guest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When the proper time comes I shall be at your palace,’ was the reply, and + so they parted. + </p> + <p> + The queen took a short way home, got there before the king and changed her + dress. + </p> + <p> + An hour later all the people in the palace were running to and fro and + crying out: ‘Our king has come back! Our king has returned to us.’ + </p> + <p> + The king greeted every one very kindly, but he would not so much as look + at the queen. + </p> + <p> + Then he called all his council and ministers together and said to them: + </p> + <p> + ‘See what sort of a wife I have. Here she is falling on my neck, but when + I was pining in prison and sent her word of it she did nothing to help + me.’ + </p> + <p> + And his council answered with one voice, ‘Sire, when news was brought from + you the queen disappeared and no one knew where she went. She only + returned to-day.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the king was very angry and cried, ‘Judge my faithless wife! + </p> + <p> + Never would you have seen your king again, if a young lute player had not + delivered him. I shall remember him with love and gratitude as long as I + live.’ + </p> + <p> + Whilst the king was sitting with his council, the queen found time to + disguise herself. She took her lute, and slipping into the court in front + of the palace she sang, clear and sweet: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘I sing the captive’s longing + Within his prison wall, + Of hearts that sigh when none are nigh + To answer to their call. + + ‘My song begs for your pity, + And gifts from out your store, + And as I play my gentle lay + I linger near your door. + + ‘And if you hear my singing + Within your palace, sire, + Oh! give, I pray, this happy day, + To me my heart’s desire.’ +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the king heard this song he ran out to meet the lute player, + took him by the hand and led him into the palace. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here,’ he cried, ‘is the boy who released me from my prison. And now, my + true friend, I will indeed give you your heart’s desire.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure you will not be less generous than the heathen king was, sire. + I ask of you what I asked and obtained from him. But this time I don’t + mean to give up what I get. I want YOU—yourself!’ + </p> + <p> + And as she spoke she threw off her long cloak and everyone saw it was the + queen. + </p> + <p> + Who can tell how happy the king was? In the joy of his heart he gave a + great feast to the whole world, and the whole world came and rejoiced with + him for a whole week. + </p> + <p> + I was there too, and ate and drank many good things. I sha’n’t forget that + feast as long as I live. + </p> + <p> + (From the Russian.) + </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> + THE GRATEFUL PRINCE + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time the king of the Goldland lost himself in a forest, and + try as he would he could not find the way out. As he was wandering down + one path which had looked at first more hopeful than the rest he saw a man + coming towards him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing here, friend?’ asked the stranger; ‘darkness is + falling fast, and soon the wild beasts will come from their lairs to seek + for food.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have lost myself,’ answered the king, ‘and am trying to get home.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then promise me that you will give me the first thing that comes out of + your house, and I will show you the way,’ said the stranger. + </p> + <p> + The king did not answer directly, but after awhile he spoke: ‘Why should I + give away my BEST sporting dog. I can surely find my way out of the forest + as well as this man.’ + </p> + <p> + So the stranger left him, but the king followed path after path for three + whole days, with no better success than before. He was almost in despair, + when the stranger suddenly appeared, blocking up his way. + </p> + <p> + ‘Promise you will give me the first thing that comes out of your house to + meet you?’ + </p> + <p> + But still the king was stiff-necked and would promise nothing. + </p> + <p> + For some days longer he wandered up and down the forest, trying first one + path, then another, but his courage at last gave way, and he sank wearily + on the ground under a tree, feeling sure his last hour had come. Then for + the third time the stranger stood before the king, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you such a fool? What can a dog be to you, that you should give + your life for him like this? Just promise me the reward I want, and I will + guide you out of the forest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, my life is worth more than a thousand dogs,’ answered the king, + ‘the welfare of my kingdom depends on me. I accept your terms, so take me + to my palace.’ Scarcely had he uttered the words than he found himself at + the edge of the wood, with the palace in the dim distance. He made all the + haste he could, and just as he reached the great gates out came the nurse + with the royal baby, who stretched out his arms to his father. The king + shrank back, and ordered the nurse to take the baby away at once. + </p> + <p> + Then his great boarhound bounded up to him, but his caresses were only + answered by a violent push. + </p> + <p> + When the king’s anger was spent, and he was able to think what was best to + be done, he exchanged his baby, a beautiful boy, for the daughter of a + peasant, and the prince lived roughly as the son of poor people, while the + little girl slept in a golden cradle, under silken sheets. At the end of a + year, the stranger arrived to claim his property, and took away the little + girl, believing her to be the true child of the king. The king was so + delighted with the success of his plan that he ordered a great feast to be + got ready, and gave splendid presents to the foster parents of his son, so + that he might lack nothing. But he did not dare to bring back the baby, + lest the trick should be found out. The peasants were quite contented with + this arrangement, which gave them food and money in abundance. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by the boy grew big and tall, and seemed to lead a happy life in + the house of his foster parents. But a shadow hung over him which really + poisoned most of his pleasure, and that was the thought of the poor + innocent girl who had suffered in his stead, for his foster father had + told him in secret, that he was the king’s son. And the prince determined + that when he grew old enough he would travel all over the world, and never + rest till he had set her free. To become king at the cost of a maiden’s + life was too heavy a price to pay. So one day he put on the dress of a + farm servant, threw a sack of peas on his back, and marched straight into + the forest where eighteen years before his father had lost himself. After + he had walked some way he began to cry loudly: ‘Oh, how unlucky I am! + Where can I be? Is there no one to show me the way out of the wood?’ + </p> + <p> + Then appeared a strange man with a long grey beard, with a leather bag + hanging from his girdle. He nodded cheerfully to the prince, and said: ‘I + know this place well, and can lead you out of it, if you will promise me a + good reward.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What can a beggar such as I promise you?’ answered the prince. ‘I have + nothing to give you save my life; even the coat on my back belongs to my + master, whom I serve for my keep and my clothes.’ + </p> + <p> + The stranger looked at the sack of peas, and said, ‘But you must possess + something; you are carrying this sack, which seems to be very heavy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is full of peas,’ was the reply. ‘My old aunt died last night, without + leaving money enough to buy peas to give the watchers, as is the custom + throughout the country. I have borrowed these peas from my master, and + thought to take a short cut across the forest; but I have lost myself, as + you see.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you are an orphan?’ asked the stranger. ‘Why should you not enter my + service? I want a sharp fellow in the house, and you please me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not, indeed, if we can strike a bargain?’ said the other. ‘I was born + a peasant, and strange bread is always bitter, so it is the same to me + whom I serve! What wages will you give me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Every day fresh food, meat twice a week, butter and vegetables, your + summer and winter clothes, and a portion of land for your own use.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall be satisfied with that,’ said the youth. ‘Somebody else will have + to bury my aunt. I will go with you!’ + </p> + <p> + Now this bargain seemed to please the old fellow so much that he spun + round like a top, and sang so loud that the whole wood rang with his + voice. Then he set out with his companion, and chattered so fast that he + never noticed that his new servant kept dropping peas out of the sack. At + night they slept under a fig tree, and when the sun rose started on their + way. About noon they came to a large stone, and here the old fellow + stopped, looked carefully round, gave a sharp whistle, and stamped three + times on the ground with his left foot. Suddenly there appeared under the + stone a secret door, which led to what looked like the mouth of a cave. + The old fellow seized the youth by the arm, and said roughly, ‘Follow me!’ + </p> + <p> + Thick darkness surrounded them, yet it seemed to the prince as if their + path led into still deeper depths. After a long while he thought he saw a + glimmer of light, but the light was neither that of the sun nor of the + moon. He looked eagerly at it, but found it was only a kind of pale cloud, + which was all the light this strange underworld could boast. Earth and + water, trees and plants, birds and beasts, each was different from those + he had seen before; but what most struck terror into his heart was the + absolute stillness that reigned everywhere. Not a rustle or a sound could + be heard. Here and there he noticed a bird sitting on a branch, with head + erect and swelling throat, but his ear caught nothing. The dogs opened + their mouths as if to bark, the toiling oxen seemed about to bellow, but + neither bark nor bellow reached the prince. The water flowed noiselessly + over the pebbles, the wind bowed the tops of the trees, flies and chafers + darted about, without breaking the silence. The old greybeard uttered no + word, and when his companion tried to ask him the meaning of it all he + felt that his voice died in his throat. + </p> + <p> + How long this fearful stillness lasted I do not know, but the prince + gradually felt his heart turning to ice, his hair stood up like bristles, + and a cold chill was creeping down his spine, when at last—oh, + ecstasy!—a faint noise broke on his straining ears, and this life of + shadows suddenly became real. It sounded as if a troop of horses were + ploughing their way over a moor. + </p> + <p> + Then the greybeard opened his mouth, and said: ‘The kettle is boiling; we + are expected at home.’ + </p> + <p> + They walked on a little further, till the prince thought he heard the + grinding of a saw-mill, as if dozens of saws were working together, but + his guide observed, ‘The grandmother is sleeping soundly; listen how she + snores.’ + </p> + <p> + When they had climbed a hill which lay before them the prince saw in the + distance the house of his master, but it was so surrounded with buildings + of all kinds that the place looked more like a village or even a small + town. They reached it at last, and found an empty kennel standing in front + of the gate. ‘Creep inside this,’ said the master, ‘and wait while I go in + and see my grandmother. Like all very old people, she is very obstinate, + and cannot bear fresh faces about her.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince crept tremblingly into the kennel, and began to regret the + daring which had brought him into this scrape. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by the master came back, and called him from his hiding-place. + Something had put out his temper, for with a frown he said, ‘Watch + carefully our ways in the house, and beware of making any mistake, or it + will go ill with you. Keep your eyes and ears open, and your mouth shut, + obey without questions. Be grateful if you will, but never speak unless + you are spoken to.’ + </p> + <p> + When the prince stepped over the threshold he caught sight of a maiden of + wonderful beauty, with brown eyes and fair curly hair. ‘Well!’ the young + man said to himself, ‘if the old fellow has many daughters like that I + should not mind being his son-in-law. This one is just what I admire’; and + he watched her lay the table, bring in the food, and take her seat by the + fire as if she had never noticed that a strange man was present. Then she + took out a needle and thread, and began to darn her stockings. The master + sat at table alone, and invited neither his new servant nor the maid to + eat with him. Neither was the old grandmother anywhere to be seen. His + appetite was tremendous: he soon cleared all the dishes, and ate enough to + satisfy a dozen men. When at last he could eat no more he said to the + girl, ‘Now you can pick up the pieces, and take what is left in the iron + pot for your own dinner, but give the bones to the dog.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince did not at all like the idea of dining off scraps, which he + helped the girl to pick up, but, after all, he found that there was plenty + to eat, and that the food was very good. During the meal he stole many + glances at the maiden, and would even have spoken to her, but she gave him + no encouragement. Every time he opened his mouth for the purpose she + looked at him sternly, as if to say, ‘Silence,’ so he could only let his + eyes speak for him. Besides, the master was stretched on a bench by the + oven after his huge meal, and would have heard everything. + </p> + <p> + After supper that night, the old man said to the prince, ‘For two days you + may rest from the fatigues of the journey, and look about the house. But + the day after to-morrow you must come with me, and I will point out the + work you have to do. The maid will show you where you are to sleep.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince thought, from this, he had leave to speak, but his master + turned on him with a face of thunder and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + ‘You dog of a servant! If you disobey the laws of the house you will soon + find yourself a head shorter! Hold your tongue, and leave me in peace.’ + </p> + <p> + The girl made a sign to him to follow her, and, throwing open a door, + nodded to him to go in. He would have lingered a moment, for he thought + she looked sad, but dared not do so, for fear of the old man’s anger. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is impossible that she can be his daughter!’ he said to himself, ‘for + she has a kind heart. I am quite sure she must be the same girl who was + brought here instead of me, so I am bound to risk my head in this mad + adventure.’ He got into bed, but it was long before he fell asleep, and + even then his dreams gave him no rest. He seemed to be surrounded by + dangers, and it was only the power of the maiden who helped him through it + all. + </p> + <p> + When he woke his first thoughts were for the girl, whom he found hard at + work. He drew water from the well and carried it to the house for her, + kindled the fire under the iron pot, and, in fact, did everything that + came into his head that could be of any use to her. In the afternoon he + went out, in order to learn something of his new home, and wondered + greatly not to come across the old grandmother. In his rambles he came to + the farmyard, where a beautiful white horse had a stall to itself; in + another was a black cow with two white-faced calves, while the clucking of + geese, ducks, and hens reached him from a distance. + </p> + <p> + Breakfast, dinner, and supper were as savoury as before, and the prince + would have been quite content with his quarters had it not been for the + difficulty of keeping silence in the presence of the maiden. On the + evening of the second day he went, as he had been told, to receive his + orders for the following morning. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going to set you something very easy to do to-morrow,’ said the old + man when his servant entered. ‘Take this scythe and cut as much grass as + the white horse will want for its day’s feed, and clean out its stall. If + I come back and find the manger empty it will go ill with you. So beware!’ + </p> + <p> + The prince left the room, rejoicing in his heart, and saying to himself, + ‘Well, I shall soon get through that! If I have never yet handled either + the plough or the scythe, at least I have often watched the country people + work them, and know how easy it is.’ + </p> + <p> + He was just going to open his door, when the maiden glided softly past and + whispered in his ear: ‘What task has he set you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For to-morrow,’ answered the prince, ‘it is really nothing at all! Just + to cut hay for the horse, and to clean out his stall!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, luckless being!’ sighed the girl; ‘how will you ever get through with + it. The white horse, who is our master’s grandmother, is always hungry: it + takes twenty men always mowing to keep it in food for one day, and another + twenty to clean out its stall. How, then, do you expect to do it all by + yourself? But listen to me, and do what I tell you. It is your only + chance. When you have filled the manger as full as it will hold you must + weave a strong plait of the rushes which grow among the meadow hay, and + cut a thick peg of stout wood, and be sure that the horse sees what you + are doing. Then it will ask you what it is for, and you will say, ‘With + this plait I intend to bind up your mouth so that you cannot eat any more, + and with this peg I am going to keep you still in one spot, so that you + cannot scatter your corn and water all over the place!’ After these words + the maiden went away as softly as she had come. + </p> + <p> + Early the next morning he set to work. His scythe danced through the grass + much more easily than he had hoped, and soon he had enough to fill the + manger. He put it in the crib, and returned with a second supply, when to + his horror he found the crib empty. + </p> + <p> + Then he knew that without the maiden’s advice he would certainly have been + lost, and began to put it into practice. He took out the rushes which had + somehow got mixed up with the hay, and plaited them quickly. + </p> + <p> + ‘My son, what are you doing?’ asked the horse wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nothing!’ replied he. ‘Just weaving a chin strap to bind your jaws + together, in case you might wish to eat any more!’ + </p> + <p> + The white horse sighed deeply when it heard this, and made up its mind to + be content with what it had eaten. + </p> + <p> + The youth next began to clean out the stall, and the horse knew it had + found a master; and by mid-day there was still fodder in the manger, and + the place was as clean as a new pin. He had barely finished when in walked + the old man, who stood astonished at the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it really you who have been clever enough to do that?’ he asked. ‘Or + has some one else given you a hint?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I have had no help,’ replied the prince, ‘except what my poor weak + head could give me.’ + </p> + <p> + The old man frowned, and went away, and the prince rejoiced that + everything had turned out so well. + </p> + <p> + In the evening his master said, ‘To-morrow I have no special task to set + you, but as the girl has a great deal to do in the house you must milk the + black cow for her. But take care you milk her dry, or it may be the worse + for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ thought the prince as he went away, ‘unless there is some trick + behind, this does not sound very hard. I have never milked a cow before, + but I have good strong fingers.’ + </p> + <p> + He was very sleepy, and was just going toward his room, when the maiden + came to him and asked: ‘What is your task to-morrow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am to help you,’ he answered, ‘and have nothing to do all day, except + to milk the black cow dry.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, you are unlucky,’ cried she. ‘If you were to try from morning till + night you couldn’t do it. There is only one way of escaping the danger, + and that is, when you go to milk her, take with you a pan of burning coals + and a pair of tongs. Place the pan on the floor of the stall, and the + tongs on the fire, and blow with all your might, till the coals burn + brightly. The black cow will ask you what is the meaning of all this, and + you must answer what I will whisper to you.’ And she stood on tip-toe and + whispered something in his ear, and then went away. + </p> + <p> + The dawn had scarcely reddened the sky when the prince jumped out of bed, + and, with the pan of coals in one hand and the milk pail in the other, + went straight to the cow’s stall, and began to do exactly as the maiden + had told him the evening before. + </p> + <p> + The black cow watched him with surprise for some time, and then said: + ‘What are you doing, sonny?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nothing,’ answered he; ‘I am only heating a pair of tongs in case you + may not feel inclined to give as much milk as I want.’ + </p> + <p> + The cow sighed deeply, and looked at the milkman with fear, but he took no + notice, and milked briskly into the pail, till the cow ran dry. + </p> + <p> + Just at that moment the old man entered the stable, and sat down to milk + the cow himself, but not a drop of milk could he get. ‘Have you really + managed it all yourself, or did somebody help you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have nobody to help me,’ answered the prince, ‘but my own poor head.’ + The old man got up from his seat and went away. + </p> + <p> + That night, when the prince went to his master to hear what his next day’s + work was to be, the old man said: ‘I have a little hay-stack out in the + meadow which must be brought in to dry. To-morrow you will have to stack + it all in the shed, and, as you value your life, be careful not to leave + the smallest strand behind.’ The prince was overjoyed to hear he had + nothing worse to do. + </p> + <p> + ‘To carry a little hay-rick requires no great skill,’ thought he, ‘and it + will give me no trouble, for the horse will have to draw it in. I am + certainly not going to spare the old grandmother.’ + </p> + <p> + By-and-by the maiden stole up to ask what task he had for the next day. + </p> + <p> + The young man laughed, and said: ‘It appears that I have got to learn all + kinds of farmer’s work. To-morrow I have to carry a hay-rick, and leave + not a stalk in the meadow, and that is my whole day’s work!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, you unlucky creature!’ cried she; ‘and how do you think you are to do + it. If you had all the men in the world to help you, you could not clear + off this one little hay-rick in a week. The instant you have thrown down + the hay at the top, it will take root again from below. But listen to what + I say. You must steal out at daybreak to-morrow and bring out the white + horse and some good strong ropes. Then get on the hay-stack, put the ropes + round it, and harness the horse to the ropes. When you are ready, climb up + the hay-stack and begin to count one, two, three. + </p> + <p> + The horse will ask you what you are counting, and you must be sure to + answer what I whisper to you.’ + </p> + <p> + So the maiden whispered something in his ear, and left the room. And the + prince knew nothing better to do than to get into bed. + </p> + <p> + He slept soundly, and it was still almost dark when he got up and + proceeded to carry out the instructions given him by the girl. First he + chose some stout ropes, and then he led the horse out of the stable and + rode it to the hay-stack, which was made up of fifty cartloads, so that it + could hardly be called ‘a little one.’ The prince did all that the maiden + had told him, and when at last he was seated on top of the rick, and had + counted up to twenty, he heard the horse ask in amazement: ‘What are you + counting up there, my son?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nothing,’ said he, ‘I was just amusing myself with counting the packs + of wolves in the forest, but there are really so many of them that I don’t + think I should ever be done.’ + </p> + <p> + The word ‘wolf’ was hardly out of his mouth than the white horse was off + like the wind, so that in the twinkling of an eye it had reached the shed, + dragging the hay-stack behind it. The master was dumb with surprise as he + came in after breakfast and found his man’s day’s work quite done. + </p> + <p> + ‘Was it really you who were so clever?’ asked he. ‘Or did some one give + you good advice?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I have only myself to take counsel with,’ said the prince, and the + old man went away, shaking his head. + </p> + <p> + Late in the evening the prince went to his master to learn what he was to + do next day. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow,’ said the old man, ‘you must bring the white-headed calf to + the meadow, and, as you value your life, take care it does not escape from + you.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince answered nothing, but thought, ‘Well, most peasants of nineteen + have got a whole herd to look after, so surely I can manage one.’ And he + went towards his room, where the maiden met him. + </p> + <p> + ‘To morrow I have got an idiot’s work,’ said he; ‘nothing but to take the + white-headed calf to the meadow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, you unlucky being!’ sighed she. ‘Do you know that this calf is so + swift that in a single day he can run three times round the world? Take + heed to what I tell you. Bind one end of this silk thread to the left + fore-leg of the calf, and the other end to the little toe of your left + foot, so that the calf will never be able to leave your side, whether you + walk, stand, or lie.’ After this the prince went to bed and slept soundly. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he did exactly what the maiden had told him, and led the + calf with the silken thread to the meadow, where it stuck to his side like + a faithful dog. + </p> + <p> + By sunset, it was back again in its stall, and then came the master and + said, with a frown, ‘Were you really so clever yourself, or did somebody + tell you what to do?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I have only my own poor head,’ answered the prince, and the old man + went away growling, ‘I don’t believe a word of it! I am sure you have + found some clever friend!’ + </p> + <p> + In the evening he called the prince and said: ‘To-morrow I have no work + for you, but when I wake you must come before my bed, and give me your + hand in greeting.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man wondered at this strange freak, and went laughing in search + of the maiden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, it is no laughing matter,’ sighed she. ‘He means to eat you, and + there is only one way in which I can help you. You must heat an iron + shovel red hot, and hold it out to him instead of your hand.’ + </p> + <p> + So next morning he wakened very early, and had heated the shovel before + the old man was awake. At length he heard him calling, ‘You lazy fellow, + where are you? Come and wish me good morning.’ + </p> + <p> + But when the prince entered with the red-hot shovel his master only said, + ‘I am very ill to-day, and too weak even to touch your hand. You must + return this evening, when I may be better.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince loitered about all day, and in the evening went back to the old + man’s room. He was received in the most; friendly manner, and, to his + surprise, his master exclaimed, ‘I am very well satisfied with you. Come + to me at dawn and bring the maiden with you. I know you have long loved + each other, and I wish to make you man and wife.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man nearly jumped into the air for joy, but, remembering the + rules of the house, he managed to keep still. When he told the maiden, he + saw to his astonishment that she had become as white as a sheet, and she + was quite dumb. + </p> + <p> + ‘The old man has found out who was your counsellor,’ she said when she + could speak, ‘and he means to destroy us both.’ We must escape somehow, or + else we shall be lost. Take an axe, and cut off the head of the calf with + one blow. With a second, split its head in two, and in its brain you will + see a bright red ball. Bring that to me. Meanwhile, I will do what is + needful here. + </p> + <p> + And the prince thought to himself, ‘Better kill the calf than be killed + ourselves. If we can once escape, we will go back home. The peas which I + strewed about must have sprouted, so that we shall not miss the way.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he went into the stall, and with one blow of the axe killed the calf, + and with the second split its brain. In an instant the place was filled + with light, as the red ball fell from the brain of the calf. The prince + picked it up, and, wrapping it round with a thick cloth, hid it in his + bosom. Mercifully, the cow slept through it all, or by her cries she would + have awakened the master. + </p> + <p> + He looked round, and at the door stood the maiden, holding a little bundle + in her arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is the ball?’ she asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘We must lose no time in escaping,’ she went on, and uncovered a tiny bit + of the shining ball, to light them on their way. + </p> + <p> + As the prince had expected the peas had taken root, and grown into a + little hedge, so that they were sure they would not lose the path. As they + fled, the girl told him that she had overheard a conversation between the + old man and his grandmother, saying that she was a king’s daughter, whom + the old fellow had obtained by cunning from her parents. The prince, who + knew all about the affair, was silent, though he was glad from his heart + that it had fallen to his lot to set her free. So they went on till the + day began to dawn. + </p> + <p> + The old man slept very late that morning, and rubbed his eyes till he was + properly awake. Then he remembered that very soon the couple were to + present themselves before him. After waiting and waiting till quite a long + time had passed, he said to himself, with a grin, ‘Well, they are not in + much hurry to be married,’ and waited again. + </p> + <p> + At last he grew a little uneasy, and cried loudly, ‘Man and maid! what has + become of you?’ + </p> + <p> + After repeating this many times, he became quite frightened, but, call as + he would, neither man nor maid appeared. At last he jumped angrily out of + bed to go in search of the culprits, but only found an empty house, and + beds that had never been slept in. + </p> + <p> + Then he went straight to the stable, where the sight of the dead calf told + him all. Swearing loudly, he opened the door of the third stall quickly, + and cried to his goblin servants to go and chase the fugitives. ‘Bring + them to me, however you may find them, for have them I must!’ he said. So + spake the old man, and the servants fled like the wind. + </p> + <p> + The runaways were crossing a great plain, when the maiden stopped. + ‘Something has happened!’ she said. ‘The ball moves in my hand, and I’m + sure we are being followed!’ and behind them they saw a black cloud flying + before the wind. Then the maiden turned the ball thrice in her hand, and + cried, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Listen to me, my ball, my ball. + Be quick and change me into a brook, + And my lover into a little fish.’ +</pre> + <p> + And in an instant there was a brook with a fish swimming in it. The + goblins arrived just after, but, seeing nobody, waited for a little, then + hurried home, leaving the brook and the fish undisturbed. When they were + quite out of sight, the brook and the fish returned to their usual shapes + and proceeded on their journey. + </p> + <p> + When the goblins, tired and with empty hands, returned, their master + inquired what they had seen, and if nothing strange had befallen them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing,’ said they; ‘the plain was quite empty, save for a brook and a + fish swimming in it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Idiots!’ roared the master; ‘of course it was they!’ And dashing open the + door of the fifth stall, he told the goblins inside that they must go and + drink up the brook, and catch the fish. And the goblins jumped up, and + flew like the wind. + </p> + <p> + The young pair had almost reached the edge of the wood, when the maiden + stopped again. ‘Something has happened,’ said she. ‘The ball is moving in + my hand,’ and looking round she beheld a cloud flying towards them, large + and blacker than the first, and striped with red. ‘Those are our + pursuers,’ cried she, and turning the ball three times in her hand she + spoke to it thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Listen to me, my ball, my ball. + Be quick and change us both. + Me into a wild rose bush, + And him into a rose on my stem.’ +</pre> + <p> + And in the twinkling of an eye it was done. Only just in time too, for the + goblins were close at hand, and looked round eagerly for the stream and + the fish. But neither stream nor fish was to be seen; nothing but a rose + bush. So they went sorrowing home, and when they were out of sight the + rose bush and rose returned to their proper shapes and walked all the + faster for the little rest they had had. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, did you find them?’ asked the old man when his goblins came back. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ replied the leader of the goblins, ‘we found neither brook nor fish + in the desert.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And did you find nothing else at all?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nothing but a rose tree on the edge of a wood, with a rose hanging on + it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Idiots!’ cried he. ‘Why, that was they.’ And he threw open the door of + the seventh stall, where his mightiest goblins were locked in. ‘Bring them + to me, however you find them, dead or alive!’ thundered he, ‘for I will + have them! Tear up the rose tree and the roots too, and don’t leave + anything behind, however strange it may be!’ + </p> + <p> + The fugitives were resting in the shade of a wood, and were refreshing + themselves with food and drink. Suddenly the maiden looked up. ‘Something + has happened,’ said she. ‘The ball has nearly jumped out of my bosom! Some + one is certainly following us, and the danger is near, but the trees hide + our enemies from us.’ + </p> + <p> + As she spoke she took the ball in her hand, and said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Listen to me, my ball, my ball. + Be quick and change me into a breeze, + And make my lover into a midge.’ +</pre> + <p> + An instant, and the girl was dissolved into thin air, while the prince + darted about like a midge. The next moment a crowd of goblins rushed up, + and looked about in search of something strange, for neither a rose bush + nor anything else was to be seen. But they had hardly turned their backs + to go home empty-handed when the prince and the maiden stood on the earth + again. + </p> + <p> + ‘We must make all the haste we can,’ said she, ‘before the old man himself + comes to seek us, for he will know us under any disguise.’ + </p> + <p> + They ran on till they reached such a dark part of the forest that, if it + had not been for the light shed by the ball, they could not have made + their way at all. Worn out and breathless, they came at length to a large + stone, and here the ball began to move restlessly. The maiden, seeing + this, exclaimed: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Listen to me, my ball, my ball. + Roll the stone quickly to one side, + That we may find a door.’ +</pre> + <p> + And in a moment the stone had rolled away, and they had passed through the + door to the world again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we are safe,’ cried she. ‘Here the old wizard has no more power over + us, and we can guard ourselves from his spells. But, my friend, we have to + part! You will return to your parents, and I must go in search of mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No! no!’ exclaimed the prince. ‘I will never part from you. You must come + with me and be my wife. We have gone through many troubles together, and + now we will share our joys. The maiden resisted his words for some time, + but at last she went with him. + </p> + <p> + In the forest they met a woodcutter, who told them that in the palace, as + well as in all the land, there had been great sorrow over the loss of the + prince, and many years had now passed away during which they had found no + traces of him. So, by the help of the magic ball, the maiden managed that + he should put on the same clothes that he had been wearing at the time he + had vanished, so that his father might know him more quickly. She herself + stayed behind in a peasant’s hut, so that father and son might meet alone. + </p> + <p> + But the father was no longer there, for the loss of his son had killed + him; and on his deathbed he confessed to his people how he had contrived + that the old wizard should carry away a peasant’s child instead of the + prince, wherefore this punishment had fallen upon him. + </p> + <p> + The prince wept bitterly when he heard this news, for he had loved his + father well, and for three days he ate and drank nothing. But on the + fourth day he stood in the presence of his people as their new king, and, + calling his councillors, he told them all the strange things that had + befallen him, and how the maiden had borne him safe through all. + </p> + <p> + And the councillors cried with one voice, ‘Let her be your wife, and our + liege lady.’ + </p> + <p> + And that is the end of the story. + </p> + <p> + (Ehstnische Marchen.) + </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 CHILD WHO CAME FROM AN EGG + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived a queen whose heart was sore because she had + no children. She was sad enough when her husband was at home with her, but + when he was away she would see nobody, but sat and wept all day long. + </p> + <p> + Now it happened that a war broke out with the king of a neighbouring + country, and the queen was left in the palace alone. + </p> + <p> + She was so unhappy that she felt as if the walls would stifle her, so she + wandered out into the garden, and threw herself down on a grassy bank, + under the shade of a lime tree. She had been there for some time, when a + rustle among the leaves caused her to look up, and she saw an old woman + limping on her crutches towards the stream that flowed through the + grounds. + </p> + <p> + When she had quenched her thirst, she came straight up to the queen, and + said to her: ‘Do not take it evil, noble lady, that I dare to speak to + you, and do not be afraid of me, for it may be that I shall bring you good + luck.’ + </p> + <p> + The queen looked at her doubtfully, and answered: ‘You do not seem as if + you had been very lucky yourself, or to have much good fortune to spare + for anyone else.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Under rough bark lies smooth wood and sweet kernel,’ replied the old + woman. ‘Let me see your hand, that I may read the future.’ + </p> + <p> + The queen held out her hand, and the old woman examined its lines closely. + Then she said, ‘Your heart is heavy with two sorrows, one old and one new. + The new sorrow is for your husband, who is fighting far away from you; + but, believe me, he is well, and will soon bring you joyful news. But your + other sorrow is much older than this. Your happiness is spoilt because you + have no children.’ At these words the queen became scarlet, and tried to + draw away her hand, but the old woman said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Have a little patience, for there are some things I want to see more + clearly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But who are you?’ asked the queen, ‘for you seem to be able to read my + heart.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind my name,’ answered she, ‘but rejoice that it is permitted to + me to show you a way to lessen your grief. You must, however, promise to + do exactly what I tell you, if any good is to come of it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I will obey you exactly,’ cried the queen, ‘and if you can help me + you shall have in return anything you ask for.’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman stood thinking for a little: then she drew something from + the folds of her dress, and, undoing a number of wrappings, brought out a + tiny basket made of birch-bark. She held it out to the queen, saying, ‘In + the basket you will find a bird’s egg. This you must be careful to keep in + a warm place for three months, when it will turn into a doll. Lay the doll + in a basket lined with soft wool, and leave it alone, for it will not need + any food, and by-and-by you will find it has grown to be the size of a + baby. Then you will have a baby of your own, and you must put it by the + side of the other child, and bring your husband to see his son and + daughter. The boy you will bring up yourself, but you must entrust the + little girl to a nurse. When the time comes to have them christened you + will invite me to be godmother to the princess, and this is how you must + send the invitation. Hidden in the cradle, you will find a goose’s wing: + throw this out of the window, and I will be with you directly; but be sure + you tell no one of all the things that have befallen you.’ + </p> + <p> + The queen was about to reply, but the old woman was already limping away, + and before she had gone two steps she had turned into a young girl, who + moved so quickly that she seemed rather to fly than to walk. The queen, + watching this transformation, could hardly believe her eyes, and would + have taken it all for a dream, had it not been for the basket which she + held in her hand. Feeling a different being from the poor sad woman who + had wandered into the garden so short a time before, she hastened to her + room, and felt carefully in the basket for the egg. There it was, a tiny + thing of soft blue with little green spots, and she took it out and kept + it in her bosom, which was the warmest place she could think of. + </p> + <p> + A fortnight after the old woman had paid her visit, the king came home, + having conquered his enemies. At this proof that the old woman had spoken + truth, the queen’s heart bounded, for she now had fresh hopes that the + rest of the prophecy might be fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + She cherished the basket and the egg as her chiefest treasures, and had a + golden case made for the basket, so that when the time came to lay the egg + in it, it might not risk any harm. + </p> + <p> + Three months passed, and, as the old woman had bidden her, the queen took + the egg from her bosom, and laid it snugly amidst the warm woollen folds. + The next morning she went to look at it, and the first thing she saw was + the broken eggshell, and a little doll lying among the pieces. Then she + felt happy at last, and leaving the doll in peace to grow, waited, as she + had been told, for a baby of her own to lay beside it. + </p> + <p> + In course of time, this came also, and the queen took the little girl out + of the basket, and placed it with her son in a golden cradle which + glittered with precious stones. Next she sent for the king, who nearly + went mad with joy at the sight of the children. + </p> + <p> + Soon there came a day when the whole court was ordered to be present at + the christening of the royal babies, and when all was ready the queen + softly opened the window a little, and let the goose wing fly out. The + guests were coming thick and fast, when suddenly there drove up a splendid + coach drawn by six cream-coloured horses, and out of it stepped a young + lady dressed in garments that shone like the sun. Her face could not be + seen, for a veil covered her head, but as she came up to the place where + the queen was standing with the babies she drew the veil aside, and + everyone was dazzled with her beauty. She took the little girl in her + arms, and holding it up before the assembled company announced that + henceforward it would be known by the name of Dotterine—a name which + no one understood but the queen, who knew that the baby had come from the + yolk of an egg. The boy was called Willem. + </p> + <p> + After the feast was over and the guests were going away, the godmother + laid the baby in the cradle, and said to the queen, ‘Whenever the baby + goes to sleep, be sure you lay the basket beside her, and leave the + eggshells in it. As long as you do that, no evil can come to her; so guard + this treasure as the apple of your eye, and teach your daughter to do so + likewise.’ Then, kissing the baby three times, she mounted her coach and + drove away. + </p> + <p> + The children throve well, and Dotterine’s nurse loved her as if she were + the baby’s real mother. Every day the little girl seemed to grow prettier, + and people used to say she would soon be as beautiful as her godmother, + but no one knew, except the nurse, that at night, when the child slept, a + strange and lovely lady bent over her. At length she told the queen what + she had seen, but they determined to keep it as a secret between + themselves. + </p> + <p> + The twins were by this time nearly two years old, when the queen was taken + suddenly ill. All the best doctors in the country were sent for, but it + was no use, for there is no cure for death. The queen knew she was dying, + and sent for Dotterine and her nurse, who had now become her + lady-in-waiting. To her, as her most faithful servant, she gave the lucky + basket in charge, and besought her to treasure it carefully. ‘When my + daughter,’ said the queen, ‘is ten years old, you are to hand it over to + her, but warn her solemnly that her whole future happiness depends on the + way she guards it. About my son, I have no fears. He is the heir of the + kingdom, and his father will look after him.’ The lady-in-waiting promised + to carry out the queen’s directions, and above all to keep the affair a + secret. And that same morning the queen died. + </p> + <p> + After some years the king married again, but he did not love his second + wife as he had done his first, and had only married her for reasons of + ambition. She hated her step-children, and the king, seeing this, kept + them out of the way, under the care of Dotterine’s old nurse. But if they + ever strayed across the path of the queen, she would kick them out of her + sight like dogs. + </p> + <p> + On Dotterine’s tenth birthday her nurse handed her over the cradle, and + repeated to her her mother’s dying words; but the child was too young to + understand the value of such a gift, and at first thought little about it. + </p> + <p> + Two more years slipped by, when one day during the king’s absence the + stepmother found Dotterine sitting under a lime tree. She fell as usual + into a passion, and beat the child so badly that Dotterine went staggering + to her own room. Her nurse was not there, but suddenly, as she stood + weeping, her eyes fell upon the golden case in which lay the precious + basket. She thought it might contain something to amuse her, and looked + eagerly inside, but nothing was there save a handful of wool and two empty + eggshells. Very much disappointed, she lifted the wool, and there lay the + goose’s wing. ‘What old rubbish,’ said the child to herself, and, turning, + threw the wing out of the open window. + </p> + <p> + In a moment a beautiful lady stood beside her. ‘Do not be afraid,’ said + the lady, stroking Dotterine’s head. ‘I am your godmother, and have come + to pay you a visit. Your red eyes tell me that you are unhappy. I know + that your stepmother is very unkind to you, but be brave and patient, and + better days will come. She will have no power over you when you are grown + up, and no one else can hurt you either, if only you are careful never to + part from your basket, or to lose the eggshells that are in it. Make a + silken case for the little basket, and hide it away in your dress night + and day and you will be safe from your stepmother and anyone that tries to + harm you. But if you should happen to find yourself in any difficulty, and + cannot tell what to do, take the goose’s wing from the basket, and throw + it out of the window, and in a moment I will come to help you. Now come + into the garden, that I may talk to you under the lime trees, where no one + can hear us.’ + </p> + <p> + They had so much to say to each other, that the sun was already setting + when the godmother had ended all the good advice she wished to give the + child, and saw it was time for her to be going. ‘Hand me the basket,’ said + she, ‘for you must have some supper. I cannot let you go hungry to bed.’ + </p> + <p> + Then, bending over the basket, she whispered some magic words, and + instantly a table covered with fruits and cakes stood on the ground before + them. When they had finished eating, the godmother led the child back, and + on the way taught her the words she must say to the basket when she wanted + it to give her something. + </p> + <p> + In a few years more, Dotterine was a grown-up young lady, and those who + saw her thought that the world did not contain so lovely a girl. + </p> + <p> + About this time a terrible war broke out, and the king and his army were + beaten back and back, till at length they had to retire into the town, and + make ready for a siege. It lasted so long that food began to fail, and + even in the palace there was not enough to eat. + </p> + <p> + So one morning Dotterine, who had had neither supper nor breakfast, and + was feeling very hungry, let her wing fly away. She was so weak and + miserable, that directly her godmother appeared she burst into tears, and + could not speak for some time. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not cry so, dear child,’ said the godmother. ‘I will carry you away + from all this, but the others I must leave to take their chance.’ Then, + bidding Dotterine follow her, she passed through the gates of the town, + and through the army outside, and nobody stopped them, or seemed to see + them. + </p> + <p> + The next day the town surrendered, and the king and all his courtiers were + taken prisoners, but in the confusion his son managed to make his escape. + The queen had already met her death from a spear carelessly thrown. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Dotterine and her godmother were clear of the enemy, Dotterine + took off her own clothes, and put on those of a peasant, and in order to + disguise her better her godmother changed her face completely. ‘When + better times come,’ her protectress said cheerfully, ‘and you want to look + like yourself again, you have only to whisper the words I have taught you + into the basket, and say you would like to have your own face once more, + and it will be all right in a moment. But you will have to endure a little + longer yet.’ Then, warning her once more to take care of the basket, the + lady bade the girl farewell. + </p> + <p> + For many days Dotterine wandered from one place to another without finding + shelter, and though the food which she got from the basket prevented her + from starving, she was glad enough to take service in a peasant’s house + till brighter days dawned. At first the work she had to do seemed very + difficult, but either she was wonderfully quick in learning, or else the + basket may have secretly helped her. Anyhow at the end of three days she + could do everything as well as if she had cleaned pots and swept rooms all + her life. + </p> + <p> + One morning Dotterine was busy scouring a wooden tub, when a noble lady + happened to pass through the village. The girl’s bright face as she stood + in the front of the door with her tub attracted the lady, and she stopped + and called the girl to come and speak to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Would you not like to come and enter my service?’ she asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very much,’ replied Dotterine, ‘if my present mistress will allow me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I will settle that,’ answered the lady; and so she did, and the same + day they set out for the lady’s house, Dotterine sitting beside the + coachman. + </p> + <p> + Six months went by, and then came the joyful news that the king’s son had + collected an army and had defeated the usurper who had taken his father’s + place, but at the same moment Dotterine learned that the old king had died + in captivity. The girl wept bitterly for his loss, but in secrecy, as she + had told her mistress nothing about her past life. + </p> + <p> + At the end of a year of mourning, the young king let it be known that he + intended to marry, and commanded all the maidens in the kingdom to come to + a feast, so that he might choose a wife from among them. For weeks all the + mothers and all the daughters in the land were busy preparing beautiful + dresses and trying new ways of putting up their hair, and the three lovely + daughters of Dotterine’s mistress were as much excited as the rest. The + girl was clever with her fingers, and was occupied all day with getting + ready their smart clothes, but at night when she went to bed she always + dreamed that her godmother bent over her and said, ‘Dress your young + ladies for the feast, and when they have started follow them yourself. + Nobody will be so fine as you.’ + </p> + <p> + When the great day came, Dotterine could hardly contain herself, and when + she had dressed her young mistresses and seen them depart with their + mother she flung herself on her bed, and burst into tears. Then she seemed + to hear a voice whisper to her, ‘Look in your basket, and you will find in + it everything that you need.’ + </p> + <p> + Dotterine did not want to be told twice! Up she jumped, seized her basket, + and repeated the magic words, and behold! there lay a dress on the bed, + shining as a star. She put it on with fingers that trembled with joy, and, + looking in the glass, was struck dumb at her own beauty. She went + downstairs, and in front of the door stood a fine carriage, into which she + stepped and was driven away like the wind. + </p> + <p> + The king’s palace was a long way off, yet it seemed only a few minutes + before Dotterine drew up at the great gates. She was just going to alight, + when she suddenly remembered she had left her basket behind her. What was + she to do? Go back and fetch it, lest some ill-fortune should befall her, + or enter the palace and trust to chance that nothing evil would happen? + But before she could decide, a little swallow flew up with the basket in + its beak, and the girl was happy again. + </p> + <p> + The feast was already at its height, and the hall was brilliant with youth + and beauty, when the door was flung wide and Dotterine entered, making all + the other maidens look pale and dim beside her. Their hopes faded as they + gazed, but their mothers whispered together, saying, ‘Surely this is our + lost princess!’ + </p> + <p> + The young king did not know her again, but he never left her side nor took + his eyes from her. And at midnight a strange thing happened. A thick cloud + suddenly filled the hall, so that for a moment all was dark. Then the mist + suddenly grew bright, and Dotterine’s godmother was seen standing there. + </p> + <p> + ‘This,’ she said, turning to the king, ‘is the girl whom you have always + believed to be your sister, and who vanished during the siege. She is not + your sister at all, but the daughter of the king of a neighbouring + country, who was given to your mother to bring up, to save her from the + hands of a wizard.’ + </p> + <p> + Then she vanished, and was never seen again, nor the wonder-working basket + either; but now that Dotterine’s troubles were over she could get on + without them, and she and the young king lived happily together till the + end of their days. + </p> + <p> + (Ehstnische Marchen.) + </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> + STAN BOLOVAN + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time what happened did happen, and if it had not happened this + story would never have been told. + </p> + <p> + On the outskirts of a village just where the oxen were turned out to + pasture, and the pigs roamed about burrowing with their noses among the + roots of the trees, there stood a small house. In the house lived a man + who had a wife, and the wife was sad all day long. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear wife, what is wrong with you that you hang your head like a drooping + rosebud?’ asked her husband one morning. ‘You have everything you want; + why cannot you be merry like other women?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave me alone, and do not seek to know the reason,’ replied she, + bursting into tears, and the man thought that it was no time to question + her, and went away to his work. + </p> + <p> + He could not, however, forget all about it, and a few days after he + inquired again the reason of her sadness, but only got the same reply. At + length he felt he could bear it no longer, and tried a third time, and + then his wife turned and answered him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good gracious!’ cried she, ‘why cannot you let things be as they are? If + I were to tell you, you would become just as wretched as myself. If you + would only believe, it is far better for you to know nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + But no man yet was ever content with such an answer. The more you beg him + not to inquire, the greater is his curiosity to learn the whole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, if you MUST know,’ said the wife at last, ‘I will tell you. There + is no luck in this house—no luck at all!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is not your cow the best milker in all the village? Are not your trees as + full of fruit as your hives are full of bees? Has anyone cornfields like + ours? Really you talk nonsense when you say things like that!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, all that you say is true, but we have no children.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Stan understood, and when a man once understands and has his eyes + opened it is no longer well with him. From that day the little house in + the outskirts contained an unhappy man as well as an unhappy woman. And at + the sight of her husband’s misery the woman became more wretched than + ever. + </p> + <p> + And so matters went on for some time. + </p> + <p> + Some weeks had passed, and Stan thought he would consult a wise man who + lived a day’s journey from his own house. The wise man was sitting before + his door when he came up, and Stan fell on his knees before him. ‘Give me + children, my lord, give me children.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care what you are asking,’ replied the wise man. ‘Will not children + be a burden to you? Are you rich enough to feed and clothe them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only give them to me, my lord, and I will manage somehow!’ and at a sign + from the wise man Stan went his way. + </p> + <p> + He reached home that evening tired and dusty, but with hope in his heart. + As he drew near his house a sound of voices struck upon his ear, and he + looked up to see the whole place full of children. Children in the garden, + children in the yard, children looking out of every window—it seemed + to the man as if all the children in the world must be gathered there. And + none was bigger than the other, but each was smaller than the other, and + every one was more noisy and more impudent and more daring than the rest, + and Stan gazed and grew cold with horror as he realised that they all + belonged to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good gracious! how many there are! how many!’ he muttered to himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, but not one too many,’ smiled his wife, coming up with a crowd more + children clinging to her skirts. + </p> + <p> + But even she found that it was not so easy to look after a hundred + children, and when a few days had passed and they had eaten up all the + food there was in the house, they began to cry, ‘Father! I am hungry—I + am hungry,’ till Stan scratched his head and wondered what he was to do + next. It was not that he thought there were too many children, for his + life had seemed more full of joy since they appeared, but now it came to + the point he did not know how he was to feed them. The cow had ceased to + give milk, and it was too early for the fruit trees to ripen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know, old woman!’ said he one day to his wife, ‘I must go out into + the world and try to bring back food somehow, though I cannot tell where + it is to come from.’ + </p> + <p> + To the hungry man any road is long, and then there was always the thought + that he had to satisfy a hundred greedy children as well as himself. + </p> + <p> + Stan wandered, and wandered, and wandered, till he reached to the end of + the world, where that which is, is mingled with that which is not, and + there he saw, a little way off, a sheepfold, with seven sheep in it. In + the shadow of some trees lay the rest of the flock. + </p> + <p> + Stan crept up, hoping that he might manage to decoy some of them away + quietly, and drive them home for food for his family, but he soon found + this could not be. For at midnight he heard a rushing noise, and through + the air flew a dragon, who drove apart a ram, a sheep, and a lamb, and + three fine cattle that were lying down close by. And besides these he took + the milk of seventy-seven sheep, and carried it home to his old mother, + that she might bathe in it and grow young again. And this happened every + night. + </p> + <p> + The shepherd bewailed himself in vain: the dragon only laughed, and Stan + saw that this was not the place to get food for his family. + </p> + <p> + But though he quite understood that it was almost hopeless to fight + against such a powerful monster, yet the thought of the hungry children at + home clung to him like a burr, and would not be shaken off, and at last he + said to the shepherd, ‘What will you give me if I rid you of the dragon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One of every three rams, one of every three sheep, one of every three + lambs,’ answered the herd. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a bargain,’ replied Stan, though at the moment he did not know how, + supposing he DID come off the victor, he would ever be able to drive so + large a flock home. + </p> + <p> + However, that matter could be settled later. At present night was not far + off, and he must consider how best to fight with the dragon. + </p> + <p> + Just at midnight, a horrible feeling that was new and strange to him came + over Stan—a feeling that he could not put into words even to + himself, but which almost forced him to give up the battle and take the + shortest road home again. He half turned; then he remembered the children, + and turned back. + </p> + <p> + ‘You or I,’ said Stan to himself, and took up his position on the edge of + the flock. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop!’ he suddenly cried, as the air was filled with a rushing noise, and + the dragon came dashing past. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear me!’ exclaimed the dragon, looking round. ‘Who are you, and where do + you come from?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am Stan Bolovan, who eats rocks all night, and in the day feeds on the + flowers of the mountain; and if you meddle with those sheep I will carve a + cross on your back.’ + </p> + <p> + When the dragon heard these words he stood quite still in the middle of + the road, for he knew he had met with his match. + </p> + <p> + ‘But you will have to fight me first,’ he said in a trembling voice, for + when you faced him properly he was not brave at all. + </p> + <p> + ‘I fight you?’ replied Stan, ‘why I could slay you with one breath!’ Then, + stooping to pick up a large cheese which lay at his feet, he added, ‘Go + and get a stone like this out of the river, so that we may lose no time in + seeing who is the best man.’ + </p> + <p> + The dragon did as Stan bade him, and brought back a stone out of the + brook. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can you get buttermilk out of your stone?’ asked Stan. + </p> + <p> + The dragon picked up his stone with one hand, and squeezed it till it fell + into powder, but no buttermilk flowed from it. ‘Of course I can’t!’ he + said, half angrily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, if you can’t, I can,’ answered Stan, and he pressed the cheese till + buttermilk flowed through his fingers. + </p> + <p> + When the dragon saw that, he thought it was time he made the best of his + way home again, but Stan stood in his path. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have still some accounts to settle,’ said he, ‘about what you have + been doing here,’ and the poor dragon was too frightened to stir, lest + Stan should slay him at one breath and bury him among the flowers in the + mountain pastures. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen to me,’ he said at last. ‘I see you are a very useful person, and + my mother has need of a fellow like you. Suppose you enter her service for + three days, which are as long as one of your years, and she will pay you + each day seven sacks full of ducats.’ + </p> + <p> + Three times seven sacks full of ducats! The offer was very tempting, and + Stan could not resist it. He did not waste words, but nodded to the + dragon, and they started along the road. + </p> + <p> + It was a long, long way, but when they came to the end they found the + dragon’s mother, who was as old as time itself, expecting them. Stan saw + her eyes shining like lamps from afar, and when they entered the house + they beheld a huge kettle standing on the fire, filled with milk. When the + old mother found that her son had arrived empty-handed she grew very + angry, and fire and flame darted from her nostrils, but before she could + speak the dragon turned to Stan. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay here,’ said he, ‘and wait for me; I am going to explain things to my + mother.’ + </p> + <p> + Stan was already repenting bitterly that he had ever come to such a place, + but, since he was there, there was nothing for it but to take everything + quietly, and not show that he was afraid. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen, mother,’ said the dragon as soon as they were alone, ‘I have + brought this man in order to get rid of him. He is a terrific fellow who + eats rocks, and can press buttermilk out of a stone,’ and he told her all + that had happened the night before. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, just leave him to me!’ she said. ‘I have never yet let a man slip + through my fingers.’ So Stan had to stay and do the old mother service. + </p> + <p> + The next day she told him that he and her son should try which was the + strongest, and she took down a huge club, bound seven times with iron. + </p> + <p> + The dragon picked it up as if it had been a feather, and, after whirling + it round his head, flung it lightly three miles away, telling Stan to beat + that if he could. + </p> + <p> + They walked to the spot where the club lay. Stan stooped and felt it; then + a great fear came over him, for he knew that he and all his children + together would never lift that club from the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing?’ asked the dragon. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was thinking what a beautiful club it was, and what a pity it is that + it should cause your death.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you mean—my death?’ asked the dragon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Only that I am afraid that if I throw it you will never see another dawn. + You don’t know how strong I am!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, never mind that be quick and throw.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you are really in earnest, let us go and feast for three days: that + will at any rate give you three extra days of life.’ + </p> + <p> + Stan spoke so calmly that this time the dragon began to get a little + frightened, though he did not quite believe that things would be as bad as + Stan said. + </p> + <p> + They returned to the house, took all the food that could be found in the + old mother’s larder, and carried it back to the place where the club was + lying. Then Stan seated himself on the sack of provisions, and remained + quietly watching the setting moon. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing?’ asked the dragon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Waiting till the moon gets out of my way.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean? I don’t understand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t you see that the moon is exactly in my way? But of course, if you + like, I will throw the club into the moon.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the dragon grew uncomfortable for the second time. + </p> + <p> + He prized the club, which had been left him by his grandfather, very + highly, and had no desire that it should be lost in the moon. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll tell you what,’ he said, after thinking a little. ‘Don’t throw the + club at all. I will throw it a second time, and that will do just as + well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, certainly not!’ replied Stan. ‘Just wait till the moon sets.’ + </p> + <p> + But the dragon, in dread lest Stan should fulfil his threats, tried what + bribes could do, and in the end had to promise Stan seven sacks of ducats + before he was suffered to throw back the club himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, dear me, that is indeed a strong man,’ said the dragon, turning to + his mother. ‘Would you believe that I have had the greatest difficulty in + preventing him from throwing the club into the moon?’ + </p> + <p> + Then the old woman grew uncomfortable too! Only to think of it! It was no + joke to throw things into the moon! So no more was heard of the club, and + the next day they had all something else to think about. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go and fetch me water!’ said the mother, when the morning broke, and gave + them twelve buffalo skins with the order to keep filling them till night. + </p> + <p> + They set out at once for the brook, and in the twinkling of an eye the + dragon had filled the whole twelve, carried them into the house, and + brought them back to Stan. Stan was tired: he could scarcely lift the + buckets when they were empty, and he shuddered to think of what would + happen when they were full. But he only took an old knife out of his + pocket and began to scratch up the earth near the brook. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing there? How are you going to carry the water into the + house?’ asked the dragon. + </p> + <p> + ‘How? Dear me, that is easy enough! I shall just take the brook!’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the dragon’s jaw dropped. This was the last thing that had + ever entered his head, for the brook had been as it was since the days of + his grandfather. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll tell you what!’ he said. ‘Let me carry your skins for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Most certainly not,’ answered Stan, going on with his digging, and the + dragon, in dread lest he should fulfil his threat, tried what bribes would + do, and in the end had again to promise seven sacks of ducats before Stan + would agree to leave the brook alone and let him carry the water into the + house. + </p> + <p> + On the third day the old mother sent Stan into the forest for wood, and, + as usual, the dragon went with him. + </p> + <p> + Before you could count three he had pulled up more trees than Stan could + have cut down in a lifetime, and had arranged them neatly in rows. When + the dragon had finished, Stan began to look about him, and, choosing the + biggest of the trees, he climbed up it, and, breaking off a long rope of + wild vine, bound the top of the tree to the one next it. And so he did to + a whole line of trees. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing there?’ asked the dragon. + </p> + <p> + ‘You can see for yourself,’ answered Stan, going quietly on with his work. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you tying the trees together?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not to give myself unnecessary work; when I pull up one, all the others + will come up too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how will you carry them home?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear me! don’t you understand that I am going to take the whole forest + back with me?’ said Stan, tying two other trees as he spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll tell you what,’ cried the dragon, trembling with fear at the thought + of such a thing; ‘let me carry the wood for you, and you shall have seven + times seven sacks full of ducats.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a good fellow, and I agree to your proposal,’ answered Stan, and + the dragon carried the wood. + </p> + <p> + Now the three days’ service which were to be reckoned as a year were over, + and the only thing that disturbed Stan was, how to get all those ducats + back to his home! + </p> + <p> + In the evening the dragon and his mother had a long talk, but Stan heard + every word through a crack in the ceiling. + </p> + <p> + ‘Woe be to us, mother,’ said the dragon; ‘this man will soon get us into + his power. Give him his money, and let us be rid of him.’ + </p> + <p> + But the old mother was fond of money, and did not like this. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen to me,’ said she; ‘you must murder him this very night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am afraid,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is nothing to fear,’ replied the old mother. ‘When he is asleep + take the club, and hit him on the head with it. It is easily done.’ + </p> + <p> + And so it would have been, had not Stan heard all about it. And when the + dragon and his mother had put out their lights, he took the pigs’ trough + and filled it with earth, and placed it in his bed, and covered it with + clothes. Then he hid himself underneath, and began to snore loudly. + </p> + <p> + Very soon the dragon stole softly into the room, and gave a tremendous + blow on the spot where Stan’s head should have been. Stan groaned loudly + from under the bed, and the dragon went away as softly as he had come. + Directly he had closed the door, Stan lifted out the pigs’ trough, and lay + down himself, after making everything clean and tidy, but he was wise + enough not to shut his eyes that night. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he came into the room when the dragon and his mother were + having their breakfast. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning. How did you sleep?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, very well, but I dreamed that a flea had bitten me, and I seem to + feel it still.’ + </p> + <p> + The dragon and his mother looked at each other. ‘Do you hear that?’ + whispered he. ‘He talks of a flea. I broke my club on his head.’ + </p> + <p> + This time the mother grew as frightened as her son. There was nothing to + be done with a man like this, and she made all haste to fill the sacks + with ducats, so as to get rid of Stan as soon as possible. But on his side + Stan was trembling like an aspen, as he could not lift even one sack from + the ground. So he stood still and looked at them. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you standing there for?’ asked the dragon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I was standing here because it has just occurred to me that I should + like to stay in your service for another year. I am ashamed that when I + get home they should see I have brought back so little. I know that they + will cry out, “Just look at Stan Bolovan, who in one year has grown as + weak as a dragon.”’ + </p> + <p> + Here a shriek of dismay was heard both from the dragon and his mother, who + declared they would give him seven or even seven times seven the number of + sacks if he would only go away. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll tell you what!’ said Stan at last. ‘I see you don’t want me to stay, + and I should be very sorry to make myself disagreeable. I will go at once, + but only on condition that you shall carry the money home yourself, so + that I may not be put to shame before my friends.’ + </p> + <p> + The words were hardly out of his mouth before the dragon had snatched up + the sacks and piled them on his back. Then he and Stan set forth. + </p> + <p> + The way, though really not far, was yet too long for Stan, but at length + he heard his children’s voices, and stopped short. He did not wish the + dragon to know where he lived, lest some day he should come to take back + his treasure. Was there nothing he could say to get rid of the monster? + Suddenly an idea came into Stan’s head, and he turned round. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hardly know what to do,’ said he. ‘I have a hundred children, and I am + afraid they may do you harm, as they are always ready for a fight. + However, I will do my best to protect you.’ + </p> + <p> + A hundred children! That was indeed no joke! The dragon let fall the sacks + from terror, and then picked them up again. But the children, who had had + nothing to eat since their father had left them, came rushing towards him, + waving knives in their right hands and forks in their left, and crying, + ‘Give us dragon’s flesh; we will have dragon’s flesh.’ + </p> + <p> + At this dreadful sight the dragon waited no longer: he flung down his + sacks where he stood and took flight as fast as he could, so terrified at + the fate that awaited him that from that day he has never dared to show + his face in the world again. + </p> + <p> + (Adapted from Rumanische Marchen.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TWO FROGS + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time in the country of Japan there lived two frogs, one of + whom made his home in a ditch near the town of Osaka, on the sea coast, + while the other dwelt in a clear little stream which ran through the city + of Kioto. At such a great distance apart, they had never even heard of + each other; but, funnily enough, the idea came into both their heads at + once that they should like to see a little of the world, and the frog who + lived at Kioto wanted to visit Osaka, and the frog who lived at Osaka + wished to go to Kioto, where the great Mikado had his palace. + </p> + <p> + So one fine morning in the spring they both set out along the road that + led from Kioto to Osaka, one from one end and the other from the other. + The journey was more tiring than they expected, for they did not know much + about travelling, and half way between the two towns there arose a + mountain which had to be climbed. It took them a long time and a great + many hops to reach the top, but there they were at last, and what was the + surprise of each to see another frog before him! They looked at each other + for a moment without speaking, and then fell into conversation, explaining + the cause of their meeting so far from their homes. It was delightful to + find that they both felt the same wish—to learn a little more of + their native country—and as there was no sort of hurry they + stretched themselves out in a cool, damp place, and agreed that they would + have a good rest before they parted to go their ways. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a pity we are not bigger,’ said the Osaka frog; ‘for then we could + see both towns from here, and tell if it is worth our while going on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, that is easily managed,’ returned the Kioto frog. ‘We have only got + to stand up on our hind legs, and hold on to each other, and then we can + each look at the town he is travelling to.’ + </p> + <p> + This idea pleased the Osaka frog so much that he at once jumped up and put + his front paws on the shoulders of his friend, who had risen also. There + they both stood, stretching themselves as high as they could, and holding + each other tightly, so that they might not fall down. The Kioto frog + turned his nose towards Osaka, and the Osaka frog turned his nose towards + Kioto; but the foolish things forgot that when they stood up their great + eyes lay in the backs of their heads, and that though their noses might + point to the places to which they wanted to go their eyes beheld the + places from which they had come. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear me!’ cried the Osaka frog, ‘Kioto is exactly like Osaka. It is + certainly not worth such a long journey. I shall go home!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I had had any idea that Osaka was only a copy of Kioto I should never + have travelled all this way,’ exclaimed the frog from Kioto, and as he + spoke he took his hands from his friend’s shoulders, and they both fell + down on the grass. Then they took a polite farewell of each other, and set + off for home again, and to the end of their lives they believed that Osaka + and Kioto, which are as different to look at as two towns can be, were as + like as two peas. + </p> + <p> + (Japanische Marchen.) + </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 STORY OF A GAZELLE + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived a man who wasted all his money, and grew so + poor that his only food was a few grains of corn, which he scratched like + a fowl from out of a dust-heap. + </p> + <p> + One day he was scratching as usual among a dust-heap in the street, hoping + to find something for breakfast, when his eye fell upon a small silver + coin, called an eighth, which he greedily snatched up. ‘Now I can have a + proper meal,’ he thought, and after drinking some water at a well he lay + down and slept so long that it was sunrise before he woke again. Then he + jumped up and returned to the dust-heap. ‘For who knows,’ he said to + himself, ‘whether I may not have some good luck again.’ + </p> + <p> + As he was walking down the road, he saw a man coming towards him, carrying + a cage made of twigs. ‘Hi! you fellow!’ called he, ‘what have you got + inside there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gazelles,’ replied the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring them here, for I should like to see them.’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, some men who were standing by began to laugh, saying to the + man with the cage: ‘You had better take care how you bargain with him, for + he has nothing at all except what he picks up from a dust-heap, and if he + can’t feed himself, will he be able to feed a gazelle?’ + </p> + <p> + But the man with the cage made answer: ‘Since I started from my home in + the country, fifty people at the least have called me to show them my + gazelles, and was there one among them who cared to buy? It is the custom + for a trader in merchandise to be summoned hither and thither, and who + knows where one may find a buyer?’ And he took up his cage and went + towards the scratcher of dust-heaps, and the men went with him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you ask for your gazelles?’ said the beggar. ‘Will you let me + have one for an eighth?’ + </p> + <p> + And the man with the cage took out a gazelle, and held it out, saying, + ‘Take this one, master!’ + </p> + <p> + And the beggar took it and carried it to the dust-heap, where he scratched + carefully till he found a few grains of corn, which he divided with his + gazelle. This he did night and morning, till five days went by. + </p> + <p> + Then, as he slept, the gazelle woke him, saying, ‘Master.’ + </p> + <p> + And the man answered, ‘How is it that I see a wonder?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What wonder?’ asked the gazelle. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, that you, a gazelle, should be able to speak, for, from the + beginning, my father and mother and all the people that are in the world + have never told me of a talking gazelle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind that,’ said the gazelle, ‘but listen to what I say! First, I + took you for my master. Second, you gave for me all you had in the world. + I cannot run away from you, but give me, I pray you, leave to go every + morning and seek food for myself, and every evening I will come back to + you. What you find in the dust-heaps is not enough for both of us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go, then,’ answered the master; and the gazelle went. + </p> + <p> + When the sun had set, the gazelle came back, and the poor man was very + glad, and they lay down and slept side by side. + </p> + <p> + In the morning it said to him, ‘I am going away to feed.’ + </p> + <p> + And the man replied, ‘Go, my son,’ but he felt very lonely without his + gazelle, and set out sooner than usual for the dust-heap where he + generally found most corn. And glad he was when the evening came, and he + could return home. He lay on the grass chewing tobacco, when the gazelle + trotted up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good evening, my master; how have you fared all day? I have been resting + in the shade in a place where there is sweet grass when I am hungry, and + fresh water when I am thirsty, and a soft breeze to fan me in the heat. It + is far away in the forest, and no one knows of it but me, and to-morrow I + shall go again.’ + </p> + <p> + So for five days the gazelle set off at daybreak for this cool spot, but + on the fifth day it came to a place where the grass was bitter, and it did + not like it, and scratched, hoping to tear away the bad blades. But, + instead, it saw something lying in the earth, which turned out to be a + diamond, very large and bright. ‘Oh, ho!’ said the gazelle to itself, + ‘perhaps now I can do something for my master who bought me with all the + money he had; but I must be careful or they will say he has stolen it. I + had better take it myself to some great rich man, and see what it will do + for me.’ + </p> + <p> + Directly the gazelle had come to this conclusion, it picked up the diamond + in its mouth, and went on and on and on through the forest, but found no + place where a rich man was likely to dwell. For two more days it ran, from + dawn to dark, till at last early one morning it caught sight of a large + town, which gave it fresh courage. + </p> + <p> + The people were standing about the streets doing their marketing, when the + gazelle bounded past, the diamond flashing as it ran. They called after + it, but it took no notice till it reached the palace, where the sultan was + sitting, enjoying the cool air. And the gazelle galloped up to him, and + laid the diamond at his feet. + </p> + <p> + The sultan looked first at the diamond and next at the gazelle; then he + ordered his attendants to bring cushions and a carpet, that the gazelle + might rest itself after its long journey. And he likewise ordered milk to + be brought, and rice, that it might eat and drink and be refreshed. + </p> + <p> + And when the gazelle was rested, the sultan said to it: ‘Give me the news + you have come with.’ + </p> + <p> + And the gazelle answered: ‘I am come with this diamond, which is a pledge + from my master the Sultan Darai. He has heard you have a daughter, and + sends you this small token, and begs you will give her to him to wife.’ + </p> + <p> + And the sultan said: ‘I am content. The wife is his wife, the family is + his family, the slave is his slave. Let him come to me empty-handed, I am + content.’ + </p> + <p> + When the sultan had ended, the gazelle rose, and said: ‘Master, farewell; + I go back to our town, and in eight days, or it may be in eleven days, we + shall arrive as your guests.’ + </p> + <p> + And the sultan answered: ‘So let it be.’ + </p> + <p> + All this time the poor man far away had been mourning and weeping for his + gazelle, which he thought had run away from him for ever. + </p> + <p> + And when it came in at the door he rushed to embrace it with such joy that + he would not allow it a chance to speak. + </p> + <p> + ‘Be still, master, and don’t cry,’ said the gazelle at last; ‘let us sleep + now, and in the morning, when I go, follow me.’ + </p> + <p> + With the first ray of dawn they got up and went into the forest, and on + the fifth day, as they were resting near a stream, the gazelle gave its + master a sound beating, and then bade him stay where he was till it + returned. And the gazelle ran off, and about ten o’clock it came near the + sultan’s palace, where the road was all lined with soldiers who were there + to do honour to Sultan Darai. And directly they caught sight of the + gazelle in the distance one of the soldiers ran on and said, ‘Sultan Darai + is coming: I have seen the gazelle.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the sultan rose up, and called his whole court to follow him, and + went out to meet the gazelle, who, bounding up to him, gave him greeting. + The sultan answered politely, and inquired where it had left its master, + whom it had promised to bring back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas!’ replied the gazelle, ‘he is lying in the forest, for on our way + here we were met by robbers, who, after beating and robbing him, took away + all his clothes. And he is now hiding under a bush, lest a passing + stranger might see him.’ + </p> + <p> + The sultan, on hearing what had happened to his future son-in-law, turned + his horse and rode to the palace, and bade a groom to harness the best + horse in the stable and order a woman slave to bring a bag of clothes, + such as a man might want, out of the chest; and he chose out a tunic and a + turban and a sash for the waist, and fetched himself a gold-hilted sword, + and a dagger and a pair of sandals, and a stick of sweet-smelling wood. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ said he to the gazelle, ‘take these things with the soldiers to the + sultan, that he may be able to come.’ + </p> + <p> + And the gazelle answered: ‘Can I take those soldiers to go and put my + master to shame as he lies there naked? I am enough by myself, my lord.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How will you be enough,’ asked the sultan, ‘to manage this horse and all + these clothes?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, that is easily done,’ replied the gazelle. ‘Fasten the horse to my + neck and tie the clothes to the back of the horse, and be sure they are + fixed firmly, as I shall go faster than he does.’ + </p> + <p> + Everything was carried out as the gazelle had ordered, and when all was + ready it said to the sultan: ‘Farewell, my lord, I am going.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell, gazelle,’ answered the sultan; ‘when shall we see you again?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow about five,’ replied the gazelle, and, giving a tug to the + horse’s rein, they set off at a gallop. + </p> + <p> + The sultan watched them till they were out of sight: then he said to his + attendants, ‘That gazelle comes from gentle hands, from the house of a + sultan, and that is what makes it so different from other gazelles.’ And + in the eyes of the sultan the gazelle became a person of consequence. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the gazelle ran on till it came to the place where its master + was seated, and his heart laughed when he saw the gazelle. + </p> + <p> + And the gazelle said to him, ‘Get up, my master, and bathe in the stream!’ + and when the man had bathed it said again, ‘Now rub yourself well with + earth, and rub your teeth well with sand to make them bright and shining.’ + And when this was done it said, ‘The sun has gone down behind the hills; + it is time for us to go’: so it went and brought the clothes from the back + of the horse, and the man put them on and was well pleased. + </p> + <p> + ‘Master!’ said the gazelle when the man was ready, ‘be sure that where we + are going you keep silence, except for giving greetings and asking for + news. Leave all the talking to me. I have provided you with a wife, and + have made her presents of clothes and turbans and rare and precious + things, so it is needless for you to speak.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good, I will be silent,’ replied the man as he mounted the horse. + ‘You have given all this; it is you who are the master, and I who am the + slave, and I will obey you in all things.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So they went their way, and they went and went till the gazelle saw in + the distance the palace of the sultan. Then it said, ‘Master, that is the + house we are going to, and you are not a poor man any longer: even your + name is new.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What IS my name, eh, my father?’ asked the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sultan Darai,’ said the gazelle. + </p> + <p> + Very soon some soldiers came to meet them, while others ran off to tell + the sultan of their approach. And the sultan set off at once, and the + viziers and the emirs, and the judges, and the rich men of the city, all + followed him. + </p> + <p> + Directly the gazelle saw them coming, it said to its master: ‘Your + father-in-law is coming to meet you; that is he in the middle, wearing a + mantle of sky-blue. Get off your horse and go to greet him.’ + </p> + <p> + And Sultan Darai leapt from his horse, and so did the other sultan, and + they gave their hands to one another and kissed each other, and went + together into the palace. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the gazelle went to the rooms of the sultan, and said to + him: ‘My lord, we want you to marry us our wife, for the soul of Sultan + Darai is eager.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The wife is ready, so call the priest,’ answered he, and when the + ceremony was over a cannon was fired and music was played, and within the + palace there was feasting. + </p> + <p> + ‘Master,’ said the gazelle the following morning, ‘I am setting out on a + journey, and I shall not be back for seven days, and perhaps not then. But + be careful not to leave the house till I come.’ + </p> + <p> + And the master answered, ‘I will not leave the house.’ + </p> + <p> + And it went to the sultan of the country and said to him: ‘My lord, Sultan + Darai has sent me to his town to get the house in order. It will take me + seven days, and if I am not back in seven days he will not leave the + palace till I return.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good,’ said the sultan. + </p> + <p> + And it went and it went through the forest and wilderness, till it arrived + at a town full of fine houses. At the end of the chief road was a great + house, beautiful exceedingly, built of sapphire and turquoise and marbles. + ‘That,’ thought the gazelle, ‘is the house for my master, and I will call + up my courage and go and look at the people who are in it, if any people + there are. For in this town have I as yet seen no people. If I die, I die, + and if I live, I live. Here can I think of no plan, so if anything is to + kill me, it will kill me.’ + </p> + <p> + Then it knocked twice at the door, and cried ‘Open,’ but no one answered. + And it cried again, and a voice replied: + </p> + <p> + ‘Who are you that are crying “Open”?’ + </p> + <p> + And the gazelle said, ‘It is I, great mistress, your grandchild.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you are my grandchild,’ returned the voice, ‘go back whence you came. + Don’t come and die here, and bring me to my death as well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Open, mistress, I entreat, I have something to say to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Grandchild,’ replied she, ‘I fear to put your life in danger, and my own + too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, mistress, my life will not be lost, nor yours either; open, I pray + you.’ So she opened the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the news where you come from, my grandson,’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘Great lady, where I come from it is well, and with you it is well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, my son, here it is not well at all. If you seek a way to die, or if + you have not yet seen death, then is to-day the day for you to know what + dying is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I am to know it, I shall know it,’ replied the gazelle; ‘but tell me, + who is the lord of this house?’ + </p> + <p> + And she said: ‘Ah, father! in this house is much wealth, and much people, + and much food, and many horses. And the lord of it all is an exceeding + great and wonderful snake.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ cried the gazelle when he heard this; ‘tell me how I can get at the + snake to kill him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My son,’ returned the old woman, ‘do not say words like these; you risk + both our lives. He has put me here all by myself, and I have to cook his + food. When the great snake is coming there springs up a wind, and blows + the dust about, and this goes on till the great snake glides into the + courtyard and calls for his dinner, which must always be ready for him in + those big pots. He eats till he has had enough, and then drinks a whole + tankful of water. After that he goes away. Every second day he comes, when + the sun is over the house. And he has seven heads. How then can you be a + match for him, my son?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mind your own business, mother,’ answered the gazelle, ‘and don’t mind + other people’s! Has this snake a sword?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has a sword, and a sharp one too. It cuts like a dash of lightning.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give it to me, mother!’ said the gazelle, and she unhooked the sword from + the wall, as she was bidden. ‘You must be quick,’ she said, ‘for he may be + here at any moment. Hark! is not that the wind rising? He has come!’ + </p> + <p> + They were silent, but the old woman peeped from behind a curtain, and saw + the snake busy at the pots which she had placed ready for him in the + courtyard. And after he had done eating and drinking he came to the door: + </p> + <p> + ‘You old body!’ he cried; ‘what smell is that I smell inside that is not + the smell of every day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, master!’ answered she, ‘I am alone, as I always am! But to-day, after + many days, I have sprinkled fresh scent all over me, and it is that which + you smell. What else could it be, master?’ + </p> + <p> + All this time the gazelle had been standing close to the door, holding the + sword in one of its front paws. And as the snake put one of his heads + through the hole that he had made so as to get in and out comfortably, it + cut it of so clean that the snake really did not feel it. The second blow + was not quite so straight, for the snake said to himself, ‘Who is that who + is trying to scratch me?’ and stretched out his third head to see; but no + sooner was the neck through the hole than the head went rolling to join + the rest. + </p> + <p> + When six of his heads were gone the snake lashed his tail with such fury + that the gazelle and the old woman could not see each other for the dust + he made. And the gazelle said to him, ‘You have climbed all sorts of + trees, but this you can’t climb,’ and as the seventh head came darting + through it went rolling to join the rest. + </p> + <p> + Then the sword fell rattling on the ground, for the gazelle had fainted. + </p> + <p> + The old woman shrieked with delight when she saw her enemy was dead, and + ran to bring water to the gazelle, and fanned it, and put it where the + wind could blow on it, till it grew better and gave a sneeze. And the + heart of the old woman was glad, and she gave it more water, till + by-and-by the gazelle got up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Show me this house,’ it said, ‘from beginning to end, from top to bottom, + from inside to out.’ + </p> + <p> + So she arose and showed the gazelle rooms full of gold and precious + things, and other rooms full of slaves. ‘They are all yours, goods and + slaves,’ said she. + </p> + <p> + But the gazelle answered, ‘You must keep them safe till I call my master.’ + </p> + <p> + For two days it lay and rested in the house, and fed on milk and rice, and + on the third day it bade the old woman farewell and started back to its + master. + </p> + <p> + And when he heard that the gazelle was at the door he felt like a man who + has found the time when all prayers are granted, and he rose and kissed + it, saying: ‘My father, you have been a long time; you have left sorrow + with me. I cannot eat, I cannot drink, I cannot laugh; my heart felt no + smile at anything, because of thinking of you.’ + </p> + <p> + And the gazelle answered: ‘I am well, and where I come from it is well, + and I wish that after four days you would take your wife and go home.’ + </p> + <p> + And he said: ‘It is for you to speak. Where you go, I will follow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I shall go to your father-in-law and tell him this news.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go, my son.’ + </p> + <p> + So the gazelle went to the father-in-law and said: ‘I am sent by my master + to come and tell you that after four days he will go away with his wife to + his own home.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Must he really go so quickly? We have not yet sat much together, I and + Sultan Darai, nor have we yet talked much together, nor have we yet ridden + out together, nor have we eaten together; yet it is fourteen days since he + came.’ + </p> + <p> + But the gazelle replied: ‘My lord, you cannot help it, for he wishes to go + home, and nothing will stop him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good,’ said the sultan, and he called all the people who were in the + town, and commanded that the day his daughter left the palace ladies and + guards were to attend her on her way. + </p> + <p> + And at the end of four days a great company of ladies and slaves and + horses went forth to escort the wife of Sultan Darai to her new home. They + rode all day, and when the sun sank behind the hills they rested, and ate + of the food the gazelle gave them, and lay down to sleep. And they + journeyed on for many days, and they all, nobles and slaves, loved the + gazelle with a great love—more than they loved the Sultan Darai. + </p> + <p> + At last one day signs of houses appeared, far, far off. And those who saw + cried out, ‘Gazelle!’ + </p> + <p> + And it answered, ‘Ah, my mistresses, that is the house of Sultan Darai.’ + </p> + <p> + At this news the women rejoiced much, and the slaves rejoiced much, and in + the space of two hours they came to the gates, and the gazelle bade them + all stay behind, and it went on to the house with Sultan Darai. + </p> + <p> + When the old woman saw them coming through the courtyard she jumped and + shouted for joy, and as the gazelle drew near she seized it in her arms, + and kissed it. The gazelle did not like this, and said to her: ‘Old woman, + leave me alone; the one to be carried is my master, and the one to be + kissed is my master.’ + </p> + <p> + And she answered, ‘Forgive me, my son. I did not know this was our + master,’ and she threw open all the doors so that the master might see + everything that the rooms and storehouses contained. Sultan Darai looked + about him, and at length he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Unfasten those horses that are tied up, and let loose those people that + are bound. And let some sweep, and some spread the beds, and some cook, + and some draw water, and some come out and receive the mistress.’ + </p> + <p> + And when the sultana and her ladies and her slaves entered the house, and + saw the rich stuffs it was hung with, and the beautiful rice that was + prepared for them to eat, they cried: ‘Ah, you gazelle, we have seen great + houses, we have seen people, we have heard of things. But this house, and + you, such as you are, we have never seen or heard of.’ + </p> + <p> + After a few days, the ladies said they wished to go home again. The + gazelle begged them hard to stay, but finding they would not, it brought + many gifts, and gave some to the ladies and some to their slaves. And they + all thought the gazelle greater a thousand times than its master, Sultan + Darai. + </p> + <p> + The gazelle and its master remained in the house many weeks, and one day + it said to the old woman, ‘I came with my master to this place, and I have + done many things for my master, good things, and till to-day he has never + asked me: “Well, my gazelle, how did you get this house? Who is the owner + of it? And this town, were there no people in it?” All good things I have + done for the master, and he has not one day done me any good thing. But + people say, “If you want to do any one good, don’t do him good only, do + him evil also, and there will be peace between you.” So, mother, I have + done: I want to see the favours I have done to my master, that he may do + me the like.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good,’ replied the old woman, and they went to bed. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, when light came, the gazelle was sick in its stomach and + feverish, and its legs ached. And it said ‘Mother!’ + </p> + <p> + And she answered, ‘Here, my son?’ + </p> + <p> + And it said, ‘Go and tell my master upstairs the gazelle is very ill.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good, my son; and if he should ask me what is the matter, what am I + to say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell him all my body aches badly; I have no single part without pain.’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman went upstairs, and she found the mistress and master sitting + on a couch of marble spread with soft cushions, and they asked her, ‘Well, + old woman, what do you want?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To tell the master the gazelle is ill,’ said she. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked the wife. + </p> + <p> + ‘All its body pains; there is no part without pain.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, what can I do? Make some gruel of red millet, and give to it.’ + </p> + <p> + But his wife stared and said: ‘Oh, master, do you tell her to make the + gazelle gruel out of red millet, which a horse would not eat? Eh, master, + that is not well.’ + </p> + <p> + But he answered, ‘Oh, you are mad! Rice is only kept for people.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh, master, this is not like a gazelle. It is the apple of your eye. If + sand got into that, it would trouble you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My wife, your tongue is long,’ and he left the room. + </p> + <p> + The old woman saw she had spoken vainly, and went back weeping to the + gazelle. And when the gazelle saw her it said, ‘Mother, what is it, and + why do you cry? If it be good, give me the answer; and if it be bad, give + me the answer.’ + </p> + <p> + But still the old woman would not speak, and the gazelle prayed her to let + it know the words of the master. At last she said: ‘I went upstairs and + found the mistress and the master sitting on a couch, and he asked me what + I wanted, and I told him that you, his slave, were ill. And his wife asked + what was the matter, and I told her that there was not a part of your body + without pain. And the master told me to take some red millet and make you + gruel, but the mistress said, ‘Eh, master, the gazelle is the apple of + your eye; you have no child, this gazelle is like your child; so this + gazelle is not one to be done evil to. This is a gazelle in form, but not + a gazelle in heart; he is in all things better than a gentleman, be he who + he may.’ + </p> + <p> + And he answered her, ‘Silly chatterer, your words are many. I know its + price; I bought it for an eighth. What loss will it be to me?’ + </p> + <p> + The gazelle kept silence for a few moments. Then it said, ‘The elders + said, “One that does good like a mother,” and I have done him good, and I + have got this that the elders said. But go up again to the master, and + tell him the gazelle is very ill, and it has not drunk the gruel of red + millet.’ + </p> + <p> + So the old woman returned, and found the master and the mistress drinking + coffee. And when he heard what the gazelle had said, he cried: ‘Hold your + peace, old woman, and stay your feet and close your eyes, and stop your + ears with wax; and if the gazelle bids you come to me, say your legs are + bent, and you cannot walk; and if it begs you to listen, say your ears are + stopped with wax; and if it wishes to talk, reply that your tongue has got + a hook in it.’ + </p> + <p> + The heart of the old woman wept as she heard such words, because she saw + that when the gazelle first came to that town it was ready to sell its + life to buy wealth for its master. Then it happened to get both life and + wealth, but now it had no honour with its master. + </p> + <p> + And tears sprung likewise to the eyes of the sultan’s wife, and she said, + ‘I am sorry for you, my husband, that you should deal so wickedly with + that gazelle’; but he only answered, ‘Old woman, pay no heed to the talk + of the mistress: tell it to perish out of the way. I cannot sleep, I + cannot eat, I cannot drink, for the worry of that gazelle. Shall a + creature that I bought for an eighth trouble me from morning till night? + Not so, old woman!’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman went downstairs, and there lay the gazelle, blood flowing + from its nostrils. And she took it in her arms and said, ‘My son, the good + you did is lost; there remains only patience.’ + </p> + <p> + And it said, ‘Mother, I shall die, for my soul is full of anger and + bitterness. My face is ashamed, that I should have done good to my master, + and that he should repay me with evil.’ It paused for a moment, and then + went on, ‘Mother, of the goods that are in this house, what do I eat? I + might have every day half a basinful, and would my master be any the + poorer? But did not the elders say, “He that does good like a mother!”’ + </p> + <p> + And it said, ‘Go and tell my master that the gazelle is nearer death than + life.’ + </p> + <p> + So she went, and spoke as the gazelle had bidden her; but he answered, ‘I + have told you to trouble me no more.’ + </p> + <p> + But his wife’s heart was sore, and she said to him: ‘Ah, master, what has + the gazelle done to you? How has he failed you? The things you do to him + are not good, and you will draw on yourself the hatred of the people. For + this gazelle is loved by all, by small and great, by women and men. Ah, my + husband! I thought you had great wisdom, and you have not even a little!’ + </p> + <p> + But he answered, ‘You are mad, my wife.’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman stayed no longer, and went back to the gazelle, followed + secretly by the mistress, who called a maidservant and bade her take some + milk and rice and cook it for the gazelle. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take also this cloth,’ she said, ‘to cover it with, and this pillow for + its head. And if the gazelle wants more, let it ask me, and not its + master. And if it will, I will send it in a litter to my father, and he + will nurse it till it is well.’ + </p> + <p> + And the maidservant did as her mistress bade her, and said what her + mistress had told her to say, but the gazelle made no answer, but turned + over on its side and died quietly. + </p> + <p> + When the news spread abroad, there was much weeping among the people, and + Sultan Darai arose in wrath, and cried, ‘You weep for that gazelle as if + you wept for me! And, after all, what is it but a gazelle, that I bought + for an eighth?’ + </p> + <p> + But his wife answered, ‘Master, we looked upon that gazelle as we looked + upon you. It was the gazelle who came to ask me of my father, it was the + gazelle who brought me from my father, and I was given in charge to the + gazelle by my father.’ + </p> + <p> + And when the people heard her they lifted up their voices and spoke: + </p> + <p> + ‘We never saw you, we saw the gazelle. It was the gazelle who met with + trouble here, it was the gazelle who met with rest here. + </p> + <p> + So, then, when such an one departs from this world we weep for ourselves, + we do not weep for the gazelle.’ + </p> + <p> + And they said furthermore: + </p> + <p> + ‘The gazelle did you much good, and if anyone says he could have done more + for you he is a liar! Therefore, to us who have done you no good, what + treatment will you give? The gazelle has died from bitterness of soul, and + you ordered your slaves to throw it into the well. Ah! leave us alone that + we may weep.’ + </p> + <p> + But Sultan Darai would not heed their words, and the dead gazelle was + thrown into the well. + </p> + <p> + When the mistress heard of it, she sent three slaves, mounted on donkeys, + with a letter to her father the sultan, and when the sultan had read the + letter he bowed his head and wept, like a man who had lost his mother. And + he commanded horses to be saddled, and called the governor and the judges + and all the rich men, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Come now with me; let us go and bury it.’ + </p> + <p> + Night and day they travelled, till the sultan came to the well where the + gazelle had been thrown. And it was a large well, built round a rock, with + room for many people; and the sultan entered, and the judges and the rich + men followed him. And when he saw the gazelle lying there he wept afresh, + and took it in his arms and carried it away. + </p> + <p> + When the three slaves went and told their mistress what the sultan had + done, and how all the people were weeping, she answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘I too have eaten no food, neither have I drunk water, since the day the + gazelle died. I have not spoken, and I have not laughed.’ + </p> + <p> + The sultan took the gazelle and buried it, and ordered the people to wear + mourning for it, so there was great mourning throughout the city. + </p> + <p> + Now after the days of mourning were at an end, the wife was sleeping at + her husband’s side, and in her sleep she dreamed that she was once more in + her father’s house, and when she woke up it was no dream. + </p> + <p> + And the man dreamed that he was on the dust-heap, scratching. And when he + woke, behold! that also was no dream, but the truth. + </p> + <p> + (Swahili Tales.) + </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> + HOW A FISH SWAM IN THE AIR AND A HARE IN THE WATER. + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time an old man and his wife lived together in a little + village. They might have been happy if only the old woman had had the + sense to hold her tongue at proper times. But anything which might happen + indoors, or any bit of news which her husband might bring in when he had + been anywhere, had to be told at once to the whole village, and these + tales were repeated and altered till it often happened that much mischief + was made, and the old man’s back paid for it. + </p> + <p> + One day, he drove to the forest. When he reached the edge of it he got out + of his cart and walked beside it. Suddenly he stepped on such a soft spot + that his foot sank in the earth. + </p> + <p> + ‘What can this be?’ thought he. ‘I’ll dig a bit and see.’ + </p> + <p> + So he dug and dug, and at last he came on a little pot full of gold and + silver. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, what luck! Now, if only I knew how I could take this treasure home + with me——but I can never hope to hide it from my wife, and + once she knows of it she’ll tell all the world, and then I shall get into + trouble.’ + </p> + <p> + He sat down and thought over the matter a long time, and at last he made a + plan. He covered up the pot again with earth and twigs, and drove on into + the town, where he bought a live pike and a live hare in the market. + </p> + <p> + Then he drove back to the forest and hung the pike up at the very top of a + tree, and tied up the hare in a fishing net and fastened it on the edge of + a little stream, not troubling himself to think how unpleasant such a wet + spot was likely to be to the hare. + </p> + <p> + Then he got into his cart and trotted merrily home. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wife!’ cried he, the moment he got indoors. ‘You can’t think what a piece + of good luck has come our way.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What, what, dear husband? Do tell me all about it at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, you’ll just go off and tell everyone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, indeed! How can you think such things! For shame! If you like I will + swear never to——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, well! if you are really in earnest then, listen.’ + </p> + <p> + And he whispered in her ear: ‘I’ve found a pot full of gold and silver in + the forest! Hush!——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why didn’t you bring it back?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because we’ll drive there together and bring it carefully back between + us.’ + </p> + <p> + So the man and his wife drove to the forest. + </p> + <p> + As they were driving along the man said: + </p> + <p> + ‘What strange things one hears, wife! I was told only the other day that + fish will now live and thrive in the tree tops and that some wild animals + spend their time in the water. Well! well! times are certainly changed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, you must be crazy, husband! Dear, dear, what nonsense people do talk + sometimes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense, indeed! Why, just look. Bless my soul, if there isn’t a fish, a + real pike I do believe, up in that tree.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gracious!’ cried his wife. ‘How did a pike get there? It IS a pike—you + needn’t attempt to say it’s not. Can people have said true——’ + </p> + <p> + But the man only shook his head and shrugged his shoulders and opened his + mouth and gaped as if he really could not believe his own eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you standing staring at there, stupid?’ said his wife. ‘Climb up + the tree quick and catch the pike, and we’ll cook it for dinner.’ + </p> + <p> + The man climbed up the tree and brought down the pike, and they drove on. + </p> + <p> + When they got near the stream he drew up. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you staring at again?’ asked his wife impatiently. ‘Drive on, + can’t you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, I seem to see something moving in that net I set. I must just go and + see what it is.’ + </p> + <p> + He ran to it, and when he had looked in it he called to his wife: + </p> + <p> + ‘Just look! Here is actually a four-footed creature caught in the net. I + do believe it’s a hare.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good heavens!’ cried his wife. ‘How did the hare get into your net? It IS + a hare, so you needn’t say it isn’t. After all, people must have said the + truth——’ + </p> + <p> + But her husband only shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as if he + could not believe his own eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now what are you standing there for, stupid?’ cried his wife. ‘Take up + the hare. A nice fat hare is a dinner for a feast day.’ + </p> + <p> + The old man caught up the hare, and they drove on to the place where the + treasure was buried. They swept the twigs away, dug up the earth, took out + the pot, and drove home again with it. + </p> + <p> + And now the old couple had plenty of money and were cheery and + comfortable. But the wife was very foolish. Every day she asked a lot of + people to dinner and feasted them, till her husband grew quite impatient. + He tried to reason with her, but she would not listen. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve got no right to lecture me!’ said she. ‘We found the treasure + together, and together we will spend it.’ + </p> + <p> + Her husband took patience, but at length he said to her: ‘You may do as + you please, but I sha’n’t give you another penny.’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman was very angry. ‘Oh, what a good-for-nothing fellow to want + to spend all the money himself! But just wait a bit and see what I shall + do.’ + </p> + <p> + Off she went to the governor to complain of her husband. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, my lord, protect me from my husband! Ever since he found the treasure + there is no bearing him. He only eats and drinks, and won’t work, and he + keeps all the money to himself.’ + </p> + <p> + The governor took pity on the woman, and ordered his chief secretary to + look into the matter. + </p> + <p> + The secretary called the elders of the village together, and went with + them to the man’s house. + </p> + <p> + ‘The governor,’ said he, ‘desires you to give all that treasure you found + into my care.’ + </p> + <p> + The man shrugged his shoulders and said: ‘What treasure? I know nothing + about a treasure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How? You know nothing? Why your wife has complained of you. Don’t attempt + to tell lies. If you don’t hand over all the money at once you will be + tried for daring to raise treasure without giving due notice to the + governor about it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pardon me, your excellency, but what sort of treasure was it supposed to + have been? My wife must have dreamt of it, and you gentlemen have listened + to her nonsense.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense, indeed,’ broke in his wife. ‘A kettle full of gold and silver, + do you call that nonsense?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are not in your right mind, dear wife. Sir, I beg your pardon. Ask + her how it all happened, and if she convinces you I’ll pay for it with my + life.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This is how it all happened, Mr. Secretary,’ cried the wife. ‘We were + driving through the forest, and we saw a pike up in the top of a tree——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What, a PIKE?’ shouted the secretary. ‘Do you think you may joke with me, + pray?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed, I’m not joking, Mr. Secretary! I’m speaking the bare truth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now you see, gentlemen,’ said her husband, ‘how far you can trust her, + when she chatters like this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Chatter, indeed? I!! Perhaps you have forgotten, too, how we found a live + hare in the river?’ + </p> + <p> + Everyone roared with laughter; even the secretary smiled and stroked his + beard, and the man said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, come, wife, everyone is laughing at you. You see for yourself, + gentlemen, how far you can believe her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, indeed,’ said the village elders, ‘it is certainly the first time we + have heard that hares thrive in the water or fish among the tree tops.’ + </p> + <p> + The secretary could make nothing of it all, and drove back to the town. + The old woman was so laughed at that she had to hold her tongue and obey + her husband ever after, and the man bought wares with part of the treasure + and moved into the town, where he opened a shop, and prospered, and spent + the rest of his days in peace. + </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> + TWO IN A SACK + </h2> + <p> + What a life that poor man led with his wife, to be sure! Not a day passed + without her scolding him and calling him names, and indeed sometimes she + would take the broom from behind the stove and beat him with it. He had no + peace or comfort at all, and really hardly knew how to bear it. + </p> + <p> + One day, when his wife had been particularly unkind and had beaten him + black and blue, he strolled slowly into the fields, and as he could not + endure to be idle he spread out his nets. + </p> + <p> + What kind of bird do you think he caught in his net? He caught a crane, + and the crane said, ‘Let me go free, and I’ll show myself grateful.’ + </p> + <p> + The man answered, ‘No, my dear fellow. I shall take you home, and then + perhaps my wife won’t scold me so much.’ + </p> + <p> + Said the crane: ‘You had better come with me to my house,’ and so they + went to the crane’s house. + </p> + <p> + When they got there, what do you think the crane took from the wall? He + took down a sack, and he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two out of a sack!’ + </p> + <p> + Instantly two pretty lads sprang out of the sack. They brought in oak + tables, which they spread with silken covers, and placed all sorts of + delicious dishes and refreshing drinks on them. The man had never seen + anything so beautiful in his life, and he was delighted. + </p> + <p> + Then the crane said to him, ‘Now take this sack to your wife.’ + </p> + <p> + The man thanked him warmly, took the sack, and set out. + </p> + <p> + His home was a good long way off, and as it was growing dark, and he was + feeling tired, he stopped to rest at his cousin’s house by the way. + </p> + <p> + The cousin had three daughters, who laid out a tempting supper, but the + man would eat nothing, and said to his cousin, ‘Your supper is bad.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, make the best of it,’ said she, but the man only said: ‘Clear away!’ + and taking out his sack he cried, as the crane had taught him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two out of the sack!’ + </p> + <p> + And out came the two pretty boys, who quickly brought in the oak tables, + spread the silken covers, and laid out all sorts of delicious dishes and + refreshing drinks. + </p> + <p> + Never in their lives had the cousin and her daughters seen such a supper, + and they were delighted and astonished at it. But the cousin quietly made + up her mind to steal the sack, so she called to her daughters: ‘Go quickly + and heat the bathroom: I am sure our dear guest would like to have a bath + before he goes to bed.’ + </p> + <p> + When the man was safe in the bathroom she told her daughters to make a + sack exactly like his, as quickly as possible. Then she changed the two + sacks, and hid the man’s sack away. + </p> + <p> + The man enjoyed his bath, slept soundly, and set off early next morning, + taking what he believed to be the sack the crane had given him. + </p> + <p> + All the way home he felt in such good spirits that he sang and whistled as + he walked through the wood, and never noticed how the birds were + twittering and laughing at him. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he saw his house he began to shout from a distance, ‘Hallo! old + woman! Come out and meet me!’ + </p> + <p> + His wife screamed back: ‘You come here, and I’ll give you a good thrashing + with the poker!’ + </p> + <p> + The man walked into the house, hung his sack on a nail, and said, as the + crane had taught him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two out of the sack!’ + </p> + <p> + But not a soul came out of the sack. + </p> + <p> + Then he said again, exactly as the crane had taught him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two out of the sack!’ + </p> + <p> + His wife, hearing him chattering goodness knows what, took up her wet + broom and swept the ground all about him. + </p> + <p> + The man took flight and rushed oft into the field, and there he found the + crane marching proudly about, and to him he told his tale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come back to my house,’ said the crane, and so they went to the crane’s + house, and as soon as they got there, what did the crane take down from + the wall? Why, he took down a sack, and he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two out of the sack!’ + </p> + <p> + And instantly two pretty lads sprang out of the sack, brought in oak + tables, on which they laid silken covers, and spread all sorts of + delicious dishes and refreshing drinks on them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this sack,’ said the crane. + </p> + <p> + The man thanked him heartily, took the sack, and went. He had a long way + to walk, and as he presently got hungry, he said to the sack, as the crane + had taught him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two out of the sack!’ + </p> + <p> + And instantly two rough men with thick sticks crept out of the bag and + began to beat him well, crying as they did so: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Don’t boast to your cousins of what you have got, + One—two— + Or you’ll find you will catch it uncommonly hot, + One—two—’ +</pre> + <p> + And they beat on till the man panted out: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two into the sack.’ + </p> + <p> + The words were hardly out of his mouth, when the two crept back into the + sack. + </p> + <p> + Then the man shouldered the sack, and went off straight to his cousin’s + house. He hung the sack up on a nail, and said: ‘Please have the bathroom + heated, cousin.’ + </p> + <p> + The cousin heated the bathroom, and the man went into it, but he neither + washed nor rubbed himself, he just sat there and waited. + </p> + <p> + Meantime his cousin felt hungry, so she called her daughters, and all four + sat down to table. Then the mother said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two out of the sack.’ + </p> + <p> + Instantly two rough men crept out of the sack, and began to beat the + cousin as they cried: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Greedy pack! Thievish pack! + One—two— + Give the peasant back his sack! + One—two—’ +</pre> + <p> + And they went on beating till the woman called to her eldest daughter: ‘Go + and fetch your cousin from the bathroom. Tell him these two ruffians are + beating me black and blue.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ve not finished rubbing myself yet,’ said the peasant. + </p> + <p> + And the two ruffians kept on beating as they sang: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Greedy pack! Thievish pack! + One—two— Give the peasant back his sack! + + One—two—’ +</pre> + <p> + Then the woman sent her second daughter and said: ‘Quick, quick, get him + to come to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m just washing my head,’ said the man. + </p> + <p> + Then she sent the youngest girl, and he said: ‘I’ve not done drying + myself.’ + </p> + <p> + At last the woman could hold out no longer, and sent him the sack she had + stolen. + </p> + <p> + NOW he had quite finished his bath, and as he left the bathroom he cried: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two into the sack.’ + </p> + <p> + And the two crept back at once into the sack. + </p> + <p> + Then the man took both sacks, the good and the bad one, and went away + home. + </p> + <p> + When he was near the house he shouted: ‘Hallo, old woman, come and meet + me!’ + </p> + <p> + His wife only screamed out: + </p> + <p> + ‘You broomstick, come here! Your back shall pay for this.’ + </p> + <p> + The man went into the cottage, hung his sack on a nail, and said, as the + crane had taught him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two out of the sack.’ + </p> + <p> + Instantly two pretty lads sprang out of the sack, brought in oak tables, + laid silken covers on them, and spread them with all sorts of delicious + dishes and refreshing drinks. + </p> + <p> + The woman ate and drank, and praised her husband. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, now, old man, I won’t beat you any more,’ said she. + </p> + <p> + When they had done eating, the man carried off the good sack, and put it + away in his store-room, but hung the bad sack up on the nail. Then he + lounged up and down in the yard. + </p> + <p> + Meantime his wife became thirsty. She looked with longing eyes at the + sack, and at last she said, as her husband had done: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two out of the sack.’ + </p> + <p> + And at once the two rogues with their big sticks crept out of the sack, + and began to belabour her as they sang: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Would you beat your husband true? + + Don’t cry so! + Now we’ll beat you black and blue! + Oh! Oh!’ +</pre> + <p> + The woman screamed out: ‘Old man, old man! Come here, quick! Here are two + ruffians pommelling me fit to break my bones.’ + </p> + <p> + Her husband only strolled up and down and laughed, as he said: ‘Yes, + they’ll beat you well, old lady.’ + </p> + <p> + And the two thumped away and sang again: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Blows will hurt, remember, crone, + We mean you well, we mean you well; + In future leave the stick alone, + + For how it hurts, you now can tell, + One—two—’ +</pre> + <p> + At last her husband took pity on her, and cried: + </p> + <p> + ‘Two into the sack.’ + </p> + <p> + He had hardly said the words before they were back in the sack again. + </p> + <p> + From this time the man and his wife lived so happily together that it was + a pleasure to see them, and so the story has an end. + </p> + <p> + (From Russiche Marchen.) + </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 ENVIOUS NEIGHBOUR + </h2> + <p> + Long, long ago an old couple lived in a village, and, as they had no + children to love and care for, they gave all their affection to a little + dog. He was a pretty little creature, and instead of growing spoilt and + disagreeable at not getting everything he wanted, as even children will do + sometimes, the dog was grateful to them for their kindness, and never left + their side, whether they were in the house or out of it. + </p> + <p> + One day the old man was working in his garden, with his dog, as usual, + close by. The morning was hot, and at last he put down his spade and wiped + his wet forehead, noticing, as he did so, that the animal was snuffling + and scratching at a spot a little way off. There was nothing very strange + in this, as all dogs are fond of scratching, and he went on quietly with + his digging, when the dog ran up to his master, barking loudly, and back + again to the place where he had been scratching. This he did several + times, till the old man wondered what could be the matter, and, picking up + the spade, followed where the dog led him. The dog was so delighted at his + success that he jumped round, barking loudly, till the noise brought the + old woman out of the house. + </p> + <p> + Curious to know if the dog had really found anything, the husband began to + dig, and very soon the spade struck against something. He stooped down and + pulled out a large box, filled quite full with shining gold pieces. The + box was so heavy that the old woman had to help to carry it home, and you + may guess what a supper the dog had that night! Now that he had made them + rich, they gave him every day all that a dog likes best to eat, and the + cushions on which he lay were fit for a prince. + </p> + <p> + The story of the dog and his treasure soon became known, and a neighbour + whose garden was next the old people’s grew so envious of their good luck + that he could neither eat nor sleep. As the dog had discovered a treasure + once, this foolish man thought he must be able to discover one always, and + begged the old couple to lend him their pet for a little while, so that he + might be made rich also. + </p> + <p> + ‘How can you ask such a thing?’ answered the old man indignantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You know how much we love him, and that he is never out of our sight for + five minutes.’ + </p> + <p> + But the envious neighbour would not heed his words, and came daily with + the same request, till at last the old people, who could not bear to say + no to anyone, promised to lend the dog, just for a night or two. No sooner + did the man get hold of the dog than he turned him into the garden, but + the dog did nothing but race about, and the man was forced to wait with + what patience he could. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the man opened the house door, and the dog bounded + joyfully into the garden, and, running up to the foot of a tree, began to + scratch wildly. The man called loudly to his wife to bring a spade, and + followed the dog, as he longed to catch the first glimpse of the expected + treasure. But when he had dug up the ground, what did he find? Why, + nothing but a parcel of old bones, which smelt so badly that he could not + stay there a moment longer. And his heart was filled with rage against the + dog who had played him this trick, and he seized a pickaxe and killed it + on the spot, before he knew what he was doing. When he remembered that he + would have to go with his story to the old man and his wife he was rather + frightened, but there was nothing to be gained by putting it off, so he + pulled a very long face and went to his neighbour’s garden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your dog,’ said he, pretending to weep, ‘has suddenly fallen down dead, + though I took every care of him, and gave him everything he could wish + for. And I thought I had better come straight and tell you.’ + </p> + <p> + Weeping bitterly, the old man went to fetch the body of his favourite, and + brought it home and buried it under the fig-tree where he had found the + treasure. From morning till night he and his wife mourned over their loss, + and nothing could comfort them. + </p> + <p> + At length, one night when he was asleep, he dreamt that the dog appeared + to him and told him to cut down the fig-tree over his grave, and out of + its wood to make a mortar. But when the old man woke and thought of his + dream he did not feel at all inclined to cut down the tree, which bore + well every year, and consulted his wife about it. The woman did not + hesitate a moment, and said that after what had happened before, the dog’s + advice must certainly be obeyed, so the tree was felled, and a beautiful + mortar made from it. And when the season came for the rice crop to be + gathered the mortar was taken down from its shelf, and the grains placed + in it for pounding, when, lo and behold! in a twinkling of an eye, they + all turned into gold pieces. At the sight of all this gold the hearts of + the old people were glad, and once more they blessed their faithful dog. + </p> + <p> + But it was not long before this story also came to the ears of their + envious neighbour, and he lost no time in going to the old people and + asking if they happened to have a mortar which they could lend him. The + old man did not at all like parting with his precious treasure, but he + never could say no, so the neighbour went off with the mortar under his + arm. + </p> + <p> + The moment he got into his own house he took a great handful of rice, and + began to shell off the husks, with the help of his wife. But, instead of + the gold pieces for which they looked, the rice turned into berries with + such a horrible smell that they were obliged to run away, after smashing + the mortar in a rage and setting fire to the bits. + </p> + <p> + The old people next door were naturally very much put out when they + learned the fate of their mortar, and were not at all comforted by the + explanations and excuses made by their neighbour. But that night the dog + again appeared in a dream to his master, and told him that he must go and + collect the ashes of the burnt mortar and bring them home. Then, when he + heard that the Daimio, or great lord to whom this part of the country + belonged, was expected at the capital, he was to carry the ashes to the + high road, through which the procession would have to pass. And as soon as + it was in sight he was to climb up all the cherry-trees and sprinkle the + ashes on them, and they would soon blossom as they had never blossomed + before. + </p> + <p> + This time the old man did not wait to consult his wife as to whether he + was to do what his dog had told him, but directly he got up he went to his + neighbour’s house and collected the ashes of the burnt mortar. He put them + carefully in a china vase, and carried it to the high road, Sitting down + on a seat till the Daimio should pass. The cherry-trees were bare, for it + was the season when small pots of them were sold to rich people, who kept + them in hot places, so that they might blossom early and decorate their + rooms. As to the trees in the open air, no one would ever think of looking + for the tiniest bud for more than a month yet. The old man had not been + waiting very long before he saw a cloud of dust in the far distance, and + knew that it must be the procession of the Daimio. On they came, every man + dressed in his finest clothes, and the crowd that was lining the road + bowed their faces to the ground as they went by. Only the old man did not + bow himself, and the great lord saw this, and bade one of his courtiers, + in anger, go and inquire why he had disobeyed the ancient customs. But + before the messenger could reach him the old man had climbed the nearest + tree and scattered his ashes far and wide, and in an instant the white + flowers had flashed into life, and the heart of the Daimio rejoiced, and + he gave rich presents to the old man, whom he sent for to his castle. + </p> + <p> + We may be sure that in a very little while the envious neighbour had heard + this also, and his bosom was filled with hate. He hastened to the place + where he had burned the mortar, collected a few of the ashes which the old + man had left behind, and took them to the road, hoping that his luck might + be as good as the old man’s, or perhaps even better. His heart beat with + pleasure when he caught the first glimpses of the Daimio’s train, and he + held himself ready for the right moment. As the Daimio drew near he flung + a great handful of ashes over the trees, but no buds or flowers followed + the action: instead, the ashes were all blown back into the eyes of the + Daimio and his warriors, till they cried out from pain. Then the prince + ordered the evil-doer to be seized and bound and thrown into prison, where + he was kept for many months. By the time he was set free everybody in his + native village had found out his wickedness, and they would not let him + live there any longer; and as he would not leave off his evil ways he soon + went from bad to worse, and came to a miserable end. + </p> + <p> + (Japanische Marchen.) + </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 FAIRY OF THE DAWN + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time what should happen DID happen; and if it had not happened + this tale would never have been told. + </p> + <p> + There was once an emperor, very great and mighty, and he ruled over an + empire so large that no one knew where it began and where it ended. But if + nobody could tell the exact extent of his sovereignty everybody was aware + that the emperor’s right eye laughed, while his left eye wept. One or two + men of valour had the courage to go and ask him the reason of this strange + fact, but he only laughed and said nothing; and the reason of the deadly + enmity between his two eyes was a secret only known to the monarch + himself. + </p> + <p> + And all the while the emperor’s sons were growing up. And such sons! All + three like the morning stars in the sky! + </p> + <p> + Florea, the eldest, was so tall and broad-shouldered that no man in the + kingdom could approach him. + </p> + <p> + Costan, the second, was quite different. Small of stature, and slightly + built, he had a strong arm and stronger wrist. + </p> + <p> + Petru, the third and youngest, was tall and thin, more like a girl than a + boy. He spoke very little, but laughed and sang, sang and laughed, from + morning till night. He was very seldom serious, but then he had a way when + he was thinking of stroking his hair over his forehead, which made him + look old enough to sit in his father’s council! + </p> + <p> + ‘You are grown up, Florea,’ said Petru one day to his eldest brother; ‘do + go and ask father why one eye laughs and the other weeps.’ + </p> + <p> + But Florea would not go. He had learnt by experience that this question + always put the emperor in a rage. + </p> + <p> + Petru next went to Costan, but did not succeed any better with him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well, as everyone else is afraid, I suppose I must do it myself,’ + observed Petru at length. No sooner said than done; the boy went straight + to his father and put his question. + </p> + <p> + ‘May you go blind!’ exclaimed the emperor in wrath; ‘what business is it + of yours?’ and boxed Petru’s ears soundly. + </p> + <p> + Petru returned to his brothers, and told them what had befallen him; but + not long after it struck him that his father’s left eye seemed to weep + less, and the right to laugh more. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wonder if it has anything to do with my question,’ thought he. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll try again! After all, what do two boxes on the ear matter?’ + </p> + <p> + So he put his question for the second time, and had the same answer; but + the left eye only wept now and then, while the right eye looked ten years + younger. + </p> + <p> + ‘It really MUST be true,’ thought Petru. ‘Now I know what I have to do. I + shall have to go on putting that question, and getting boxes on the ear, + till both eyes laugh together.’ + </p> + <p> + No sooner said than done. Petru never, never forswore himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Petru, my dear boy,’ cried the emperor, both his eyes laughing together, + ‘I see you have got this on the brain. Well, I will let you into the + secret. My right eye laughs when I look at my three sons, and see how + strong and handsome you all are, and the other eye weeps because I fear + that after I die you will not be able to keep the empire together, and to + protect it from its enemies. But if you can bring me water from the spring + of the Fairy of the Dawn, to bathe my eyes, then they will laugh for + evermore; for I shall know that my sons are brave enough to overcome any + foe.’ + </p> + <p> + Thus spoke the emperor, and Petru picked up his hat and went to find his + brothers. + </p> + <p> + The three young men took counsel together, and talked the subject well + over, as brothers should do. And the end of it was that Florea, as the + eldest, went to the stables, chose the best and handsomest horse they + contained, saddled him, and took leave of the court. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am starting at once,’ said he to his brothers, ‘and if after a year, a + month, a week, and a day I have not returned with the water from the + spring of the Fairy of the Dawn, you, Costan, had better come after me.’ + So saying he disappeared round a corner of the palace. + </p> + <p> + For three days and three nights he never drew rein. Like a spirit the + horse flew over mountains and valleys till he came to the borders of the + empire. Here was a deep, deep trench that girdled it the whole way round, + and there was only a single bridge by which the trench could be crossed. + Florea made instantly for the bridge, and there pulled up to look around + him once more, to take leave of his native land Then he turned, but before + him was standing a dragon—oh! SUCH a dragon!—a dragon with + three heads and three horrible faces, all with their mouths wide open, one + jaw reaching to heaven and the other to earth. + </p> + <p> + At this awful sight Florea did not wait to give battle. He put spurs to + his horse and dashed off, WHERE he neither knew nor cared. + </p> + <p> + The dragon heaved a sigh and vanished without leaving a trace behind him. + </p> + <p> + A week went by. Florea did not return home. Two passed; and nothing was + heard of him. After a month Costan began to haunt the stables and to look + out a horse for himself. And the moment the year, the month, the week, and + the day were over Costan mounted his horse and took leave of his youngest + brother. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I fail, then you come,’ said he, and followed the path that Florea had + taken. + </p> + <p> + The dragon on the bridge was more fearful and his three heads more + terrible than before, and the young hero rode away still faster than his + brother had done. + </p> + <p> + Nothing more was heard either of him or Florea; and Petru remained alone. + </p> + <p> + ‘I must go after my brothers,’ said Petru one day to his father. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go, then,’ said his father, ‘and may you have better luck than they’; and + he bade farewell to Petru, who rode straight to the borders of the + kingdom. + </p> + <p> + The dragon on the bridge was yet more dreadful than the one Florea and + Costan had seen, for this one had seven heads instead of only three. + </p> + <p> + Petru stopped for a moment when he caught sight of this terrible creature. + Then he found his voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Get out of the way!’ cried he. ‘Get out of the way!’ he repeated again, + as the dragon did not move. ‘Get out of the way!’ and with this last + summons he drew his sword and rushed upon him. In an instant the heavens + seemed to darken round him and he was surrounded by fire—fire to + right of him, fire to left of him, fire to front of him, fire to rear of + him; nothing but fire whichever way he looked, for the dragon’s seven + heads were vomiting flame. + </p> + <p> + The horse neighed and reared at the horrible sight, and Petru could not + use the sword he had in readiness. + </p> + <p> + ‘Be quiet! this won’t do!’ he said, dismounting hastily, but holding the + bridle firmly in his left hand and grasping his sword in his right. + </p> + <p> + But even so he got on no better, for he could see nothing but fire and + smoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no help for it; I must go back and get a better horse,’ said he, + and mounted again and rode homewards. + </p> + <p> + At the gate of the palace his nurse, old Birscha, was waiting for him + eagerly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, Petru, my son, I knew you would have to come back,’ she cried. ‘You + did not set about the matter properly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How ought I to have set about it?’ asked Petru, half angrily, half sadly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look here, my boy,’ replied old Birscha. ‘You can never reach the spring + of the Fairy of the Dawn unless you ride the horse which your father, the + emperor, rode in his youth. Go and ask where it is to be found, and then + mount it and be off with you.’ + </p> + <p> + Petru thanked her heartily for her advice, and went at once to make + inquiries about the horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘By the light of my eyes!’ exclaimed the emperor when Petru had put his + question. ‘Who has told you anything about that? It must have been that + old witch of a Birscha? Have you lost your wits? Fifty years have passed + since I was young, and who knows where the bones of my horse may be + rotting, or whether a scrap of his reins still lie in his stall? I have + forgotten all about him long ago.’ + </p> + <p> + Petru turned away in anger, and went back to his old nurse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not be cast down,’ she said with a smile; ‘if that is how the affair + stands all will go well. Go and fetch the scrap of the reins; I shall soon + know what must be done.’ + </p> + <p> + The place was full of saddles, bridles, and bits of leather. Petru picked + out the oldest, and blackest, and most decayed pair of reins, and brought + them to the old woman, who murmured something over them and sprinkled them + with incense, and held them out to the young man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take the reins,’ said she, ‘and strike them violently against the pillars + of the house.’ + </p> + <p> + Petru did what he was told, and scarcely had the reins touched the pillars + when something happened—HOW I have no idea—that made Petru + stare with surprise. A horse stood before him—a horse whose equal in + beauty the world had never seen; with a saddle on him of gold and precious + stones, and with such a dazzling bridle you hardly dared to look at it, + lest you should lose your sight. A splendid horse, a splendid saddle, and + a splendid bridle, all ready for the splendid young prince! + </p> + <p> + ‘Jump on the back of the brown horse,’ said the old woman, and she turned + round and went into the house. + </p> + <p> + The moment Petru was seated on the horse he felt his arm three times as + strong as before, and even his heart felt braver. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sit firmly in the saddle, my lord, for we have a long way to go and no + time to waste,’ said the brown horse, and Petru soon saw that they were + riding as no man and horse had ever ridden before. + </p> + <p> + On the bridge stood a dragon, but not the same one as he had tried to + fight with, for this dragon had twelve heads, each more hideous and + shooting forth more terrible flames than the other. But, horrible though + he was, he had met his match. Petru showed no fear, but rolled up his + sleeves, that his arms might be free. + </p> + <p> + ‘Get out of the way!’ he said when he had done, but the dragon’s heads + only breathed forth more flames and smoke. Petru wasted no more words, but + drew his sword and prepared to throw himself on the bridge. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop a moment; be careful, my lord,’ put in the horse, ‘and be sure you + do what I tell you. Dig your spurs in my body up to the rowel, draw your + sword, and keep yourself ready, for we shall have to leap over both bridge + and dragon. When you see that we are right above the dragon cut off his + biggest head, wipe the blood off the sword, and put it back clean in the + sheath before we touch earth again.’ + </p> + <p> + So Petru dug in his spurs, drew his sword, cut of the head, wiped the + blood, and put the sword back in the sheath before the horse’s hoofs + touched the ground again. + </p> + <p> + And in this fashion they passed the bridge. + </p> + <p> + ‘But we have got to go further still,’ said Petru, after he had taken a + farewell glance at his native land. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, forwards,’ answered the horse; ‘but you must tell me, my lord, at + what speed you wish to go. Like the wind? Like thought? Like desire? or + like a curse?’ + </p> + <p> + Petru looked about him, up at the heavens and down again to the earth. A + desert lay spread out before him, whose aspect made his hair stand on end. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will ride at different speeds,’ said he, ‘not so fast as to grow tired + nor so slow as to waste time.’ + </p> + <p> + And so they rode, one day like the wind, the next like thought, the third + and fourth like desire and like a curse, till they reached the borders of + the desert. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now walk, so that I may look about, and see what I have never seen + before,’ said Petru, rubbing his eyes like one who wakes from sleep, or + like him who beholds something so strange that it seems as if... Before + Petru lay a wood made of copper, with copper trees and copper leaves, with + bushes and flowers of copper also. + </p> + <p> + Petru stood and stared as a man does when he sees something that he has + never seen, and of which he has never heard. + </p> + <p> + Then he rode right into the wood. On each side of the way the rows of + flowers began to praise Petru, and to try and persuade him to pick some of + them and make himself a wreath. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take me, for I am lovely, and can give strength to whoever plucks me,’ + said one. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, take me, for whoever wears me in his hat will be loved by the most + beautiful woman in the world,’ pleaded the second; and then one after + another bestirred itself, each more charming than the last, all promising, + in soft sweet voices, wonderful things to Petru, if only he would pick + them. + </p> + <p> + Petru was not deaf to their persuasion, and was just stooping to pick one + when the horse sprang to one side. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why don’t you stay still?’ asked Petru roughly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not pick the flowers; it will bring you bad luck; answered the horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why should it do that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘These flowers are under a curse. Whoever plucks them must fight the + Welwa(1) of the woods.’ + </p> + <p> + (1) A goblin. + </p> + <p> + ‘What kind of a goblin is the Welwa?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, do leave me in peace! But listen. Look at the flowers as much as you + like, but pick none,’ and the horse walked on slowly. + </p> + <p> + Petru knew by experience that he would do well to attend to the horse’s + advice, so he made a great effort and tore his mind away from the flowers. + </p> + <p> + But in vain! If a man is fated to be unlucky, unlucky he will be, whatever + he may do! + </p> + <p> + The flowers went on beseeching him, and his heart grew ever weaker and + weaker. + </p> + <p> + ‘What must come will come,’ said Petru at length; ‘at any rate I shall see + the Welwa of the woods, what she is like, and which way I had best fight + her. If she is ordained to be the cause of my death, well, then it will be + so; but if not I shall conquer her though she were twelve hundred Welwas,’ + and once more he stooped down to gather the flowers. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have done very wrong,’ said the horse sadly. ‘But it can’t be helped + now. Get yourself ready for battle, for here is the Welwa!’ + </p> + <p> + Hardly had he done speaking, scarcely had Petru twisted his wreath, when a + soft breeze arose on all sides at once. Out of the breeze came a storm + wind, and the storm wind swelled and swelled till everything around was + blotted out in darkness, and darkness covered them as with a thick cloak, + while the earth swayed and shook under their feet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you afraid?’ asked the horse, shaking his mane. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet,’ replied Petru stoutly, though cold shivers were running down + his back. ‘What must come will come, whatever it is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be afraid,’ said the horse. ‘I will help you. Take the bridle from + my neck, and try to catch the Welwa with it.’ + </p> + <p> + The words were hardly spoken, and Petru had no time even to unbuckle the + bridle, when the Welwa herself stood before him; and Petru could not bear + to look at her, so horrible was she. + </p> + <p> + She had not exactly a head, yet neither was she without one. She did not + fly through the air, but neither did she walk upon the earth. She had a + mane like a horse, horns like a deer, a face like a bear, eyes like a + polecat; while her body had something of each. And that was the Welwa. + </p> + <p> + Petru planted himself firmly in his stirrups, and began to lay about him + with his sword, but could feel nothing. + </p> + <p> + A day and a night went by, and the fight was still undecided, but at last + the Welwa began to pant for breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us wait a little and rest,’ gasped she. + </p> + <p> + Petru stopped and lowered his sword. + </p> + <p> + ‘You must not stop an instant,’ said the horse, and Petru gathered up all + his strength, and laid about him harder than ever. + </p> + <p> + The Welwa gave a neigh like a horse and a howl like a wolf, and threw + herself afresh on Petru. For another day and night the battle raged more + furiously than before. And Petru grew so exhausted he could scarcely move + his arm. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us wait a little and rest,’ cried the Welwa for the second time, ‘for + I see you are as weary as I am.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You must not stop an instant,’ said the horse. + </p> + <p> + And Petru went on fighting, though he barely had strength to move his arm. + But the Welwa had ceased to throw herself upon him, and began to deliver + her blows cautiously, as if she had no longer power to strike. + </p> + <p> + And on the third day they were still fighting, but as the morning sky + began to redden Petru somehow managed—how I cannot tell—to + throw the bridle over the head of the tired Welwa. In a moment, from the + Welwa sprang a horse—the most beautiful horse in the world. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sweet be your life, for you have delivered me from my enchantment,’ said + he, and began to rub his nose against his brother’s. And he told Petru all + his story, and how he had been bewitched for many years. + </p> + <p> + So Petru tied the Welwa to his own horse and rode on. Where did he ride? + That I cannot tell you, but he rode on fast till he got out of the copper + wood. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay still, and let me look about, and see what I never have seen + before,’ said Petru again to his horse. For in front of him stretched a + forest that was far more wonderful, as it was made of glistening trees and + shining flowers. It was the silver wood. + </p> + <p> + As before, the flowers began to beg the young man to gather them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not pluck them,’ warned the Welwa, trotting beside him, ‘for my + brother is seven times stronger than I’; but though Petru knew by + experience what this meant, it was no use, and after a moment’s hesitation + he began to gather the flowers, and to twist himself a wreath. + </p> + <p> + Then the storm wind howled louder, the earth trembled more violently, and + the night grew darker, than the first time, and the Welwa of the silver + wood came rushing on with seven times the speed of the other. For three + days and three nights they fought, but at last Petru cast the bridle over + the head of the second Welwa. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sweet be your life, for you have delivered me from enchantment,’ said the + second Welwa, and they all journeyed on as before. + </p> + <p> + But soon they came to a gold wood more lovely far than the other two, and + again Petru’s companions pleaded with him to ride through it quickly, and + to leave the flowers alone. But Petru turned a deaf ear to all they said, + and before he had woven his golden crown he felt that something terrible, + that he could not see, was coming near him right out of the earth. He drew + his sword and made himself ready for the fight. ‘I will die!’ cried he, + ‘or he shall have my bridle over his head.’ + </p> + <p> + He had hardly said the words when a thick fog wrapped itself around him, + and so thick was it that he could not see his own hand, or hear the sound + of his voice. For a day and a night he fought with his sword, without ever + once seeing his enemy, then suddenly the fog began to lighten. By dawn of + the second day it had vanished altogether, and the sun shone brightly in + the heavens. It seemed to Petru that he had been born again. + </p> + <p> + And the Welwa? She had vanished. + </p> + <p> + ‘You had better take breath now you can, for the fight will have to begin + all over again,’ said the horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘What was it?’ asked Petru. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was the Welwa,’ replied the horse, ‘changed into a fog ‘Listen! She is + coming!’ + </p> + <p> + And Petru had hardly drawn a long breath when he felt something + approaching from the side, though what he could not tell. A river, yet not + a river, for it seemed not to flow over the earth, but to go where it + liked, and to leave no trace of its passage. + </p> + <p> + ‘Woe be to me!’ cried Petru, frightened at last. + </p> + <p> + ‘Beware, and never stand still,’ called the brown horse, and more he could + not say, for the water was choking him. + </p> + <p> + The battle began anew. For a day and a night Petru fought on, without + knowing at whom or what he struck. At dawn on the second, he felt that + both his feet were lame. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I am done for,’ thought he, and his blows fell thicker and harder in + his desperation. And the sun came out and the water disappeared, without + his knowing how or when. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take breath,’ said the horse, ‘for you have no time to lose. The Welwa + will return in a moment.’ + </p> + <p> + Petru made no reply, only wondered how, exhausted as he was, he should + ever be able to carry on the fight. But he settled himself in his saddle, + grasped his sword, and waited. + </p> + <p> + And then something came to him—WHAT I cannot tell you. Perhaps, in + his dreams, a man may see a creature which has what it has not got, and + has not got what it has. At least, that was what the Welwa seemed like to + Petru. She flew with her feet, and walked with her wings; her head was in + her back, and her tail was on top of her body; her eyes were in her neck, + and her neck in her forehead, and how to describe her further I do not + know. + </p> + <p> + Petru felt for a moment as if he was wrapped in a garment of fear; then he + shook himself and took heart, and fought as he had never yet fought + before. + </p> + <p> + As the day wore on, his strength began to fail, and when darkness fell he + could hardly keep his eyes open. By midnight he knew he was no longer on + his horse, but standing on the ground, though he could not have told how + he got there. When the grey light of morning came, he was past standing on + his feet, but fought now upon his knees. + </p> + <p> + ‘Make one more struggle; it is nearly over now,’ said the horse, seeing + that Petru’s strength was waning fast. + </p> + <p> + Petru wiped the sweat from his brow with his gauntlet, and with a + desperate effort rose to his feet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Strike the Welwa on the mouth with the bridle,’ said the horse, and Petru + did it. + </p> + <p> + The Welwa uttered a neigh so loud that Petru thought he would be deaf for + life, and then, though she too was nearly spent, flung herself upon her + enemy; but Petru was on the watch and threw the bridle over her head, as + she rushed on, so that when the day broke there were three horses trotting + beside him. + </p> + <p> + ‘May your wife be the most beautiful of women,’ said the Welwa, ‘for you + have delivered me from my enchantment.’ So the four horses galloped fast, + and by nightfall they were at the borders of the golden forest. + </p> + <p> + Then Petru began to think of the crowns that he wore, and what they had + cost him. + </p> + <p> + ‘After all, what do I want with so many? I will keep the best,’ he said to + himself; and taking off first the copper crown and then the silver, he + threw them away. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay!’ cried the horse, ‘do not throw them away! Perhaps we shall find + them of use. Get down and pick them up.’ So Petru got down and picked them + up, and they all went on. + </p> + <p> + In the evening, when the sun is getting low, and all the midges are + beginning to bite, Peter saw a wide heath stretching before him. + </p> + <p> + At the same instant the horse stood still of itself. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked Petru. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am afraid that something evil will happen to us,’ answered the horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘But why should it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We are going to enter the kingdom of the goddess Mittwoch,(2) and the + further we ride into it the colder we shall get. But all along the road + there are huge fires, and I dread lest you should stop and warm yourself + at them.’ + </p> + <p> + (2) In German ‘Mittwoch,’ the feminine form of Mercury. + </p> + <p> + ‘And why should I not warm myself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Something fearful will happen to you if you do,’ replied the horse sadly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, forward!’ cried Petru lightly, ‘and if I have to bear cold, I must + bear it!’ + </p> + <p> + With every step they went into the kingdom of Mittwoch, the air grew + colder and more icy, till even the marrow in their bones was frozen. But + Petru was no coward; the fight he had gone through had strengthened his + powers of endurance, and he stood the test bravely. + </p> + <p> + Along the road on each side were great fires, with men standing by them, + who spoke pleasantly to Petru as he went by, and invited him to join them. + The breath froze in his mouth, but he took no notice, only bade his horse + ride on the faster. + </p> + <p> + How long Petru may have waged battle silently with the cold one cannot + tell, for everybody knows that the kingdom of Mittwoch is not to be + crossed in a day, but he struggled on, though the frozen rocks burst + around, and though his teeth chattered, and even his eyelids were frozen. + </p> + <p> + At length they reached the dwelling of Mittwoch herself, and, jumping from + his horse, Petru threw the reins over his horse’s neck and entered the + hut. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-day, little mother!’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well, thank you, my frozen friend!’ + </p> + <p> + Petru laughed, and waited for her to speak. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have borne yourself bravely,’ went on the goddess, tapping him on the + shoulder. ‘Now you shall have your reward,’ and she opened an iron chest, + out of which she took a little box. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look!’ said she; ‘this little box has been lying here for ages, waiting + for the man who could win his way through the Ice Kingdom. Take it, and + treasure it, for some day it may help you. + </p> + <p> + If you open it, it will tell you anything you want, and give you news of + your fatherland.’ + </p> + <p> + Petru thanked her gratefully for her gift, mounted his horse, and rode + away. + </p> + <p> + When he was some distance from the hut, he opened the casket. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are your commands?’ asked a voice inside. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me news of my father,’ he replied, rather nervously. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is sitting in council with his nobles,’ answered the casket. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is he well?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not particularly, for he is furiously angry.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What has angered him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your brothers Costan and Florea,’ replied the casket. ‘It seems to me + they are trying to rule him and the kingdom as well, and the old man says + they are not fit to do it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Push on, good horse, for we have no time to lose!’ cried Petru; then he + shut up the box, and put it in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + They rushed on as fast as ghosts, as whirlwinds, as vampires when they + hunt at midnight, and how long they rode no man can tell, for the way is + far. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop! I have some advice to give you,’ said the horse at last. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ asked Petru. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have known what it is to suffer cold; you will have to endure heat, + such as you have never dreamed of. Be as brave now as you were then. Let + no one tempt you to try to cool yourself, or evil will befall you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Forwards!’ answered Petru. ‘Do not worry yourself. If I have escaped + without being frozen, there is no chance of my melting.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not? This is a heat that will melt the marrow in your bones—a + heat that is only to be felt in the kingdom of the Goddess of Thunder.‘(3) + </p> + <p> + (3) In the German ‘Donnerstag’—the day of the Thunder God, i.e. + Jupiter. + </p> + <p> + And it WAS hot. The very iron of the horse’s shoes began to melt, but + Petru gave no heed. The sweat ran down his face, but he dried it with his + gauntlet. What heat could be he never knew before, and on the way, not a + stone’s throw from the road, lay the most delicious valleys, full of shady + trees and bubbling streams. When Petru looked at them his heart burned + within him, and his mouth grew parched. And standing among the flowers + were lovely maidens who called to him in soft voices, till he had to shut + his eyes against their spells. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, my hero, come and rest; the heat will kill you,’ said they. + </p> + <p> + Petru shook his head and said nothing, for he had lost the power of + speech. + </p> + <p> + Long he rode in this awful state, how long none can tell. Suddenly the + heat seemed to become less, and, in the distance, he saw a little hut on a + hill. This was the dwelling of the Goddess of Thunder, and when he drew + rein at her door the goddess herself came out to meet him. + </p> + <p> + She welcomed him, and kindly invited him in, and bade him tell her all his + adventures. So Petru told her all that had happened to him, and why he was + there, and then took farewell of her, as he had no time to lose. ‘For,’ he + said, ‘who knows how far the Fairy of the Dawn may yet be?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay for one moment, for I have a word of advice to give you. You are + about to enter the kingdom of Venus;(4) go and tell her, as a message from + me, that I hope she will not tempt you to delay. On your way back, come to + me again, and I will give you something that may be of use to you.’ + </p> + <p> + (4) ‘Vineri’ is Friday, and also ‘Venus.’ + </p> + <p> + So Petru mounted his horse, and had hardly ridden three steps when he + found himself in a new country. Here it was neither hot nor cold, but the + air was warm and soft like spring, though the way ran through a heath + covered with sand and thistles. + </p> + <p> + ‘What can that be?’ asked Petru, when he saw a long, long way off, at the + very end of the heath, something resembling a house. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is the house of the goddess Venus,’ replied the horse, ‘and if we + ride hard we may reach it before dark’; and he darted off like an arrow, + so that as twilight fell they found themselves nearing the house. Petru’s + heart leaped at the sight, for all the way along he had been followed by a + crowd of shadowy figures who danced about him from right to left, and from + back to front, and Petru, though a brave man, felt now and then a thrill + of fear. + </p> + <p> + ‘They won’t hurt you,’ said the horse; ‘they are just the daughters of the + whirlwind amusing themselves while they are waiting for the ogre of the + moon.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he stopped in front of the house, and Petru jumped off and went to + the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not be in such a hurry,’ cried the horse. ‘There are several things I + must tell you first. You cannot enter the house of the goddess Venus like + that. She is always watched and guarded by the whirlwind.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What am I to do then?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take the copper wreath, and go with it to that little hill over there. + When you reach it, say to yourself, “Were there ever such lovely maidens! + such angels! such fairy souls!” Then hold the wreath high in the air and + cry, “Oh! if I knew whether any one would accept this wreath from me... if + I knew! if I knew!” and throw the wreath from you!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why should I do all this?’ said Petru. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ask no questions, but go and do it,’ replied the horse. And Petru did. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had he flung away the copper wreath than the whirlwind flung + himself upon it, and tore it in pieces. + </p> + <p> + Then Petru turned once more to the horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop!’ cried the horse again. ‘I have other things to tell you. + </p> + <p> + Take the silver wreath and knock at the windows of the goddess Venus. When + she says, “Who is there?” answer that you have come on foot and lost your + way on the heath. She will then tell you to go your way back again; but + take care not to stir from the spot. Instead, be sure you say to her, “No, + indeed I shall do nothing of the sort, as from my childhood I have heard + stories of the beauty of the goddess Venus, and it was not for nothing + that I had shoes made of leather with soles of steel, and have travelled + for nine years and nine months, and have won in battle the silver wreath, + which I hope you may allow me to give you, and have done and suffered + everything to be where I now am.” This is what you must say. What happens + after is your affair.’ + </p> + <p> + Petru asked no more, but went towards the house. + </p> + <p> + By this time it was pitch dark, and there was only the ray of light that + streamed through the windows to guide him, and at the sound of his + footsteps two dogs began to bark loudly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Which of those dogs is barking? Is he tired of life?’ asked the goddess + Venus. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is I, O goddess!’ replied Petru, rather timidly. ‘I have lost my way + on the heath, and do not know where I am to sleep this night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where did you leave your horse?’ asked the goddess sharply. + </p> + <p> + Petru did not answer. He was not sure if he was to lie, or whether he had + better tell the truth. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go away, my son, there is no place for you here,’ replied she, drawing + back from the window. + </p> + <p> + Then Petru repeated hastily what the horse had told him to say, and no + sooner had he done so than the goddess opened the window, and in gentle + tones she asked him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me see this wreath, my son,’ and Petru held it out to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come into the house,’ went on the goddess; ‘do not fear the dogs, they + always know my will.’ And so they did, for as the young man passed they + wagged their tails to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good evening,’ said Petru as he entered the house, and, seating himself + near the fire, listened comfortably to whatever the goddess might choose + to talk about, which was for the most part the wickedness of men, with + whom she was evidently very angry. But Petru agreed with her in + everything, as he had been taught was only polite. + </p> + <p> + But was anybody ever so old as she! I do not know why Petru devoured her + so with his eyes, unless it was to count the wrinkles on her face; but if + so he would have had to live seven lives, and each life seven times the + length of an ordinary one, before he could have reckoned them up. + </p> + <p> + But Venus was joyful in her heart when she saw Petru’s eyes fixed upon + her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing was that is, and the world was not a world when I was born,’ said + she. ‘When I grew up and the world came into being, everyone thought I was + the most beautiful girl that ever was seen, though many hated me for it. + But every hundred years there came a wrinkle on my face. And now I am + old.’ Then she went on to tell Petru that she was the daughter of an + emperor, and their nearest neighbour was the Fairy of the Dawn, with whom + she had a violent quarrel, and with that she broke out into loud abuse of + her. + </p> + <p> + Petru did not know what to do. He listened in silence for the most part, + but now and then he would say, ‘Yes, yes, you must have been badly + treated,’ just for politeness’ sake; what more could he do? + </p> + <p> + ‘I will give you a task to perform, for you are brave, and will carry it + through,’ continued Venus, when she had talked a long time, and both of + them were getting sleepy. ‘Close to the Fairy’s house is a well, and + whoever drinks from it will blossom again like a rose. Bring me a flagon + of it, and I will do anything to prove my gratitude. It is not easy! no + one knows that better than I do! The kingdom is guarded on every side by + wild beasts and horrible dragons; but I will tell you more about that, and + I also have something to give you.’ Then she rose and lifted the lid of an + iron-bound chest, and took out of it a very tiny flute. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you see this?’ she asked. ‘An old man gave it to me when I was young: + whoever listens to this flute goes to sleep, and nothing can wake him. + Take it and play on it as long as you remain in the kingdom of the Fairy + of the Dawn, and you will be safe. + </p> + <p> + At this, Petru told her that he had another task to fulfil at the well of + the Fairy of the Dawn, and Venus was still better pleased when she heard + his tale. + </p> + <p> + So Petru bade her good-night, put the flute in its case, and laid himself + down in the lowest chamber to sleep. + </p> + <p> + Before the dawn he was awake again, and his first care was to give to each + of his horses as much corn as he could eat, and then to lead them to the + well to water. Then he dressed himself and made ready to start. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop,’ cried Venus from her window, ‘I have still a piece of advice to + give you. Leave one of your horses here, and only take three. Ride slowly + till you get to the fairy’s kingdom, then dismount and go on foot. When + you return, see that all your three horses remain on the road, while you + walk. But above all beware never to look the Fairy of the Dawn in the + face, for she has eyes that will bewitch you, and glances that will befool + you. + </p> + <p> + She is hideous, more hideous than anything you can imagine, with owl’s + eyes, foxy face, and cat’s claws. Do you hear? do you hear? Be sure you + never look at her.’ + </p> + <p> + Petru thanked her, and managed to get off at last. + </p> + <p> + Far, far away, where the heavens touch the earth, where the stars kiss the + flowers, a soft red light was seen, such as the sky sometimes has in + spring, only lovelier, more wonderful. + </p> + <p> + That light was behind the palace of the Fairy of the Dawn, and it took + Petru two days and nights through flowery meadows to reach it. And + besides, it was neither hot nor cold, bright nor dark, but something of + them all, and Petru did not find the way a step too long. + </p> + <p> + After some time Petru saw something white rise up out of the red of the + sky, and when he drew nearer he saw it was a castle, and so splendid that + his eyes were dazzled when they looked at it. He did not know there was + such a beautiful castle in the world. + </p> + <p> + But no time was to be lost, so he shook himself, jumped down from his + horse, and, leaving him on the dewy grass, began to play on his flute as + he walked along. + </p> + <p> + He had hardly gone many steps when he stumbled over a huge giant, who had + been lulled to sleep by the music. This was one of the guards of the + castle! As he lay there on his back, he seemed so big that in spite of + Petru’s haste he stopped to measure him. + </p> + <p> + The further went Petru, the more strange and terrible were the sights he + saw—lions, tigers, dragons with seven heads, all stretched out in + the sun fast asleep. It is needless to say what the dragons were like, for + nowadays everyone knows, and dragons are not things to joke about. Petru + ran through them like the wind. Was it haste or fear that spurred him on? + </p> + <p> + At last he came to a river, but let nobody think for a moment that this + river was like other rivers? Instead of water, there flowed milk, and the + bottom was of precious stones and pearls, instead of sand and pebbles. And + it ran neither fast nor slow, but both fast and slow together. And the + river flowed round the castle, and on its banks slept lions with iron + teeth and claws; and beyond were gardens such as only the Fairy of the + Dawn can have, and on the flowers slept a fairy! All this saw Petru from + the other side. + </p> + <p> + But how was he to get over? To be sure there was a bridge, but, even if it + had not been guarded by sleeping lions, it was plainly not meant for man + to walk on. Who could tell what it was made of? It looked like soft little + woolly clouds! + </p> + <p> + So he stood thinking what was to be done, for get across he must. + </p> + <p> + After a while, he determined to take the risk, and strode back to the + sleeping giant. ‘Wake up, my brave man!’ he cried, giving him a shake. + </p> + <p> + The giant woke and stretched out his hand to pick up Petru, just as we + should catch a fly. But Petru played on his flute, and the giant fell back + again. Petru tried this three times, and when he was satisfied that the + giant was really in his power he took out a handkerchief, bound the two + little fingers of the giant together, drew his sword, and cried for the + fourth time, ‘Wake up, my brave man.’ + </p> + <p> + When the giant saw the trick which had been played on him he said to + Petru. ‘Do you call this a fair fight? Fight according to rules, if you + really are a hero!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will by-and-by, but first I want to ask you a question! Will you swear + that you will carry me over the river if I fight honourably with you?’ And + the giant swore. + </p> + <p> + When his hands were freed, the giant flung himself upon Petru, hoping to + crush him by his weight. But he had met his match. It was not yesterday, + nor the day before, that Petru had fought his first battle, and he bore + himself bravely. + </p> + <p> + For three days and three nights the battle raged, and sometimes one had + the upper hand, and sometimes the other, till at length they both lay + struggling on the ground, but Petru was on top, with the point of his + sword at the giant’s throat. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me go! let me go!’ shrieked he. ‘I own that I am beaten!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you take me over the river?’ asked Petru. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will,’ gasped the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘What shall I do to you if you break your word?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Kill me, any way you like! But let me live now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said Petru, and he bound the giant’s left hand to his right + foot, tied one handkerchief round his mouth to prevent him crying out, and + another round his eyes, and led him to the river. + </p> + <p> + Once they had reached the bank he stretched one leg over to the other + side, and, catching up Petru in the palm of his hand, set him down on the + further shore. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is all right,’ said Petru. Then he played a few notes on his flute, + and the giant went to sleep again. Even the fairies who had been bathing a + little lower down heard the music and fell asleep among the flowers on the + bank. Petru saw them as he passed, and thought, ‘If they are so beautiful, + why should the Fairy of the Dawn be so ugly?’ But he dared not linger, and + pushed on. + </p> + <p> + And now he was in the wonderful gardens, which seemed more wonderful still + than they had done from afar. But Petru could see no faded flowers, nor + any birds, as he hastened through them to the castle. No one was there to + bar his way, for all were asleep. Even the leaves had ceased to move. + </p> + <p> + He passed through the courtyard, and entered the castle itself. + </p> + <p> + What he beheld there need not be told, for all the world knows that the + palace of the Fairy of the Dawn is no ordinary place. Gold and precious + stones were as common as wood with us, and the stables where the horses of + the sun were kept were more splendid than the palace of the greatest + emperor in the world. + </p> + <p> + Petru went up the stairs and walked quickly through eight-and-forty rooms, + hung with silken stuffs, and all empty. In the forty-ninth he found the + Fairy of the Dawn herself. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of this room, which was as large as a church, Petru saw the + celebrated well that he had come so far to seek. It was a well just like + other wells, and it seemed strange that the Fairy of the Dawn should have + it in her own chamber; yet anyone could tell it had been there for + hundreds of years. And by the well slept the Fairy of the Dawn—the + Fairy of the Dawn—herself! + </p> + <p> + And as Petru looked at her the magic flute dropped by his side, and he + held his breath. + </p> + <p> + Near the well was a table, on which stood bread made with does’ milk, and + a flagon of wine. It was the bread of strength and the wine of youth, and + Petru longed for them. He looked once at the bread and once at the wine, + and then at the Fairy of the Dawn, still sleeping on her silken cushions. + </p> + <p> + As he looked a mist came over his senses. The fairy opened her eyes slowly + and looked at Petru, who lost his head still further; but he just managed + to remember his flute, and a few notes of it sent the Fairy to sleep + again, and he kissed her thrice. Then he stooped and laid his golden + wreath upon her forehead, ate a piece of the bread and drank a cupful of + the wine of youth, and this he did three times over. Then he filled a + flask with water from the well, and vanished swiftly. + </p> + <p> + As he passed through the garden it seemed quite different from what it was + before. The flowers were lovelier, the streams ran quicker, the sunbeams + shone brighter, and the fairies seemed gayer. And all this had been caused + by the three kisses Petru had given the Fairy of the Dawn. + </p> + <p> + He passed everything safely by, and was soon seated in his saddle again. + Faster than the wind, faster than thought, faster than longing, faster + than hatred rode Petru. At length he dismounted, and, leaving his horses + at the roadside, went on foot to the house of Venus. + </p> + <p> + The goddess Venus knew that he was coming, and went to meet him, bearing + with her white bread and red wine. + </p> + <p> + ‘Welcome back, my prince,’ said she. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good day, and many thanks,’ replied the young man, holding out the flask + containing the magic water. She received it with joy, and after a short + rest Petru set forth, for he had no time to lose. + </p> + <p> + He stopped a few minutes, as he had promised, with the Goddess of Thunder, + and was taking a hasty farewell of her, when she called him back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay, I have a warning to give you,’ said she. ‘Beware of your life; make + friends with no man; do not ride fast, or let the water go out of your + hand; believe no one, and flee flattering tongues. Go, and take care, for + the way is long, the world is bad, and you hold something very precious. + But I will give you this cloth to help you. It is not much to look at, but + it is enchanted, and whoever carries it will never be struck by lightning, + pierced by a lance, or smitten with a sword, and the arrows will glance + off his body.’ + </p> + <p> + Petru thanked her and rode off, and, taking out his treasure box, inquired + how matters were going at home. Not well, it said. The emperor was blind + altogether now, and Florea and Costan had besought him to give the + government of the kingdom into their hands; but he would not, saying that + he did not mean to resign the government till he had washed his eyes from + the well of the Fairy of the Dawn. Then the brothers had gone to consult + old Birscha, who told them that Petru was already on his way home bearing + the water. They had set out to meet him, and would try to take the magic + water from him, and then claim as their reward the government of the + emperor. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are lying!’ cried Petru angrily, throwing the box on the ground, + where it broke into a thousand pieces. + </p> + <p> + It was not long before he began to catch glimpses of his native land, and + he drew rein near a bridge, the better to look at it. He was still gazing, + when he heard a sound in the distance as if some one was calling hit by + his name. + </p> + <p> + ‘You, Petru!’ it said. + </p> + <p> + ‘On! on!’ cried the horse; ‘it will fare ill with you if you stop.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, let us stop, and see who and what it is!’ answered Petru, turning his + horse round, and coming face to face with his two brothers. He had + forgotten the warning given him by the Goddess of Thunder, and when Costan + and Florea drew near with soft and flattering words he jumped straight off + his horse, and rushed to embrace them. He had a thousand questions to ask, + and a thousand things to tell. But his brown horse stood sadly hanging his + head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Petru, my dear brother,’ at length said Florea, ‘would it not be better + if we carried the water for you? Some one might try to take it from you on + the road, while no one would suspect us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So it would,’ added Costan. ‘Florea speaks well.’ But Petru shook his + head, and told them what the Goddess of Thunder had said, and about the + cloth she had given him. And both brothers understood there was only one + way in which they could kill him. + </p> + <p> + At a stone’s throw from where they stood ran a rushing stream, with clear + deep pools. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t you feel thirsty, Costan?’ asked Florea, winking at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ replied Costan, understanding directly what was wanted. ‘Come, + Petru, let us drink now we have the chance, and then we will set out on + our way home. It is a good thing you have us with you, to protect you from + harm.’ + </p> + <p> + The horse neighed, and Petru knew what it meant, and did not go with his + brothers. + </p> + <p> + No, he went home to his father, and cured his blindness; and as for his + brothers, they never returned again. + </p> + <p> + (From Rumanische Marchen.) + </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 ENCHANTED KNIFE + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived a young man who vowed that he would never + marry any girl who had not royal blood in her veins. One day he plucked up + all his courage and went to the palace to ask the emperor for his + daughter. The emperor was not much pleased at the thought of such a match + for his only child, but being very polite, he only said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well, my son, if you can win the princess you shall have her, and + the conditions are these. In eight days you must manage to tame and bring + to me three horses that have never felt a master. The first is pure white, + the second a foxy-red with a black head, the third coal black with a white + head and feet. And besides that, you must also bring as a present to the + empress, my wife, as much gold as the three horses can carry.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man listened in dismay to these words, but with an effort he + thanked the emperor for his kindness and left the palace, wondering how he + was to fulfil the task allotted to him. Luckily for him, the emperor’s + daughter had overheard everything her father had said, and peeping through + a curtain had seen the youth, and thought him handsomer than anyone she + had ever beheld. + </p> + <p> + So returning hastily to her own room, she wrote him a letter which she + gave to a trusty servant to deliver, begging her wooer to come to her + rooms early the next day, and to undertake nothing without her advice, if + he ever wished her to be his wife. + </p> + <p> + That night, when her father was asleep, she crept softly into his chamber + and took out an enchanted knife from the chest where he kept his + treasures, and hid it carefully in a safe place before she went to bed. + </p> + <p> + The sun had hardly risen the following morning when the princess’s nurse + brought the young man to her apartments. Neither spoke for some minutes, + but stood holding each other’s hands for joy, till at last they both cried + out that nothing but death should part them. Then the maiden said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Take my horse, and ride straight through the wood towards the sunset till + you come to a hill with three peaks. When you get there, turn first to the + right and then to the left, and you will find yourself in a sun meadow, + where many horses are feeding. Out of these you must pick out the three + described to you by my father. If they prove shy, and refuse to let you + get near them, draw out your knife, and let the sun shine on it so that + the whole meadow is lit up by its rays, and the horses will then approach + you of their own accord, and will let you lead them away. When you have + them safely, look about till you see a cypress tree, whose roots are of + brass, whose boughs are of silver, and whose leaves are of gold. Go to it, + and cut away the roots with your knife, and you will come to countless + bags of gold. Load the horses with all they can carry, and return to my + father, and tell him that you have done your task, and can claim me for + your wife.’ + </p> + <p> + The princess had finished all she had to say, and now it depended on the + young man to do his part. He hid the knife in the folds of his girdle, + mounted his horse, and rode off in search of the meadow. This he found + without much difficulty, but the horses were all so shy that they galloped + away directly he approached them. Then he drew his knife, and held it up + towards the sun, and directly there shone such a glory that the whole + meadow was bathed in it. From all sides the horses rushed pressing round, + and each one that passed him fell on its knees to do him honour. + </p> + <p> + But he only chose from them all the three that the emperor had described. + These he secured by a silken rope to his own horse, and then looked about + for the cypress tree. It was standing by itself in one corner, and in a + moment he was beside it, tearing away the earth with his knife. Deeper and + deeper he dug, till far down, below the roots of brass, his knife struck + upon the buried treasure, which lay heaped up in bags all around. With a + great effort he lifted them from their hiding place, and laid them one by + one on his horses’ backs, and when they could carry no more he led them + back to the emperor. And when the emperor saw him, he wondered, but never + guessed how it was the young man had been too clever for him, till the + betrothal ceremony was over. Then he asked his newly made son-in-law what + dowry he would require with his bride. To which the bridegroom made + answer, ‘Noble emperor! all I desire is that I may have your daughter for + my wife, and enjoy for ever the use of your enchanted knife.’ + </p> + <p> + (Volksmarchen der Serben.) + </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> + JESPER WHO HERDED THE HARES + </h2> + <p> + There was once a king who ruled over a kingdom somewhere between sunrise + and sunset. It was as small as kingdoms usually were in old times, and + when the king went up to the roof of his palace and took a look round he + could see to the ends of it in every direction. But as it was all his own, + he was very proud of it, and often wondered how it would get along without + him. He had only one child, and that was a daughter, so he foresaw that + she must be provided with a husband who would be fit to be king after him. + Where to find one rich enough and clever enough to be a suitable match for + the princess was what troubled him, and often kept him awake at night. + </p> + <p> + At last he devised a plan. He made a proclamation over all his kingdom + (and asked his nearest neighbours to publish it in theirs as well) that + whoever could bring him a dozen of the finest pearls the king had ever + seen, and could perform certain tasks that would be set him, should have + his daughter in marriage and in due time succeed to the throne. The + pearls, he thought, could only be brought by a very wealthy man, and the + tasks would require unusual talents to accomplish them. + </p> + <p> + There were plenty who tried to fulfil the terms which the king proposed. + Rich merchants and foreign princes presented themselves one after the + other, so that some days the number of them was quite annoying; but, + though they could all produce magnificent pearls, not one of them could + perform even the simplest of the tasks set them. Some turned up, too, who + were mere adventurers, and tried to deceive the old king with imitation + pearls; but he was not to be taken in so easily, and they were soon sent + about their business. At the end of several weeks the stream of suitors + began to fall off, and still there was no prospect of a suitable + son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + Now it so happened that in a little corner of the king’s dominions, beside + the sea, there lived a poor fisher, who had three sons, and their names + were Peter, Paul, and Jesper. Peter and Paul were grown men, while Jesper + was just coming to manhood. + </p> + <p> + The two elder brothers were much bigger and stronger than the youngest, + but Jesper was far the cleverest of the three, though neither Peter nor + Paul would admit this. It was a fact, however, as we shall see in the + course of our story. + </p> + <p> + One day the fisherman went out fishing, and among his catch for the day he + brought home three dozen oysters. When these were opened, every shell was + found to contain a large and beautiful pearl. Hereupon the three brothers, + at one and the same moment, fell upon the idea of offering themselves as + suitors for the princess. After some discussion, it was agreed that the + pearls should be divided by lot, and that each should have his chance in + the order of his age: of course, if the oldest was successful the other + two would be saved the trouble of trying. + </p> + <p> + Next morning Peter put his pearls in a little basket, and set off for the + king’s palace. He had not gone far on his way when he came upon the King + of the Ants and the King of the Beetles, who, with their armies behind + them, were facing each other and preparing for battle. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come and help me,’ said the King of the Ants; ‘the beetles are too big + for us. I may help you some day in return.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have no time to waste on other people’s affairs,’ said Peter; ‘just + fight away as best you can;’ and with that he walked off and left them. + </p> + <p> + A little further on the way he met an old woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning, young man,’ said she; ‘you are early astir. What have you + got in your basket?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Cinders,’ said Peter promptly, and walked on, adding to himself, ‘Take + that for being so inquisitive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well, cinders be it,’ the old woman called after him, but he + pretended not to hear her. + </p> + <p> + Very soon he reached the palace, and was at once brought before the king. + When he took the cover off the basket, the king and all his courtiers said + with one voice that these were the finest pearls they had ever seen, and + they could not take their eyes off them. But then a strange thing + happened: the pearls began to lose their whiteness and grew quite dim in + colour; then they grew blacker and blacker till at last they were just + like so many cinders. Peter was so amazed that he could say nothing for + himself, but the king said quite enough for both, and Peter was glad to + get away home again as fast as his legs would carry him. To his father and + brothers, however, he gave no account of his attempt, except that it had + been a failure. + </p> + <p> + Next day Paul set out to try his luck. He soon came upon the King of the + Ants and the King of the Beetles, who with their armies had encamped on + the field of battle all night, and were ready to begin the fight again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come and help me,’ said the King of the Ants; ‘we got the worst of it + yesterday. I may help you some day in return.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t care though you get the worst of it to-day too,’ said Paul. ‘I + have more important business on hand than mixing myself up in your + quarrels.’ + </p> + <p> + So he walked on, and presently the same old woman met him. ‘Good morning,’ + said she; ‘what have YOU got in your basket?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Cinders,’ said Paul, who was quite as insolent as his brother, and quite + as anxious to teach other people good manners. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well, cinders be it,’ the old woman shouted after him, but Paul + neither looked back nor answered her. He thought more of what she said, + however, after his pearls also turned to cinders before the eyes of king + and court: then he lost no time in getting home again, and was very sulky + when asked how he had succeeded. + </p> + <p> + The third day came, and with it came Jesper’s turn to try his fortune. He + got up and had his breakfast, while Peter and Paul lay in bed and made + rude remarks, telling him that he would come back quicker than he went, + for if they had failed it could not be supposed that he would succeed. + Jesper made no reply, but put his pearls in the little basket and walked + off. + </p> + <p> + The King of the Ants and the King of the Beetles were again marshalling + their hosts, but the ants were greatly reduced in numbers, and had little + hope of holding out that day. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come and help us,’ said their king to Jesper, ‘or we shall be completely + defeated. I may help you some day in return.’ + </p> + <p> + Now Jesper had always heard the ants spoken of as clever and industrious + little creatures, while he never heard anyone say a good word for the + beetles, so he agreed to give the wished-for help. At the first charge he + made, the ranks of the beetles broke and fled in dismay, and those escaped + best that were nearest a hole, and could get into it before Jesper’s boots + came down upon them. In a few minutes the ants had the field all to + themselves; and their king made quite an eloquent speech to Jesper, + thanking him for the service he had done them, and promising to assist him + in any difficulty. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just call on me when you want me,’ he said, ‘where-ever you are. I’m + never far away from anywhere, and if I can possibly help you, I shall not + fail to do it.’ + </p> + <p> + Jesper was inclined to laugh at this, but he kept a grave face, said he + would remember the offer, and walked on. At a turn of the road he suddenly + came upon the old woman. ‘Good morning,’ said she; ‘what have YOU got in + your basket?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pearls,’ said Jesper; ‘I’m going to the palace to win the princess with + them.’ And in case she might not believe him, he lifted the cover and let + her see them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Beautiful,’ said the old woman; ‘very beautiful indeed; but they will go + a very little way towards winning the princess, unless you can also + perform the tasks that are set you. However,’ she said, ‘I see you have + brought something with you to eat. Won’t you give that to me: you are sure + to get a good dinner at the palace.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, of course,’ said Jesper, ‘I hadn’t thought of that’; and he handed + over the whole of his lunch to the old woman. + </p> + <p> + He had already taken a few steps on the way again, when the old woman + called him back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here,’ she said; ‘take this whistle in return for your lunch. It isn’t + much to look at, but if you blow it, anything that you have lost or that + has been taken from you will find its way back to you in a moment.’ + </p> + <p> + Jesper thanked her for the whistle, though he did not see of what use it + was to be to him just then, and held on his way to the palace. + </p> + <p> + When Jesper presented his pearls to the king there were exclamations of + wonder and delight from everyone who saw them. It was not pleasant, + however, to discover that Jesper was a mere fisher-lad; that wasn’t the + kind of son-in-law that the king had expected, and he said so to the + queen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind,’ said she, ‘you can easily set him such tasks as he will + never be able to perform: we shall soon get rid of him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, of course,’ said the king; ‘really I forget things nowadays, with + all the bustle we have had of late.’ + </p> + <p> + That day Jesper dined with the king and queen and their nobles, and at + night was put into a bedroom grander than anything of the kind he had ever + seen. It was all so new to him that he could not sleep a wink, especially + as he was always wondering what kind of tasks would be set him to do, and + whether he would be able to perform them. In spite of the softness of the + bed, he was very glad when morning came at last. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast was over, the king said to Jesper, ‘Just come with me, and + I’ll show you what you must do first.’ He led him out to the barn, and + there in the middle of the floor was a large pile of grain. ‘Here,’ said + the king, ‘you have a mixed heap of wheat, barley, oats, and rye, a + sackful of each. By an hour before sunset you must have these sorted out + into four heaps, and if a single grain is found to be in a wrong heap you + have no further chance of marrying my daughter. I shall lock the door, so + that no one can get in to assist you, and I shall return at the appointed + time to see how you have succeeded.’ + </p> + <p> + The king walked off, and Jesper looked in despair at the task before him. + Then he sat down and tried what he could do at it, but it was soon very + clear that single-handed he could never hope to accomplish it in the time. + Assistance was out of the question—unless, he suddenly thought—unless + the King of the Ants could help. On him he began to call, and before many + minutes had passed that royal personage made his appearance. Jesper + explained the trouble he was in. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that all?’ said the ant; ‘we shall soon put that to rights.’ He gave + the royal signal, and in a minute or two a stream of ants came pouring + into the barn, who under the king’s orders set to work to separate the + grain into the proper heaps. + </p> + <p> + Jesper watched them for a while, but through the continual movement of the + little creatures, and his not having slept during the previous night, he + soon fell sound asleep. When he woke again, the king had just come into + the barn, and was amazed to find that not only was the task accomplished, + but that Jesper had found time to take a nap as well. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wonderful,’ said he; ‘I couldn’t have believed it possible. However, the + hardest is yet to come, as you will see to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + Jesper thought so too when the next day’s task was set before him. The + king’s gamekeepers had caught a hundred live hares, which were to be let + loose in a large meadow, and there Jesper must herd them all day, and + bring them safely home in the evening: if even one were missing, he must + give up all thought of marrying the princess. Before he had quite grasped + the fact that this was an impossible task, the keepers had opened the + sacks in which the hares were brought to the field, and, with a whisk of + the short tail and a flap of the long ears, each one of the hundred flew + in a different direction. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ said the king, ‘as he walked away, ‘let’s see what your cleverness + can do here.’ + </p> + <p> + Jesper stared round him in bewilderment, and having nothing better to do + with his hands, thrust them into his pockets, as he was in the habit of + doing. Here he found something which turned out to be the whistle given to + him by the old woman. He remembered what she had said about the virtues of + the whistle, but was rather doubtful whether its powers would extend to a + hundred hares, each of which had gone in a different direction and might + be several miles distant by this time. However, he blew the whistle, and + in a few minutes the hares came bounding through the hedge on all the four + sides of the field, and before long were all sitting round him in a + circle. After that, Jesper allowed them to run about as they pleased, so + long as they stayed in the field. + </p> + <p> + The king had told one of the keepers to hang about for a little and see + what became of Jesper, not doubting, however, that as soon as he saw the + coast clear he would use his legs to the best advantage, and never show + face at the palace again. It was therefore with great surprise and + annoyance that he now learned of the mysterious return of the hares and + the likelihood of Jesper carrying out his task with success. + </p> + <p> + ‘One of them must be got out of his hands by hook or crook,’ said he. + ‘I’ll go and see the queen about it; she’s good at devising plans.’ + </p> + <p> + A little later, a girl in a shabby dress came into the field and walked up + to Jesper. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do give me one of those hares,’ she said; ‘we have just got visitors who + are going to stay to dinner, and there’s nothing we can give them to eat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I can’t,’ said Jesper. ‘For one thing, they’re not mine; for another, a + great deal depends on my having them all here in the evening.’ + </p> + <p> + But the girl (and she was a very pretty girl, though so shabbily dressed) + begged so hard for one of them that at last he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well; give me a kiss and you shall have one of them.’ + </p> + <p> + He could see that she didn’t quite care for this, but she consented to the + bargain, and gave him the kiss, and went away with a hare in her apron. + Scarcely had she got outside the field, however, when Jesper blew his + whistle, and immediately the hare wriggled out of its prison like an eel, + and went back to its master at the top of its speed. + </p> + <p> + Not long after this the hare-herd had another visit. This time it was a + stout old woman in the dress of a peasant, who also was after a hare to + provide a dinner for unexpected visitors. Jesper again refused, but the + old lady was so pressing, and would take no refusal, that at last he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well, you shall have a hare, and pay nothing for it either, if you + will only walk round me on tiptoe, look up to the sky, and cackle like a + hen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fie,’ said she; ‘what a ridiculous thing to ask anyone to do; just think + what the neighbours would say if they saw me. They would think I had taken + leave of my senses.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Just as you like,’ said Jesper; ‘you know best whether you want the hare + or not.’ + </p> + <p> + There was no help for it, and a pretty figure the old lady made in + carrying out her task; the cackling wasn’t very well done, but Jesper said + it would do, and gave her the hare. As soon as she had left the field, the + whistle was sounded again, and back came long-legs-and-ears at a + marvellous speed. + </p> + <p> + The next to appear on the same errand was a fat old fellow in the dress of + a groom: it was the royal livery he wore, and he plainly thought a good + deal of himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Young man,’ said he, ‘I want one of those hares; name your price, but I + MUST have one of them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right,’ said Jesper; ‘you can have one at an easy rate. Just stand on + your head, whack your heels together, and cry “Hurrah,” and the hare is + yours.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh, what!’ said the old fellow; ‘ME stand on my head, what an idea!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, very well,’ said Jesper, ‘you needn’t unless you like, you know; but + then you won’t get the hare.’ + </p> + <p> + It went very much against the grain, one could see, but after some efforts + the old fellow had his head on the grass and his heels in the air; the + whacking and the ‘Hurrah’ were rather feeble, but Jesper was not very + exacting, and the hare was handed over. Of course, it wasn’t long in + coming back again, like the others. + </p> + <p> + Evening came, and home came Jesper with the hundred hares behind him. + Great was the wonder over all the palace, and the king and queen seemed + very much put out, but it was noticed that the princess actually smiled to + Jesper. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well,’ said the king; ‘you have done that very well indeed. If you + are as successful with a little task which I shall give you to-morrow we + shall consider the matter settled, and you shall marry the princess.’ + </p> + <p> + Next day it was announced that the task would be performed in the great + hall of the palace, and everyone was invited to come and witness it. The + king and queen sat on their thrones, with the princess beside them, and + the lords and ladies were all round the hall. At a sign from the king, two + servants carried in a large empty tub, which they set down in the open + space before the throne, and Jesper was told to stand beside it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ said the king, ‘you must tell us as many undoubted truths as will + fill that tub, or you can’t have the princess.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how are we to know when the tub is full?’ said Jesper. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t you trouble about that,’ said the king; ‘that’s my part of the + business.’ + </p> + <p> + This seemed to everybody present rather unfair, but no one liked to be the + first to say so, and Jesper had to put the best face he could on the + matter, and begin his story. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yesterday,’ he said, ‘when I was herding the hares, there came to me a + girl, in a shabby dress, and begged me to give her one of them. She got + the hare, but she had to give me a kiss for it; AND THAT GIRL WAS THE + PRINCESS. Isn’t that true?’ said he, looking at her. + </p> + <p> + The princess blushed and looked very uncomfortable, but had to admit that + it was true. + </p> + <p> + ‘That hasn’t filled much of the tub,’ said the king. ‘Go on again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘After that,’ said Jesper, ‘a stout old woman, in a peasant’s dress, came + and begged for a hare. Before she got it, she had to walk round me on + tiptoe, turn up her eyes, and cackle like a hen; AND THAT OLD WOMAN WAS + THE QUEEN. Isn’t that true, now?’ + </p> + <p> + The queen turned very red and hot, but couldn’t deny it. + </p> + <p> + ‘H-m,’ said the king; ‘that is something, but the tub isn’t full yet.’ To + the queen he whispered, ‘I didn’t think you would be such a fool.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What did YOU do?’ she whispered in return. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you suppose I would do anything for HIM?’ said the king, and then + hurriedly ordered Jesper to go on. + </p> + <p> + ‘In the next place,’ said Jesper, ‘there came a fat old fellow on the same + errand. He was very proud and dignified, but in order to get the hare he + actually stood on his head, whacked his heels together, and cried + “Hurrah”; and that old fellow was the——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop, stop,’ shouted the king; ‘you needn’t say another word; the tub is + full.’ Then all the court applauded, and the king and queen accepted + Jesper as their son-in-law, and the princess was very well pleased, for by + this time she had quite fallen in love with him, because he was so + handsome and so clever. When the old king got time to think over it, he + was quite convinced that his kingdom would be safe in Jesper’s hands if he + looked after the people as well as he herded the hares. + </p> + <p> + (Scandinavian.) + </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 UNDERGROUND WORKERS + </h2> + <p> + On a bitter night somewhere between Christmas and the New Year, a man set + out to walk to the neighbouring village. It was not many miles off, but + the snow was so thick that there were no roads, or walls, or hedges left + to guide him, and very soon he lost his way altogether, and was glad to + get shelter from the wind behind a thick juniper tree. Here he resolved to + spend the night, thinking that when the sun rose he would be able to see + his path again. + </p> + <p> + So he tucked his legs snugly under him like a hedgehog, rolled himself up + in his sheepskin, and went to sleep. How long he slept, I cannot tell you, + but after awhile he became aware that some one was gently shaking him, + while a stranger whispered, ‘My good man, get up! If you lie there any + more, you will be buried in the snow, and no one will ever know what + became of you.’ + </p> + <p> + The sleeper slowly raised his head from his furs, and opened his heavy + eyes. Near him stood a long thin man, holding in his hand a young fir tree + taller than himself. ‘Come with me,’ said the man, ‘a little way off we + have made a large fire, and you will rest far better there than out upon + this moor.’ The sleeper did not wait to be asked twice, but rose at once + and followed the stranger. The snow was falling so fast that he could not + see three steps in front of him, till the stranger waved his staff, when + the drifts parted before them. Very soon they reached a wood, and saw the + friendly glow of a fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is your name?’ asked the stranger, suddenly turning round. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am called Hans, the son of Long Hans,’ said the peasant. + </p> + <p> + In front of the fire three men were sitting clothed in white, just as if + it was summer, and for about thirty feet all round winter had been + banished. The moss was dry and the plants green, while the grass seemed + all alive with the hum of bees and cockchafers. But above the noise the + son of Long Hans could hear the whistling of the wind and the crackling of + the branches as they fell beneath the weight of the snow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well! you son of Long Hans, isn’t this more comfortable than your juniper + bush?’ laughed the stranger, and for answer Hans replied he could not + thank his friend enough for having brought him here, and, throwing off his + sheepskin, rolled it up as a pillow. Then, after a hot drink which warmed + both their hearts, they lay down on the ground. The stranger talked for a + little to the other men in a language Hans did not understand, and after + listening for a short time he once more fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + When he awoke, neither wood nor fire was to be seen, and he did not know + where he was. He rubbed his eyes, and began to recall the events of the + night, thinking he must have been dreaming; but for all that, he could not + make out how he came to be in this place. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a loud noise struck on his ear, and he felt the earth tremble + beneath his feet. Hans listened for a moment, then resolved to go towards + the place where the sound came from, hoping he might come across some + human being. He found himself at length at the mouth of a rocky cave in + which a fire seemed burning. He entered, and saw a huge forge, and a crowd + of men in front of it, blowing bellows and wielding hammers, and to each + anvil were seven men, and a set of more comical smiths could not be found + if you searched all the world through! Their heads were bigger than their + little bodies, and their hammers twice the size of themselves, but the + strongest men on earth could not have handled their iron clubs more + stoutly or given lustier blows. + </p> + <p> + The little blacksmiths were clad in leather aprons, which covered them + from their necks to their feet in front, and left their backs naked. On a + high stool against the wall sat the man with the pinewood staff, watching + sharply the way the little fellows did their work, and near him stood a + large can, from which every now and then the workers would come and take a + drink. The master no longer wore the white garments of the day before, but + a black jerkin, held in its place by a leathern girdle with huge clasps. + </p> + <p> + From time to time he would give his workmen a sign with his staff, for it + was useless to speak amid such a noise. + </p> + <p> + If any of them had noticed that there was a stranger present they took no + heed of him, but went on with what they were doing. After some hours’ hard + labour came the time for rest, and they all flung their hammers to the + ground and trooped out of the cave. + </p> + <p> + Then the master got down from his seat and said to Hans: + </p> + <p> + ‘I saw you come in, but the work was pressing, and I could not stop to + speak to you. To-day you must be my guest, and I will show you something + of the way in which I live. Wait here for a moment, while I lay aside + these dirty clothes.’ With these words he unlocked a door in the cave, and + bade Hans pass in before him. + </p> + <p> + Oh, what riches and treasures met Hans’ astonished eyes! Gold and silver + bars lay piled on the floor, and glittered so that you could not look at + them! Hans thought he would count them for fun, and had already reached + the five hundred and seventieth when his host returned and cried, + laughing: + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not try to count them, it would take too long; choose some of the bars + from the heap, as I should like to make you a present of them.’ + </p> + <p> + Hans did not wait to be asked twice, and stooped to pick up a bar of gold, + but though he put forth all his strength he could not even move it with + both hands, still less lift it off the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, you have no more power than a flea,’ laughed the host; ‘you will + have to content yourself with feasting your eyes upon them!’ + </p> + <p> + So he bade Hans follow him through other rooms, till they entered one + bigger than a church, filled, like the rest, with gold and silver. Hans + wondered to see these vast riches, which might have bought all the + kingdoms of the world, and lay buried, useless, he thought, to anyone. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the reason,’ he asked of his guide, ‘that you gather up these + treasures here, where they can do good to nobody? If they fell into the + hands of men, everyone would be rich, and none need work or suffer + hunger.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And it is exactly for that reason,’ answered he, ‘that I must keep these + riches out of their way. The whole world would sink to idleness if men + were not forced to earn their daily bread. It is only through work and + care that man can ever hope to be good for anything.’ + </p> + <p> + Hans stared at these words, and at last he begged that his host would tell + him what use it was to anybody that this gold and silver should lie + mouldering there, and the owner of it be continually trying to increase + his treasure, which already overflowed his store rooms. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not really a man,’ replied his guide, ‘though I have the outward + form of one, but one of those beings to whom is given the care of the + world. It is my task and that of my workmen to prepare under the earth the + gold and silver, a small portion of which finds its way every year to the + upper world, but only just enough to help them carry on their business. To + none comes wealth without trouble: we must first dig out the gold and mix + the grains with earth, clay, and sand. Then, after long and hard seeking, + it will be found in this state, by those who have good luck or much + patience. But, my friend, the hour of dinner is at hand. If you wish to + remain in this place, and feast your eyes on this gold, then stay till I + call you.’ + </p> + <p> + In his absence Hans wandered from one treasure chamber to another, + sometimes trying to break off a little lump of gold, but never able to do + it. After awhile his host came back, but so changed that Hans could not + believe it was really he. His silken clothes were of the brightest flame + colour, richly trimmed with gold fringes and lace; a golden girdle was + round his waist, while his head was encircled with a crown of gold, and + precious stones twinkled about him like stars in a winter’s night, and in + place of his wooden stick he held a finely worked golden staff. + </p> + <p> + The lord of all this treasure locked the doors and put the keys in his + pocket, then led Hans into another room, where dinner was laid for them. + Table and seats were all of silver, while the dishes and plates were of + solid gold. Directly they sat down, a dozen little servants appeared to + wait on them, which they did so cleverly and so quickly that Hans could + hardly believe they had no wings. As they did not reach as high as the + table, they were often obliged to jump and hop right on to the top to get + at the dishes. Everything was new to Hans, and though he was rather + bewildered he enjoyed himself very much, especially when the man with the + golden crown began to tell him many things he had never heard of before. + </p> + <p> + ‘Between Christmas and the New Year,’ said he, ‘I often amuse myself by + wandering about the earth watching the doings of men and learning + something about them. But as far as I have seen and heard I cannot speak + well of them. The greater part of them are always quarrelling and + complaining of each other’s faults, while nobody thinks of his own.’ + </p> + <p> + Hans tried to deny the truth of these words, but he could not do it, and + sat silent, hardly listening to what his friend was saying. Then he went + to sleep in his chair, and knew nothing of what was happening. + </p> + <p> + Wonderful dreams came to him during his sleep, where the bars of gold + continually hovered before his eyes. He felt stronger than he had ever + felt during his waking moments, and lifted two bars quite easily on to his + back. He did this so often that at length his strength seemed exhausted, + and he sank almost breathless on the ground. Then he heard the sound of + cheerful voices, and the song of the blacksmiths as they blew their + bellows—he even felt as if he saw the sparks flashing before his + eyes. Stretching himself, he awoke slowly, and here he was in the green + forest, and instead of the glow of the fire in the underworld the sun was + streaming on him, and he sat up wondering why he felt so strange. + </p> + <p> + At length his memory came back to him, and as he called to mind all the + wonderful things he had seen he tried in vain to make them agree with + those that happen every day. After thinking it over till he was nearly + mad, he tried at last to believe that one night between Christmas and the + New Year he had met a stranger in the forest, and had slept all night in + his company before a big fire; the next day they had dined together, and + had drunk a great deal more than was good for them—in short, he had + spent two whole days revelling with another man. But here, with the full + tide of summer around him, he could hardly accept his own explanation, and + felt that he must have been the plaything or sport of some magician. + </p> + <p> + Near him, in the full sunlight, were the traces of a dead fire, and when + he drew close to it he saw that what he had taken for ashes was really + fine silver dust, and that the half burnt firewood was made of gold. + </p> + <p> + Oh, how lucky Hans thought himself; but where should he get a sack to + carry his treasure home before anyone else found it? But necessity is the + mother of invention: Hans threw off his fur coat, gathered up the silver + ashes so carefully in it that none remained behind, laid the gold sticks + on top, and tied up the bag thus made with his girdle, so that nothing + should fall out. The load was not, in point of fact, very heavy, although + it seemed so to his imagination, and he moved slowly along till he found a + safe hiding-place for it. + </p> + <p> + In this way Hans suddenly became rich—rich enough to buy a property + of his own. But being a prudent man, he finally decided that it would be + best for him to leave his old neighbourhood and look for a home in a + distant part of the country, where nobody knew anything about him. It did + not take him long to find what he wanted, and after he had paid for it + there was plenty of money left over. When he was settled, he married a + pretty girl who lived near by, and had some children, to whom on his + death-bed he told the story of the lord of the underworld, and how he had + made Hans rich. + </p> + <p> + (Ehstnische Marchen.) + </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 HISTORY OF DWARF LONG NOSE + </h2> + <p> + It is a great mistake to think that fairies, witches, magicians, and such + people lived only in Eastern countries and in such times as those of the + Caliph Haroun Al-Raschid. Fairies and their like belong to every country + and every age, and no doubt we should see plenty of them now—if we + only knew how. + </p> + <p> + In a large town in Germany there lived, some couple of hundred years ago, + a cobbler and his wife. They were poor and hard-working. The man sat all + day in a little stall at the street corner and mended any shoes that were + brought him. His wife sold the fruit and vegetables they grew in their + garden in the Market Place, and as she was always neat and clean and her + goods were temptingly spread out she had plenty of customers. + </p> + <p> + The couple had one boy called Jem. A handsome, pleasant-faced boy of + twelve, and tall for his age. He used to sit by his mother in the market + and would carry home what people bought from her, for which they often + gave him a pretty flower, or a slice of cake, or even some small coin. + </p> + <p> + One day Jem and his mother sat as usual in the Market Place with plenty of + nice herbs and vegetables spread out on the board, and in some smaller + baskets early pears, apples, and apricots. Jem cried his wares at the top + of his voice: + </p> + <p> + ‘This way, gentlemen! See these lovely cabbages and these fresh herbs! + Early apples, ladies; early pears and apricots, and all cheap. Come, buy, + buy!’ + </p> + <p> + As he cried an old woman came across the Market Place. She looked very + torn and ragged, and had a small sharp face, all wrinkled, with red eyes, + and a thin hooked nose which nearly met her chin. She leant on a tall + stick and limped and shuffled and stumbled along as if she were going to + fall on her nose at any moment. + </p> + <p> + In this fashion she came along till she got to the stall where Jem and his + mother were, and there she stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you Hannah the herb seller?’ she asked in a croaky voice as her head + shook to and fro. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I am,’ was the answer. ‘Can I serve you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We’ll see; we’ll see! Let me look at those herbs. I wonder if you’ve got + what I want,’ said the old woman as she thrust a pair of hideous brown + hands into the herb basket, and began turning over all the neatly packed + herbs with her skinny fingers, often holding them up to her nose and + sniffing at them. + </p> + <p> + The cobbler’s wife felt much disgusted at seeing her wares treated like + this, but she dared not speak. When the old hag had turned over the whole + basket she muttered, ‘Bad stuff, bad stuff; much better fifty years ago—all + bad.’ + </p> + <p> + This made Jem very angry + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a very rude old woman,’ he cried out. ‘First you mess all our + nice herbs about with your horrid brown fingers and sniff at them with + your long nose till no one else will care to buy them, and then you say + it’s all bad stuff, though the duke’s cook himself buys all his herbs from + us.’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman looked sharply at the saucy boy, laughed unpleasantly, and + said: + </p> + <p> + ‘So you don’t like my long nose, sonny? Well, you shall have one yourself, + right down to your chin.’ + </p> + <p> + As she spoke she shuffled towards the hamper of cabbages, took up one + after another, squeezed them hard, and threw them back, muttering again, + ‘Bad stuff, bad stuff.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t waggle your head in that horrid way,’ begged Jem anxiously. ‘Your + neck is as thin as a cabbage-stalk, and it might easily break and your + head fall into the basket, and then who would buy anything?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t you like thin necks?’ laughed the old woman. ‘Then you sha’n’t have + any, but a head stuck close between your shoulders so that it may be quite + sure not to fall off.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t talk such nonsense to the child,’ said the mother at last. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you wish to buy, please make haste, as you are keeping other customers + away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well, I will do as you ask,’ said the old woman, with an angry look. + ‘I will buy these six cabbages, but, as you see, I can only walk with my + stick and can carry nothing. Let your boy carry them home for me and I’ll + pay him for his trouble.’ + </p> + <p> + The little fellow didn’t like this, and began to cry, for he was afraid of + the old woman, but his mother ordered him to go, for she thought it wrong + not to help such a weakly old creature; so, still crying, he gathered the + cabbages into a basket and followed the old woman across the Market Place. + </p> + <p> + It took her more than half an hour to get to a distant part of the little + town, but at last she stopped in front of a small tumble-down house. She + drew a rusty old hook from her pocket and stuck it into a little hole in + the door, which suddenly flew open. How surprised Jem was when they went + in! The house was splendidly furnished, the walls and ceiling of marble, + the furniture of ebony inlaid with gold and precious stones, the floor of + such smooth slippery glass that the little fellow tumbled down more than + once. + </p> + <p> + The old woman took out a silver whistle and blew it till the sound rang + through the house. Immediately a lot of guinea pigs came running down the + stairs, but Jem thought it rather odd that they all walked on their hind + legs, wore nutshells for shoes, and men’s clothes, whilst even their hats + were put on in the newest fashion. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are my slippers, lazy crew?’ cried the old woman, and hit about + with her stick. ‘How long am I to stand waiting here?’ + </p> + <p> + They rushed upstairs again and returned with a pair of cocoa nuts lined + with leather, which she put on her feet. Now all limping and shuffling was + at an end. She threw away her stick and walked briskly across the glass + floor, drawing little Jem after her. At last she paused in a room which + looked almost like a kitchen, it was so full of pots and pans, but the + tables were of mahogany and the sofas and chairs covered with the richest + stuffs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sit down,’ said the old woman pleasantly, and she pushed Jem into a + corner of a sofa and put a table close in front of him. ‘Sit down, you’ve + had a long walk and a heavy load to carry, and I must give you something + for your trouble. Wait a bit, and I’ll give you some nice soup, which + you’ll remember as long as you live.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, she whistled again. First came in guinea pigs in men’s + clothing. They had tied on large kitchen aprons, and in their belts were + stuck carving knives and sauce ladles and such things. After them hopped + in a number of squirrels. They too walked on their hind legs, wore full + Turkish trousers, and little green velvet caps on their heads. They seemed + to be the scullions, for they clambered up the walls and brought down pots + and pans, eggs, flour, butter, and herbs, which they carried to the stove. + Here the old woman was bustling about, and Jem could see that she was + cooking something very special for him. At last the broth began to bubble + and boil, and she drew off the saucepan and poured its contents into a + silver bowl, which she set before Jem. + </p> + <p> + ‘There, my boy,’ said she, ‘eat this soup and then you’ll have everything + which pleased you so much about me. And you shall be a clever cook too, + but the real herb—no, the REAL herb you’ll never find. Why had your + mother not got it in her basket?’ + </p> + <p> + The child could not think what she was talking about, but he quite + understood the soup, which tasted most delicious. His mother had often + given him nice things, but nothing had ever seemed so good as this. The + smell of the herbs and spices rose from the bowl, and the soup tasted both + sweet and sharp at the same time, and was very strong. As he was finishing + it the guinea pigs lit some Arabian incense, which gradually filled the + room with clouds of blue vapour. They grew thicker and thicker and the + scent nearly overpowered the boy. He reminded himself that he must get + back to his mother, but whenever he tried to rouse himself to go he sank + back again drowsily, and at last he fell sound asleep in the corner of the + sofa. + </p> + <p> + Strange dreams came to him. He thought the old woman took off all his + clothes and wrapped him up in a squirrel skin, and that he went about with + the other squirrels and guinea pigs, who were all very pleasant and well + mannered, and waited on the old woman. + </p> + <p> + First he learned to clean her cocoa-nut shoes with oil and to rub them up. + Then he learnt to catch the little sun moths and rub them through the + finest sieves, and the flour from them he made into soft bread for the + toothless old woman. + </p> + <p> + In this way he passed from one kind of service to another, spending a year + in each, till in the fourth year he was promoted to the kitchen. Here he + worked his way up from under-scullion to head-pastrycook, and reached the + greatest perfection. He could make all the most difficult dishes, and two + hundred different kinds of patties, soup flavoured with every sort of herb—he + had learnt it all, and learnt it well and quickly. + </p> + <p> + When he had lived seven years with the old woman she ordered him one day, + as she was going out, to kill and pluck a chicken, stuff it with herbs, + and have it very nicely roasted by the time she got back. He did this + quite according to rule. He wrung the chicken’s neck, plunged it into + boiling water, carefully plucked out all the feathers, and rubbed the skin + nice and smooth. Then he went to fetch the herbs to stuff it with. In the + store-room he noticed a half-opened cupboard which he did not remember + having seen before. He peeped in and saw a lot of baskets from which came + a strong and pleasant smell. He opened one and found a very uncommon herb + in it. The stems and leaves were a bluish green, and above them was a + little flower of a deep bright red, edged with yellow. He gazed at the + flower, smelt it, and found it gave the same strong strange perfume which + came from the soup the old woman had made him. But the smell was so sharp + that he began to sneeze again and again, and at last—he woke up! + </p> + <p> + There he lay on the old woman’s sofa and stared about him in surprise. + ‘Well, what odd dreams one does have to be sure!’ he said to himself. + ‘Why, I could have sworn I had been a squirrel, a companion of guinea pigs + and such creatures, and had become a great cook, too. How mother will + laugh when I tell her! But won’t she scold me, though, for sleeping away + here in a strange house, instead of helping her at market!’ + </p> + <p> + He jumped up and prepared to go: all his limbs still seemed quite stiff + with his long sleep, especially his neck, for he could not move his head + easily, and he laughed at his own stupidity at being still so drowsy that + he kept knocking his nose against the wall or cupboards. The squirrels and + guinea pigs ran whimpering after him, as though they would like to go too, + and he begged them to come when he reached the door, but they all turned + and ran quickly back into the house again. + </p> + <p> + The part of the town was out of the way, and Jem did not know the many + narrow streets in it and was puzzled by their windings and by the crowd of + people, who seemed excited about some show. From what he heard, he fancied + they were going to see a dwarf, for he heard them call out: ‘Just look at + the ugly dwarf!’ ‘What a long nose he has, and see how his head is stuck + in between his shoulders, and only look at his ugly brown hands!’ If he + had not been in such a hurry to get back to his mother, he would have gone + too, for he loved shows with giants and dwarfs and the like. + </p> + <p> + He was quite puzzled when he reached the market-place. There sat his + mother, with a good deal of fruit still in her baskets, so he felt he + could not have slept so very long, but it struck him that she was sad, for + she did not call to the passers-by, but sat with her head resting on her + hand, and as he came nearer he thought she looked paler than usual. + </p> + <p> + He hesitated what to do, but at last he slipped behind her, laid a hand on + her arm, and said: ‘Mammy, what’s the matter? Are you angry with me?’ + </p> + <p> + She turned round quickly and jumped up with a cry of horror. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you want, you hideous dwarf?’ she cried; ‘get away; I can’t bear + such tricks.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, mother dear, what’s the matter with you?’ repeated Jem, quite + frightened. ‘You can’t be well. Why do you want to drive your son away?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have said already, get away,’ replied Hannah, quite angrily. ‘You won’t + get anything out of me by your games, you monstrosity.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh dear, oh dear! she must be wandering in her mind,’ murmured the lad to + himself. ‘How can I manage to get her home? Dearest mother, do look at me + close. Can’t you see I am your own son Jem?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, did you ever hear such impudence?’ asked Hannah, turning to a + neighbour. ‘Just see that frightful dwarf—would you believe that he + wants me to think he is my son Jem?’ + </p> + <p> + Then all the market women came round and talked all together and scolded + as hard as they could, and said what a shame it was to make game of Mrs. + Hannah, who had never got over the loss of her beautiful boy, who had been + stolen from her seven years ago, and they threatened to fall upon Jem and + scratch him well if he did not go away at once. + </p> + <p> + Poor Jem did not know what to make of it all. He was sure he had gone to + market with his mother only that morning, had helped to set out the stall, + had gone to the old woman’s house, where he had some soup and a little + nap, and now, when he came back, they were all talking of seven years. And + they called him a horrid dwarf! Why, what had happened to him? When he + found that his mother would really have nothing to do with him he turned + away with tears in his eyes, and went sadly down the street towards his + father’s stall. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I’ll see whether he will know me,’ thought he. ‘I’ll stand by the + door and talk to him.’ + </p> + <p> + When he got to the stall he stood in the doorway and looked in. The + cobbler was so busy at work that he did not see him for some time, but, + happening to look up, he caught sight of his visitor, and letting shoes, + thread, and everything fall to the ground, he cried with horror: ‘Good + heavens! what is that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good evening, master,’ said the boy, as he stepped in. ‘How do you do?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very ill, little sir, replied the father, to Jem’s surprise, for he did + not seem to know him. ‘Business does not go well. I am all alone, and am + getting old, and a workman is costly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But haven’t you a son who could learn your trade by degrees?’ asked Jem. + </p> + <p> + ‘I had one: he was called Jem, and would have been a tall sturdy lad of + twenty by this time, and able to help me well. Why, when he was only + twelve he was quite sharp and quick, and had learnt many little things, + and a good-looking boy too, and pleasant, so that customers were taken by + him. Well, well! so goes the world!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But where is your son?’ asked Jem, with a trembling voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven only knows!’ replied the man; ‘seven years ago he was stolen from + the market-place, and we have heard no more of him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘SEVEN YEARS AGO!’ cried Jem, with horror. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, indeed, seven years ago, though it seems but yesterday that my wife + came back howling and crying, and saying the child had not come back all + day. I always thought and said that something of the kind would happen. + Jem was a beautiful boy, and everyone made much of him, and my wife was so + proud of him, and liked him to carry the vegetables and things to grand + folks’ houses, where he was petted and made much of. But I used to say, + “Take care—the town is large, there are plenty of bad people in it—keep + a sharp eye on Jem.” And so it happened; for one day an old woman came and + bought a lot of things—more than she could carry; so my wife, being + a kindly soul, lent her the boy, and—we have never seen him since.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And that was seven years ago, you say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, seven years: we had him cried—we went from house to house. + Many knew the pretty boy, and were fond of him, but it was all in vain. No + one seemed to know the old woman who bought the vegetables either; only + one old woman, who is ninety years old, said it might have been the fairy + Herbaline, who came into the town once in every fifty years to buy + things.’ + </p> + <p> + As his father spoke, things grew clearer to Jem’s mind, and he saw now + that he had not been dreaming, but had really served the old woman seven + years in the shape of a squirrel. As he thought it over rage filled his + heart. Seven years of his youth had been stolen from him, and what had he + got in return? To learn to rub up cocoa nuts, and to polish glass floors, + and to be taught cooking by guinea pigs! He stood there thinking, till at + last his father asked him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is there anything I can do for you, young gentleman? Shall I make you a + pair of slippers, or perhaps’ with a smile—‘a case for your nose?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What have you to do with my nose?’ asked Jem. ‘And why should I want a + case for it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, everyone to his taste,’ replied the cobbler; ‘but I must say if I + had such a nose I would have a nice red leather cover made for it. Here is + a nice piece; and think what a protection it would be to you. As it is, + you must be constantly knocking up against things.’ + </p> + <p> + The lad was dumb with fright. He felt his nose. It was thick, and quite + two hands long. So, then, the old woman had changed his shape, and that + was why his own mother did not know him, and called him a horrid dwarf! + </p> + <p> + ‘Master,’ said he, ‘have you got a glass that I could see myself in?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Young gentleman,’ was the answer, ‘your appearance is hardly one to be + vain of, and there is no need to waste your time looking in a glass. + Besides, I have none here, and if you must have one you had better ask + Urban the barber, who lives over the way, to lend you his. Good morning.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, he gently pushed Jem into the street, shut the door, and went + back to his work. + </p> + <p> + Jem stepped across to the barber, whom he had known in old days. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning, Urban,’ said he; ‘may I look at myself in your glass for a + moment?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With pleasure,’ said the barber, laughing, and all the people in his shop + fell to laughing also. ‘You are a pretty youth, with your swan-like neck + and white hands and small nose. No wonder you are rather vain; but look as + long as you like at yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + So spoke the barber, and a titter ran round the room. Meantime Jem had + stepped up to the mirror, and stood gazing sadly at his reflection. Tears + came to his eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘No wonder you did not know your child again, dear mother,’ thought he; + ‘he wasn’t like this when you were so proud of his looks.’ + </p> + <p> + His eyes had grown quite small, like pigs’ eyes, his nose was huge and + hung down over his mouth and chin, his throat seemed to have disappeared + altogether, and his head was fixed stiffly between his shoulders. He was + no taller than he had been seven years ago, when he was not much more than + twelve years old, but he made up in breadth, and his back and chest had + grown into lumps like two great sacks. His legs were small and spindly, + but his arms were as large as those of a well-grown man, with large brown + hands, and long skinny fingers. + </p> + <p> + Then he remembered the morning when he had first seen the old woman, and + her threats to him, and without saying a word he left the barber’s shop. + </p> + <p> + He determined to go again to his mother, and found her still in the + market-place. He begged her to listen quietly to him, and he reminded her + of the day when he went away with the old woman, and of many things in his + childhood, and told her how the fairy had bewitched him, and he had served + her seven years. Hannah did not know what to think—the story was so + strange; and it seemed impossible to think her pretty boy and this hideous + dwarf were the same. At last she decided to go and talk to her husband + about it. She gathered up her baskets, told Jem to follow her, and went + straight to the cobbler’s stall. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look here,’ said she, ‘this creature says he is our lost son. He has been + telling me how he was stolen seven years ago, and bewitched by a fairy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed!’ interrupted the cobbler angrily. ‘Did he tell you this? Wait a + minute, you rascal! Why I told him all about it myself only an hour ago, + and then he goes off to humbug you. So you were bewitched, my son were + you? Wait a bit, and I’ll bewitch you!’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, he caught up a bundle of straps, and hit out at Jem so hard + that he ran off crying. + </p> + <p> + The poor little dwarf roamed about all the rest of the day without food or + drink, and at night was glad to lie down and sleep on the steps of a + church. He woke next morning with the first rays of light, and began to + think what he could do to earn a living. Suddenly he remembered that he + was an excellent cook, and he determined to look out for a place. + </p> + <p> + As soon as it was quite daylight he set out for the palace, for he knew + that the grand duke who reigned over the country was fond of good things. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the palace all the servants crowded about him, and made + fun of him, and at last their shouts and laughter grew so loud that the + head steward rushed out, crying, ‘For goodness sake, be quiet, can’t you. + Don’t you know his highness is still asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + Some of the servants ran off at once, and others pointed out Jem. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, the steward found it hard to keep himself from laughing at the + comic sight, but he ordered the servants off and led the dwarf into his + own room. + </p> + <p> + When he heard him ask for a place as cook, he said: ‘You make some + mistake, my lad. I think you want to be the grand duke’s dwarf, don’t + you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir,’ replied Jem. ‘I am an experienced cook, and if you will kindly + take me to the head cook he may find me of some use.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, as you will; but believe me, you would have an easier place as the + grand ducal dwarf.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, the head steward led him to the head cook’s room. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ asked Jem, as he bowed till his nose nearly touched the floor, ‘do + you want an experienced cook?’ + </p> + <p> + The head cook looked him over from head to foot, and burst out laughing. + </p> + <p> + ‘You a cook! Do you suppose our cooking stoves are so low that you can + look into any saucepan on them? Oh, my dear little fellow, whoever sent + you to me wanted to make fun of you.’ + </p> + <p> + But the dwarf was not to be put off. + </p> + <p> + ‘What matters an extra egg or two, or a little butter or flour and spice + more or less, in such a house as this?’ said he. ‘Name any dish you wish + to have cooked, and give me the materials I ask for, and you shall see.’ + </p> + <p> + He said much more, and at last persuaded the head cook to give him a + trial. + </p> + <p> + They went into the kitchen—a huge place with at least twenty + fireplaces, always alight. A little stream of clear water ran through the + room, and live fish were kept at one end of it. Everything in the kitchen + was of the best and most beautiful kind, and swarms of cooks and scullions + were busy preparing dishes. + </p> + <p> + When the head cook came in with Jem everyone stood quite still. + </p> + <p> + ‘What has his highness ordered for luncheon?’ asked the head cook. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir, his highness has graciously ordered a Danish soup and red Hamburg + dumplings.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good,’ said the head cook. ‘Have you heard, and do you feel equal to + making these dishes? Not that you will be able to make the dumplings, for + they are a secret receipt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that all!’ said Jem, who had often made both dishes. ‘Nothing easier. + Let me have some eggs, a piece of wild boar, and such and such roots and + herbs for the soup; and as for the dumplings,’ he added in a low voice to + the head cook, ‘I shall want four different kinds of meat, some wine, a + duck’s marrow, some ginger, and a herb called heal-well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why,’ cried the astonished cook, ‘where did you learn cooking? Yes, those + are the exact materials, but we never used the herb heal-well, which, I am + sure, must be an improvement.’ + </p> + <p> + And now Jem was allowed to try his hand. He could not nearly reach up to + the kitchen range, but by putting a wide plank on two chairs he managed + very well. All the cooks stood round to look on, and could not help + admiring the quick, clever way in which he set to work. At last, when all + was ready, Jem ordered the two dishes to be put on the fire till he gave + the word. Then he began to count: ‘One, two, three,’ till he got to five + hundred when he cried, ‘Now!’ The saucepans were taken off, and he invited + the head cook to taste. + </p> + <p> + The first cook took a golden spoon, washed and wiped it, and handed it to + the head cook, who solemnly approached, tasted the dishes, and smacked his + lips over them. ‘First rate, indeed!’ he exclaimed. ‘You certainly are a + master of the art, little fellow, and the herb heal-well gives a + particular relish.’ + </p> + <p> + As he was speaking, the duke’s valet came to say that his highness was + ready for luncheon, and it was served at once in silver dishes. The head + cook took Jem to his own room, but had hardly had time to question him + before he was ordered to go at once to the grand duke. He hurried on his + best clothes and followed the messenger. + </p> + <p> + The grand duke was looking much pleased. He had emptied the dishes, and + was wiping his mouth as the head cook came in. ‘Who cooked my luncheon + to-day?’ asked he. ‘I must say your dumplings are always very good; but I + don’t think I ever tasted anything so delicious as they were to-day. Who + made them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a strange story, your highness,’ said the cook, and told him the + whole matter, which surprised the duke so much that he sent for the dwarf + and asked him many questions. Of course, Jem could not say he had been + turned into a squirrel, but he said he was without parents and had been + taught cooking by an old woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you will stay with me,’ said the grand duke, ‘you shall have fifty + ducats a year, besides a new coat and a couple of pairs of trousers. You + must undertake to cook my luncheon yourself and to direct what I shall + have for dinner, and you shall be called assistant head cook.’ + </p> + <p> + Jem bowed to the ground, and promised to obey his new master in all + things. + </p> + <p> + He lost no time in setting to work, and everyone rejoiced at having him in + the kitchen, for the duke was not a patient man, and had been known to + throw plates and dishes at his cooks and servants if the things served + were not quite to his taste. Now all was changed. He never even grumbled + at anything, had five meals instead of three, thought everything + delicious, and grew fatter daily. + </p> + <p> + And so Jem lived on for two years, much respected and considered, and only + saddened when he thought of his parents. One day passed much like another + till the following incident happened. + </p> + <p> + Dwarf Long Nose—as he was always called—made a practice of + doing his marketing as much as possible himself, and whenever time allowed + went to the market to buy his poultry and fruit. One morning he was in the + goose market, looking for some nice fat geese. No one thought of laughing + at his appearance now; he was known as the duke’s special body cook, and + every goose-woman felt honoured if his nose turned her way. + </p> + <p> + He noticed one woman sitting apart with a number of geese, but not crying + or praising them like the rest. He went up to her, felt and weighed her + geese, and, finding them very good, bought three and the cage to put them + in, hoisted them on his broad shoulders, and set off on his way back. + </p> + <p> + As he went, it struck him that two of the geese were gobbling and + screaming as geese do, but the third sat quite still, only heaving a deep + sigh now and then, like a human being. ‘That goose is ill,’ said he; ‘I + must make haste to kill and dress her.’ + </p> + <p> + But the goose answered him quite distinctly: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Squeeze too tight + And I’ll bite, + If my neck a twist you gave + I’d bring you to an early grave.’ +</pre> + <p> + Quite frightened, the dwarf set down the cage, and the goose gazed at him + with sad wise-looking eyes and sighed again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good gracious!’ said Long Nose. ‘So you can speak, Mistress Goose. I + never should have thought it! Well, don’t be anxious. I know better than + to hurt so rare a bird. But I could bet you were not always in this + plumage—wasn’t I a squirrel myself for a time?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are right,’ said the goose, ‘in supposing I was not born in this + horrid shape. Ah! no one ever thought that Mimi, the daughter of the great + Weatherbold, would be killed for the ducal table.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be quite easy, Mistress Mimi,’ comforted Jem. ‘As sure as I’m an honest + man and assistant head cook to his highness, no one shall harm you. I will + make a hutch for you in my own rooms, and you shall be well fed, and I’ll + come and talk to you as much as I can. I’ll tell all the other cooks that + I am fattening up a goose on very special food for the grand duke, and at + the first good opportunity I will set you free.’ + </p> + <p> + The goose thanked him with tears in her eyes, and the dwarf kept his word. + He killed the other two geese for dinner, but built a little shed for Mimi + in one of his rooms, under the pretence of fattening her under his own + eye. He spent all his spare time talking to her and comforting her, and + fed her on all the daintiest dishes. They confided their histories to each + other, and Jem learnt that the goose was the daughter of the wizard + Weatherbold, who lived on the island of Gothland. He fell out with an old + fairy, who got the better of him by cunning and treachery, and to revenge + herself turned his daughter into a goose and carried her off to this + distant place. When Long Nose told her his story she said: + </p> + <p> + ‘I know a little of these matters, and what you say shows me that you are + under a herb enchantment—that is to say, that if you can find the + herb whose smell woke you up the spell would be broken.’ + </p> + <p> + This was but small comfort for Jem, for how and where was he to find the + herb? + </p> + <p> + About this time the grand duke had a visit from a neighbouring prince, a + friend of his. He sent for Long Nose and said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now is the time to show what you can really do. This prince who is + staying with me has better dinners than any one except myself, and is a + great judge of cooking. As long as he is here you must take care that my + table shall be served in a manner to surprise him constantly. At the same + time, on pain of my displeasure, take care that no dish shall appear + twice. Get everything you wish and spare nothing. If you want to melt down + gold and precious stones, do so. I would rather be a poor man than have to + blush before him.’ + </p> + <p> + The dwarf bowed and answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Your highness shall be obeyed. I will do all in my power to please you + and the prince.’ + </p> + <p> + From this time the little cook was hardly seen except in the kitchen, + where, surrounded by his helpers, he gave orders, baked, stewed, flavoured + and dished up all manner of dishes. + </p> + <p> + The prince had been a fortnight with the grand duke, and enjoyed himself + mightily. They ate five times a day, and the duke had every reason to be + content with the dwarf’s talents, for he saw how pleased his guest looked. + On the fifteenth day the duke sent for the dwarf and presented him to the + prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a wonderful cook,’ said the prince, ‘and you certainly know what + is good. All the time I have been here you have never repeated a dish, and + all were excellent. But tell me why you have never served the queen of all + dishes, a Suzeraine Pasty?’ + </p> + <p> + The dwarf felt frightened, for he had never heard of this Queen of Pasties + before. But he did not lose his presence of mind, and replied: + </p> + <p> + ‘I have waited, hoping that your highness’ visit here would last some + time, for I proposed to celebrate the last day of your stay with this + truly royal dish.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed,’ laughed the grand duke; ‘then I suppose you would have waited + for the day of my death to treat me to it, for you have never sent it up + to me yet. However, you will have to invent some other farewell dish, for + the pasty must be on my table to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As your highness pleases,’ said the dwarf, and took leave. + </p> + <p> + But it did not please HIM at all. The moment of disgrace seemed at hand, + for he had no idea how to make this pasty. He went to his rooms very sad. + As he sat there lost in thought the goose Mimi, who was left free to walk + about, came up to him and asked what was the matter? When she heard she + said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Cheer up, my friend. I know the dish quite well: we often had it at home, + and I can guess pretty well how it was made.’ Then she told him what to + put in, adding: ‘I think that will be all right, and if some trifle is + left out perhaps they won’t find it out.’ + </p> + <p> + Sure enough, next day a magnificent pasty all wreathed round with flowers + was placed on the table. Jem himself put on his best clothes and went into + the dining hall. As he entered the head carver was in the act of cutting + up the pie and helping the duke and his guests. The grand duke took a + large mouthful and threw up his eyes as he swallowed it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! oh! this may well be called the Queen of Pasties, and at the same + time my dwarf must be called the king of cooks. Don’t you think so, dear + friend?’ + </p> + <p> + The prince took several small pieces, tasted and examined carefully, and + then said with a mysterious and sarcastic smile: + </p> + <p> + ‘The dish is very nicely made, but the Suzeraine is not quite complete—as + I expected.’ + </p> + <p> + The grand duke flew into a rage. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dog of a cook,’ he shouted; ‘how dare you serve me so? I’ve a good mind + to chop off your great head as a punishment.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For mercy’s sake, don’t, your highness! I made the pasty according to the + best rules; nothing has been left out. Ask the prince what else I should + have put in.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince laughed. ‘I was sure you could not make this dish as well as my + cook, friend Long Nose. Know, then, that a herb is wanting called Relish, + which is not known in this country, but which gives the pasty its peculiar + flavour, and without which your master will never taste it to perfection.’ + </p> + <p> + The grand duke was more furious than ever. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I WILL taste it to perfection,’ he roared. ‘Either the pasty must be + made properly to-morrow or this rascal’s head shall come off. Go, + scoundrel, I give you twenty-four hours respite.’ + </p> + <p> + The poor dwarf hurried back to his room, and poured out his grief to the + goose. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, is that all,’ said she, ‘then I can help you, for my father taught me + to know all plants and herbs. Luckily this is a new moon just now, for the + herb only springs up at such times. But tell me, are there chestnut trees + near the palace?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes!’ cried Long Nose, much relieved; ‘near the lake—only a + couple of hundred yards from the palace—is a large clump of them. + But why do you ask?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because the herb only grows near the roots of chestnut trees,’ replied + Mimi; ‘so let us lose no time in finding it. Take me under your arm and + put me down out of doors, and I’ll hunt for it.’ + </p> + <p> + He did as she bade, and as soon as they were in the garden put her on the + ground, when she waddled off as fast as she could towards the lake, Jem + hurrying after her with an anxious heart, for he knew that his life + depended on her success. The goose hunted everywhere, but in vain. She + searched under each chestnut tree, turning every blade of grass with her + bill—nothing to be seen, and evening was drawing on! + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the dwarf noticed a big old tree standing alone on the other side + of the lake. ‘Look,’ cried he, ‘let us try our luck there.’ + </p> + <p> + The goose fluttered and skipped in front, and he ran after as fast as his + little legs could carry him. The tree cast a wide shadow, and it was + almost dark beneath it, but suddenly the goose stood still, flapped her + wings with joy, and plucked something, which she held out to her + astonished friend, saying: ‘There it is, and there is more growing here, + so you will have no lack of it.’ + </p> + <p> + The dwarf stood gazing at the plant. It gave out a strong sweet scent, + which reminded him of the day of his enchantment. The stems and leaves + were a bluish green, and it bore a dark, bright red flower with a yellow + edge. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a wonder!’ cried Long Nose. ‘I do believe this is the very herb + which changed me from a squirrel into my present miserable form. Shall I + try an experiment?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet,’ said the goose. ‘Take a good handful of the herb with you, and + let us go to your rooms. We will collect all your money and clothes + together, and then we will test the powers of the herb.’ + </p> + <p> + So they went back to Jem’s rooms, and here he gathered together some fifty + ducats he had saved, his clothes and shoes, and tied them all up in a + bundle. Then he plunged his face into the bunch of herbs, and drew in + their perfume. + </p> + <p> + As he did so, all his limbs began to crack and stretch; he felt his head + rising above his shoulders; he glanced down at his nose, and saw it grow + smaller and smaller; his chest and back grew flat, and his legs grew long. + </p> + <p> + The goose looked on in amazement. ‘Oh, how big and how beautiful you are!’ + she cried. ‘Thank heaven, you are quite changed.’ + </p> + <p> + Jem folded his hands in thanks, as his heart swelled with gratitude. But + his joy did not make him forget all he owed to his friend Mimi. + </p> + <p> + ‘I owe you my life and my release,’ he said, ‘for without you I should + never have regained my natural shape, and, indeed, would soon have been + beheaded. I will now take you back to your father, who will certainly know + how to disenchant you.’ + </p> + <p> + The goose accepted his offer with joy, and they managed to slip out of the + palace unnoticed by anyone. + </p> + <p> + They got through the journey without accident, and the wizard soon + released his daughter, and loaded Jem with thanks and valuable presents. + He lost no time in hastening back to his native town, and his parents were + very ready to recognise the handsome, well-made young man as their + long-lost son. With the money given him by the wizard he opened a shop, + which prospered well, and he lived long and happily. + </p> + <p> + I must not forget to mention that much disturbance was caused in the + palace by Jem’s sudden disappearance, for when the grand duke sent orders + next day to behead the dwarf, if he had not found the necessary herbs, the + dwarf was not to be found. The prince hinted that the duke had allowed his + cook to escape, and had therefore broken his word. The matter ended in a + great war between the two princes, which was known in history as the ‘Herb + War.’ After many battles and much loss of life, a peace was at last + concluded, and this peace became known as the ‘Pasty Peace,’ because at + the banquet given in its honour the prince’s cook dished up the Queen of + Pasties—the Suzeraine—and the grand duke declared it to be + quite excellent. + </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 NUNDA, EATER OF PEOPLE + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived a sultan who loved his garden dearly, and + planted it with trees and flowers and fruits from all parts of the world. + He went to see them three times every day: first at seven o’clock, when he + got up, then at three, and lastly at half-past five. There was no plant + and no vegetable which escaped his eye, but he lingered longest of all + before his one date tree. + </p> + <p> + Now the sultan had seven sons. Six of them he was proud of, for they were + strong and manly, but the youngest he disliked, for he spent all his time + among the women of the house. The sultan had talked to him, and he paid no + heed; and he had beaten him, and he paid no heed; and he had tied him up, + and he paid no heed, till at last his father grew tired of trying to make + him change his ways, and let him alone. + </p> + <p> + Time passed, and one day the sultan, to his great joy, saw signs of fruit + on his date tree. And he told his vizir, ‘My date tree is bearing;’ and he + told the officers, ‘My date tree is bearing;’ and he told the judges, ‘My + date tree is bearing;’ and he told all the rich men of the town. + </p> + <p> + He waited patiently for some days till the dates were nearly ripe, and + then he called his six sons, and said: ‘One of you must watch the date + tree till the dates are ripe, for if it is not watched the slaves will + steal them, and I shall not have any for another year.’ + </p> + <p> + And the eldest son answered, ‘I will go, father,’ and he went. + </p> + <p> + The first thing the youth did was to summon his slaves, and bid them beat + drums all night under the date tree, for he feared to fall asleep. So the + slaves beat the drums, and the young man danced till four o’clock, and + then it grew so cold he could dance no longer, and one of the slaves said + to him: ‘It is getting light; the tree is safe; lie down, master, and go + to sleep.’ + </p> + <p> + So he lay down and slept, and his slaves slept likewise. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes went by, and a bird flew down from a neighbouring thicket, + and ate all the dates, without leaving a single one. And when the tree was + stripped bare, the bird went as it had come. Soon after, one of the slaves + woke up and looked for the dates, but there were no dates to see. Then he + ran to the young man and shook him, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘Your father set you to watch the tree, and you have not watched, and the + dates have all been eaten by a bird.’ + </p> + <p> + The lad jumped up and ran to the tree to see for himself, but there was + not a date anywhere. And he cried aloud, ‘What am I to say to my father? + Shall I tell him that the dates have been stolen, or that a great rain + fell and a great storm blew? But he will send me to gather them up and + bring them to him, and there are none to bring! Shall I tell him that + Bedouins drove me away, and when I returned there were no dates? And he + will answer, “You had slaves, did they not fight with the Bedouins?” It is + the truth that will be best, and that will I tell him.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he went straight to his father, and found him sitting in his verandah + with his five sons round him; and the lad bowed his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me the news from the garden,’ said the sultan. + </p> + <p> + And the youth answered, ‘The dates have all been eaten by some bird: there + is not one left.’ + </p> + <p> + The sultan was silent for a moment: then he asked, ‘Where were you when + the bird came?’ + </p> + <p> + The lad answered: ‘I watched the date tree till the cocks were crowing and + it was getting light; then I lay down for a little, and I slept. When I + woke a slave was standing over me, and he said, “There is not one date + left on the tree!” And I went to the date tree, and saw it was true; and + that is what I have to tell you.’ + </p> + <p> + And the sultan replied, ‘A son like you is only good for eating and + sleeping. I have no use for you. Go your way, and when my date tree bears + again, I will send another son; perhaps he will watch better.’ + </p> + <p> + So he waited many months, till the tree was covered with more dates than + any tree had ever borne before. When they were near ripening he sent one + of his sons to the garden: saying, ‘My son, I am longing to taste those + dates: go and watch over them, for to-day’s sun will bring them to + perfection.’ + </p> + <p> + And the lad answered: ‘My father, I am going now, and to-morrow, when the + sun has passed the hour of seven, bid a slave come and gather the dates.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good,’ said the sultan. + </p> + <p> + The youth went to the tree, and lay down and slept. And about midnight he + arose to look at the tree, and the dates were all there—beautiful + dates, swinging in bunches. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, my father will have a feast, indeed,’ thought he. ‘What a fool my + brother was not to take more heed! Now he is in disgrace, and we know him + no more. Well, I will watch till the bird comes. I should like to see what + manner of bird it is.’ + </p> + <p> + And he sat and read till the cocks crew and it grew light, and the dates + were still on the tree. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh my father will have his dates; they are all safe now,’ he thought to + himself. ‘I will make myself comfortable against this tree,’ and he leaned + against the trunk, and sleep came on him, and the bird flew down and ate + all the dates. + </p> + <p> + When the sun rose, the head-man came and looked for the dates, and there + were no dates. And he woke the young man, and said to him, ‘Look at the + tree.’ + </p> + <p> + And the young man looked, and there were no dates. And his ears were + stopped, and his legs trembled, and his tongue grew heavy at the thought + of the sultan. His slave became frightened as he looked at him, and asked, + ‘My master, what is it?’ + </p> + <p> + He answered, ‘I have no pain anywhere, but I am ill everywhere. My whole + body is well, and my whole body is sick I fear my father, for did I not + say to him, “To-morrow at seven you shall taste the dates”? And he will + drive me away, as he drove away my brother! I will go away myself, before + he sends me.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he got up and took a road that led straight past the palace, but he + had not walked many steps before he met a man carrying a large silver + dish, covered with a white cloth to cover the dates. + </p> + <p> + And the young man said, ‘The dates are not ripe yet; you must return + to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + And the slave went with him to the palace, where the sultan was sitting + with his four sons. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good greeting, master!’ said the youth. + </p> + <p> + And the sultan answered, ‘Have you seen the man I sent?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have, master; but the dates are not yet ripe.’ + </p> + <p> + But the sultan did not believe his words, and said; ‘This second year I + have eaten no dates, because of my sons. Go your ways, you are my son no + longer!’ + </p> + <p> + And the sultan looked at the four sons that were left him, and promised + rich gifts to whichever of them would bring him the dates from the tree. + But year by year passed, and he never got them. One son tried to keep + himself awake with playing cards; another mounted a horse and rode round + and round the tree, while the two others, whom their father as a last hope + sent together, lit bonfires. But whatever they did, the result was always + the same. Towards dawn they fell asleep, and the bird ate the dates on the + tree. + </p> + <p> + The sixth year had come, and the dates on the tree were thicker than ever. + And the head-man went to the palace and told the sultan what he had seen. + But the sultan only shook his head, and said sadly, ‘What is that to me? I + have had seven sons, yet for five years a bird has devoured my dates; and + this year it will be the same as ever.’ + </p> + <p> + Now the youngest son was sitting in the kitchen, as was his custom, when + he heard his father say those words. And he rose up, and went to his + father, and knelt before him. ‘Father, this year you shall eat dates,’ + cried he. ‘And on the tree are five great bunches, and each bunch I will + give to a separate nation, for the nations in the town are five. This + time, I will watch the date tree myself.’ But his father and his mother + laughed heartily, and thought his words idle talk. + </p> + <p> + One day, news was brought to the sultan that the dates were ripe, and he + ordered one of his men to go and watch the tree. His son, who happened to + be standing by, heard the order, and he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘How is it that you have bidden a man to watch the tree, when I, your son, + am left?’ + </p> + <p> + And his father answered, ‘Ah, six were of no use, and where they failed, + will you succeed?’ + </p> + <p> + But the boy replied: ‘Have patience to-day, and let me go, and to-morrow + you shall see whether I bring you dates or not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let the child go, Master,’ said his wife; ‘perhaps we shall eat the dates—or + perhaps we shall not—but let him go.’ + </p> + <p> + And the sultan answered: ‘I do not refuse to let him go, but my heart + distrusts him. His brothers all promised fair, and what did they do?’ + </p> + <p> + But the boy entreated, saying, ‘Father, if you and I and mother be alive + to-morrow, you shall eat the dates.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go then,’ said his father. + </p> + <p> + When the boy reached the garden, he told the slaves to leave him, and to + return home themselves and sleep. When he was alone, he laid himself down + and slept fast till one o’clock, when he arose, and sat opposite the date + tree. Then he took some Indian corn out of one fold of his dress, and some + sandy grit out of another. + </p> + <p> + And he chewed the corn till he felt he was growing sleepy, and then he put + some grit into his mouth, and that kept him awake till the bird came. + </p> + <p> + It looked about at first without seeing him, and whispering to itself, + ‘There is no one here,’ fluttered lightly on to the tree and stretched out + his beak for the dates. Then the boy stole softly up, and caught it by the + wing. + </p> + <p> + The bird turned and flew quickly away, but the boy never let go, not even + when they soared high into the air. + </p> + <p> + ‘Son of Adam,’ the bird said when the tops of the mountains looked small + below them, ‘if you fall, you will be dead long before you reach the + ground, so go your way, and let me go mine.’ + </p> + <p> + But the boy answered, ‘Wherever you go, I will go with you. You cannot get + rid of me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I did not eat your dates,’ persisted the bird, ‘and the day is dawning. + Leave me to go my way.’ + </p> + <p> + But again the boy answered him: ‘My six brothers are hateful to my father + because you came and stole the dates, and to-day my father shall see you, + and my brothers shall see you, and all the people of the town, great and + small, shall see you. And my father’s heart will rejoice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, if you will not leave me, I will throw you off,’ said the bird. + </p> + <p> + So it flew up higher still—so high that the earth shone like one of + the other stars. + </p> + <p> + ‘How much of you will be left if you fall from here?’ asked the bird. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I die, I die,’ said the boy, ‘but I will not leave you.’ + </p> + <p> + And the bird saw it was no use talking, and went down to the earth again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here you are at home, so let me go my way,’ it begged once more; ‘or at + least make a covenant with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What covenant?’ said the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Save me from the sun,’ replied the bird, ‘and I will save you from rain.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How can you do that, and how can I tell if I can trust you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pull a feather from my tail, and put it in the fire, and if you want me I + will come to you, wherever I am.’ + </p> + <p> + And the boy answered, ‘Well, I agree; go your way.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell, my friend. When you call me, if it is from the depths of the + sea, I will come.’ + </p> + <p> + The lad watched the bird out of sight; then he went straight to the date + tree. And when he saw the dates his heart was glad, and his body felt + stronger and his eyes brighter than before. And he laughed out loud with + joy, and said to himself, ‘This is MY luck, mine, Sit-in-the-kitchen! + Farewell, date tree, I am going to lie down. What ate you will eat you no + more.’ + </p> + <p> + The sun was high in the sky before the head-man, whose business it was, + came to look at the date tree, expecting to find it stripped of all its + fruit, but when he saw the dates so thick that they almost hid the leaves + he ran back to his house, and beat a big drum till everybody came running, + and even the little children wanted to know what had happened. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it? What is it, head-man?’ cried they. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, it is not a son that the master has, but a lion! This day + Sit-in-the-kitchen has uncovered his face before his father!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how, head-man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To day the people may eat the dates.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it true, head-man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes, it is true, but let him sleep till each man has brought forth a + present. He who has fowls, let him take fowls; he who has a goat, let him + take a goat; he who has rice, let him take rice.’ And the people did as he + had said. + </p> + <p> + Then they took the drum, and went to the tree where the boy lay sleeping. + </p> + <p> + And they picked him up, and carried him away, with horns and clarionets + and drums, with clappings of hands and shrieks of joy, straight to his + father’s house. + </p> + <p> + When his father heard the noise and saw the baskets made of green leaves, + brimming over with dates, and his son borne high on the necks of slaves, + his heart leaped, and he said to himself ‘To-day at last I shall eat + dates.’ And he called his wife to see what her son had done, and ordered + his soldiers to take the boy and bring him to his father. + </p> + <p> + ‘What news, my son?’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘News? I have no news, except that if you will open your mouth you shall + see what dates taste like.’ And he plucked a date, and put it into his + father’s mouth. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! You are indeed my son,’ cried the sultan. ‘You do not take after + those fools, those good-for-nothings. But, tell me, what did you do with + the bird, for it was you, and you only who watched for it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it was I who watched for it and who saw it. And it will not come + again, neither for its life, nor for your life, nor for the lives of your + children.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, once I had six sons, and now I have only one. It is you, whom I + called a fool, who have given me the dates: as for the others, I want none + of them.’ + </p> + <p> + But his wife rose up and went to him, and said, ‘Master, do not, I pray + you, reject them,’ and she entreated long, till the sultan granted her + prayer, for she loved the six elder ones more than her last one. + </p> + <p> + So they all lived quietly at home, till the sultan’s cat went and caught a + calf. And the owner of the calf went and told the sultan, but he answered, + ‘The cat is mine, and the calf mine,’ and the man dared not complain + further. + </p> + <p> + Two days after, the cat caught a cow, and the sultan was told, ‘Master, + the cat has caught a cow,’ but he only said, ‘It was my cow and my cat.’ + </p> + <p> + And the cat waited a few days, and then it caught a donkey, and they told + the sultan, ‘Master, the cat has caught a donkey,’ and he said, ‘My cat + and my donkey.’ Next it was a horse, and after that a camel, and when the + sultan was told he said, ‘You don’t like this cat, and want me to kill it. + And I shall not kill it. Let it eat the camel: let it even eat a man.’ + </p> + <p> + And it waited till the next day, and caught some one’s child. And the + sultan was told, ‘The cat has caught a child.’ And he said, ‘The cat is + mine and the child mine.’ Then it caught a grown-up man. + </p> + <p> + After that the cat left the town and took up its abode in a thicket near + the road. So if any one passed, going for water, it devoured him. If it + saw a cow going to feed, it devoured him. If it saw a goat, it devoured + him. Whatever went along that road the cat caught and ate. + </p> + <p> + Then the people went to the sultan in a body, and told him of all the + misdeeds of that cat. But he answered as before, ‘The cat is mine and the + people are mine.’ And no man dared kill the cat, which grew bolder and + bolder, and at last came into the town to look for its prey. + </p> + <p> + One day, the sultan said to his six sons, ‘I am going into the country, to + see how the wheat is growing, and you shall come with me.’ They went on + merrily along the road, till they came to a thicket, when out sprang the + cat, and killed three of the sons. + </p> + <p> + ‘The cat! The cat!’ shrieked the soldiers who were with him. And this time + the sultan said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Seek for it and kill it. It is no longer a cat, but a demon!’ + </p> + <p> + And the soldiers answered him, ‘Did we not tell you, master, what the cat + was doing, and did you not say, “My cat and my people”?’ + </p> + <p> + And he answered: ‘True, I said it.’ + </p> + <p> + Now the youngest son had not gone with the rest, but had stayed at home + with his mother; and when he heard that his brothers had been killed by + the cat he said, ‘Let me go, that it may slay me also.’ His mother + entreated him not to leave her, but he would not listen, and he took his + sword and a spear and some rice cakes, and went after the cat, which by + this time had run of to a great distance. + </p> + <p> + The lad spent many days hunting the cat, which now bore the name of ‘The + Nunda, eater of people,’ but though he killed many wild animals he saw no + trace of the enemy he was hunting for. There was no beast, however fierce, + that he was afraid of, till at last his father and mother begged him to + give up the chase after the Nunda. + </p> + <p> + But he answered: ‘What I have said, I cannot take back. If I am to die, + then I die, but every day I must go and seek for the Nunda.’ + </p> + <p> + And again his father offered him what he would, even the crown itself, but + the boy would hear nothing, and went on his way. + </p> + <p> + Many times his slaves came and told him, ‘We have seen footprints, and + to-day we shall behold the Nunda.’ But the footprints never turned out to + be those of the Nunda. They wandered far through deserts and through + forests, and at length came to the foot of a great hill. And something in + the boy’s soul whispered that here was the end of all their seeking, and + to-day they would find the Nunda. + </p> + <p> + But before they began to climb the mountain the boy ordered his slaves to + cook some rice, and they rubbed the stick to make a fire, and when the + fire was kindled they cooked the rice and ate it. Then they began their + climb. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, when they had almost reached the top, a slave who was on in + front cried: + </p> + <p> + ‘Master! Master!’ And the boy pushed on to where the slave stood, and the + slave said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Cast your eyes down to the foot of the mountain.’ And the boy looked, and + his soul told him it was the Nunda. + </p> + <p> + And he crept down with his spear in his hand, and then he stopped and + gazed below him. + </p> + <p> + ‘This MUST be the real Nunda,’ thought he. ‘My mother told me its ears + were small, and this one’s are small. She told me it was broad and not + long, and this is broad and not long. She told me it had spots like a + civet-cat, and this has spots like a civet-cat.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he left the Nunda lying asleep at the foot of the mountain, and went + back to his slaves. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will feast to-day,’ he said; ‘make cakes of batter, and bring water,’ + and they ate and drank. And when they had finished he bade them hide the + rest of the food in the thicket, that if they slew the Nunda they might + return and eat and sleep before going back to the town. And the slaves did + as he bade them. + </p> + <p> + It was now afternoon, and the lad said: ‘It is time we went after the + Nunda.’ And they went till they reached the bottom and came to a great + forest which lay between them and the Nunda. + </p> + <p> + Here the lad stopped, and ordered every slave that wore two cloths to cast + one away and tuck up the other between his legs. ‘For,’ said he, ‘the wood + is not a little one. Perhaps we may be caught by the thorns, or perhaps we + may have to run before the Nunda, and the cloth might bind our legs, and + cause us to fall before it.’ + </p> + <p> + And they answered, ‘Good, master,’ and did as he bade them. Then they + crawled on their hands and knees to where the Nunda lay asleep. + </p> + <p> + Noiselessly they crept along till they were quite close to it; then, at a + sign from the boy, they threw their spears. The Nunda did not stir: the + spears had done their work, but a great fear seized them all, and they ran + away and climbed the mountain. + </p> + <p> + The sun was setting when they reached the top, and glad they were to take + out the fruit and the cakes and the water which they had hidden away, and + sit down and rest themselves. And after they had eaten and were filled, + they lay down and slept till morning. + </p> + <p> + When the dawn broke they rose up and cooked more rice, and drank more + water. After that they walked all round the back of the mountain to the + place where they had left the Nunda, and they saw it stretched out where + they had found it, stiff and dead. And they took it up and carried it back + to the town, singing as they went, ‘He has killed the Nunda, the eater of + people.’ + </p> + <p> + And when his father heard the news, and that his son was come, and was + bringing the Nunda with him, he felt that the man did not dwell on the + earth whose joy was greater than his. And the people bowed down to the boy + and gave him presents, and loved him, because he had delivered them from + the bondage of fear, and had slain the Nunda. + </p> + <p> + (Adapted from Swahili Tales.) + </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 HASSEBU + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived a poor woman who had only one child, and he + was a little boy called Hassebu. When he ceased to be a baby, and his + mother thought it was time for him to learn to read, she sent him to + school. And, after he had done with school, he was put into a shop to + learn how to make clothes, and did not learn; and he was put to do + silversmith’s work, and did not learn; and whatsoever he was taught, he + did not learn it. His mother never wished him to do anything he did not + like, so she said: ‘Well, stay at home, my son.’ And he stayed at home, + eating and sleeping. + </p> + <p> + One day the boy said to his mother: ‘What was my father’s business?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He was a very learned doctor,’ answered she. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where, then, are his books?’ asked Hassebu. + </p> + <p> + ‘Many days have passed, and I have thought nothing of them. But look + inside and see if they are there.’ So Hassebu looked, and saw they were + eaten by insects, all but one book, which he took away and read. + </p> + <p> + He was sitting at home one morning poring over the medicine book, when + some neighbours came by and said to his mother: ‘Give us this boy, that we + may go together to cut wood.’ For wood-cutting was their trade, and they + loaded several donkeys with the wood, and sold it in the town. + </p> + <p> + And his mother answered, ‘Very well; to-morrow I will buy him a donkey, + and you can all go together.’ + </p> + <p> + So the donkey was bought, and the neighbours came, and they worked hard + all day, and in the evening they brought the wood back into the town, and + sold it for a good sum of money. And for six days they went and did the + like, but on the seventh it rained, and the wood-cutters ran and hid in + the rocks, all but Hassebu, who did not mind wetting, and stayed where he + was. + </p> + <p> + While he was sitting in the place where the wood-cutters had left him, he + took up a stone that lay near him, and idly dropped it on the ground. It + rang with a hollow sound, and he called to his companions, and said, ‘Come + here and listen; the ground seems hollow!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Knock again!’ cried they. And he knocked and listened. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us dig,’ said the boy. And they dug, and found a large pit like a + well, filled with honey up to the brim. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is better than firewood,’ said they; ‘it will bring us more money. + And as you have found it, Hassebu, it is you who must go inside and dip + out the honey and give to us, and we will take it to the town and sell it, + and will divide the money with you.’ + </p> + <p> + The following day each man brought every bowl and vessel he could find at + home, and Hassebu filled them all with honey. And this he did every day + for three months. + </p> + <p> + At the end of that time the honey was very nearly finished, and there was + only a little left, quite at the bottom, and that was very deep down, so + deep that it seemed as if it must be right in the middle of the earth. + Seeing this, the men said to Hassebu, ‘We will put a rope under your arms, + and let you down, so that you may scrape up all the honey that is left, + and when you have done we will lower the rope again, and you shall make it + fast, and we will draw you up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ answered the boy, and he went down, and he scraped and + scraped till there was not so much honey left as would cover the point of + a needle. ‘Now I am ready!’ he cried; but they consulted together and + said, ‘Let us leave him there inside the pit, and take his share of the + money, and we will tell his mother, “Your son was caught by a lion and + carried off into the forest, and we tried to follow him, but could not.”’ + </p> + <p> + Then they arose and went into the town and told his mother as they had + agreed, and she wept much and made her mourning for many months. And when + the men were dividing the money, one said, ‘Let us send a little to our + friend’s mother,’ and they sent some to her; and every day one took her + rice, and one oil; one took her meat, and one took her cloth, every day. + </p> + <p> + It did not take long for Hassebu to find out that his companions had left + him to die in the pit, but he had a brave heart, and hoped that he might + be able to find a way out for himself. So he at once began to explore the + pit and found it ran back a long way underground. And by night he slept, + and by day he took a little of the honey he had gathered and ate it; and + so many days passed by. + </p> + <p> + One morning, while he was sitting on a rock having his breakfast, a large + scorpion dropped down at his feet, and he took a stone and killed it, + fearing it would sting him. Then suddenly the thought darted into his + head, ‘This scorpion must have come from somewhere! Perhaps there is a + hole. I will go and look for it,’ and he felt all round the walls of the + pit till he found a very little hole in the roof of the pit, with a tiny + glimmer of light at the far end of it. Then his heart felt glad, and he + took out his knife and dug and dug, till the little hole became a big one, + and he could wriggle himself through. And when he had got outside, he saw + a large open space in front of him, and a path leading out of it. + </p> + <p> + He went along the path, on and on, till he reached a large house, with a + golden door standing open. Inside was a great hall, and in the middle of + the hall a throne set with precious stones and a sofa spread with the + softest cushions. And he went in and lay down on it, and fell fast asleep, + for he had wandered far. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by there was a sound of people coming through the courtyard, and + the measured tramp of soldiers. This was the King of the Snakes coming in + state to his palace. + </p> + <p> + They entered the hall, but all stopped in surprise at finding a man lying + on the king’s own bed. The soldiers wished to kill him at once, but the + king said, ‘Leave him alone, put me on a chair,’ and the soldiers who were + carrying him knelt on the floor, and he slid from their shoulders on to a + chair. When he was comfortably seated, he turned to his soldiers, and bade + them wake the stranger gently. And they woke him, and he sat up and saw + many snakes all round him, and one of them very beautiful, decked in royal + robes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who are you?’ asked Hassebu. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am the King of the Snakes,’ was the reply, ‘and this is my palace. And + will you tell me who you are, and where you come from?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My name is Hassebu, but whence I come I know not, nor whither I go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then stay for a little with me,’ said the king, and he bade his soldiers + bring water from the spring and fruits from the forest, and to set them + before the guest. + </p> + <p> + For some days Hassebu rested and feasted in the palace of the King of the + Snakes, and then he began to long for his mother and his own country. So + he said to the King of the Snakes, ‘Send me home, I pray.’ + </p> + <p> + But the King of the Snakes answered, ‘When you go home, you will do me + evil!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will do you no evil,’ replied Hassebu; ‘send me home, I pray.’ + </p> + <p> + But the king said, ‘I know it. If I send you home, you will come back, and + kill me. I dare not do it.’ But Hassebu begged so hard that at last the + king said, ‘Swear that when you get home you will not go to bathe where + many people are gathered.’ And Hassebu swore, and the king ordered his + soldiers to take Hassebu in sight of his native city. Then he went + straight to his mother’s house, and the heart of his mother was glad. + </p> + <p> + Now the Sultan of the city was very ill, and all the wise men said that + the only thing to cure him was the flesh of the King of the Snakes, and + that the only man who could get it was a man with a strange mark on his + chest. So the Vizir had set people to watch at the public baths, to see if + such a man came there. + </p> + <p> + For three days Hassebu remembered his promise to the King of the Snakes, + and did not go near the baths; then came a morning so hot he could hardly + breathe, and he forgot all about it. + </p> + <p> + The moment he had slipped off his robe he was taken before the Vizir, who + said to him, ‘Lead us to the place where the King of the Snakes lives.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know it!’ answered he, but the Vizir did not believe him, and + had him bound and beaten till his back was all torn. + </p> + <p> + Then Hassebu cried, ‘Loose me, that I may take you.’ + </p> + <p> + They went together a long, long way, till they reached the palace of the + King of the Snakes. + </p> + <p> + And Hassebu said to the King: ‘It was not I: look at my back and you will + see how they drove me to it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who has beaten you like this?’ asked the King. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was the Vizir,’ replied Hassebu. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I am already dead,’ said the King sadly, ‘but you must carry me + there yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + So Hassebu carried him. And on the way the King said, ‘When I arrive, I + shall be killed, and my flesh will be cooked. But take some of the water + that I am boiled in, and put it in a bottle and lay it on one side. The + Vizir will tell you to drink it, but be careful not to do so. Then take + some more of the water, and drink it, and you will become a great + physician, and the third supply you will give to the Sultan. And when the + Vizir comes to you and asks, “Did you drink what I gave you?” you must + answer, “I did, and this is for you,” and he will drink it and die! and + your soul will rest.’ + </p> + <p> + And they went their way into the town, and all happened as the King of the + Snakes had said. + </p> + <p> + And the Sultan loved Hassebu, who became a great physician, and cured many + sick people. But he was always sorry for the poor King of the Snakes. + </p> + <p> + (Adapted from Swahili Tales,) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MAIDEN WITH THE WOODEN HELMET + </h2> + <p> + In a little village in the country of Japan there lived long, long ago a + man and his wife. For many years they were happy and prosperous, but bad + times came, and at last nothing was left them but their daughter, who was + as beautiful as the morning. The neighbours were very kind, and would have + done anything they could to help their poor friends, but the old couple + felt that since everything had changed they would rather go elsewhere, so + one day they set off to bury themselves in the country, taking their + daughter with them. + </p> + <p> + Now the mother and daughter had plenty to do in keeping the house clean + and looking after the garden, but the man would sit for hours together + gazing straight in front of him, and thinking of the riches that once were + his. Each day he grew more and more wretched, till at length he took to + his bed and never got up again. + </p> + <p> + His wife and daughter wept bitterly for his loss, and it was many months + before they could take pleasure in anything. Then one morning the mother + suddenly looked at the girl, and found that she had grown still more + lovely than before. Once her heart would have been glad at the sight, but + now that they two were alone in the world she feared some harm might come + of it. So, like a good mother, she tried to teach her daughter all she + knew, and to bring her up to be always busy, so that she would never have + time to think about herself. And the girl was a good girl, and listened to + all her mother’s lessons, and so the years passed away. + </p> + <p> + At last one wet spring the mother caught cold, and though in the beginning + she did not pay much attention to it, she gradually grew more and more + ill, and knew that she had not long to live. Then she called her daughter + and told her that very soon she would be alone in the world; that she must + take care of herself, as there would be no one to take care of her. And + because it was more difficult for beautiful women to pass unheeded than + for others, she bade her fetch a wooden helmet out of the next room, and + put it on her head, and pull it low down over her brows, so that nearly + the whole of her face should lie in its shadow. The girl did as she was + bid, and her beauty was so hidden beneath the wooden cap, which covered up + all her hair, that she might have gone through any crowd, and no one would + have looked twice at her. And when she saw this the heart of the mother + was at rest, and she lay back in her bed and died. + </p> + <p> + The girl wept for many days, but by-and-by she felt that, being alone in + the world, she must go and get work, for she had only herself to depend + upon. There was none to be got by staying where she was, so she made her + clothes into a bundle, and walked over the hills till she reached the + house of the man who owned the fields in that part of the country. And she + took service with him and laboured for him early and late, and every night + when she went to bed she was at peace, for she had not forgotten one thing + that she had promised her mother; and, however hot the sun might be, she + always kept the wooden helmet on her head, and the people gave her the + nickname of Hatschihime. + </p> + <p> + In spite, however, of all her care the fame of her beauty spread abroad: + many of the impudent young men that are always to be found in the world + stole softly up behind her while she was at work, and tried to lift off + the wooden helmet. But the girl would have nothing to say to them, and + only bade them be off; then they began to talk to her, but she never + answered them, and went on with what she was doing, though her wages were + low and food not very plentiful. Still she could manage to live, and that + was enough. + </p> + <p> + One day her master happened to pass through the field where she was + working, and was struck by her industry and stopped to watch her. After a + while he put one or two questions to her, and then led her into his house, + and told her that henceforward her only duty should be to tend his sick + wife. From this time the girl felt as if all her troubles were ended, but + the worst of them was yet to come. + </p> + <p> + Not very long after Hatschihime had become maid to the sick woman, the + eldest son of the house returned home from Kioto, where he had been + studying all sorts of things. He was tired of the splendours of the town + and its pleasures, and was glad enough to be back in the green country, + among the peach-blossoms and sweet flowers. Strolling about in the early + morning, he caught sight of the girl with the odd wooden helmet on her + head, and immediately he went to his mother to ask who she was, and where + she came from, and why she wore that strange thing over her face. + </p> + <p> + His mother answered that it was a whim, and nobody could persuade her to + lay it aside; whereat the young man laughed, but kept his thoughts to + himself. + </p> + <p> + One hot day, however, he happened to be going towards home when he caught + sight of his mother’s waiting maid kneeling by a little stream that flowed + through the garden, splashing some water over her face. The helmet was + pushed on one side, and as the youth stood watching from behind a tree he + had a glimpse of the girl’s great beauty; and he determined that no one + else should be his wife. But when he told his family of his resolve to + marry her they were very angry, and made up all sorts of wicked stories + about her. However, they might have spared themselves the trouble, as he + knew it was only idle talk. ‘I have merely to remain firm,’ thought he, + ‘and they will have to give in.’ It was such a good match for the girl + that it never occurred to anyone that she would refuse the young man, but + so it was. It would not be right, she felt, to make a quarrel in the + house, and though in secret she wept bitterly, for a long while, nothing + would make her change her mind. At length one night her mother appeared to + her in a dream, and bade her marry the young man. So the next time he + asked her—as he did nearly every day—to his surprise and joy + she consented. The parents then saw they had better make the best of a bad + business, and set about making the grand preparations suitable to the + occasion. Of course the neighbours said a great many ill-natured things + about the wooden helmet, but the bridegroom was too happy to care, and + only laughed at them. + </p> + <p> + When everything was ready for the feast, and the bride was dressed in the + most beautiful embroidered dress to be found in Japan, the maids took hold + of the helmet to lift it off her head, so that they might do her hair in + the latest fashion. But the helmet would not come, and the harder they + pulled, the faster it seemed to be, till the poor girl yelled with pain. + Hearing her cries the bridegroom ran in and soothed her, and declared that + she should be married in the helmet, as she could not be married without. + Then the ceremonies began, and the bridal pair sat together, and the cup + of wine was brought them, out of which they had to drink. And when they + had drunk it all, and the cup was empty, a wonderful thing happened. The + helmet suddenly burst with a loud noise, and fell in pieces on the ground; + and as they all turned to look they found the floor covered with precious + stones which had fallen out of it. But the guests were less astonished at + the brilliancy of the diamonds than at the beauty of the bride, which was + beyond anything they had ever seen or heard of. The night was passed in + singing and dancing, and then the bride and bridegroom went to their own + house, where they lived till they died, and had many children, who were + famous throughout Japan for their goodness and beauty. + </p> + <p> + (Japanische Marchen.) + </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 MONKEY AND THE JELLY-FISH + </h2> + <p> + Children must often have wondered why jelly-fishes have no shells, like so + many of the creatures that are washed up every day on the beach. In old + times this was not so; the jelly-fish had as hard a shell as any of them, + but he lost it through his own fault, as may be seen in this story. + </p> + <p> + The sea-queen Otohime, whom you read of in the story of Uraschimatoro, + grew suddenly very ill. The swiftest messengers were sent hurrying to + fetch the best doctors from every country under the sea, but it was all of + no use; the queen grew rapidly worse instead of better. Everyone had + almost given up hope, when one day a doctor arrived who was cleverer than + the rest, and said that the only thing that would cure her was the liver + of an ape. Now apes do not dwell under the sea, so a council of the wisest + heads in the nation was called to consider the question how a liver could + be obtained. At length it was decided that the turtle, whose prudence was + well known, should swim to land and contrive to catch a living ape and + bring him safely to the ocean kingdom. + </p> + <p> + It was easy enough for the council to entrust this mission to the turtle, + but not at all so easy for him to fulfil it. However he swam to a part of + the coast that was covered with tall trees, where he thought the apes were + likely to be; for he was old, and had seen many things. It was some time + before he caught sight of any monkeys, and he often grew tired with + watching for them, so that one hot day he fell fast asleep, in spite of + all his efforts to keep awake. By-and-by some apes, who had been peeping + at him from the tops of the trees, where they had been carefully hidden + from the turtle’s eyes, stole noiselessly down, and stood round staring at + him, for they had never seen a turtle before, and did not know what to + make of it. At last one young monkey, bolder than the rest, stooped down + and stroked the shining shell that the strange new creature wore on its + back. The movement, gentle though it was, woke the turtle. With one sweep + he seized the monkey’s hand in his mouth, and held it tight, in spite of + every effort to pull it away. The other apes, seeing that the turtle was + not to be trifled with, ran off, leaving their young brother to his fate. + </p> + <p> + Then the turtle said to the monkey, ‘If you will be quiet, and do what I + tell you, I won’t hurt you. But you must get on my back and come with me.’ + </p> + <p> + The monkey, seeing there was no help for it, did as he was bid; indeed he + could not have resisted, as his hand was still in the turtle’s mouth. + </p> + <p> + Delighted at having secured his prize, the turtle hastened back to the + shore and plunged quickly into the water. He swam faster than he had ever + done before, and soon reached the royal palace. Shouts of joy broke forth + from the attendants when he was seen approaching, and some of them ran to + tell the queen that the monkey was there, and that before long she would + be as well as ever she was. In fact, so great was their relief that they + gave the monkey such a kind welcome, and were so anxious to make him happy + and comfortable, that he soon forgot all the fears that had beset him as + to his fate, and was generally quite at his ease, though every now and + then a fit of home-sickness would come over him, and he would hide himself + in some dark corner till it had passed away. + </p> + <p> + It was during one of these attacks of sadness that a jelly-fish happened + to swim by. At that time jelly-fishes had shells. At the sight of the gay + and lively monkey crouching under a tall rock, with his eyes closed and + his head bent, the jelly-fish was filled with pity, and stopped, saying, + ‘Ah, poor fellow, no wonder you weep; a few days more, and they will come + and kill you and give your liver to the queen to eat.’ + </p> + <p> + The monkey shrank back horrified at these words and asked the jelly-fish + what crime he had committed that deserved death. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, none at all,’ replied the jelly-fish, ‘but your liver is the only + thing that will cure our queen, and how can we get at it without killing + you? You had better submit to your fate, and make no noise about it, for + though I pity you from my heart there is no way of helping you.’ Then he + went away, leaving the ape cold with horror. + </p> + <p> + At first he felt as if his liver was already being taken from his body, + but soon he began to wonder if there was no means of escaping this + terrible death, and at length he invented a plan which he thought would + do. For a few days he pretended to be gay and happy as before, but when + the sun went in, and rain fell in torrents, he wept and howled from dawn + to dark, till the turtle, who was his head keeper, heard him, and came to + see what was the matter. Then the monkey told him that before he left home + he had hung his liver out on a bush to dry, and if it was always going to + rain like this it would become quite useless. And the rogue made such a + fuss and moaning that he would have melted a heart of stone, and nothing + would content him but that somebody should carry him back to land and let + him fetch his liver again. + </p> + <p> + The queen’s councillors were not the wisest of people, and they decided + between them that the turtle should take the monkey back to his native + land and allow him to get his liver off the bush, but desired the turtle + not to lose sight of his charge for a single moment. The monkey knew this, + but trusted to his power of beguiling the turtle when the time came, and + mounted on his back with feelings of joy, which he was, however, careful + to conceal. They set out, and in a few hours were wandering about the + forest where the ape had first been caught, and when the monkey saw his + family peering out from the tree tops, he swung himself up by the nearest + branch, just managing to save his hind leg from being seized by the + turtle. He told them all the dreadful things that had happened to him, and + gave a war cry which brought the rest of the tribe from the neighbouring + hills. At a word from him they rushed in a body to the unfortunate turtle, + threw him on his back, and tore off the shield that covered his body. Then + with mocking words they hunted him to the shore, and into the sea, which + he was only too thankful to reach alive. Faint and exhausted he entered + the queen’s palace for the cold of the water struck upon his naked body, + and made him feel ill and miserable. But wretched though he was, he had to + appear before the queen’s advisers and tell them all that had befallen + him, and how he had suffered the monkey to escape. But, as sometimes + happens, the turtle was allowed to go scot-free, and had his shell given + back to him, and all the punishment fell on the poor jelly-fish, who was + condemned by the queen to go shieldless for ever after. + </p> + <p> + (Japanische Marchen.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE HEADLESS DWARFS + </h2> + <p> + There was once a minister who spent his whole time in trying to find a + servant who would undertake to ring the church bells at midnight, in + addition to all his other duties. + </p> + <p> + Of course it was not everyone who cared to get up in the middle of the + night, when he had been working hard all day; still, a good many had + agreed to do it. But the strange thing was that no sooner had the servant + set forth to perform his task than he disappeared, as if the earth had + swallowed him up. No bells were rung, and no ringer ever came back. The + minister did his best to keep the matter secret, but it leaked out for all + that, and the end of it was that no one would enter his service. Indeed, + there were even those who whispered that the minister himself had murdered + the missing men! + </p> + <p> + It was to no purpose that Sunday after Sunday the minister gave out from + his pulpit that double wages would be paid to anyone that would fulfil the + sacred duty of ringing the bells of the church. No one took the slightest + notice of any offer he might make, and the poor man was in despair, when + one day, as he was standing at his house door, a youth known in the + village as Clever Hans came up to him. ‘I am tired of living with a miser + who will not give me enough to eat and drink,’ said he, ‘and I am ready to + do all you want.’ ‘Very good, my son,’ replied the minister, ‘you shall + have the chance of proving your courage this very night. To-morrow we will + settle what your wages are to be.’ + </p> + <p> + Hans was quite content with this proposal, and went straight into the + kitchen to begin his work, not knowing that his new master was quite as + stingy as his old one. In the hope that his presence might be a restraint + upon them, the minister used to sit at the table during his servants’ + meals, and would exhort them to drink much and often, thinking that they + would not be able to eat as well, and beef was dearer than beer. But in + Hans he had met his match, and the minister soon found to his cost that in + his case at any rate a full cup did not mean an empty plate. + </p> + <p> + About an hour before midnight, Hans entered the church and locked the door + behind him, but what was his surprise when, in place of the darkness and + silence he expected, he found the church brilliantly lighted, and a crowd + of people sitting round a table playing cards. Hans felt no fear at this + strange sight, or was prudent enough to hide it if he did, and, going up + to the table, sat down amongst the players. One of them looked up and + asked, ‘My friend, what are you doing here?’ and Hans gazed at him for a + moment, then laughed and answered, ‘Well, if anybody has a right to put + that question, it is I! And if <i>I</i> do not put it, it will certainly + be wiser for you not to do so!’ + </p> + <p> + Then he picked up some cards, and played with the unknown men as if he had + known them all his life. The luck was on his side, and soon the money of + the other gamblers found its way from their pockets into his. On the + stroke of midnight the cock crew, and in an instant lights, table, cards, + and people all had vanished, and Hans was left alone. + </p> + <p> + He groped about for some time, till he found the staircase in the tower, + and then began to feel his way up the steps. + </p> + <p> + On the first landing a glimmer of light came through a slit in the wall, + and he saw a tiny man sitting there, without a head. ‘Ho! ho! my little + fellow, what are you doing there?’ asked Hans, and, without waiting for an + answer, gave him a kick which sent him flying down the stairs. Then he + climbed higher still, and finding as he went dumb watchers sitting on + every landing, treated them as he had done the first. + </p> + <p> + At last he reached the top, and as he paused for a moment to look round + him he saw another headless man cowering in the very bell itself, waiting + till Hans should seize the bell-pull in order to strike him a blow with + the clapper, which would soon have made an end of him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop, my little friend!’ cried Hans. ‘That is not part of the bargain! + Perhaps you saw how your comrades walked down stairs, and you are going + after them. But as you are in the highest place you shall make a more + dignified exit, and follow them through the window!’ + </p> + <p> + With these words he began to climb the ladder, in order to take the little + man from the bell and carry out his threat. + </p> + <p> + At this the dwarf cried out imploringly, ‘Oh, brother! spare my life, and + I promise that neither I nor my comrades will ever trouble you any more. I + am small and weak, but who knows whether some day I shall not be able to + reward you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You wretched little shrimp,’ replied Hans, ‘a great deal of good your + gratitude is likely to do me! But as I happen to be feeling in a cheerful + mood to-night I will let you have your life. But take care how you come + across me again, or you may not escape so easily!’ + </p> + <p> + The headless man thanked him humbly, slid hastily down the bell rope, and + ran down the steps of the tower as if he had left a fire behind him. Then + Hans began to ring lustily. + </p> + <p> + When the minister heard the sound of the midnight bells he wondered + greatly, but rejoiced that he had at last found some one to whom he could + trust this duty. Hans rang the bells for some time, then went to the + hay-loft, and fell fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + Now it was the custom of the minister to get up very early, and to go + round to make sure that the men were all at their work. This morning + everyone was in his place except Hans, and no one knew anything about him. + Nine o’clock came, and no Hans, but when eleven struck the minister began + to fear that he had vanished like the ringers who had gone before him. + When, however, the servants all gathered round the table for dinner, Hans + at last made his appearance stretching himself and yawning. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where have you been all this time?’ asked the minister. + </p> + <p> + ‘Asleep,’ said Hans. + </p> + <p> + ‘Asleep!’ exclaimed the minister in astonishment. ‘You don’t mean to tell + me that you can go on sleeping till mid-day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is exactly what I do mean,’ replied Hans. ‘If one works in the night + one must sleep in the day, just as if one works in the day one sleeps in + the night. If you can find somebody else to ring the bells at midnight I + am ready to begin work at dawn; but if you want me to ring them I must go + on sleeping till noon at the very earliest.’ + </p> + <p> + The minister tried to argue the point with him, but at length the + following agreement was come to. Hans was to give up the ringing, and was + to work like the rest from sunrise to sunset, with the exception of an + hour after breakfast and an hour after dinner, when he might go to sleep. + ‘But, of course,’ added the minister carelessly, ‘it may happen now and + then, especially in winter, when the days are short, that you will have to + work a little longer, to get something finished.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all!’ answered Hans. ‘Unless I were to leave off work earlier in + summer, I will not do a stroke more than I have promised, and that is from + dawn to dark; so you know what you have to expect.’ + </p> + <p> + A few weeks later the minister was asked to attend a christening in the + neighbouring town. He bade Hans come with him, but, as the town was only a + few hours’ ride from where he lived, the minister was much surprised to + see Hans come forth laden with a bag containing food. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you taking that for?’ asked the minister. ‘We shall be there + before dark.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who knows?’ replied Hans. ‘Many things may happen to delay our journey, + and I need not remind you of our contract that the moment the sun sets I + cease to be your servant. If we don’t reach the town while it is still + daylight I shall leave you to shift for yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + The minister thought he was joking, and made no further remark. But when + they had left the village behind them, and had ridden a few miles, they + found that snow had fallen during the night, and had been blown by the + wind into drifts. This hindered their progress, and by the time they had + entered the thick wood which lay between them and their destination the + sun was already touching the tops of the trees. The horses ploughed their + way slowly through the deep soft snow and as they went Hans kept turning + to look at the sun, which lay at their backs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is there anything behind you?’ asked the minister. ‘Or what is it you are + always turning round for?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I turn round because I have no eyes in the back of my neck,’ said Hans. + </p> + <p> + ‘Cease talking nonsense,’ replied the minister, ‘and give all your mind to + getting us to the town before nightfall.’ + </p> + <p> + Hans did not answer, but rode on steadily, though every now and then he + cast a glance over his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + When they arrived in the middle of the wood the sun sank altogether. Then + Hans reined up his horse, took his knapsack, and jumped out of the sledge. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing? Are you mad?’ asked the minister, but Hans answered + quietly, ‘The sun is set and my work is over, and I am going to camp here + for the night.’ + </p> + <p> + In vain the master prayed and threatened, and promised Hans a large reward + if he would only drive him on. The young man was not to be moved. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you not ashamed to urge me to break my word?’ said he. ‘If you want + to reach the town to-night you must go alone. The hour of my freedom has + struck, and I cannot go with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My good Hans,’ entreated the minister, ‘I really ought not to leave you + here. Consider what danger you would be in! Yonder, as you see, a gallows + is set up, and two evil-doers are hanging on it. You could not possibly + sleep with such ghastly neighbours.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not?’ asked Hans. ‘Those gallows birds hang high in the air, and my + camp will be on the ground; we shall have nothing to do with each other.’ + As he spoke, he turned his back on the minister, and went his way. + </p> + <p> + There was no help for it, and the minister had to push on by himself, if + he expected to arrive in time for the christening. His friends were much + surprised to see him drive up without a coachman, and thought some + accident had happened. But when he told them of his conversation with Hans + they did not know which was the most foolish, master or man. + </p> + <p> + It would have mattered little to Hans had he known what they were saying + or thinking of him. He satisfied his hunger with the food he had in his + knapsack, lit his pipe, pitched his tent under the boughs of a tree, + wrapped himself in his furs, and went sound asleep. After some hours, he + was awakened by a sudden noise, and sat up and looked about him. The moon + was shining brightly above his head, and close by stood two headless + dwarfs, talking angrily. At the sight of Hans the little dwarfs cried out: + </p> + <p> + ‘It is he! It is he!’ and one of them stepping nearer exclaimed, ‘Ah, my + old friend! it is a lucky chance that has brought us here. My bones still + ache from my fall down the steps of the tower. I dare say you have not + forgotten that night! Now it is the turn of your bones. Hi! comrades, make + haste! make haste!’ + </p> + <p> + Like a swarm of midges, a host of tiny headless creatures seemed to spring + straight out of the ground, and every one was armed with a club. Although + they were so small, yet there were such numbers of them and they struck so + hard that even a strong man could do nothing against them. Hans thought + his last hour was come, when just as the fight was at the hottest another + little dwarf arrived on the scene. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold, comrades!’ he shouted, turning to the attacking party. ‘This man + once did me a service, and I am his debtor. When I was in his power he + granted me my life. And even if he did throw you downstairs, well, a warm + bath soon cured your bruises, so you must just forgive him and go quietly + home.’ + </p> + <p> + The headless dwarfs listened to his words and disappeared as suddenly as + they had come. As soon as Hans recovered himself a little he looked at his + rescuer, and saw he was the dwarf he had found seated in the church bell. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said the dwarf, seating himself quietly under the tree. ‘You laughed + at me when I told you that some day I might do you a good turn. Now you + see I was right, and perhaps you will learn for the future not to despise + any creature, however small.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thank you from my heart,’ answered Hans. ‘My bones are still sore from + their blows, and had it not been for you I should indeed have fared + badly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have almost paid my debt,’ went on the little man, ‘but as you have + suffered already, I will do more, and give you a piece of information. You + need not remain any longer in the service of that stingy minister, but + when you get home to-morrow go at once to the north corner of the church, + and there you will find a large stone built into the wall, but not + cemented like the rest. The day after to-morrow the moon is full, and at + midnight you must go to the spot and get the stone out of the wall with a + pickaxe. Under the stone lies a great treasure, which has been hidden + there in time of war. Besides church plate, you will find bags of money, + which have been lying in this place for over a hundred years, and no one + knows to whom it all belongs. A third of this money you must give to the + poor, but the rest you may keep for yourself.’ As he finished, the cocks + in the village crowed, and the little man was nowhere to be seen. Hans + found that his limbs no longer pained him, and lay for some time thinking + of the hidden treasure. Towards morning he fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + The sun was high in the heavens when his master returned from the town. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hans,’ said he, ‘what a fool you were not to come with me yesterday! I + was well feasted and entertained, and I have money in my pocket into the + bargain,’ he went on, rattling some coins while he spoke, to make Hans + understand how much he had lost. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, sir,’ replied Hans calmly, ‘in order to have gained so much money you + must have lain awake all night, but I have earned a hundred times that + amount while I was sleeping soundly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How did you manage that?’ asked the minister eagerly, but Hans answered, + ‘It is only fools who boast of their farthings; wise men take care to hide + their crowns.’ + </p> + <p> + They drove home, and Hans neglected none of his duties, but put up the + horses and gave them their food before going to the church corner, where + he found the loose stone, exactly in the place described by the dwarf. + Then he returned to his work. + </p> + <p> + The first night of the full moon, when the whole village was asleep, he + stole out, armed with a pickaxe, and with much difficulty succeeded in + dislodging the stone from its place. Sure enough, there was the hole, and + in the hole lay the treasure, exactly as the little man had said. + </p> + <p> + The following Sunday he handed over the third part to the village poor, + and informed the minister that he wished to break his bond of service. As, + however, he did not claim any wages, the minister made no objections, but + allowed him to do as he wished. So Hans went his way, bought himself a + large house, and married a young wife, and lived happily and prosperously + to the end of his days. + </p> + <p> + (Ehstnische Marchen.) + </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 YOUNG MAN WHO WOULD HAVE HIS EYES OPENED + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived a youth who was never happy unless he was + prying into something that other people knew nothing about. After he had + learned to understand the language of birds and beasts, he discovered + accidentally that a great deal took place under cover of night which + mortal eyes never saw. From that moment he felt he could not rest till + these hidden secrets were laid bare to him, and he spent his whole time + wandering from one wizard to another, begging them to open his eyes, but + found none to help him. At length he reached an old magician called Mana, + whose learning was greater than that of the rest, and who could tell him + all he wanted to know. But when the old man had listened attentively to + him, he said, warningly: + </p> + <p> + ‘My son, do not follow after empty knowledge, which will not bring you + happiness, but rather evil. Much is hidden from the eyes of men, because + did they know everything their hearts would no longer be at peace. + Knowledge kills joy, therefore think well what you are doing, or some day + you will repent. But if you will not take my advice, then truly I can show + you the secrets of the night. Only you will need more than a man’s courage + to bear the sight.’ + </p> + <p> + He stopped and looked at the young man, who nodded his head, and then the + wizard continued, ‘To-morrow night you must go to the place where, once in + seven years, the serpent-king gives a great feast to his whole court. In + front of him stands a golden bowl filled with goats’ milk, and if you can + manage to dip a piece of bread in this milk, and eat it before you are + obliged to fly, you will understand all the secrets of the night that are + hidden from other men. It is lucky for you that the serpent-king’s feast + happens to fall this year, otherwise you would have had long to wait for + it. But take care to be quick and bold, or it will be the worse for you.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man thanked the wizard for his counsel, and went his way firmly + resolved to carry out his purpose, even if he paid for it with his life; + and when night came he set out for a wide, lonely moor, where the + serpent-king held his feast. With sharpened eyes, he looked eagerly all + round him, but could see nothing but a multitude of small hillocks, that + lay motionless under the moonlight. He crouched behind a bush for some + time, till he felt that midnight could not be far off, when suddenly there + arose in the middle of the moor a brilliant glow, as if a star was shining + over one of the hillocks. At the same moment all the hillocks began to + writhe and to crawl, and from each one came hundreds of serpents and made + straight for the glow, where they knew they should find their king. When + they reached the hillock where he dwelt, which was higher and broader than + the rest, and had a bright light hanging over the top, they coiled + themselves up and waited. The whirr and confusion from all the + serpent-houses were so great that the youth did not dare to advance one + step, but remained where he was, watching intently all that went on; but + at last he began to take courage, and moved on softly step by step. + </p> + <p> + What he saw was creepier than creepy, and surpassed all he had ever dreamt + of. Thousands of snakes, big and little and of every colour, were gathered + together in one great cluster round a huge serpent, whose body was as + thick as a beam, and which had on its head a golden crown, from which the + light sprang. Their hissings and darting tongues so terrified the young + man that his heart sank, and he felt he should never have courage to push + on to certain death, when suddenly he caught sight of the golden bowl in + front of the serpent-king, and knew that if he lost this chance it would + never come back. So, with his hair standing on end and his blood frozen in + his veins, he crept forwards. Oh! what a noise and a whirr rose afresh + among the serpents. Thousands of heads were reared, and tongues were + stretched out to sting the intruder to death, but happily for him their + bodies were so closely entwined one in the other that they could not + disentangle themselves quickly. Like lightning he seized a bit of bread, + dipped it in the bowl, and put it in his mouth, then dashed away as if + fire was pursuing him. On he flew as if a whole army of foes were at his + heels, and he seemed to hear the noise of their approach growing nearer + and nearer. At length his breath failed him, and he threw himself almost + senseless on the turf. While he lay there dreadful dreams haunted him. He + thought that the serpent-king with the fiery crown had twined himself + round him, and was crushing out his life. With a loud shriek he sprang up + to do battle with his enemy, when he saw that it was rays of the sun which + had wakened him. He rubbed his eyes and looked all round, but nothing + could he see of the foes of the past night, and the moor where he had run + into such danger must be at least a mile away. But it was no dream that he + had run hard and far, or that he had drunk of the magic goats’ milk. And + when he felt his limbs, and found them whole, his joy was great that he + had come through such perils with a sound skin. + </p> + <p> + After the fatigues and terrors of the night, he lay still till mid-day, + but he made up his mind he would go that very evening into the forest to + try what the goats’ milk could really do for him, and if he would now be + able to understand all that had been a mystery to him. And once in the + forest his doubts were set at rest, for he saw what no mortal eyes had + ever seen before. Beneath the trees were golden pavilions, with flags of + silver all brightly lighted up. He was still wondering why the pavilions + were there, when a noise was heard among the trees, as if the wind had + suddenly got up, and on all sides beautiful maidens stepped from the trees + into the bright light of the moon. These were the wood-nymphs, daughters + of the earth-mother, who came every night to hold their dances, in the + forest. The young man, watching from his hiding place, wished he had a + hundred eyes in his head, for two were not nearly enough for the sight + before him, the dances lasting till the first streaks of dawn. Then a + silvery veil seemed to be drawn over the ladies, and they vanished from + sight. But the young man remained where he was till the sun was high in + the heavens, and then went home. + </p> + <p> + He felt that day to be endless, and counted the minutes till night should + come, and he might return to the forest. But when at last he got there he + found neither pavilions nor nymphs, and though he went back many nights + after he never saw them again. Still, he thought about them night and day, + and ceased to care about anything else in the world, and was sick to the + end of his life with longing for that beautiful vision. And that was the + way he learned that the wizard had spoken truly when he said, ‘Blindness + is man’s highest good.’ + </p> + <p> + (Ehstnische Marchen.) + </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 BOYS WITH THE GOLDEN STARS + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time what happened did happen: and if it had not happened, you + would never have heard this story. + </p> + <p> + Well, once upon a time there lived an emperor who had half a world all to + himself to rule over, and in this world dwelt an old herd and his wife and + their three daughters, Anna, Stana, and Laptitza. + </p> + <p> + Anna, the eldest, was so beautiful that when she took the sheep to pasture + they forgot to eat as long as she was walking with them. Stana, the + second, was so beautiful that when she was driving the flock the wolves + protected the sheep. But Laptitza, the youngest, with a skin as white as + the foam on the milk, and with hair as soft as the finest lamb’s wool, was + as beautiful as both her sisters put together—as beautiful as she + alone could be. + </p> + <p> + One summer day, when the rays of the sun were pouring down on the earth, + the three sisters went to the wood on the outskirts of the mountain to + pick strawberries. As they were looking about to find where the largest + berries grew they heard the tramp of horses approaching, so loud that you + would have thought a whole army was riding by. But it was only the emperor + going to hunt with his friends and attendants. + </p> + <p> + They were all fine handsome young men, who sat their horses as if they + were part of them, but the finest and handsomest of all was the young + emperor himself. + </p> + <p> + As they drew near the three sisters, and marked their beauty, they checked + their horses and rode slowly by. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen, sisters!’ said Anna, as they passed on. ‘If one of those young + men should make me his wife, I would bake him a loaf of bread which should + keep him young and brave for ever.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And if I,’ said Stana, ‘should be the one chosen, I would weave my + husband a shirt which will keep him unscathed when he fights with dragons; + when he goes through water he will never even be wet; or if through fire, + it will not scorch him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And I,’ said Laptitza, ‘will give the man who chooses me two boys, twins, + each with a golden star on his forehead, as bright as those in the sky.’ + </p> + <p> + And though they spoke low the young men heard, and turned their horses’ + heads. + </p> + <p> + ‘I take you at your word, and mine shall you be, most lovely of + empresses!’ cried the emperor, and swung Laptitza and her strawberries on + the horse before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘And I will have you,’ ‘And I you,’ exclaimed two of his friends, and they + all rode back to the palace together. + </p> + <p> + The following morning the marriage ceremony took place, and for three days + and three nights there was nothing but feasting over the whole kingdom. + And when the rejoicings were over the news was in everybody’s mouth that + Anna had sent for corn, and had made the loaf of which she had spoken at + the strawberry beds. And then more days and nights passed, and this rumour + was succeeded by another one—that Stana had procured some flax, and + had dried it, and combed it, and spun it into linen, and sewed it herself + into the shirt of which she had spoken over the strawberry beds. + </p> + <p> + Now the emperor had a stepmother, and she had a daughter by her first + husband, who lived with her in the palace. The girl’s mother had always + believed that her daughter would be empress, and not the ‘Milkwhite + Maiden,’ the child of a mere shepherd. So she hated the girl with all her + heart, and only bided her time to do her ill. + </p> + <p> + But she could do nothing as long as the emperor remained with his wife + night and day, and she began to wonder what she could do to get him away + from her. + </p> + <p> + At last, when everything else had failed, she managed to make her brother, + who was king of the neighbouring country, declare war against the emperor, + and besiege some of the frontier towns with a large army. This time her + scheme was successful. The young emperor sprang up in wrath the moment he + heard the news, and vowed that nothing, not even his wife, should hinder + his giving them battle. And hastily assembling whatever soldiers happened + to be at hand he set off at once to meet the enemy. The other king had not + reckoned on the swiftness of his movements, and was not ready to receive + him. The emperor fell on him when he was off his guard, and routed his + army completely. Then when victory was won, and the terms of peace hastily + drawn up, he rode home as fast as his horse would carry him, and reached + the palace on the third day. + </p> + <p> + But early that morning, when the stars were growing pale in the sky, two + little boys with golden hair and stars on their foreheads were born to + Laptitza. And the stepmother, who was watching, took them away, and dug a + hole in the corner of the palace, under the windows of the emperor, and + put them in it, while in their stead she placed two little puppies. + </p> + <p> + The emperor came into the palace, and when they told him the news he went + straight to Laptitza’s room. No words were needed; he saw with his own + eyes that Laptitza had not kept the promise she had made at the strawberry + beds, and, though it nearly broke his heart, he must give orders for her + punishment. + </p> + <p> + So he went out sadly and told his guards that the empress was to be buried + in the earth up to her neck, so that everyone might know what would happen + to those who dared to deceive the emperor. + </p> + <p> + Not many days after, the stepmother’s wish was fulfilled. The emperor took + her daughter to wife, and again the rejoicings lasted for three days and + three nights. + </p> + <p> + Let us now see what happened to the two little boys. + </p> + <p> + The poor little babies had found no rest even in their graves. In the + place where they had been buried there sprang up two beautiful young + aspens, and the stepmother, who hated the sight of the trees, which + reminded her of her crime, gave orders that they should be uprooted. But + the emperor heard of it, and forbade the trees to be touched, saying, ‘Let + them alone; I like to see them there! They are the finest aspens I have + ever beheld!’ + </p> + <p> + And the aspens grew as no aspens had ever grown before. In each day they + added a year’s growth, and each night they added a year’s growth, and at + dawn, when the stars faded out of the sky, they grew three years’ growth + in the twinkling of an eye, and their boughs swept across the palace + windows. And when the wind moved them softly, the emperor would sit and + listen to them all the day long. + </p> + <p> + The stepmother knew what it all meant, and her mind never ceased from + trying to invent some way of destroying the trees. It was not an easy + thing, but a woman’s will can press milk out of a stone, and her cunning + will overcome heroes. What craft will not do soft words may attain, and if + these do not succeed there still remains the resource of tears. + </p> + <p> + One morning the empress sat on the edge of her husband’s bed, and began to + coax him with all sorts of pretty ways. + </p> + <p> + It was some time before the bait took, but at length—even emperors + are only men! + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well,’ he said at last, ‘have your way and cut down the trees; but + out of one they shall make a bed for me, and out of the other, one for + you!’ + </p> + <p> + And with this the empress was forced to be content. The aspens were cut + down next morning, and before night the new bed had been placed in the + emperor’s room. + </p> + <p> + Now when the emperor lay down in it he seemed as if he had grown a hundred + times heavier than usual, yet he felt a kind of calm that was quite new to + him. But the empress felt as if she was lying on thorns and nettles, and + could not close her eyes. + </p> + <p> + When the emperor was fast asleep, the bed began to crack loudly, and to + the empress each crack had a meaning. She felt as if she were listening to + a language which no one but herself could understand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it too heavy for you, little brother?’ asked one of the beds. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no, it is not heavy at all,’ answered the bed in which the emperor + was sleeping. ‘I feel nothing but joy now that my beloved father rests + over me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is very heavy for me!’ said the other bed, ‘for on me lies an evil + soul.’ + </p> + <p> + And so they talked on till the morning, the empress listening all the + while. + </p> + <p> + By daybreak the empress had determined how to get rid of the beds. She + would have two others made exactly like them, and when the emperor had + gone hunting they should be placed in his room. This was done and the + aspen beds were burnt in a large fire, till only a little heap of ashes + was left. + </p> + <p> + Yet while they were burning the empress seemed to hear the same words, + which she alone could understand. + </p> + <p> + Then she stooped and gathered up the ashes, and scattered them to the four + winds, so that they might blow over fresh lands and fresh seas, and + nothing remain of them. + </p> + <p> + But she had not seen that where the fire burnt brightest two sparks flew + up, and, after floating in the air for a few moments, fell down into the + great river that flows through the heart of the country. Here the sparks + had turned into two little fishes with golden scales, and one was so + exactly like the other that everyone could tell at the first glance that + they must be twins. Early one morning the emperor’s fishermen went down to + the river to get some fish for their master’s breakfast, and cast their + nets into the stream. As the last star twinkled out of the sky they drew + them in, and among the multitude of fishes lay two with scales of gold, + such as no man had ever looked on. + </p> + <p> + They all gathered round and wondered, and after some talk they decided + that they would take the little fishes alive as they were, and give them + as a present to the emperor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not take us there, for that is whence we came, and yonder lies our + destruction,’ said one of the fishes. + </p> + <p> + ‘But what are we to do with you?’ asked the fisherman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go and collect all the dew that lies on the leaves, and let us swim in + it. Then lay us in the sun, and do not come near us till the sun’s rays + shall have dried off the dew,’ answered the other fish. + </p> + <p> + The fisherman did as they told him—gathered the dew from the leaves + and let them swim in it, then put them to lie in the sun till the dew + should be all dried up. + </p> + <p> + And when he came back, what do you think he saw? Why, two boys, two + beautiful young princes, with hair as golden as the stars on their + foreheads, and each so like the other, that at the first glance every one + would have known them for twins. + </p> + <p> + The boys grew fast. In every day they grew a year’s growth, and in every + night another year’s growth, but at dawn, when the stars were fading, they + grew three years’ growth in the twinkling of an eye. And they grew in + other things besides height, too. Thrice in age, and thrice in wisdom, and + thrice in knowledge. And when three days and three nights had passed they + were twelve years in age, twenty-four in strength, and thirty-six in + wisdom. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now take us to our father,’ said they. So the fisherman gave them each a + lambskin cap which half covered their faces, and completely hid their + golden hair and the stars on their foreheads, and led them to the court. + </p> + <p> + By the time they arrived there it was midday, and the fisherman and his + charges went up to an official who was standing about. ‘We wish to speak + with the emperor,’ said one of the boys. + </p> + <p> + ‘You must wait until he has finished his dinner,’ replied the porter. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, while he is eating it,’ said the second boy, stepping across the + threshold. + </p> + <p> + The attendants all ran forward to thrust such impudent youngsters outside + the palace, but the boys slipped through their fingers like quicksilver, + and entered a large hall, where the emperor was dining, surrounded by his + whole court. + </p> + <p> + ‘We desire to enter,’ said one of the princes sharply to a servant who + stood near the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is quite impossible,’ replied the servant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it? let us see!’ said the second prince, pushing the servants to right + and left. + </p> + <p> + But the servants were many, and the princes only two. There was the noise + of a struggle, which reached the emperor’s ears. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked he angrily. + </p> + <p> + The princes stopped at the sound of their father’s voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Two boys who want to force their way in,’ replied one of the servants, + approaching the emperor. + </p> + <p> + ‘To FORCE their way in? Who dares to use force in my palace? What boys are + they?’ said the emperor all in one breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘We know not, O mighty emperor,’ answered the servant, ‘but they must + surely be akin to you, for they have the strength of lions, and have + scattered the guards at the gate. And they are as proud as they are + strong, for they will not take their caps from their heads.’ + </p> + <p> + The emperor, as he listened, grew red with anger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thrust them out,’ cried he. ‘Set the dogs after them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave us alone, and we will go quietly,’ said the princes, and stepped + backwards, weeping silently at the harsh words. They had almost reached + the gates when a servant ran up to them. + </p> + <p> + ‘The emperor commands you to return,’ panted he: ‘the empress wishes to + see you.’ + </p> + <p> + The princes thought a moment: then they went back the way they had come, + and walked straight up to the emperor, their caps still on their heads. + </p> + <p> + He sat at the top of a long table covered with flowers and filled with + guests. And beside him sat the empress, supported by twelve cushions. When + the princes entered one of the cushions fell down, and there remained only + eleven. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take off your caps,’ said one of the courtiers. + </p> + <p> + ‘A covered head is among men a sign of honour. We wish to seem what we + are.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind,’ said the emperor, whose anger had dropped before the silvery + tones of the boy’s voice. ‘Stay as you are, but tell me WHO you are! Where + do you come from, and what do you want?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We are twins, two shoots from one stem, which has been broken, and half + lies in the ground and half sits at the head of this table. We have + travelled a long way, we have spoken in the rustle of the wind, have + whispered in the wood, we have sung in the waters, but now we wish to tell + you a story which you know without knowing it, in the speech of men.’ + </p> + <p> + And a second cushion fell down. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let them take their silliness home,’ said the empress. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no, let them go on,’ said the emperor. ‘You wished to see them, but I + wish to hear them. Go on, boys, sing me the story.’ + </p> + <p> + The empress was silent, but the princes began to sing the story of their + lives. + </p> + <p> + ‘There was once an emperor,’ began they, and the third cushion fell down. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the warlike expedition of the emperor three of the + cushions fell down at once. + </p> + <p> + And when the tale was finished there were no more cushions under the + empress, but the moment that they lifted their caps, and showed their + golden hair and the golden stars, the eyes of the emperor and of all his + guests were bent on them, and they could hardly bear the power of so many + glances. + </p> + <p> + And there happened in the end what should have happened in the beginning. + Laptitza sat next her husband at the top of the table. The stepmother’s + daughter became the meanest sewing maid in the palace, the stepmother was + tied to a wild horse, and every one knew and has never forgotten that + whoever has a mind turned to wickedness is sure to end badly. + </p> + <p> + (Rumanische Marchen.) + </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 FROG + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a woman who had three sons. Though they were + peasants they were well off, for the soil on which they lived was + fruitful, and yielded rich crops. One day they all three told their mother + they meant to get married. To which their mother replied: ‘Do as you like, + but see that you choose good housewives, who will look carefully after + your affairs; and, to make certain of this, take with you these three + skeins of flax, and give it to them to spin. Whoever spins the best will + be my favourite daughter-in-law.’ + </p> + <p> + Now the two eldest sons had already chosen their wives; so they took the + flax from their mother, and carried it off with them, to have it spun as + she had said. But the youngest son was puzzled what to do with his skein, + as he knew no girl (never having spoken to any) to whom he could give it + to be spun. He wandered hither and thither, asking the girls that he met + if they would undertake the task for him, but at the sight of the flax + they laughed in his face and mocked at him. Then in despair he left their + villages, and went out into the country, and, seating himself on the bank + of a pond began to cry bitterly. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there was a noise close beside him, and a frog jumped out of the + water on to the bank and asked him why he was crying. The youth told her + of his trouble, and how his brothers would bring home linen spun for them + by their promised wives, but that no one would spin his thread. + </p> + <p> + Then the frog answered: ‘Do not weep on that account; give me the thread, + and I will spin it for you.’ And, having said this, she took it out of his + hand, and flopped back into the water, and the youth went back, not + knowing what would happen next. + </p> + <p> + In a short time the two elder brothers came home, and their mother asked + to see the linen which had been woven out of the skeins of flax she had + given them. They all three left the room; and in a few minutes the two + eldest returned, bringing with them the linen that had been spun by their + chosen wives. But the youngest brother was greatly troubled, for he had + nothing to show for the skein of flax that had been given to him. Sadly he + betook himself to the pond, and sitting down on the bank, began to weep. + </p> + <p> + Flop! and the frog appeared out of the water close beside him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this,’ she said; ‘here is the linen that I have spun for you.’ + </p> + <p> + You may imagine how delighted the youth was. She put the linen into his + hands, and he took it straight back to his mother, who was so pleased with + it that she declared she had never seen linen so beautifully spun, and + that it was far finer and whiter than the webs that the two elder brothers + had brought home. + </p> + <p> + Then she turned to her sons and said: ‘But this is not enough, my sons, I + must have another proof as to what sort of wives you have chosen. In the + house there are three puppies. Each of you take one, and give it to the + woman whom you mean to bring home as your wife. She must train it and + bring it up. Whichever dog turns out the best, its mistress will be my + favourite daughter-in-law.’ + </p> + <p> + So the young men set out on their different ways, each taking a puppy with + him. The youngest, not knowing where to go, returned to the pond, sat down + once more on the bank, and began to weep. + </p> + <p> + Flop! and close beside him, he saw the frog. ‘Why are you weeping?’ she + said. Then he told her his difficulty, and that he did not know to whom he + should take the puppy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give it to me,’ she said, ‘and I will bring it up for you.’ And, seeing + that the youth hesitated, she took the little creature out of his arms, + and disappeared with it into the pond. + </p> + <p> + The weeks and months passed, till one day the mother said she would like + to see how the dogs had been trained by her future daughters-in-law. The + two eldest sons departed, and returned shortly, leading with them two + great mastiffs, who growled so fiercely, and looked so savage, that the + mere sight of them made the mother tremble with fear. + </p> + <p> + The youngest son, as was his custom, went to the pond, and called on the + frog to come to his rescue. + </p> + <p> + In a minute she was at his side, bringing with her the most lovely little + dog, which she put into his arms. It sat up and begged with its paws, and + went through the prettiest tricks, and was almost human in the way it + understood and did what it was told. + </p> + <p> + In high spirits the youth carried it off to his mother. As soon as she saw + it, she exclaimed: ‘This is the most beautiful little dog I have ever + seen. You are indeed fortunate, my son; you have won a pearl of a wife.’ + </p> + <p> + Then, turning to the others, she said: ‘Here are three shirts; take them + to your chosen wives. Whoever sews the best will be my favourite + daughter-in-law.’ + </p> + <p> + So the young men set out once more; and again, this time, the work of the + frog was much the best and the neatest. + </p> + <p> + This time the mother said: ‘Now that I am content with the tests I gave, I + want you to go and fetch home your brides, and I will prepare the + wedding-feast.’ + </p> + <p> + You may imagine what the youngest brother felt on hearing these words. + Whence was he to fetch a bride? Would the frog be able to help him in this + new difficulty? With bowed head, and feeling very sad, he sat down on the + edge of the pond. + </p> + <p> + Flop! and once more the faithful frog was beside him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is troubling you so much?’ she asked him, and then the youth told + her everything. + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you take me for a wife?’ she asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘What should I do with you as a wife,’ he replied, wondering at her + strange proposal. + </p> + <p> + ‘Once more, will you have me or will you not?’ she said. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will neither have you, nor will I refuse you,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + At this the frog disappeared; and the next minute the youth beheld a + lovely little chariot, drawn by two tiny ponies, standing on the road. The + frog was holding the carriage door open for him to step in. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come with me,’ she said. And he got up and followed her into the chariot. + </p> + <p> + As they drove along the road they met three witches; the first of them was + blind, the second was hunchbacked, and the third had a large thorn in her + throat. When the three witches beheld the chariot, with the frog seated + pompously among the cushions, they broke into such fits of laughter that + the eyelids of the blind one burst open, and she recovered her sight; the + hunchback rolled about on the ground in merriment till her back became + straight, and in a roar of laughter the thorn fell out of the throat of + the third witch. Their first thought was to reward the frog, who had + unconsciously been the means of curing them of their misfortunes. + </p> + <p> + The first witch waved her magic wand over the frog, and changed her into + the loveliest girl that had ever been seen. The second witch waved the + wand over the tiny chariot and ponies, and they were turned into a + beautiful large carriage with prancing horses, and a coachman on the seat. + The third witch gave the girl a magic purse, filled with money. Having + done this, the witches disappeared, and the youth with his lovely bride + drove to his mother’s home. Great was the delight of the mother at her + youngest son’s good fortune. A beautiful house was built for them; she was + the favourite daughter-in-law; everything went well with them, and they + lived happily ever after. + </p> + <p> + (From the Italian.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PRINCESS WHO WAS HIDDEN UNDERGROUND + </h2> + <p> + Once there was a king who had great riches, which, when he died, he + divided among his three sons. The two eldest of these lived in rioting and + feasting, and thus wasted and squandered their father’s wealth till + nothing remained, and they found themselves in want and misery. The + youngest of the three sons, on the contrary, made good use of his portion. + He married a wife and soon they had a most beautiful daughter, for whom, + when she was grown up, he caused a great palace to be built underground, + and then killed the architect who had built it. Next he shut up his + daughter inside, and then sent heralds all over the world to make known + that he who should find the king’s daughter should have her to wife. If he + were not capable of finding her then he must die. + </p> + <p> + Many young men sought to discover her, but all perished in the attempt. + </p> + <p> + After many had met their death thus, there came a young man, beautiful to + behold, and as clever as he was beautiful, who had a great desire to + attempt the enterprise. First he went to a herdsman, and begged him to + hide him in a sheepskin, which had a golden fleece, and in this disguise + to take him to the king. The shepherd let himself be persuaded so to do, + took a skin having a golden fleece, sewed the young man in it, putting in + also food and drink, and so brought him before the king. + </p> + <p> + When the latter saw the golden lamb, he asked the herd: ‘Will you sell me + this lamb?’ + </p> + <p> + But the herd answered: ‘No, oh king; I will not sell it; but if you find + pleasure therein, I will be willing to oblige you, and I will lend it to + you, free of charge, for three days, after that you must give it back to + me.’ + </p> + <p> + This the king agreed to do, and he arose and took the lamb to his + daughter. When he had led it into her palace, and through many rooms, he + came to a shut door. Then he called ‘Open, Sartara Martara of the earth!’ + and the door opened of itself. After that they went through many more + rooms, and came to another closed door. Again the king called out: ‘Open, + Sartara Martara of the earth!’ and this door opened like the other, and + they came into the apartment where the princess dwelt, the floor, walls, + and roof of which were all of silver. + </p> + <p> + When the king had embraced the princess, he gave her the lamb, to her + great joy. She stroked it, caressed it, and played with it. + </p> + <p> + After a while the lamb got loose, which, when the princess saw, she said: + ‘See, father, the lamb is free.’ + </p> + <p> + But the king answered: ‘It is only a lamb, why should it not be free?’ + </p> + <p> + Then he left the lamb with the princess, and went his way. + </p> + <p> + In the night, however, the young man threw off the skin. When the princess + saw how beautiful he was, she fell in love with him, and asked him: ‘Why + did you come here disguised in a sheepskin like that?’ + </p> + <p> + Then he answered: ‘When I saw how many people sought you, and could not + find you, and lost their lives in so doing, I invented this trick, and so + I am come safely to you.’ + </p> + <p> + The princess exclaimed: ‘You have done well so to do; but you must know + that your wager is not yet won, for my father will change me and my + maidens into ducks, and will ask you, “Which of these ducks is the + princess?” Then I will turn my head back, and with my bill will clean my + wings, so that you may know me.’ + </p> + <p> + When they had spent three days together, chatting and caressing one + another, the herd came back to the king, and demanded his lamb. Then the + king went to his daughter to bring it away, which troubled the princess + very much, for she said they had played so nicely together. + </p> + <p> + But the king said: ‘I cannot leave it with you, my daughter, for it is + only lent to me.’ So he took it away with him, and gave it back to the + shepherd. + </p> + <p> + Then the young man threw the skin from off him, and went to the king, + saying: ‘Sire, I am persuaded I can find your daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + When the king saw how handsome he was, he said: ‘My lad, I have pity on + your youth. This enterprise has already cost the lives of many, and will + certainly be your death as well.’ + </p> + <p> + But the young man answered, ‘I accept your conditions, oh king; I will + either find her or lose my head.’ + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he went before the king, who followed after him, till they came + to the great door. Then the young man said to the king: ‘Speak the words + that it may open.’ + </p> + <p> + And the king answered: ‘What are the words? Shall I say something like + this: “Shut; shut; shut”?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said he; ‘say “Open, Sartara Martara of the earth.”’ + </p> + <p> + When the king had so said, the door opened of itself, and they went in, + while the king gnawed his moustache in anger. Then they came to the second + door, where the same thing happened as at the first, and they went in and + found the princess. + </p> + <p> + Then spoke the king and said: ‘Yes, truly, you have found the princess. + Now I will turn her as well as all her maidens into ducks, and if you can + guess which of these ducks is my daughter, then you shall have her to + wife.’ + </p> + <p> + And immediately the king changed all the maidens into ducks, and he drove + them before the young man, and said: ‘Now show me which is my daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the princess, according to their understanding, began to clean her + wings with her bill, and the lad said: ‘She who cleans her wings is the + princess.’ + </p> + <p> + Now the king could do nothing more but give her to the young man to wife, + and they lived together in great joy and happiness. + </p> + <p> + (From the German.) + </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 GIRL WHO PRETENDED TO BE A BOY + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived an emperor who was a great conqueror, and + reigned over more countries than anyone in the world. And whenever he + subdued a fresh kingdom, he only granted peace on condition that the king + should deliver him one of his sons for ten years’ service. + </p> + <p> + Now on the borders of his kingdom lay a country whose emperor was as brave + as his neighbour, and as long as he was young he was the victor in every + war. But as years passed away, his head grew weary of making plans of + campaign, and his people wanted to stay at home and till their fields, and + at last he too felt that he must do homage to the other emperor. + </p> + <p> + One thing, however, held him back from this step which day by day he saw + more clearly was the only one possible. His new overlord would demand the + service of one of his sons. And the old emperor had no son; only three + daughters. + </p> + <p> + Look on which side he would, nothing but ruin seemed to lie before him, + and he became so gloomy, that his daughters were frightened, and did + everything they could think of to cheer him up, but all to no purpose. + </p> + <p> + At length one day when they were at dinner, the eldest of the three + summoned up all her courage and said to her father: + </p> + <p> + ‘What secret grief is troubling you? Are your subjects discontented? or + have we given you cause for displeasure? To smooth away your wrinkles, we + would gladly shed our blood, for our lives are bound up in yours; and this + you know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My daughter,’ answered the emperor, ‘what you say is true. Never have you + given me one moment’s pain. Yet now you cannot help me. Ah! why is not one + of you a boy!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t understand,’ she answered in surprise. ‘Tell us what is wrong: + and though we are not boys, we are not quite useless!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what can you do, my dear children? Spin, sew, and weave—that is + all your learning. Only a warrior can deliver me now, a young giant who is + strong to wield the battle-axe: whose sword deals deadly blows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But WHY do you need a son so much at present? Tell us all about it! It + will not make matters worse if we know!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen then, my daughters, and learn the reason of my sorrow. You have + heard that as long as I was young no man ever brought an army against me + without it costing him dear. But the years have chilled my blood and drunk + my strength. And now the deer can roam the forest, my arrows will never + pierce his heart; strange soldiers will set fire to my houses and water + their horses at my wells, and my arm cannot hinder them. No, my day is + past, and the time has come when I too must bow my head under the yoke of + my foe! But who is to give him the ten years’ service that is part of the + price which the vanquished must pay?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>I</i> will,’ cried the eldest girl, springing to her feet. But her + father only shook his head sadly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never will I bring shame upon you,’ urged the girl. ‘Let me go. Am I not + a princess, and the daughter of an emperor?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go then!’ he said. + </p> + <p> + The brave girl’s heart almost stopped beating from joy, as she set about + her preparations. She was not still for a single moment, but danced about + the house, turning chests and wardrobes upside down. She set aside enough + things for a whole year—dresses embroidered with gold and precious + stones, and a great store of provisions. And she chose the most spirited + horse in the stable, with eyes of flame, and a coat of shining silver. + </p> + <p> + When her father saw her mounted and curvetting about the court, he gave + her much wise advice, as to how she was to behave like the young man she + appeared to be, and also how to behave as the girl she really was. Then he + gave her his blessing, and she touched her horse with the spur. + </p> + <p> + The silver armour of herself and her steed dazzled the eyes of the people + as she darted past. She was soon out of sight, and if after a few miles + she had not pulled up to allow her escort to join her, the rest of the + journey would have been performed alone. + </p> + <p> + But though none of his daughters were aware of the fact, the old emperor + was a magician, and had laid his plans accordingly. He managed, unseen, to + overtake his daughter, and throw a bridge of copper over a stream which + she would have to cross. Then, changing himself into a wolf, he lay down + under one of the arches, and waited. + </p> + <p> + He had chosen his time well, and in about half an hour the sound of a + horse’s hoofs was heard. His feet were almost on the bridge, when a big + grey wolf with grinning teeth appeared before the princess. With a deep + growl that froze the blood, he drew himself up, and prepared to spring. + </p> + <p> + The appearance of the wolf was so sudden and so unexpected, that the girl + was almost paralysed, and never even dreamt of flight, till the horse + leaped violently to one side. Then she turned him round, and urging him to + his fullest speed, never drew rein till she saw the gates of the palace + rising before her. + </p> + <p> + The old emperor, who had got back long since, came to the door to meet + her, and touching her shining armour, he said, ‘Did I not tell you, my + child, that flies do not make honey?’ + </p> + <p> + The days passed on, and one morning the second princess implored her + father to allow her to try the adventure in which her sister had made such + a failure. He listened unwillingly, feeling sure it was no use, but she + begged so hard that in the end he consented, and having chosen her arms, + she rode away. + </p> + <p> + But though, unlike her sister, she was quite prepared for the appearance + of the wolf when she reached the copper bridge, she showed no greater + courage, and galloped home as fast as her horse could carry her. On the + steps of the castle her father was standing, and as still trembling with + fright she knelt at his feet, he said gently, ‘Did I not tell you, my + child, that every bird is not caught in a net?’ + </p> + <p> + The three girls stayed quietly in the palace for a little while, + embroidering, spinning, weaving, and tending their birds and flowers, when + early one morning, the youngest princess entered the door of the emperor’s + private apartments. ‘My father, it is my turn now. Perhaps I shall get the + better of that wolf!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What, do you think you are braver than your sisters, vain little one? You + who have hardly left your long clothes behind you!’ but she did not mind + being laughed at, and answered, + </p> + <p> + ‘For your sake, father, I would cut the devil himself into small bits, or + even become a devil myself. I think I shall succeed, but if I fail, I + shall come home without more shame than my sisters.’ + </p> + <p> + Still the emperor hesitated, but the girl petted and coaxed him till at + last he said, + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well, if you must go, you must. It remains to be seen what I shall + get by it, except perhaps a good laugh when I see you come back with your + head bent and your eyes on the ground.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He laughs best who laughs last,’ said the princess. + </p> + <p> + Happy at having got her way, the princess decided that the first thing to + be done was to find some old white-haired boyard, whose advice she could + trust, and then to be very careful in choosing her horse. So she went + straight to the stables where the most beautiful horses in the empire were + feeding in the stalls, but none of them seemed quite what she wanted. + Almost in despair she reached the last box of all, which was occupied by + her father’s ancient war-horse, old and worn like himself, stretched sadly + out on the straw. + </p> + <p> + The girl’s eyes filled with tears, and she stood gazing at him. The horse + lifted his head, gave a little neigh, and said softly, ‘You look gentle + and pitiful, but I know it is your love for your father which makes you + tender to me. Ah, what a warrior he was, and what good times we shared + together! But now I too have grown old, and my master has forgotten me, + and there is no reason to care whether my coat is dull or shining. Yet, it + is not too late, and if I were properly tended, in a week I could vie with + any horse in the stables!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how should you be tended?’ asked the girl. + </p> + <p> + ‘I must be rubbed down morning and evening with rain water, my barley must + be boiled in milk, because of my bad teeth, and my feet must be washed in + oil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like to try the treatment, as you might help me in carrying out + my scheme.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Try it then, mistress, and I promise you will never repent.’ + </p> + <p> + So in a week’s time the horse woke up one morning with a sudden shiver + through all his limbs; and when it had passed away, he found his skin + shining like a mirror, his body as fat as a water melon, his movement + light as a chamois. + </p> + <p> + Then looking at the princess who had come early to the stable, he said + joyfully, + </p> + <p> + ‘May success await on the steps of my master’s daughter, for she has given + me back my life. Tell me what I can do for you, princess, and I will do + it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I want to go to the emperor who is our over-lord, and I have no one to + advise me. Which of all the white-headed boyards shall I choose as + counsellor?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you have me, you need no one else: I will serve you as I served your + father, if you will only listen to what I say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will listen to everything. Can you start in three days?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This moment, if you like,’ said the horse. + </p> + <p> + The preparations of the emperor’s youngest daughter were much fewer and + simpler than those of her sisters. They only consisted of some boy’s + clothes, a small quantity of linen and food, and a little money in case of + necessity. Then she bade farewell to her father, and rode away. + </p> + <p> + A day’s journey from the palace, she reached the copper bridge, but before + they came in sight of it, the horse, who was a magician, had warned her of + the means her father would take to prove her courage. + </p> + <p> + Still in spite of his warning she trembled all over when a huge wolf, as + thin as if he had fasted for a month, with claws like saws, and mouth as + wide as an oven, bounded howling towards her. For a moment her heart + failed her, but the next, touching the horse lightly with her spur, she + drew her sword from its sheath, ready to separate the wolf’s head from its + body at a single blow. + </p> + <p> + The beast saw the sword, and shrank back, which was the best thing it + could do, as now the girl’s blood was up, and the light of battle in her + eyes. Then without looking round, she rode across the bridge. + </p> + <p> + The emperor, proud of this first victory, took a short cut, and waited for + her at the end of another day’s journey, close to a river, over which he + threw a bridge of silver. And this time he took the shape of a lion. + </p> + <p> + But the horse guessed this new danger and told the princess how to escape + it. But it is one thing to receive advice when we feel safe and + comfortable, and quite another to be able to carry it out when some awful + peril is threatening us. And if the wolf had made the girl quake with + terror, it seemed like a lamb beside this dreadful lion. + </p> + <p> + At the sound of his roar the very trees quivered and his claws were so + large that every one of them looked like a cutlass. + </p> + <p> + The breath of the princess came and went, and her feet rattled in the + stirrups. Suddenly the remembrance flashed across her of the wolf whom she + had put to flight, and waving her sword, she rushed so violently on the + lion that he had barely time to spring on one side, so as to avoid the + blow. Then, like a flash, she crossed this bridge also. + </p> + <p> + Now during her whole life, the princess had been so carefully brought up, + that she had never left the gardens of the palace, so that the sight of + the hills and valleys and tinkling streams, and the song of the larks and + blackbirds, made her almost beside herself with wonder and delight. She + longed to get down and bathe her face in the clear pools, and pick the + brilliant flowers, but the horse said ‘No,’ and quickened his pace, + neither turning to the right or the left. + </p> + <p> + ‘Warriors,’ he told her, ‘only rest when they have won the victory. You + have still another battle to fight, and it is the hardest of all.’ + </p> + <p> + This time it was neither a wolf nor a lion that was waiting for her at the + end of the third day’s journey, but a dragon with twelve heads, and a + golden bridge behind it. + </p> + <p> + The princess rode up without seeing anything to frighten her, when a + sudden puff of smoke and flame from beneath her feet, caused her to look + down, and there was the horrible creature twisted and writhing, its twelve + heads reared up as if to seize her between them. + </p> + <p> + The bridle fell from her hand: and the sword which she had just grasped + slid back into its sheath, but the horse bade her fear nothing, and with a + mighty effort she sat upright and spurred straight on the dragon. + </p> + <p> + The fight lasted an hour and the dragon pressed her hard. But in the end, + by a well-directed side blow, she cut off one of the heads, and with a + roar that seemed to rend the heavens in two, the dragon fell back on the + ground, and rose as a man before her. + </p> + <p> + Although the horse had informed the princess the dragon was really her own + father, the girl had hardly believed him, and stared in amazement at the + transformation. But he flung his arms round her and pressed her to his + heart saying, ‘Now I see that you are as brave as the bravest, and as wise + as the wisest. You have chosen the right horse, for without his help you + would have returned with a bent head and downcast eyes. You have filled me + with the hope that you may carry out the task you have undertaken, but be + careful to forget none of my counsels, and above all to listen to those of + your horse.’ + </p> + <p> + When he had done speaking, the princess knelt down to receive his + blessing, and they went their different ways. + </p> + <p> + The princess rode on and on, till at last she came to the mountains which + hold up the roof of the world. There she met two Genii who had been + fighting fiercely for two years, without one having got the least + advantage over the other. Seeing what they took to be a young man seeking + adventures, one of the combatants called out, ‘Fet-Fruners! deliver me + from my enemy, and I will give you the horn that can be heard the distance + of a three days’ journey;’ while the other cried, ‘Fet-Fruners! help me to + conquer this pagan thief, and you shall have my horse, Sunlight.’ + </p> + <p> + Before answering, the princess consulted her own horse as to which offer + she should accept, and he advised her to side with the genius who was + master of Sunlight, his own younger brother, and still more active than + himself. + </p> + <p> + So the girl at once attacked the other genius, and soon clove his skull; + then the one who was left victor begged her to come back with him to his + house and he would hand her over Sunlight, as he had promised. + </p> + <p> + The mother of the genius was rejoiced to see her son return safe and + sound, and prepared her best room for the princess, who, after so much + fatigue, needed rest badly. But the girl declared that she must first make + her horse comfortable in his stable; but this was really only an excuse, + as she wanted to ask his advice on several matters. + </p> + <p> + But the old woman had suspected from the very first that the boy who had + come to the rescue of her son was a girl in disguise, and told the genius + that she was exactly the wife he needed. The genius scoffed, and inquired + what female hand could ever wield a sabre like that; but, in spite of his + sneers, his mother persisted, and as a proof of what she said, laid at + night on each of their pillows a handful of magic flowers, that fade at + the touch of man, but remain eternally fresh in the fingers of a woman. + </p> + <p> + It was very clever of her, but unluckily the horse had warned the princess + what to expect, and when the house was silent, she stole very softly to + the genius’s room, and exchanged his faded flowers for those she held. + Then she crept back to her own bed and fell fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + At break of day, the old woman ran to see her son, and found, as she knew + she would, a bunch of dead flowers in his hand. She next passed on to the + bedside of the princess, who still lay asleep grasping the withered + flowers. But she did not believe any the more that her guest was a man, + and so she told her son. So they put their heads together and laid another + trap for her. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast the genius gave his arm to his guest, and asked her to + come with him into the garden. For some time they walked about looking at + the flowers, the genius all the while pressing her to pick any she + fancied. But the princess, suspecting a trap, inquired roughly why they + were wasting the precious hours in the garden, when, as men, they should + be in the stables looking after their horses. Then the genius told his + mother that she was quite wrong, and his deliverer was certainly a man. + But the old woman was not convinced for all that. + </p> + <p> + She would try once more she said, and her son must lead his visitor into + the armoury, where hung every kind of weapon used all over the world—some + plain and bare, others ornamented with precious stones—and beg her + to make choice of one of them. The princess looked at them closely, and + felt the edges and points of their blades, then she hung at her belt an + old sword with a curved blade, that would have done credit to an ancient + warrior. After this she informed the genius that she would start early + next day and take Sunlight with her. + </p> + <p> + And there was nothing for the mother to do but to submit, though she still + stuck to her own opinion. + </p> + <p> + The princess mounted Sunlight, and touched him with her spur, when the old + horse, who was galloping at her side, suddenly said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Up to this time, mistress, you have obeyed my counsels and all has gone + well. Listen to me once more, and do what I tell you. I am old, and—now + that there is someone to take my place, I will confess it—I am + afraid that my strength is not equal to the task that lies before me. Give + me leave, therefore, to return home, and do you continue your journey + under the care of my brother. Put your faith in him as you put it in me, + and you will never repent. Wisdom has come early to Sunlight.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, my old comrade, you have served me well; and it is only through your + help that up to now I have been victorious. So grieved though I am to say + farewell, I will obey you yet once more, and will listen to your brother + as I would to yourself. Only, I must have a proof that he loves me as well + as you do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How should I not love you?’ answered Sunlight; ‘how should I not be proud + to serve a warrior such as you? Trust me, mistress, and you shall never + regret the absence of my brother. I know there will be difficulties in our + path, but we will face them together.’ + </p> + <p> + Then, with tears in her eyes, the princess took leave of her old horse, + who galloped back to her father. + </p> + <p> + She had ridden only a few miles further, when she saw a golden curl lying + on the road before her. Checking her horse, she asked whether it would be + better to take it or let it lie. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you take it,’ said Sunlight, ‘you will repent, and if you don’t, you + will repent too: so take it.’ On this the girl dismounted, and picking up + the curl, wound it round her neck for safety. + </p> + <p> + They passed by hills, they passed by mountains, they passed through + valleys, leaving behind them thick forests, and fields covered with + flowers; and at length they reached the court of the over-lord. + </p> + <p> + He was sitting on his throne, surrounded by the sons of the other + emperors, who served him as pages. These youths came forward to greet + their new companion, and wondered why they felt so attracted towards him. + </p> + <p> + However, there was no time for talking and concealing her fright. + </p> + <p> + The princess was led straight up to the throne, and explained, in a low + voice, the reason of her coming. The emperor received her kindly, and + declared himself fortunate at finding a vassal so brave and so charming, + and begged the princess to remain in attendance on his person. + </p> + <p> + She was, however, very careful in her behaviour towards the other pages, + whose way of life did not please her. One day, however, she had been + amusing herself by making sweetmeats, when two of the young princes looked + in to pay her a visit. She offered them some of the food which was already + on the table, and they thought it so delicious that they even licked their + fingers so as not to lose a morsel. Of course they did not keep the news + of their discovery to themselves, but told all their companions that they + had just been enjoying the best supper they had had since they were born. + And from that moment the princess was left no peace, till she had promised + to cook them all a dinner. + </p> + <p> + Now it happened that, on the very day fixed, all the cooks in the palace + became intoxicated, and there was no one to make up the fire. + </p> + <p> + When the pages heard of this shocking state of things, they went to their + companion and implored her to come to the rescue. + </p> + <p> + The princess was fond of cooking, and was, besides, very good-natured; so + she put on an apron and went down to the kitchen without delay. When the + dinner was placed before the emperor he found it so nice that he ate much + more than was good for him. The next morning, as soon as he woke, he sent + for his head cook, and told him to send up the same dishes as before. The + cook, seized with fright at this command, which he knew he could not + fulfil, fell on his knees, and confessed the truth. + </p> + <p> + The emperor was so astonished that he forgot to scold, and while he was + thinking over the matter, some of his pages came in and said that their + new companion had been heard to boast that he knew where Iliane was to be + found—the celebrated Iliane of the song which begins: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Golden Hair + The fields are green,’ +</pre> + <p> + and that to their certain knowledge he had a curl of her hair in his + possession. + </p> + <p> + When he heard that, the emperor desired the page to be brought before him, + and, as soon as the princess obeyed his summons, he said to her abruptly: + </p> + <p> + ‘Fet-Fruners, you have hidden from me the fact that you knew the + golden-haired Iliane! Why did you do this? for I have treated you more + kindly than all my other pages.’ + </p> + <p> + Then, after making the princess show him the golden curl which she wore + round her neck, he added: ‘Listen to me; unless by some means or other you + bring me the owner of this lock, I will have your head cut off in the + place where you stand. Now go!’ + </p> + <p> + In vain the poor girl tried to explain how the lock of hair came into her + possession; the emperor would listen to nothing, and, bowing low, she left + his presence and went to consult Sunlight what she was to do. + </p> + <p> + At his first words she brightened up. ‘Do not be afraid, mistress; only + last night my brother appeared to me in a dream and told me that a genius + had carried off Iliane, whose hair you picked up on the road. But Iliane + declares that, before she marries her captor, he must bring her, as a + present, the whole stud of mares which belong to her. The genius, half + crazy with love, thinks of nothing night and day but how this can be done, + and meanwhile she is quite safe in the island swamps of the sea. Go back + to the emperor and ask him for twenty ships filled with precious + merchandise. The rest you shall know by-and-by.’ + </p> + <p> + On hearing this advice, the princess went at once into the emperor’s + presence. + </p> + <p> + ‘May a long life be yours, O Sovereign all mighty!’ said she. ‘I have come + to tell you that I can do as you command if you will give me twenty ships, + and load them with the most precious wares in your kingdom.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You shall have all that I possess if you will bring me the golden-haired + Iliane,’ said the emperor. + </p> + <p> + The ships were soon ready, and the princess entered the largest and + finest, with Sunlight at her side. Then the sails were spread and the + voyage began. + </p> + <p> + For seven weeks the wind blew them straight towards the west, and early + one morning they caught sight of the island swamps of the sea. + </p> + <p> + They cast anchor in a little bay, and the princess made haste to disembark + with Sunlight, but, before leaving the ship, she tied to her belt a pair + of tiny gold slippers, adorned with precious stones. Then mounting + Sunlight, she rode about till she came to several palaces, built on + hinges, so that they could always turn towards the sun. + </p> + <p> + The most splendid of these was guarded by three slaves, whose greedy eyes + were caught by the glistening gold of the slippers. They hastened up to + the owner of these treasures, and inquired who he was. ‘A merchant,’ + replied the princess, ‘who had somehow missed his road, and lost himself + among the island swamps of the sea.’ + </p> + <p> + Not knowing if it was proper to receive him or not, the slaves returned to + their mistress and told her all they had seen, but not before she had + caught sight of the merchant from the roof of her palace. Luckily her + gaoler was away, always trying to catch the stud of mares, so for the + moment she was free and alone. + </p> + <p> + The slaves told their tale so well that their mistress insisted on going + down to the shore and seeing the beautiful slippers for herself. They were + even lovelier than she expected, and when the merchant besought her to + come on board, and inspect some that he thought were finer still, her + curiosity was too great to refuse, and she went. + </p> + <p> + Once on board ship, she was so busy turning over all the precious things + stored there, that she never knew that the sails were spread, and that + they were flying along with the wind behind them; and when she did know, + she rejoiced in her heart, though she pretended to weep and lament at + being carried captive a second time. Thus they arrived at the court of the + emperor. + </p> + <p> + They were just about to land, when the mother of the genius stood before + them. She had learnt that Iliane had fled from her prison in company with + a merchant, and, as her son was absent, had come herself in pursuit. + Striding over the blue waters, hopping from wave to wave, one foot + reaching to heaven, and the other planted in the foam, she was close at + their heels, breathing fire and flame, when they stepped on shore from the + ship. One glance told Iliane who the horrible old woman was, and she + whispered hastily to her companion. Without saying a word, the princess + swung her into Sunlight’s saddle, and leaping up behind her, they were off + like a flash. + </p> + <p> + It was not till they drew near the town that the princess stooped and + asked Sunlight what they should do. ‘Put your hand into my left ear,’ said + he, ‘and take out a sharp stone, which you must throw behind you.’ + </p> + <p> + The princess did as she was told, and a huge mountain sprang up behind + them. The mother of the genius began to climb up it, and though they + galloped quickly, she was quicker still. + </p> + <p> + They heard her coming, faster, faster; and again the princess stooped to + ask what was to be done now. ‘Put your hand into my right ear,’ said the + horse, ‘and throw the brush you will find there behind you.’ The princess + did so, and a great forest sprang up behind them, and, so thick were its + leaves, that even a wren could not get through. But the old woman seized + hold of the branches and flung herself like a monkey from one to the + others, and always she drew nearer—always, always—till their + hair was singed by the flames of her mouth. + </p> + <p> + Then, in despair, the princess again bent down and asked if there was + nothing more to be done, and Sunlight replied ‘Quick, quick, take off the + betrothal ring on the finger of Iliane and throw it behind you.’ + </p> + <p> + This time there sprang up a great tower of stone, smooth as ivory, hard as + steel, which reached up to heaven itself. And the mother of the genius + gave a howl of rage, knowing that she could neither climb it nor get + through it. But she was not beaten yet, and gathering herself together, + she made a prodigious leap, which landed her on the top of the tower, + right in the middle of Iliane’s ring which lay there, and held her tight. + Only her claws could be seen grasping the battlements. + </p> + <p> + All that could be done the old witch did; but the fire that poured from + her mouth never reached the fugitives, though it laid waste the country a + hundred miles round the tower, like the flames of a volcano. Then, with + one last effort to free herself, her hands gave way, and, falling down to + the bottom of the tower, she was broken in pieces. + </p> + <p> + When the flying princess saw what had happened she rode back to the spot, + as Sunlight counselled her, and placed her finger on the top of the tower, + which was gradually shrinking into the earth. In an instant the tower had + vanished as if it had never been, and in its place was the finger of the + princess with a ring round it. + </p> + <p> + The emperor received Iliane with all the respect that was due to her, and + fell in love at first sight besides. + </p> + <p> + But this did not seem to please Iliane, whose face was sad as she walked + about the palace or gardens, wondering how it was that, while other girls + did as they liked, she was always in the power of someone whom she hated. + </p> + <p> + So when the emperor asked her to share his throne Iliane answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Noble Sovereign, I may not think of marriage till my stud of horses has + been brought me, with their trappings all complete.’ + </p> + <p> + When he heard this, the emperor once more sent for Fet-Fruners, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Fet-Fruners, fetch me instantly the stud of mares, with their trappings + all complete. If not, your head shall pay the forfeit.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mighty Emperor, I kiss your hands! I have but just returned from doing + your bidding, and, behold, you send me on another mission, and stake my + head on its fulfilment, when your court is full of valiant young men, + pining to win their spurs. They say you are a just man; then why not + entrust this quest to one of them? Where am I to seek these mares that I + am to bring you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do I know? They may be anywhere in heaven or earth; but, wherever + they are, you will have to find them.’ + </p> + <p> + The princess bowed and went to consult Sunlight. He listened while she + told her tale, and then said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Fetch quickly nine buffalo skins; smear them well with tar, and lay them + on my back. Do not fear; you will succeed in this also; but, in the end, + the emperor’s desires will be his undoing.’ + </p> + <p> + The buffalo skins were soon got, and the princess started off with + Sunlight. The way was long and difficult, but at length they reached the + place where the mares were grazing. Here the genius who had carried off + Iliane was wandering about, trying to discover how to capture them, all + the while believing that Iliane was safe in the palace where he had left + her. + </p> + <p> + As soon as she caught sight of him, the princess went up and told him that + Iliane had escaped, and that his mother, in her efforts to recapture her, + had died of rage. At this news a blind fury took possession of the genius, + and he rushed madly upon the princess, who awaited his onslaught with + perfect calmness. As he came on, with his sabre lifted high in the air, + Sunlight bounded right over his head, so that the sword fell harmless. And + when in her turn the princess prepared to strike, the horse sank upon his + knees, so that the blade pierced the genius’s thigh. + </p> + <p> + The fight was so fierce that it seemed as if the earth would give way + under them, and for twenty miles round the beasts in the forests fled to + their caves for shelter. At last, when her strength was almost gone, the + genius lowered his sword for an instant. The princess saw her chance, and, + with one swoop of her arm, severed her enemy’s head from his body. Still + trembling from the long struggle, she turned away, and went to the meadow + where the stud were feeding. + </p> + <p> + By the advice of Sunlight, she took care not to let them see her, and + climbed a thick tree, where she could see and hear without being seen + herself. Then he neighed, and the mares came galloping up, eager to see + the new comer—all but one horse, who did not like strangers, and + thought they were very well as they were. As Sunlight stood his ground, + well pleased with the attention paid him, this sulky creature suddenly + advanced to the charge, and bit so violently that had it not been for the + nine buffalo skins Sunlight’s last moment would have come. When the fight + was ended, the buffalo skins were in ribbons, and the beaten animal + writhing with pain on the grass. + </p> + <p> + Nothing now remained to be done but to drive the whole stud to the + emperor’s court. So the princess came down from the tree and mounted + Sunlight, while the stud followed meekly after, the wounded horse bringing + up the rear. On reaching the palace, she drove them into a yard, and went + to inform the emperor of her arrival. + </p> + <p> + The news was told at once to Iliane, who ran down directly and called them + to her one by one, each mare by its name. And at the first sight of her + the wounded animal shook itself quickly, and in a moment its wounds were + healed, and there was not even a mark on its glossy skin. + </p> + <p> + By this time the emperor, on hearing where she was, joined her in the + yard, and at her request ordered the mares to be milked, so that both he + and she might bathe in the milk and keep young for ever. But they would + suffer no one to come near them, and the princess was commanded to perform + this service also. + </p> + <p> + At this, the heart of the girl swelled within her. The hardest tasks were + always given to her, and long before the two years were up, she would be + worn out and useless. But while these thoughts passed through her mind, a + fearful rain fell, such as no man remembered before, and rose till the + mares were standing up to their knees in water. Then as suddenly it + stopped, and, behold! the water was ice, which held the animals firmly in + its grasp. And the princess’s heart grew light again, and she sat down + gaily to milk them, as if she had done it every morning of her life. + </p> + <p> + The love of the emperor for Iliane waxed greater day by day, but she paid + no heed to him, and always had an excuse ready to put off their marriage. + At length, when she had come to the end of everything she could think of, + she said to him one day: ‘Grant me, Sire, just one request more, and then + I will really marry you; for you have waited patiently this long time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My beautiful dove,’ replied the emperor, ‘both I and all I possess are + yours, so ask your will, and you shall have it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Get me, then,’ she said, ‘a flask of the holy water that is kept in a + little church beyond the river Jordan, and I will be your wife.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the emperor ordered Fet-Fruners to ride without delay to the river + Jordan, and to bring back, at whatever cost, the holy water for Iliane. + </p> + <p> + ‘This, my mistress,’ said Sunlight, when she was saddling him, ‘is the + last and most difficult of your tasks. But fear nothing, for the hour of + the emperor has struck.’ + </p> + <p> + So they started; and the horse, who was not a wizard for nothing, told the + princess exactly where she was to look for the holy water. + </p> + <p> + ‘It stands,’ he said, ‘on the altar of a little church, and is guarded by + a troop of nuns. They never sleep, night or day, but every now and then a + hermit comes to visit them, and from him they learn certain things it is + needful for them to know. When this happens, only one of the nuns remains + on guard at a time, and if we are lucky enough to hit upon this moment, we + may get hold of the vase at once; if not, we shall have to wait the + arrival of the hermit, however long it may be; for there is no other means + of obtaining the holy water.’ + </p> + <p> + They came in sight of the church beyond the Jordan, and, to their great + joy, beheld the hermit just arriving at the door. They could hear him + calling the nuns around him, and saw them settle themselves under a tree, + with the hermit in their midst—all but one, who remained on guard, + as was the custom. + </p> + <p> + The hermit had a great deal to say, and the day was very hot, so the nun, + tired of sitting by herself, lay down right across the threshold, and fell + sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + Then Sunlight told the princess what she was to do, and the girl stepped + softly over the sleeping nun, and crept like a cat along the dark aisle, + feeling the wall with her fingers, lest she should fall over something and + ruin it all by a noise. But she reached the altar in safety, and found the + vase of holy water standing on it. This she thrust into her dress, and + went back with the same care as she came. With a bound she was in the + saddle, and seizing the reins bade Sunlight take her home as fast as his + legs could carry him. + </p> + <p> + The sound of the flying hoofs aroused the nun, who understood instantly + that the precious treasure was stolen, and her shrieks were so loud and + piercing that all the rest came flying to see what was the matter. The + hermit followed at their heels, but seeing it was impossible to overtake + the thief, he fell on his knees and called his most deadly curse down on + her head, praying that if the thief was a man, he might become a woman; + and if she was a woman, that she might become a man. In either case he + thought that the punishment would be severe. + </p> + <p> + But punishments are things about which people do not always agree, and + when the princess suddenly felt she was really the man she had pretended + to be, she was delighted, and if the hermit had only been within reach she + would have thanked him from her heart. + </p> + <p> + By the time she reached the emperor’s court, Fet-Fruners looked a young + man all over in the eyes of everyone; and even the mother of the genius + would now have had her doubts set at rest. He drew forth the vase from his + tunic and held it up to the emperor, saying: ‘Mighty Sovereign, all hail! + I have fulfilled this task also, and I hope it is the last you have for + me; let another now take his turn.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am content, Fet-Fruners,’ replied the emperor, ‘and when I am dead it + is you who will sit upon my throne; for I have yet no son to come after + me. But if one is given me, and my dearest wish is accomplished, then you + shall be his right hand, and guide him with your counsels.’ + </p> + <p> + But though the emperor was satisfied, Iliane was not, and she determined + to revenge herself on the emperor for the dangers which he had caused + Fet-Fruners to run. And as for the vase of holy water, she thought that, + in common politeness, her suitor ought to have fetched it himself, which + he could have done without any risk at all. + </p> + <p> + So she ordered the great bath to be filled with the milk of her mares, and + begged the emperor to clothe himself in white robes, and enter the bath + with her, an invitation he accepted with joy. Then, when both were + standing with the milk reaching to their necks, she sent for the horse + which had fought Sunlight, and made a secret sign to him. The horse + understood what he was to do, and from one nostril he breathed fresh air + over Iliane, and from the other, he snorted a burning wind which + shrivelled up the emperor where he stood, leaving only a little heap of + ashes. + </p> + <p> + His strange death, which no one could explain, made a great sensation + throughout the country, and the funeral his people gave him was the most + splendid ever known. When it was over, Iliane summoned Fet-Fruners before + her, and addressed him thus: + </p> + <p> + ‘Fet-Fruners! it is you who brought me and have saved my life, and obeyed + my wishes. It is you who gave me back my stud; you who killed the genius, + and the old witch his mother; you who brought me the holy water. And you, + and none other, shall be my husband.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I will marry you,’ said the young man, with a voice almost as soft + as when he was a princess. ‘But know that in OUR house, it will be the + cock who sings and not the hen!’ + </p> + <p> + (From Sept Contes Roumains, Jules Brun and Leo Bachelin.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STORY OF HALFMAN + </h2> + <p> + In a certain town there lived a judge who was married but had no children. + One day he was standing lost in thought before his house, when an old man + passed by. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter, sir, said he, ‘you look troubled?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, leave me alone, my good man!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what is it?’ persisted the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I am successful in my profession and a person of importance, but I + care nothing for it all, as I have no children.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the old man said, ‘Here are twelve apples. If your wife eats them, + she will have twelve sons.’ + </p> + <p> + The judge thanked him joyfully as he took the apples, and went to seek his + wife. ‘Eat these apples at once,’ he cried, ‘and you will have twelve + sons.’ + </p> + <p> + So she sat down and ate eleven of them, but just as she was in the middle + of the twelfth her sister came in, and she gave her the half that was + left. + </p> + <p> + The eleven sons came into the world, strong and handsome boys; but when + the twelfth was born, there was only half of him. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by they all grew into men, and one day they told their father it + was high time he found wives for them. ‘I have a brother,’ he answered, + ‘who lives away in the East, and he has twelve daughters; go and marry + them.’ So the twelve sons saddled their horses and rode for twelve days, + till they met an old woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good greeting to you, young men!’ said she, ‘we have waited long for you, + your uncle and I. The girls have become women, and are sought, in marriage + by many, but I knew you would come one day, and I have kept them for you. + Follow me into my house.’ + </p> + <p> + And the twelve brothers followed her gladly, and their father’s brother + stood at the door, and gave them meat and drink. But at night, when every + one was asleep, Halfman crept softly to his brothers, and said to them, + ‘Listen, all of you! This man is no uncle of ours, but an ogre.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense; of course he is our uncle,’ answered they. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, this very night you will see!’ said Halfman. And he did not go to + bed, but hid himself and watched. + </p> + <p> + Now in a little while he saw the wife of the ogre steal into the room on + tiptoe and spread a red cloth over the brothers and then go and cover her + daughters with a white cloth. After that she lay down and was soon snoring + loudly. When Halfman was quite sure she was sound asleep, he took the red + cloth from his brothers and put it on the girls, and laid their white + cloth over his brothers. Next he drew their scarlet caps from their heads + and exchanged them for the veils which the ogre’s daughters were wearing. + This was hardly done when he heard steps coming along the floor, so he hid + himself quickly in the folds of a curtain. There was only half of him! + </p> + <p> + The ogress came slowly and gently along, stretching out her hands before + her, so that she might not fall against anything unawares, for she had + only a tiny lantern slung at her waist, which did not give much light. And + when she reached the place where the sisters were lying, she stooped down + and held a corner of the cloth up to the lantern. Yes! it certainly was + red! Still, to make sure that there was no mistake, she passed her hands + lightly over their heads, and felt the caps that covered them. Then she + was quite certain the brothers lay sleeping before her, and began to kill + them one by one. And Halfman whispered to his brothers, ‘Get up and run + for your lives, as the ogress is killing her daughters.’ The brothers + needed no second bidding, and in a moment were out of the house. + </p> + <p> + By this time the ogress had slain all her daughters but one, who awoke + suddenly and saw what had happened. ‘Mother, what are you doing?’ cried + she. ‘Do you know that you have killed my sisters?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, woe is me!’ wailed the ogress. ‘Halfman has outwitted me after all!’ + And she turned to wreak vengeance on him, but he and his brothers were far + away. + </p> + <p> + They rode all day till they got to the town where their real uncle lived, + and inquired the way to his house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why have you been so long in coming?’ asked he, when they had found him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, dear uncle, we were very nearly not coming at all!’ replied they. ‘We + fell in with an ogress who took us home and would have killed us if it had + not been for Halfman. He knew what was in her mind and saved us, and here + we are. Now give us each a daughter to wife, and let us return whence we + came.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take them!’ said the uncle; ‘the eldest for the eldest, the second for + the second, and so on to the youngest.’ + </p> + <p> + But the wife of Halfman was the prettiest of them all, and the other + brothers were jealous and said to each other: ‘What, is he who is only + half a man to get the best? Let us put him to death and give his wife to + our eldest brother!’ And they waited for a chance. + </p> + <p> + After they had all ridden, in company with their brides, for some + distance, they arrived at a brook, and one of them asked, ‘Now, who will + go and fetch water from the brook?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Halfman is the youngest,’ said the elder brother, ‘he must go.’ + </p> + <p> + So Halfman got down and filled a skin with water, and they drew it up by a + rope and drank. When they had done drinking, Halfman, who was standing in + the middle of the stream, called out: ‘Throw me the rope and draw me up, + for I cannot get out alone.’ And the brothers threw him a rope to draw him + up the steep bank; but when he was half-way up they cut the rope, and he + fell back into the stream. Then the brothers rode away as fast as they + could, with his bride. + </p> + <p> + Halfman sank down under the water from the force of the fall, but before + he touched the bottom a fish came and said to him, ‘Fear nothing, Halfman; + I will help you.’ And the fish guided him to a shallow place, so that he + scrambled out. On the way it said to him, ‘Do you understand what your + brothers, whom you saved from death, have done to you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; but what am I to do?’ asked Halfman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take one of my scales,’ said the fish, ‘and when you find yourself in + danger, throw it in the fire. Then I will appear before you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you,’ said Halfman, and went his way, while the fish swam back to + its home. + </p> + <p> + The country was strange to Halfman, and he wandered about without knowing + where he was going, till he suddenly found the ogress standing before him. + ‘Ah, Halfman, have I got you at last? You killed my daughters and helped + your brothers to escape. What do you think I shall do with you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whatever you like!’ said Halfman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come into my house, then,’ said the ogress, and he followed her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look here!’ she called to her husband, ‘I have got hold of Halfman. I am + going to roast him, so be quick and make up the fire!’ + </p> + <p> + So the ogre brought wood, and heaped it up till the flames roared up the + chimney. Then he turned to his wife and said: ‘It is all ready, let us put + him on!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the hurry, my good ogre?’ asked Halfman. ‘You have me in your + power, and I cannot escape. I am so thin now, I shall hardly make one + mouthful. Better fatten me up; you will enjoy me much more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a very sensible remark,’ replied the ogre; ‘but what fattens you + quickest?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Butter, meat, and red wine,’ answered Halfman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good; we will lock you into this room, and here you shall stay till + you are ready for eating.’ + </p> + <p> + So Halfman was locked into the room, and the ogre and his wife brought him + his food. At the end of three months he said to his gaolers: ‘Now I have + got quite fat; take me out, and kill me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Get out, then!’ said the ogre. + </p> + <p> + ‘But,’ went on Halfman, ‘you and your wife had better go to invite your + friends to the feast, and your daughter can stay in the house and look + after me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, that is a good idea,’ answered they. + </p> + <p> + ‘You had better bring the wood in here,’ continued Halfman, ‘and I will + split it up small, so that there may be no delay in cooking me.’ + </p> + <p> + So the ogress gave Halfman a pile of wood and an axe, and then set out + with her husband, leaving Halfman and her daughter busy in the house. + </p> + <p> + After he had chopped for a little while he called to the girl, ‘Come and + help me, or else I shan’t have it all ready when your mother gets back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right,’ said she, and held a billet of wood for him to chop. + </p> + <p> + But he raised his axe and cut off her head, and ran away like the wind. + By-and-by the ogre and his wife returned and found their daughter lying + without her head, and they began to cry and sob, saying, ‘This is + Halfman’s work, why did we listen to him?’ But Halfman was far away. + </p> + <p> + When he escaped from the house he ran on straight before him for some + time, looking for a safe shelter, as he knew that the ogre’s legs were + much longer than his, and that it was his only chance. At last he saw an + iron tower which he climbed up. Soon the ogre appeared, looking right and + left lest his prey should be sheltering behind a rock or tree, but he did + not know Halfman was so near till he heard his voice calling, ‘Come up! + come up! you will find me here!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how can I come up?’ said the ogre, ‘I see no door, and I could not + possibly climb that tower.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, there is no door,’ replied Halfman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then how did you climb up?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A fish carried me on his back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what am I to do?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You must go and fetch all your relations, and tell them to bring plenty + of sticks; then you must light a fire, and let it burn till the tower + becomes red hot. After that you can easily throw it down.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good,’ said the ogre, and he went round to every relation he had, + and told them to collect wood and bring it to the tower where Halfman was. + The men did as they were ordered, and soon the tower was glowing like + coral, but when they flung themselves against it to overthrow it, they + caught themselves on fire and were burnt to death. And overhead sat + Halfman, laughing heartily. But the ogre’s wife was still alive, for she + had taken no part in kindling the fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh,’ she shrieked with rage, ‘you have killed my daughters and my + husband, and all the men belonging to me; how can I get at you to avenge + myself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, that is easy enough,’ said Halfman. ‘I will let down a rope, and if + you tie it tightly round you, I will draw it up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right,’ returned the ogress, fastening the rope which Halfman let + down. ‘Now pull me up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you sure it is secure?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, quite sure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be afraid.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I am not afraid at all!’ + </p> + <p> + So Halfman slowly drew her up, and when she was near the top he let go the + rope, and she fell down and broke her neck. Then Halfman heaved a great + sigh and said, ‘That was hard work; the rope has hurt my hands badly, but + now I am rid of her for ever.’ + </p> + <p> + So Halfman came down from the tower, and went on, till he got to a desert + place, and as he was very tired, he lay down to sleep. While it was still + dark, an ogress passed by, and she woke him and said, ‘Halfman, to-morrow + your brother is to marry your wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, how can I stop it?’ asked he. ‘Will you help me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I will,’ replied the ogress. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, thank you!’ cried Halfman, kissing her on the forehead. ‘My + wife is dearer to me than anything else in the world, and it is not my + brother’s fault that I am not dead long ago.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well, I will rid you of him,’ said the ogress, ‘but only on one + condition. If a boy is born to you, you must give him to me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, anything,’ answered Halfman, ‘as long as you deliver me from my + brother, and get me my wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mount on my back, then, and in a quarter of an hour we shall be there.’ + </p> + <p> + The ogress was as good as her word, and in a few minutes they arrived at + the outskirts of the town where Halfman and his brothers lived. Here she + left him, while she went into the town itself, and found the wedding + guests just leaving the brother’s house. Unnoticed by anyone, the ogress + crept into a curtain, changing herself into a scorpion, and when the + brother was going to get into bed, she stung him behind the ear, so that + he fell dead where he stood. Then she returned to Halfman and told him to + go and claim his bride. He jumped up hastily from his seat, and took the + road to his father’s house. As he drew near he heard sounds of weeping and + lamentations, and he said to a man he met: ‘What is the matter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The judge’s eldest son was married yesterday, and died suddenly before + night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ thought Halfman, ‘my conscience is clear anyway, for it is quite + plain he coveted my wife, and that is why he tried to drown me.’ He went + at once to his father’s room, and found him sitting in tears on the floor. + ‘Dear father,’ said Halfman, ‘are you not glad to see me? You weep for my + brother, but I am your son too, and he stole my bride from me and tried to + drown me in the brook. If he is dead, I at least am alive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, he was better than you!’ moaned the father. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, dear father?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He told me you had behaved very ill,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, call my brothers,’ answered Halfman, ‘as I have a story to tell + them.’ So the father called them all into his presence. Then Halfman + began: ‘After we were twelve days’ journey from home, we met an ogress, + who gave us greeting and said, “Why have you been so long coming? The + daughters of your uncle have waited for you in vain,” and she bade us + follow her to the house, saying, “Now there need be no more delay; you can + marry your cousins as soon as you please, and take them with you to your + own home.” But I warned my brothers that the man was not our uncle, but an + ogre. + </p> + <p> + ‘When we lay down to sleep, she spread a red cloth over us, and covered + her daughters with a white one; but I changed the cloths, and when the + ogress came back in the middle of the night, and looked at the cloths, she + mistook her own daughters for my brothers, and killed them one by one, all + but the youngest. Then I woke my brothers, and we all stole softly from + the house, and we rode like the wind to our real uncle. + </p> + <p> + ‘And when he saw us, he bade us welcome, and married us to his twelve + daughters, the eldest to the eldest, and so on to me, whose bride was the + youngest of all and also the prettiest. And my brothers were filled with + envy, and left me to drown in a brook, but I was saved by a fish who + showed me how to get out. Now, you are a judge! Who did well, and who did + evil—I or my brothers?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this story true?’ said the father, turning to his sons. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true, my father,’ answered they. ‘It is even as Halfman has said, + and the girl belongs to him.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the judge embraced Halfman and said to him: ‘You have done well, my + son. Take your bride, and may you both live long and happily together!’ + </p> + <p> + At the end of the year Halfman’s wife had a son, and not long after she + came one day hastily into the room, and found her husband weeping. ‘What + is the matter?’ she asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘The matter?’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, why are you weeping?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because,’ replied Halfman, ‘the baby is not really ours, but belongs to + an ogress.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you mad?’ cried the wife. ‘What do you mean by talking like that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I promised,’ said Halfman, ‘when she undertook to kill my brother and to + give you to me, that the first son we had should be hers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And will she take him from us now?’ said the poor woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, not quite yet,’ replied Halfman; ‘when he is bigger.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And is she to have all our children?’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, only this one,’ returned Halfman. + </p> + <p> + Day by day the boy grew bigger, and one day as he was playing in the + street with the other children, the ogress came by. ‘Go to your father,’ + she said, ‘and repeat this speech to him: “I want my forfeit; when am I to + have it?”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right,’ replied the child, but when he went home forgot all about it. + The next day the ogress came again, and asked the boy what answer the + father had given. ‘I forgot all about it,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, put this ring on your finger, and then you won’t forget.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ replied the boy, and went home. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, as he was at breakfast, his mother said to him, ‘Child, + where did you get that ring?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A woman gave it to me yesterday, and she told me, father, to tell you + that she wanted her forfeit, and when was she to have it?’ + </p> + <p> + Then his father burst into tears and said, ‘If she comes again you must + say to her that your parents bid her take her forfeit at once, and + depart.’ + </p> + <p> + At this they both began to weep afresh, and his mother kissed him, and put + on his new clothes and said, ‘If the woman bids you to follow her, you + must go,’ but the boy did not heed her grief, he was so pleased with his + new clothes. And when he went out, he said to his play-fellows, ‘Look how + smart I am; I am going away with my aunt to foreign lands.’ + </p> + <p> + At that moment the ogress came up and asked him, ‘Did you give my message + to your father and mother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, dear aunt, I did.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what did they say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take it away at once!’ + </p> + <p> + So she took him. + </p> + <p> + But when dinner-time came, and the boy did not return, his father and + mother knew that he would never come back, and they sat down and wept all + day. At last Halfman rose up and said to his wife, ‘Be comforted; we will + wait a year, and then I will go to the ogress and see the boy, and how he + is cared for.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, that will be the best,’ said she. + </p> + <p> + The year passed away, then Halfman saddled his horse, and rode to the + place where the ogress had found him sleeping. She was not there, but not + knowing what to do next, he got off his horse and waited. About midnight + she suddenly stood before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Halfman, why did you come here?’ said she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a question I want to ask you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, ask it; but I know quite well what it is. Your wife wishes you to + ask whether I shall carry off your second son as I did the first.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, that is it,’ replied Halfman. Then he seized her hand and said, ‘Oh, + let me see my son, and how he looks, and what he is doing.’ + </p> + <p> + The ogress was silent, but stuck her staff hard in the earth, and the + earth opened, and the boy appeared and said, ‘Dear father, have you come + too?’ And his father clasped him in his arms, and began to cry. But the + boy struggled to be free, saying ‘Dear father, put me down. I have got a + new mother, who is better than the old one; and a new father, who is + better than you.’ + </p> + <p> + Then his father sat him down and said, ‘Go in peace, my boy, but listen + first to me. Tell your father the ogre and your mother the ogress, that + never more shall they have any children of mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right,’ replied the boy, and called ‘Mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are never to take away any more of my father and mother’s children!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now that I have got you, I don’t want any more,’ answered she. + </p> + <p> + Then the boy turned to his father and said, ‘Go in peace, dear father, and + give my mother greeting and tell her not to be anxious any more, for she + can keep all her children.’ + </p> + <p> + And Halfman mounted his horse and rode home, and told his wife all he had + seen, and the message sent by Mohammed—Mohammed the son of Halfman, + the son of the judge. + </p> + <p> + (Marchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis. Hans von Stumme.) + </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 PRINCE WHO WANTED TO SEE THE WORLD + </h2> + <p> + There was once a king who had only one son, and this young man tormented + his father from morning till night to allow him to travel in far + countries. For a long time the king refused to give him leave; but at + last, wearied out, he granted permission, and ordered his treasurer to + produce a large sum of money for the prince’s expenses. The youth was + overjoyed at the thought that he was really going to see the world, and + after tenderly embracing his father he set forth. + </p> + <p> + He rode on for some weeks without meeting with any adventures; but one + night when he was resting at an inn, he came across another traveller, + with whom he fell into conversation, in the course of which the stranger + inquired if he never played cards. The young man replied that he was very + fond of doing so. Cards were brought, and in a very short time the prince + had lost every penny he possessed to his new acquaintance. When there was + absolutely nothing left at the bottom of the bag, the stranger proposed + that they should have just one more game, and that if the prince won he + should have the money restored to him, but in case he lost, should remain + in the inn for three years, and besides that should be his servant for + another three. The prince agreed to those terms, played, and lost; so the + stranger took rooms for him, and furnished him with bread and water every + day for three years. + </p> + <p> + The prince lamented his lot, but it was no use; and at the end of three + years he was released and had to go to the house of the stranger, who was + really the king of a neighbouring country, and be his servant. Before he + had gone very far he met a woman carrying a child, which was crying from + hunger. The prince took it from her, and fed it with his last crust of + bread and last drop of water, and then gave it back to its mother. The + woman thanked him gratefully, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen, my lord. You must walk straight on till you notice a very strong + scent, which comes from a garden by the side of the road. Go in and hide + yourself close to a tank, where three doves will come to bathe. As the + last one flies past you, catch hold of its robe of feathers, and refuse to + give it back till the dove has promised you three things.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man did as he was told, and everything happened as the woman had + said. He took the robe of feathers from the dove, who gave him in exchange + for it a ring, a collar, and one of its own plumes, saying: ‘When you are + in any trouble, cry “Come to my aid, O dove!” I am the daughter of the + king you are going to serve, who hates your father and made you gamble in + order to cause your ruin.’ + </p> + <p> + Thus the prince went on his way, and in course of time he arrived at the + king’s palace. As soon as his master knew he was there, the young man was + sent for into his presence, and three bags were handed to him with these + words: + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this wheat, this millet, and this barley, and sow them at once, so + that I may have loaves of them all to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince stood speechless at this command, but the king did not + condescend to give any further explanation, and when he was dismissed the + young man flew to the room which had been set aside for him, and pulling + out his feather, he cried: ‘Dove, dove! be quick and come.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ said the dove, flying in through the open window, and the + prince told her of the task before him, and of his despair at being unable + to accomplish it. ‘Fear nothing; it will be all right,’ replied the dove, + as she flew away again. + </p> + <p> + The next morning when the prince awoke he saw the three loaves standing + beside his bed. He jumped up and dressed, and he was scarcely ready when a + page arrived with the message that he was to go at once into the king’s + chamber. Taking the loaves in his arm he followed the boy, and, bowing + low, laid them down before the king. The monarch looked at the loaves for + a moment without speaking, then he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Good. The man who can do this can also find the ring which my eldest + daughter dropped into the sea.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince hastened back to his room and summoned the dove, and when she + heard this new command she said: ‘Now listen. To-morrow take a knife and a + basin and go down to the shore and get into a boat you will find there.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man did not know what he was to do when he was in the boat or + where he was to go, but as the dove had come to his rescue before, he was + ready to obey her blindly. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the boat he found the dove perched on one of the masts, + and at a signal from her he put to sea; the wind was behind them and they + soon lost sight of land. The dove then spoke for the first time and said, + ‘Take that knife and cut off my head, but be careful that not a single + drop of blood falls to the ground. Afterwards you must throw it into the + sea.’ + </p> + <p> + Wondering at this strange order, the prince picked up his knife and + severed the dove’s head from her body at one stroke. A little while after + a dove rose from the water with a ring in its beak, and laying it in the + prince’s hand, dabbled itself with the blood that was in the basin, when + its head became that of a beautiful girl. Another moment and it had + vanished completely, and the prince took the ring and made his way back to + the palace. + </p> + <p> + The king stared with surprise at the sight of the ring, but he thought of + another way of getting rid of the young man which was surer even than the + other two. + </p> + <p> + ‘This evening you will mount my colt and ride him to the field, and break + him in properly.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince received this command as silently as he had received the rest, + but no sooner was he in his room than he called for the dove, who said: + ‘Attend to me. My father longs to see you dead, and thinks he will kill + you by this means. He himself is the colt, my mother is the saddle, my two + sisters are the stirrups, and I am the bridle. Do not forget to take a + good club, to help you in dealing with such a crew.’ + </p> + <p> + So the prince mounted the colt, and gave him such a beating that when he + came to the palace to announce that the animal was now so meek that it + could be ridden by the smallest child, he found the king so bruised that + he had to be wrapped in cloths dipped in vinegar, the mother was too stiff + to move, and several of the daughters’ ribs were broken. The youngest, + however, was quite unharmed. That night she came to the prince and + whispered to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now that they are all in too much pain to move, we had better seize our + chance and run away. Go to the stable and saddle the leanest horse you can + find there.’ But the prince was foolish enough to choose the fattest: and + when they had started and the princess saw what he had done, she was very + sorry, for though this horse ran like the wind, the other flashed like + thought. However, it was dangerous to go back, and they rode on as fast as + the horse would go. + </p> + <p> + In the night the king sent for his youngest daughter, and as she did not + come he sent again; but she did not come any the more for that. The queen, + who was a witch, discovered that her daughter had gone off with the + prince, and told her husband he must leave his bed and go after them. The + king got slowly up, groaning with pain, and dragged himself to the + stables, where he saw the lean horse still in his stall. + </p> + <p> + Leaping on his back he shook the reins, and his daughter, who knew what to + expect and had her eyes open, saw the horse start forward, and in the + twinkling of an eye changed her own steed into a cell, the prince into a + hermit, and herself into a nun. + </p> + <p> + When the king reached the chapel, he pulled up his horse and asked if a + girl and a young man had passed that way. The hermit raised his eyes, + which were bent on the ground, and said that he had not seen a living + creature. The king, much disgusted at this news, and not knowing what to + do, returned home and told his wife that, though he had ridden for miles, + he had come across nothing but a hermit and a nun in a cell. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why those were the runaways, of course,’ she cried, flying into a + passion, ‘and if you had only brought a scrap of the nun’s dress, or a bit + of stone from the wall, I should have had them in my power.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the king hastened back to the stable, and brought out the + lean horse who travelled quicker than thought. But his daughter saw him + coming, and changed her horse into a plot of ground, herself into a + rose-tree covered with roses, and the prince into a gardener. As the king + rode up, the gardener looked up from the tree which he was trimming and + asked if anything was the matter. ‘Have you seen a young man and a girl go + by?’ said the king, and the gardener shook his head and replied that no + one had passed that way since he had been working there. So the king + turned his steps homewards and told his wife. + </p> + <p> + ‘Idiot!’ cried she, ‘if you had only brought me one of the roses, or a + handful of earth, I should have had them in my power. But there is no time + to waste. I shall have to go with you myself.’ + </p> + <p> + The girl saw them from afar, and a great fear fell on her, for she knew + her mother’s skill in magic of all kinds. However, she determined to fight + to the end, and changed the horse into a deep pool, herself into an eel, + and the prince into a turtle. But it was no use. Her mother recognised + them all, and, pulling up, asked her daughter if she did not repent and + would not like to come home again. The eel wagged ‘No’ with her tail, and + the queen told her husband to put a drop of water from the pool into a + bottle, because it was only by that means that she could seize hold of her + daughter. The king did as he was bid, and was just in the act of drawing + the bottle out of the water after he had filled it, when the turtle + knocked against and spilt it all. The king then filled it a second time, + but again the turtle was too quick for him. + </p> + <p> + The queen saw that she was beaten, and called down a curse on her daughter + that the prince should forget all about her. After having relieved her + feelings in this manner, she and the king went back to the palace. + </p> + <p> + The others resumed their proper shapes and continued their journey, but + the princess was so silent that at last the prince asked her what was the + matter. ‘It is because I know you will soon forget all about me,’ said + she, and though he laughed at her and told her it was impossible, she did + not cease to believe it. + </p> + <p> + They rode on and on and on, till they reached the end of the world, where + the prince lived, and leaving the girl in an inn he went himself to the + palace to ask leave of his father to present her to him as his bride; but + in his joy at seeing his family once more he forgot all about her, and + even listened when the king spoke of arranging a marriage for him. + </p> + <p> + When the poor girl heard this she wept bitterly, and cried out, ‘Come to + me, my sisters, for I need you badly!’ + </p> + <p> + In a moment they stood beside her, and the elder one said, ‘Do not be sad, + all will go well,’ and they told the innkeeper that if any of the king’s + servants wanted any birds for their master they were to be sent up to + them, as they had three doves for sale. + </p> + <p> + And so it fell out, and as the doves were very beautiful the servant + bought them for the king, who admired them so much that he called his son + to look at them. The prince was much pleased with the doves and was + coaxing them to come to him, when one fluttered on to the top of the + window and said, ‘If you could only hear us speak, you would admire us + still more.’ + </p> + <p> + And another perched on a table and added, ‘Talk away, it might help him to + remember!’ + </p> + <p> + And the third flew on his shoulder and whispered to him, ‘Put on this + ring, prince, and see if it fits you.’ + </p> + <p> + And it did. Then they hung a collar round his neck, and held a feather on + which was written the name of the dove. And at last his memory came back + to him, and he declared he would marry the princess and nobody else. So + the next day the wedding took place, and they lived happy till they died. + </p> + <p> + (From the Portuguese.) + </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> + VIRGILIUS THE SORCERER + </h2> + <p> + Long, long ago there was born to a Roman knight and his wife Maja a little + boy called Virgilius. While he was still quite little, his father died, + and the kinsmen, instead of being a help and protection to the child and + his mother, robbed them of their lands and money, and the widow, fearing + that they might take the boy’s life also, sent him away to Spain, that he + might study in the great University of Toledo. + </p> + <p> + Virgilius was fond of books, and pored over them all day long. But one + afternoon, when the boys were given a holiday, he took a long walk, and + found himself in a place where he had never been before. In front of him + was a cave, and, as no boy ever sees a cave without entering it, he went + in. The cave was so deep that it seemed to Virgilius as if it must run far + into the heart of the mountain, and he thought he would like to see if it + came out anywhere on the other side. For some time he walked on in pitch + darkness, but he went steadily on, and by-and-by a glimmer of light shot + across the floor, and he heard a voice calling, ‘Virgilius! Virgilius!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who calls?’ he asked, stopping and looking round. + </p> + <p> + ‘Virgilius!’ answered the voice, ‘do you mark upon the ground where you + are standing a slide or bolt?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do,’ replied Virgilius. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ said the voice, ‘draw back that bolt, and set me free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But who are you?’ asked Virgilius, who never did anything in a hurry. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am an evil spirit,’ said the voice, ‘shut up here till Doomsday, unless + a man sets me free. If you will let me out I will give you some magic + books, which will make you wiser than any other man.’ + </p> + <p> + Now Virgilius loved wisdom, and was tempted by these promises, but again + his prudence came to his aid, and he demanded that the books should be + handed over to him first, and that he should be told how to use them. The + evil spirit, unable to help itself, did as Virgilius bade him, and then + the bolt was drawn back. Underneath was a small hole, and out of this the + evil spirit gradually wriggled himself; but it took some time, for when at + last he stood upon the ground he proved to be about three times as large + as Virgilius himself, and coal black besides. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, you can’t have been as big as that when you were in the hole!’ cried + Virgilius. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I was!’ replied the spirit. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t believe it!’ answered Virgilius. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I’ll just get in and show you,’ said the spirit, and after turning + and twisting, and curling himself up, then he lay neatly packed into the + hole. Then Virgilius drew the bolt, and, picking the books up under his + arm, he left the cave. + </p> + <p> + For the next few weeks Virgilius hardly ate or slept, so busy was he in + learning the magic the books contained. But at the end of that time a + messenger from his mother arrived in Toledo, begging him to come at once + to Rome, as she had been ill, and could look after their affairs no + longer. + </p> + <p> + Though sorry to leave Toledo, where he was much thought of as showing + promise of great learning, Virgilius would willingly have set out at once, + but there were many things he had first to see to. So he entrusted to the + messenger four pack-horses laden with precious things, and a white palfrey + on which she was to ride out every day. Then he set about his own + preparations, and, followed by a large train of scholars, he at length + started for Rome, from which he had been absent twelve years. + </p> + <p> + His mother welcomed him back with tears in her eyes, and his poor kinsmen + pressed round him, but the rich ones kept away, for they feared that they + would no longer be able to rob their kinsman as they had done for many + years past. Of course, Virgilius paid no attention to this behaviour, + though he noticed they looked with envy on the rich presents he bestowed + on the poorer relations and on anyone who had been kind to his mother. + </p> + <p> + Soon after this had happened the season of tax-gathering came round, and + everyone who owned land was bound to present himself before the emperor. + Like the rest, Virgilius went to court, and demanded justice from the + emperor against the men who had robbed him. But as these were kinsmen to + the emperor he gained nothing, as the emperor told him he would think over + the matter for the next four years, and then give judgment. This reply + naturally did not satisfy Virgilius, and, turning on his heel, he went + back to his own home, and, gathering in his harvest, he stored it up in + his various houses. + </p> + <p> + When the enemies of Virgilius heard of this, they assembled together and + laid siege to his castle. But Virgilius was a match for them. Coming forth + from the castle so as to meet them face to face, he cast a spell over them + of such power that they could not move, and then bade them defiance. After + which he lifted the spell, and the invading army slunk back to Rome, and + reported what Virgilius had said to the emperor. + </p> + <p> + Now the emperor was accustomed to have his lightest word obeyed, almost + before it was uttered, and he hardly knew how to believe his ears. But he + got together another army, and marched straight off to the castle. But + directly they took up their position Virgilius girded them about with a + great river, so that they could neither move hand nor foot, then, hailing + the emperor, he offered him peace, and asked for his friendship. The + emperor, however, was too angry to listen to anything, so Virgilius, whose + patience was exhausted, feasted his own followers in the presence of the + starving host, who could not stir hand or foot. + </p> + <p> + Things seemed getting desperate, when a magician arrived in the camp and + offered to sell his services to the emperor. His proposals were gladly + accepted, and in a moment the whole of the garrison sank down as if they + were dead, and Virgilius himself had much ado to keep awake. He did not + know how to fight the magician, but with a great effort struggled to open + his Black Book, which told him what spells to use. In an instant all his + foes seemed turned to stone, and where each man was there he stayed. Some + were half way up the ladders, some had one foot over the wall, but + wherever they might chance to be there every man remained, even the + emperor and his sorcerer. All day they stayed there like flies upon the + wall, but during the night Virgilius stole softly to the emperor, and + offered him his freedom, as long as he would do him justice. The emperor, + who by this time was thoroughly frightened, said he would agree to + anything Virgilius desired. So Virgilius took off his spells, and, after + feasting the army and bestowing on every man a gift, bade them return to + Rome. And more than that, he built a square tower for the emperor, and in + each corner all that was said in that quarter of the city might be heard, + while if you stood in the centre every whisper throughout Rome would reach + your ears. + </p> + <p> + Having settled his affairs with the emperor and his enemies, Virgilius had + time to think of other things, and his first act was to fall in love! The + lady’s name was Febilla, and her family was noble, and her face fairer + than any in Rome, but she only mocked Virgilius, and was always playing + tricks upon him. To this end, she bade him one day come to visit her in + the tower where she lived, promising to let down a basket to draw him up + as far as the roof. Virgilius was enchanted at this quite unexpected + favour, and stepped with glee into the basket. It was drawn up very + slowly, and by-and-by came altogether to a standstill, while from above + rang the voice of Febilla crying, ‘Rogue of a sorcerer, there shalt thou + hang!’ And there he hung over the market-place, which was soon thronged + with people, who made fun of him till he was mad with rage. At last the + emperor, hearing of his plight, commanded Febilla to release him, and + Virgilius went home vowing vengeance. + </p> + <p> + The next morning every fire in Rome went out, and as there were no matches + in those days this was a very serious matter. The emperor, guessing that + this was the work of Virgilius, besought him to break the spell. Then + Virgilius ordered a scaffold to be erected in the market-place, and + Febilla to be brought clothed in a single white garment. And further, he + bade every one to snatch fire from the maiden, and to suffer no neighbour + to kindle it. And when the maiden appeared, clad in her white smock, + flames of fire curled about her, and the Romans brought some torches, and + some straw, and some shavings, and fires were kindled in Rome again. + </p> + <p> + For three days she stood there, till every hearth in Rome was alight, and + then she was suffered to go where she would. + </p> + <p> + But the emperor was wroth at the vengeance of Virgilius, and threw him + into prison, vowing that he should be put to death. And when everything + was ready he was led out to the Viminal Hill, where he was to die. + </p> + <p> + He went quietly with his guards, but the day was hot, and on reaching his + place of execution he begged for some water. A pail was brought, and he, + crying ‘Emperor, all hail! seek for me in Sicily,’ jumped headlong into + the pail, and vanished from their sight. + </p> + <p> + For some time we hear no more of Virgilius, or how he made his peace with + the emperor, but the next event in his history was his being sent for to + the palace to give the emperor advice how to guard Rome from foes within + as well as foes without. Virgilius spent many days in deep thought, and at + length invented a plan which was known to all as the ‘Preservation of + Rome.’ + </p> + <p> + On the roof of the Capitol, which was the most famous public building in + the city, he set up statues representing the gods worshipped by every + nation subject to Rome, and in the middle stood the god of Rome herself. + Each of the conquered gods held in its hand a bell, and if there was even + a thought of treason in any of the countries its god turned its back upon + the god of Rome and rang its bell furiously, and the senators came + hurrying to see who was rebelling against the majesty of the empire. Then + they made ready their armies, and marched against the foe. + </p> + <p> + Now there was a country which had long felt bitter jealousy of Rome, and + was anxious for some way of bringing about its destruction. So the people + chose three men who could be trusted, and, loading them with money, sent + them to Rome, bidding them to pretend that they were diviners of dreams. + No sooner had the messengers reached the city than they stole out at night + and buried a pot of gold far down in the earth, and let down another into + the bed of the Tiber, just where a bridge spans the river. + </p> + <p> + Next day they went to the senate house, where the laws were made, and, + bowing low, they said, ‘Oh, noble lords, last night we dreamed that + beneath the foot of a hill there lies buried a pot of gold. Have we your + leave to dig for it?’ And leave having been given, the messengers took + workmen and dug up the gold and made merry with it. + </p> + <p> + A few days later the diviners again appeared before the senate, and said, + ‘Oh, noble lords, grant us leave to seek out another treasure, which has + been revealed to us in a dream as lying under the bridge over the river.’ + </p> + <p> + And the senators gave leave, and the messengers hired boats and men, and + let down ropes with hooks, and at length drew up the pot of gold, some of + which they gave as presents to the senators. + </p> + <p> + A week or two passed by, and once more they appeared in the senate house. + </p> + <p> + ‘O, noble lords!’ said they, ‘last night in a vision we beheld twelve + casks of gold lying under the foundation stone of the Capitol, on which + stands the statue of the Preservation of Rome. Now, seeing that by your + goodness we have been greatly enriched by our former dreams, we wish, in + gratitude, to bestow this third treasure on you for your own profit; so + give us workers, and we will begin to dig without delay.’ + </p> + <p> + And receiving permission they began to dig, and when the messengers had + almost undermined the Capitol they stole away as secretly as they had + come. + </p> + <p> + And next morning the stone gave way, and the sacred statue fell on its + face and was broken. And the senators knew that their greed had been their + ruin. + </p> + <p> + From that day things went from bad to worse, and every morning crowds + presented themselves before the emperor, complaining of the robberies, + murders, and other crimes that were committed nightly in the streets. + </p> + <p> + The emperor, desiring nothing so much as the safety of his subjects, took + counsel with Virgilius how this violence could be put down. + </p> + <p> + Virgilius thought hard for a long time, and then he spoke: + </p> + <p> + ‘Great prince,’ said he, ‘cause a copper horse and rider to be made, and + stationed in front of the Capitol. Then make a proclamation that at ten + o’clock a bell will toll, and every man is to enter his house, and not + leave it again.’ + </p> + <p> + The emperor did as Virgilius advised, but thieves and murderers laughed at + the horse, and went about their misdeeds as usual. + </p> + <p> + But at the last stroke of the bell the horse set off at full gallop + through the streets of Rome, and by daylight men counted over two hundred + corpses that it had trodden down. The rest of the thieves—and there + were still many remaining—instead of being frightened into honesty, + as Virgilius had hoped, prepared rope ladders with hooks to them, and when + they heard the sound of the horse’s hoofs they stuck their ladders into + the walls, and climbed up above the reach of the horse and its rider. + </p> + <p> + Then the emperor commanded two copper dogs to be made that would run after + the horse, and when the thieves, hanging from the walls, mocked and jeered + at Virgilius and the emperor, the dogs leaped high after them and pulled + them to the ground, and bit them to death. + </p> + <p> + Thus did Virgilius restore peace and order to the city. + </p> + <p> + Now about this time there came to be noised abroad the fame of the + daughter of the sultan who ruled over the province of Babylon, and indeed + she was said to be the most beautiful princess in the world. + </p> + <p> + Virgilius, like the rest, listened to the stories that were told of her, + and fell so violently in love with all he heard that he built a bridge in + the air, which stretched all the way between Rome and Babylon. He then + passed over it to visit the princess, who, though somewhat surprised to + see him, gave him welcome, and after some conversation became in her turn + anxious to see the distant country where this stranger lived, and he + promised that he would carry her there himself, without wetting the soles + of his feet. + </p> + <p> + The princess spent some days in the palace of Virgilius, looking at + wonders of which she had never dreamed, though she declined to accept the + presents he longed to heap on her. The hours passed as if they were + minutes, till the princess said that she could be no longer absent from + her father. Then Virgilius conducted her himself over the airy bridge, and + laid her gently down on her own bed, where she was found next morning by + her father. + </p> + <p> + She told him all that had happened to her, and he pretended to be very + much interested, and begged that the next time Virgilius came he might be + introduced to him. + </p> + <p> + Soon after, the sultan received a message from his daughter that the + stranger was there, and he commanded that a feast should be made ready, + and, sending for the princess delivered into her hands a cup, which he + said she was to present to Virgilius herself, in order to do him honour. + </p> + <p> + When they were all seated at the feast the princess rose and presented the + cup to Virgilius, who directly he had drunk fell into a deep sleep. + </p> + <p> + Then the sultan ordered his guards to bind him, and left him there till + the following day. + </p> + <p> + Directly the sultan was up he summoned his lords and nobles into his great + hall, and commanded that the cords which bound Virgilius should be taken + off, and the prisoner brought before him. The moment he appeared the + sultan’s passion broke forth, and he accused his captive of the crime of + conveying the princess into distant lands without his leave. + </p> + <p> + Virgilius replied that if he had taken her away he had also brought her + back, when he might have kept her, and that if they would set him free to + return to his own land he would come hither no more. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not so!’ cried the sultan, ‘but a shameful death you shall die!’ And the + princess fell on her knees, and begged she might die with him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are out in your reckoning, Sir Sultan!’ said Virgilius, whose + patience was at an end, and he cast a spell over the sultan and his lords, + so that they believed that the great river of Babylon was flowing through + the hall, and that they must swim for their lives. So, leaving them to + plunge and leap like frogs and fishes, Virgilius took the princess in his + arms, and carried her over the airy bridge back to Rome. + </p> + <p> + Now Virgilius did not think that either his palace, or even Rome itself, + was good enough to contain such a pearl as the princess, so he built her a + city whose foundations stood upon eggs, buried far away down in the depths + of the sea. And in the city was a square tower, and on the roof of the + tower was a rod of iron, and across the rod he laid a bottle, and on the + bottle he placed an egg, and from the egg there hung chained an apple, + which hangs there to this day. And when the egg shakes the city quakes, + and when the egg shall be broken the city shall be destroyed. And the city + Virgilius filled full of wonders, such as never were seen before, and he + called its name Naples. + </p> + <p> + (Adapted from ‘Virgilius the Sorcerer.’) + </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> + MOGARZEA AND HIS SON + </h2> + <p> + There was once a little boy, whose father and mother, when they were + dying, left him to the care of a guardian. But the guardian whom they + chose turned out to be a wicked man, and spent all the money, so the boy + determined to go away and strike out a path for himself. + </p> + <p> + So one day he set off, and walked and walked through woods and meadows + till when evening came he was very tired, and did not know where to sleep. + He climbed a hill and looked about him to see if there was no light + shining from a window. At first all seemed dark, but at length he noticed + a tiny spark far, far off, and, plucking up his spirits, he at once went + in search of it. + </p> + <p> + The night was nearly half over before he reached the spark, which turned + out to be a big fire, and by the fire a man was sleeping who was so tall + he might have been a giant. The boy hesitated for a moment what he should + do; then he crept close up to the man, and lay down by his legs. + </p> + <p> + When the man awoke in the morning he was much surprised to find the boy + nestling up close to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear me! where do you come from?’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am your son, born in the night,’ replied the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘If that is true,’ said the man, ‘you shall take care of my sheep, and I + will give you food. But take care you never cross the border of my land, + or you will repent it.’ Then he pointed out where the border of his land + lay, and bade the boy begin his work at once. + </p> + <p> + The young shepherd led his flock out to the richest meadows and stayed + with them till evening, when he brought them back, and helped the man to + milk them. When this was done, they both sat down to supper, and while + they were eating the boy asked the big man: ‘What is your name, father?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mogarzea,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wonder you are not tired of living by yourself in this lonely place.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no reason you should wonder! Don’t you know that there was never + a bear yet who danced of his own free will?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, that is true,’ replied the boy. ‘But why is it you are always so + sad? Tell me your history, father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the use of my telling you things that would only make you sad + too?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, never mind that! I should like to hear. Are you not my father, and am + I not your son?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, if you really want to know my story, this is it: As I told you, my + name is Mogarzea, and my father is an emperor. I was on my way to the + Sweet Milk Lake, which lies not far from here, to marry one of the three + fairies who have made the lake their home. But on the road three wicked + elves fell on me, and robbed me of my soul, so that ever since I have + stayed in this spot watching my sheep without wishing for anything + different, without having felt one moment’s joy, or ever once being able + to laugh. And the horrible elves are so ill-natured that if anyone sets + one foot on their land he is instantly punished. That is why I warn you to + be careful, lest you should share my fate.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right, I will take great care. Do let me go, father,’ said the boy, + as they stretched themselves out to sleep. + </p> + <p> + At sunrise the boy got up and led his sheep out to feed, and for some + reason he did not feel tempted to cross into the grassy meadows belonging + to the elves, but let his flock pick up what pasture they could on + Mogarzea’s dry ground. + </p> + <p> + On the third day he was sitting under the shadow of a tree, playing on his + flute—and there was nobody in the world who could play a flute + better—when one of his sheep strayed across the fence into the + flowery fields of the elves, and another and another followed it. But the + boy was so absorbed in his flute that he noticed nothing till half the + flock were on the other side. + </p> + <p> + He jumped up, still playing on his flute, and went after the sheep, + meaning to drive them back to their own side of the border, when suddenly + he saw before him three beautiful maidens who stopped in front of him, and + began to dance. The boy understood what he must do, and played with all + his might, but the maidens danced on till evening. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now let me go,’ he cried at last, ‘for poor Mogarzea must be dying of + hunger. I will come and play for you to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you may go!’ they said, ‘but remember that even if you break your + promise you will not escape us.’ + </p> + <p> + So they both agreed that the next day he should come straight there with + the sheep, and play to them till the sun went down. This being settled, + they each returned home. + </p> + <p> + Mogarzea was surprised to find that his sheep gave so much more milk than + usual, but as the boy declared he had never crossed the border the big man + did not trouble his head further, and ate his supper heartily. + </p> + <p> + With the earliest gleams of light, the boy was off with his sheep to the + elfin meadow, and at the first notes of his flute the maidens appeared + before him and danced and danced and danced till evening came. Then the + boy let the flute slip through his fingers, and trod on it, as if by + accident. + </p> + <p> + If you had heard the noise he made, and how he wrung his hands and wept + and cried that he had lost his only companion, you would have been sorry + for him. The hearts of the elves were quite melted, and they did all they + could to comfort him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall never find another flute like that, moaned he. ‘I have never + heard one whose tone was as sweet as mine! It was cut from the centre of a + seven-year-old cherry tree!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is a cherry tree in our garden that is exactly seven years old,’ + said they. ‘Come with us, and you shall make yourself another flute.’ + </p> + <p> + So they all went to the cherry tree, and when they were standing round it + the youth explained that if he tried to cut it down with an axe he might + very likely split open the heart of the tree, which was needed for the + flute. In order to prevent this, he would make a little cut in the bark, + just large enough for them to put their fingers in, and with this help he + could manage to tear the tree in two, so that the heart should run no risk + of damage. The elves did as he told them without a thought; then he + quickly drew out the axe, which had been sticking into the cleft, and + behold! all their fingers were imprisoned tight in the tree. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain that they shrieked with pain and tried to free themselves. + They could do nothing, and the young man remained cold as marble to all + their entreaties. + </p> + <p> + Then he demanded of them Mogarzea’s soul. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, well, if you must have it, it is in a bottle on the window sill,’ + said they, hoping that they might obtain their freedom at once. But they + were mistaken. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have made so many men suffer,’ answered he sternly, ‘that it is but + just you should suffer yourselves, but to-morrow I will let you go.’ And + he turned towards home, taking his sheep and the soul of Mogarzea with + him. + </p> + <p> + Mogarzea was waiting at the door, and as the boy drew near he began + scolding him for being so late. But at the first word of explanation the + man became beside himself with joy, and he sprang so high into the air + that the false soul which the elves had given him flew out of his mouth, + and his own, which had been shut tightly into the flask of water, took its + place. + </p> + <p> + When his excitement had somewhat calmed down, he cried to the boy, + ‘Whether you are really my son matters nothing to me; tell me, how can I + repay you for what you have done for me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By showing me where the Milk Lake is, and how I can get one of the three + fairies who lives there to wife, and by letting me remain your son for + ever.’ + </p> + <p> + The night was passed by Mogarzea and his son in songs and feasting, for + both were too happy to sleep, and when day dawned they set out together to + free the elves from the tree. When they reached the place of their + imprisonment, Mogarzea took the cherry tree and all the elves with it on + his back, and carried them off to his father’s kingdom, where everyone + rejoiced to see him home again. But all he did was to point to the boy who + had saved him, and had followed him with his flock. + </p> + <p> + For three days the boy stayed in the palace, receiving the thanks and + praises of the whole court. Then he said to Mogarzea: + </p> + <p> + ‘The time has come for me to go hence, but tell me, I pray you, how to + find the Sweet Milk Lake, and I will return, and will bring my wife back + with me.’ + </p> + <p> + Mogarzea tried in vain to make him stay, but, finding it was useless, he + told him all he knew, for he himself had never seen the lake. + </p> + <p> + For three summer days the boy and his flute journeyed on, till one evening + he reached the lake, which lay in the kingdom of a powerful fairy. The + next morning had scarcely dawned when the youth went down to the shore, + and began to play on his flute, and the first notes had hardly sounded + when he saw a beautiful fairy standing before him, with hair and robes + that shone like gold. He gazed at her in wonder, when suddenly she began + to dance. Her movements were so graceful that he forgot to play, and as + soon as the notes of his flute ceased she vanished from his sight. The + next day the same thing happened, but on the third he took courage, and + drew a little nearer, playing on his flute all the while. Suddenly he + sprang forward, seized her in his arms and kissed her, and plucked a rose + from her hair. + </p> + <p> + The fairy gave a cry, and begged him to give her back her rose, but he + would not. He only stuck the rose in his hat, and turned a deaf ear to all + her prayers. + </p> + <p> + At last she saw that her entreaties were vain, and agreed to marry him, as + he wished. And they went together to the palace, where Mogarzea was still + waiting for him, and the marriage was celebrated by the emperor himself. + But every May they returned to the Milk Lake, they and their children, and + bathed in its waters. + </p> + <p> + (Olumanische Marchen.) + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Violet Fairy Book, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 641-h.htm or 641-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/641/ + +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. 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