diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:03:40 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:03:40 -0700 |
| commit | b0560ce16620f10d42fdee3d356e340b7e4b0450 (patch) | |
| tree | d8251be7267ad1fd4024c91ff97d2e07f1d80330 | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 2626835 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/19713-h.htm | 6934 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/button.jpg | bin | 0 -> 13839 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/dust_illo.jpg | bin | 0 -> 35684 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/frontispiece-tb.jpg | bin | 0 -> 28563 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/frontispiece.jpg | bin | 0 -> 121563 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i-ix.jpg | bin | 0 -> 27869 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i-v.jpg | bin | 0 -> 32294 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i001.jpg | bin | 0 -> 38991 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i021.jpg | bin | 0 -> 126147 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i027.jpg | bin | 0 -> 18416 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i045.jpg | bin | 0 -> 107122 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i050.jpg | bin | 0 -> 6248 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i051.jpg | bin | 0 -> 48651 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i065.jpg | bin | 0 -> 116738 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i072.jpg | bin | 0 -> 7701 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i073.jpg | bin | 0 -> 38410 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i097.jpg | bin | 0 -> 115163 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i105.jpg | bin | 0 -> 5862 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i107.jpg | bin | 0 -> 45272 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i129.jpg | bin | 0 -> 128697 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i138.jpg | bin | 0 -> 5990 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i139.jpg | bin | 0 -> 38914 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i153.jpg | bin | 0 -> 124454 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i161.jpg | bin | 0 -> 46551 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i167.jpg | bin | 0 -> 121037 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i170.jpg | bin | 0 -> 6086 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i171.jpg | bin | 0 -> 24895 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i193.jpg | bin | 0 -> 102031 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i199.jpg | bin | 0 -> 5834 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i201.jpg | bin | 0 -> 54783 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i209.jpg | bin | 0 -> 120484 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i217.jpg | bin | 0 -> 8598 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i219.jpg | bin | 0 -> 47358 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i223.jpg | bin | 0 -> 92056 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i227.jpg | bin | 0 -> 5664 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i229.jpg | bin | 0 -> 40867 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i233.jpg | bin | 0 -> 104397 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i240.jpg | bin | 0 -> 8299 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i241.jpg | bin | 0 -> 45290 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i247.jpg | bin | 0 -> 101068 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i252.jpg | bin | 0 -> 6234 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i253.jpg | bin | 0 -> 52008 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i259.jpg | bin | 0 -> 115714 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i267.jpg | bin | 0 -> 30936 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i277.jpg | bin | 0 -> 116296 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/i286.jpg | bin | 0 -> 25232 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/title-illo.jpg | bin | 0 -> 14219 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713-h/images/title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 33300 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713.txt | 6629 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19713.zip | bin | 0 -> 98615 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
54 files changed, 13579 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19713-h.zip b/19713-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..60f8c2d --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h.zip diff --git a/19713-h/19713-h.htm b/19713-h/19713-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..916091b --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/19713-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6934 @@ +<!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"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Laughing Prince, by Parker Fillmore + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-indent: 1em; + } + p.publisher { + margin-top: 4em; + text-align: center; + font-size: smaller; + margin-bottom: 3em; + } + p.ads { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-indent: -1em; + margin-left: 1em; + } + p.other { padding-top: 2em; + padding-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 18em; + text-indent: 0em;} + p.title {text-align: center; + font-weight: bold;} + p.title1 {text-align: center; + font-size: 70%;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + table.toc {width: 60%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + line-height: 150%; + letter-spacing: 0.05ex; + } + td.story { + text-align: left; + padding-left: 2em; + padding-right: 2em; + text-indent: -2em; + } + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + div.advertisements { + margin-top: 1em; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size: smaller; + padding: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em; + background-color: #FBF5E6; + color: black; + } + div.note { + margin: 4em 10% 0 10%; + padding: 1em; + border: 1px dashed black; + background-color: #F0F8FF; + font-size: smaller; + } + img + {border-style: none; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + ins.correction { + text-decoration:none; /* replace default underline.. */ + border-bottom: thin dotted gray; /* ..with delicate gray line */ + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + right: 1%; + font-size: x-small; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 1px; padding: 1em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .right {position: absolute; right: 10%;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; + } + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + } + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Laughing Prince, by Parker Fillmore + +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 Laughing Prince + Jugoslav Folk and Fairy Tales + +Author: Parker Fillmore + +Illustrator: Jay Van Everen + +Release Date: November 4, 2006 [EBook #19713] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAUGHING PRINCE *** + + + + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Irma Spehar, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p class="figcenter"><a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img src="images/frontispiece-tb.jpg" +alt="Frontispiece" title="Frontispiece" /></a></p> + +<h1>THE LAUGHING PRINCE</h1> + +<h3>A Book of Jugoslav Fairy Tales and Folk Tales</h3> + + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h3 style="padding-bottom: 2em">PARKER FILLMORE</h3> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 335px;"> +<img src="images/dust_illo.jpg" width="335" height="338" alt="Dust Cover Illo" title="Dust Cover Illo" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND DECORATIONS</p> + +<p class="center">BY</p> + +<p class="title">JAY VAN EVEREN</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/title-illo.jpg" width="100" height="101" alt="title-pegasus" title="title-pegasus" /> +</div> + + +<p class="title">NEW YORK</p> + +<p class="title">HARCOURT, BRACE & WORLD, INC.<br /><br /></p> + +<p class="title1">COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY</p> + +<p class="title1">PARKER FILLMORE</p> + +<p class="title1">RENEWED BY LOUISE FILLMORE</p> + +<p class="title1">0.1.68<br /><br /></p> + +<p class="title1">PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="other"> +<i>BY PARKER FILLMORE</i><br /> +CZECHOSLOVAK FAIRY TALES<br /> +THE SHOEMAKER'S APRON<br /> +<i>Illustrated by Jan Matulka</i><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2 style="font-weight: normal">TO BUTTON</h2> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/button.jpg" width="150" height="144" alt="button" title="button" /> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i-v.jpg" width="300" height="193" alt="carrier pigeon" title="carrier pigeon" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="NOTE" id="NOTE"></a>NOTE</h2> + + +<p>In calling this <i>A Book of Jugoslav Fairy Tales and Folk Tales</i> I have +used the word Jugoslav in its literal sense of Southern Slav. The +Bulgars are just as truly Southern Slavs as the Serbs or Croats or any +other of the Slav peoples now included within the state of Jugoslavia. +Moreover in this case it would be particularly difficult to make the +literary boundaries conform strictly to the political boundaries since +much the same stories and folk tales are current among all these Slav +peoples of the Balkan Peninsula. The special student taking the variants +of the same story might discover special differences that would mark +each variant as the product of some one locality. The work of such a +student would have philological and ethnological value but not a very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> +strong appeal to the general reader. My appeal is first of all to the +general reader—to the child who loves fairy tales and to the adult who +loves them. I hope they will both find these stories entertaining and +amusing quite aside from any interest in their source.</p> + +<p>Yet these tales as presented do give the reader a true idea of the +amazing vigor and the artistic inventiveness of the Jugoslav +imagination, and also of the various influences, Oriental and Northern +as well as Slavic, which have made that imagination what it is to-day. +Here are gay picaresque tales of adventure—how they go on and on and +on!—charming little stories of sentiment, a few folk tales of stark +simplicity and grim humor, one story showing a superficial Turkish +influence, and one spiritual allegory as deep and moving as anything in +the Russian.</p> + +<p>The renderings in every case are my own and are not in any sense +translations. I have taken the old stories and retold them in a new +language. To do them justice in this new language I have found it +necessary to present them with a new selection of detail and with an +occasional shifting of emphasis. I do not mean by this that I have +invented detail in any unwarranted fashion. I haven't had to for any +folk tale, however bald, contains all sorts of things by implication. +The true story teller,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span> it seems to me, is he who is able to grasp these +implications and turn them to his own use.</p> + +<p>I must confess that the setting in which I have placed the famous old +Serbian nonsense story, <i>In my young days when I was an old, old man</i>, +is my own invention. The nonsense story needs a setting and as it +chanced I had one ready as I have long wanted to tell the world what was +back of the determination of that princess who refused to eat until some +one had made her laugh.</p> + +<p>So far as I know most of these stories are not familiar to English +readers—certainly not in this form. Madame Mijatovich uses one of them +in her <i>Serbian Fairy Tales</i>, but I make no apology for offering a +sprightlier version. Nor do I apologize for presenting any stories that +may have been included somewhere among the indifferent translations to +which Andrew Lang lent his name.</p> + +<p>I am of course deeply indebted to the various people who told me these +stories in the first place and to many scholarly folklorists, Jugoslav, +Czechoslovak, Bulgarian, German, and English whose books and reports I +have studied.</p> + +<p><span class="left"><i>Decoration Day, 1921.</i></span> <span class="right">P. F.</span></p> + +<p> <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i-ix.jpg" width="300" height="190" alt="sun" title="sun" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + + +<p> <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></p> +<div class='center'> +<table class="toc"> +<tr><td> </td><td align='center'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE LAUGHING PRINCE: The Story of the Boy Who Could Talk Nonsense</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">BEAUTY AND THE HORNS: The Story of an Enchanted Maiden</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE PIGEON'S BRIDE: The Story of a Princess Who Kissed and Told</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE LITTLE LAME FOX: The Story of the Youngest Brother Who Found the Magic Grape-Vine and Married the Golden Maiden</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE ENCHANTED PEAFOWL: The Story of the Golden Apples, the Wicked Dragon, and the Magic Horse</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE DRAGON'S STRENGTH: The Story of the Youngest Prince Who Killed the Sparrow</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_139">139</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE LITTLE SINGING FROG: The Story of a Girl Whose Parents were Ashamed of Her</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_161">161</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE MOSQUE: The Story of the Sultan's Youngest Son and the Princess Flower o' the World</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE GIRL IN THE CHEST: The Story of the Third Sister Who was Brave and Good</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE WONDERFUL HAIR: The Story of a Poor Man Who Dreamed of an Angel</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_219">219</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE BEST WISH: The Story of Three Brothers and an Angel</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE VILAS' SPRING: The Story of the Brother Who Knew that Good was Stronger than Evil</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">LORD AND MASTER: The Story of the Man Who Understood the Language of the Animals</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_253">253</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="story">THE SILVER TRACKS: The Story of the Poor Man Who Befriended a Beggar</td><td align='center'><a href="#Page_267">267</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p> <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_LAUGHING_PRINCE" id="THE_LAUGHING_PRINCE"></a>THE LAUGHING PRINCE</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="400" height="433" alt="The Story of the Boy Who Could Talk Nonsense" title="The Story of the Boy Who Could Talk Nonsense" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of the Boy Who Could Talk Nonsense</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_LAUGHING_PRINCE"></a>THE LAUGHING PRINCE</h2> + + +<p>There was once a farmer who had three sons and one little daughter. The +eldest son was a studious boy who learned so much out of books that the +farmer said:</p> + +<p>"We must send Mihailo to school and make a priest of him."</p> + +<p>The second boy was a trader. Whatever you had he would get it from you +by offering you something else for it. And always what he gave you was +worth less than what you gave him.</p> + +<p>"Jakov will make a fine peddler," the farmer said. "He's industrious and +sharp and some day he will probably be a rich man."</p> + +<p>But Stefan, the farmer's youngest son, had no special talent and because +he didn't spend all his time with his nose in a book and because he +never made the best of a bargain his brothers scorned him. Militza, his +little sister, loved him dearly for he was kind and jolly and in the +evening he was always ready to tell her stories and play with her. But +the farmer, of course, listened to the older brothers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't know about poor Stefan," he used to say. "He's a good boy but +he talks nonsense. I suppose he'll have to stay on the farm and work."</p> + +<p>Now the truth is the farm was a fine place for Stefan for he was strong +and lusty and he liked to plow and harvest and he had a wonderful way +with the animals. He talked to them as if they were human beings and the +horses all whinnied when he came near, and the cows rubbed their soft +noses against his shoulder, and as for the pigs—they loved him so much +that whenever they saw him they used to run squealing between his legs.</p> + +<p>"Stefan is nothing but a farmer!" Mihailo used to say as though being a +farmer was something to be ashamed of.</p> + +<p>And Jakov said:</p> + +<p>"If the village people could see the pigs following him about, how +they'd laugh at him! I hope when I go to the village to live he won't be +visiting me all the time!"</p> + +<p>Another thing the older brothers couldn't understand about Stefan was +why he was always laughing and joking. He did the work of two men but +whether he was working or resting you could always hear him cracking his +merry jokes and laughing his jolly laugh.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I think he's foolish!" Mihailo said.</p> + +<p>Jakov hoped that the village people wouldn't hear about his carryings +on.</p> + +<p>"They'd laugh at him," he said, "and they'd laugh at us, too, because +we're his brothers."</p> + +<p>But Stefan didn't care. The more they frowned at him, the louder he +laughed, and in spite of their dark looks he kept on cracking his merry +jokes and talking nonsense. And every evening after supper his little +sister, Militza, clapped her hands and cried:</p> + +<p>"Now, Stefan, tell me a story! Tell me a story!"</p> + +<p>"Father," Mihailo would say, "you ought to make him keep quiet! He's +foolish and all he does is fill Militza's head with nonsense!"</p> + +<p>This always made Militza very indignant and she would stamp her little +foot and say:</p> + +<p>"He isn't foolish! He knows more than any one! And he can do more things +than any one else and he's the handsomest brother in the world!"</p> + +<p>You see Militza loved Stefan dearly and when you love a person of course +you think that person is wonderful. But the father supposed that Mihailo +must be right for Mihailo studied in books. So he shook his head and +sighed every time he thought of Stefan.</p> + +<p>Now the kingdom in which the three brothers lived<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> was ruled over by a +great Tsar who had an only daughter. In disappointment that he had no +son, the Tsar was having his daughter brought up as though she were a +boy. He sent all over the world for tutors and teachers and had the poor +girl taught statecraft and law and philosophy and all the other things +that the heir to the throne ought to know.</p> + +<p>The Princess because she was an obedient girl and because she loved her +father tried to spend all her time in study. But the dry old scholars +whom the Tsar employed as teachers were not amusing companions for a +young girl and the first lady-in-waiting who was in constant attendance +was scarcely any better for she, too, was old and thin and very prim.</p> + +<p>If the poor little Princess between her geography lesson and her +arithmetic lesson would peep for a moment into a mirror, the first +lady-in-waiting would tap her arm reprovingly and say:</p> + +<p>"My dear, vanity is not becoming in a princess!"</p> + +<p>One day the little Princess lost her temper and answered sharply:</p> + +<p>"But I'm a girl even if I am a princess and I love to look in mirrors +and I love to make myself pretty and I'd love to go to a ball every +night of my life and dance with handsome young men!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You talk like the daughter of a farmer!" the first lady-in-waiting +said.</p> + +<p>Then the Princess, because she lost her temper still further, said +something she should not have said.</p> + +<p>"I wish I were the daughter of a farmer!" she declared. "Then I could +wear pretty ribbons and go dancing and the boys would come courting me! +As it is I have to spend all my time with funny old men and silly old +women!"</p> + +<p>Now even if her tutors and teachers were funny looking old men, even if +the first lady-in-waiting was a silly old woman, the Princess should not +have said so. It hurt the feelings of the first lady-in-waiting and made +her angry and she ran off to the Tsar at once and complained most +bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Is this my reward after all my years of loving service to your +daughter?" she asked. "It is true that I've grown old and thin looking +after her manners and now she calls me a silly old woman! And all the +learned wise men and scholars that you have gathered from the far +corners of the earth—she points her finger at them and calls them funny +old men!"</p> + +<p>The fact is they were funny looking, most of them, but yet the first +lady-in-waiting was right: the Princess should not have said so.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And think of her ingratitude to yourself, O Tsar!" the first +lady-in-waiting continued. "You plan to make her the heir to your throne +and yet she says she wishes she were a farmer's daughter so that she +could deck herself out in ribbons and have the boys come courting her! A +nice thing for a princess to say!"</p> + +<p>The Tsar when he heard this fell into an awful rage. (The truth is +whatever temper the Princess had she inherited direct from her father.)</p> + +<p>"Wow! Wow!" he roared, just that way. "Send the Princess to me at once. +I'll soon have her singing another tune!"</p> + +<p>So the first lady-in-waiting sent the Princess to her father and as soon +as he saw her he began roaring again and saying:</p> + +<p>"Wow! Wow! What do you mean—funny old men and silly old women?"</p> + +<p>Now whenever the Tsar began roaring and saying, "Wow! Wow!" the Princess +always stiffened, and instead of being the sweet and obedient daughter +she usually was she became obstinate. Her pretty eyes would flash and +her soft pretty face would harden and people would whisper: "Mercy on +us, how much she looks like her father!"</p> + +<p>"That's just what I mean!" the Princess said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> "They're a lot of funny +old men and silly old women and I'm tired of them! I want to be amused! +I want to laugh!"</p> + +<p>"Wow! Wow! Wow!" roared the Tsar. "A fine princess you are! Go straight +back to the schoolroom and behave yourself!"</p> + +<p>So the little Princess marched out of the throne room holding her head +very high and looking so much like the Tsar that the first +lady-in-waiting was positively frightened.</p> + +<p>The Princess went back to the schoolroom but she did not behave herself. +She was really very naughty. When the poor man who knew more than +anybody in the world about the influence of the stars upon the destinies +of nations came to give her a lesson, she threw his book out the window. +When the superannuated old general who was teaching her military +manœuvers offered her a diagram on which the enemy was represented by +a series of black dots and our soldiers by a series of red dots, she +took the paper and tore it in two. And worst of all when the old scholar +who was teaching her Turkish—for a princess must be able to speak all +languages—dropped his horn spectacles on the floor, she deliberately +stepped on them and broke them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the Tsar heard all these things he just <i>wow-wowed</i> something +terrible.</p> + +<p>"Lock that young woman in her chamber!" he ordered. "Feed her on bread +and water until she's ready to apologize!"</p> + +<p>But the Princess, far from being frightened by this treatment, calmly +announced:</p> + +<p>"I won't eat even your old bread and water until you send me some one +who will make me laugh!"</p> + +<p>Now this frightened the Tsar because he knew how obstinate the Princess +could be on occasions. (He ought to know, too, for the Princess had that +streak of obstinacy direct from himself.)</p> + +<p>"This will never do!" he said.</p> + +<p>He hurried to the Princess's chamber. He found her in bed with her +pretty hair spread out on the pillow like a golden fan.</p> + +<p>"My dear," the Tsar said, "I was joking. You don't have to eat only +bread and water. You may have anything you want."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," the Princess said, "but I'll never eat another bite of +anything until you send me some one who will make me laugh. I'm tired of +living in this gloomy old castle with a lot of old men and old women who +do nothing but instruct me and with a father<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> who always loses his +temper and says, 'Wow! Wow!'"</p> + +<p>"But it's a beautiful castle!" the poor Tsar said. "And I'm sure we're +all doing our very best to educate you!"</p> + +<p>"But I want to be amused as well as educated!" the little Princess said. +And then, because she felt she was going to cry, she turned her face to +the wall and wouldn't say another word.</p> + +<p>What was the Tsar to do? He called together his councilors and asked +them how was the Princess to be made to laugh. The councilors were wise +about state matters but not one of them could suggest a means of amusing +the Princess. The Master of Ceremonies did indeed begin to say something +about a nice young man but instantly the Tsar roared out such a +wrathful, "Wow! Wow!" that the Master of Ceremonies coughed and +pretended he hadn't spoken.</p> + +<p>Then the Tsar called together the scholars and the teachers and the +first lady-in-waiting. He glared at them savagely and roared:</p> + +<p>"Wow! Wow! A nice lot you are! I put you in charge of my daughter and +not one of you has sense enough to know that the poor child needs a +little amuse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>ment! I have a good mind to have you all thrown into the +dungeon!"</p> + +<p>"But, Your Majesty," quavered one poor old scholar, "I was not employed +as a buffoon but as a teacher of astrology!"</p> + +<p>"And I," another said, "as a teacher of languages!"</p> + +<p>"And I as a teacher of philosophy!"</p> + +<p>"Silence!" roared the Tsar. "Between you all you have about killed my +poor child! Now I ask you: With all your learning doesn't one of you +know how to make a young girl laugh?"</p> + +<p>Apparently not one of them did, for no one answered.</p> + +<p>"Not even you?" the Tsar said, looking at the first lady-in-waiting.</p> + +<p>"When you called me to Court," the first lady-in-waiting answered, +drawing herself up in a most refined manner, "you said you wished me to +teach your daughter etiquette. As you said nothing about amusement, +quite naturally I confined myself to the subject of behavior. If I do +say it myself, no one has ever been more devoted to duty than I. I am +constantly saying to her: 'That isn't the way a princess should act!' In +fact for years there has hardly been a moment in the day when I haven't +corrected her for something!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Poor child!" groaned the Tsar. "No wonder she wants a change! Oh, what +fools you all are in spite of your learning! Don't you know that a young +girl is a young girl even if she is a Princess!"</p> + +<p>Well, the scholars weren't any more help to the Tsar than the +councilors, and finally in desperation he sent heralds through the land +to announce that to any one who could make the Princess laugh he would +give three bags of gold.</p> + +<p>Three bags of gold don't grow on the bushes every day and instantly all +the youths and men and old men who had stories that their sweethearts +and their wives and their daughters laughed at hurried to the castle.</p> + +<p>One by one they were admitted to the Princess's chamber. They entered +hopefully but when they saw the Tsar sitting at one side of the door +muttering, "Wow! Wow!" in his beard, and the old first lady-in-waiting +at the other side of the door watching them scornfully, and the Princess +herself in bed with her lovely hair spread out like a golden fan on the +pillow, they forgot their funny stories and hemmed and hawed and +stammered and had finally, one after another, to be turned out in +disgrace.</p> + +<p>One day went by and two and three and still the Princess refused to eat. +In despair the Tsar sent out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> his heralds again. This time he said that +to any one who would make the Princess laugh he would give the +Princess's hand in marriage and make him joint heir to the kingdom.</p> + +<p>"I had expected to wed her to the son of some great Tsar," he sighed, +"but I'd rather marry her to a farmer than see her die of starvation!"</p> + +<p>The heralds rode far and wide until every one, even the people on the +most distant farms, had heard of the Tsar's offer.</p> + +<p>"I won't try again," said Mihailo, the oldest son of the farmer I've +already told you about. "When I went there the day before yesterday I +began telling her a funny story out of my Latin book but instead of +laughing she said: 'Oh, send him away!' So now she'll have to starve to +death for all of me!"</p> + +<p>"Me, too!" said Jakov, the second son. "When I tried to tell her that +funny story of how I traded the moldy oats for the old widow's fat pig, +instead of laughing she looked me straight in the face and said: +'Cheat!'"</p> + +<p>"Stefan ought to go," Mihailo suggested. "Maybe she'd laugh at him! +Everybody else does!"</p> + +<p>He spoke sneeringly but Stefan only smiled.</p> + +<p>"Who knows? Perhaps I will go. If I do make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> her laugh then, O my +brothers, the laugh will be on you for I shall become Tsar and you two +will be known as my two poor brothers. Ho! Ho! Ho! What a joke that +would be!"</p> + +<p>Stefan laughed loud and heartily and his little sister joined him, but +his brothers looked at him sourly.</p> + +<p>"He grows more foolish all the time!" they told each other.</p> + +<p>When they were gone to bed, Militza slipped over to Stefan and whispered +in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Brother, you must go to the Princess. Tell her the story that begins: +<i>In my young days when I was an old, old man</i>.... I think she'll just +have to laugh, and if she laughs then she can eat and she must be very +hungry by this time."</p> + +<p>At first Stefan said no, he wouldn't go, but Militza insisted and +finally, to please her, he said he would.</p> + +<p>So early the next morning he dressed himself in his fine Sunday shirt +with its blue and red embroidery. He put on his bright red Sunday sash +and his long shiny boots. Then he mounted his horse and before his +brothers were awake rode off to the Tsar's castle.</p> + +<p>There he awaited his turn to be admitted to the Princess's chamber. When +he came in he was so young and healthy and vigorous that he seemed to +bring with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> him a little of the freshness of outdoors. The first +lady-in-waiting looked at him askance for without doubt he was a farmer +lad and his table manners probably were not good. Well, he was a farmer +lad and for that reason he didn't know that she was first +lady-in-waiting. He glanced at her once and thought: "What an ugly old +woman!" and thereafter he didn't think of her at all. He glanced +likewise at the Tsar and the Tsar reminded him of a bull of his own. He +wasn't afraid of the bull, so why be afraid of the Tsar?</p> + +<p>Suddenly he saw the Princess lying in bed with her lovely hair spread +out on the pillow like a golden fan and for a moment he couldn't speak. +Then he knelt beside the bed and kissed her hand.</p> + +<p>"Princess," he said, "I'm not learned and I'm not clever and I don't +suppose I can succeed where so many wise men have failed. And even if I +do make you laugh you won't have to marry me unless you want to because +the reason I really came was to please Militza."</p> + +<p>"Militza?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Princess, my little sister, Militza. She loves me very much and so +she thinks the stories I tell are funny and she laughs at them. Last +night she said to me: 'Stefan, you must go to the Princess and tell her +the story that begins: <i>In my young days when I was an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> old, old +man</i>.... I think she'll just have to laugh and if she laughs then she +can eat and she must be very hungry by this time.'"</p> + +<p>"I am," the Princess said, with a catch in her voice. Then she added: "I +think I like that little sister of yours and I think I like you, too. I +wish you would tell me the story that begins: <i>In my young days when I +was an old, old man</i>...."</p> + +<p>"But, Princess, it's a very foolish story."</p> + +<p>"The foolisher, the better!"</p> + +<p>Just here the first lady-in-waiting tried to correct the Princess for of +course she should have said: "The more foolish, the better!" but the +Tsar shut her up with a black frown and one fierce, "Wow!"</p> + +<p>"Well, then," Stefan began:</p> + +<p><i>In my young days when I was an old, old man I used to count my bees +every morning. It was easy enough to count the bees but not the beehives +because I had too many hives. One day when I finished counting I found +that my best bee was missing. At once I saddled a rooster and set out to +find him.</i></p> + +<p>"Father!" cried the Princess. "Did you hear what Stefan said? He said he +saddled his rooster!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Umph!" muttered the Tsar, and the first lady-in-waiting said severely:</p> + +<p>"Princess, do not interrupt! Young man, continue."</p> + +<p><i>His track led to the sea which I rode across on a bridge. The first +thing I saw on the other side of the sea was my bee. There he was in a +field of millet harnessed to a plow. "That's my bee!" I shouted to the +man who was driving him. "Is that so?" the man said, and without any +words he gave me back my bee and handed me a bag of millet to pay for +the plowing. I took the bag and tied it securely on the bee. Then I +unsaddled the rooster and mounted the bee. The rooster, poor thing, was +so tired that I had to take him by the hand and lead him along beside +us.</i></p> + +<p>"Father!" the Princess cried, "did you hear that? He took the rooster by +the hand! Isn't that funny!"</p> + +<p>"Umph!" grunted the Tsar, and the first lady-in-waiting whispered:</p> + +<p>"Hush! Let the young man finish!"</p> + +<p><i>Whilst we were crossing the bridge, the string of the bag broke and all +my millet spilled out. When night came I tied the rooster to the bee and +lay down on the</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span><i>seashore to sleep. During the night some wolves came +and killed my bee and when I woke up I found that all the honey had run +out of his body. There was so much honey that it rose up and up until it +reached the ankles of the valleys and the knees of the mountains. I took +a hatchet and swam down to a forest where I found two deer leaping about +on one leg. I shot at the deer with my hatchet, killed them, and skinned +them. With the skins I made two leather bottles. I filled these with the +honey and strapped them over the rooster's back. Then I rode home. I no +sooner arrived home than my father was born. "We must have holy water +for the christening," I said. "I suppose I must go to heaven to fetch +some." But how was I to get there? I thought of my millet. Sure enough +the dampness had made it grow so well that its tops now reached the sky. +So all I had to do was to climb a millet stalk and there I was in +heaven. Up there they had mown down some of my millet which they baked +into a loaf and were eating with boiled milk. "That's my millet!" I +said. "What do you want for it?" they asked me. "I want some holy water +to christen my father who has just been born." So they gave me some holy +water and I prepared to descend again to earth. But on earth there was a +violent storm going on and the wind carried away my millet. So there I +was</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span><i>with no way of getting down. I thought of my hair. It was so long +that when I stood up it covered my ears and when I lay down it reached +all the way to earth. So I pulled out a hair, tied it to a tree of +heaven, and began descending by it. When it grew dark I made a knot in +the hair and just sat where I was. It was cold, so I took a needle which +I happened to have in my coat, split it up, and lighted a fire with the +chips.</i></p> + +<p>"Oh, father!" the Princess cried, "Stefan says he split a needle into +kindling wood! Isn't he funny!"</p> + +<p>"If you ask me—" the first lady-in-waiting began, but before she could +say more the Tsar reached over and stepped on her toe so hard that she +was forced to end her sentence with a little squeally, "Ouch!" The +Princess, you see, was smiling and the Tsar was hoping that presently +she would burst into a laugh. So he motioned Stefan to continue.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i021.jpg" width="500" height="771" alt="Stefan Tells the Princess a Story" title="Stefan Tells the Princess a Story" /> +<span class="caption">Stefan Tells the Princess a Story</span> +</div> + +<p><i>Then I lay down beside the fire and fell asleep. While I slept a spark +from the fire fell on the hair and burned it through. I fell to earth +with such force that I sank into the ground up to my chest.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span><i>I couldn't +budge, so I was forced to go home and get a spade and dig myself out.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span><i>On +the way home I crossed a field where the reapers were cutting corn. +The heat was so great that they had to stop work.</i>"I'll get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span><i>our mare," I +said, "and then you'll feel cooler." You know our mare is two days long +and as broad as midnight and she has willow trees growing on her back. +So I ran and got her and she cast such a cool shadow that the reapers +were at once able to go back to work. Now they wanted some fresh +drinking water, but when they went to the river they found it had <ins class="correction" +title="Transcriber's note: original reads 'frozen over..'">frozen +over.</ins> They came back to me and asked me would I get them some water. +"Certainly," I said. I went to the river myself, then I took off my head +and with it I broke a hole in the ice. After that it was easy enough to +fetch them some water. "But where is your head?" they asked. "Oh!" I +said, "I must have forgotten it!"</i></p> + +<p>"Oh, father!" the Princess cried with a loud laugh, "he says he forgot +his head! Then, Stefan, what did you do? What did you do?"</p> + +<p><i>I ran back to the river and got there just as a fox was sniffing at my +skull. "Hi, there!" I said, pulling the fox's tail.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span><i>The fox turned +around and gave me a paper on which was written these words: <b>NOW THE +PRINCESS CAN EAT FOR SHE HAS LAUGHED AND STEFAN AND HIS LITTLE SISTER +ARE VERY HAPPY.</b></i></p> + +<p>"What nonsense!" the first lady-in-waiting murmured with a toss of her +head.</p> + +<p>"Yes, beautiful nonsense!" the Princess cried, clapping her hands and +going off into peal after peal of merry laughter. "Isn't it beautiful +nonsense, father? And isn't Stefan a dear lad? And, father, I'm awfully +hungry! Please have some food sent in at once and Stefan must stay and +eat with me."</p> + +<p>So the Tsar had great trays of food brought in: roast birds and +vegetables and wheaten bread and many kinds of little cakes and honey +and milk and fruit. And Stefan and the Princess ate and made merry and +the Tsar joined them and even the first lady-in-waiting took one little +cake which she crumbled in her handkerchief in a most refined manner.</p> + +<p>Then Stefan rose to go and the Tsar said to him:</p> + +<p>"Stefan, I will reward you richly. You have made the Princess laugh and +besides you have not insisted on her marrying you. You are a fine lad +and I shall never forget you."</p> + +<p>"But, father," the Princess said, "I don't want Stefan to go. He amuses +me and I like him. He said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> I needn't marry him unless I wanted to but, +father, I think I want to."</p> + +<p>"Wow! Wow!" the Tsar roared. "What! My daughter marry the son of a +farmer!"</p> + +<p>"Now, father," the Princess said, "it's no use your <i>wow-wowing</i> at me +and you know it isn't. If I can't marry Stefan I won't marry any one. +And if I don't marry any one I'm going to stop eating again. So that's +that!" And still holding Stefan's hand, the Princess turned her face to +the wall.</p> + +<p>What could the poor Tsar do? At first he fumed and raged but as usual +after a day or two he came around to the Princess's way of thinking. In +fact it soon seemed to him that Stefan had been his choice from the +first and when one of his councilors remarked: "Then, Your Majesty, +there's no use sending word to the neighboring kings that the Princess +has reached a marriageable age and would like to look over their sons," +the Tsar flew into an awful temper and roared:</p> + +<p>"Wow! Wow! You blockhead! Neighboring kings, indeed, and their +good-for-nothing sons! No, siree! The husband I want for my daughter is +an honest farmer lad who knows how to work and how to play! That's the +kind of son-in-law we need in this kingdom!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>So Stefan and the little Princess were married and from that day the +castle was no longer gloomy but rang with laughter and merriment. +Presently the people of the kingdom, following the example of their +rulers, were laughing, too, and cracking jokes and, strange to say, they +soon found they were working all the better for their jollity.</p> + +<p>Laughter grew so fashionable that even Mihailo and Jakov were forced to +take it up. They didn't do it very well but they practised at it +conscientiously. Whenever people talked about Stefan, they always pushed +forward importantly and said:</p> + +<p>"Ho! Ho! Ho! Do you mean Stefan, the Laughing Prince? Ha! Ha! Ha! Why, +do you know, he's our own brother!"</p> + +<p>As for Militza, the Princess had her come to the castle and said to her:</p> + +<p>"I owe all my happiness to you, my dear, for you it was who knew that of +course I would laugh at Stefan's nonsense! What sensible girl +wouldn't?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="BEAUTY_AND_THE_HORNS" id="BEAUTY_AND_THE_HORNS"></a>BEAUTY AND THE HORNS</h2> +<p> <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i027.jpg" width="300" height="308" alt="The Story of an Enchanted Maiden" title="The Story of an Enchanted Maiden" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of an Enchanted Maiden</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="BEAUTY_AND_THE_HORNS"></a>BEAUTY AND THE HORNS</h2> + + +<p>There was once a rich man who when he was dying called his son to his +bedside and said:</p> + +<p>"Danilo, my son, I am leaving you my riches. The only thing I ask of you +is this: close your ears to all reports of an enchanted maiden who is +known as Peerless Beauty and when the time comes that you wish to marry +choose for wife some quiet sensible girl of your native village."</p> + +<p>Now if the father had not mentioned Peerless Beauty all might have been +well. Danilo might never have heard of her and after a time he would +probably have fallen in love with a girl of his native village and +married her. As it was, after his father's death he kept saying to +himself:</p> + +<p>"Peerless Beauty, the enchanted maiden of whom my father warned me! I +wonder is she really as beautiful as all that! I wonder where she +lives!"</p> + +<p>He thought about her until he could think of nothing else.</p> + +<p>"Peerless Beauty! Peerless Beauty! Oh, I must see this enchanted maiden +even if it costs me my life!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>His father had a brother, a wise old man, who was supposed to know +everything in the world.</p> + +<p>"I will go to my uncle," the young man said. "Perhaps he will tell me +where I can find Peerless Beauty."</p> + +<p>So he went to his uncle and said:</p> + +<p>"My dear uncle, my father as he lay dying told me about a wonderful +maiden called Peerless Beauty. Can you tell me where she lives because I +want to see her for myself and judge whether she is as beautiful as my +father said."</p> + +<p>His uncle looked at him gravely and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"My poor boy, how can I tell you where that enchanted maiden lives when +I know it would mean death to you if ever you saw her? Think no more +about her but go, find some suitable maid in the village, and marry her +like a sensible young man."</p> + +<p>But his uncle's words, far from dissuading Danilo, only excited him the +more.</p> + +<p>"If my uncle knows where Peerless Beauty lives," he thought, "other men +also know."</p> + +<p>So one by one he went to all the old men in the village and asked them +what they knew of Peerless Beauty. One by one they shook their heads and +told him that Peerless Beauty was no maiden for him to be thinking +about.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Put her out of your mind," they said. "These enchanted maidens are a +snare to young men. What you want to do is marry some quiet industrious +girl here in the village and settle down like a sensible young man."</p> + +<p>But the oftener Danilo heard this advice, the more firmly convinced he +became that it was just what he did not want to do.</p> + +<p>"Time enough to settle down after I've seen Peerless Beauty," he told +himself. "She must be beautiful indeed, or all these old men would not +be so anxious to keep me from seeing her. Well, if they won't tell me +where she is, I'll go out in the world and find her for myself."</p> + +<p>So he put on rich clothes as befitted his wealth, took a bag of the gold +his father had left him, mounted his horse, and rode off into the world. +Everywhere he went he made inquiries about Peerless Beauty and +everywhere he found old men who knew about the enchanted maiden but +would tell him nothing. Every one of them advised him to go home like a +sensible young man and think no more about her. But all they said only +made him the more determined to see the maiden for himself.</p> + +<p>Finally one day as evening approached he came to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> a little hut in the +woods. At the door of the hut sat a poor old woman. She held out her +hand as he passed and begged an alms. Danilo, being a kind hearted young +man, gave her a gold piece.</p> + +<p>"May God reward you!" the old woman said.</p> + +<p>"Granny," Danilo asked, "can you tell me the way to Peerless Beauty?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, my son, that I can but he is a rash youth who seeks that maiden! +It were better for you to turn back than to go on!"</p> + +<p>"But I'm not going to turn back!" Danilo declared. "Whatever the outcome +I'm going to find Peerless Beauty and see for myself why all men fear +her."</p> + +<p>When the old woman saw that Danilo was determined, she gave up pleading +with him and pointed out a faint trail in the forest which, she told +him, would lead him to Peerless Beauty's castle.</p> + +<p>He slept that night in the old woman's hut and early next morning set +out on the forest trail. By afternoon he reached the castle.</p> + +<p>"What do you want?" the guards demanded roughly.</p> + +<p>"I want to see Peerless Beauty."</p> + +<p>"Have you gold?" they asked him.</p> + +<p>Danilo showed them his bag of ducats.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>They led him into a hall of the castle and told him to put his gold on a +table. If he did so, perhaps Peerless Beauty would show herself and +perhaps she wouldn't.</p> + +<p>Danilo did as the guards directed and then faced a curtain behind which, +they told him, Peerless Beauty was seated. The curtain opened a little, +but instead of showing her face Peerless Beauty extended only one +finger. However, that finger was so ravishingly beautiful that Danilo +almost fainted with delight. He would have stayed gazing on that one +enchanting finger for hours if the guards had not taken him roughly by +the shoulders and thrown him out of the castle.</p> + +<p>"Come again when you've got more gold!" they shouted after him.</p> + +<p>Like a man in a dream Danilo rode back to the old woman's hut.</p> + +<p>"Now, my son, are you satisfied?" she asked him. "Are you ready now to +go home and settle down like a sensible young man?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, granny!" Danilo raved. "Such a finger! I must see that finger again +if it cost me my whole fortune!"</p> + +<p>He slept that night in the old woman's hut and the next day returned to +his native village. There he got<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> another bag of the golden ducats which +his father had left him and at once started back to the castle of +Peerless Beauty.</p> + +<p>This time that heartless maiden stripped him again of his gold, showed +him two of her enchanting fingers, and as before had her guards throw +him out of the castle.</p> + +<p>"Come again when you've got more gold!" they shouted after him.</p> + +<p>That's exactly what the poor young man did. He went back and back until +the fortune that his father had left him was entirely squandered. And +all he had seen of Peerless Beauty up to that time were the fingers of +one hand! Shouldn't you suppose that now with all his wealth lost he +would get over his foolish infatuation? Well, he didn't.</p> + +<p>"I must go back again!" he kept telling himself.</p> + +<p>His gold was gone but he still had his father's house. It was a big old +house with garrets and cellars.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps if I hunt I shall find some treasures hidden away in odd +corners," Danilo said.</p> + +<p>So he hunted upstairs and down. He opened old boxes and rummaged about +among the dark rafters. One day he came upon a funny looking little cap.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whose this was," he thought to himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>He went to a mirror and tried the cap on. Then a strange thing happened. +The moment the cap touched his head, Danilo disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he cried, "it's a magic cap and the moment I put it on I become +invisible! Now I can slip into Peerless Beauty's chamber and see her +lovely face!"</p> + +<p>With his magic cap pulled tightly down over his forehead, he set off +once more for Peerless Beauty's castle. Sure enough he was able to pass +unseen the guards at the gate, he was able to go boldly into the great +hall, and beyond it through the curtain into Peerless Beauty's own +chamber.</p> + +<p>The Beauty was seated with her back to the curtain and a serving maid +was combing out her hair for the night. It was lovely hair and it fell +down over Beauty's shoulders like a mantle of gold. At mere sight of it +Danilo was so overcome with emotion that he sighed.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" Beauty cried. "There's some one in my chamber!"</p> + +<p>The serving maid looked under the bed and behind the chairs and in the +corners.</p> + +<p>"There's no one here, my lady."</p> + +<p>"That's strange!" Beauty said. "I feel as though some one were looking +at me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>When Danilo saw the actual face of the enchanted maiden, it was all he +could do to keep from crying aloud. She was so unutterably beautiful +that he almost swooned away in ecstacy.</p> + +<p>Presently the maiden went to bed and fell into an uneasy sleep. The +light of a single candle shed a faint radiance over her face making it +lovelier than ever. Through all the long hours of night Danilo stood +perfectly still, gazing at her, afraid almost to breathe lest he should +disturb her.</p> + +<p>"Unless I win her for wife," he thought to himself, "I shall nevermore +be happy!"</p> + +<p>When morning came the maiden awoke with a start and said:</p> + +<p>"There's some one looking at me! Who is it? Who is it?"</p> + +<p>"It's only your poor Danilo," a voice answered.</p> + +<p>"Danilo? Who is Danilo?"</p> + +<p>"The youth whom you have been treating so cruelly. But though you have +treated me cruelly, I love you still!"</p> + +<p>"If you love me still," the maiden said, "let me see you."</p> + +<p>Danilo took off the magic cap and there he stood, a handsome youth, at +the foot of her bed. Then the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> crafty maiden spoke him fair and Danilo +told her about the magic cap, and when she said to him that she repented +having treated him so cruelly and asked him to let her see the cap, the +poor young man was so dazzled by her beauty and her seeming kindness +that he handed it to her at once.</p> + +<p>Instantly she clapped it on her head and disappeared. Then she laughed +in derision and called out loudly to the guards:</p> + +<p>"Ho, there! Take out this young man and drive him forth! Let him return +when he has another treasure to offer me!"</p> + +<p>So the guards dragged Danilo out and drove him away.</p> + +<p>With no more gold, with no more magic cap, Danilo returned to his +father's house.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps there are other treasures hidden away," he thought. "I'll +search further."</p> + +<p>In his search he came upon an old pitcher and thinking it might be +silver he began rubbing it. Instantly there was a clap of thunder and a +company of soldiers appeared. Their captain saluted Danilo respectfully +and said:</p> + +<p>"We are the servants of that magic pitcher. What does our master wish?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Magic pitcher?" stammered Danilo. "And am I your master?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the captain, "you are our master as long as you hold the +magic pitcher in your hands."</p> + +<p>"You may disappear now," Danilo said. "I will rub the pitcher when I +need you."</p> + +<p>Delighted with this unexpected good fortune, he hurried off to the woods +to the hut of the old woman who had befriended him before. He showed her +the pitcher and demonstrated for her how it worked. Then he asked her to +carry a message to Peerless Beauty.</p> + +<p>"Tell her," he said, "that unless she consents to marry me at once I'll +lead a mighty army against her, take her captive, and then send her off +in exile to that howling wilderness which people call the Donkeys' +Paradise."</p> + +<p>"I will deliver your message," the old woman said, "on condition that +you promise me to be on your guard this time. Don't let the maiden trick +you again. She is under an enchantment that makes her cruel and crafty +and the enchantment will never be broken until she meets a man upon whom +her wiles have no effect."</p> + +<p>"Trust me this time," Danilo said. "I've had my lesson."</p> + +<p>So the old woman delivered the message and when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> Peerless Beauty +received it with scorn, Danilo at once set out for the castle with the +magic pitcher in his hand. He began rubbing and every time he rubbed a +company of soldiers appeared. Soon the castle was surrounded by a great +army and in fright and dismay Peerless Beauty sent out word that she was +ready to make an unconditional surrender.</p> + +<p>When Danilo entered the castle he found her humble and meek.</p> + +<p>"I have treated you cruelly," she said. "Now I am in your power, do with +me what you will." And she began weeping softly until the sight of her +tears drove Danilo distracted.</p> + +<p>"Weep no more, dear lady!" he cried. "You have nothing to fear from me! +I love you! I am your slave!"</p> + +<p>The Peerless one slowly dried her tears.</p> + +<p>"If you love me as you say you do, you will tell me by what magic you +have raised this great army."</p> + +<p>Then Danilo, forgetting the old woman's warning, took the magic pitcher +out of his shirt and showed the maiden how it worked.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she murmured wonderingly. "It looks like any old pitcher! Please, +Danilo, let me see it in my own hands."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>Danilo handed her the pitcher and, quick as a flash, she rubbed it. +There was a clap of thunder, a company of soldiers appeared, and their +captain saluting her respectfully said:</p> + +<p>"What does the mistress of the pitcher want?"</p> + +<p>"Nay!" cried Danilo, "it is I who own the pitcher, not she!"</p> + +<p>"We are the servants," the captain said, "of whoever holds the pitcher."</p> + +<p>At that Peerless Beauty laughed loud and scornfully until the castle +rang with her merriment.</p> + +<p>"Seize that wretch!" she said, pointing to Danilo. "Tie his hands and +drive him out in exile to the Donkeys' Paradise! Let him stay there +until he has another treasure to present me!"</p> + +<p>So they drove Danilo out to the wilderness and left him there.</p> + +<p>He wandered about for many days hungry and thirsty, subsisting on roots +and berries, and having for drink only the water that collected in the +hoof prints of the wild beasts.</p> + +<p>"See what I've come to!" he cried aloud. "Why didn't I heed the old +woman's warning! If I had, I should have broken the evil enchantment +that binds my Peerless Beauty and all would have been well!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> + +<p>One day as he wandered about he came upon a vine that was laden with +great clusters of luscious red grapes. He fell upon them ravenously and +ate bunch after bunch. Suddenly he felt something in his hair and +lifting his hands he found that horns had grown out all over his head.</p> + +<p>"Fine grapes these are!" he exclaimed, "to bring out horns on a person's +head!"</p> + +<p>However, he was so hungry that he kept on eating until his head was one +mass of horns.</p> + +<p>The next day he found a vine that had clusters of white grapes. He began +eating the white grapes and he hadn't finished a bunch before the horns +all fell off his head.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" he said. "The red grapes put horns on and the white grapes take +them off! That's a trick worth knowing!"</p> + +<p>He took some reeds and fashioned two baskets one of which he filled with +red grapes and the other with white grapes. Then staining his face with +the dark juice of a leaf until he looked brown and sunburned like a +countryman, he went back to Peerless Beauty's castle. There he marched +up and down below the Peerless one's window crying his wares like a +huckster:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sweet grapes for sale! Who wants my fresh sweet grapes!"</p> + +<p>Now it was not the season for grapes, so Peerless Beauty when she heard +the cry was surprised and said to her serving maid:</p> + +<p>"Go quickly and buy me some grapes from that huckster and mind you don't +eat one yourself!"</p> + +<p>The serving maid hurried out to Danilo and he sold her some of the red +grapes. As she carried them in, she couldn't resist the temptation of +slipping a few into her mouth. Instantly some horns grew out on her +head.</p> + +<p>"That's to punish me for disobeying my mistress!" the poor girl cried. +"Oh, dear, what shall I do?"</p> + +<p>She was afraid to show herself to Peerless Beauty, so she pretended she +was taken sick and she went to bed and pulled the sheet over her head +and sent in the grapes by another serving maid.</p> + +<p>Peerless Beauty ate them all before she discovered their frightful +property. Then there was a great to-do, and cries of anger and of +fright, and a quick sending out of the guards to find the huckster. But +the huckster had disappeared.</p> + +<p>What could Peerless Beauty do now? She tried to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> pull the horns out but +they wouldn't come. She tried to cut them off but they resisted the edge +of the sharpest knife. She was too proud to show herself with horns, so +she swathed her head with jewels and ribbons and pretended she was +wearing an elaborate head-dress.</p> + +<p>Then she sent heralds through the land offering a huge reward to any one +who could cure her serving maid of some strange horns that had grown out +on her head. You see she thought if she could get hold of some one who +would cure the maid, then she could make him cure her, too.</p> + +<p>Well, doctors and quacks and all sorts of people came and tried every +kind of remedy, but all in vain. The horns stayed firmly rooted.</p> + +<p>A whole week went by and when the last of the quacks had come and gone, +Danilo, disguised as an old physician, presented himself and craved +audience with the Peerless one. He carried two small jars in his hands +one of which was filled with a conserve made from the white grapes and +the other with a conserve made from the red grapes.</p> + +<p>Peerless Beauty, her horns swathed in silk and gleaming with jewels, +received him coldly.</p> + +<p>"Are you one more quack?" she asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not a quack," he said, bowing low, "but a man who has happened upon a +strange secret of nature. I can cure your serving maid of her horns +provided she confess to me all her misdeeds and hand over to me anything +she has that does not belong to her."</p> + +<p>Peerless Beauty had him shown to the room where the serving maid lay in +bed. The poor frightened girl at once confessed that she had stolen a +few of her mistress's grapes and eaten them. Danilo spoke kindly to her, +gave her some of the white grape conserve, and as soon as she had tasted +it the horns of course dropped off.</p> + +<p>Thereupon Peerless Beauty led Danilo to her own chamber, ordered all her +people out, and then acknowledged that she, too, was suffering from +horns.</p> + +<p>"I am sure I can cure you," Danilo told her, "provided you confess to me +all your misdeeds and hand over to me whatever you have that belongs to +some one else."</p> + +<p>"I cheated a foolish young man out of five bags of gold," Peerless +Beauty said. "Here they are in this chest. Take them."</p> + +<p>Danilo opened the chest and took out his own five bags of gold.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is that all?" he asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 375px;"> +<img src="images/i045.jpg" width="375" height="580" alt="The Magic Pitcher" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Magic Pitcher</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, that is all."</p> + +<p>Danilo gave her some of the red grape conserve and of course, instead of +the horns already on her head falling off, more grew on.</p> + +<p>"You're not telling me the truth," Danilo said, "and I can't cure you. +There's no use my treating you further."</p> + +<p>He turned to go and Peerless Beauty, in great fright, begged him to +stay.</p> + +<p>"I do remember another misdeed," she confessed. "I took by trickery a +magic pitcher from the same foolish young man."</p> + +<p>She gave Danilo the pitcher and he hid it in his shirt.</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is all."</p> + +<p>Danilo gave her some more of the red grape conserve and, of course, more +horns grew out on her head. Then he pretended to get angry.</p> + +<p>"How can you expect to be cured when you don't tell me the truth? I told +you I could not cure you unless you confessed all!"</p> + +<p>Peerless Beauty wanted much to keep the magic cap but when the strange +physician thundered and scowled and threatened again to leave her, more +horned than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> ever, she acknowledged that she had taken the cap, too, and +handed it over.</p> + +<p>This time Danilo gave her some of the white grape conserve and as soon +as she had eaten it all the horns fell off and her head shimmered and +shone as of old with her beautiful hair.</p> + +<p>Then Danilo told her who he was and at once the maiden sought to ensnare +him again with her wiles.</p> + +<p>"What a wonderful man you are, Danilo! I could love you now if you loved +me, but I know of course that you will never love me again after the +cruel way I have treated you!"</p> + +<p>"But I do love you!" Danilo cried. "I do love you!"</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" she said, and she pretended to weep. "If you did love +me, you'd tell me where you found those red grapes and what this magic +conserve is made of. But of course you don't love me enough to tell me."</p> + +<p>Because she looked more beautiful than ever with the tears on her lovely +cheeks, Danilo was about to tell her what she wanted to know when he +remembered the old woman's warning. That was enough. He hardened his +heart and declared:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No! I'll never tell you! Do you hear me: I'll never tell you!"</p> + +<p>She wept and implored him and used all her wiles, but Danilo remembering +the past was firm. And presently he had the reward that a man always has +when he's firm, for as soon as it was evident that she could no longer +befool him, the evil enchantment that bound her broke with a snap and +Peerless Beauty became a human maiden as gentle and sweet and loving as +she was beautiful.</p> + +<p>She knelt at Danilo's feet and humbly begged his pardon and promised, if +he would still marry her, to make him the most dutiful wife in the +world.</p> + +<p>So Danilo married Peerless Beauty and with the servants of the magic +pitcher transported her and her castle and her riches together with the +old woman who had befriended them both to his own native village. There +he still lives happy and prosperous.</p> + +<p>His uncle and all the old men in the village take credit to themselves +for the success of his adventures.</p> + +<p>"It is due entirely to us," they tell any one who will listen to them, +"that Danilo went out in search of Peerless Beauty in the first place. +When he came to us and asked our advice we said to him: 'Go, by all +means! You're young and brave and of course you'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> win her!' If we +hadn't urged him to go, he would probably have settled down here at +home, married some quiet village girl, and never be heard of again!"</p> + +<p>That's how the old men talk now, but we know what they really did say at +the time!</p> + +<p>Yet after all that doesn't matter. All that matters is that Danilo and +Peerless Beauty love each other and are happy.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i050.jpg" width="150" height="79" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_PIGEONS_BRIDE" id="THE_PIGEONS_BRIDE"></a>THE PIGEON'S BRIDE</h2> +<p> <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i051.jpg" width="300" height="292" alt="The Story of a Princess Who Kissed and Told" title="The Story of a Princess Who Kissed and Told" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of a Princess Who Kissed and Told</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_PIGEONS_BRIDE"></a>THE PIGEON'S BRIDE</h2> + + +<p>There was once a King who had an only daughter. She was as lovely as a +princess ought to be and by the time she reached a marriageable age the +fame of her beauty had spread far and wide over all the world. +Neighboring kings and even distant ones were already sending envoys to +her father's court begging permission to offer their sons as suitors to +the Princess's hand. As he had no son of his own the Princess's father +was delighted that the day was fast approaching when he might have a +son-in-law, and long before even the name of any particular prince was +discussed the Princess's mother had planned the wedding down to its last +detail.</p> + +<p>The Princess alone was uninterested.</p> + +<p>"I'm not ready to get married yet," she'd say to her parents every day +when they'd begin telling her about the various princes who were anxious +to gain her favor. "Why such haste? I'm young and there's plenty of +time. Besides, just now I'm too busy with my embroidery to be bothered +with a crowd of young men."</p> + +<p>With that, before the King could reprove her, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> Princess would throw +her arms about his neck, kiss him under the corner of his mustache, and +go flying off to the tower-room where she had her embroidery frame.</p> + +<p>Her mother, the Queen, was much upset by the Princess's attitude.</p> + +<p>"In my youth," she said, "girls were not like this. We were brought up +to think that courtship and marriage were the most important events in +our lives. I don't know what's getting into the heads of the young girls +nowadays!"</p> + +<p>But the King, who was still smiling from the tickling little kiss which +the Princess had planted under the corner of his mustache, always +answered:</p> + +<p>"Tut! Tut! We needn't worry yet! Take my word for it when some +particular young man comes along she'll be interested fast enough!"</p> + +<p>At this the Queen, ending the discussion every day with the same words, +would shake her head and declare:</p> + +<p>"I tell you it isn't natural for a girl to be more interested in +embroidery than in a long line of handsome young suitors!"</p> + +<p>The Princess was interested in her embroidery—there's no doubt about +that. She spent every moment she could in the tower-room, working and +singing. The tower was high up among the treetops. It was reached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> by +winding stairs so narrow and so many that no one any older than the +Princess would care to climb them. The Princess flew up them like a +bird, scarcely pausing for breath. At the top of the stairs was a +trap-door which was the only means of entrance into the tower-room. Once +in the tower-room with the bolt of the trap-door securely fastened, the +Princess was safe from interruption and could work away at her +embroidery to her heart's content. The tower had windows on all sides, +so the Princess as she sat at her embroidery frame could look out north, +east, south, and west.</p> + +<p>The clouds sailed by in the sky, the wind blew and at once the leaves in +the treetops began murmuring and whispering among themselves, and the +birds that went flying all over the world would often alight on some +branch near the tower and sing to the Princess as she worked or chatter +some exciting story that she could almost understand.</p> + +<p>"What!" the Princess would think to herself as she looked out north, +east, south, and west. "Leave my tower and my beautiful embroidery to +become the wife of some conceited young man! Never!"</p> + +<p>From this remark you can understand perfectly well that the particular +young man of whom her father spoke had not yet come along. And I'm sure +you'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> also know that shutting herself up in the tower-room and bolting +the trap-door was not going to keep him away when it was time for him to +come. Yet I don't believe that you'd have recognized him when he did +come any more than the Princess did. This is how it happened:</p> + +<p>One afternoon when as usual she was working at her embroidery and +singing as she worked, suddenly there was a flutter of wings at the +eastern window and a lovely Pigeon came flying into the room. It circled +three times about the Princess's head and then alighted on the +embroidery frame. The Princess reached out her hand and the bird, +instead of taking fright, allowed her to stroke its gleaming neck. Then +she took it gently in her hands and fondled it to her bosom, kissing its +bill and smoothing its plumage with her lips.</p> + +<p>"You beautiful thing!" she cried. "How I love you!"</p> + +<p>"If you really love me," the Pigeon said, "have a bowl of milk here at +this same hour to-morrow and then we'll see what we'll see."</p> + +<p>With that the bird spread its wings and flew out the western window.</p> + +<p>The Princess was so excited that for the rest of the afternoon she +forgot her embroidery.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did the Pigeon really speak?" she asked herself as she stood staring +out the western window, "or have I been dreaming?"</p> + +<p>The next day when she climbed the winding stairs she went slowly for she +carried in her hands a brimming bowl of milk.</p> + +<p>"Of course it won't come again!" she said, and she made herself sit down +quietly before the embroidery frame and work just as though she expected +nothing.</p> + +<p>But exactly at the same hour as the day before there was a flutter of +wings at the eastern window, the sound of a gentle <i>coo! coo!</i> and there +was the Pigeon ready to be loved and caressed.</p> + +<p>"You beautiful creature!" the Princess cried, kissing its coral beak and +smoothing its neck with her lips, "how I love you! And see, I have +brought you the bowl of milk that you asked for!"</p> + +<p>The bird flew over to the bowl, poised for a moment on its brim, then +splashed into the milk as though to take a bath.</p> + +<p>The Princess laughed and clapped her hands and then, as she looked, she +saw a strange thing happen. The bird's feathers opened like a shirt and +out of the feather shirt stepped a handsome youth.</p> + +<p>(You remember I told you how surprised the Prin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>cess was going to be. +And you're surprised, too, aren't you?)</p> + +<p>He was so handsome that all the Princess could say was, "Oh!"</p> + +<p>He came slowly towards her and knelt before her.</p> + +<p>"Dear Princess," he said, "do not be frightened. If it had not been for +your sweet words yesterday when you said you loved me I should never +have been able to leave this feather shirt. Do not turn from me now +because I am a man and not a pigeon. Love me still if you can, for I +love you. It was because I fell in love with you yesterday when I saw +you working at your embroidery that I flew in by the open window and let +you caress me."</p> + +<p>For a long time the Princess could only stare at the kneeling youth, too +amazed to speak. He was so handsome that she forgot all about the pigeon +he used to be, she forgot her embroidery, she forgot everything. She +hadn't supposed that any young man in the whole world could be so +handsome! Why, just looking at him, she could be happy forever and ever +and ever!</p> + +<p>"Would you rather I were still a pigeon?" the young man asked.</p> + +<p>"No! No! No!" the Princess cried. "I like you ever so much better this +way!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p>The young man gravely bowed his head and kissed her hand and the +Princess blushed and trembled and wished he would do it again. She had +never imagined that any kiss could be so wonderful!</p> + +<p>They passed the afternoon together and it seemed to the Princess it was +the happiest afternoon of all her life. As the sun was sinking the youth +said:</p> + +<p>"Now I must leave you and become a pigeon again."</p> + +<p>"But you'll come back, won't you?" the Princess begged.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll come back to-morrow but on one condition: that you don't tell +any one about me. I'll come back every day at the same hour but if ever +you tell about me then I won't be able to come back any more."</p> + +<p>"I'll never tell!" the Princess promised.</p> + +<p>Then the youth kissed her tenderly, dipped himself in the milk, went +back into his feather shirt, and flew off as a pigeon.</p> + +<p>The next day he came again and the next and the next and the Princess +fell so madly in love with him that all day long and all night long, +too, she thought of nothing else. She no longer touched her embroidery +but day after day sat idle in the tower-room just awaiting the hour of +his arrival. And every day it seemed to the King and the Queen and all +the people about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> the Court that the Princess was becoming more and more +beautiful. Her cheeks kept growing pinker, her eyes brighter, her lovely +hair more golden.</p> + +<p>"I must say sitting at that foolish embroidery agrees with her," the +King said.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't that," the Queen told him. "It's the big bowl of milk she +drinks every afternoon. You know milk is very good for the complexion."</p> + +<p>"Milk indeed!" murmured the Princess to herself, and she blushed rosier +than ever at thought of her wonderful secret.</p> + +<p>But a princess can't keep growing more and more beautiful without +everybody in the world hearing about it. The neighboring kings soon +began to feel angry and suspicious.</p> + +<p>"What ails this Princess?" they asked among themselves. "Isn't one of +our sons good enough for her? Is she waiting for the King of Persia to +come as a suitor or what? Let us stand together on our rights and demand +to know why she won't consider one of our sons!"</p> + +<p>So they sent envoys to the Princess's father and he saw at once that the +matter had become serious.</p> + +<p>"My dear," he said to the Princess, "your mother and I have humored you +long enough. It is high time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> that you had a husband and I insist that +you allow the sons of neighboring kings to be presented to you next +week."</p> + +<p>"I won't do it!" the Princess declared. "I'm not interested in the sons +of the neighboring kings and that's all there is about it!"</p> + +<p>Her father looked at her severely.</p> + +<p>"Is that the way for a princess to talk? Persist in this foolishness and +you may embroil your country in war!"</p> + +<p>"I don't care!" the Princess cried, bursting into tears. "I can't marry +any of them, so why let them be presented?"</p> + +<p>"Why can't you marry any of them?"</p> + +<p>"I just can't!" the Princess insisted.</p> + +<p>At first, in spite of the pleadings of both parents, she would tell them +no more, but her mother kept questioning her until at last in +self-defense the Princess confessed that she had a true love who came to +her in the tower every afternoon in the form of a pigeon.</p> + +<p>"He's a prince," she told them, "the son of a distant king. At present +he is under an enchantment that turns him into a pigeon. When the +enchantment is broken he is coming as a prince to marry me."</p> + +<p>"My poor child!" the Queen cried. "Think no more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> about this Pigeon +Prince! The enchantment may last a hundred years and then where will you +be!"</p> + +<p>"But he is my love!" the Princess declared, "and if I can't have him I +won't have any one!"</p> + +<p>When the King found that nothing they could say would move her from this +resolution, he sighed and murmured:</p> + +<p>"Very well, my dear. If it must be so, it must be. This afternoon when +your lover comes, bring him down to me that I may talk to him."</p> + +<p>But that afternoon the Pigeon did not come. Nor the next afternoon +either, nor the next, and then too late the Princess remembered his +warning that if she told about him he could never come back.</p> + +<p>So now she sat in the tower-room idle and heartbroken, reproaching +herself that she had betrayed her lover and praying God to forgive her +and send him back to her. And the roses faded from her cheeks and her +eyes grew dull and the people about the Court began wondering why they +had ever thought her the most beautiful princess in the world.</p> + +<p>At last she went to the King, her father, and said:</p> + +<p>"As my love can no longer come back to me because I forgot my promise +and betrayed him, I must go out into the world and hunt him. Unless I +find him life<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> will not be worth the living. So do not oppose me, +father, but help me. Have three pairs of iron shoes made for me and +three iron staffs. I will wander over the wide world until these are +worn out and then, if by that time I have not found him, I will come +home to you."</p> + +<p>So the King had three pairs of iron shoes made for the Princess and +three iron staffs and she set forth on her quest. She traveled through +towns and cities and many kingdoms, over rough mountains and desert +places, looking everywhere for her enchanted love. But nowhere could she +find any trace of him.</p> + +<p>At the end of the first year she had worn out the first pair of iron +shoes and the first iron staff. At the end of the second year she had +worn out the second pair of iron shoes and the second iron staff. At the +end of the third year, when she had worn out the third pair of iron +shoes and the third staff, she returned to her father's palace looking +thin and worn and sad.</p> + +<p>"My poor child," the King said, "I hope now you realize that the Pigeon +Prince is gone forever. Think no more about him. Go back to your +embroidery and when the roses begin blooming in your cheeks again we'll +find some young prince for you who isn't enchanted."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the Princess shook her head.</p> + +<p>"Let me try one thing more, father," she begged, "and then if I don't +find my love I'll do as you say."</p> + +<p>The King agreed to this.</p> + +<p>"Well, then," the Princess said, "build a public bath-house and have the +heralds proclaim that the King's daughter will sit at the entrance and +will allow any one to bathe free of charge who will tell her the story +of the strangest thing he has ever heard or seen."</p> + +<p>So the King built the bath-house and sent out his heralds far and wide. +Men and women from all over the world came and bathed and told the +Princess stories of this marvel and that, but never, alas, a word of an +enchanted pigeon.</p> + +<p>The days went by and the Princess grew more and more discouraged.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it sad," the courtiers began whispering, "how the Princess has +lost her looks! Do you suppose she ever was really beautiful or did we +just imagine it?"</p> + +<p>And the neighboring kings when they heard this remarked softly among +themselves:</p> + +<p>"It's just as well we didn't hurry one of our sons into a marriage with +this young woman!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 377px;"> +<img src="images/i065.jpg" width="377" height="570" alt="The Princess Kissed Its Coral Beak" title="The Princess Kissed Its Coral Beak" /> +<span class="caption">The Princess Kissed Its Coral Beak</span> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now there was a poor widow who lived near the bath-house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>She had a +daughter, a pretty young girl, who used to sit at the window and watch +the Princess as people came and told her their stories.</p> + +<p>"Mother," the girl said one day, "every one in the world goes to the +bath-house and I want to go, too!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" the mother said. "What story could you tell the Princess?"</p> + +<p>"But everybody else goes and I don't see why I can't!"</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear," the mother promised, "you may just as soon as you see +or hear something strange. Talk no more about it now but go, fetch me a +pitcher of water from the town well."</p> + +<p>The girl obediently took an empty pitcher and went to the town well. +Just as she had filled the pitcher she heard some one say:</p> + +<p>"Mercy me, I fear I'll be late!"</p> + +<p>She turned around and what do you think she saw? A rooster in wooden +shoes with a basket under his wing!</p> + +<p>"I fear I'll be late! I fear I'll be late!" the rooster kept repeating +as he hurried off making a funny little clatter with his wooden shoes.</p> + +<p>"How strange!" the girl thought to herself. "A rooster with wooden +shoes! I'm sure the Princess would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> love to hear about him! I'll follow +him and see what he does."</p> + +<p>He went to a garden where he filled his basket with fresh +vegetables—with onions and beans and garlic. Then he hurried home to a +little house. The girl slipped in after him and hid behind the door.</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness, I'm on time!" the rooster murmured.</p> + +<p>He put a big bowl on the table and filled it with milk.</p> + +<p>"There!" he said. "Now I'm ready for them!"</p> + +<p>Presently twelve beautiful pigeons came flying in by the open door. +Eleven of them dipped in the bowl of milk, their feather shirts opened, +and out they stepped eleven handsome youths. But the Twelfth Pigeon +perched disconsolately on the windowsill and remained a pigeon. The +eleven laughed at him and said:</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow, your bride betrayed you, didn't she? So you have to remain +shut up in your feather shirt while we go off and have a jolly time!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," the Twelfth Pigeon said, "she broke her promise and now she goes +wandering up and down the world hunting for me. If she doesn't find me I +shall nevermore escape the feather shirt but shall have to fly about +forever as a pigeon. But I know she will find me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> for she will never +stop until she does. And when she finds me, then the enchantment will be +broken forever and I can marry her!"</p> + +<p>The eleven youths went laughing arm in arm out of the house and in a few +moments the solitary Pigeon flew after them. Instantly the girl slipped +out from behind the door and hurried home with her pitcher of water. +Then she ran quickly across to the bath-house and all out of breath she +cried to the Princess:</p> + +<p>"O Princess, I have such a wonderful story to tell you all about a +rooster with wooden shoes and twelve pigeons only eleven of them are not +pigeons but handsome young men and the twelfth one has to stay in his +feather shirt because—"</p> + +<p>At mention of the enchanted pigeons, the Princess turned pale. She held +up her hand and made the girl pause until she had her breath, then she +questioned her until she knew the whole story.</p> + +<p>"It must be my love!" the Princess thought to herself. "Thank God I have +found him at last!"</p> + +<p>The next day at the same hour she went with the girl to the town well +and when the rooster clattered by in his wooden shoes they followed him +home and slipping into the house they hid behind the door and waited. +Presently twelve pigeons flew in. Eleven of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> them dipped in the milk and +came out handsome young men. The Twelfth sat disconsolately on the +window sill and remained a pigeon. The eleven laughed at him and twitted +him with having had a bride that had betrayed him. Then the eleven went +away laughing arm in arm. Before the Twelfth could fly after them, the +Princess ran out from behind the door and cried:</p> + +<p>"My dear one, I have found you at last!"</p> + +<p>The Pigeon flew into her hands and she took him and kissed his coral +beak and smoothed his gleaming plumage with her lips. Then she put him +in the milk and the feather shirt opened and her own true love stepped +out.</p> + +<p>She led him at once to her father and when the King found him well +trained in all the arts a prince should know he accepted him as his +future son-in-law and presented him to the people.</p> + +<p>So after all the Princess's mother was able to give her daughter the +gorgeous wedding she had planned for years and years. Preparations were +begun at once but the Queen insisted on making such vast quantities of +little round cakes and candied fruits and sweetmeats of all kinds that +it was three whole months before the wedding actually took place. By +that time the roses were again blooming in the Princess's cheeks, her +eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> were brighter than before, and her long shining hair was more +golden than ever.</p> + +<p>All the neighboring kings were invited to the wedding and when they saw +the bride they shook their heads sadly and said among themselves:</p> + +<p>"Lost her looks indeed! What did people mean by saying such a thing? +Why, she's the most beautiful princess in the world! What a pity she +didn't marry one of our sons!"</p> + +<p>But when they met the Prince of her choice, they saw at once why the +Princess had fallen in love with him.</p> + +<p>"Any girl would!" they said.</p> + +<p>It was a big wedding, as I told you before, and the only guest present +who was not a king or a queen or a royal personage of some sort was the +poor girl who saw the rooster with wooden shoes in the first place. The +Queen, of course, had wanted only royalty but the Princess declared that +the poor girl was her dear friend and would have to be invited. So the +Queen, when she saw that the Princess was set on having her own way, had +the poor girl come to the palace before the wedding and decked her out +in rich clothes until people were sure that she was some strange +princess whom the bride had met on her travels.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My dear," whispered the Princess as they sat down beside each other at +the wedding feast, "how beautiful you look!"</p> + +<p>"But I'm not as beautiful as you!" the girl said.</p> + +<p>The Princess laughed.</p> + +<p>"Of course not! No one can be as beautiful as I am because I have the +secret of beauty!"</p> + +<p>"Dear Princess," the poor girl begged, "won't you tell me the secret of +beauty?"</p> + +<p>The Princess leaned over and whispered something in the poor girl's ear.</p> + +<p>It was only one word:</p> + +<p>"Happiness!"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 140px;"> +<img src="images/i072.jpg" width="140" height="87" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_LITTLE_LAME_FOX" id="THE_LITTLE_LAME_FOX"></a>THE LITTLE LAME FOX</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i073.jpg" width="300" height="271" alt="The Story of the Youngest Brother Who Found the Magic Grape-Vine and Married the Golden Maiden" title="The Story of the Youngest Brother Who Found the Magic Grape-Vine and Married the Golden Maiden" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of the Youngest Brother Who Found the Magic Grape-Vine and Married the Golden Maiden</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_LITTLE_LAME_FOX"></a>THE LITTLE LAME FOX</h2> + + +<p>There was once a wealthy farmer who had three sons. The oldest was a +selfish overbearing fellow. The second was a weak chap who always did +everything his brother suggested. The youngest whose name was Janko was +not as bright and clever as his brothers but he was honest and, +moreover, he had a good heart and in this world a good heart, you know, +is more likely to bring its owner happiness than wicked brains.</p> + +<p>"That booby!" the oldest brother would say whenever he saw Janko. And +the second would snicker and repeat the ugly word, "Booby!"</p> + +<p>The father was proud of his three sons and happy to see them grow up +strong and healthy.</p> + +<p>"They're good boys," he'd say to himself, "and I'm a fortunate father."</p> + +<p>Now there was one very curious thing about this farmer that nobody +understood. One of his eyes was always laughing and the other was always +weeping.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with your father's eyes?" people used to ask the +sons.</p> + +<p>The sons didn't know any more than any one else.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> One day they were in +the garden discussing the matter among themselves.</p> + +<p>"Why don't we just go and ask him?" Janko suggested.</p> + +<p>"If anybody is to ask him, I will!" declared the oldest brother +importantly.</p> + +<p>So he went indoors to his father and said:</p> + +<p>"Father, people are forever talking about your eyes. Now I wish you +would tell me why one of them is always laughing and the other always +weeping."</p> + +<p>"My eyes, indeed!" cried the farmer, and in a rage he snatched up a +knife and hurled it straight at his son. The young man dodged aside and +fled and the knife stuck in the door jamb.</p> + +<p>All out of breath the oldest brother returned to the others but of +course he was ashamed to tell them what had happened. So he said to +them:</p> + +<p>"If you want to know what's the matter with father's eyes, you'll have +to ask him yourselves."</p> + +<p>So the second brother went in to the farmer and he had exactly the same +experience. When he came out he gave his older brother a wink and said +to Janko:</p> + +<p>"Now it is your turn, Booby. Father is waiting for you."</p> + +<p>So Janko went in to his father and said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You have told my brothers why one of your eyes is always laughing and +the other always weeping. Now please tell me for I, too, want to know."</p> + +<p>In a rage the farmer snatched up the knife again and lifted his arm to +hurl it. But Janko stood perfectly still. Why should he turn and run +away as though he had done something wrong? He had only asked his father +a civil question and if his father did not wish to answer it, he could +tell him so.</p> + +<p>The farmer when he saw that the boy was not to be frightened smiled and +laid the knife aside.</p> + +<p>"Thank God," he said, "I have one son who is not a coward! I have been +waiting these many years to have my sons ask me this very question. My +right eye laughs because God has blessed me and made me rich and has +allowed my three sons to grow to manhood, strong and healthy. My left +eye weeps because I can never forget a Magic Grape-Vine which once grew +in my garden. It used to give me a bucket of wine every hour of the +twenty-four! One night a thief came and stole my Magic Vine and I have +never heard of it since. Do you wonder that my left eye weeps at the +memory of this wonderful Vine? Alas, the bucket of wine that used to +flow out of it every hour of the day and night—I have never tasted its +like since!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Father," Janko said, "dry your weeping eye! I and my brothers will go +out into the world and find your Magic Grape-Vine wherever it is +hidden!"</p> + +<p>With that Janko ran out to his brothers and when they heard what he had +to say they laughed and called him, "Booby!" and asked him didn't he +suppose that they had already planned to do just this thing. Of course +they hadn't, but they were so jealous and ill-natured that they couldn't +bear the thought of his being the first to suggest anything.</p> + +<p>"We mustn't lose any more time," Janko said.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't matter how much time you lose, Mr. Booby! As for us we two +are going to start out to-morrow at sunrise."</p> + +<p>"But, brothers," Janko begged, "please let me go, too!"</p> + +<p>"No!" they told him shortly. "You can stay home and look after the +farm!"</p> + +<p>But their father when he heard the discussion said, no, Janko was also +to go as he was the bravest of them all. After that the brothers, +because they didn't want their father to tell how they had been afraid +and run away, had to agree.</p> + +<p>So the next morning early the three of them started out, each with a +wallet well-stocked with food.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How are we going to get rid of the Booby?" the second one whispered.</p> + +<p>"Trust me!" the oldest one whispered back with a wink.</p> + +<p>Presently they came to a crossroads where three roads branched. Now the +oldest brother knew that after a short distance two of the roads came +together again. So he motioned the second brother slyly that he was to +take the middle road. Then he said:</p> + +<p>"Brothers, let us part here and each take a different road. Do you +agree?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," the other two said, "we agree."</p> + +<p>"Then suppose Janko take the left-hand road."</p> + +<p>"And I'll take the middle road," the second cried.</p> + +<p>"And I," the eldest said, "will take the one that's left. So farewell, +brothers, and let us meet here in a year's time."</p> + +<p>"God bless us all," Janko called out, "and grant that one of us may find +our dear father's Magic Grape-Vine."</p> + +<p>The two older brothers of course met in a short time when their roads +joined and they had a good laugh to think how they had outwitted the +Booby.</p> + +<p>"Time enough to look for that old Grape-Vine when we've had a little +fun!" the eldest said. "Let us sit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> down here and eat a bite and then +push on to the next village. There's an inn there where we can try our +luck at cards."</p> + +<p>So they sat down by the roadside, opened their wallets, and laid out +some bread and cheese. Just then a Little Lame Fox came limping up on +three feet, and whimpering and fawning it begged for something to eat.</p> + +<p>"Get out!" bawled the older brother and the second, picking up a handful +of stones, threw them at the Fox.</p> + +<p>The little animal shied and then came timidly back, again begging for +something to eat.</p> + +<p>"Let's kill it!" cried one of the brothers.</p> + +<p>They both jumped up and tried to strike the little creature with their +sticks. The Fox limped off and they followed, hitting at it as they ran +and always just missing it. It was so weak and lame that they expected +every minute to overtake it and so kept on chasing it until it had led +them pretty far into the woods. Then suddenly it disappeared and there +was nothing left for the brothers to do but make their way back to the +roadside grumbling and cursing. In their absence some shepherd dogs had +found their open wallets and eaten all their food. So now they really +had something to curse about.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + +<p>Janko meanwhile had been trudging along steadily on the third road. At +last when he began to feel hungry, he sat down by the wayside and opened +his wallet. Instantly the same Little Lame Fox came limping up and +whimpered and fawned and begged for something to eat.</p> + +<p>"You poor little creature," Janko said, "are you hungry?"</p> + +<p>He held out his hand coaxingly and the animal gave it a timid sniff.</p> + +<p>"Of course I'll give you something to eat," Janko said. "There's enough +for both of us."</p> + +<p>With that he divided his bread and cheese and gave the Little Fox half. +Then they ate together and the Little Fox allowed Janko to pat her head.</p> + +<p>When they finished eating the Fox sat up on her haunches and said:</p> + +<p>"Now, Janko, tell me about yourself. Who are you and where are you +going?"</p> + +<p>The Fox seemed such a sensible little person that it didn't surprise +Janko in the least to have her sit up and talk. Janko's brothers would +have said that he hadn't sense enough to be surprised. But he had a good +heart, Janko had, and as you'll soon hear a good heart is a much better +guide for conduct than wicked brains.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>Janko answered the Fox simply and truthfully. He told about his father +and his two brothers and about his father's weeping eye and the Magic +Grape-Vine for which he and his brothers were gone in search.</p> + +<p>"You've been good to me," the Little Fox said. "You've shared your bread +with me and that makes us friends. So from now on if you'll be a brother +to me, I'll be a little sister to you."</p> + +<p>Goodness knows Janko's own brothers weren't very good to him, but Janko +understood what the Little Fox meant and he agreed.</p> + +<p>"Well then, brother," the Fox said, "I know where that Grape-Vine is and +I'm going to help you to get it. If you do just as I say I don't believe +you'll have any trouble. Now take hold of my tail and away we'll go."</p> + +<p>So Janko took hold of the Little Fox's tail and sure enough away they +went. Whether they sailed through the air or just ran fleetly along the +ground I don't know. But I do know that they went a great distance and +that when they stopped Janko didn't feel in the least tired or +breathless.</p> + +<p>"Now, my brother," the Little Fox said, "listen carefully to what I tell +you. The king of this country has a wonderful garden. In the midst of it +your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> father's Grape-Vine is planted. We are close to the garden now. It +is protected by twelve watches each of which is composed of twelve +guards. To get to the Grape-Vine you will have to pass them all. Now as +you approach each watch look carefully. If the eyes of all the guards +are open and staring straight at you, have no fear. They sleep with +their eyes open and they won't see you. But if their eyes are closed, +then be careful for when their eyes are closed they are awake and ready +to see you. You will find the Grape-Vine in the very center of the +garden. Standing near it you will see two spades, a wooden spade and a +golden spade. Take the wooden spade and dig up the Vine as quickly as +you can. Under no condition touch the golden spade. Now, Janko, do you +understand?"</p> + +<p>Yes, Janko thought he understood. He slipped into the garden and the +first thing he saw were twelve fierce looking guards who were staring at +him with great round eyes. He was much frightened until he remembered +that the Little Fox had said that if their eyes were open they were fast +asleep. So he picked up courage and walked straight by them and sure +enough they didn't see him. He passed watch after watch in the same way +and at last reached the center of the garden. He saw the Grape-Vine at +once. There was no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> mistaking it for at that very moment it was pouring +out wine of itself into a golden bucket. Near it were two spades, Janko +in great excitement snatched up the first that came to his hand and +began to dig. Alas, it was the golden spade and as Janko drove it into +the earth it sent out a loud ringing sound that instantly woke the +guards. They came running from all directions with their eyes tightly +closed for now, of course, they were awake. They caught Janko and +dragged him to the king to whom they said:</p> + +<p>"A thief! A thief! We found him trying to steal your Magic Grape-Vine!"</p> + +<p>"My Magic Grape-Vine!" thundered the king. "Young man, what do you mean +trying to steal my Magic Grape-Vine?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see," Janko answered simply, "the Grape-Vine really belongs +to my father. It was stolen from him years ago and ever since then his +left eye has wept over the loss of it. Give me the Vine, O king, for if +you don't I shall have to come back and try again to steal it for it +belongs to my father and I have sworn to get it!"</p> + +<p>The king frowned in thought and at last he said:</p> + +<p>"I can't give away my precious Grape-Vine for nothing, young man, but I +tell you what I'll do: I'll give<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> it to you provided you get for me the +Golden Apple-Tree that bears buds, blossoms, and golden fruit every +twenty-four hours."</p> + +<p>With that Janko was dismissed and turned out of the garden.</p> + +<p>The Little Fox was waiting for him and Janko had the shame of confessing +that he had forgotten the warning about the golden spade and had been +caught.</p> + +<p>"But the king says he will give me the Grape-Vine provided I get for him +the Golden Apple-Tree that bears buds, blossoms, and golden fruit every +twenty-four hours."</p> + +<p>"Well, brother," the Little Fox said, "you were good to me, so I'll help +you again. Take hold of my tail and away we'll go."</p> + +<p>Janko took hold of the Little Fox's tail and away they went a greater +distance than before. In spite of going so quickly it took them a long +time but whether it was weeks or months I don't know. Whichever it was +when they stopped Janko didn't feel in the least tired or breathless.</p> + +<p>"Now, brother," the Little Fox said, "here we are in another country +close to the king's garden where the Golden Apple-Tree grows. To reach +it you will have to pass twenty-four watches of twelve guards each.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +Take care that you pass each guard as before when his eyes are wide open +and staring straight at you for that means he is asleep. When you reach +the Golden Apple-Tree you will see two long poles on the ground—a +wooden pole and a golden pole. Take the wooden pole and beat down some +of the golden fruit. Don't touch the golden pole. Remember!"</p> + +<p>So Janko crept into the second garden and succeeded in passing all the +guards of the twenty-four watches when their eyes were wide open and +staring straight at him. He reached the Golden Apple-Tree and saw at +once the two long poles that were lying near it on the ground. Now +whether because he was excited or because he forgot what the Fox +said—he had a good heart, Janko had, but he was a little careless +sometimes—I don't know. But I do know that instead of taking the wooden +pole as the Fox had told him, he took the golden pole. At the first +stroke of the golden pole against the golden branches of the tree, the +golden branches sent out a loud clear whistle that woke all the sleeping +guards. Every last one of them came running to the Apple-Tree and in no +time at all they had captured poor Janko and carried him to their +master, the king.</p> + +<p>"Trying to steal my Golden Apple-Tree, is he?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> roared the king in a +great rage. "What do you want with my Golden Apple-Tree, young man?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see," Janko answered simply, "I have to have the Golden +Apple-Tree to exchange it for the Magic Grape-Vine that really belongs +to my father. It was stolen from him years ago and ever since then his +left eye has wept over the loss of it. Give me the Golden Apple-Tree, O +king, for if you don't I shall have to come back and try again to steal +it."</p> + +<p>The king seemed impressed with Janko's words for after a moment he said:</p> + +<p>"Janko, I can't give you the Golden Apple-Tree for nothing, but I tell +you what I'll do: I'll let you have it provided you get for me the +Golden Horse that can race around the world in twenty-four hours."</p> + +<p>With that Janko was dismissed and turned out of the garden.</p> + +<p>As usual the Little Fox was waiting for him and again Janko had the +shame of confessing that he had forgotten the warning about the golden +pole and had been caught.</p> + +<p>"But the king says he will give me the Golden Apple-Tree provided I get +him the Golden Horse that can race around the world in twenty-four +hours. I wonder, dear Little Fox, will you help me again?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, brother, I will help you again for you were good to me. Take hold +of my tail and away we'll go."</p> + +<p>So Janko took hold of the Little Fox's tail and away they went. How far +they went and how long they were gone I don't know, but it was a great +distance and a long time. However they arrived without feeling in the +least tired or breathless.</p> + +<p>"Now, brother," the Little Fox said, "this time listen carefully to what +I tell you. Here we are in another kingdom close to the king's own +stable where the Golden Horse is guarded by thirty-six watches of twelve +guards each. When night comes you must slip into the stable and pass all +those guards when they are asleep with their eyes wide open and staring +straight at you. When you reach the Golden Horse you will see hanging +beside him a golden bridle and a common bridle made of hempen rope. Slip +the hempen bridle over the Horse's head and lead him quietly out of the +stable. But mind you don't touch the golden bridle! This time don't +forget!"</p> + +<p>Janko promised faithfully to remember what the Little Fox said and when +night came he crept into the stable and cautiously made his way through +the sleeping guards. He reached at last the stall of the Golden Horse. +It was the most beautiful horse in the world<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> and the gleam of its +shining flanks was like sunshine in the dark stable.</p> + +<p>Janko stroked its golden mane and whispered softly into its ear. The +horse responded to his touch and rubbed its muzzle against his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Janko reached over to take the hempen bridle and then he paused. "It +would be an outrage," he thought to himself, "to put a common rope on +this glorious creature!"</p> + +<p>Just think of it! For the third time Janko forgot the Little Fox's +warning! I have no excuse to make for him. I don't see how he could have +forgotten a third time! But he did. He took the golden bridle instead of +the hempen one and put it over the head of the Golden Horse. The Horse +neighed and instantly all the sleeping guards awoke and came running to +the stall. They caught Janko, of course, and when morning broke carried +him to their master, the king.</p> + +<p>He questioned Janko as the others had done and Janko answered him +simply:</p> + +<p>"You see I have to have the Golden Horse, O king, to exchange it for the +Golden Apple-Tree. And I have to have the Golden Apple-Tree to exchange +it for the Magic Grape-Vine that really belongs to my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> father. It was +stolen from him years ago and ever since then his left eye has wept over +the loss of it. Give me the Golden Horse, O king, for if you don't give +him to me I shall have to come back and try again to steal him."</p> + +<p>"But, Janko," the king said, "I can't give you the Golden Horse for +nothing! But I tell you what I'll do: I will give him to you provided +you get for me the Golden Maiden who has never seen the sun."</p> + +<p>With that Janko was dismissed and led out of the stable.</p> + +<p>Janko really was awfully ashamed this time when he had again to confess +to the Little Fox that he had forgotten her warning and had touched the +golden bridle.</p> + +<p>"Janko! Janko!" the Little Fox said. "Where are your wits! Now what +shall we do?"</p> + +<p>Then Janko told the Little Fox of the king's offer:</p> + +<p>"He will give me the Golden Horse provided I get for him the Golden +Maiden who has never seen the sun. Dear Little Fox, will you help me +this one time more? I know I am very stupid but I promise you faithfully +that this time I will not forget."</p> + +<p>"Of course, brother," the Little Fox said, "I'll help you again. But +this will have to be the last time. If<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> you forget this time I won't be +able to help you any more. Take hold of my tail and away we'll go."</p> + +<p>So for the fourth time Janko took hold of the Little Fox's tail and away +they went. They went and they went—I can't tell you how far! But they +weren't tired when they arrived, they weren't even breathless.</p> + +<p>"Now, brother," the Little Fox said, "listen carefully to what I tell +you. Here we are in another kingdom close to a great cavern where for +sixteen years the Golden Maiden has been kept a prisoner under the +enchantment of her wicked mother and never allowed to see the golden +light of the sun. There are forty-eight chambers in the cavern and each +chamber is guarded by a watch of twelve guards. Steal softly through +each chamber when the eyes of all the guards are wide open and staring +straight at you. In the last chamber of all you will find the Golden +Maiden playing in her Golden Cradle. Over the Cradle stands a fearful +ghost who will cry out to you to go away and threaten to kill you. But +don't be afraid. It is only an empty ghost which the wicked mother has +placed there to frighten men off from rescuing the Golden Maiden. Take +the Golden Maiden by the hand, put the Golden Cradle on your shoulder, +and hurry back to me. But one thing:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> As you leave each chamber be sure +to lock the door after you so that the guards when they wake cannot +follow you."</p> + +<p>Janko crept into the cavern and cautiously made his way from chamber to +chamber through the wide-eyed guards. In the forty-eighth chamber he +found the Golden Maiden playing in her Golden Cradle. He ran to take her +when a horrible creature rose above the Cradle and in hollow tones +cried: "Back! Back! Back!" For a moment Janko was frightened, then he +remembered that the awful creature was only an empty ghost. So he went +boldly up to the Golden Cradle and sure enough the ghost faded away.</p> + +<p>"You have come to rescue me, haven't you?" the Golden Maiden cried.</p> + +<p>She gave Janko her hand and he helped her to her feet. Then he put the +Golden Cradle on his shoulder and together they hurried out from chamber +to chamber. And I am happy to tell you that this time Janko remembered +the Little Fox's warning and locked the door of every chamber as they +left it. So they reached the upper world safely and found the Little Fox +waiting for them.</p> + +<p>"There's no time to lose," the Little Fox said. "Put the Cradle across +my back, Janko, and take hold of my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> tail with one hand and give your +other hand to the Golden Maiden and away we'll go."</p> + +<p>Janko did as the Little Fox said and away they all three went.</p> + +<p>When they reached the stable of the Golden Horse, the Little Fox said:</p> + +<p>"It doesn't seem right to give the Golden Maiden to the king of the +Golden Horse unless she wants us to, does it?"</p> + +<p>The Golden Maiden at once begged them to keep her.</p> + +<p>"Don't give me to the king of the Golden Horse!" she said. "I want to +stay with Janko who has rescued me!"</p> + +<p>"But unless I give up the Golden Maiden," Janko asked, "how can I get +the Golden Horse?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I can help you," the Little Fox said. "Perhaps I can enchant +myself into looking like the Golden Maiden."</p> + +<p>With that the Little Fox leaped up in the air, turned this way and that, +and lo! you might have thought her the Golden Maiden except that her +eyes were still fox's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Now leave the Maiden outside here hidden in her Golden Cradle and take +me in to the master of the stable. Exchange me for the Golden Horse and +make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> off at once. Then pick up the Golden Maiden in her Golden Cradle +and ride away and soon I'll join you."</p> + +<p>Janko did this very thing. He took in the fox maiden and exchanged her +for the Golden Horse and instantly rode off as the Little Fox had told +him.</p> + +<p>The king of the stable at once called all his courtiers together and +showed them the fox maiden.</p> + +<p>"See," he said, "this is the Golden Maiden who has never seen the sun! +She is the most beautiful maiden in the world and she now belongs to +me!"</p> + +<p>The courtiers looked at her and admired her, but one of them a little +keener than the others said:</p> + +<p>"Yes, she's very beautiful and all that but look at her eyes. They don't +look like maiden's eyes but like fox's eyes!"</p> + +<p>Instantly at the word <i>fox</i> the false maiden turned to a fox and went +scampering off.</p> + +<p>"See what you've done!" cried the king in a fury. "You have changed my +Golden Maiden into a fox with your nonsense! You shall pay for this with +your life!" And he had him executed at once.</p> + +<p>The Little Fox meantime had caught up with Janko and the Golden Maiden +and the Golden Horse. As they neared the garden of the king of the +Golden Apple-Tree the Fox said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It would be a pity to give away the Golden Horse. Rightly it belongs to +the Golden Maiden and was taken from her by her wicked mother."</p> + +<p>"Don't give my Golden Horse away!" the Golden Maiden begged.</p> + +<p>"But how else can I get the Golden Apple-Tree?" Janko asked.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I can help you," the Little Fox said. "Perhaps I can enchant +myself into looking like the Golden Horse."</p> + +<p>With that the Little Fox leaped up in the air, turned this way and that, +and lo! you might have thought her the Golden Horse except that her tail +was still a fox's tail.</p> + +<p>When they reached the garden of the Golden Apple-Tree, Janko left the +Golden Horse and the Golden Maiden outside and took the fox horse in to +the king.</p> + +<p>The king was delighted and at once had his servants deliver to Janko the +Golden Apple-Tree.</p> + +<p>When Janko was safely gone, the king called all his courtiers together +and showed them the fox horse.</p> + +<p>"See my Golden Horse!" he said. "Isn't it the most beautiful horse in +the world!"</p> + +<p>"It is! It is!" they all told him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>But one courtier, a little keener than the rest, remarked:</p> + +<p>"What a curious tail for a horse to have! <ins class="correction" +title="Transcriber's note: original reads 'It like'">It is like</ins> a fox's tail!"</p> + +<p>At the word <i>fox</i> the false horse changed back into a fox and went +scampering off.</p> + +<p>"See what you've done with your nonsense!" cried the king. "You have +lost me my Golden Horse and now you shall lose your own life!" And he +ordered the courtier to be executed at once.</p> + +<p>The Fox soon caught up with the real Golden Horse and with Janko and the +Golden Maiden who were holding in their arms the Golden Cradle and the +Golden Apple-Tree.</p> + +<p>"It will never do to give up the Golden Apple-Tree," the Fox said, "for +it, too, rightly belongs to the Golden Maiden. I'll have to see again if +I can help you."</p> + +<p>So when they neared the garden of the Magic Grape-Vine, the Little Fox +leaped in the air, turned this way; and that, and lo! you might have +thought her the Golden Apple-Tree except that her fruit instead of being +round was long and pointed like a fox's head.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 388px;"> +<img src="images/i097.jpg" width="388" height="601" alt="The Golden Maiden, the Farmer and the Empty Ghost" title="The Golden Maiden, the Farmer and the Empty Ghost" /> +<span class="caption">The Golden Maiden, the Farmer and the Empty Ghost</span> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>Janko gave the king the fox tree and received in return the Magic +Grape-Vine that really belonged to his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>father and not to the king at +all. He hurried back to the Golden Maiden who was waiting for him with +the Golden Horse and the Golden Apple-Tree and the Golden Cradle and off +they all went.</p> + +<p>The king was delighted with his fox tree and called his courtiers to +come and admire it.</p> + +<p>"Beautiful! Beautiful!" they all said, and one of them examining the +fruit carefully remarked:</p> + +<p>"But see these apples! They are not round like apples but long and +pointed like a fox's head!"</p> + +<p>He had no sooner said the word <i>fox</i> than the tree turned into a fox and +went scampering off.</p> + +<p>"See what you've done with your nonsense!" cried the king. "You have +lost me my Golden Apple-Tree and now I shall lose you your head!" And he +ordered the courtier to be executed at once.</p> + +<p>When the Fox caught up with the Golden Horse, she said to Janko:</p> + +<p>"Now, my brother, it is time for us to part. You have the Magic +Grape-Vine and soon your father's left eye will no longer weep. Besides, +you are carrying home the Golden Maiden on her own Golden Horse and with +her Golden Apple-Tree and her Golden Cradle. God has blessed you in your +undertaking and will continue to bless you so long as you are good and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +kind. Farewell now and think sometimes of your sister, the Little Lame +Fox."</p> + +<p>Janko wept at thought of parting with the Little Fox and the Little Fox +promised him that she would help him again if ever he needed her. Then +she turned and trotted off into the woods and Janko rode homewards +without her.</p> + +<p>When he reached the crossroads where he had parted from his brothers +just one year before he came upon a crowd of angry farmers belaboring +two men who had been robbing their barns. Janko found that the two men +were his own brothers who since he had seen them had fallen into bad +company, lost all their money at cards, and had finally taken to +thieving. Janko paid the farmers for the damage his brothers had done +them and took his brothers home with him.</p> + +<p>You can imagine the old farmer's happiness at seeing all three of his +sons after a whole year's absence. It was even greater than his delight +at getting back his Magic Grape-Vine. But that doesn't mean that he +wasn't delighted to have back the Grape-Vine. At the first cup of wine +that the Vine poured him, his left eye ceased weeping and it was never +known to weep again.</p> + +<p>He was delighted, too, at having the Golden Maiden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> in the house and +pleased when people came from far and near to see the Maiden's Golden +Horse and Golden Apple-Tree and Golden Cradle. He even began to hope +that she might marry one of his sons before some prince came along and +snatched her away. He thought the Maiden would make a wonderful bride +for the oldest. Unfortunately Janko had not told him what reprobates the +two older sons were, and the older brothers themselves had given their +father to understand that it was really they who had found the Magic +Grape-Vine and rescued the Golden Maiden. You see instead of being +grateful to Janko for having saved their necks from the angry farmers, +they hated him worse than ever.</p> + +<p>"That Booby!" the older brother growled. "Just because he took the +left-hand road and found the Magic Grape-Vine he thinks himself so much +better than us! It was just luck—that's all it was! Any one who took +the left-hand road could have found the old Grape-Vine!"</p> + +<p>"And do you notice the way the Golden Maiden always smiles on him?" the +other said. "The first thing we know she'll be marrying him and giving +him the Golden Horse and the Golden Apple-Tree and the Golden Cradle! +Then where will we be?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Brother," whispered the first, "let us make away with him!"</p> + +<p>So they plotted together and they asked Janko to go hunting with them +the next day. Suspecting nothing Janko went. When they came to a deep +well in the woods they asked Janko to reach them a cup of water. As he +stooped over into the well they pushed him all the way in and drowned +him. That's the kind of brothers they were! Then they went home and +pretended to be surprised that Janko hadn't come home before them.</p> + +<p>He didn't come that night or the next day either, and the Golden Maiden +grew sad and quiet, the Magic Grape-Vine no longer poured out its +precious wine every hour, the Golden Apple-Tree stopped putting forth +its buds and blossoms and golden fruit, and the Golden Horse languished +and drooped its lovely head.</p> + +<p>"Everything goes wrong when Janko isn't here!" the farmer said. "Where +can he be?"</p> + +<p>On the third day the Golden Maiden suddenly began to laugh and sing, the +Magic Grape-Vine again poured forth a bucket of precious wine every +hour, the Golden Apple-Tree put out buds and blossoms and golden fruit, +and the Golden Horse lifted its beautiful head and neighed loud and +happily. And do you know why?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> Because the Little Lame Fox had just +rescued Janko and brought him back to life! She pulled him out of the +well, and rolled him about on the ground, and worked over him until all +the water was emptied from his lungs and he was able to breathe again.</p> + +<p>Then as he opened his eyes the Little Fox said:</p> + +<p>"I told you, brother, I'd come again if you needed my help. I was just +in time for a little longer and I could never have brought you back to +life. And now, brother, the enchantment that held me is broken and I +need no longer go about as a Little Lame Fox. My mother was a wicked +witch and she enchanted me because she was angry with me for saving a +man whom she wanted to kill. So she turned me into a little fox and she +said I should have to remain a fox forever unless I succeeded in +bringing back to life my benefactor. You are my benefactor, Janko, for +you shared your bread and cheese with me the first time we met, and now +I have been able to bring you back to life."</p> + +<p>As she spoke she changed into a lovely maiden.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, Janko," she said. "Go home now and tell your father how your +evil brothers have treated you. Unless you do this they will plot +against the Golden Maiden and you may not be able to protect her."</p> + +<p>So Janko and the maiden kissed each other as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> brother and sister might +and the maiden went her way and Janko returned to his father's house.</p> + +<p>The Golden Maiden and the old farmer were not in the least surprised to +see him for things were so happy again that they just knew it must be +because Janko was coming back. But his two brothers when they caught +sight of him alive and well were so frightened that they took to their +heels and ran off as fast as they could go and what's more they've never +shown themselves since. And good riddance, too, I say, for they were +wicked evil fellows and would only have injured Janko further if they +could.</p> + +<p>When Janko told his father all the wicked things they had done, the old +farmer could scarcely believe his ears.</p> + +<p>"And to think," he said, "I had been hoping the Golden Maiden would +marry one of them! Mercy me! Mercy me!"</p> + +<p>"But, father," the Golden Maiden said—she called him <i>father</i> now and +it pleased him mightily; "father, I should rather marry Janko!"</p> + +<p>"Marry Janko!" the farmer cried. "Why, my dear, Janko is a stupid lad, +not nearly so clever as his two brothers!"</p> + +<p>"I don't care if he is stupid. He's got a good heart and that's more +than the other two have. And besides<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> that he's got a brave heart for he +rescued me from the dark cavern and he faced the awful ghost that stood +over my Golden Cradle. Why, father, I'd rather marry Janko than any +prince in the world!"</p> + +<p>You can imagine Janko's feelings when he heard this!</p> + +<p>"I'd feel like a prince if you did marry me, dear Golden One!" he cried.</p> + +<p>Well, she did marry him, and sure enough he did feel like a prince. What +prince, I'd like to know, had a lovelier bride? None! And was there any +prince in the world whose bride brought him greater riches than the +Golden Apple-Tree, the Golden Horse, and Golden Cradle? No, not one! And +furthermore the farmer promised that, when he died, he would leave him +the Magic Grape-Vine.</p> + +<p>So Janko lived happy and prosperous. And it all came about through his +having a good honest heart.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i105.jpg" width="150" height="77" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="THE_ENCHANTED_PEAFOWL" id="THE_ENCHANTED_PEAFOWL"></a>THE ENCHANTED PEAFOWL</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i107.jpg" width="300" height="284" alt="The Story of the Golden Apples, the Wicked Dragon, and the Magic +Horse" title="The Story of the Golden Apples, the Wicked Dragon, and the Magic +Horse" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of the Golden Apples, the Wicked Dragon, and the Magic +Horse</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_ENCHANTED_PEAFOWL"></a>THE ENCHANTED PEAFOWL</h2> + + +<p><i>Have you ever heard the story of the Peafowl who became a Queen and of +the Tsar's Youngest Son who married her? Well, here it is:</i></p> + +<p>There was once a Tsar who took great delight in his garden. Every +morning you could see him bending over his flowers or picking the fruit +of his favorite tree. This was an apple-tree that had the magic property +of bearing buds, blossoms, and golden fruit every twenty-four hours. It +was known as the golden apple-tree. In the morning the first thing when +he woke up the Tsar would look out his bedroom window to see that all +was well with his beloved tree.</p> + +<p>One morning when as usual he looked out he was grieved to see that the +tree had been stripped of all the golden fruit which had ripened during +the night.</p> + +<p>"Who has stolen my golden apples?" he cried.</p> + +<p>The palace guards looked everywhere for some trace of the thief but +found nothing.</p> + +<p>The next morning the same thing had happened and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> every morning +thereafter when the Tsar looked out of his bedroom window he saw that +the tree had again been stripped of its golden fruit.</p> + +<p>He called his three sons to him and said:</p> + +<p>"Is it seemly that a Tsar who has three able-bodied sons should be +robbed night after night of his golden apples? Are you willing that this +should happen and you do nothing about it?"</p> + +<p>The eldest son who was a braggart said:</p> + +<p>"My father, you need say no more. I myself will watch to-night and when +the thief appears I will overpower him and bring him to you."</p> + +<p>So the eldest son watched that night, standing on guard under the +apple-tree and leaning against its trunk.</p> + +<p>As midnight approached his eyes grew heavy and he fell asleep. While he +slept the golden apples ripened and were stolen and the next morning, as +usual, the branches were bare.</p> + +<p>The second son who was a crafty youth laughed at his brother and said:</p> + +<p>"To-night I will watch. I will pretend to be asleep and when the thief +appears I will jump upon him and overpower him."</p> + +<p>So when night came the second son went on guard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> under the tree and in +order to deceive the thief he lay down on the ground and closed his +eyes. At first he stayed wide awake but as the hours dragged by he grew +tired and then, because he was in such a comfortable position, he too +fell soundly asleep. Midnight came and the apples ripened but the next +morning, when the second prince awoke, the tree had again been stripped +of its golden fruit.</p> + +<p>The Tsar's Youngest Son now said:</p> + +<p>"Father, let me go on guard to-night."</p> + +<p>His brothers jeered and the Tsar shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay, my boy, why should you succeed where your older brothers have +failed? It is God's will that my golden apples should be stolen and I +must submit."</p> + +<p>But the Youngest Son insisted that he, too, be given a chance to capture +the thief and at last the Tsar consented.</p> + +<p>"I will sleep soundly the first part of the night," the Youngest Prince +thought to himself, "and with God's help wake up at midnight."</p> + +<p>As soon as it was dark he had his bed carried outdoors and placed under +the apple-tree. Then after commending his undertaking to God he lay down +and fell soundly to sleep. Just before midnight he awoke.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> The apples +had ripened and were shining among the leaves like golden lanterns.</p> + +<p>On the stroke of midnight there was a whirr of wings and nine beautiful +peafowl came flying down from the sky. Eight of them settled on the +branches of the apple-tree and began eating the golden fruit. The ninth +alighted beside the Young Prince and as she touched the ground changed +into a lovely maiden.</p> + +<p>She was so beautiful and gentle that the Young Prince fell madly in love +with her and at once began wooing her with kisses and caresses. She +responded to his love and they spent the night together in great +happiness.</p> + +<p>At the first streak of dawn she jumped up, saying:</p> + +<p>"My dear one, I must leave you now!"</p> + +<p>"But you will come again, won't you?" the Prince asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she promised him. "To-night."</p> + +<p>Suddenly the Prince remembered the golden apples. The peafowl in the +tree were about to eat the last of them.</p> + +<p>"Can't you make them leave just one apple for my father?" the Prince +begged.</p> + +<p>The maiden spoke to the birds and they flew down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> with two of the golden +apples, one for the Tsar and one for the Prince himself.</p> + +<p>Then the maiden lifted her arms above her head, changed into a peafowl, +and with the other eight flew off into the morning sky.</p> + +<p>The Prince carried the two apples to his father and the Tsar was so +delighted that he forgot to ask the Prince the particulars of his +adventure.</p> + +<p>The next night the Prince again slept under the apple-tree and awoke +just before midnight to hear the whirr of wings and see the nine peafowl +come flying down from the sky. Eight of them settled on the branches of +the apple-tree and the ninth, as before, alighted beside him and as she +touched the earth changed into the lovely maiden of his heart. Again +they passed the night together in great happiness and in the early dawn +before she flew away the maiden gave him the last two of the golden +apples.</p> + +<p>This went on night after night until the Prince's two elder brothers +were mad with jealousy and consumed with curiosity to know what happened +every night under the apple-tree. At last they went to an evil old woman +and bribed her to spy on the Young Prince.</p> + +<p>"Find out what happens every night at the apple-tree," they told her, +"and we will reward you richly."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>So the evil old woman hid herself near the apple-tree and that night +when the prince fell asleep she crept under his bed. Midnight came and +she heard the whirr of wings and presently she saw the white feet of a +lovely maiden touch the ground and she heard the prince say: "My love, +is it you?"</p> + +<p>Then as the Prince and the maiden began kissing each other and +exchanging vows of love very slowly and cautiously she reached up her +hand from under the bed and groped around until she felt the maiden's +hair. Then with a scissors she snipped off a lock.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" the maiden cried in terror. She jumped up, lifted her arms above +her head, changed into a peafowl, and without another word flew off with +the other eight and vanished in the sky.</p> + +<p>In a fury the Prince searched about to see what had frightened his loved +one. He found the old woman under the bed and dragging her out by the +hair he struck her dead with his sword. And good riddance it was, too, +for she was an evil old thing and only caused mischief in the world.</p> + +<p>But putting the evil old woman out of the way did not, alas, bring back +the lovely maiden. The Prince waited for her the next night and the next +and many following nights but she nevermore returned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>The magic apple-tree of course was no longer robbed of its golden fruit, +so the Tsar was happy once again and never tired of praising the valor +of his youngest son. But as for the prince, in spite of his father's +praise he grew sadder and sadder.</p> + +<p>Finally he went to the Tsar and said:</p> + +<p>"Father, I have lost the maiden whom I love and life without her is not +worth the living. Unless I go out in the world and find her I shall +die."</p> + +<p>The Tsar tried to dissuade him but when he could not he mounted him on a +fine horse, gave him a serving man to accompany him, and sent him off +with his blessing.</p> + +<p>The Prince and his man wandered hither and thither over the world +inquiring everywhere for news of nine peafowl one of whom was a lovely +maiden. They came at last to a lake on the shore of which lived an ugly +old woman with an only daughter.</p> + +<p>"Nine peafowl," she repeated, "and one of them a lovely maiden! You must +mean the nine sisters, the enchanted princesses, who fly about as +peafowl. They come here every morning to bathe in the lake. What can you +want with them?"</p> + +<p>The Prince told the old woman that one of them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> was his love and that +unless he married her he would die.</p> + +<p>"Die, indeed!" scoffed the old woman. "That's no way for a handsome +young man to talk! I'll tell you what you ought to do: give up thought +of this peafowl princess and marry my daughter. Then I'll make you heir +to all my riches."</p> + +<p>She called out her daughter who was as ugly as herself and cross and +ill-natured in the bargain. Just one look at her and the Prince said +firmly:</p> + +<p>"No! If I can't marry my own dear love I won't marry any one!"</p> + +<p>"Very well!" said the old woman shortly.</p> + +<p>When the Prince's back was turned she called the serving man aside and +whispered:</p> + +<p>"Will you do what I tell you if I pay you well?"</p> + +<p>The serving man who was a mean greedy fellow nodded his head and the old +woman handed him a small bellows.</p> + +<p>"Hide this in your shirt," she told him, "and don't let your master see +it. Then to-morrow morning when you go down to the lake with him to see +the nine peafowl slip it out and blow it on the back of his neck. Do +this and I'll give you a golden ducat."</p> + +<p>The serving man took the bellows and did as the old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> woman directed. The +next morning down at the lake just as the nine peafowl came flying into +sight he crept up behind the Prince and blew the bellows on the back of +his neck. Instantly sleep overcame the Prince. His eyes closed, his head +drooped, and the reins fell from his hands.</p> + +<p>Eight of the peafowl alighted on the water's edge, changed into lovely +maidens and went bathing in the lake, but the ninth flew straight down +to the Prince, fluttered her wings in his face and uttering sad cries +tried hard to arouse him.</p> + +<p>The eight finished their baths, changed back into birds, and calling +their sister they all flew off together. Then and not till then did the +Prince awaken.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he cried, "how could I have fallen asleep just when the peafowl +appeared? Where are they now? Are they gone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," his man told him, "they're gone. Eight of them changed into +lovely maidens and went bathing in the lake but the ninth fluttered +about your head and tried in every way to arouse you. I tried to arouse +you, too, but you kept on sleeping."</p> + +<p>"Strange!" thought the Prince. "How could I have fallen asleep at such a +time? I'll have to try again to-morrow morning."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next morning the same thing happened. The treacherous serving man +again blew the bellows on the back of the Prince's neck and instantly +the Prince sank into a deep sleep from which the ninth peafowl was +unable to arouse him.</p> + +<p>As she rose to join her sisters she said to the serving man:</p> + +<p>"When your master awakens tell him that to-morrow is the last day we +shall come here to bathe in the lake."</p> + +<p>The peafowl were no sooner gone than the Prince rubbed his eyes and +looked about.</p> + +<p>"What! Where are they? Have I been asleep again?"</p> + +<p>The serving man pretended to be deeply grieved.</p> + +<p>"I tried hard to awaken you, master, but I couldn't. The ninth peafowl +as she flew away said to tell you that to-morrow is the last day they'll +come to the lake."</p> + +<p>The next day as the Prince waited for the appearance of the nine peafowl +he galloped madly along the shore of the lake hoping in this way to ward +off the strange sleep. But the moment the nine peafowl appeared in the +sky he was so delighted that he drew rein and the treacherous serving +man was able to slip up behind him and blow the magic bellows on his +neck.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> So again he slept soundly while the ninth peafowl fluttered about +his head and tried vainly to arouse him.</p> + +<p>As she was flying away she said to the serving man:</p> + +<p>"Tell your master that now he will never find me unless he strikes off +the head from the nail."</p> + +<p>When the Prince awoke the serving man delivered this message.</p> + +<p>"What can she mean?" the Prince said.</p> + +<p>He looked hard at the serving man and something in the fellow's +appearance made him suspect treachery.</p> + +<p>"You know more than you're telling me!" the Prince cried, and taking the +cowardly fellow by the throat he shook him and choked him until he had +got the truth out of him.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" cried the Prince. "Now I understand! You are the nail of which my +dear love warns me!"</p> + +<p>The fellow whined and begged for mercy but the Prince with one blow of +his sword struck off his head. Then, leaving the body where it fell for +the old woman to bury, he mounted his horse and again set forth on his +quest.</p> + +<p>Everywhere he went he made inquiries about the nine enchanted peafowl +and everywhere people shook their heads and said they had never heard of +them. At last<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> high up in a wild mountain he found an old hermit who +knew all about them.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he said, "you mean the nine princesses. Eight of them have broken +the enchantment that held them and are now happily married. The ninth +awaits you. She is living in the royal palace of a beautiful city that +lies three days' journey to the north of this mountain. When you find +her, if you do just as she says she, too, will soon be free of all +enchantment. Then she will be made queen."</p> + +<p>The Prince thanked the hermit and rode on. After three days he came to +the city of which the hermit had told him. He made his way to the palace +and into the Princess's presence. Sure enough the Princess was his own +dear love. She received him with joy, promised soon to marry him, and +gave over to him the keys of the palace.</p> + +<p>"You shall now be master here," she told him, "to go where you like and +do as you like. There is only one thing that you must not do, only one +place where you must not go. Under the palace are twelve cellars. Here +are the keys to them all. Go into eleven of them whenever you will but +you must never open the door of the twelfth one. If you do a heavy +misfortune may fall upon both of us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<p>One day while the Princess was walking in the garden, the young Prince +thought he would go through the cellars. So, taking the keys, he +unlocked the cellars one after another until he had seen eleven of them. +Then he stood before the door of the twelfth wondering why the Princess +had warned him not to open it.</p> + +<p>"I'll open it just a little," he thought to himself. "If there's +something inside that tries to get out, I'll close it quickly."</p> + +<p>So he took the twelfth key, unlocked the twelfth door, and peeped inside +the twelfth cellar. It was empty except for one huge cask with an open +bunghole.</p> + +<p>"I don't see anything in here to be afraid of," he said.</p> + +<p>Just then he heard a groan from inside the cask and a voice called out +in a begging, whining tone:</p> + +<p>"A cup of water, brother! A cup of water! I am dying of thirst!"</p> + +<p>Now the Prince thought to himself that it was a terrible thing for any +living creature to be dying of thirst. So he hurried out, got a cup of +water, and poured it into the open bunghole. Instantly one of the three +iron hoops that bound the cask burst asunder and the voice inside the +cask said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thank you, brother! Thank you! Now give me another cup! I am dying of +thirst!"</p> + +<p>So the Prince poured in a second cup and the second iron hoop snapped +apart and when the voice still begged for more water he poured in a +third cup. The third hoop broke, the staves of the cask fell in, and a +horrid dragon sprang out. Before the Prince could move, he had flown +through the door of the twelfth cellar into the eleventh cellar, then +into the tenth cellar, the ninth cellar, the eight cellar, the seventh +cellar, the sixth, the fifth, the fourth, the third, the second, the +first, and so out into the garden. The Prince reached the garden just in +time to see the monster overpower the Princess.</p> + +<p>"Alas, my dear one, what have you done?" cried the poor Princess as the +dragon carried her off. "The enchantment would soon have been broken and +I could have married you if only you had not gone into the twelfth +cellar!"</p> + +<p>Heartbroken at what had happened, the Prince mounted his horse and +started off in pursuit of the dragon.</p> + +<p>"I must do what I can to rescue my loved one," he said, "even if it +costs me my life."</p> + +<p>He rode many days until he came to the castle of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> the dragon. The dragon +was out and the Princess received him with tears of joy.</p> + +<p>"Come," he said to her, "let us escape before the dragon returns."</p> + +<p>The Princess sighed and shook her head.</p> + +<p>"How, my loved one, can we escape? The dragon rides a magic horse and +however fast we go he will be able to overtake us."</p> + +<p>But the Prince insisted that they make the attempt. So she mounted with +him and off they went.</p> + +<p>When the dragon arrived home and found her gone, he laughed a brutal +laugh and said to his horse:</p> + +<p>"I suppose that foolish young Prince has been here and is trying to +carry her off. Shall we start after them now or wait till we've had our +supper?"</p> + +<p>"We might as well eat," the horse said, "for we'll overtake them +anyway."</p> + +<p>So they both ate and then the dragon mounted the magic horse and in no +time at all they had overtaken the fugitives.</p> + +<p>"I ought to tear you to pieces," the dragon said to the Prince, "but I +won't this time because you gave me a cup of water. However, I warn you +not to try this foolishness again!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>With that he clutched the poor weeping Princess in his scaly arms and +carried her back to the castle.</p> + +<p>What was the Prince to do now? He tried to plan some other way of +rescuing the Princess but he could think of none. In spite of the +dragon's threat he went back the next day and tried the same thing +again. Again the dragon overtook him and snatched back the Princess.</p> + +<p>"I have spared you one time," he said to the Prince, "and I will spare +you this one time more for the sake of the water you gave me. But I warn +you if you come again I will tear you to pieces."</p> + +<p>But what man worthy the name will accept such a warning when the safety +and happiness of his loved one is concerned? The next day while the +dragon was out the Prince again returned to the castle.</p> + +<p>"It is plain," he said to the Princess, "that we can never escape until +we, too, get a magic horse. We must find out where the dragon got his. +To-night when he comes home, speak him fair and caress his head and when +he is in fine humor ask him about his horse—what kind of a horse it is +and where he got it. Then I will come back to-morrow at this same hour +and you can tell me."</p> + +<p>So that night when the dragon came home the Prin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>cess allowed him to put +his head in her lap and she scratched him softly behind the ears and +petted him until he was purring like a giant cat.</p> + +<p>"Urrh! Urrh! Urrh!" purred the dragon. "How happy we are here, just you +and I! What a foolish young man that Prince of yours is to think I'd let +him carry you off! Urrh! Urrh! Urrh!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," the Princess agreed, "he is foolish or he would never suppose his +horse could outrace yours."</p> + +<p>"Urrh! Urrh!" the dragon purred. "You're right! He seems to think my +horse is an ordinary horse. Why, I got my horse from the Old Woman of +the Mountain and the only other horse in the world that can outstrip him +is another horse that the Old Woman still has. The Prince would have a +hard time getting him!"</p> + +<p>The Princess still scratching the dragon behind his ears, just where he +loved it most, asked softly:</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Urrh! Urrh! Urrh! Because the Old Woman will never give that horse away +until a man comes along who is able to guard for three nights in +succession the Old Woman's mare and foal. Any one who attempts this and +fails she kills. But even if a man were to succeed he would never get +the right horse for the old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> witch would palm off another on him. Urrh! +Urrh! Urrh! Oh, that feels good, my dear!"</p> + +<p>"How would she do that?" the Princess asked.</p> + +<p>"Urrh! Urrh! Urrh! You see she says to every man who undertakes to guard +the mare: 'If you succeed you may have any horse in my stable.' Then she +shows him twelve beautiful stallions with shiny coats, but she doesn't +show him a scrawny miserable looking beast that lies neglected on the +dung heap. Yet this is the magic horse and brother to mine."</p> + +<p>Now the Princess knew all she needed to know and the next day when the +Prince came she told him what the dragon had said. So the Prince at once +set out to find the Old Woman of the Mountain.</p> + +<p>He traveled three days over waste places and through strange lands. On +the first day as he was riding along the shores of a lake he heard a +little voice crying out:</p> + +<p>"Help me, brother, help me and—who knows?—some day I may help you!"</p> + +<p>The Prince looked down and saw a fish that was floundering on the sand. +He dismounted to get the fish and throw it back into the water.</p> + +<p>"Take one of my scales," the fish said. "Then if ever you need my help +just rub the scale."</p> + +<p>So the Prince, before he threw the fish into the lake,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> scraped off a +scale and tied it in a corner of his handkerchief. Then he rode on.</p> + +<p>The second day a fox that had been caught in a trap called out to him:</p> + +<p>"Help me, brother, help me and—who knows?—some day I may help you!"</p> + +<p>The Prince opened the trap and the fox, before it limped away, gave the +Prince one of its hairs and said:</p> + +<p>"If ever you need me, rub this hair."</p> + +<p>The third day he met a raven that had fallen on a thorn and was pinned +to the ground.</p> + +<p>"Help me, brother, help me!" the raven begged, "and—who knows?—some +day I may help you!"</p> + +<p>The Prince lifted the raven off the thorn and the raven, before it flew +away, gave the Prince one of its feathers saying:</p> + +<p>"If ever you need me, rub this feather."</p> + +<p>So the Prince reached the house of the Old Woman of the Mountain with +the fish's scale, the fox's hair, and the raven's feather each safely +tied in a corner of his handkerchief.</p> + +<p>The Old Woman of the Mountain was an ugly old witch with a long nose +that hooked down and a long chin that hooked up.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha!" she cackled when she saw the Prince.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> "Another one that wants +service with the Old Woman, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the Prince.</p> + +<p>"You know the conditions?" the Old Woman said. "Guard my mare and her +foal for three nights in succession and you may have any horse in my +stable. But if she escapes you, then your head is mine and I'll stick it +up there as a warning to other rash young men."</p> + +<p>The Old Woman pointed to a high picket fence that surrounded the +courtyard. On every picket but one there was a grinning human skull. The +Prince looked and the only picket that had no skull called out:</p> + +<p>"I want my skull, granny! I want my skull!"</p> + +<p>The Old Woman gave a wicked laugh.</p> + +<p>"You see," she said, "we were expecting you!"</p> + +<p>When night fell the Prince led out the mare and her foal to a grassy +meadow. To make sure that she would not escape him, he mounted her. +Midnight came and he must have fallen asleep for suddenly he awoke to +find himself astride a rail with an empty bridle in his hand. In despair +he looked in all directions. At one end of the meadow was a pond.</p> + +<p>"She may have gone there to drink," he said to himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the pond he saw a hoofprint.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 390px;"> +<img src="images/i129.jpg" width="390" height="595" alt="The Old Woman of the Mountain and the Wonder Horse" title="The Old Woman of the Mountain and the Wonder Horse" /> +<span class="caption">The Old Woman of the Mountain and the Wonder Horse</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah," he thought, "if my fish were here, it could tell me."</p> + +<p>He untied the corner of the <ins class="correction" title="Transcriber's note: original reads 'hankerchief'">handkerchief</ins> that had the fish scale, rubbed +the scale gently, and at once a little voice called out from the water:</p> + +<p>"What is it, brother? Can I help you?"</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me what has become of the Old Woman's mare and foal?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, brother, that I can! She and the foal are turned into fish and are +down here in the water hiding amongst us. Strike the water three times +with the bridle and say: 'Mare of the Old Woman, come out!' That will +bring her!"</p> + +<p>The Prince did this. There was a commotion in the water, a big fish and +a little fish leaped high in the air, fell on shore, and instantly +changed to mare and foal. When morning came the Prince drove them back +to the Old Woman.</p> + +<p>She grinned and pretended to be pleased but, when she had the mare alone +in the stable, the Prince heard her beating the poor creature and +saying:</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you do as I told you and hide among the fishes?"</p> + +<p>"I did," whinnied the mare, "but the fishes are his friends and he found +me!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To-night," the Old Woman snarled, "hide among the foxes and this time +don't let him find you! Do you hear me? The foxes!"</p> + +<p>The Prince remembered this and the second night when he awoke to find +himself again sitting astride a rail and holding an empty bridle in his +hand, he untied the second corner of his handkerchief, took out the +fox's hair, and rubbed it gently.</p> + +<p>Instantly he heard a little bark and the fox's voice said:</p> + +<p>"What is it, brother? Can I help you?"</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me," the Prince asked, "what has become of the Old Woman's +mare and foal?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, brother, that I can! She and the foal are turned into foxes and +are over in yonder woods now hiding among my people. Strike the earth +three times with the bridle and say: 'Mare of the Old Woman, come back!' +That will bring her!"</p> + +<p>The Prince did this and instantly two foxes, a vixen and a cub, came +trotting out of the woods and when they reached the Prince they changed +back to mare and foal.</p> + +<p>In the morning the Prince drove them home to the Old Woman. As before +she grinned and pretended to be pleased but when she had the mare alone +in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> stable the Prince heard her giving the poor creature another +beating and saying:</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you do as I told you and hide among the foxes?"</p> + +<p>"I did," whinnied the mare, "but the foxes are his friends, too, and he +found me!"</p> + +<p>"To-night," the Old Woman ordered, "hide among the ravens and this time +don't let him find you!"</p> + +<p>The third night the Prince tried hard to stay awake but sleep again +overcame him and when he woke he found himself for the third time +sitting astride a rail and holding the empty bridle in his hand. But he +remembered the Old Woman's words and at once opened the third corner of +his handkerchief and taking out the raven's feather rubbed it gently.</p> + +<p>There was a flutter of wings and a raven's hoarse voice said:</p> + +<p>"Caw! Caw! What is it, brother? Can I help you?"</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me what has become of the Old Woman's mare and foal?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, brother, that I can! She and the foal are turned into ravens and +are perched in yonder tall fir tree hiding among my folk. Strike the +trunk of the tree three times with your bridle and say: 'Mare of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> the +Old Woman, come down!' That will bring her!"</p> + +<p>The Prince went over to the fir tree, struck it three times with the +bridle and said:</p> + +<p>"Mare of the Old Woman, come down!"</p> + +<p>Instantly two ravens, a big one and a fledgling, fluttered to earth and +changed to mare and foal. So when morning came the Prince was able to +drive them back to the Old Woman and claim his reward.</p> + +<p>The Old Woman was angry enough to kill him but she pretended to be +pleased and she smiled and grinned and she patted the Prince on the arm +and said:</p> + +<p>"Aye, my son, but you are a hero! You have won the reward and you are +worthy of it. Choose now the finest horse in my stable. It is yours."</p> + +<p>She drove the twelve handsome stallions out into the courtyard and urged +them on the Prince one after the other. But at each the Prince shook his +head.</p> + +<p>"I am only a poor adventurer," he said. "Such horses as these are too +fine for me. Give me rather that poor mangy creature that lies over +yonder on the dung heap. That is the one I choose."</p> + +<p>Then the Old Woman fell into an awful rage and shook and chattered and +begged the Prince not to take that horse.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It would shame me," she said, "to have you ride off on that poor beast +which is half dead already! No, no, my son, you mustn't take him!"</p> + +<p>"But that's the one I'm going to take," the Prince said firmly, "that +and none other!" He drew his sword and lifted it threateningly. "I have +won whatever horse I choose and now, Old Woman, if you do not keep your +bargain I shall strike you dead with this sword and stick up your +grinning skull on that empty picket!"</p> + +<p>At that the empty picket began to shout:</p> + +<p>"I want my skull! I want my skull!"</p> + +<p>When the Old Woman of the Mountain saw that the Prince knew what he was +about, she gave up trying to deceive him and let him lead off the horse +he wanted. So the Prince walked away dragging the poor mangy creature +after him. When he was out of sight of the Old Woman's house, he turned +to the horse and began rubbing down his rough coat and patting his +wobbly legs.</p> + +<p>"Now, my beauty," he said, "we'll see what you're made of!"</p> + +<p>Under his hand the mangy beast changed to a glorious animal—one of +those wonder horses of the olden days that rise on the wind and gallop +with the clouds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> Soon his coat shone like burnished gold and his tail +and mane streamed out like flames of fire.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my master," the horse said, "I have been waiting for you this many +a day! We shall have glorious adventures together!"</p> + +<p>Then the Prince mounted him and he rose on the wind and went so swiftly +that he covered in three minutes all the distance that it had taken the +Prince three days to go on an ordinary horse. Whiff! and there they were +at the dragon's castle and there was the Princess running out to welcome +them.</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear one," the Prince said, lifting the Princess up in front of +him, "this time the dragon will not overtake us!"</p> + +<p>The wonder horse rose on the wind and off they went.</p> + +<p>When the dragon got home and found that the Princess had fled again, he +said to his horse:</p> + +<p>"Shall we follow her at once or shall we eat supper first?"</p> + +<p>"It's all one what we do," the horse said, "for we shall never overtake +her."</p> + +<p>At that the dragon leaped upon his horse and, mounting on the wind, +started off in hot pursuit. Presently they caught sight of the other +horse carrying the Prince<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> and the Princess but, try as he would, the +dragon's horse could not overtake the other. The dragon beat his horse +unmercifully and dug his sharp claws into the horse's tender flanks +until the horse in agony called out to the Prince's horse:</p> + +<p>"Hold, brother, hold! Let me overtake you or this monster will kill me +with his cruelty!"</p> + +<p>"Why do you carry such a monster?" the Prince's horse called back. +"Throw him from you and be rid of him forever!"</p> + +<p>At that the dragon's horse reared suddenly and the dragon, losing his +balance, fell and was dashed to pieces on the rocks below.</p> + +<p>And that was the end of that dragon!</p> + +<p>Then the Princess wept but her tears were tears of joy for she knew now +that the enchantment that had bound her was broken forever. Never again +would she be changed into a peafowl at the whim of a wicked dragon, +never again be separated from her loved one. Presently she mounted the +dragon's horse and together she and the Prince returned to the beautiful +city. The people came out to meet them and when they heard of the +dragon's death a holiday was proclaimed and amidst music and dancing and +merrymaking the Princess married the Prince. Then she was made Queen of +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> beautiful city and the Prince was made King. They ruled long and +wisely and better than that they lived happily for they loved each +other.</p> + +<p><i>So now you know the story of the Peafowl who became a Queen and of the +Tsar's Youngest Son who married her.</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i138.jpg" width="150" height="78" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_DRAGONS_STRENGTH" id="THE_DRAGONS_STRENGTH"></a>THE DRAGON'S STRENGTH</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i139.jpg" width="300" height="296" alt="The Story of the Youngest Prince Who Killed the Sparrow" title="The Story of the Youngest Prince Who Killed the Sparrow" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of the Youngest Prince Who Killed the Sparrow</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_DRAGONS_STRENGTH"></a>THE DRAGON'S STRENGTH</h2> + + +<p>There was once a King who had three sons. One day the oldest son went +hunting and when night fell his huntsmen came riding home without him.</p> + +<p>"Where is the prince?" the King asked.</p> + +<p>"Isn't he here?" the huntsmen said. "He left us in midafternoon chasing +a hare near the Old Mill up the river. We haven't seen him since and we +supposed he must have come home alone."</p> + +<p>When he hadn't returned the following day his brother, the second +prince, went out to search for him.</p> + +<p>"I'll go to the Old Mill," he said to the King, "and see what's become +of him."</p> + +<p>So he mounted his horse and rode up the river. As he neared the Old Mill +a hare crossed his path and the second prince being a hunter like his +brother at once gave chase. His attendant waited for his return but +waited in vain. Night fell and still there was no sign of the second +prince.</p> + +<p>The attendant returned to the palace and told the King what had +happened. The King was surprised but not unduly alarmed and the +following day when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> Youngest Prince asked to go hunting alone the +King suggested that he go in the direction of the Old Mill to find out +if he could what was keeping his brothers.</p> + +<p>The Youngest Prince who had listened carefully to what his brothers' +attendants had reported decided to act cautiously. So when a hare +crossed his path as he approached the Old Mill, instead of giving it +chase, he rode off as though he were hunting other game. Later he +returned to the Old Mill from another direction.</p> + +<p>He found an old woman sitting in front of it.</p> + +<p>"Good evening, granny," he said in a friendly tone, pulling up his horse +for a moment's chat. "Do you live here? You know I thought the Old Mill +was deserted."</p> + +<p>The old woman looked at him and shook her head gloomily.</p> + +<p>"Deserted indeed! My boy, take an old woman's advice and don't have +anything to do with this old mill! It's an evil place!"</p> + +<p>"Why, granny," the Prince said, "what's the matter with it?"</p> + +<p>The old woman peered cautiously around and when she saw they were alone +she beckoned the Prince to come near. Then she whispered:</p> + +<p>"A dragon lives here! A horrible monster! He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> takes the form of a hare +and lures people into the mill. Then he captures them. Some of them he +kills and eats and others he holds as prisoners in an underground +dungeon. I'm one of his prisoners and he keeps me here to work for him."</p> + +<p>"Granny," the Youngest Prince said, "would you like me to rescue you?"</p> + +<p>"My boy, you couldn't do it! You have no idea what a strong evil monster +the dragon is."</p> + +<p>"If you found out something for me, granny, I think I might be able to +overcome the dragon and rescue you."</p> + +<p>The old woman was doubtful but she promised to do anything the Youngest +Prince asked.</p> + +<p>"Well then, granny, find out from the dragon where his strength is, +whether in his own body or somewhere else. Find out to-night and I'll +come back to-morrow at this same hour to see you."</p> + +<p>So that night when the dragon came home, after he had supped and when +she was scratching his head to make him drowsy for bed, the old woman +said to him:</p> + +<p>"Master, I think you're the strongest dragon in the world! Tell me now, +where does your strength lie—in your own beautiful body or somewhere +else?"</p> + +<p>"You're right, old woman," the dragon grunted: "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> am pretty strong as +dragons go. But I don't keep my strength in my own body. No, indeed! +That would be too dangerous. I keep it in the hearth yonder."</p> + +<p>At that the old woman ran over to the hearth and, stooping down, she +kissed it and caressed it.</p> + +<p>"O beautiful hearth!" she said, "where my master's strength is hidden! +How happy are the ashes that cover your stones!"</p> + +<p>The dragon laughed with amusement.</p> + +<p>"That's the time I fooled you, old woman! My strength isn't in the +hearth at all! It's in the tree in front of the mill."</p> + +<p>The old woman at once ran out of the mill and threw her arms about the +tree.</p> + +<p>"O tree!" she cried, "most beautiful tree in the world, guard carefully +our master's strength and let no harm come to it!"</p> + +<p>Again the dragon laughed.</p> + +<p>"I've fooled you another time, old woman! Come here and scratch my head +some more and this time I'll tell you the truth for I see you really +love your master."</p> + +<p>So the old woman went back and scratched the dragon's head and the +dragon told her the truth about his strength.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I keep it far away," he said. "In the third kingdom from here near the +Tsar's own city there is a deep lake. A dragon lives at the bottom of +the lake. In the dragon there is a wild boar; in the boar a hare; in the +hare a pigeon; in the pigeon a sparrow. My strength is in the sparrow. +Let any one kill the sparrow and I should die that instant. But I am +safe. No one but shepherds ever come to the lake and even they don't +come any more for the dragon has eaten up so many of them that the lake +has got a bad name. Indeed, nowadays even the Tsar himself is hard put +to it to find a shepherd. Oh, I tell you, old woman, your master is a +clever one!"</p> + +<p>So now the old woman had the dragon's secret and the next day she told +it to the Youngest Prince. He at once devised a plan whereby he hoped to +overcome the dragon. He dressed himself as a shepherd and with crook in +hand started off on foot for the third kingdom. He traveled through +villages and towns, across rivers and over mountains, and reached at +last the third kingdom and the Tsar's own city. He presented himself at +the palace and asked employment as a shepherd.</p> + +<p>The guards looked at him in surprise and said:</p> + +<p>"A shepherd! Are you sure you want to be a shepherd?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then they called to their companions: "Here's a youth who wants to be a +shepherd!" And the word went through the palace and even the Tsar heard +it.</p> + +<p>"Send the youth to me," he ordered.</p> + +<p>"Do you really want to be my shepherd?" he asked the Youngest Prince.</p> + +<p>The Youngest Prince said yes, he did.</p> + +<p>"If I put you in charge of the sheep, where would you pasture them?"</p> + +<p>"Isn't there a lake beyond the city," the Prince asked, "where the +grazing is good?"</p> + +<p>"H'm!" said the Tsar. "So you know about that lake, too! What else do +you know?"</p> + +<p>"I've heard the shepherds disappear."</p> + +<p>"And still you want to try your luck?" the Tsar exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Just then the Tsar's only daughter, a lovely Princess, who had been +looking at the young stranger, slipped over to her father and whispered:</p> + +<p>"But, father, you can't let such a handsome young man as that go off +with the sheep! It would be dreadful if he never returned!"</p> + +<p>The Tsar whispered back:</p> + +<p>"Hush, child! Your concern for the young man's safety does credit to +your noble feelings. But this is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> not the time or the place for +sentiment. We must consider first the welfare of the royal sheep."</p> + +<p>He turned to the Youngest Prince:</p> + +<p>"Very well, young man, you may consider yourself engaged as shepherd. +Provide yourself with whatever you need and assume your duties at once."</p> + +<p>"There is one thing," the Youngest Prince said; "when I start out +to-morrow morning with the sheep I should like to take with me two +strong boarhounds, a falcon, and a set of bagpipes."</p> + +<p>"You shall have them all," the Tsar promised.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning when the Princess peeped out of her bedroom +window she saw the new shepherd driving the royal flocks to pasture. A +falcon was perched on his shoulder; he had a set of bagpipes under his +arm; and he was leading two powerful boarhounds on a leash.</p> + +<p>"It's a shame!" the Princess said to herself. "He'll probably never +return and he's such a handsome young man, too!" And she was so unhappy +at thought of never again seeing the new shepherd that she couldn't go +back to sleep.</p> + +<p>Well, the Youngest Prince reached the lake and turned out his sheep to +graze. He perched the falcon on a log, tied the dogs beside it, and laid +his bagpipes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> on the ground. Then he took off his smock, rolled up his +hose, and wading boldly into the lake called out in a loud voice:</p> + +<p>"Ho, dragon, come out and we'll try a wrestling match! That is, if +you're not afraid!"</p> + +<p>"Afraid?" bellowed an awful voice. "Who's afraid?"</p> + +<p>The water of the lake churned this way and that and a horrible scaly +monster came to the surface. He crawled out on shore and clutched the +Prince around the waist. And the Prince clutched him in a grip just as +strong and there they swayed back and forth, and rolled over, and +wrestled together on the shore of the lake without either getting the +better of the other. By midafternoon when the sun was hot, the dragon +grew faint and cried out:</p> + +<p>"Oh, if I could but dip my burning head in the cool water, then I could +toss you as high as the sky!"</p> + +<p>"Don't talk nonsense!" the Prince said. "If the Tsar's daughter would +kiss my forehead, then I could toss you twice as high!"</p> + +<p>After that the dragon slipped out of the Prince's grasp, plunged into +the water, and disappeared. The Prince waited for him but he didn't show +his scaly head again that day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>When evening came, the Prince washed off the grime of the fight, dressed +himself carefully, and then looking as fresh and handsome as ever drove +home his sheep. With the falcon on his shoulder and the two hounds at +his heels he came playing a merry tune on his bagpipes.</p> + +<p>The townspeople hearing the bagpipes ran out of their houses and cried +to each other:</p> + +<p>"The shepherd's come back!"</p> + +<p>The Princess ran to her window and, when she saw the shepherd alive and +well, she put her hand to her heart and said:</p> + +<p>"Oh!"</p> + +<p>Even the Tsar was pleased.</p> + +<p>"I'm not a bit surprised that he's back!" he said. "There's something +about this youth that I like!"</p> + +<p>The next day the Tsar sent two of his trusted servants to the lake to +see what was happening there. They hid themselves behind some bushes on +a little hill that commanded the lake. They were there when the shepherd +arrived and they watched him as he waded out into the water and +challenged the dragon as on the day before.</p> + +<p>They heard the shepherd call out in a loud voice:</p> + +<p>"Ho, dragon, come out and we'll try a wrestling match! That is, if +you're not afraid!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>And from the water they heard an awful voice bellow back:</p> + +<p>"Afraid? Who's afraid?"</p> + +<p>Then they saw the water of the lake churn this way and that and a +horrible scaly monster come to the surface. They saw him crawl out on +shore and clutch the shepherd around the waist. And they saw the +shepherd clutch him in a grip just as strong. And they watched the two +as they swayed back and forth and rolled over and wrestled together +without either getting the better of the other. By midafternoon when the +sun grew hot they saw the dragon grow faint and they heard him cry out:</p> + +<p>"Oh, if I could only dip my burning head in the cool water, then I could +toss you as high as the sky!"</p> + +<p>And they heard the shepherd reply:</p> + +<p>"Don't talk nonsense! If the Tsar's daughter would kiss my forehead, +then I could toss you twice as high!"</p> + +<p>Then they saw the dragon slip out of the shepherd's grasp, plunge into +the water, and disappear. They waited but he didn't show his scaly head +again that day.</p> + +<p>So the Tsar's servants hurried home before the shepherd and told the +Tsar all they had seen and heard. The Tsar was mightily impressed with +the bravery of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> the shepherd and he declared that if he killed that +horrid dragon he should have the Princess herself for wife!</p> + +<p>He sent for his daughter and told her all that his servants had reported +and he said to her:</p> + +<p>"My daughter, you, too, can help rid your country of this monster if you +go out with the shepherd to-morrow and when the time comes kiss him on +the forehead. You will do this, will you not, for your country's sake?"</p> + +<p>The Princess blushed and trembled and the Tsar, looking at her in +surprise, said:</p> + +<p>"What! Shall a humble shepherd face a dragon unafraid and the daughter +of the Tsar tremble!"</p> + +<p>"Father," the Princess cried, "it isn't the dragon that I'm afraid of!"</p> + +<p>"What then?" the Tsar asked.</p> + +<p>But what it was she was afraid of the Princess would not confess. +Instead she said:</p> + +<p>"If the welfare of my country require that I kiss the shepherd on the +forehead, I shall do so."</p> + +<p>So the next morning when the shepherd started out with his sheep, the +falcon on his shoulder, the dogs at his heels, the bagpipes under his +arm, the Princess walked beside him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>Her eyes were downcast and he saw that she was trembling.</p> + +<p>"Do not be afraid, dear Princess," he said to her. "Nothing shall harm +you—I promise that!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid," the Princess murmured. But she continued to blush and +tremble and, although the shepherd tried to look into her eyes to +reassure her, she kept her head averted.</p> + +<p>This time the Tsar himself and many of his courtiers had gone on before +and taken their stand on the hill that overlooked the lake to see the +final combat of the shepherd and the dragon.</p> + +<p>When the shepherd and the Princess reached the lake, the shepherd put +his falcon on the log as before and tied the dogs beside it and laid his +bagpipes on the ground. Then he threw off his smock, rolled up his hose, +and wading boldly into the lake called out in a loud voice:</p> + +<p>"Ho, dragon, come out and we'll try a wrestling match! That is, if +you're not afraid!"</p> + +<p>"Afraid?" bellowed an awful voice. "Who's afraid?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 381px;"> +<img src="images/i153.jpg" width="381" height="589" alt="Next Morning the Princess Peeped Out and Saw the +Shepherd" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Next Morning the Princess Peeped Out and Saw the +Shepherd</span> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + +<p>The water of the lake churned this way and that and the horrible scaly +monster came to the surface. He crawled to shore and clutched the +shepherd around the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>waist. The shepherd clutched him in a grip just +as strong and there they swayed back and forth and rolled over and +wrestled together on the shore of the lake without either getting the +better of the other. The Princess without the least show of fear stood +nearby calling out encouragement to the shepherd and waiting for the +moment when the shepherd should need her help.</p> + +<p>By midafternoon when the sun was hot, the dragon grew faint and cried +out:</p> + +<p>"Oh, if I could but dip my burning head in the cool water, then I could +toss you as high as the sky!"</p> + +<p>"Don't talk nonsense!" the shepherd said. "If the Tsar's daughter would +kiss my forehead then I could toss you twice as high!"</p> + +<p>Instantly the Princess ran forward and kissed the shepherd three times. +The first kiss fell on his forehead, the second on his nose, the third +on his mouth. With each kiss his strength increased an hundredfold and +taking the dragon in a mighty grip he tossed him up so high that for a +moment the Tsar and all the courtiers lost sight of him in the sky. Then +he fell to earth with such a thud that he burst.</p> + +<p>Out of his body sprang a wild boar. The shepherd was ready for this and +on the moment he unleashed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> the two hounds and they fell on the boar and +tore him to pieces.</p> + +<p>Out of the boar jumped a rabbit. It went leaping across the meadow but +the dogs caught it and killed it.</p> + +<p>Out of the rabbit flew a pigeon. Instantly the shepherd unloosed the +falcon. It rose high in the air, then swooped down upon the pigeon, +clutched it in its talons, and delivered it into the shepherd's hands.</p> + +<p>He cut open the pigeon and found the sparrow.</p> + +<p>"Spare me! Spare me!" squawked the sparrow.</p> + +<p>"Tell me where my brothers are," the shepherd demanded with his fingers +about the sparrow's throat.</p> + +<p>"Your brothers? They are alive and in the deep dungeon that lies below +the Old Mill. Behind the mill there are three willow saplings growing +from one old root. Cut the saplings and strike the root. A heavy iron +door leading down into the dungeon will open. In the dungeon you will +find many captives old and young, your brothers among them. Now that I +have told you this are you going to spare my life?"</p> + +<p>But the shepherd wrung the sparrow's neck for he knew that only in that +way could the monster who had captured his brothers be killed.</p> + +<p>Well, now that the dragon was dead the Tsar and all his courtiers came +down from the hill and embraced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> the shepherd and told him what a brave +youth he was.</p> + +<p>"You have delivered us all from a horrid monster," the Tsar said, "and +to show you my gratitude and the country's gratitude I offer you my +daughter for wife."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said the shepherd, "but I couldn't think of marrying the +Princess unless she is willing to marry me."</p> + +<p>The Princess blushed and trembled just as she had blushed and trembled +the night before and that morning, too, on the way to the lake. She +tried to speak but could not at first. Then in a very little voice she +said:</p> + +<p>"As a Princess I think it is my duty to marry this brave shepherd who +has delivered my country from this terrible dragon, and—and I think I +should want to marry him anyway."</p> + +<p>She said the last part of her speech in such a very low voice that only +the shepherd himself heard it. But that was right enough because after +all it was intended only for him.</p> + +<p>So then and there beside the lake before even the shepherd had time to +wash his face and hands and put on his smock the Tsar put the Princess's +hand in his hand and pronounced them betrothed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> + +<p>After that the shepherd bathed in the lake and then refreshed and clean +he sounded his bagpipes and he and the Princess and the Tsar and all the +courtiers returned to the city driving the sheep before them.</p> + +<p>All the townspeople came out to meet them and they danced to the music +of the bagpipes and there was great rejoicing both over the death of the +dragon and over the betrothal of the Princess and the brave shepherd.</p> + +<p>The wedding took place at once and the wedding festivities lasted a +week. Such feasting as the townspeople had! Such music and dancing!</p> + +<p>When the wedding festivities were ended, the shepherd told the Tsar who +he really was.</p> + +<p>"You say you're a Prince!" the Tsar cried, perfectly delighted at this +news. Then he declared he wasn't in the least surprised. In fact, he +said, he had suspected as much from the first!</p> + +<p>"Do you think it likely," he asked somewhat pompously, "that any +daughter of mine would fall in love with a man who wasn't a prince?"</p> + +<p>"I think I'd have fallen in love with you whatever you were!" whispered +the Princess to her young husband. But she didn't let her father hear +her!</p> + +<p>The Prince told the Tsar about his brothers' captivity and how he must +go home to release them, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> Tsar at once said that he and his +bride might go provided they returned as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>They agreed to this and the Tsar fitted out a splendid escort for them +and sent them away with his blessing.</p> + +<p>So the Prince now traveled back through the towns and villages of three +kingdoms, across rivers and over mountains, no longer a humble shepherd +on foot, but a rich and mighty personage riding in a manner that +befitted his rank.</p> + +<p>When he reached the deserted mill, his friend the old woman was waiting +for him.</p> + +<p>"I know, my Prince, you have succeeded for the monster has disappeared."</p> + +<p>"Yes, granny, you are right: I have succeeded. I found the dragon in the +lake, and the boar in the dragon, and the rabbit in the boar, and the +pigeon in the rabbit, and the sparrow in the pigeon. I took the sparrow +and killed it. So you are free now, granny, to return to your home. And +soon all those other poor captives will be free."</p> + +<p>He went behind the mill and found the three willow saplings. He cut them +off and struck the old root. Sure enough a heavy iron door opened. This +led down into a deep dungeon which was crowded with unfortu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>nate +prisoners. The Prince led them all out and sent them their various ways. +He found his own two brothers among them and led them home to his +father.</p> + +<p>There was great rejoicing in the King's house, and in the King's heart, +too, for he had given up hope of ever seeing any of his sons again.</p> + +<p>The King was so charmed with the Princess that he said it was a pity +that she couldn't marry his oldest son so that she might one day be +Queen.</p> + +<p>"The Youngest Prince is a capable young man," the King said, "and +there's no denying that he managed this business of killing the dragon +very neatly. But he is after all only the Youngest Prince with very +little hope of succeeding to the kingdom. If you hadn't married him in +such haste one of his older brothers might easily have fallen in love +with you."</p> + +<p>"I don't regret my haste," the Princess said. "Besides he is now my +father's heir. But that doesn't matter for I should be happy with the +Youngest Prince if he were only a shepherd."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_LITTLE_SINGING_FROG" id="THE_LITTLE_SINGING_FROG"></a>THE LITTLE SINGING FROG</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i161.jpg" width="300" height="293" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of a Girl Whose Parents Were Ashamed of Her</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_LITTLE_SINGING_FROG"></a>THE LITTLE SINGING FROG</h2> + + +<p>There was once a poor laborer and his wife who had no children. Every +day the woman would sigh and say:</p> + +<p>"If only we had a child!"</p> + +<p>Then the man would sigh, too, and say:</p> + +<p>"It would be pleasant to have a little daughter, wouldn't it?"</p> + +<p>At last they went on a pilgrimage to a holy shrine and there they prayed +God to give them a child.</p> + +<p>"Any kind of a child!" the woman prayed. "I'd be thankful for a child of +our own even if it were a frog!"</p> + +<p>God heard their prayer and sent them a little daughter—not a little +girl daughter, however, but a little frog daughter. They loved their +little frog child dearly and played with her and laughed and clapped +their hands as they watched her hopping about the house. But when the +neighbors came in and whispered: "Why, that child of theirs is nothing +but a frog!" they were ashamed and they decided that when people were +about they had better keep their child hidden in a closet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> + +<p>So the frog girl grew up without playmates of her own age, seeing only +her father and mother. She used to play about her father as he worked. +He was a vine-dresser in a big vineyard and of course it was great fun +for the little frog girl to hop about among the vines.</p> + +<p>Every day at noontime the woman used to come to the vineyard carrying +her husband's dinner in a basket. The years went by and she grew old and +feeble and the daily trip to the vineyard began to tire her and the +basket seemed to her to grow heavier and heavier.</p> + +<p>"Let me help you, mother," the frog daughter said. "Let me carry +father's dinner to him and you sit home and rest."</p> + +<p>So from that time on the frog girl instead of the old woman carried the +dinner basket to the vineyard. While the old man ate, the frog girl +would hop up into the branches of a tree and sing. She sang very sweetly +and her old father, when he petted her, used to call her his Little +Singing Frog.</p> + +<p>Now one day while she was singing the Tsar's Youngest Son rode by and +heard her. He stopped his horse and looked this way and that but for the +life of him he couldn't see who it was who was singing so sweetly.</p> + +<p>"Who is singing?" he asked the old man.</p> + +<p>But the old man who, as I told you before, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> ashamed of his frog +daughter before strangers, at first pretended not to hear and then, when +the young Prince repeated his question, answered gruffly:</p> + +<p>"There's no one singing!"</p> + +<p>But the next day at the same hour when the Prince was again riding by he +heard the same sweet voice and he stopped again and listened.</p> + +<p>"Surely, old man," he said, "there is some one singing! It is a lovely +girl, I know it is! Why, if I could find her, I'd be willing to marry +her at once and take her home to my father, the Tsar!"</p> + +<p>"Don't be rash, young man," the laborer said.</p> + +<p>"I mean what I say!" the Prince declared. "I'd marry her in a minute!"</p> + +<p>"Are you sure you would?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm sure!"</p> + +<p>"Very well, then, we'll see."</p> + +<p>The old man looked up into the tree and called:</p> + +<p>"Come down, Little Singing Frog! A Prince wants to marry you!"</p> + +<p>So the little frog girl hopped down from among the branches and stood +before the Prince.</p> + +<p>"She's my own daughter," the laborer said, "even if she does look like a +frog."</p> + +<p>"I don't care what she looks like," the Prince said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> "I love her +singing and I love her. And I mean what I say: I'll marry her if she'll +marry me. My father, the Tsar, bids me and my brothers present him our +brides to-morrow. He bids all the brides bring him a flower and he says +he'll give the kingdom to the prince whose bride brings the loveliest +flower. Little Singing Frog, will you be my bride and will you come to +Court to-morrow bringing a flower?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my Prince," the frog girl said, "I will. But I must not shame you +by hopping to Court in the dust. I must ride. So, will you send me a +snow-white cock from your father's barnyard?"</p> + +<p>"I will," the Prince promised, and before night the snow-white cock had +arrived at the laborer's cottage.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning the frog girl prayed to the Sun.</p> + +<p>"O golden Sun," she said, "I need your help! Give me some lovely clothes +woven of your golden rays for I would not shame my Prince when I go to +Court."</p> + +<p>The Sun heard her prayer and gave her a gown of cloth of gold.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>Instead of a flower she took a spear of wheat in her hand and then when +the time came she mounted the white cock and rode to the palace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 390px;"> +<img src="images/i167.jpg" width="390" height="592" alt="This, the Bride of the Youngest Prince, Is My Choice" title="This, the Bride of the Youngest Prince, Is My Choice" /> +<span class="caption">This, the Bride of the Youngest Prince, Is My Choice</span> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>The guards at the palace gate at first refused to admit her.</p> + +<p>"This is no place for frogs!" they said to her. "You're looking for a +pond!"</p> + +<p>But when she told them she was the Youngest Prince's bride, they were +afraid to drive her away. So they let her ride through the gate.</p> + +<p>"Strange!" they murmured to one another. "The Youngest Prince's bride! +She looks like a frog and that was certainly a cock she was riding, +wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>They stepped inside the gates to look after her and then they saw an +amazing sight. The frog girl, still seated on the white cock, was +shaking out the folds of a golden gown. She dropped the gown over her +head and instantly there was no frog and no white cock but a lovely +maiden mounted on a snow-white horse!</p> + +<p>Well, the frog girl entered the palace with two other girls, the +promised brides of the older princes. They were just ordinary girls both +of them. To see them you wouldn't have paid any attention to them one +way or the other. But standing beside the lovely bride of the Youngest +Prince they seemed more ordinary than ever.</p> + +<p>The first girl had a rose in her hand. The Tsar looked at it and at her, +sniffed his nose slightly, and turned his head.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<p>The second girl had a carnation. The Tsar looked at her for a moment and +murmured:</p> + +<p>"Dear me, this will never do!"</p> + +<p>Then he looked at the Youngest Prince's bride and his eye kindled and he +said:</p> + +<p>"Ah! This is something like!"</p> + +<p>She gave him the spear of wheat and he took it and held it aloft. Then +he reached out his other hand to her and had her stand beside him as he +said to his sons and all the Court:</p> + +<p>"This, the bride of the Youngest Prince, is my choice! See how beautiful +she is! And yet she knows the useful as well as the beautiful for she +has brought me a spear of wheat! The Youngest Prince shall be the Tsar +after me and she shall be Tsarina!"</p> + +<p>So the little frog girl of whom her parents were ashamed married the +Youngest Prince and when the time came wore a Tsarina's crown.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i170.jpg" width="150" height="77" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_NIGHTINGALE_IN_THE_MOSQUE" id="THE_NIGHTINGALE_IN_THE_MOSQUE"></a>THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE MOSQUE</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i171.jpg" width="300" height="304" alt="The Story of the Sultan's Youngest Son and the Princess Flower o' the +World" title="The Story of the Sultan's Youngest Son and the Princess Flower o' the +World" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of the Sultan's Youngest Son and the Princess Flower o' the +World</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_NIGHTINGALE_IN_THE_MOSQUE"></a>THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE MOSQUE</h2> + + +<p>There was once a Sultan who was so pious and devout that he spent many +hours every day in prayer.</p> + +<p>"For the glory of Allah," he thought to himself, "I ought to build the +most beautiful mosque in the world."</p> + +<p>So he called together the finest artisans in the country and told them +what he wanted. He spent a third of his riches on the undertaking, and +when the mosque was finished everybody said:</p> + +<p>"See now, our Sultan has built the most beautiful mosque in the world +for the greater glory of Allah!"</p> + +<p>On the first day when the Sultan went to pray in the new mosque, a +Dervish who was sitting cross-legged at the entrance spoke to him in a +droning sing-song voice and said:</p> + +<p>"Nay, but your mosque is not yet beautiful enough! There is something it +lacks and your prayers will be unavailing!"</p> + +<p>The words of the holy man grieved the Sultan and he had the mosque torn +down and another built in its place even more beautiful.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This is certainly the most beautiful mosque in the world!" the people +said, and the Sultan's heart was very happy on the first day as he went +in to pray.</p> + +<p>But again the Dervish, seated at the entrance, said to him in his +droning, sing-song voice:</p> + +<p>"Nay, but your mosque is not yet beautiful enough! There is something it +lacks and your prayers will be unavailing!"</p> + +<p>At the holy man's words the Sultan had the second mosque torn down and a +third one built, the most beautiful of them all. But when it was +finished for a third time the Dervish droned out:</p> + +<p>"Nay, but your mosque is not yet beautiful enough! There is something it +lacks and your prayers will be unavailing!"</p> + +<p>"What can I do?" the Sultan cried. "I have spent all my riches and now I +have no means wherewith to build another mosque!"</p> + +<p>He fell to grieving and nothing any one could say would comfort him.</p> + +<p>His three sons came to him and said:</p> + +<p>"Father, is there not something we can do for you?"</p> + +<p>The Sultan sighed and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, my sons, unless indeed you were to find<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> out for me why my +third mosque is not the most beautiful in the world."</p> + +<p>"Brothers," the youngest suggested, "let us go to the Dervish and ask +him why it is that the third mosque is not yet beautiful enough. Perhaps +he will tell us what is lacking."</p> + +<p>So they went to the Dervish and asked him what he meant by saying to the +Sultan that the third mosque was not yet beautiful enough and they +begged him to tell them what it was that was lacking.</p> + +<p>The Dervish fixed his eyes in the distance and slightly swaying his body +back and forth answered them in his sing-song tone.</p> + +<p>"The mosque is beautiful," he said, "and the fountain in its midst is +beautiful, but where is the glorious Nightingale Gisar? With the +Nightingale Gisar singing beside the fountain, then indeed would the +Sultan's third mosque be the most beautiful mosque in the world!"</p> + +<p>"Only tell us where this glorious Nightingale is," the brothers begged, +"and we will get him if it costs us our lives!"</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you that," the Dervish droned. "You will have to go out +into the world and find him for yourselves."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>So the three brothers returned to the Sultan and told him what the +Dervish had said.</p> + +<p>"All your third mosque lacks to be the most beautiful mosque in the +world," they told him, "is the Nightingale Gisar singing beside the +fountain. So grieve no more, father. We, your three sons, will go out +into the world in quest of this glorious bird and within a year's time +we will return with the bird in our hands if so be that it is anywhere +to be found in all the wide world."</p> + +<p>The Sultan blessed them and they set forth the three of them, side by +side. They traveled together until they reached a place where three +roads branched. Upon the stone of the left-hand road nothing was +written. Upon the stone of the middle road was the inscription: <i>Who +goes this way returns</i>. The inscription on the third stone read: <i>Who +goes this way shall meet many dangers and may never return</i>.</p> + +<p>"Let us part here," the oldest brother said, "and each take a separate +road. Then if all goes well, let us meet here again on this same spot +one year hence. As our father's oldest son it would be wrong for me to +run unnecessary risks, so I will take the left-hand road."</p> + +<p>"And I will take the middle road," the second brother cried.</p> + +<p>The Youngest Brother laughed and said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That leaves the dangerous road for me! Very well, brothers, that's the +very road I wish to take for why should I leave home if it were not to +have adventures! Farewell then until we meet again in one year's time."</p> + +<p>The oldest traveled his safe road until he reached a city where he +became a barber. He asked every man whose head he shaved:</p> + +<p>"Do you know anything of the Nightingale Gisar?"</p> + +<p>He never found any one who had even heard of the bird, so after a time +he stopped asking.</p> + +<p>The second brother followed the middle road to a city where he settled +down and opened a coffee-house.</p> + +<p>"Have you ever heard of a glorious Nightingale known as Gisar?" he asked +at first of every traveler who came in and sipped his coffee. Not one of +them ever had and as time went by the second brother gradually stopped +even making inquiries.</p> + +<p>The Youngest Brother who took the dangerous road came to no city at all +but to a far-off desolate place without houses or highways or farms. +Wild creatures hid in the brush and snakes glided in and out among the +rocks. One day he came upon a wild woman who was combing her hair with a +branch of juniper.</p> + +<p>"That isn't the way to comb your hair," the Youngest Brother said. +"Here, let me show you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p>He took his own comb and smoothed out all the tangles in the wild +woman's hair until she was comfortable and happy.</p> + +<p>"You have been very kind to me," she said. "Now isn't there something I +can do for you in return?"</p> + +<p>"I am looking for the Nightingale Gisar. If you know where that glorious +bird is, tell me and that will more than repay me."</p> + +<p>But the wild woman had never heard of the Nightingale Gisar.</p> + +<p>"Only wild animals inhabit this desolate place," she said, "and a few +wild people like me. The Nightingale Gisar is not here."</p> + +<p>"Then I must go farther," the Youngest Brother said.</p> + +<p>This the wild woman begged him not to do.</p> + +<p>"Beyond these mountains," she said, "is a wilder desert with fiercer +animals. Turn back while you can."</p> + +<p>"No," the Youngest Brother insisted, "I'm going as God leads me."</p> + +<p>So he left the wild woman and crossed the mountains. He went on and on +until he was footsore and weary. Then at last he came to the Tiger's +house.</p> + +<p>The Tiger's wife met him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Be off, young man!" she warned him, "or the Tiger when he comes home +will eat you!"</p> + +<p>"No!" said the Youngest Brother, "now I'm here I'm going to stay for I +have a question to ask the Tiger."</p> + +<p>The Tiger's wife was making bread. When the dough was ready to go into +the oven, she leaned over the glowing embers of the fire and began to +brush them aside with her body.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" the Youngest Brother cried. "You will burn yourself!"</p> + +<p>"But how else can I brush aside the glowing embers?" the Tiger's wife +asked.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you."</p> + +<p>The Youngest Brother cut a branch from a tree outside and fashioned it +into a rough broom. Then he showed the Tiger's wife how to use it.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she said gratefully, "before this always when I've baked bread +I've been sick for ten days afterwards. Now I shall be sick no more for +you have taught me how to use a broom. In return let me hide you in a +dark corner and when the Tiger comes home I'll tell him how kind you +have been and perhaps he will not eat you."</p> + +<p>So she hid the Youngest Brother in a dark corner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> and when the Tiger +came home she met him and said:</p> + +<p>"See, I have baked bread to-day but I am not sick, for a youth has shown +me how I can brush aside the embers without burning myself."</p> + +<p>The Tiger was overjoyed to hear that his wife had been able to bake +bread without being made sick and he swore to be a brother to him who +had taught her the use of a broom. So the Youngest Brother came out from +the dark corner where he was hiding and the Tiger made him welcome.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing wandering about in this wild country?" the Tiger +asked.</p> + +<p>"I am searching for the Nightingale Gisar and I have come to you to ask +you if you can tell me where I can find that glorious bird."</p> + +<p>The Tiger had never heard of the Nightingale Gisar but he thought that +his oldest brother the Lion might know.</p> + +<p>"Go straight on from here," he said, "until you come to the Lion's +house. His old wife stands outside facing the house with her long thin +old dugs thrown over her shoulders. Go up to her from behind and take +her dugs and put them in your mouth and suck them and when she asks you +who you are, say: 'Don't you know me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> old mother? I'm your oldest cub.' +Then she will lead you in to the Lion who is so old that his eyelids +droop. Prop them open and when he sees you he will tell you what he +knows."</p> + +<p>So the Youngest Brother went on to the Lion's house and he found the +Lion's old wife standing outside as the Tiger said he would. He did all +the Tiger had told him to do and when the Lion's wife asked him who he +was, he said: 'Don't you know me, old mother? I'm your oldest cub.' Then +the Lion's old wife led him in to the Lion and he propped open the +Lion's drooping eyelids and asked about the Nightingale Gisar.</p> + +<p>The old Lion shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I have never heard of the Nightingale Gisar. He has never sung in this +wild place. Turn back, young man, and seek him elsewhere. Beyond this is +a country of wilder creatures where you will only lose your life."</p> + +<p>"That is as God wills," the Youngest Brother said.</p> + +<p>With that he bade the old Lion and his old wife farewell and pushed on +into the farther wilds. The mountains grew more and more rugged, the +plains more parched and barren, and the Youngest Son was hard put to it +to find food from day to day.</p> + +<p>Once when he was crossing a desert three eagles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> swooped down upon him +and it was all he could do to fight them off. He slashed at them with +his sword and succeeded in cutting off the beak of one, a wing of +another, and a leg of the third. He put these three things in his bag as +trophies.</p> + +<p>He came at last to a hut where an old woman was baking cakes on the +hearth.</p> + +<p>"God bless you, granny!" he said. "Can you give me a bite of supper and +shelter for the night?"</p> + +<p>The old woman shook her head.</p> + +<p>"My boy, you had better not stop here. I have three daughters and if +they were to come home and find you here, they'd kill you."</p> + +<p>But the Youngest Brother insisted that he was not afraid and at last the +old woman let him stay. She hid him in the corner behind the firewood +and warned him to keep still.</p> + +<p>Presently the three eagles whom he had maimed came flying into the hut. +The old woman put a bowl of milk on the table, the birds dipped in the +milk, and lo! their feather shirts opened and they stepped out three +maidens. One of them had lost her lips, one an arm, and the third a leg.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" they cried to their mother, "see what has befallen us! If only the +youth who maimed us would re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>turn the beak and the wing and the leg that +he hacked off, we would tell him anything he wants to know."</p> + +<p>At that the Youngest Brother stepped out from behind the firewood and +said:</p> + +<p>"Tell me then where I can find the Nightingale Gisar and you shall have +back your beak and your wing and your leg."</p> + +<p>He opened his bag and the maidens were overjoyed to see their beak and +their wing and their leg. Then they told the Youngest Brother all they +knew about the Nightingale Gisar.</p> + +<p>"Far from here," they said, "there is a Warrior Princess, so beautiful +that men call her Flower o' the World. She has the Nightingale Gisar in +a golden cage hanging in her own chamber. The chamber door is guarded by +a lion and a wolf and a tiger for the Flower o' the World knows that she +will have to marry the man who steals from her the Nightingale Gisar."</p> + +<p>"How can a man enter the chamber of the Flower o' the World?" the +Youngest Brother asked.</p> + +<p>"For a few moments at midnight," the sisters told him, "the three +animals sleep. During those few moments a man could enter the chamber, +get the Nightingale Gisar, and escape. But even then he might not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> be +safe for the Flower o' the World might gather her army together and +pursue him."</p> + +<p>"Now tell me how to reach the palace of that Warrior Princess, Flower o' +the World."</p> + +<p>"You could never get there alone," they told him, "the way is too long +and the dangers are too many. Stay here with us for three months and at +the end of three months we will carry you thither on our wings."</p> + +<p>So for three months the Youngest Brother stayed on in the hut with the +old woman and her three daughters. The three daughters flew in their +eagle shirts to the spring of the Water of Life and bathing in that +magic pool they made grow on again the beak and the wing and the leg +which the Youngest Brother had hacked off.</p> + +<p>At the end of three months they carried the Youngest Brother on their +wings to the distant kingdom where the Warrior Princess, Flower o' the +World, lived.</p> + +<p>At midnight they set him down in front of the palace and he slipped +unseen through the guards at the gate and through the halls of the +palace to the Princess's own chamber. The lion, the wolf, and the tiger +were asleep and he was able to push back the curtain before which they +were lying and creep up to the Princess's very bedside without being +discovered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + +<p>He looked once at the sleeping Flower o' the World and she was so +beautiful that he dared not look again for fear he should forget the +Nightingale Gisar and betray himself by crying out.</p> + +<p>At the head of the bed were four lighted candles and at the foot four +unlighted ones. He blew out the lighted ones and lit the others. Then +quickly he took the golden cage in which the Nightingale Gisar was +perched asleep, unfastened it from the golden chain on which it was +hanging, and hurried out. The eagles were waiting for him and at once +they spread their wings and carried him away.</p> + +<p>They put him down at the crossroads where he had parted from his +brothers just one year before. Then they bade him farewell and flew off +to their home in the desert.</p> + +<p>"My brothers will probably be here in an hour or so," the Youngest Son +thought. "I had better wait for them."</p> + +<p>He felt sleepy, so he lay down by the roadside and closed his eyes.</p> + +<p>While he slept his brothers arrived and of course the first thing they +saw was the golden cage and the Nightingale Gisar.</p> + +<p>Then envy and hatred filled their hearts and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> began cursing and +complaining to think that he who was the Youngest had succeeded where +they had failed.</p> + +<p>"We'll be the laughing-stock of the whole country!" they said, "if we +let him come home carrying the Nightingale Gisar! Let us take the bird +while he sleeps and hurry home with it. Then if he comes home later and +says it was he who really found the bird no one will believe him."</p> + +<p>So they beat their brother into insensibility and tore his clothes to +rags to make him think that he had been set upon by robbers, and then +taking the golden cage and the Nightingale Gisar they hurried home and +presented themselves to their father, the Sultan.</p> + +<p>"Here, O father," they said, "is the Nightingale Gisar! To get this +glorious bird for you we have endured all the perils in the world!"</p> + +<p>"And your Youngest Brother," the Sultan asked, "where is he?"</p> + +<p>"The Youngest? Think no more of him, father, for he is unworthy to be +your son. Instead of searching the wide world for the Nightingale Gisar, +he settled down in the first city he reached and lived a life of +idleness and ease. Some say he became a barber and some say he opened a +coffee-house and spent his days chat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>ting with passing travelers. He has +not come home with us for no doubt it shames him to know that we have +succeeded where he has failed."</p> + +<p>The Sultan was grieved to hear this evil report of his Youngest Son, but +he was overjoyed to have the Nightingale Gisar. He had the golden cage +carried to the mosque and hung beside the fountain in the court.</p> + +<p>But imagine his disappointment when the bird refused to sing!</p> + +<p>"Let him who found the Nightingale come to the mosque," the Dervish said +in his droning sing-song voice, "and then the Nightingale will sing."</p> + +<p>The Sultan immediately sent for his two sons. They came but still the +bird was silent.</p> + +<p>"See now," the Sultan said, "my two sons are here and yet the bird is +silent."</p> + +<p>But the Dervish would only repeat:</p> + +<p>"Let him who found the Nightingale come to the mosque and then the +Nightingale will sing."</p> + +<p>The next day a youth in rags whom nobody knew entered the mosque to pray +and instantly the Nightingale began to sing.</p> + +<p>A messenger was sent running to the Sultan with the news that the +Nightingale was singing. The Sultan hurried to the mosque but by the +time he got there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> the beggar youth was gone and the Nightingale had +stopped singing.</p> + +<p>"Now that I'm here," cried the Sultan, "why does the bird not sing?"</p> + +<p>The Dervish, swaying his body gently back and forth, made answer as +before:</p> + +<p>"Let him who found the Nightingale come to the mosque and then the +Nightingale will sing."</p> + +<p>Thereafter every day when the beggar youth came to the mosque to pray +the Nightingale sang, and always when the Sultan approached the beggar +walked away and the bird stopped singing. At last people began +whispering:</p> + +<p>"Strange that the Nightingale should sing only when that beggar youth is +near! And yet the Dervish says it will not sing unless he who found it +comes to the mosque! What can he mean?"</p> + +<p>Report of the beggar youth reached the ears of the Sultan and he went to +the Dervish and questioned him.</p> + +<p>"Why do you say that the Nightingale Gisar will not sing unless he who +found him comes to the mosque? Lo, here are my two sons who found him +and the bird remains silent, yet people tell me that when a certain +beggar comes to the mosque he sings. Why does he not sing when I and my +two sons come to pray?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>And always the Dervish made the same answer in the same sing-song voice:</p> + +<p>"Let him who found the Nightingale come to the mosque and then the +Nightingale will sing."</p> + +<p>Soon a terrifying rumor spread through the land that a great Warrior +Princess called Flower o' the World was coming with a mighty army to +make war on the Sultan and to destroy his city. Her army far outnumbered +the Sultan's and when she encamped in a broad valley over against the +city the Sultan's people, seeing her mighty hosts, were filled with +dread and besought their ruler to make peace with the Princess at any +cost. So the Sultan called his heralds and sent them to her and through +them he said:</p> + +<p>"Demand of me what you will even to my life but spare my city."</p> + +<p>The Warrior Princess returned this answer:</p> + +<p>"I will spare you and your city provided you deliver me your son who +stole from me the Nightingale Gisar. Him I shall have executed or let +live as it pleases me."</p> + +<p>Now the Sultan's two sons knew that the Flower o' the World was fated to +marry the man who had stolen from her the Nightingale Gisar, so when +they heard the Princess's demand they were overjoyed thinking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> that she +would have to fall in love with one of them. So they disputed at great +length as to which of them had done the actual deed of taking the bird, +each insisting that it was he and not his brother. The Sultan himself +had finally to decide between them.</p> + +<p>"You have told me," he said, "that you captured the bird together. As +that is the case and as I can't send you both to the Warrior Princess it +is only right that the older should go."</p> + +<p>So under a splendid escort the oldest son rode to the tent of the +Warrior Princess. She bade him enter alone and when he appeared before +her she looked at him long and steadily. Then she said:</p> + +<p>"Nay, but you are never the man who stole from me the Nightingale Gisar! +You would lack the courage to face the perils of the way!"</p> + +<p>The oldest prince answered the Flower o' the World craftily:</p> + +<p>"But how, Princess, if I did not steal from you the Nightingale Gisar +was I then able to bring back that glorious bird and hang his cage +beside the fountain in the mosque?"</p> + +<p>But Flower o' the World was not to be deceived by such specious words.</p> + +<p>"Tell me then," she said, "if it was you who stole<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> my glorious +Nightingale, where did you find him hanging in his golden cage?"</p> + +<p>The oldest prince could not answer this, so he said at random:</p> + +<p>"I found his golden cage hanging in the cypress tree that grows in the +garden of your palace."</p> + +<p>"Enough!" cried the Princess.</p> + +<p>She clapped her hands and when her guards appeared she said to them:</p> + +<p>"Have this man executed at once and let his head be sent to the Sultan +with the message: <i>This is the head of a liar and a coward! Send me at +once your son who stole my glorious Nightingale Gisar or I will march +against your city!</i>"</p> + +<p>The Sultan was greatly shocked to receive this message together with the +head of his oldest son.</p> + +<p>"Alas!" he cried, calling his second son, "would that I had listened to +you when you insisted that it was you and not your brother who actually +did the deed! Unhappily I listened to your brother! See now the awful +result of this mistake! Go you now to this heartless Princess whom men +call Flower o' the World or else our poor defenseless city will have to +pay the penalty."</p> + +<p>So the second prince was taken to the tent of the Warrior Maiden and she +put to him the same questions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> and he fared even worse than his brother +had fared. So his head, too, was sent to the Sultan with this message:</p> + +<p>"<i>Send me no more liars and cowards but the son who actually did steal +from me my glorious Nightingale Gisar.</i>"</p> + +<p>In despair the Sultan went to the mosque to pray. As he bowed his head +he heard the Nightingale burst forth in song. Then when he looked up he +saw a beggar youth standing near the fountain.</p> + +<p>When his prayers were finished the Sultan went outside to the Dervish +and said to him:</p> + +<p>"The Warrior Princess, Flower o' the World, demands that I send her +another son. I know not where my Third Son is. What shall I do?"</p> + +<p>Without looking at the Sultan the Dervish answered in his sing-song +voice:</p> + +<p>"Send her the son for whom the Nightingale sings."</p> + +<p>The Sultan turned away in disappointment, not understanding what the +Dervish meant, but one of his attendants plucked his sleeve and +whispered:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The Nightingale sings for yonder beggar youth. Perhaps it is he the +Dervish means. Why not ask him if he will go to Flower o' the World in +place of your Youngest Son?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 365px;"> +<img src="images/i193.jpg" width="365" height="564" alt="The Flower o' the World Asleep" title="The Flower o' the World Asleep" /> +<span class="caption">The Flower o' the World Asleep</span> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Sultan nodded, so the attendant called the beggar youth and the +Sultan asked him would he go to the Warrior Princess as the Youngest +Prince.</p> + +<p>"Allah alone knows where my Youngest Son is," the Sultan said, "but he +is just about your age and if you were washed and anointed and dressed +in fitting garments you would not be unlike him."</p> + +<p>The beggar youth said he would go but he insisted on going just as he +was. The Sultan begged him to go dressed as a prince or the Flower o' +the World might not receive him.</p> + +<p>"No," said the youth, "I shall go as a beggar or not at all. It is for +the Flower o' the World to know me whether or not I am the Sultan's +Youngest Son and the man who stole from her the Nightingale Gisar."</p> + +<p>So he went as he was to the tent of the Flower o' the World and her +warriors when they saw him coming said to the Princess:</p> + +<p>"This Sultan mocks you and sends you a beggar when you demand his Third +Son."</p> + +<p>But the Flower o' the World ordered them all out and bade the beggar +enter alone. She looked at him long and steadily and she saw through his +rags that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> he was indeed a noble youth with a body made strong and +beautiful through exercise and toil and she thought to herself:</p> + +<p>"It were not a hard fate to marry this youth!"</p> + +<p>Then she questioned him:</p> + +<p>"Are you the Sultan's Third Son?"</p> + +<p>"I am."</p> + +<p>"Then why are you dressed as a beggar?"</p> + +<p>"Because I was set upon at the crossroads and beaten insensible and my +clothes torn to rags. I was coming home with the Nightingale Gisar in my +hands and I lay down at the roadside to rest while I awaited the coming +of my brothers. When I awoke to consciousness the Nightingale and its +golden cage were gone. I came home to my father's city as a beggar and +there they told me that my brothers had come just before me bringing +with them the Nightingale and boasting of the perils they had been +through and the dangers they had faced. But the Nightingale, they told +me, hanging in its golden cage beside the fountain, was silent. Yet when +I went to the mosque it always sang."</p> + +<p>The Warrior Princess looked deep into his eyes and knew that he was +speaking truth. Her heart was touched with compassion at the wrong he +had suffered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> from his brothers, but she hid her feelings and questioned +him further.</p> + +<p>"Then it was you," she said, "who really took from me my glorious +Nightingale Gisar?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Princess, it was. I crept past the lion and the wolf and the tiger +just after midnight while they slept. I blew out the four candles at the +head of your bed and lighted those at the foot. The golden cage of the +Nightingale was hanging from a golden chain. Before I unfastened it I +looked at you once, as you lay sleeping, and dared not look a second +time."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" the Princess asked.</p> + +<p>"Because, O Flower o' the World, you were so beautiful that I feared, +were I to look again, I should forget the Nightingale Gisar and cry out +in ecstacy."</p> + +<p>Then the compassion in the Princess's heart changed to love and she knew +for a certainty that this was the man she was fated to wed.</p> + +<p>She clapped her hands and when the guards came in she said to them:</p> + +<p>"Call my warriors together that I may show them the Sultan's Youngest +Son and the man who stole from me my glorious Nightingale Gisar and whom +I am fated to wed."</p> + +<p>So the warriors came in until they crowded the tent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> to its utmost. Then +the Princess stood up and took the Sultan's Youngest Son by the hand and +presented him to the warriors and told them of his great bravery and +courage and of all the perils he had endured in order to get the +Nightingale Gisar for his father's mosque.</p> + +<p>"He came to me now as a beggar," she said, "but I knew him at once for +truth was in his mouth and courage in his eye. Behold, O warriors, your +future lord!"</p> + +<p>Then the warriors waved their swords and cried:</p> + +<p>"Long live the Flower o' the World! Long live the Sultan's Youngest +Son!"</p> + +<p>All the Princess's army when they heard the news raised such a mighty +shout that the people in the Sultan's city heard and were filled with +dread not knowing what it meant. But soon they knew and then they, too, +went mad with joy that what had threatened to be a war was turning to a +wedding!</p> + +<p>The Flower o' the World and her chief warriors and with them the +Youngest Prince rode slowly to the city. The Prince was now dressed as +befitted his rank and the Sultan when he saw him recognized him at once.</p> + +<p>"Allah be praised!" he cried, "my Youngest Son lives!"</p> + +<p>Then they told him all—how it was this Prince and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> not the older +brothers who had found the Nightingale Gisar and how the older brothers +had robbed him of his prize and beaten him insensible.</p> + +<p>When the Sultan heard how wicked his older sons had been his grief for +their death was assuaged.</p> + +<p>"Allah be praised," he said, "that I have at least one son who is +worthy!"</p> + +<p>After the betrothal ceremony the Sultan and the Youngest Prince went to +the mosque to pray. While they prayed the Nightingale sang so gloriously +that it seemed to them they were no longer on earth but in Paradise.</p> + +<p>When their prayers were finished and they were passing out, the Dervish +raised his sing-song voice and said:</p> + +<p>"Now indeed is the Sultan's Mosque the most beautiful Mosque in the +World for the Nightingale Gisar sings beside the Fountain!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i199.jpg" width="150" height="75" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_GIRL_IN_THE_CHEST" id="THE_GIRL_IN_THE_CHEST"></a>THE GIRL IN THE CHEST</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i201.jpg" width="300" height="304" alt="The Story of the Third Sister Who Was Brave and Good" title="The Story of the Third Sister Who Was Brave and Good" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of the Third Sister Who Was Brave and Good</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_GIRL_IN_THE_CHEST"></a>THE GIRL IN THE CHEST</h2> + + +<p>There was once a horrible Vampire who took the form of a handsome young +man and went to the house of an old woman who had three daughters and +pretended he wanted to marry the oldest.</p> + +<p>"I live far from here," the Vampire said. "I own my own farm and am +well-to-do and in marrying me your daughter would get a desirable +husband. Indeed, I am so well off that I don't have to ask any dowry."</p> + +<p>Now the old woman was so poor that she couldn't have given a penny of +dowry. That was the only reason why all three of her daughters hadn't +long ago been married to youths of their own village. So when the +stranger said he would require no dowry, the old woman whispered to her +oldest daughter:</p> + +<p>"He seems to be all right. Perhaps you had better take him."</p> + +<p>The poor girl accepted her mother's advice and that afternoon started +off with the Vampire who said he would lead her home and marry her.</p> + +<p>They walked a great distance and as evening came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> on they reached a wild +ghostly spot which frightened the girl half to death.</p> + +<p>"This way, my dear," the Vampire said, pushing her into an opening in +the earth. "We take this underground passage and soon we'll be home."</p> + +<p>The passage led to a sort of cave which really was the Vampire's home.</p> + +<p>"What an awful place!" the poor girl cried in terror. "Let me out!"</p> + +<p>"Let you out, indeed!" the Vampire sneered, taking his own horrible +shape and laughing cruelly. "Here you are and here you stay and if you +don't do everything I tell you, I'll soon finish you! Here now, drink +this."</p> + +<p>He offered the poor girl a pitcher and when she saw what was in it she +nearly fainted with horror.</p> + +<p>"No!" she cried. "I won't! I won't!"</p> + +<p>"If you don't drink this," the Vampire said, darkly, "then I'll drink +you!"</p> + +<p>And with that he killed her with no more feeling than if she were a fly.</p> + +<p>Then in a short time he went back to the old woman and said:</p> + +<p>"Dear mother, my poor wife is ill and she begs that you send her your +second daughter to nurse her. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> asks for her sister night and day and +I fear she will die unless she sees her."</p> + +<p>When the poor old mother heard this, she begged the second daughter to +go at once with the young man and nurse her sick sister.</p> + +<p>Well, the same thing happened to the second sister and in no time at all +the Vampire had killed her, too, to satisfy his awful thirst.</p> + +<p>Then he returned again to the old mother and this time he pretended that +both sisters were sick and were trying for the third sister to come and +nurse them. So the poor old woman sent her Youngest Daughter away with +the Vampire.</p> + +<p>The Youngest Sister when she found out the truth about the horrid +Vampire didn't sit down and weep helplessly as the others had done and +wait for the Vampire to kill her, but she prayed God's help and then +tried to find some way of escape.</p> + +<p>There were doors in the cave which the Vampire told her were doors to +closets she must not enter. When the Vampire was out she opened these +doors and found that they all led into long underground passages.</p> + +<p>"This is my one chance to get back to earth!" the girl thought and +commending her undertaking to God she fled down one of the passages.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>You may be sure the Vampire when he came back and found her gone fell +into a great rage. He went running wildly up and down the various +passages and lost so much time searching the wrong passages that the +girl was able to make good her escape and reach the upper world in +safety.</p> + +<p>She came out in a wood with no sign of human habitation anywhere in +sight.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do now?" she thought. "If I stay here alone and +unprotected some wild beast or evil creature may get me."</p> + +<p>So she knelt down and prayed God to give her a chest that she could lock +from the inside with one of her own golden hairs so securely that no one +could force it open. God heard her prayer and presently behind some +bushes she found just such a chest. When it grew dark and she was ready +to go to bed, she crept into the chest, locked it with a hair, and slept +peacefully knowing that nothing could harm her.</p> + +<p>So she lived in the wood some time, eating berries and fruits, and +sleeping safely in the chest.</p> + +<p>Now it so happened that the King's son one morning went hunting in this +very wood and caught a glimpse of the girl as she was gathering berries. +He thought he had never seen such a beautiful creature and in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>stantly he +fell in love with her. But when he reached the clump of bushes where he +had seen her, she was gone. He called his huntsmen together and told +them to search everywhere. They hunted for hours and all they could find +was a chest. They tried to open the chest to see what was in it but +couldn't.</p> + +<p>"Waste no more time over it," the Prince said at last. "Carry it home to +the palace as it is and have it placed in my chamber."</p> + +<p>The huntsmen did this and a few hours later when the girl peeped out of +her chest she found herself alone in the Prince's chamber. His supper +was standing on a table in readiness for his coming. The girl ate the +supper and was safely back in her chest before he arrived. When he did +come the Prince was amazed to see empty plates and called the servants +to know who had eaten his supper. The servants were as much surprised as +the Prince and declared that no one had entered the chamber.</p> + +<p>The same thing happened the next day and the following day the Prince +had one of his servants hide behind the curtains and watch to find out +if possible how the food disappeared.</p> + +<p>The story the servant had to tell of what he saw was so thrilling that +the Prince could scarcely wait<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> for the next day when he himself hid +behind the curtains and watched.</p> + +<p>The serving people put the food on the table and retired and presently +the lid of the chest opened and the Prince saw the beautiful maiden of +the wood step out. When she sat down at the table the Prince slipped up +behind her and caught her in his arms.</p> + +<p>"You lovely creature!" he said, "I'm not going to let you escape me +again!"</p> + +<p>At first the girl was greatly frightened but the Prince reassured her, +telling her that he loved her dearly and only wanted to make her his +wife.</p> + +<p>He led her at once to the King, his father, and the girl was so modest +and lovely that the King soon agreed to the marriage.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 372px;"> +<img src="images/i209.jpg" width="372" height="567" alt="The Chest Opened and the Prince Saw the Beautiful +Maiden" title="The Chest Opened and the Prince Saw the Beautiful +Maiden" /> +<span class="caption">The Chest Opened and the Prince Saw the Beautiful +Maiden</span> +</div> + +<p>Everybody in court was delighted—everybody, that is, but the +Chamberlain who had had hopes of marrying his own daughter to the +Prince. His daughter was an ugly ill-tempered girl and the Prince had +never even looked at her. The Chamberlain was sure, however, that with a +little more time he could arrange the match to his liking. So the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +appearance of this beautiful girl who came from Heaven knows<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> where threw +him into a fearful rage and he decided to do away with her at any cost. +Now he had in his employ a great burly Blackamoor. He called this +fellow to him and he told him that he must kidnap the girl at once and +kill her. The Blackamoor who was accustomed to do such deeds for the +Chamberlain nodded and said he would.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + +<p>So when the palace was quiet that night he stole to the bedchamber where +the girl was lying asleep, threw a great robe over her head to stifle +her cries, and carried her off. She fainted away from fright and the +Blackamoor thinking her dead tossed her into a field of nettles in the +outskirts of the town.</p> + +<p>Now, as you can imagine, in the morning there was a great uproar in the +palace when it was discovered that the Prince's beautiful bride-to-be +had disappeared. The Prince was utterly grief-stricken and refused to +eat. The King and all the ladies of the court tried their best to +comfort him but he turned away from them declaring he would die if his +bride were not restored to him.</p> + +<p>The rascally Chamberlain put his handkerchief to his eyes and pretended +to weep he was so affected by the sight of the Prince's grief.</p> + +<p>"My dear boy," he said, "I would that I could find this maiden for you! +It breaks my heart to see you sad and unhappy! But I'm sorry to tell you +that I hear she was a Vila and not a human maiden at all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> You know how +mysteriously she came, and now she's gone just as mysteriously. So put +the thought of her out of your mind and I'm sure you'll soon find a +human maiden who is worthy of your love. Come here, my daughter, and +tell the Prince how sorry you are that he is in grief."</p> + +<p>But the sight of the Chamberlain's ugly daughter only made the Prince +long the more for the beautiful girl who was gone.</p> + +<p>She meantime had found refuge in the hut of an old woman who had heard +her groan in the early dawn when she lay among the nettles and had taken +compassion on her.</p> + +<p>"You may stay with me until you're well," the old woman said.</p> + +<p>The girl was young and healthy and in a day or two had recovered the ill +treatment she had suffered at the hands of the Blackamoor.</p> + +<p>"Won't you let me live with you awhile, granny?" she said to the old +woman. "I'll cook and scrub and work and you won't have to regret the +little I eat."</p> + +<p>"Can you cook? Because if you can perhaps you know a dish that would +tempt the appetite of our poor young Prince," the old woman said. "You +know the poor boy has had a terrible disappointment in love and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> he +refuses to eat. The heralds were out this morning proclaiming that the +King would richly reward any one who could prepare a dish that would +tempt the Prince's appetite."</p> + +<p>"Granny!" the girl said, "I know a wonderful way to prepare beans! Let +me cook a dish of beans and do you carry them to the palace."</p> + +<p>So the girl cooked the beans and placed them prettily in a dish and on +one side of the dish she put a tiny little ringlet of her own golden +hair.</p> + +<p>"If he sees the hair," she thought to herself, "he'll know the beans are +from me."</p> + +<p>And that's exactly what happened. To please his father the Prince had +consented to look at every dish as it came. He had already looked at +hundreds of them before the old woman arrived and turned away from them +all. Then the old woman came. As she passed before the Prince, she +lifted the cover of the dish, held it towards him, and curtsied. The +Prince was just about to turn away when he saw the tiny ringlet of hair.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" he said. "Wait a minute! Those beans look good!"</p> + +<p>To the King's delight he took the dish out of the old woman's hand, +examined it carefully, and when no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> one was looking slipped the ringlet +into his pocket. Then he ate the beans—every last one of them!</p> + +<p>The King gave the old woman some golden ducats and begged her to prepare +another dish for the Prince on the morrow.</p> + +<p>So the next day the girl again sent a tiny ringlet of her hair on the +side of the plate and again the Prince after scorning all the other food +offered him took the old woman's dish and ate it clean.</p> + +<p>On the third day the Prince engaged the old woman in conversation.</p> + +<p>"Where do you live, granny?"</p> + +<p>"In a little tumble-down house beside the nettles," she told him.</p> + +<p>"Do you live alone?"</p> + +<p>"Just now," the old woman said, "I have a dear girl living with me. I +found her one morning lying in the nettles where some ruffians had left +her for dead. She's a good girl and she scrubs and bakes and cooks for +me and lets me rest my poor old bones."</p> + +<p>Now the Prince knew what he wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Granny," he said, "<ins class="correction" title="Transcriber's note: original reads 'tomorrrow's'">to-morrow's</ins> Sunday. Now I want you to stay home in +the afternoon because I'm coming to see you."</p> + +<p>In great excitement the old woman hurried home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> and told the girl that +the Prince was coming to see them on Sunday afternoon.</p> + +<p>"He mustn't see me!" the girl said. "I'll hide in the bread trough under +a cloth and if he goes looking for me you tell him that I've gone out."</p> + +<p>"Foolish child!" the old woman said. "Why should you hide from a +handsome young man like the Prince?"</p> + +<p>But the girl insisted and at last when Sunday afternoon came the old +woman was forced to let her lie down in the bread trough and cover her +with a cloth.</p> + +<p>The Prince arrived and when he found the old woman there alone he was +mightily disappointed.</p> + +<p>"Where's that girl who lives with you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"She's gone out," the old woman said.</p> + +<p>"Then I think I'll wait till she comes back."</p> + +<p>This made the old woman feel nervous.</p> + +<p>"But, my Prince, I don't know when she's coming back."</p> + +<p>Just then the Prince thought he saw something move in the bread trough.</p> + +<p>"What's that lumpy thing in the bread trough, granny?"</p> + +<p>"That? Oh, that's just dough that's rising, my Prince. I'm baking +to-day."</p> + +<p>"Then make me a loaf, granny. I'll wait for it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> until it rises and until +you bake it. Then I'll eat it hot out of the oven."</p> + +<p>What was the old woman to say to that? She fussed and fidgeted and +thought again what a foolish young girl that was to be hiding in the +bread trough when there was a handsome young Prince in the room.</p> + +<p>"I don't know why that dough doesn't rise," she remarked at last.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps there's something the matter with it," the Prince said.</p> + +<p>Before the old woman could stop him, he jumped up, tossed the cloth +aside, and there was his lovely bride!</p> + +<p>"Why are you hiding from me?" he asked as he lifted her up and kissed +her tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Because I knew if you really loved me you would find me," she said.</p> + +<p>"Now that I have found you," the Prince declared, "I shall never let you +leave me again."</p> + +<p>Then the girl told the Prince about the wicked Chamberlain and the +Blackamoor and it was all she and the old woman could do to keep the +Prince from drawing his sword and rushing out instantly to kill both of +them.</p> + +<p>The old woman begged the Prince to take the girl secretly to the King +and have the King hear her story,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> and then let him pass judgment on the +Chamberlain according to the laws of the land. At last the Prince agreed +to this.</p> + +<p>So they covered the girl's head with a veil and took her to the King. +When the King heard her story he called the court together at once and +told them the outrage that had been committed against his son's promised +bride. He commanded that the murderous Blackamoor be executed the next +day and he decreed that the Chamberlain and his wicked daughter be +stripped of their lands and riches and sent into exile.</p> + +<p>Let us hope that exile taught them the evil of their ways and made them +repent.</p> + +<p>As for the girl, she married the Prince and they lived together in great +happiness. And she deserved to be happy, too, for she was a brave girl +and a good girl and God loves people who are brave and good and blesses +them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i217.jpg" width="150" height="89" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_WONDERFUL_HAIR" id="THE_WONDERFUL_HAIR"></a>THE WONDERFUL HAIR</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i219.jpg" width="300" height="289" alt="The Story of a Poor Man Who Dreamed of an Angel" title="The Story of a Poor Man Who Dreamed of an Angel" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of a Poor Man Who Dreamed of an Angel</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_WONDERFUL_HAIR"></a>THE WONDERFUL HAIR</h2> + + +<p>There was once a poor man who had so many children that he was at his +wit's end how to feed them all and clothe them.</p> + +<p>"Unless something turns up soon," he thought to himself, "we shall all +starve to death. Poor youngsters—I'm almost tempted to kill them with +my own hands to save them from suffering the pangs of hunger!"</p> + +<p>That night before he went to sleep he prayed God to give him help. God +heard his prayer and sent an angel to him in a dream.</p> + +<p>The angel said to him:</p> + +<p>"To-morrow morning when you wake, put your hand under your pillow and +you will find a mirror, a red handkerchief, and an embroidered scarf. +Without saying a word to any one hide these things in your shirt and go +out to the woods that lie beyond the third hill from the village. There +you will find a brook. Follow it until you come to a beautiful maiden +who is bathing in its waters. You will know her from the great masses of +golden hair that fall down over her shoulders. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> will speak to you +but do you be careful not to answer. If you say a word to her she will +be able to bewitch you. She will hold out a comb to you and ask you to +comb her hair. Take the comb and do as she asks. Then part her back hair +carefully and you will see one hair that is coarser than the others and +as red as blood. Wrap this firmly around one of your fingers and jerk it +out. Then flee as fast as you can. She will pursue you and each time as +she is about to overtake you drop first the embroidered scarf, then the +red handkerchief, and last the mirror. If you reach the hill nearest +your own village you are safe for she can pursue you no farther. Take +good care of the single hair for it great value and you can sell it for +many golden ducats."</p> + +<p>In the morning when the poor man awoke and put his hand under his pillow +he found the mirror and the handkerchief and the scarf just as the angel +had said he would. So he hid them carefully in his shirt and without +telling any one where he was going he went to the woods beyond the third +hill from the village. Here he found the brook and followed it until he +came to a pool where he saw a lovely maiden bathing.</p> + +<p>"Good day to you!" she said politely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + +<p>The poor man remembering the angel's warning made no answer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 368px;"> +<img src="images/i223.jpg" width="368" height="569" alt="The Mirror, the Handkerchief, and the Embroidered +Scarf" title="The Mirror, the Handkerchief, and the Embroidered +Scarf" /> +<span class="caption">The Mirror, the Handkerchief, and the Embroidered +Scarf</span> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> + +<p>The maiden held out a golden comb.</p> + +<p>"Please comb my hair for me, won't you?"</p> + +<p>The man nodded and took the comb. Then he parted the long tresses behind +<ins class="correction" title="Transcriber's note: original reads 'and and'">and</ins> searched here and there and everywhere until he found the one hair +that was blood-red in color and coarser than the others. He twisted this +firmly around his finger, jerked it quickly out, and fled.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried the maiden. "What are you doing? Give me back my one red +hair!"</p> + +<p>She jumped to her feet and ran swiftly after him. As she came close to +him, he dropped behind him the embroidered scarf. She stooped and picked +it up and examined it awhile. Then she saw the man was escaping, so she +tossed the scarf aside and again ran after him. This time he dropped the +red handkerchief. Its bright color caught the maiden's eye and she +picked it up and lost a few more minutes admiring it while the man raced +on. Then the maiden remembered him, threw away the handkerchief, and +started off again in pursuit.</p> + +<p>This time the man dropped the mirror and the maiden who of course was a +Vila and had never seen a mirror before picked it up and looked at it +and when she saw the lovely reflection of herself she was so amazed that +she kept on looking and looking. She was still<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> looking in it and still +admiring her own beauty when the man reached the third hill beyond which +the maiden couldn't follow him.</p> + +<p>So the poor man got home with the hair safely wound about his finger.</p> + +<p>"It must be of great value," he thought to himself. "I'll take it to the +city and offer it for sale there."</p> + +<p>So the next day he went to the city and went about offering his +wonderful hair to the merchants.</p> + +<p>"What's so wonderful about it?" they asked him.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I do know it's of great value," he told them.</p> + +<p>"Well," said one of them, "I'll give you one golden ducat for it."</p> + +<p>He was a shrewd buyer and the others hearing his bid of one golden ducat +decided that he must know that the hair was of much greater value. So +they began to outbid him until the price offered the poor man reached +one hundred golden ducats. But the poor man insisted that this was not +enough.</p> + +<p>"One hundred golden ducats not enough for one red hair!" cried the +merchants.</p> + +<p>They pretended to be disgusted that any one would refuse such a price +for one red hair, but in reality they were all firmly convinced by this +time that it was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> magic hair and probably worth any amount of money in +the world.</p> + +<p>The whole city became excited over the wonderful hair for which all the +merchants were bidding and for a time nothing else was talked about. The +matter was reported to the Tsar and at once he said that he himself +would buy the hair for one thousand golden ducats.</p> + +<p>One thousand golden ducats! After that there was no danger of the poor +man's many children dying of starvation.</p> + +<p>And what do you suppose the Tsar did with the hair? He had it split open +very carefully and inside he found a scroll of great importance to +mankind for on it were written many wonderful secrets of nature.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i227.jpg" width="150" height="77" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_BEST_WISH" id="THE_BEST_WISH"></a>THE BEST WISH</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i229.jpg" width="300" height="318" alt="The Story of Three Brothers and an Angel" title="The Story of Three Brothers and an Angel" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of Three Brothers and an Angel</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_BEST_WISH"></a>THE BEST WISH</h2> + + +<p>There were once three brothers whose only possession was a pear tree. +They took turns guarding it. That is to say while two of them went to +work the third stayed at home to see that no harm came to the pear tree.</p> + +<p>Now it happened that an Angel from heaven was sent down to test the +hearts of the three brothers. The Angel took the form of a beggar and +approaching the pear tree on a day when the oldest brother was guarding +it, he held out his hand and said:</p> + +<p>"In heaven's name, brother, give me a ripe pear."</p> + +<p>The oldest brother at once handed him a pear, saying:</p> + +<p>"This one I can give you because it is mine, but none of the others +because they belong to my brothers."</p> + +<p>The Angel thanked him and departed.</p> + +<p>The next day when the second brother was on guard he returned in the +same guise and again begged the charity of a ripe pear.</p> + +<p>"Take this one," the second brother said. "It is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> mine and I can give it +away. I can't give away any of the others because they belong to my +brothers."</p> + +<p>The Angel thanked the second brother and departed.</p> + +<p>The third day he had exactly the same experience with the youngest +brother.</p> + +<p>On the following day the Angel, in the guise of a monk, came to the +brothers' house very early while they were still all at home.</p> + +<p>"My sons," he said, "come with me and perhaps I can find you something +better to do than guard a single pear tree."</p> + +<p>The brothers agreed and they all started out together. After walking +some time they came to the banks of a broad deep river.</p> + +<p>"My son," the Angel said, addressing the oldest brother, "if I were to +grant you one wish, what you ask?"</p> + +<p>"I'd be happy," the oldest brother said, "if all this water was turned +into wine and belonged to me."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 376px;"> +<img src="images/i233.jpg" width="376" height="576" alt="The Angel Took the Form of a Beggar" title="The Angel Took the Form of a Beggar" /> +<span class="caption">The Angel Took the Form of a Beggar</span> +</div> + +<p>The Angel lifted his staff and made the sign of the cross and lo!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> the +water became wine from great wine-presses. At once numbers of casks +appeared and men filling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> them and rolling them about. A huge industry +sprang up with sheds and storehouses and wagons and men running +hither and thither and addressing the oldest brother respectfully as +"Master!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You have your wish," the Angel said. "See that you do not forget God's +poor now that you are rich. Farewell."</p> + +<p>So they left the oldest brother in the midst of his wine and went on +farther until they came to a broad field where flocks of pigeons were +feeding.</p> + +<p>"If I were to grant you one wish," the Angel said to the second brother, +"what would you ask?"</p> + +<p>"I'd be happy, father, if all the pigeons in this field were turned to +sheep and belonged to me."</p> + +<p>The Angel lifted his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the +field was covered with sheep. Sheds appeared and houses and women, some +of them milking the ewes and others skimming the milk and making +cheeses. In one place men were busy preparing meat for the market and in +another cleaning wool. And all of them as they came and went spoke +respectfully to the second brother and called him, "Master!"</p> + +<p>"You have your wish," the Angel said. "Stay here and enjoy prosperity +and see that you do not forget God's poor!"</p> + +<p>Then he and the youngest brother went on their way.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, my son," the Angel said, "you, too, may make one wish."</p> + +<p>"I want but one thing, father. I pray heaven to grant me a truly pious +wife. That is my only wish."</p> + +<p>"A truly pious wife!" the Angel cried. "My boy, you have asked the +hardest thing of all! Why, there are only three truly pious women in all +the world! Two of them are already married and the third is a princess +who is being sought in marriage at this very moment by two kings! +However, your brothers have received their wishes and you must have +yours, too. Let us go at once to the father of this virtuous princess +and present your suit."</p> + +<p>So just as they were they trudged to the city where the princess lived +and presented themselves at the palace looking shabby and +travel-stained.</p> + +<p>The king received them and when he heard their mission he looked at them +in amazement.</p> + +<p>"This makes three suitors for my daughter's hand! Two kings and now this +young man all on the same day! How am I going to decide among them?"</p> + +<p>"Let heaven decide!" the Angel said. "Cut three branches of grape-vine +and let the princess mark each branch with the name of a different +suitor. Then let<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> her plant the three branches to-night in the garden +and to-morrow do you give her in marriage to the man whose branch has +blossomed during the night and by morning is covered with ripe clusters +of grapes."</p> + +<p>The king and the two other suitors agreed to this and the princess named +and planted three branches of grape-vine. In the morning two of the +branches were bare and dry, but the third, the one which was marked with +the name of the youngest brother, was covered with green leaves and ripe +clusters of grapes. The king accepted heaven's ruling and at once led +his daughter to church where he had her married to the stranger and sent +her off with his blessing.</p> + +<p>The Angel led the young couple to a forest and left them there.</p> + +<p>A year went by and the Angel was sent back to earth to see how the three +brothers were faring. Assuming the form of an old beggar, he went to the +oldest brother who was busy among his wine-presses and begged the +charity of a cup of wine.</p> + +<p>"Be off with you, you old vagabond!" the oldest brother shouted angrily. +"If I gave a cup of wine to every beggar that comes along I'd soon be a +beggar myself!"</p> + +<p>The Angel lifted his staff, made the sign of the cross,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> and lo! the +wine and all the <ins class="correction" title="Transcriber's note: original reads 'winepresses'">wine-presses</ins> disappeared and in their place flowed a +broad deep river.</p> + +<p>"In your prosperity you have forgotten God's poor," the Angel said. "Go +back to your pear tree."</p> + +<p>Then the Angel went to the second brother who was busy in his dairy.</p> + +<p>"Brother," the Angel said, "in heaven's name, I pray you, give me a +morsel of cheese."</p> + +<p>"A morsel of cheese, you lazy good-for-nothing!" the second brother +cried. "Be off with you or I'll call the dogs!"</p> + +<p>The Angel lifted his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the +sheep and the dairy and all the busy laborers disappeared and he and the +second brother were standing there alone in a field where flocks of +pigeons were feeding.</p> + +<p>"In your prosperity you have forgotten God's poor," the Angel said. "Go +back to your pear tree!"</p> + +<p>Then the Angel made his way to the forest where he had left the youngest +brother and his wife. He found them in great poverty living in a mean +little hut.</p> + +<p>"God be with you!" said the Angel still in the guise of an old beggar. +"I pray you in heaven's name give me shelter for the night and a bite of +supper."</p> + +<p>"We are poor ourselves," the youngest brother said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But come in, you are welcome to share what we have."</p> + +<p>They put the old beggar to rest at the most comfortable place beside the +fire and the wife set three places for the evening meal. They were so +poor that the loaf that was baking in the oven was not made of grain +ground at the mill but of pounded bark gathered from the trees.</p> + +<p>"Alas," the wife murmured to herself, "it shames me that we have no real +bread to put before our guest."</p> + +<p>Imagine then her surprise when she opened the oven and saw a browned +loaf of wheaten bread.</p> + +<p>"God be praised!" she cried.</p> + +<p>She drew a pitcher of water at the spring but when she began pouring it +into the cups she found to her joy that it was changed to wine.</p> + +<p>"In your happiness," the Angel said, "you have not forgotten God's poor +and God will reward you!"</p> + +<p>He raised his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the mean little +hut disappeared and in its place arose a stately palace full of riches +and beautiful things. Servants passed hither and thither and addressed +the poor man respectfully as "My lord!" and his wife as "My lady!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + +<p>The old beggar arose and as he went he blessed them both, saying:</p> + +<p>"God gives you these riches and they will be yours to enjoy so long as +you share them with others."</p> + +<p>They must have remembered the Angel's words for all their lives long +they were happy and prosperous.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i240.jpg" width="150" height="88" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_VILAS_SPRING" id="THE_VILAS_SPRING"></a>THE VILAS' SPRING</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i241.jpg" width="300" height="305" alt="The Story of the Brother Who Knew That Good Was Stronger Than Evil" title="The Story of the Brother Who Knew That Good Was Stronger Than Evil" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of the Brother Who Knew That Good Was Stronger Than Evil</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_VILAS_SPRING"></a><b>THE VILAS' SPRING</b></h2> + + +<p>There was once a rich man who had two sons. The older son was +overbearing, greedy, and covetous. He was dishonest, too, and thought +nothing of taking things that belonged to others. The younger brother +was gentle and kind. He was always ready to share what he had and he was +never known to cheat or to steal.</p> + +<p>"He's little better than a fool!" the older brother used to say of him +scornfully.</p> + +<p>When the brothers grew to manhood the old father died leaving directions +that they divide his wealth between them, share and share alike.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" the older brother said. "That fool would only squander his +inheritance! To every poor beggar that comes along he'd give an alms +until soon my poor father's savings would be all gone! No! I'll give him +three golden ducats and a horse and tell him to get out and if he makes +a fuss I won't give him that much!"</p> + +<p>So he said to his younger brother:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You're a fool and you oughtn't to have a penny from our father's +estate. However, I'll give you three golden ducats and a horse on +condition that you clear out and never come back."</p> + +<p>"Brother," the younger one said quietly, "you are doing me a wrong."</p> + +<p>"What if I am?" sneered the older. "Wrong is stronger than Right just as +I am stronger than you. Be off with you now or I'll take from you even +these three golden ducats and the horse!"</p> + +<p>Without another word the younger brother mounted the horse and rode +away.</p> + +<p>Time went by and at last the brothers chanced to meet on the highway.</p> + +<p>"God bless you, brother!" the younger one said.</p> + +<p>"Don't you go God-blessing me, you fool!" the older one shouted. "It +isn't God who is powerful in this world but the Devil!"</p> + +<p>"No, brother," the other said, "you are wrong. God is stronger than the +Devil just as Good is stronger than Evil."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure of that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, brother, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, let us make a wager. I'll wager you a golden ducat that +Evil is stronger than Good and we'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> let the first man we meet on this +road decide which of us is right. Do you agree?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, brother, I agree."</p> + +<p>They rode a short distance and overtook a man who seemed to be a monk. +He wasn't really a monk but the Devil himself disguised in the habit of +a monk. The older brother put the case to him and the false monk at once +answered:</p> + +<p>"That's an easy question to decide. Of course Evil is stronger than Good +in this world."</p> + +<p>Without a word the younger brother took out one of his golden ducats and +handed it over.</p> + +<p>"Now," sneered the older one, "are you convinced?"</p> + +<p>"No, brother, I am not. No matter what this monk says I know that Good +is stronger than Evil."</p> + +<p>"You do, do you? Then suppose we repeat the wager and ask the next man +we meet to decide between us."</p> + +<p>"Very well, brother, I'm willing."</p> + +<p>The next man they overtook looked like an old farmer, but in reality he +was the Devil again who had taken the guise of a farmer. They put the +question to him and of course the Devil made the same answer:</p> + +<p>"Evil is stronger than Good in this world."</p> + +<p>So again the younger brother paid his wager but in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span>sisted that he still +believed Good to be stronger than Evil.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll make a third wager," the other said.</p> + +<p>With the Devil's help the older brother won the third golden ducat which +was all the money the younger one had. Then the older brother suggested +that they wager their horses and the Devil, disguised in another form, +again acted as umpire and the younger one of course lost his horse.</p> + +<p>"Now I have nothing more to lose," he said, "but I am still so sure that +Good is stronger than Evil that I am willing to wager the very eyes out +of my head!"</p> + +<p>"The more fool you!" the other one cried brutally.</p> + +<p>Without another word he knocked his younger brother down and gouged out +his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Now let God take care of you if He can! As for me I put my trust in the +Devil!"</p> + +<p>"May God forgive you for speaking so!" the younger one said.</p> + +<p>"I don't care whether He does or not! Nothing can harm me! I'm strong +and I'm rich and I know how to take care of myself. As for you, you poor +blind beggar, is there anything you would like me to do for you before I +ride away?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 382px;"> +<img src="images/i247.jpg" width="382" height="584" alt="Vilas at Play" title="Vilas at Play" /> +<span class="caption">Vilas at Play</span> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All I ask of you, brother, is that you lead me to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> the spring that is +under the fir tree not far from here. There I can bathe my wounds and +sit in the shade."</p> + +<p>"I'll do that much for you," the older one said, taking the blinded man +by the hand. "For the rest, God will have to take care of you."</p> + +<p>With that he led him over to the fir tree and left him. The blinded man +groped his way to the spring and bathed his wounds, then sat down under +the tree and prayed God for help and protection.</p> + +<p>When night came he fell asleep and he slept until midnight when he was +awakened by the sound of voices at the spring. A company of Vilas were +bathing and playing as they bathed. He was blind, as you remember, so he +couldn't see their beautiful forms but he knew that they must be Vilas +from their voices which were as sweet as gurgling waters and murmuring +treetops. Human voices are never half so lovely. Yes, they must be Vilas +from the mountains and the woods.</p> + +<p>"Ho, sisters!" cried one of them, "if only men knew that we bathed in +this spring, they could come to-morrow and be healed in its water—the +maimed and the halt and blind! To-morrow this water would heal even the +king's daughter who is afflicted with leprosy!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> + +<p>When they were gone the blind man crept down to the spring and bathed +his face. At the first touch of the healing water his wounds closed and +his sight was restored. With a heart full of gratitude he knelt down and +thanked God for the miracle. Then when morning came he filled a vessel +with the precious water and hurried to the king's palace.</p> + +<p>"Tell the king," he said to the guards, "that I have come to heal his +daughter."</p> + +<p>The king admitted him at once to the princess's chamber and said to him:</p> + +<p>"If you succeed in healing the princess you shall have her in marriage +and in addition I shall make you heir to my kingdom."</p> + +<p>The moment the princess was bathed in the healing water she, too, was +restored to health and at once the proclamation was sent forth that the +princess was recovered and was soon to marry the man who had cured her.</p> + +<p>Now when the evil older brother heard who this fortunate man was, he +could scarcely contain himself for rage and envy.</p> + +<p>"How did that fool get back his sight?" he asked himself. "What magic +secret did he discover that enabled him to heal the princess of leprosy? +Whatever it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> was he got it under the fir tree for where else could he +have got it? I've a good mind to go to the fir tree myself to-night and +see what happens."</p> + +<p>The more he thought about it the surer he became that if he went to the +fir tree in exactly the same condition as his brother he, too, would +have some wonderful good fortune. So when night came he seated himself +under the tree, gouged out his eyes with a knife, and then waited to see +what would happen. At midnight he heard the Vilas at the spring but +their voices were not sweet but shrill and angry.</p> + +<p>"Sisters," they cried to each other, "have you heard? The princess is +healed of leprosy and it was with the water of this, our spring! Who has +spied on us?"</p> + +<p>"While we were talking last night," said one, "some man may have been +hiding under the fir tree."</p> + +<p>"Let us see if there is any one there to-night!" cried another.</p> + +<p>With that they all rushed to the fir tree and took the man they found +sitting there and in a fury tore him to pieces as though he were a bit +of old cloth. So that was the end of the wicked older brother. And you +will notice that in his hour of need his friend, the Devil, was not on +hand to help him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> + +<p>So after all it was the younger brother who finally inherited all his +father's wealth. In addition he married the princess and was made heir +to the kingdom. So you see Good is stronger than Evil in this world.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i252.jpg" width="150" height="81" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="LORD_AND_MASTER" id="LORD_AND_MASTER"></a>LORD AND MASTER</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i253.jpg" width="300" height="308" alt="The Story of the Man Who Understood the Language of the Animals" title="The Story of the Man Who Understood the Language of the Animals" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of the Man Who Understood the Language of the Animals</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="LORD_AND_MASTER"></a>LORD AND MASTER</h2> + + +<p>There was once a young shepherd, an honest industrious fellow, who +passed most of his time in the hills looking after his master's flocks. +One afternoon he happened upon a bush which some gipsies had set a-fire. +As he stopped to watch it he heard a strange hissing, whistling sound. +He went as close as he could and in the center of the bush which the +flames had not yet reached he saw a snake. It was writhing and trembling +in fear.</p> + +<p>"Help me, brother!" the snake said. "Help me and I will reward you +richly! I swear I will!"</p> + +<p>The shepherd put the end of his crook over the flames and the snake +crawled up the crook, up the shepherd's arm, and wound itself about his +neck.</p> + +<p>It was now the shepherd's turn to be frightened.</p> + +<p>"What! Will you kill me as a reward for my kindness?"</p> + +<p>"Nay," the snake said. "Do not be afraid. I will not injure you. Do as I +tell you and you will have nothing to regret. My father is the Tsar of +the Snakes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> Take me to him and he will reward you for rescuing me."</p> + +<p>"But I can't leave my flocks," the shepherd said.</p> + +<p>"Have no fear about your flocks. Nothing will happen to them in your +absence."</p> + +<p>"But I don't know where your father, the Tsar of the Snakes, lives," the +shepherd protested.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you," the snake said. "I'll point out the direction with my +tail."</p> + +<p>So in spite of his misgivings the shepherd at last agreed to the snake's +suggestion and, leaving his sheep in God's care, started up the +mountainside in the direction which the snake pointed out with his tail.</p> + +<p>They reached finally a sort of pocket in the hills which was sandy and +rocky and exposed to the full force of the sun. The snake directed the +shepherd to the entrance of a cave which had a huge door composed +entirely of living snakes closely wound together. The shepherd's snake +said something in his breathy whistling voice and the door pulled itself +apart and allowed the shepherd to enter the cave.</p> + +<p>"Now," whispered the snake, "when my father asks you what you want, tell +him you want the gift of understanding the language of the animals. He +will try to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> give you something else but don't you accept anything +else."</p> + +<p>The Tsar of the Snakes was a huge creature clothed in a gorgeous skin of +red and yellow and black. They found him reclining on a golden table +with a crown of precious jewels on his head.</p> + +<p>"My son!" he cried, when he saw the snake that was still wound about the +shepherd's neck, "where have you been? We have been grieving for you +thinking you had met some misfortune."</p> + +<p>"But for this shepherd, my father," the snake said, "I should have been +burned to death. He rescued me."</p> + +<p>Then he told the Tsar of the Snakes the whole story. The Tsar of the +Snakes listened carefully and when the Snake Prince was finished he +turned to the shepherd and said:</p> + +<p>"Sir, I am deeply indebted to you for saving my son's life. Ask of me +anything I can grant and it is yours."</p> + +<p>"Give me then," the shepherd said, "the gift of understanding the +language of the animals."</p> + +<p>"Not that!" the Tsar of the Snakes cried. "It is too dangerous a gift! +If ever you confessed to some other human being that you had this gift +and repeated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> what some animal said you would die that instant. Ask +something else—anything else!"</p> + +<p>"No," the shepherd insisted. "Give me that or nothing!"</p> + +<p>When the Tsar of the Snakes saw that the shepherd was not to be +dissuaded, he said:</p> + +<p>"Very well, then. What must be, must be. Come now very close to me and +put your mouth against my mouth. Do you breathe three times into my +mouth and I shall breathe three times into your mouth. Then you will +understand the language of the animals."</p> + +<p>So the shepherd put his mouth close to the mouth of the Tsar of the +Snakes and breathed into it three times. Then the Tsar of the Snakes +breathed into the shepherd's mouth three times.</p> + +<p>"Now you will understand the language of all animals," the Tsar of the +Snakes said. "It is a dangerous gift but if you remember my warning it +may bring you great prosperity. Farewell."</p> + +<p>So the shepherd went back to his flocks and lay down under a fir tree to +rest. Presently he wondered whether he hadn't been asleep and dreamed +about the burning bush and the snake and the Tsar of the Snakes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It can't be real!" he said to himself. "How can I or any man understand +the language of the animals!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 371px;"> +<img src="images/i259.jpg" width="371" height="562" alt="The Tsar of the Snakes Listened Carefully" title="The Tsar of the Snakes Listened Carefully" /> +<span class="caption">The Tsar of the Snakes Listened Carefully</span> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just then two ravens alighted on the tree above his head.</p> + +<p>"Caw! Caw!" said one of them. "Wouldn't that shepherd be surprised if he +knew he was lying on some buried treasure!"</p> + +<p>"Caw! Caw!" laughed the other. "He'll never know for he's only one of +those poor stupid human beings who can't understand a word we say!"</p> + +<p>The ravens flew off and the shepherd sat up and rubbed his eyes to make +sure he was awake.</p> + +<p>"Am I dreaming again?" he asked himself, "or did I really understand +them? Well, I'll soon find out. To-morrow I'll bring a spade and then if +there's any treasure buried under this tree I won't be long in digging +it up."</p> + +<p>He marked the spot where he had been lying when the ravens spoke and the +next day came back and dug. Three feet below the surface his spade hit +something that proved to be a big iron pot chock-full of golden ducats.</p> + +<p>He carried the treasure to his master and his master was so pleased at +his honesty that he gave him half of it.</p> + +<p>So now the shepherd was able to set up in life for himself. He bought a +farm and married and "settled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> down" as the saying is. The years went by +and he grew prosperous and rich.</p> + +<p>One Christmas Eve he said to his wife:</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking, wife, of my youth when I was a shepherd and how lonely it +was at times like this when other folk were at home seated about the +fire and making merry. Let us give our shepherds out on the hills a +surprise to-night. We can take them meats and wine and other food and +then I'll go out and guard the sheep while you serve them a fine +Christmas supper."</p> + +<p>His wife agreed and they mounted their horses and rode out to the hills +taking with them great hampers of food and wine. The wife entertained +the shepherds in their hut with a big jolly supper and the master stayed +outside all night with the dogs guarding the sheep.</p> + +<p>At midnight some wolves came prowling around the flocks.</p> + +<p>"See here," they said to the dogs, "if you let us in we'll kill the +sheep and then we'll divide the carcasses with you."</p> + +<p>The dogs for the most part were young and thoughtless and ready enough +to fall in with the wolves' suggestion. But there was one old sheepdog +that nothing could tempt.</p> + +<p>"I've only a few teeth left!" he growled, "but those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> few are still +sound and let any wolf come a step nearer and I'll tear him to pieces!"</p> + +<p>All night long that one old sheepdog stood on guard faithful to duty.</p> + +<p>In the morning the master ordered the shepherds to kill the young dogs +and train in new ones.</p> + +<p>The shepherds were surprised.</p> + +<p>"The master's a clever one!" they told each other. "Just one night and +he found out how worthless those young dogs were!"</p> + +<p>As the farmer and his wife were riding home, the farmer's horse ran on +ahead.</p> + +<p>"Not so fast!" begged the mare that the wife was riding. "Have pity on +me and go more slowly. You have only the master to carry while I'm all +laden down with hampers and empty jugs and I don't know what and with a +mistress that's twice as big as she was a few months ago!"</p> + +<p>The farmer when he heard the mare's complaint burst out laughing.</p> + +<p>"What are you laughing at?" his wife asked sharply.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," the farmer said.</p> + +<p>"You're laughing at me!" the wife declared, "I know you are, just +because I'm so big that I'm awkward in the saddle!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, my dear, I'm not laughing at you, truly I'm not."</p> + +<p>"You are! I know you are and I don't think it's kind of you, either!" +And the wife burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear," the husband said, soothingly, "be sensible and believe +me when I tell you I was not laughing at you."</p> + +<p>"Then what were you laughing at?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you because if I did tell you then I should die the next +moment."</p> + +<p>"Die the next moment!" the wife said. "Stuff and nonsense! It must be a +strange thing indeed if a man can't tell his own wife for fear he'll die +the next moment!"</p> + +<p>The more she thought about it the more enraged she became and also the +more curious.</p> + +<p>"If you really loved me, you'd tell me!" she wept.</p> + +<p>All the way home she kept on worrying her husband and nagging at him +until at last in utter exhaustion he said:</p> + +<p>"Peace, woman, peace, and I'll tell you! But first let me have my coffin +made for as I've warned you I shall die the moment I've spoken."</p> + +<p>So he had the village carpenter build him a coffin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> and when it was +ready he stood it up on end against the house and got inside of it.</p> + +<p>The news of what was about to happen spread among the animals and the +faithful old sheepdog hurried down from the hills to be with his master +at the end. He lay down at the foot of the coffin and howled.</p> + +<p>"I've one faithful friend!" the farmer said. "Wife, give the poor dog +some bread before I tell you my secret and die."</p> + +<p>The woman threw the old dog a hunk of bread but the dog refused it and +kept on howling.</p> + +<p>The rooster from the barnyard came running up and began gobbling down +the bread with great gusto.</p> + +<p>"You shameless animal!" the dog said sternly. "Here's the poor master +about to die on account of that foolish inquisitive wife of his and yet +you have so little feeling that you're delighted at the chance to gorge +yourself with food!"</p> + +<p>The rooster clucked scornfully.</p> + +<p>"See here, old dog, I can't waste any sympathy on that master of ours! +Any man who allows his wife to bully him deserves whatever he gets! Look +at me!" The rooster puffed out his chest and gave a loud: +"<i>Cock-a-doodle-do</i>! I've got fifty wives but do they bully me? They do +not! Whenever I find a nice fat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> worm or a grain of corn I set up an +awful noise and gather them all around me. Then I eat it while they +stand there and admire me! No, no, old dog, I have no patience with the +master! He has only one wife and he doesn't know how to rule her!"</p> + +<p>"The rooster's right!" thought the farmer.</p> + +<p>With that he jumped out of the coffin, picked up a stick, and gave his +wife a sound beating.</p> + +<p>"So you'd kill your husband just to satisfy your curiosity, would you?" +he shouted angrily. "Very well, then! Take this and this and this! And +if your curiosity is still unsatisfied I'll give you some more!"</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop! Stop!" cried the wife. "Do you want to injure me!"</p> + +<p>But the farmer did not stop until he had given her such a whipping that +she never forgot it. When it was over she begged his pardon humbly and +promised never again to ask him anything that he didn't want to tell +her.</p> + +<p>"You just mustn't let me be so foolish again!" she said.</p> + +<p>"I won't!" the farmer declared.</p> + +<p>Then he puffed out his chest and strutted about until you'd have laughed +to see him—he looked so much like the rooster!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_SILVER_TRACKS" id="THE_SILVER_TRACKS"></a>THE SILVER TRACKS</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i267.jpg" width="300" height="312" alt="The Story of the Poor Man Who Befriended a Beggar" title="The Story of the Poor Man Who Befriended a Beggar" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of the Poor Man Who Befriended a Beggar</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_SILVER_TRACKS"></a>THE SILVER TRACKS</h2> + + +<p>There were once three brothers who lived in the same village. One of +them was very rich. He had houses and fields and barns. He had nothing +to spend his money on for he had no children and his wife was as saving +and hardworking as himself. The second brother was not so rich but he, +too, was prosperous. He had one son and all his thought was to +accumulate money and property in order to leave his son rich. He schemed +and worked and slaved and made his wife do the same.</p> + +<p>The third brother was industrious but very poor. He worked early and +late and never took a holiday. He couldn't afford to for he had a wife +and ten children and only by working every hour of the day and often far +into the night could he earn enough to buy food for so large a family. +He was a simple man and a good man and he taught his children that the +most important thing for them to do in life was to love God and be kind +to their fellowmen.</p> + +<p>Now it happened that once, when our Lord Christ was on earth testing out +the hearts of men, he came in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> the guise of a beggar to the village +where the three brothers lived. He came in a brokendown cart driving a +wheezy old horse. It was cold and raining and night was falling.</p> + +<p>The Beggar knocked at the door of the richest brother and said:</p> + +<p>"I pray you in God's name give shelter for the night to me and my +horse."</p> + +<p>"What!" cried the rich man, "do you suppose I have nothing better to do +than give shelter to such as you! Be off with you or I'll call my men +and have them give you the beating you deserve!"</p> + +<p>The Beggar left without another word and went to the house of the next +brother. He was civil at least to the Beggar and pretended that he was +sorry to refuse him.</p> + +<p>"I'd accommodate you if I could," he said, "but the truth is I can't. My +house isn't as big as it looks and I have many people dependent on me. +Just go on a little farther and I'm sure you'll find some one who will +take you in."</p> + +<p>The Beggar turned his horse's head and went to the tiny little house +where the poor brother lived with his big family. He knocked on the door +and begged for shelter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come in, brother," said the Poor Man. "We're pretty crowded here but +we'll find a place for you."</p> + +<p>"And my horse," the Beggar said; "I'm afraid to leave him out in the +rain and cold."</p> + +<p>"We'll stable him with my donkey," the Poor Man said. "Do you come in +here by the fire and dry off and I'll see to the horse."</p> + +<p>The Poor Man pulled out his own cart until it was exposed to the rain in +order to make a dry place in the shed for the Beggar's cart. Then he led +the Beggar's gaunt horse into his tiny stable and fed him for the night +out of his own slender store of oats and hay.</p> + +<p>He and his family shared their evening meal with the Beggar and then +made up for him a bed of straw near the fire where he was able to pass +the night comfortably and warmly.</p> + +<p>The next morning as he was leaving he said to the Poor Man:</p> + +<p>"You must come sometime to my house and visit me and let me return the +hospitality you have shown me."</p> + +<p>"Where do you live?" the Poor Man asked.</p> + +<p>"You can always find me," the Beggar said, "by following the tracks of +my cart. You will know them be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span>cause they are broader than the tracks of +any other cart. You will come, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," the Poor Man promised, "I will if ever I have time."</p> + +<p>They bade each other good-by and the Beggar drove slowly off. Then the +Poor Man went to the shed to get his own cart and the first thing he saw +were two large silver bolts lying on the ground.</p> + +<p>"They must have fallen from the Beggar's cart!" he thought to himself +and he ran out to the road to see whether the Beggar were still in +sight. But he and the cart had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"I hope he has no accident on account of those bolts!" the Poor Man +said.</p> + +<p>When he went to the stable to get his donkey he found four golden +horse-shoes where the Beggar's horse had been standing.</p> + +<p>"Four golden horse-shoes!" he exclaimed. "I ought to return them and the +silver bolts at once! But I can't to-day, I'm too busy. Well, I'll hide +them safely away and some afternoon when I have a few hours to spare +I'll follow the tracks of the cart to the Beggar's house."</p> + +<p>That afternoon he met his two rich brothers and told them about the +Beggar.</p> + +<p>"Silver bolts!" cried one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Golden horse-shoes!" cried the other. "Take us home with you and let us +see them!"</p> + +<p>So they went home with the Poor Man and saw for themselves the silver +bolts and the golden horse-shoes.</p> + +<p>"Brothers," the Poor Man said, "if either of you have time I wish you'd +take these things and return them to the Beggar."</p> + +<p>They both said, no, no, they hadn't time, but they would like to know +where the Beggar lived.</p> + +<p>"He said I could always find him," the Poor Man said, "by following the +tracks of his cart."</p> + +<p>"The tracks of his cart!" echoed the other two. "Show us the tracks of +his cart!"</p> + +<p>They went to the shed where the cart had been and followed the tracks +out to the road. Even on the road they were easy to see for besides +being wider than any other cart tracks they shone white like glistening +silver.</p> + +<p>"H'm! H'm!" murmured the two rich brothers.</p> + +<p>"You don't think either of you have time to follow them to the Beggar's +house?" the Poor Man said.</p> + +<p>"No! Of course not! Of course not!" they both answered.</p> + +<p>But in his heart each had already decided to go at once and see for +himself what kind of a Beggar this was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> who had silver bolts in his cart +and golden shoes on his horse.</p> + +<p>The oldest brother went the very next day driving a new wagon and a fine +horse. The silver tracks led through woods and fields and over hills. +They came at last to a river which was spanned by a wooden bridge. It +was cunningly constructed of timbers beautifully hewn. The rich man had +never seen such wood used on a bridge.</p> + +<p>By the roadside beyond the bridge there was a pigsty with one trough +full of corn and another full of water. There were two sows in the sty +and they were fighting each other and tearing at each other and paying +no attention whatever to all the good food in the trough.</p> + +<p>A little farther on there was another river and over it another +wonderful bridge, this one made entirely of stone.</p> + +<p>Beyond it the rich man came to a meadow where there was a hayrick around +which two angry bulls were chasing each other and goring each other +until the blood spurted.</p> + +<p>"I wonder some one doesn't stop them!" the rich man thought to himself.</p> + +<p>The next river had an iron bridge, more beautiful than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> the rich man had +ever supposed an iron bridge could be.</p> + +<p>Beyond the iron bridge there was a field and a bush and two angry rams +that were chasing each other around the bush and fighting. Their horns +cracked as they met and their hides were torn and bleeding where they +had gored each other.</p> + +<p>"I never saw so many angry fighting animals!" the rich man thought to +himself.</p> + +<p>The next bridge glowed in the sun like the embers of a fire for it was +built entirely of shining copper—copper rivets, copper plates, copper +beams, nothing but copper.</p> + +<p>The silver tracks led over the copper bridge into a broad valley. By the +roadside there was a high crossbar from which depended heavy cuts of +meat—lamb and pork and veal. Two large bitch dogs were jumping at the +meat and then snarling and snapping at each other.</p> + +<p>The next bridge was the loveliest of them all for it was built of white +gleaming silver.</p> + +<p>The rich man climbed down from his wagon and examined it closely.</p> + +<p>"It would be worth a man's while to carry home a piece of this bridge!" +he muttered to himself.</p> + +<p>He tried the rivets, he shook the railing. At last he found four loose +bolts which he was able to pull out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> The four together were so heavy +that he was scarcely able to lift them. He looked cautiously about and +when he saw that no one was looking, he slipped them one by one into the +bottom of his wagon and covered them with straw. Then he turned his +horse's head and drove home as fast as he could. It was midnight when he +got there and nobody about to spy on him as he hid the silver bolts in +the hay.</p> + +<p>The next day when he went out alone to gloat over his treasure he found +instead of four heavy silver bolts four pieces of wood!</p> + +<p>So that's what the rich brother got for following the silver tracks.</p> + +<p>A day or two later without saying a word to any one, the second brother +decided that he would follow the silver tracks and have a look at the +strange Beggar whose cart had silver bolts and whose wheezy horse had +golden shoes.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps if I keep my wits about me I'll be able to pick up a few golden +horse-shoes. Not many boys inherit golden horse-shoes from their +fathers!"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 372px;"> +<img src="images/i277.jpg" width="372" height="574" alt="The Beggar's Garden" title="The Beggar's Garden" /> +<span class="caption">The Beggar's Garden</span> +</div> + +<p>Well, the second brother went over exactly the same route and saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +exactly the same things. He crossed all those wonderful bridges that his +brother had crossed—the wooden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> bridge, the stone bridge, the iron +bridge, the copper bridge, the silver bridge, and he saw all those +angry animals still trying to gore each other to death.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> + +<p>He didn't stop at the silver bridge for he thought to himself:</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the next bridge will be golden and if it is I may be able to +break off a piece of it!"</p> + +<p>Beyond the silver bridge was another broad valley and the second brother +saw many strange sights as he drove through. There was a man standing +alone in a field and trying to beat off a flock of ravens that were +swooping down and pecking at his eyes. Near him was an old man with +snow-white hair who was making loud outcries to heaven praying to be +delivered from the two oxen who were munching at his white hair as +though it were so much hay. They ate great wisps of it and the more they +ate the more grew out.</p> + +<p>There was an apple-tree heavily laden with ripe fruit and a hungry man +forever reaching up and plucking an apple. The apples were apples of +Sodom and always as the hungry man raised each new one to his mouth it +turned to ashes.</p> + +<p>In another place a thirsty man was reaching with a dipper into a well +and always, just as he was about to scoop up some water, the well moved +away from under the dipper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What a strange country this is!" thought the second brother as he drove +on.</p> + +<p>At last he reached the next bridge and sure enough it was shining gold! +Every part of it—bolts and beams and pillars, all were gold. In great +excitement the second brother climbed down from his wagon and began +pulling and wrenching at various parts of the bridge hoping to find some +loose pieces which he could break off. At last he succeeded in pulling +out four long bolts which were so heavy he could scarcely lift them. +After looking about in all directions to make sure that no one saw him, +he put them into his wagon and covered them up with straw. Then he drove +homewards as fast as he could.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha!" he chuckled as he hid the golden bolts in the barn. "My son +will now be a richer man than my brother!"</p> + +<p>He could scarcely sleep with thinking of his golden treasure and at the +first light of morning he slipped out to the barn. Imagine his rage when +he found in the straw four bolts of wood!</p> + +<p>So that was all the second brother got for following the silver tracks.</p> + +<p>Well, years went by and the Poor Man worked day after day and all day +and often far into the night. Some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> of his children died and the rest +grew up and went out into the world and married and made homes of their +own. Then at last his good wife died and the time came when the Poor Man +was old and all alone in the world.</p> + +<p>One night as he sat on his doorstep thinking of his wife and of his +children when they were little and of all the years he had worked for +them to keep them fed and clothed, he happened to remember the Beggar +and the promise he had made to visit him sometime.</p> + +<p>"And to think of all the years I've kept his golden horse-shoes and his +silver bolts! Well, he'll forgive me, I know," thought the Poor Man, +"for he'll understand that I've always been too busy up to this time +ever to follow the tracks of his cart. I wonder are they still there."</p> + +<p>He went out to the roadside and peered down and how it happened I don't +know, but to his dim eyes at least there were the silver tracks as clear +as ever.</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried the Poor Man. "To-morrow morning bright and early I'll +hitch up the donkey and visit my old friend, the Beggar!"</p> + +<p>So the next day he took out the silver bolts and the golden <ins class="correction" title="Transcriber's note: original reads 'horseshoes'">horse-shoes</ins> +from the place where he had kept them hidden all these years and he put +them in a bag. Then he hitched his old donkey to his old cart and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> +started out to follow the silver tracks to the Beggar's home.</p> + +<p>Well, he saw just exactly the same things that his brothers had seen +those many years before: all those terrible fighting animals and all +those unfortunate men.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to remember and ask the Beggar what ails all these +creatures," he thought to himself.</p> + +<p>Like his brothers he passed over the wooden bridge and the stone bridge +and the iron bridge and the copper bridge and the silver bridge and even +the golden bridge. Beyond the golden bridge he came to a Garden that was +surrounded by a high wall of diamonds and rubies and sapphires and all +kinds of precious stones that blazed as brightly as the sun itself. The +silver tracks turned in at the garden gate which was locked.</p> + +<p>The poor man climbed down from his cart, unhitched the donkey, and set +him out to graze on the tender grass that grew by the wayside.</p> + +<p>Then he took the bag that held the golden horse-shoes and the silver +bolts and he went to the garden gate. It was a very wonderful gate of +beaten gold set with precious stones. For a moment the Poor Man wondered +if he dare knock at so rich a gate, then he remembered that his friend +the Beggar was inside and he knew that he would be made welcome.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was the Beggar himself who opened the gate. When he saw the Poor Man +he smiled and held out his hands and said:</p> + +<p>"Welcome, dear friend! I have been waiting for you all these years! Come +in and I will show you my Garden."</p> + +<p>So the Poor Man went inside. And first of all he gave the Beggar his +golden horse-shoes and his silver bolts.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me," he said, "for keeping them so long, but I've never had +time until now to return them."</p> + +<p>The Beggar smiled.</p> + +<p>"I knew, dear friend, that they were safe with you and that you would +bring them some day."</p> + +<p>Then the Beggar put his arm over the Poor Man's shoulder and led him +through the Garden showing him the wonderful golden fruits and beautiful +flowers. They sat them down beside a fountain of crystal water and while +they listened to the songs of glorious birds they talked together and +the Poor Man asked about the strange things he had seen along the road.</p> + +<p>"All those animals," the Beggar said, "were once human beings who +instead of fearing God and being kind to their fellowmen passed all +their time fighting and cheating and cursing. The two sows were two +sisters-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span>in-law who hated each other bitterly. The two bulls and the two +rams were neighbors who fought for years and years over the boundary +lines of their farms and now they keep on fighting through eternity. The +two bitches were two sisters who fought until they died over the +inheritance left them by their father. The old man whose hair the oxen +eat was a farmer who always pastured his cattle on his neighbors' +fields. Now he has his reward. The man at whose eyes the ravens peck was +an ungrateful son who mistreated his parents. The man with the awful +thirst that can never be quenched was a drunkard, and the one at whose +lips the apples turn to ashes was a glutton."</p> + +<p>So they talked on together, the Poor Man and the Beggar, until it was +late afternoon and the Beggar said:</p> + +<p>"And now, dear friend, you will sup with me as I once supped with you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," the Poor Man said, "I will. But let me first go out and see +how my donkey is."</p> + +<p>"Very well," the Beggar said, "go. But be sure to come back for I shall +be waiting for you."</p> + +<p>So the Poor Man went out the garden gate and looked for his donkey. But +the donkey was gone.</p> + +<p>"He must have started home," the Poor Man thought. "I'll hurry and +overtake him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> + +<p>So he started back afoot the way he had come. He went on and on but saw +no donkey. He crossed the golden bridge and the silver bridge and the +copper bridge and the iron bridge and the stone bridge and last of all +the wooden bridge, but still there was no donkey.</p> + +<p>"He must have got all the way home," he thought.</p> + +<p>When the Poor Man reached his native village things looked different. +Houses that he remembered had disappeared and others had taken their +places. He couldn't find his own little house at all. He asked the +people he met and they knew nothing about it. And they knew nothing +about him, either, not even his name. And nobody even knew about his +sons. At last he did meet one old man who remembered the family name and +who told him that many years before the last of the sons had gone to +another village to live.</p> + +<p>"There's no place here for me," the Poor Man thought. "I better go back +to my friend the Beggar and stay with him. No one else wants me."</p> + +<p>So once again he followed the silver tracks all that long way over all +those bridges and when at last he reached the garden gate he was very +tired, for he was old and feeble now. It was all he could do to give one +faint little knock. But the Beggar heard him and came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> running to let +him in. And when he saw him, how tired he was and how feeble, he put his +arm around him and helped him into the Garden and he said:</p> + +<p>"You shall stay with me now forever and we shall be very happy +together."</p> + +<p>And the Poor Man when he looked in the Beggar's face to thank him saw +that he was not a beggar at all but the Blessed Christ Himself. And then +he knew that he was in the Garden of Paradise.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i286.jpg" width="300" height="305" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p> + +<p class="title">THE END</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="advertisements"> +<h2><a name="STORIES_TO_TELL" id="STORIES_TO_TELL"></a>STORIES TO TELL</h2> + +<p class="ads">IT'S PERFECTLY TRUE AND OTHER STORIES. <i>By Hans Christian Andersen.</i> +Twenty-eight stories translated from the Danish by Paul Leyssac.</p> + +<p class="ads">13 DANISH TALES. <i>By Mary C. Hatch.</i> A baker's dozen of robust, humorous +folk tales.</p> + +<p class="ads">MORE DANISH TALES. <i>By Mary C. Hatch.</i> Fifteen rollicking folk tales +retold from Sven Grundtvig's <i>Folkaeventyr</i>.</p> + +<p class="ads">A BAKER'S DOZEN. <i>Selected by Mary Gould Davis.</i> Thirteen stories which +are especially successful in storytelling.</p> + +<p class="ads">THE TREASURE OF LI-PO. <i>By Alice Ritchie.</i> Six original fairy tales set +in China and told with beauty and distinction.</p> + +<p class="ads">THE SHEPHERD'S NOSEGAY: Stories from Finland and Czechoslovakia. <i>By +Parker Fillmore.</i> Children and storytellers alike will welcome these +rich and robust folk tales, long unavailable.</p> + +<p class="ads">ROOTABAGA STORIES. <i>By Carl Sandburg.</i> An omnibus volume including all +the stories originally published in the two books <i>Rootabaga Stories</i> +and <i>Rootabaga Pigeons</i>.</p> + +<p class="ads">THE TIGER'S WHISKER: And Other Tales and Legends from Asia and the +Pacific. <i>By Harold Courlander.</i> Thirty-one Far Eastern folk tales, full +of sly humor, adventure, and virtue rewarded.</p> + +<p class="ads">THE HAT-SHAKING DANCE and Other Tales from the Gold Coast. <i>By Harold +Courlander and Albert Kofi Prempeh.</i> A handsome collection of twenty-one +wise and humorous Ashanti folk tales.</p> +</div> + +<p class="publisher"> +HARCOURT, BRACE & WORLD, INC.<br /> +757 <i>Third Avenue, New York 17, N. Y.</i><br /> +</p> + +<div class="bbox"> + +<h2>THE LAUGHING +PRINCE</h2> + +<h4>A book of Jugoslav Fairy Tales +and Folk Tales.</h4> + +<p class="center">RETOLD BY +PARKER FILLMORE</p> + +<p class="center">With illustrations and decorations by Jay Van Everen.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Fillmore started his study of the folk lore of Eastern Europe, +he tapped a mine of treasure for children. The gorgeousness of the +imagery in the stories, their rollicking humor, the adventures, were +entirely new to child and adult readers. The stories in this third +volume reflect the folk lore of many races, for the country now known as +Jugoslavia has been one of the great highways and battlefields of the +world where Orient and Occident, Greek and Roman, Turk and Slav have +fought out their national aspirations. Basically, it has the Slavic +exuberance of imagination and humor, but it has also absorbed much of +the spirit and tales of the Near and Far East.</p> + + +<p class="center">Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.<br /> +757 THIRD AVENUE, NEW YORK 17, N. Y.<br /> +80-120<br /> +</p> + + + +<h2>The Magic Listening Cap</h2> + +<h4>More Folk Tales from Japan</h4> + +<p class="center">BY YOSHIKO UCHIDA</p> + + +<p>Wisdom and humor abound in the fourteen folk tales of this second +collection by the author of <i>The Dancing Kettle</i>. Once more Miss Uchida +has dipped into the wealth of Japanese folklore to retell delightful +stories that American children have seldom heard.</p> + +<p>"The Wrestling Match of the Two Buddhas," "The Man Who Bought a Dream," +"The Golden Axe," and others are a fascinating combination of the +strange and the familiar. A different land, a different people, a +different kind of magic all come to life in these colorful, imaginative +tales. And yet running through them are such universal folk themes as +the inevitable downfall of the greedy and the foolish. In all of these +adventures there is a keen sense of the Japanese countryside with its +mountains and sea, rice fields, deep green forests, and delicate +gardens.</p> + +<p>Retold with freshness and simplicity, these ancient tales are not only +fun to read but also welcome new material for storytelling.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Illustrated by the author</i><br /> + +Honor Book in the 1955 <i>N. Y. Herald Tribune</i> Children's Spring Book +Festival<br /> + +60-100</p> +</div> + +<div class="note"> +<p class="title">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE</p> + +<p>Please hover your mouse over the words with a thin dotted gray line +underneath them for seeing what the original reads. The text in the solid +black box is the text from the dust cover flaps.</p> + +<p class="center">LIST OF FIXED ISSUES</p> + +p. 023—removed a duplicate period after 'frozen over'<br /> +p. 094—typo fixed: changed 'to to' into 'to'<br /> +p. 096—inserted a missing 'is' between 'It' and 'like a fox's tail!'<br /> +p. 131—typo fixed: changed 'hankerchief' into 'handkerchief'<br /> +p. 214—typo fixed: changed 'to-morrrow's' into 'to-morrow's'.<br /> +p. 225—removed a duplicate 'and' in front of 'searched here'<br /> +p. 238—typo fixed: changed 'winepresses' into 'wine-presses'<br /> +p. 281—typo fixed: changed 'horseshoes' into 'horse-shoes' +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Laughing Prince, by Parker Fillmore + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAUGHING PRINCE *** + +***** This file should be named 19713-h.htm or 19713-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/7/1/19713/ + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Irma Spehar, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/19713-h/images/button.jpg b/19713-h/images/button.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9b5d55b --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/button.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/dust_illo.jpg b/19713-h/images/dust_illo.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e071ee2 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/dust_illo.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/frontispiece-tb.jpg b/19713-h/images/frontispiece-tb.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9293bcc --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/frontispiece-tb.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/frontispiece.jpg b/19713-h/images/frontispiece.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c72279 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/frontispiece.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i-ix.jpg b/19713-h/images/i-ix.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1405ca9 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i-ix.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i-v.jpg b/19713-h/images/i-v.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2d75539 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i-v.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i001.jpg b/19713-h/images/i001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6eb5ca2 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i001.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i021.jpg b/19713-h/images/i021.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3bbac52 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i021.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i027.jpg b/19713-h/images/i027.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d4ee6d --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i027.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i045.jpg b/19713-h/images/i045.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d2131d --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i045.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i050.jpg b/19713-h/images/i050.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..006c8bb --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i050.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i051.jpg b/19713-h/images/i051.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3419d07 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i051.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i065.jpg b/19713-h/images/i065.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8e16ae0 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i065.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i072.jpg b/19713-h/images/i072.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c78df5 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i072.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i073.jpg b/19713-h/images/i073.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9543009 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i073.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i097.jpg b/19713-h/images/i097.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..53077bd --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i097.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i105.jpg b/19713-h/images/i105.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9e8ef0c --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i105.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i107.jpg b/19713-h/images/i107.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3603fc1 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i107.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i129.jpg b/19713-h/images/i129.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f94de9 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i129.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i138.jpg b/19713-h/images/i138.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..43f39a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i138.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i139.jpg b/19713-h/images/i139.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..158efd0 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i139.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i153.jpg b/19713-h/images/i153.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..066915d --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i153.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i161.jpg b/19713-h/images/i161.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8ce0199 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i161.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i167.jpg b/19713-h/images/i167.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dde1153 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i167.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i170.jpg b/19713-h/images/i170.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..476c78b --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i170.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i171.jpg b/19713-h/images/i171.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d689823 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i171.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i193.jpg b/19713-h/images/i193.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..44a9989 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i193.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i199.jpg b/19713-h/images/i199.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dc42fbf --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i199.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i201.jpg b/19713-h/images/i201.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c6217f --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i201.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i209.jpg b/19713-h/images/i209.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5921fae --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i209.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i217.jpg b/19713-h/images/i217.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..322e8c1 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i217.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i219.jpg b/19713-h/images/i219.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b81e99 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i219.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i223.jpg b/19713-h/images/i223.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..61e82cb --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i223.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i227.jpg b/19713-h/images/i227.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d21ee9 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i227.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i229.jpg b/19713-h/images/i229.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..396f54b --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i229.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i233.jpg b/19713-h/images/i233.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..afa4b52 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i233.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i240.jpg b/19713-h/images/i240.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f235184 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i240.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i241.jpg b/19713-h/images/i241.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5ee7714 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i241.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i247.jpg b/19713-h/images/i247.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..caa902a --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i247.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i252.jpg b/19713-h/images/i252.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..efd1a16 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i252.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i253.jpg b/19713-h/images/i253.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fdbd3ae --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i253.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i259.jpg b/19713-h/images/i259.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3dc8d86 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i259.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i267.jpg b/19713-h/images/i267.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..331e267 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i267.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i277.jpg b/19713-h/images/i277.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d8caa2 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i277.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/i286.jpg b/19713-h/images/i286.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..79b6080 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/i286.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/title-illo.jpg b/19713-h/images/title-illo.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eb338db --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/title-illo.jpg diff --git a/19713-h/images/title.jpg b/19713-h/images/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..39303a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713-h/images/title.jpg diff --git a/19713.txt b/19713.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dea4554 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6629 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Laughing Prince, by Parker Fillmore + +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 Laughing Prince + Jugoslav Folk and Fairy Tales + +Author: Parker Fillmore + +Illustrator: Jay Van Everen + +Release Date: November 4, 2006 [EBook #19713] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAUGHING PRINCE *** + + + + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Irma Spehar, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +=THE LAUGHING +PRINCE= + +A book of Jugoslav Fairy Tales +and Folk Tales. + +RETOLD BY +PARKER FILLMORE + +With illustrations and decorations by Jay Van Everen. + + +When Mr. Fillmore started his study of the folk lore of Eastern Europe, +he tapped a mine of treasure for children. The gorgeousness of the +imagery in the stories, their rollicking humor, the adventures, were +entirely new to child and adult readers. The stories in this third +volume reflect the folk lore of many races, for the country now known as +Jugoslavia has been one of the great highways and battlefields of the +world where Orient and Occident, Greek and Roman, Turk and Slav have +fought out their national aspirations. Basically, it has the Slavic +exuberance of imagination and humor, but it has also absorbed much of +the spirit and tales of the Near and Far East. + +_Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc._ +757 THIRD AVENUE, NEW YORK 17, N. Y. + +80-120 + + +_BY PARKER FILLMORE_ + +CZECHOSLOVAK FAIRY TALES +THE SHOEMAKER'S APRON + +_Illustrated by Jan Matulka_ + + + + +THE LAUGHING PRINCE + +A Book of Jugoslav Fairy Tales and Folk Tales + + +BY + +PARKER FILLMORE + + +WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND DECORATIONS + +BY + +JAY VAN EVEREN + + +[Illustration] + + +NEW YORK + +HARCOURT, BRACE & WORLD, INC. + +COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY + +PARKER FILLMORE + +RENEWED BY LOUISE FILLMORE + +0.1.68 + + +PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA + + + + +TO BUTTON + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +NOTE + + +In calling this _A Book of Jugoslav Fairy Tales and Folk Tales_ I have +used the word Jugoslav in its literal sense of Southern Slav. The +Bulgars are just as truly Southern Slavs as the Serbs or Croats or any +other of the Slav peoples now included within the state of Jugoslavia. +Moreover in this case it would be particularly difficult to make the +literary boundaries conform strictly to the political boundaries since +much the same stories and folk tales are current among all these Slav +peoples of the Balkan Peninsula. The special student taking the variants +of the same story might discover special differences that would mark +each variant as the product of some one locality. The work of such a +student would have philological and ethnological value but not a very +strong appeal to the general reader. My appeal is first of all to the +general reader--to the child who loves fairy tales and to the adult who +loves them. I hope they will both find these stories entertaining and +amusing quite aside from any interest in their source. + +Yet these tales as presented do give the reader a true idea of the +amazing vigor and the artistic inventiveness of the Jugoslav +imagination, and also of the various influences, Oriental and Northern +as well as Slavic, which have made that imagination what it is to-day. +Here are gay picaresque tales of adventure--how they go on and on and +on!--charming little stories of sentiment, a few folk tales of stark +simplicity and grim humor, one story showing a superficial Turkish +influence, and one spiritual allegory as deep and moving as anything in +the Russian. + +The renderings in every case are my own and are not in any sense +translations. I have taken the old stories and retold them in a new +language. To do them justice in this new language I have found it +necessary to present them with a new selection of detail and with an +occasional shifting of emphasis. I do not mean by this that I have +invented detail in any unwarranted fashion. I haven't had to for any +folk tale, however bald, contains all sorts of things by implication. +The true story teller, it seems to me, is he who is able to grasp these +implications and turn them to his own use. + +I must confess that the setting in which I have placed the famous old +Serbian nonsense story, _In my young days when I was an old, old man_, +is my own invention. The nonsense story needs a setting and as it +chanced I had one ready as I have long wanted to tell the world what was +back of the determination of that princess who refused to eat until some +one had made her laugh. + +So far as I know most of these stories are not familiar to English +readers--certainly not in this form. Madame Mijatovich uses one of them +in her _Serbian Fairy Tales_, but I make no apology for offering a +sprightlier version. Nor do I apologize for presenting any stories that +may have been included somewhere among the indifferent translations to +which Andrew Lang lent his name. + +I am of course deeply indebted to the various people who told me these +stories in the first place and to many scholarly folklorists, Jugoslav, +Czechoslovak, Bulgarian, German, and English whose books and reports I +have studied. + +P. F. + +_Decoration Day, 1921._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + +THE LAUGHING PRINCE: The Story of the Boy Who +Could Talk Nonsense 1 + +BEAUTY AND THE HORNS: The Story of an Enchanted +Maiden 27 + +THE PIGEON'S BRIDE: The Story of a Princess Who +Kissed and Told 51 + +THE LITTLE LAME FOX: The Story of the Youngest +Brother Who Found the Magic Grape-Vine and Married +the Golden Maiden 73 + +THE ENCHANTED PEAFOWL: The Story of the Golden +Apples, the Wicked Dragon, and the Magic Horse 107 + +THE DRAGON'S STRENGTH: The Story of the Youngest +Prince Who Killed the Sparrow 139 + +THE LITTLE SINGING FROG: The Story of a Girl +Whose Parents were Ashamed of Her 161 + +THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE MOSQUE: The Story of +the Sultan's Youngest Son and the Princess Flower o' the +World 171 + +THE GIRL IN THE CHEST: The Story of the Third +Sister Who was Brave and Good 201 + +THE WONDERFUL HAIR: The Story of a Poor Man +Who Dreamed of an Angel 219 + +THE BEST WISH: The Story of Three Brothers and an +Angel 229 + +THE VILAS' SPRING: The Story of the Brother Who +Knew that Good was Stronger than Evil 241 + +LORD AND MASTER: The Story of the Man Who Understood +the Language of the Animals 253 + +THE SILVER TRACKS: The Story of the Poor Man Who +Befriended a Beggar 267 + + + + +THE LAUGHING PRINCE + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of the Boy Who Could Talk Nonsense_ + + + + +THE LAUGHING PRINCE + + +There was once a farmer who had three sons and one little daughter. The +eldest son was a studious boy who learned so much out of books that the +farmer said: + +"We must send Mihailo to school and make a priest of him." + +The second boy was a trader. Whatever you had he would get it from you +by offering you something else for it. And always what he gave you was +worth less than what you gave him. + +"Jakov will make a fine peddler," the farmer said. "He's industrious and +sharp and some day he will probably be a rich man." + +But Stefan, the farmer's youngest son, had no special talent and because +he didn't spend all his time with his nose in a book and because he +never made the best of a bargain his brothers scorned him. Militza, his +little sister, loved him dearly for he was kind and jolly and in the +evening he was always ready to tell her stories and play with her. But +the farmer, of course, listened to the older brothers. + +"I don't know about poor Stefan," he used to say. "He's a good boy but +he talks nonsense. I suppose he'll have to stay on the farm and work." + +Now the truth is the farm was a fine place for Stefan for he was strong +and lusty and he liked to plow and harvest and he had a wonderful way +with the animals. He talked to them as if they were human beings and the +horses all whinnied when he came near, and the cows rubbed their soft +noses against his shoulder, and as for the pigs--they loved him so much +that whenever they saw him they used to run squealing between his legs. + +"Stefan is nothing but a farmer!" Mihailo used to say as though being a +farmer was something to be ashamed of. + +And Jakov said: + +"If the village people could see the pigs following him about, how +they'd laugh at him! I hope when I go to the village to live he won't be +visiting me all the time!" + +Another thing the older brothers couldn't understand about Stefan was +why he was always laughing and joking. He did the work of two men but +whether he was working or resting you could always hear him cracking his +merry jokes and laughing his jolly laugh. + +"I think he's foolish!" Mihailo said. + +Jakov hoped that the village people wouldn't hear about his carryings +on. + +"They'd laugh at him," he said, "and they'd laugh at us, too, because +we're his brothers." + +But Stefan didn't care. The more they frowned at him, the louder he +laughed, and in spite of their dark looks he kept on cracking his merry +jokes and talking nonsense. And every evening after supper his little +sister, Militza, clapped her hands and cried: + +"Now, Stefan, tell me a story! Tell me a story!" + +"Father," Mihailo would say, "you ought to make him keep quiet! He's +foolish and all he does is fill Militza's head with nonsense!" + +This always made Militza very indignant and she would stamp her little +foot and say: + +"He isn't foolish! He knows more than any one! And he can do more things +than any one else and he's the handsomest brother in the world!" + +You see Militza loved Stefan dearly and when you love a person of course +you think that person is wonderful. But the father supposed that Mihailo +must be right for Mihailo studied in books. So he shook his head and +sighed every time he thought of Stefan. + +Now the kingdom in which the three brothers lived was ruled over by a +great Tsar who had an only daughter. In disappointment that he had no +son, the Tsar was having his daughter brought up as though she were a +boy. He sent all over the world for tutors and teachers and had the poor +girl taught statecraft and law and philosophy and all the other things +that the heir to the throne ought to know. + +The Princess because she was an obedient girl and because she loved her +father tried to spend all her time in study. But the dry old scholars +whom the Tsar employed as teachers were not amusing companions for a +young girl and the first lady-in-waiting who was in constant attendance +was scarcely any better for she, too, was old and thin and very prim. + +If the poor little Princess between her geography lesson and her +arithmetic lesson would peep for a moment into a mirror, the first +lady-in-waiting would tap her arm reprovingly and say: + +"My dear, vanity is not becoming in a princess!" + +One day the little Princess lost her temper and answered sharply: + +"But I'm a girl even if I am a princess and I love to look in mirrors +and I love to make myself pretty and I'd love to go to a ball every +night of my life and dance with handsome young men!" + +"You talk like the daughter of a farmer!" the first lady-in-waiting +said. + +Then the Princess, because she lost her temper still further, said +something she should not have said. + +"I wish I were the daughter of a farmer!" she declared. "Then I could +wear pretty ribbons and go dancing and the boys would come courting me! +As it is I have to spend all my time with funny old men and silly old +women!" + +Now even if her tutors and teachers were funny looking old men, even if +the first lady-in-waiting was a silly old woman, the Princess should not +have said so. It hurt the feelings of the first lady-in-waiting and made +her angry and she ran off to the Tsar at once and complained most +bitterly. + +"Is this my reward after all my years of loving service to your +daughter?" she asked. "It is true that I've grown old and thin looking +after her manners and now she calls me a silly old woman! And all the +learned wise men and scholars that you have gathered from the far +corners of the earth--she points her finger at them and calls them funny +old men!" + +The fact is they were funny looking, most of them, but yet the first +lady-in-waiting was right: the Princess should not have said so. + +"And think of her ingratitude to yourself, O Tsar!" the first +lady-in-waiting continued. "You plan to make her the heir to your throne +and yet she says she wishes she were a farmer's daughter so that she +could deck herself out in ribbons and have the boys come courting her! A +nice thing for a princess to say!" + +The Tsar when he heard this fell into an awful rage. (The truth is +whatever temper the Princess had she inherited direct from her father.) + +"Wow! Wow!" he roared, just that way. "Send the Princess to me at once. +I'll soon have her singing another tune!" + +So the first lady-in-waiting sent the Princess to her father and as soon +as he saw her he began roaring again and saying: + +"Wow! Wow! What do you mean--funny old men and silly old women?" + +Now whenever the Tsar began roaring and saying, "Wow! Wow!" the Princess +always stiffened, and instead of being the sweet and obedient daughter +she usually was she became obstinate. Her pretty eyes would flash and +her soft pretty face would harden and people would whisper: "Mercy on +us, how much she looks like her father!" + +"That's just what I mean!" the Princess said. "They're a lot of funny +old men and silly old women and I'm tired of them! I want to be amused! +I want to laugh!" + +"Wow! Wow! Wow!" roared the Tsar. "A fine princess you are! Go straight +back to the schoolroom and behave yourself!" + +So the little Princess marched out of the throne room holding her head +very high and looking so much like the Tsar that the first +lady-in-waiting was positively frightened. + +The Princess went back to the schoolroom but she did not behave herself. +She was really very naughty. When the poor man who knew more than +anybody in the world about the influence of the stars upon the destinies +of nations came to give her a lesson, she threw his book out the window. +When the superannuated old general who was teaching her military +manoeuvers offered her a diagram on which the enemy was represented by +a series of black dots and our soldiers by a series of red dots, she +took the paper and tore it in two. And worst of all when the old scholar +who was teaching her Turkish--for a princess must be able to speak all +languages--dropped his horn spectacles on the floor, she deliberately +stepped on them and broke them. + +When the Tsar heard all these things he just _wow-wowed_ something +terrible. + +"Lock that young woman in her chamber!" he ordered. "Feed her on bread +and water until she's ready to apologize!" + +But the Princess, far from being frightened by this treatment, calmly +announced: + +"I won't eat even your old bread and water until you send me some one +who will make me laugh!" + +Now this frightened the Tsar because he knew how obstinate the Princess +could be on occasions. (He ought to know, too, for the Princess had that +streak of obstinacy direct from himself.) + +"This will never do!" he said. + +He hurried to the Princess's chamber. He found her in bed with her +pretty hair spread out on the pillow like a golden fan. + +"My dear," the Tsar said, "I was joking. You don't have to eat only +bread and water. You may have anything you want." + +"Thank you," the Princess said, "but I'll never eat another bite of +anything until you send me some one who will make me laugh. I'm tired of +living in this gloomy old castle with a lot of old men and old women who +do nothing but instruct me and with a father who always loses his +temper and says, 'Wow! Wow!'" + +"But it's a beautiful castle!" the poor Tsar said. "And I'm sure we're +all doing our very best to educate you!" + +"But I want to be amused as well as educated!" the little Princess said. +And then, because she felt she was going to cry, she turned her face to +the wall and wouldn't say another word. + +What was the Tsar to do? He called together his councilors and asked +them how was the Princess to be made to laugh. The councilors were wise +about state matters but not one of them could suggest a means of amusing +the Princess. The Master of Ceremonies did indeed begin to say something +about a nice young man but instantly the Tsar roared out such a +wrathful, "Wow! Wow!" that the Master of Ceremonies coughed and +pretended he hadn't spoken. + +Then the Tsar called together the scholars and the teachers and the +first lady-in-waiting. He glared at them savagely and roared: + +"Wow! Wow! A nice lot you are! I put you in charge of my daughter and +not one of you has sense enough to know that the poor child needs a +little amusement! I have a good mind to have you all thrown into the +dungeon!" + +"But, Your Majesty," quavered one poor old scholar, "I was not employed +as a buffoon but as a teacher of astrology!" + +"And I," another said, "as a teacher of languages!" + +"And I as a teacher of philosophy!" + +"Silence!" roared the Tsar. "Between you all you have about killed my +poor child! Now I ask you: With all your learning doesn't one of you +know how to make a young girl laugh?" + +Apparently not one of them did, for no one answered. + +"Not even you?" the Tsar said, looking at the first lady-in-waiting. + +"When you called me to Court," the first lady-in-waiting answered, +drawing herself up in a most refined manner, "you said you wished me to +teach your daughter etiquette. As you said nothing about amusement, +quite naturally I confined myself to the subject of behavior. If I do +say it myself, no one has ever been more devoted to duty than I. I am +constantly saying to her: 'That isn't the way a princess should act!' In +fact for years there has hardly been a moment in the day when I haven't +corrected her for something!" + +"Poor child!" groaned the Tsar. "No wonder she wants a change! Oh, what +fools you all are in spite of your learning! Don't you know that a young +girl is a young girl even if she is a Princess!" + +Well, the scholars weren't any more help to the Tsar than the +councilors, and finally in desperation he sent heralds through the land +to announce that to any one who could make the Princess laugh he would +give three bags of gold. + +Three bags of gold don't grow on the bushes every day and instantly all +the youths and men and old men who had stories that their sweethearts +and their wives and their daughters laughed at hurried to the castle. + +One by one they were admitted to the Princess's chamber. They entered +hopefully but when they saw the Tsar sitting at one side of the door +muttering, "Wow! Wow!" in his beard, and the old first lady-in-waiting +at the other side of the door watching them scornfully, and the Princess +herself in bed with her lovely hair spread out like a golden fan on the +pillow, they forgot their funny stories and hemmed and hawed and +stammered and had finally, one after another, to be turned out in +disgrace. + +One day went by and two and three and still the Princess refused to eat. +In despair the Tsar sent out his heralds again. This time he said that +to any one who would make the Princess laugh he would give the +Princess's hand in marriage and make him joint heir to the kingdom. + +"I had expected to wed her to the son of some great Tsar," he sighed, +"but I'd rather marry her to a farmer than see her die of starvation!" + +The heralds rode far and wide until every one, even the people on the +most distant farms, had heard of the Tsar's offer. + +"I won't try again," said Mihailo, the oldest son of the farmer I've +already told you about. "When I went there the day before yesterday I +began telling her a funny story out of my Latin book but instead of +laughing she said: 'Oh, send him away!' So now she'll have to starve to +death for all of me!" + +"Me, too!" said Jakov, the second son. "When I tried to tell her that +funny story of how I traded the moldy oats for the old widow's fat pig, +instead of laughing she looked me straight in the face and said: +'Cheat!'" + +"Stefan ought to go," Mihailo suggested. "Maybe she'd laugh at him! +Everybody else does!" + +He spoke sneeringly but Stefan only smiled. + +"Who knows? Perhaps I will go. If I do make her laugh then, O my +brothers, the laugh will be on you for I shall become Tsar and you two +will be known as my two poor brothers. Ho! Ho! Ho! What a joke that +would be!" + +Stefan laughed loud and heartily and his little sister joined him, but +his brothers looked at him sourly. + +"He grows more foolish all the time!" they told each other. + +When they were gone to bed, Militza slipped over to Stefan and whispered +in his ear: + +"Brother, you must go to the Princess. Tell her the story that begins: +_In my young days when I was an old, old man_.... I think she'll just +have to laugh, and if she laughs then she can eat and she must be very +hungry by this time." + +At first Stefan said no, he wouldn't go, but Militza insisted and +finally, to please her, he said he would. + +So early the next morning he dressed himself in his fine Sunday shirt +with its blue and red embroidery. He put on his bright red Sunday sash +and his long shiny boots. Then he mounted his horse and before his +brothers were awake rode off to the Tsar's castle. + +There he awaited his turn to be admitted to the Princess's chamber. When +he came in he was so young and healthy and vigorous that he seemed to +bring with him a little of the freshness of outdoors. The first +lady-in-waiting looked at him askance for without doubt he was a farmer +lad and his table manners probably were not good. Well, he was a farmer +lad and for that reason he didn't know that she was first +lady-in-waiting. He glanced at her once and thought: "What an ugly old +woman!" and thereafter he didn't think of her at all. He glanced +likewise at the Tsar and the Tsar reminded him of a bull of his own. He +wasn't afraid of the bull, so why be afraid of the Tsar? + +Suddenly he saw the Princess lying in bed with her lovely hair spread +out on the pillow like a golden fan and for a moment he couldn't speak. +Then he knelt beside the bed and kissed her hand. + +"Princess," he said, "I'm not learned and I'm not clever and I don't +suppose I can succeed where so many wise men have failed. And even if I +do make you laugh you won't have to marry me unless you want to because +the reason I really came was to please Militza." + +"Militza?" + +"Yes, Princess, my little sister, Militza. She loves me very much and so +she thinks the stories I tell are funny and she laughs at them. Last +night she said to me: 'Stefan, you must go to the Princess and tell her +the story that begins: _In my young days when I was an old, old +man_.... I think she'll just have to laugh and if she laughs then she +can eat and she must be very hungry by this time.'" + +"I am," the Princess said, with a catch in her voice. Then she added: "I +think I like that little sister of yours and I think I like you, too. I +wish you would tell me the story that begins: _In my young days when I +was an old, old man_...." + +"But, Princess, it's a very foolish story." + +"The foolisher, the better!" + +Just here the first lady-in-waiting tried to correct the Princess for of +course she should have said: "The more foolish, the better!" but the +Tsar shut her up with a black frown and one fierce, "Wow!" + +"Well, then," Stefan began: + +_In my young days when I was an old, old man I used to count my bees +every morning. It was easy enough to count the bees but not the beehives +because I had too many hives. One day when I finished counting I found +that my best bee was missing. At once I saddled a rooster and set out to +find him._ + +"Father!" cried the Princess. "Did you hear what Stefan said? He said he +saddled his rooster!" + +"Umph!" muttered the Tsar, and the first lady-in-waiting said severely: + +"Princess, do not interrupt! Young man, continue." + +_His track led to the sea which I rode across on a bridge. The first +thing I saw on the other side of the sea was my bee. There he was in a +field of millet harnessed to a plow. "That's my bee!" I shouted to the +man who was driving him. "Is that so?" the man said, and without any +words he gave me back my bee and handed me a bag of millet to pay for +the plowing. I took the bag and tied it securely on the bee. Then I +unsaddled the rooster and mounted the bee. The rooster, poor thing, was +so tired that I had to take him by the hand and lead him along beside +us._ + +"Father!" the Princess cried, "did you hear that? He took the rooster by +the hand! Isn't that funny!" + +"Umph!" grunted the Tsar, and the first lady-in-waiting whispered: + +"Hush! Let the young man finish!" + +_Whilst we were crossing the bridge, the string of the bag broke and all +my millet spilled out. When night came I tied the rooster to the bee and +lay down on the seashore to sleep. During the night some wolves came +and killed my bee and when I woke up I found that all the honey had run +out of his body. There was so much honey that it rose up and up until it +reached the ankles of the valleys and the knees of the mountains. I took +a hatchet and swam down to a forest where I found two deer leaping about +on one leg. I shot at the deer with my hatchet, killed them, and skinned +them. With the skins I made two leather bottles. I filled these with the +honey and strapped them over the rooster's back. Then I rode home. I no +sooner arrived home than my father was born. "We must have holy water +for the christening," I said. "I suppose I must go to heaven to fetch +some." But how was I to get there? I thought of my millet. Sure enough +the dampness had made it grow so well that its tops now reached the sky. +So all I had to do was to climb a millet stalk and there I was in +heaven. Up there they had mown down some of my millet which they baked +into a loaf and were eating with boiled milk. "That's my millet!" I +said. "What do you want for it?" they asked me. "I want some holy water +to christen my father who has just been born." So they gave me some holy +water and I prepared to descend again to earth. But on earth there was a +violent storm going on and the wind carried away my millet. So there I +was with no way of getting down. I thought of my hair. It was so long +that when I stood up it covered my ears and when I lay down it reached +all the way to earth. So I pulled out a hair, tied it to a tree of +heaven, and began descending by it. When it grew dark I made a knot in +the hair and just sat where I was. It was cold, so I took a needle which +I happened to have in my coat, split it up, and lighted a fire with the +chips._ + +"Oh, father!" the Princess cried, "Stefan says he split a needle into +kindling wood! Isn't he funny!" + +"If you ask me--" the first lady-in-waiting began, but before she could +say more the Tsar reached over and stepped on her toe so hard that she +was forced to end her sentence with a little squeally, "Ouch!" The +Princess, you see, was smiling and the Tsar was hoping that presently +she would burst into a laugh. So he motioned Stefan to continue. + +[Illustration: _Stefan Tells the Princess a Story_] + +_Then I lay down beside the fire and fell asleep. While I slept a spark +from the fire fell on the hair and burned it through. I fell to earth +with such force that I sank into the ground up to my chest. I couldn't +budge, so I was forced to go home and get a spade and dig myself out. On +the way home I crossed a field_ _where the reapers were cutting corn. +The heat was so great that they had to stop work. "I'll get our mare," I +said, "and then you'll feel cooler." You know our mare is two days long +and as broad as midnight and she has willow trees growing on her back. +So I ran and got her and she cast such a cool shadow that the reapers +were at once able to go back to work. Now they wanted some fresh +drinking water, but when they went to the river they found it had frozen +over. They came back to me and asked me would I get them some water. +"Certainly," I said. I went to the river myself, then I took off my head +and with it I broke a hole in the ice. After that it was easy enough to +fetch them some water. "But where is your head?" they asked. "Oh!" I +said, "I must have forgotten it!"_ + +"Oh, father!" the Princess cried with a loud laugh, "he says he forgot +his head! Then, Stefan, what did you do? What did you do?" + +_I ran back to the river and got there just as a fox was sniffing at my +skull. "Hi, there!" I said, pulling the fox's tail. The fox turned +around and gave me a paper on which was written these words: =NOW THE +PRINCESS CAN EAT FOR SHE HAS LAUGHED AND STEFAN AND HIS LITTLE SISTER +ARE VERY HAPPY.=_ + +"What nonsense!" the first lady-in-waiting murmured with a toss of her +head. + +"Yes, beautiful nonsense!" the Princess cried, clapping her hands and +going off into peal after peal of merry laughter. "Isn't it beautiful +nonsense, father? And isn't Stefan a dear lad? And, father, I'm awfully +hungry! Please have some food sent in at once and Stefan must stay and +eat with me." + +So the Tsar had great trays of food brought in: roast birds and +vegetables and wheaten bread and many kinds of little cakes and honey +and milk and fruit. And Stefan and the Princess ate and made merry and +the Tsar joined them and even the first lady-in-waiting took one little +cake which she crumbled in her handkerchief in a most refined manner. + +Then Stefan rose to go and the Tsar said to him: + +"Stefan, I will reward you richly. You have made the Princess laugh and +besides you have not insisted on her marrying you. You are a fine lad +and I shall never forget you." + +"But, father," the Princess said, "I don't want Stefan to go. He amuses +me and I like him. He said I needn't marry him unless I wanted to but, +father, I think I want to." + +"Wow! Wow!" the Tsar roared. "What! My daughter marry the son of a +farmer!" + +"Now, father," the Princess said, "it's no use your _wow-wowing_ at me +and you know it isn't. If I can't marry Stefan I won't marry any one. +And if I don't marry any one I'm going to stop eating again. So that's +that!" And still holding Stefan's hand, the Princess turned her face to +the wall. + +What could the poor Tsar do? At first he fumed and raged but as usual +after a day or two he came around to the Princess's way of thinking. In +fact it soon seemed to him that Stefan had been his choice from the +first and when one of his councilors remarked: "Then, Your Majesty, +there's no use sending word to the neighboring kings that the Princess +has reached a marriageable age and would like to look over their sons," +the Tsar flew into an awful temper and roared: + +"Wow! Wow! You blockhead! Neighboring kings, indeed, and their +good-for-nothing sons! No, siree! The husband I want for my daughter is +an honest farmer lad who knows how to work and how to play! That's the +kind of son-in-law we need in this kingdom!" + +So Stefan and the little Princess were married and from that day the +castle was no longer gloomy but rang with laughter and merriment. +Presently the people of the kingdom, following the example of their +rulers, were laughing, too, and cracking jokes and, strange to say, they +soon found they were working all the better for their jollity. + +Laughter grew so fashionable that even Mihailo and Jakov were forced to +take it up. They didn't do it very well but they practised at it +conscientiously. Whenever people talked about Stefan, they always pushed +forward importantly and said: + +"Ho! Ho! Ho! Do you mean Stefan, the Laughing Prince? Ha! Ha! Ha! Why, +do you know, he's our own brother!" + +As for Militza, the Princess had her come to the castle and said to her: + +"I owe all my happiness to you, my dear, for you it was who knew that of +course I would laugh at Stefan's nonsense! What sensible girl +wouldn't?" + + + + +BEAUTY AND THE HORNS + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of an Enchanted Maiden_ + + + + +BEAUTY AND THE HORNS + + +There was once a rich man who when he was dying called his son to his +bedside and said: + +"Danilo, my son, I am leaving you my riches. The only thing I ask of you +is this: close your ears to all reports of an enchanted maiden who is +known as Peerless Beauty and when the time comes that you wish to marry +choose for wife some quiet sensible girl of your native village." + +Now if the father had not mentioned Peerless Beauty all might have been +well. Danilo might never have heard of her and after a time he would +probably have fallen in love with a girl of his native village and +married her. As it was, after his father's death he kept saying to +himself: + +"Peerless Beauty, the enchanted maiden of whom my father warned me! I +wonder is she really as beautiful as all that! I wonder where she +lives!" + +He thought about her until he could think of nothing else. + +"Peerless Beauty! Peerless Beauty! Oh, I must see this enchanted maiden +even if it costs me my life!" + +His father had a brother, a wise old man, who was supposed to know +everything in the world. + +"I will go to my uncle," the young man said. "Perhaps he will tell me +where I can find Peerless Beauty." + +So he went to his uncle and said: + +"My dear uncle, my father as he lay dying told me about a wonderful +maiden called Peerless Beauty. Can you tell me where she lives because I +want to see her for myself and judge whether she is as beautiful as my +father said." + +His uncle looked at him gravely and shook his head. + +"My poor boy, how can I tell you where that enchanted maiden lives when +I know it would mean death to you if ever you saw her? Think no more +about her but go, find some suitable maid in the village, and marry her +like a sensible young man." + +But his uncle's words, far from dissuading Danilo, only excited him the +more. + +"If my uncle knows where Peerless Beauty lives," he thought, "other men +also know." + +So one by one he went to all the old men in the village and asked them +what they knew of Peerless Beauty. One by one they shook their heads and +told him that Peerless Beauty was no maiden for him to be thinking +about. + +"Put her out of your mind," they said. "These enchanted maidens are a +snare to young men. What you want to do is marry some quiet industrious +girl here in the village and settle down like a sensible young man." + +But the oftener Danilo heard this advice, the more firmly convinced he +became that it was just what he did not want to do. + +"Time enough to settle down after I've seen Peerless Beauty," he told +himself. "She must be beautiful indeed, or all these old men would not +be so anxious to keep me from seeing her. Well, if they won't tell me +where she is, I'll go out in the world and find her for myself." + +So he put on rich clothes as befitted his wealth, took a bag of the gold +his father had left him, mounted his horse, and rode off into the world. +Everywhere he went he made inquiries about Peerless Beauty and +everywhere he found old men who knew about the enchanted maiden but +would tell him nothing. Every one of them advised him to go home like a +sensible young man and think no more about her. But all they said only +made him the more determined to see the maiden for himself. + +Finally one day as evening approached he came to a little hut in the +woods. At the door of the hut sat a poor old woman. She held out her +hand as he passed and begged an alms. Danilo, being a kind hearted young +man, gave her a gold piece. + +"May God reward you!" the old woman said. + +"Granny," Danilo asked, "can you tell me the way to Peerless Beauty?" + +"Aye, my son, that I can but he is a rash youth who seeks that maiden! +It were better for you to turn back than to go on!" + +"But I'm not going to turn back!" Danilo declared. "Whatever the outcome +I'm going to find Peerless Beauty and see for myself why all men fear +her." + +When the old woman saw that Danilo was determined, she gave up pleading +with him and pointed out a faint trail in the forest which, she told +him, would lead him to Peerless Beauty's castle. + +He slept that night in the old woman's hut and early next morning set +out on the forest trail. By afternoon he reached the castle. + +"What do you want?" the guards demanded roughly. + +"I want to see Peerless Beauty." + +"Have you gold?" they asked him. + +Danilo showed them his bag of ducats. + +They led him into a hall of the castle and told him to put his gold on a +table. If he did so, perhaps Peerless Beauty would show herself and +perhaps she wouldn't. + +Danilo did as the guards directed and then faced a curtain behind which, +they told him, Peerless Beauty was seated. The curtain opened a little, +but instead of showing her face Peerless Beauty extended only one +finger. However, that finger was so ravishingly beautiful that Danilo +almost fainted with delight. He would have stayed gazing on that one +enchanting finger for hours if the guards had not taken him roughly by +the shoulders and thrown him out of the castle. + +"Come again when you've got more gold!" they shouted after him. + +Like a man in a dream Danilo rode back to the old woman's hut. + +"Now, my son, are you satisfied?" she asked him. "Are you ready now to +go home and settle down like a sensible young man?" + +"Oh, granny!" Danilo raved. "Such a finger! I must see that finger again +if it cost me my whole fortune!" + +He slept that night in the old woman's hut and the next day returned to +his native village. There he got another bag of the golden ducats which +his father had left him and at once started back to the castle of +Peerless Beauty. + +This time that heartless maiden stripped him again of his gold, showed +him two of her enchanting fingers, and as before had her guards throw +him out of the castle. + +"Come again when you've got more gold!" they shouted after him. + +That's exactly what the poor young man did. He went back and back until +the fortune that his father had left him was entirely squandered. And +all he had seen of Peerless Beauty up to that time were the fingers of +one hand! Shouldn't you suppose that now with all his wealth lost he +would get over his foolish infatuation? Well, he didn't. + +"I must go back again!" he kept telling himself. + +His gold was gone but he still had his father's house. It was a big old +house with garrets and cellars. + +"Perhaps if I hunt I shall find some treasures hidden away in odd +corners," Danilo said. + +So he hunted upstairs and down. He opened old boxes and rummaged about +among the dark rafters. One day he came upon a funny looking little cap. + +"I wonder whose this was," he thought to himself. + +He went to a mirror and tried the cap on. Then a strange thing happened. +The moment the cap touched his head, Danilo disappeared. + +"Ah!" he cried, "it's a magic cap and the moment I put it on I become +invisible! Now I can slip into Peerless Beauty's chamber and see her +lovely face!" + +With his magic cap pulled tightly down over his forehead, he set off +once more for Peerless Beauty's castle. Sure enough he was able to pass +unseen the guards at the gate, he was able to go boldly into the great +hall, and beyond it through the curtain into Peerless Beauty's own +chamber. + +The Beauty was seated with her back to the curtain and a serving maid +was combing out her hair for the night. It was lovely hair and it fell +down over Beauty's shoulders like a mantle of gold. At mere sight of it +Danilo was so overcome with emotion that he sighed. + +"What's that?" Beauty cried. "There's some one in my chamber!" + +The serving maid looked under the bed and behind the chairs and in the +corners. + +"There's no one here, my lady." + +"That's strange!" Beauty said. "I feel as though some one were looking +at me." + +When Danilo saw the actual face of the enchanted maiden, it was all he +could do to keep from crying aloud. She was so unutterably beautiful +that he almost swooned away in ecstacy. + +Presently the maiden went to bed and fell into an uneasy sleep. The +light of a single candle shed a faint radiance over her face making it +lovelier than ever. Through all the long hours of night Danilo stood +perfectly still, gazing at her, afraid almost to breathe lest he should +disturb her. + +"Unless I win her for wife," he thought to himself, "I shall nevermore +be happy!" + +When morning came the maiden awoke with a start and said: + +"There's some one looking at me! Who is it? Who is it?" + +"It's only your poor Danilo," a voice answered. + +"Danilo? Who is Danilo?" + +"The youth whom you have been treating so cruelly. But though you have +treated me cruelly, I love you still!" + +"If you love me still," the maiden said, "let me see you." + +Danilo took off the magic cap and there he stood, a handsome youth, at +the foot of her bed. Then the crafty maiden spoke him fair and Danilo +told her about the magic cap, and when she said to him that she repented +having treated him so cruelly and asked him to let her see the cap, the +poor young man was so dazzled by her beauty and her seeming kindness +that he handed it to her at once. + +Instantly she clapped it on her head and disappeared. Then she laughed +in derision and called out loudly to the guards: + +"Ho, there! Take out this young man and drive him forth! Let him return +when he has another treasure to offer me!" + +So the guards dragged Danilo out and drove him away. + +With no more gold, with no more magic cap, Danilo returned to his +father's house. + +"Perhaps there are other treasures hidden away," he thought. "I'll +search further." + +In his search he came upon an old pitcher and thinking it might be +silver he began rubbing it. Instantly there was a clap of thunder and a +company of soldiers appeared. Their captain saluted Danilo respectfully +and said: + +"We are the servants of that magic pitcher. What does our master wish?" + +"Magic pitcher?" stammered Danilo. "And am I your master?" + +"Yes," said the captain, "you are our master as long as you hold the +magic pitcher in your hands." + +"You may disappear now," Danilo said. "I will rub the pitcher when I +need you." + +Delighted with this unexpected good fortune, he hurried off to the woods +to the hut of the old woman who had befriended him before. He showed her +the pitcher and demonstrated for her how it worked. Then he asked her to +carry a message to Peerless Beauty. + +"Tell her," he said, "that unless she consents to marry me at once I'll +lead a mighty army against her, take her captive, and then send her off +in exile to that howling wilderness which people call the Donkeys' +Paradise." + +"I will deliver your message," the old woman said, "on condition that +you promise me to be on your guard this time. Don't let the maiden trick +you again. She is under an enchantment that makes her cruel and crafty +and the enchantment will never be broken until she meets a man upon whom +her wiles have no effect." + +"Trust me this time," Danilo said. "I've had my lesson." + +So the old woman delivered the message and when Peerless Beauty +received it with scorn, Danilo at once set out for the castle with the +magic pitcher in his hand. He began rubbing and every time he rubbed a +company of soldiers appeared. Soon the castle was surrounded by a great +army and in fright and dismay Peerless Beauty sent out word that she was +ready to make an unconditional surrender. + +When Danilo entered the castle he found her humble and meek. + +"I have treated you cruelly," she said. "Now I am in your power, do with +me what you will." And she began weeping softly until the sight of her +tears drove Danilo distracted. + +"Weep no more, dear lady!" he cried. "You have nothing to fear from me! +I love you! I am your slave!" + +The Peerless one slowly dried her tears. + +"If you love me as you say you do, you will tell me by what magic you +have raised this great army." + +Then Danilo, forgetting the old woman's warning, took the magic pitcher +out of his shirt and showed the maiden how it worked. + +"Ah!" she murmured wonderingly. "It looks like any old pitcher! Please, +Danilo, let me see it in my own hands." + +Danilo handed her the pitcher and, quick as a flash, she rubbed it. +There was a clap of thunder, a company of soldiers appeared, and their +captain saluting her respectfully said: + +"What does the mistress of the pitcher want?" + +"Nay!" cried Danilo, "it is I who own the pitcher, not she!" + +"We are the servants," the captain said, "of whoever holds the pitcher." + +At that Peerless Beauty laughed loud and scornfully until the castle +rang with her merriment. + +"Seize that wretch!" she said, pointing to Danilo. "Tie his hands and +drive him out in exile to the Donkeys' Paradise! Let him stay there +until he has another treasure to present me!" + +So they drove Danilo out to the wilderness and left him there. + +He wandered about for many days hungry and thirsty, subsisting on roots +and berries, and having for drink only the water that collected in the +hoof prints of the wild beasts. + +"See what I've come to!" he cried aloud. "Why didn't I heed the old +woman's warning! If I had, I should have broken the evil enchantment +that binds my Peerless Beauty and all would have been well!" + +One day as he wandered about he came upon a vine that was laden with +great clusters of luscious red grapes. He fell upon them ravenously and +ate bunch after bunch. Suddenly he felt something in his hair and +lifting his hands he found that horns had grown out all over his head. + +"Fine grapes these are!" he exclaimed, "to bring out horns on a person's +head!" + +However, he was so hungry that he kept on eating until his head was one +mass of horns. + +The next day he found a vine that had clusters of white grapes. He began +eating the white grapes and he hadn't finished a bunch before the horns +all fell off his head. + +"Ha!" he said. "The red grapes put horns on and the white grapes take +them off! That's a trick worth knowing!" + +He took some reeds and fashioned two baskets one of which he filled with +red grapes and the other with white grapes. Then staining his face with +the dark juice of a leaf until he looked brown and sunburned like a +countryman, he went back to Peerless Beauty's castle. There he marched +up and down below the Peerless one's window crying his wares like a +huckster: + +"Sweet grapes for sale! Who wants my fresh sweet grapes!" + +Now it was not the season for grapes, so Peerless Beauty when she heard +the cry was surprised and said to her serving maid: + +"Go quickly and buy me some grapes from that huckster and mind you don't +eat one yourself!" + +The serving maid hurried out to Danilo and he sold her some of the red +grapes. As she carried them in, she couldn't resist the temptation of +slipping a few into her mouth. Instantly some horns grew out on her +head. + +"That's to punish me for disobeying my mistress!" the poor girl cried. +"Oh, dear, what shall I do?" + +She was afraid to show herself to Peerless Beauty, so she pretended she +was taken sick and she went to bed and pulled the sheet over her head +and sent in the grapes by another serving maid. + +Peerless Beauty ate them all before she discovered their frightful +property. Then there was a great to-do, and cries of anger and of +fright, and a quick sending out of the guards to find the huckster. But +the huckster had disappeared. + +What could Peerless Beauty do now? She tried to pull the horns out but +they wouldn't come. She tried to cut them off but they resisted the edge +of the sharpest knife. She was too proud to show herself with horns, so +she swathed her head with jewels and ribbons and pretended she was +wearing an elaborate head-dress. + +Then she sent heralds through the land offering a huge reward to any one +who could cure her serving maid of some strange horns that had grown out +on her head. You see she thought if she could get hold of some one who +would cure the maid, then she could make him cure her, too. + +Well, doctors and quacks and all sorts of people came and tried every +kind of remedy, but all in vain. The horns stayed firmly rooted. + +A whole week went by and when the last of the quacks had come and gone, +Danilo, disguised as an old physician, presented himself and craved +audience with the Peerless one. He carried two small jars in his hands +one of which was filled with a conserve made from the white grapes and +the other with a conserve made from the red grapes. + +Peerless Beauty, her horns swathed in silk and gleaming with jewels, +received him coldly. + +"Are you one more quack?" she asked. + +"Not a quack," he said, bowing low, "but a man who has happened upon a +strange secret of nature. I can cure your serving maid of her horns +provided she confess to me all her misdeeds and hand over to me anything +she has that does not belong to her." + +Peerless Beauty had him shown to the room where the serving maid lay in +bed. The poor frightened girl at once confessed that she had stolen a +few of her mistress's grapes and eaten them. Danilo spoke kindly to her, +gave her some of the white grape conserve, and as soon as she had tasted +it the horns of course dropped off. + +Thereupon Peerless Beauty led Danilo to her own chamber, ordered all her +people out, and then acknowledged that she, too, was suffering from +horns. + +"I am sure I can cure you," Danilo told her, "provided you confess to me +all your misdeeds and hand over to me whatever you have that belongs to +some one else." + +"I cheated a foolish young man out of five bags of gold," Peerless +Beauty said. "Here they are in this chest. Take them." + +Danilo opened the chest and took out his own five bags of gold. + +"Is that all?" he asked. + +[Illustration: _The Magic Pitcher_] + +"Yes, that is all." + +Danilo gave her some of the red grape conserve and of course, instead of +the horns already on her head falling off, more grew on. + +"You're not telling me the truth," Danilo said, "and I can't cure you. +There's no use my treating you further." + +He turned to go and Peerless Beauty, in great fright, begged him to +stay. + +"I do remember another misdeed," she confessed. "I took by trickery a +magic pitcher from the same foolish young man." + +She gave Danilo the pitcher and he hid it in his shirt. + +"Is that all?" + +"Yes, that is all." + +Danilo gave her some more of the red grape conserve and, of course, more +horns grew out on her head. Then he pretended to get angry. + +"How can you expect to be cured when you don't tell me the truth? I told +you I could not cure you unless you confessed all!" + +Peerless Beauty wanted much to keep the magic cap but when the strange +physician thundered and scowled and threatened again to leave her, more +horned than ever, she acknowledged that she had taken the cap, too, and +handed it over. + +This time Danilo gave her some of the white grape conserve and as soon +as she had eaten it all the horns fell off and her head shimmered and +shone as of old with her beautiful hair. + +Then Danilo told her who he was and at once the maiden sought to ensnare +him again with her wiles. + +"What a wonderful man you are, Danilo! I could love you now if you loved +me, but I know of course that you will never love me again after the +cruel way I have treated you!" + +"But I do love you!" Danilo cried. "I do love you!" + +"No, you don't!" she said, and she pretended to weep. "If you did love +me, you'd tell me where you found those red grapes and what this magic +conserve is made of. But of course you don't love me enough to tell me." + +Because she looked more beautiful than ever with the tears on her lovely +cheeks, Danilo was about to tell her what she wanted to know when he +remembered the old woman's warning. That was enough. He hardened his +heart and declared: + +"No! I'll never tell you! Do you hear me: I'll never tell you!" + +She wept and implored him and used all her wiles, but Danilo remembering +the past was firm. And presently he had the reward that a man always has +when he's firm, for as soon as it was evident that she could no longer +befool him, the evil enchantment that bound her broke with a snap and +Peerless Beauty became a human maiden as gentle and sweet and loving as +she was beautiful. + +She knelt at Danilo's feet and humbly begged his pardon and promised, if +he would still marry her, to make him the most dutiful wife in the +world. + +So Danilo married Peerless Beauty and with the servants of the magic +pitcher transported her and her castle and her riches together with the +old woman who had befriended them both to his own native village. There +he still lives happy and prosperous. + +His uncle and all the old men in the village take credit to themselves +for the success of his adventures. + +"It is due entirely to us," they tell any one who will listen to them, +"that Danilo went out in search of Peerless Beauty in the first place. +When he came to us and asked our advice we said to him: 'Go, by all +means! You're young and brave and of course you'll win her!' If we +hadn't urged him to go, he would probably have settled down here at +home, married some quiet village girl, and never be heard of again!" + +That's how the old men talk now, but we know what they really did say at +the time! + +Yet after all that doesn't matter. All that matters is that Danilo and +Peerless Beauty love each other and are happy. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE PIGEON'S BRIDE + + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of a Princess Who Kissed and Told_ + + + + +THE PIGEON'S BRIDE + + +There was once a King who had an only daughter. She was as lovely as a +princess ought to be and by the time she reached a marriageable age the +fame of her beauty had spread far and wide over all the world. +Neighboring kings and even distant ones were already sending envoys to +her father's court begging permission to offer their sons as suitors to +the Princess's hand. As he had no son of his own the Princess's father +was delighted that the day was fast approaching when he might have a +son-in-law, and long before even the name of any particular prince was +discussed the Princess's mother had planned the wedding down to its last +detail. + +The Princess alone was uninterested. + +"I'm not ready to get married yet," she'd say to her parents every day +when they'd begin telling her about the various princes who were anxious +to gain her favor. "Why such haste? I'm young and there's plenty of +time. Besides, just now I'm too busy with my embroidery to be bothered +with a crowd of young men." + +With that, before the King could reprove her, the Princess would throw +her arms about his neck, kiss him under the corner of his mustache, and +go flying off to the tower-room where she had her embroidery frame. + +Her mother, the Queen, was much upset by the Princess's attitude. + +"In my youth," she said, "girls were not like this. We were brought up +to think that courtship and marriage were the most important events in +our lives. I don't know what's getting into the heads of the young girls +nowadays!" + +But the King, who was still smiling from the tickling little kiss which +the Princess had planted under the corner of his mustache, always +answered: + +"Tut! Tut! We needn't worry yet! Take my word for it when some +particular young man comes along she'll be interested fast enough!" + +At this the Queen, ending the discussion every day with the same words, +would shake her head and declare: + +"I tell you it isn't natural for a girl to be more interested in +embroidery than in a long line of handsome young suitors!" + +The Princess was interested in her embroidery--there's no doubt about +that. She spent every moment she could in the tower-room, working and +singing. The tower was high up among the treetops. It was reached by +winding stairs so narrow and so many that no one any older than the +Princess would care to climb them. The Princess flew up them like a +bird, scarcely pausing for breath. At the top of the stairs was a +trap-door which was the only means of entrance into the tower-room. Once +in the tower-room with the bolt of the trap-door securely fastened, the +Princess was safe from interruption and could work away at her +embroidery to her heart's content. The tower had windows on all sides, +so the Princess as she sat at her embroidery frame could look out north, +east, south, and west. + +The clouds sailed by in the sky, the wind blew and at once the leaves in +the treetops began murmuring and whispering among themselves, and the +birds that went flying all over the world would often alight on some +branch near the tower and sing to the Princess as she worked or chatter +some exciting story that she could almost understand. + +"What!" the Princess would think to herself as she looked out north, +east, south, and west. "Leave my tower and my beautiful embroidery to +become the wife of some conceited young man! Never!" + +From this remark you can understand perfectly well that the particular +young man of whom her father spoke had not yet come along. And I'm sure +you'll also know that shutting herself up in the tower-room and bolting +the trap-door was not going to keep him away when it was time for him to +come. Yet I don't believe that you'd have recognized him when he did +come any more than the Princess did. This is how it happened: + +One afternoon when as usual she was working at her embroidery and +singing as she worked, suddenly there was a flutter of wings at the +eastern window and a lovely Pigeon came flying into the room. It circled +three times about the Princess's head and then alighted on the +embroidery frame. The Princess reached out her hand and the bird, +instead of taking fright, allowed her to stroke its gleaming neck. Then +she took it gently in her hands and fondled it to her bosom, kissing its +bill and smoothing its plumage with her lips. + +"You beautiful thing!" she cried. "How I love you!" + +"If you really love me," the Pigeon said, "have a bowl of milk here at +this same hour to-morrow and then we'll see what we'll see." + +With that the bird spread its wings and flew out the western window. + +The Princess was so excited that for the rest of the afternoon she +forgot her embroidery. + +"Did the Pigeon really speak?" she asked herself as she stood staring +out the western window, "or have I been dreaming?" + +The next day when she climbed the winding stairs she went slowly for she +carried in her hands a brimming bowl of milk. + +"Of course it won't come again!" she said, and she made herself sit down +quietly before the embroidery frame and work just as though she expected +nothing. + +But exactly at the same hour as the day before there was a flutter of +wings at the eastern window, the sound of a gentle _coo! coo!_ and there +was the Pigeon ready to be loved and caressed. + +"You beautiful creature!" the Princess cried, kissing its coral beak and +smoothing its neck with her lips, "how I love you! And see, I have +brought you the bowl of milk that you asked for!" + +The bird flew over to the bowl, poised for a moment on its brim, then +splashed into the milk as though to take a bath. + +The Princess laughed and clapped her hands and then, as she looked, she +saw a strange thing happen. The bird's feathers opened like a shirt and +out of the feather shirt stepped a handsome youth. + +(You remember I told you how surprised the Princess was going to be. +And you're surprised, too, aren't you?) + +He was so handsome that all the Princess could say was, "Oh!" + +He came slowly towards her and knelt before her. + +"Dear Princess," he said, "do not be frightened. If it had not been for +your sweet words yesterday when you said you loved me I should never +have been able to leave this feather shirt. Do not turn from me now +because I am a man and not a pigeon. Love me still if you can, for I +love you. It was because I fell in love with you yesterday when I saw +you working at your embroidery that I flew in by the open window and let +you caress me." + +For a long time the Princess could only stare at the kneeling youth, too +amazed to speak. He was so handsome that she forgot all about the pigeon +he used to be, she forgot her embroidery, she forgot everything. She +hadn't supposed that any young man in the whole world could be so +handsome! Why, just looking at him, she could be happy forever and ever +and ever! + +"Would you rather I were still a pigeon?" the young man asked. + +"No! No! No!" the Princess cried. "I like you ever so much better this +way!" + +The young man gravely bowed his head and kissed her hand and the +Princess blushed and trembled and wished he would do it again. She had +never imagined that any kiss could be so wonderful! + +They passed the afternoon together and it seemed to the Princess it was +the happiest afternoon of all her life. As the sun was sinking the youth +said: + +"Now I must leave you and become a pigeon again." + +"But you'll come back, won't you?" the Princess begged. + +"Yes, I'll come back to-morrow but on one condition: that you don't tell +any one about me. I'll come back every day at the same hour but if ever +you tell about me then I won't be able to come back any more." + +"I'll never tell!" the Princess promised. + +Then the youth kissed her tenderly, dipped himself in the milk, went +back into his feather shirt, and flew off as a pigeon. + +The next day he came again and the next and the next and the Princess +fell so madly in love with him that all day long and all night long, +too, she thought of nothing else. She no longer touched her embroidery +but day after day sat idle in the tower-room just awaiting the hour of +his arrival. And every day it seemed to the King and the Queen and all +the people about the Court that the Princess was becoming more and more +beautiful. Her cheeks kept growing pinker, her eyes brighter, her lovely +hair more golden. + +"I must say sitting at that foolish embroidery agrees with her," the +King said. + +"No, it isn't that," the Queen told him. "It's the big bowl of milk she +drinks every afternoon. You know milk is very good for the complexion." + +"Milk indeed!" murmured the Princess to herself, and she blushed rosier +than ever at thought of her wonderful secret. + +But a princess can't keep growing more and more beautiful without +everybody in the world hearing about it. The neighboring kings soon +began to feel angry and suspicious. + +"What ails this Princess?" they asked among themselves. "Isn't one of +our sons good enough for her? Is she waiting for the King of Persia to +come as a suitor or what? Let us stand together on our rights and demand +to know why she won't consider one of our sons!" + +So they sent envoys to the Princess's father and he saw at once that the +matter had become serious. + +"My dear," he said to the Princess, "your mother and I have humored you +long enough. It is high time that you had a husband and I insist that +you allow the sons of neighboring kings to be presented to you next +week." + +"I won't do it!" the Princess declared. "I'm not interested in the sons +of the neighboring kings and that's all there is about it!" + +Her father looked at her severely. + +"Is that the way for a princess to talk? Persist in this foolishness and +you may embroil your country in war!" + +"I don't care!" the Princess cried, bursting into tears. "I can't marry +any of them, so why let them be presented?" + +"Why can't you marry any of them?" + +"I just can't!" the Princess insisted. + +At first, in spite of the pleadings of both parents, she would tell them +no more, but her mother kept questioning her until at last in +self-defense the Princess confessed that she had a true love who came to +her in the tower every afternoon in the form of a pigeon. + +"He's a prince," she told them, "the son of a distant king. At present +he is under an enchantment that turns him into a pigeon. When the +enchantment is broken he is coming as a prince to marry me." + +"My poor child!" the Queen cried. "Think no more about this Pigeon +Prince! The enchantment may last a hundred years and then where will you +be!" + +"But he is my love!" the Princess declared, "and if I can't have him I +won't have any one!" + +When the King found that nothing they could say would move her from this +resolution, he sighed and murmured: + +"Very well, my dear. If it must be so, it must be. This afternoon when +your lover comes, bring him down to me that I may talk to him." + +But that afternoon the Pigeon did not come. Nor the next afternoon +either, nor the next, and then too late the Princess remembered his +warning that if she told about him he could never come back. + +So now she sat in the tower-room idle and heartbroken, reproaching +herself that she had betrayed her lover and praying God to forgive her +and send him back to her. And the roses faded from her cheeks and her +eyes grew dull and the people about the Court began wondering why they +had ever thought her the most beautiful princess in the world. + +At last she went to the King, her father, and said: + +"As my love can no longer come back to me because I forgot my promise +and betrayed him, I must go out into the world and hunt him. Unless I +find him life will not be worth the living. So do not oppose me, +father, but help me. Have three pairs of iron shoes made for me and +three iron staffs. I will wander over the wide world until these are +worn out and then, if by that time I have not found him, I will come +home to you." + +So the King had three pairs of iron shoes made for the Princess and +three iron staffs and she set forth on her quest. She traveled through +towns and cities and many kingdoms, over rough mountains and desert +places, looking everywhere for her enchanted love. But nowhere could she +find any trace of him. + +At the end of the first year she had worn out the first pair of iron +shoes and the first iron staff. At the end of the second year she had +worn out the second pair of iron shoes and the second iron staff. At the +end of the third year, when she had worn out the third pair of iron +shoes and the third staff, she returned to her father's palace looking +thin and worn and sad. + +"My poor child," the King said, "I hope now you realize that the Pigeon +Prince is gone forever. Think no more about him. Go back to your +embroidery and when the roses begin blooming in your cheeks again we'll +find some young prince for you who isn't enchanted." + +But the Princess shook her head. + +"Let me try one thing more, father," she begged, "and then if I don't +find my love I'll do as you say." + +The King agreed to this. + +"Well, then," the Princess said, "build a public bath-house and have the +heralds proclaim that the King's daughter will sit at the entrance and +will allow any one to bathe free of charge who will tell her the story +of the strangest thing he has ever heard or seen." + +So the King built the bath-house and sent out his heralds far and wide. +Men and women from all over the world came and bathed and told the +Princess stories of this marvel and that, but never, alas, a word of an +enchanted pigeon. + +The days went by and the Princess grew more and more discouraged. + +"Isn't it sad," the courtiers began whispering, "how the Princess has +lost her looks! Do you suppose she ever was really beautiful or did we +just imagine it?" + +And the neighboring kings when they heard this remarked softly among +themselves: + +"It's just as well we didn't hurry one of our sons into a marriage with +this young woman!" + +[Illustration: _The Princess Kissed Its Coral Beak_] + +Now there was a poor widow who lived near the bath-house. She had a +daughter, a pretty young girl, who used to sit at the window and watch +the Princess as people came and told her their stories. + +"Mother," the girl said one day, "every one in the world goes to the +bath-house and I want to go, too!" + +"Nonsense!" the mother said. "What story could you tell the Princess?" + +"But everybody else goes and I don't see why I can't!" + +"Well, my dear," the mother promised, "you may just as soon as you see +or hear something strange. Talk no more about it now but go, fetch me a +pitcher of water from the town well." + +The girl obediently took an empty pitcher and went to the town well. +Just as she had filled the pitcher she heard some one say: + +"Mercy me, I fear I'll be late!" + +She turned around and what do you think she saw? A rooster in wooden +shoes with a basket under his wing! + +"I fear I'll be late! I fear I'll be late!" the rooster kept repeating +as he hurried off making a funny little clatter with his wooden shoes. + +"How strange!" the girl thought to herself. "A rooster with wooden +shoes! I'm sure the Princess would love to hear about him! I'll follow +him and see what he does." + +He went to a garden where he filled his basket with fresh +vegetables--with onions and beans and garlic. Then he hurried home to a +little house. The girl slipped in after him and hid behind the door. + +"Thank goodness, I'm on time!" the rooster murmured. + +He put a big bowl on the table and filled it with milk. + +"There!" he said. "Now I'm ready for them!" + +Presently twelve beautiful pigeons came flying in by the open door. +Eleven of them dipped in the bowl of milk, their feather shirts opened, +and out they stepped eleven handsome youths. But the Twelfth Pigeon +perched disconsolately on the windowsill and remained a pigeon. The +eleven laughed at him and said: + +"Poor fellow, your bride betrayed you, didn't she? So you have to remain +shut up in your feather shirt while we go off and have a jolly time!" + +"Yes," the Twelfth Pigeon said, "she broke her promise and now she goes +wandering up and down the world hunting for me. If she doesn't find me I +shall nevermore escape the feather shirt but shall have to fly about +forever as a pigeon. But I know she will find me for she will never +stop until she does. And when she finds me, then the enchantment will be +broken forever and I can marry her!" + +The eleven youths went laughing arm in arm out of the house and in a few +moments the solitary Pigeon flew after them. Instantly the girl slipped +out from behind the door and hurried home with her pitcher of water. +Then she ran quickly across to the bath-house and all out of breath she +cried to the Princess: + +"O Princess, I have such a wonderful story to tell you all about a +rooster with wooden shoes and twelve pigeons only eleven of them are not +pigeons but handsome young men and the twelfth one has to stay in his +feather shirt because--" + +At mention of the enchanted pigeons, the Princess turned pale. She held +up her hand and made the girl pause until she had her breath, then she +questioned her until she knew the whole story. + +"It must be my love!" the Princess thought to herself. "Thank God I have +found him at last!" + +The next day at the same hour she went with the girl to the town well +and when the rooster clattered by in his wooden shoes they followed him +home and slipping into the house they hid behind the door and waited. +Presently twelve pigeons flew in. Eleven of them dipped in the milk and +came out handsome young men. The Twelfth sat disconsolately on the +window sill and remained a pigeon. The eleven laughed at him and twitted +him with having had a bride that had betrayed him. Then the eleven went +away laughing arm in arm. Before the Twelfth could fly after them, the +Princess ran out from behind the door and cried: + +"My dear one, I have found you at last!" + +The Pigeon flew into her hands and she took him and kissed his coral +beak and smoothed his gleaming plumage with her lips. Then she put him +in the milk and the feather shirt opened and her own true love stepped +out. + +She led him at once to her father and when the King found him well +trained in all the arts a prince should know he accepted him as his +future son-in-law and presented him to the people. + +So after all the Princess's mother was able to give her daughter the +gorgeous wedding she had planned for years and years. Preparations were +begun at once but the Queen insisted on making such vast quantities of +little round cakes and candied fruits and sweetmeats of all kinds that +it was three whole months before the wedding actually took place. By +that time the roses were again blooming in the Princess's cheeks, her +eyes were brighter than before, and her long shining hair was more +golden than ever. + +All the neighboring kings were invited to the wedding and when they saw +the bride they shook their heads sadly and said among themselves: + +"Lost her looks indeed! What did people mean by saying such a thing? +Why, she's the most beautiful princess in the world! What a pity she +didn't marry one of our sons!" + +But when they met the Prince of her choice, they saw at once why the +Princess had fallen in love with him. + +"Any girl would!" they said. + +It was a big wedding, as I told you before, and the only guest present +who was not a king or a queen or a royal personage of some sort was the +poor girl who saw the rooster with wooden shoes in the first place. The +Queen, of course, had wanted only royalty but the Princess declared that +the poor girl was her dear friend and would have to be invited. So the +Queen, when she saw that the Princess was set on having her own way, had +the poor girl come to the palace before the wedding and decked her out +in rich clothes until people were sure that she was some strange +princess whom the bride had met on her travels. + +"My dear," whispered the Princess as they sat down beside each other at +the wedding feast, "how beautiful you look!" + +"But I'm not as beautiful as you!" the girl said. + +The Princess laughed. + +"Of course not! No one can be as beautiful as I am because I have the +secret of beauty!" + +"Dear Princess," the poor girl begged, "won't you tell me the secret of +beauty?" + +The Princess leaned over and whispered something in the poor girl's ear. + +It was only one word: + +"Happiness!" + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE LITTLE LAME FOX + + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of the Youngest Brother Who Found the Magic Grape-Vine and +Married the Golden Maiden_ + + + + +THE LITTLE LAME FOX + + +There was once a wealthy farmer who had three sons. The oldest was a +selfish overbearing fellow. The second was a weak chap who always did +everything his brother suggested. The youngest whose name was Janko was +not as bright and clever as his brothers but he was honest and, +moreover, he had a good heart and in this world a good heart, you know, +is more likely to bring its owner happiness than wicked brains. + +"That booby!" the oldest brother would say whenever he saw Janko. And +the second would snicker and repeat the ugly word, "Booby!" + +The father was proud of his three sons and happy to see them grow up +strong and healthy. + +"They're good boys," he'd say to himself, "and I'm a fortunate father." + +Now there was one very curious thing about this farmer that nobody +understood. One of his eyes was always laughing and the other was always +weeping. + +"What's the matter with your father's eyes?" people used to ask the +sons. + +The sons didn't know any more than any one else. One day they were in +the garden discussing the matter among themselves. + +"Why don't we just go and ask him?" Janko suggested. + +"If anybody is to ask him, I will!" declared the oldest brother +importantly. + +So he went indoors to his father and said: + +"Father, people are forever talking about your eyes. Now I wish you +would tell me why one of them is always laughing and the other always +weeping." + +"My eyes, indeed!" cried the farmer, and in a rage he snatched up a +knife and hurled it straight at his son. The young man dodged aside and +fled and the knife stuck in the door jamb. + +All out of breath the oldest brother returned to the others but of +course he was ashamed to tell them what had happened. So he said to +them: + +"If you want to know what's the matter with father's eyes, you'll have +to ask him yourselves." + +So the second brother went in to the farmer and he had exactly the same +experience. When he came out he gave his older brother a wink and said +to Janko: + +"Now it is your turn, Booby. Father is waiting for you." + +So Janko went in to his father and said: + +"You have told my brothers why one of your eyes is always laughing and +the other always weeping. Now please tell me for I, too, want to know." + +In a rage the farmer snatched up the knife again and lifted his arm to +hurl it. But Janko stood perfectly still. Why should he turn and run +away as though he had done something wrong? He had only asked his father +a civil question and if his father did not wish to answer it, he could +tell him so. + +The farmer when he saw that the boy was not to be frightened smiled and +laid the knife aside. + +"Thank God," he said, "I have one son who is not a coward! I have been +waiting these many years to have my sons ask me this very question. My +right eye laughs because God has blessed me and made me rich and has +allowed my three sons to grow to manhood, strong and healthy. My left +eye weeps because I can never forget a Magic Grape-Vine which once grew +in my garden. It used to give me a bucket of wine every hour of the +twenty-four! One night a thief came and stole my Magic Vine and I have +never heard of it since. Do you wonder that my left eye weeps at the +memory of this wonderful Vine? Alas, the bucket of wine that used to +flow out of it every hour of the day and night--I have never tasted its +like since!" + +"Father," Janko said, "dry your weeping eye! I and my brothers will go +out into the world and find your Magic Grape-Vine wherever it is +hidden!" + +With that Janko ran out to his brothers and when they heard what he had +to say they laughed and called him, "Booby!" and asked him didn't he +suppose that they had already planned to do just this thing. Of course +they hadn't, but they were so jealous and ill-natured that they couldn't +bear the thought of his being the first to suggest anything. + +"We mustn't lose any more time," Janko said. + +"It doesn't matter how much time you lose, Mr. Booby! As for us we two +are going to start out to-morrow at sunrise." + +"But, brothers," Janko begged, "please let me go, too!" + +"No!" they told him shortly. "You can stay home and look after the +farm!" + +But their father when he heard the discussion said, no, Janko was also +to go as he was the bravest of them all. After that the brothers, +because they didn't want their father to tell how they had been afraid +and run away, had to agree. + +So the next morning early the three of them started out, each with a +wallet well-stocked with food. + +"How are we going to get rid of the Booby?" the second one whispered. + +"Trust me!" the oldest one whispered back with a wink. + +Presently they came to a crossroads where three roads branched. Now the +oldest brother knew that after a short distance two of the roads came +together again. So he motioned the second brother slyly that he was to +take the middle road. Then he said: + +"Brothers, let us part here and each take a different road. Do you +agree?" + +"Yes," the other two said, "we agree." + +"Then suppose Janko take the left-hand road." + +"And I'll take the middle road," the second cried. + +"And I," the eldest said, "will take the one that's left. So farewell, +brothers, and let us meet here in a year's time." + +"God bless us all," Janko called out, "and grant that one of us may find +our dear father's Magic Grape-Vine." + +The two older brothers of course met in a short time when their roads +joined and they had a good laugh to think how they had outwitted the +Booby. + +"Time enough to look for that old Grape-Vine when we've had a little +fun!" the eldest said. "Let us sit down here and eat a bite and then +push on to the next village. There's an inn there where we can try our +luck at cards." + +So they sat down by the roadside, opened their wallets, and laid out +some bread and cheese. Just then a Little Lame Fox came limping up on +three feet, and whimpering and fawning it begged for something to eat. + +"Get out!" bawled the older brother and the second, picking up a handful +of stones, threw them at the Fox. + +The little animal shied and then came timidly back, again begging for +something to eat. + +"Let's kill it!" cried one of the brothers. + +They both jumped up and tried to strike the little creature with their +sticks. The Fox limped off and they followed, hitting at it as they ran +and always just missing it. It was so weak and lame that they expected +every minute to overtake it and so kept on chasing it until it had led +them pretty far into the woods. Then suddenly it disappeared and there +was nothing left for the brothers to do but make their way back to the +roadside grumbling and cursing. In their absence some shepherd dogs had +found their open wallets and eaten all their food. So now they really +had something to curse about. + +Janko meanwhile had been trudging along steadily on the third road. At +last when he began to feel hungry, he sat down by the wayside and opened +his wallet. Instantly the same Little Lame Fox came limping up and +whimpered and fawned and begged for something to eat. + +"You poor little creature," Janko said, "are you hungry?" + +He held out his hand coaxingly and the animal gave it a timid sniff. + +"Of course I'll give you something to eat," Janko said. "There's enough +for both of us." + +With that he divided his bread and cheese and gave the Little Fox half. +Then they ate together and the Little Fox allowed Janko to pat her head. + +When they finished eating the Fox sat up on her haunches and said: + +"Now, Janko, tell me about yourself. Who are you and where are you +going?" + +The Fox seemed such a sensible little person that it didn't surprise +Janko in the least to have her sit up and talk. Janko's brothers would +have said that he hadn't sense enough to be surprised. But he had a good +heart, Janko had, and as you'll soon hear a good heart is a much better +guide for conduct than wicked brains. + +Janko answered the Fox simply and truthfully. He told about his father +and his two brothers and about his father's weeping eye and the Magic +Grape-Vine for which he and his brothers were gone in search. + +"You've been good to me," the Little Fox said. "You've shared your bread +with me and that makes us friends. So from now on if you'll be a brother +to me, I'll be a little sister to you." + +Goodness knows Janko's own brothers weren't very good to him, but Janko +understood what the Little Fox meant and he agreed. + +"Well then, brother," the Fox said, "I know where that Grape-Vine is and +I'm going to help you to get it. If you do just as I say I don't believe +you'll have any trouble. Now take hold of my tail and away we'll go." + +So Janko took hold of the Little Fox's tail and sure enough away they +went. Whether they sailed through the air or just ran fleetly along the +ground I don't know. But I do know that they went a great distance and +that when they stopped Janko didn't feel in the least tired or +breathless. + +"Now, my brother," the Little Fox said, "listen carefully to what I tell +you. The king of this country has a wonderful garden. In the midst of it +your father's Grape-Vine is planted. We are close to the garden now. It +is protected by twelve watches each of which is composed of twelve +guards. To get to the Grape-Vine you will have to pass them all. Now as +you approach each watch look carefully. If the eyes of all the guards +are open and staring straight at you, have no fear. They sleep with +their eyes open and they won't see you. But if their eyes are closed, +then be careful for when their eyes are closed they are awake and ready +to see you. You will find the Grape-Vine in the very center of the +garden. Standing near it you will see two spades, a wooden spade and a +golden spade. Take the wooden spade and dig up the Vine as quickly as +you can. Under no condition touch the golden spade. Now, Janko, do you +understand?" + +Yes, Janko thought he understood. He slipped into the garden and the +first thing he saw were twelve fierce looking guards who were staring at +him with great round eyes. He was much frightened until he remembered +that the Little Fox had said that if their eyes were open they were fast +asleep. So he picked up courage and walked straight by them and sure +enough they didn't see him. He passed watch after watch in the same way +and at last reached the center of the garden. He saw the Grape-Vine at +once. There was no mistaking it for at that very moment it was pouring +out wine of itself into a golden bucket. Near it were two spades, Janko +in great excitement snatched up the first that came to his hand and +began to dig. Alas, it was the golden spade and as Janko drove it into +the earth it sent out a loud ringing sound that instantly woke the +guards. They came running from all directions with their eyes tightly +closed for now, of course, they were awake. They caught Janko and +dragged him to the king to whom they said: + +"A thief! A thief! We found him trying to steal your Magic Grape-Vine!" + +"My Magic Grape-Vine!" thundered the king. "Young man, what do you mean +trying to steal my Magic Grape-Vine?" + +"Well, you see," Janko answered simply, "the Grape-Vine really belongs +to my father. It was stolen from him years ago and ever since then his +left eye has wept over the loss of it. Give me the Vine, O king, for if +you don't I shall have to come back and try again to steal it for it +belongs to my father and I have sworn to get it!" + +The king frowned in thought and at last he said: + +"I can't give away my precious Grape-Vine for nothing, young man, but I +tell you what I'll do: I'll give it to you provided you get for me the +Golden Apple-Tree that bears buds, blossoms, and golden fruit every +twenty-four hours." + +With that Janko was dismissed and turned out of the garden. + +The Little Fox was waiting for him and Janko had the shame of confessing +that he had forgotten the warning about the golden spade and had been +caught. + +"But the king says he will give me the Grape-Vine provided I get for him +the Golden Apple-Tree that bears buds, blossoms, and golden fruit every +twenty-four hours." + +"Well, brother," the Little Fox said, "you were good to me, so I'll help +you again. Take hold of my tail and away we'll go." + +Janko took hold of the Little Fox's tail and away they went a greater +distance than before. In spite of going so quickly it took them a long +time but whether it was weeks or months I don't know. Whichever it was +when they stopped Janko didn't feel in the least tired or breathless. + +"Now, brother," the Little Fox said, "here we are in another country +close to the king's garden where the Golden Apple-Tree grows. To reach +it you will have to pass twenty-four watches of twelve guards each. +Take care that you pass each guard as before when his eyes are wide open +and staring straight at you for that means he is asleep. When you reach +the Golden Apple-Tree you will see two long poles on the ground--a +wooden pole and a golden pole. Take the wooden pole and beat down some +of the golden fruit. Don't touch the golden pole. Remember!" + +So Janko crept into the second garden and succeeded in passing all the +guards of the twenty-four watches when their eyes were wide open and +staring straight at him. He reached the Golden Apple-Tree and saw at +once the two long poles that were lying near it on the ground. Now +whether because he was excited or because he forgot what the Fox +said--he had a good heart, Janko had, but he was a little careless +sometimes--I don't know. But I do know that instead of taking the wooden +pole as the Fox had told him, he took the golden pole. At the first +stroke of the golden pole against the golden branches of the tree, the +golden branches sent out a loud clear whistle that woke all the sleeping +guards. Every last one of them came running to the Apple-Tree and in no +time at all they had captured poor Janko and carried him to their +master, the king. + +"Trying to steal my Golden Apple-Tree, is he?" roared the king in a +great rage. "What do you want with my Golden Apple-Tree, young man?" + +"Well, you see," Janko answered simply, "I have to have the Golden +Apple-Tree to exchange it for the Magic Grape-Vine that really belongs +to my father. It was stolen from him years ago and ever since then his +left eye has wept over the loss of it. Give me the Golden Apple-Tree, O +king, for if you don't I shall have to come back and try again to steal +it." + +The king seemed impressed with Janko's words for after a moment he said: + +"Janko, I can't give you the Golden Apple-Tree for nothing, but I tell +you what I'll do: I'll let you have it provided you get for me the +Golden Horse that can race around the world in twenty-four hours." + +With that Janko was dismissed and turned out of the garden. + +As usual the Little Fox was waiting for him and again Janko had the +shame of confessing that he had forgotten the warning about the golden +pole and had been caught. + +"But the king says he will give me the Golden Apple-Tree provided I get +him the Golden Horse that can race around the world in twenty-four +hours. I wonder, dear Little Fox, will you help me again?" + +"Yes, brother, I will help you again for you were good to me. Take hold +of my tail and away we'll go." + +So Janko took hold of the Little Fox's tail and away they went. How far +they went and how long they were gone I don't know, but it was a great +distance and a long time. However they arrived without feeling in the +least tired or breathless. + +"Now, brother," the Little Fox said, "this time listen carefully to what +I tell you. Here we are in another kingdom close to the king's own +stable where the Golden Horse is guarded by thirty-six watches of twelve +guards each. When night comes you must slip into the stable and pass all +those guards when they are asleep with their eyes wide open and staring +straight at you. When you reach the Golden Horse you will see hanging +beside him a golden bridle and a common bridle made of hempen rope. Slip +the hempen bridle over the Horse's head and lead him quietly out of the +stable. But mind you don't touch the golden bridle! This time don't +forget!" + +Janko promised faithfully to remember what the Little Fox said and when +night came he crept into the stable and cautiously made his way through +the sleeping guards. He reached at last the stall of the Golden Horse. +It was the most beautiful horse in the world and the gleam of its +shining flanks was like sunshine in the dark stable. + +Janko stroked its golden mane and whispered softly into its ear. The +horse responded to his touch and rubbed its muzzle against his shoulder. + +Janko reached over to take the hempen bridle and then he paused. "It +would be an outrage," he thought to himself, "to put a common rope on +this glorious creature!" + +Just think of it! For the third time Janko forgot the Little Fox's +warning! I have no excuse to make for him. I don't see how he could have +forgotten a third time! But he did. He took the golden bridle instead of +the hempen one and put it over the head of the Golden Horse. The Horse +neighed and instantly all the sleeping guards awoke and came running to +the stall. They caught Janko, of course, and when morning broke carried +him to their master, the king. + +He questioned Janko as the others had done and Janko answered him +simply: + +"You see I have to have the Golden Horse, O king, to exchange it for the +Golden Apple-Tree. And I have to have the Golden Apple-Tree to exchange +it for the Magic Grape-Vine that really belongs to my father. It was +stolen from him years ago and ever since then his left eye has wept over +the loss of it. Give me the Golden Horse, O king, for if you don't give +him to me I shall have to come back and try again to steal him." + +"But, Janko," the king said, "I can't give you the Golden Horse for +nothing! But I tell you what I'll do: I will give him to you provided +you get for me the Golden Maiden who has never seen the sun." + +With that Janko was dismissed and led out of the stable. + +Janko really was awfully ashamed this time when he had again to confess +to the Little Fox that he had forgotten her warning and had touched the +golden bridle. + +"Janko! Janko!" the Little Fox said. "Where are your wits! Now what +shall we do?" + +Then Janko told the Little Fox of the king's offer: + +"He will give me the Golden Horse provided I get for him the Golden +Maiden who has never seen the sun. Dear Little Fox, will you help me +this one time more? I know I am very stupid but I promise you faithfully +that this time I will not forget." + +"Of course, brother," the Little Fox said, "I'll help you again. But +this will have to be the last time. If you forget this time I won't be +able to help you any more. Take hold of my tail and away we'll go." + +So for the fourth time Janko took hold of the Little Fox's tail and away +they went. They went and they went--I can't tell you how far! But they +weren't tired when they arrived, they weren't even breathless. + +"Now, brother," the Little Fox said, "listen carefully to what I tell +you. Here we are in another kingdom close to a great cavern where for +sixteen years the Golden Maiden has been kept a prisoner under the +enchantment of her wicked mother and never allowed to see the golden +light of the sun. There are forty-eight chambers in the cavern and each +chamber is guarded by a watch of twelve guards. Steal softly through +each chamber when the eyes of all the guards are wide open and staring +straight at you. In the last chamber of all you will find the Golden +Maiden playing in her Golden Cradle. Over the Cradle stands a fearful +ghost who will cry out to you to go away and threaten to kill you. But +don't be afraid. It is only an empty ghost which the wicked mother has +placed there to frighten men off from rescuing the Golden Maiden. Take +the Golden Maiden by the hand, put the Golden Cradle on your shoulder, +and hurry back to me. But one thing: As you leave each chamber be sure +to lock the door after you so that the guards when they wake cannot +follow you." + +Janko crept into the cavern and cautiously made his way from chamber to +chamber through the wide-eyed guards. In the forty-eighth chamber he +found the Golden Maiden playing in her Golden Cradle. He ran to take her +when a horrible creature rose above the Cradle and in hollow tones +cried: "Back! Back! Back!" For a moment Janko was frightened, then he +remembered that the awful creature was only an empty ghost. So he went +boldly up to the Golden Cradle and sure enough the ghost faded away. + +"You have come to rescue me, haven't you?" the Golden Maiden cried. + +She gave Janko her hand and he helped her to her feet. Then he put the +Golden Cradle on his shoulder and together they hurried out from chamber +to chamber. And I am happy to tell you that this time Janko remembered +the Little Fox's warning and locked the door of every chamber as they +left it. So they reached the upper world safely and found the Little Fox +waiting for them. + +"There's no time to lose," the Little Fox said. "Put the Cradle across +my back, Janko, and take hold of my tail with one hand and give your +other hand to the Golden Maiden and away we'll go." + +Janko did as the Little Fox said and away they all three went. + +When they reached the stable of the Golden Horse, the Little Fox said: + +"It doesn't seem right to give the Golden Maiden to the king of the +Golden Horse unless she wants us to, does it?" + +The Golden Maiden at once begged them to keep her. + +"Don't give me to the king of the Golden Horse!" she said. "I want to +stay with Janko who has rescued me!" + +"But unless I give up the Golden Maiden," Janko asked, "how can I get +the Golden Horse?" + +"Perhaps I can help you," the Little Fox said. "Perhaps I can enchant +myself into looking like the Golden Maiden." + +With that the Little Fox leaped up in the air, turned this way and that, +and lo! you might have thought her the Golden Maiden except that her +eyes were still fox's eyes. + +"Now leave the Maiden outside here hidden in her Golden Cradle and take +me in to the master of the stable. Exchange me for the Golden Horse and +make off at once. Then pick up the Golden Maiden in her Golden Cradle +and ride away and soon I'll join you." + +Janko did this very thing. He took in the fox maiden and exchanged her +for the Golden Horse and instantly rode off as the Little Fox had told +him. + +The king of the stable at once called all his courtiers together and +showed them the fox maiden. + +"See," he said, "this is the Golden Maiden who has never seen the sun! +She is the most beautiful maiden in the world and she now belongs to +me!" + +The courtiers looked at her and admired her, but one of them a little +keener than the others said: + +"Yes, she's very beautiful and all that but look at her eyes. They don't +look like maiden's eyes but like fox's eyes!" + +Instantly at the word _fox_ the false maiden turned to a fox and went +scampering off. + +"See what you've done!" cried the king in a fury. "You have changed my +Golden Maiden into a fox with your nonsense! You shall pay for this with +your life!" And he had him executed at once. + +The Little Fox meantime had caught up with Janko and the Golden Maiden +and the Golden Horse. As they neared the garden of the king of the +Golden Apple-Tree the Fox said: + +"It would be a pity to give away the Golden Horse. Rightly it belongs to +the Golden Maiden and was taken from her by her wicked mother." + +"Don't give my Golden Horse away!" the Golden Maiden begged. + +"But how else can I get the Golden Apple-Tree?" Janko asked. + +"Perhaps I can help you," the Little Fox said. "Perhaps I can enchant +myself into looking like the Golden Horse." + +With that the Little Fox leaped up in the air, turned this way and that, +and lo! you might have thought her the Golden Horse except that her tail +was still a fox's tail. + +When they reached the garden of the Golden Apple-Tree, Janko left the +Golden Horse and the Golden Maiden outside and took the fox horse in to +the king. + +The king was delighted and at once had his servants deliver to Janko the +Golden Apple-Tree. + +When Janko was safely gone, the king called all his courtiers together +and showed them the fox horse. + +"See my Golden Horse!" he said. "Isn't it the most beautiful horse in +the world!" + +"It is! It is!" they all told him. + +But one courtier, a little keener than the rest, remarked: + +"What a curious tail for a horse to have! It is like a fox's tail!" + +At the word _fox_ the false horse changed back into a fox and went +scampering off. + +"See what you've done with your nonsense!" cried the king. "You have +lost me my Golden Horse and now you shall lose your own life!" And he +ordered the courtier to be executed at once. + +The Fox soon caught up with the real Golden Horse and with Janko and the +Golden Maiden who were holding in their arms the Golden Cradle and the +Golden Apple-Tree. + +"It will never do to give up the Golden Apple-Tree," the Fox said, "for +it, too, rightly belongs to the Golden Maiden. I'll have to see again if +I can help you." + +So when they neared the garden of the Magic Grape-Vine, the Little Fox +leaped in the air, turned this way; and that, and lo! you might have +thought her the Golden Apple-Tree except that her fruit instead of being +round was long and pointed like a fox's head. + +[Illustration: _The Golden Maiden, the Farmer and the Empty Ghost_] + +Janko gave the king the fox tree and received in return the Magic +Grape-Vine that really belonged to his father and not to the king at +all. He hurried back to the Golden Maiden who was waiting for him with +the Golden Horse and the Golden Apple-Tree and the Golden Cradle and off +they all went. + +The king was delighted with his fox tree and called his courtiers to +come and admire it. + +"Beautiful! Beautiful!" they all said, and one of them examining the +fruit carefully remarked: + +"But see these apples! They are not round like apples but long and +pointed like a fox's head!" + +He had no sooner said the word _fox_ than the tree turned into a fox and +went scampering off. + +"See what you've done with your nonsense!" cried the king. "You have +lost me my Golden Apple-Tree and now I shall lose you your head!" And he +ordered the courtier to be executed at once. + +When the Fox caught up with the Golden Horse, she said to Janko: + +"Now, my brother, it is time for us to part. You have the Magic +Grape-Vine and soon your father's left eye will no longer weep. Besides, +you are carrying home the Golden Maiden on her own Golden Horse and with +her Golden Apple-Tree and her Golden Cradle. God has blessed you in your +undertaking and will continue to bless you so long as you are good and +kind. Farewell now and think sometimes of your sister, the Little Lame +Fox." + +Janko wept at thought of parting with the Little Fox and the Little Fox +promised him that she would help him again if ever he needed her. Then +she turned and trotted off into the woods and Janko rode homewards +without her. + +When he reached the crossroads where he had parted from his brothers +just one year before he came upon a crowd of angry farmers belaboring +two men who had been robbing their barns. Janko found that the two men +were his own brothers who since he had seen them had fallen into bad +company, lost all their money at cards, and had finally taken to +thieving. Janko paid the farmers for the damage his brothers had done +them and took his brothers home with him. + +You can imagine the old farmer's happiness at seeing all three of his +sons after a whole year's absence. It was even greater than his delight +at getting back his Magic Grape-Vine. But that doesn't mean that he +wasn't delighted to have back the Grape-Vine. At the first cup of wine +that the Vine poured him, his left eye ceased weeping and it was never +known to weep again. + +He was delighted, too, at having the Golden Maiden in the house and +pleased when people came from far and near to see the Maiden's Golden +Horse and Golden Apple-Tree and Golden Cradle. He even began to hope +that she might marry one of his sons before some prince came along and +snatched her away. He thought the Maiden would make a wonderful bride +for the oldest. Unfortunately Janko had not told him what reprobates the +two older sons were, and the older brothers themselves had given their +father to understand that it was really they who had found the Magic +Grape-Vine and rescued the Golden Maiden. You see instead of being +grateful to Janko for having saved their necks from the angry farmers, +they hated him worse than ever. + +"That Booby!" the older brother growled. "Just because he took the +left-hand road and found the Magic Grape-Vine he thinks himself so much +better than us! It was just luck--that's all it was! Any one who took +the left-hand road could have found the old Grape-Vine!" + +"And do you notice the way the Golden Maiden always smiles on him?" the +other said. "The first thing we know she'll be marrying him and giving +him the Golden Horse and the Golden Apple-Tree and the Golden Cradle! +Then where will we be?" + +"Brother," whispered the first, "let us make away with him!" + +So they plotted together and they asked Janko to go hunting with them +the next day. Suspecting nothing Janko went. When they came to a deep +well in the woods they asked Janko to reach them a cup of water. As he +stooped over into the well they pushed him all the way in and drowned +him. That's the kind of brothers they were! Then they went home and +pretended to be surprised that Janko hadn't come home before them. + +He didn't come that night or the next day either, and the Golden Maiden +grew sad and quiet, the Magic Grape-Vine no longer poured out its +precious wine every hour, the Golden Apple-Tree stopped putting forth +its buds and blossoms and golden fruit, and the Golden Horse languished +and drooped its lovely head. + +"Everything goes wrong when Janko isn't here!" the farmer said. "Where +can he be?" + +On the third day the Golden Maiden suddenly began to laugh and sing, the +Magic Grape-Vine again poured forth a bucket of precious wine every +hour, the Golden Apple-Tree put out buds and blossoms and golden fruit, +and the Golden Horse lifted its beautiful head and neighed loud and +happily. And do you know why? Because the Little Lame Fox had just +rescued Janko and brought him back to life! She pulled him out of the +well, and rolled him about on the ground, and worked over him until all +the water was emptied from his lungs and he was able to breathe again. + +Then as he opened his eyes the Little Fox said: + +"I told you, brother, I'd come again if you needed my help. I was just +in time for a little longer and I could never have brought you back to +life. And now, brother, the enchantment that held me is broken and I +need no longer go about as a Little Lame Fox. My mother was a wicked +witch and she enchanted me because she was angry with me for saving a +man whom she wanted to kill. So she turned me into a little fox and she +said I should have to remain a fox forever unless I succeeded in +bringing back to life my benefactor. You are my benefactor, Janko, for +you shared your bread and cheese with me the first time we met, and now +I have been able to bring you back to life." + +As she spoke she changed into a lovely maiden. + +"Good-by, Janko," she said. "Go home now and tell your father how your +evil brothers have treated you. Unless you do this they will plot +against the Golden Maiden and you may not be able to protect her." + +So Janko and the maiden kissed each other as a brother and sister might +and the maiden went her way and Janko returned to his father's house. + +The Golden Maiden and the old farmer were not in the least surprised to +see him for things were so happy again that they just knew it must be +because Janko was coming back. But his two brothers when they caught +sight of him alive and well were so frightened that they took to their +heels and ran off as fast as they could go and what's more they've never +shown themselves since. And good riddance, too, I say, for they were +wicked evil fellows and would only have injured Janko further if they +could. + +When Janko told his father all the wicked things they had done, the old +farmer could scarcely believe his ears. + +"And to think," he said, "I had been hoping the Golden Maiden would +marry one of them! Mercy me! Mercy me!" + +"But, father," the Golden Maiden said--she called him _father_ now and +it pleased him mightily; "father, I should rather marry Janko!" + +"Marry Janko!" the farmer cried. "Why, my dear, Janko is a stupid lad, +not nearly so clever as his two brothers!" + +"I don't care if he is stupid. He's got a good heart and that's more +than the other two have. And besides that he's got a brave heart for he +rescued me from the dark cavern and he faced the awful ghost that stood +over my Golden Cradle. Why, father, I'd rather marry Janko than any +prince in the world!" + +You can imagine Janko's feelings when he heard this! + +"I'd feel like a prince if you did marry me, dear Golden One!" he cried. + +Well, she did marry him, and sure enough he did feel like a prince. What +prince, I'd like to know, had a lovelier bride? None! And was there any +prince in the world whose bride brought him greater riches than the +Golden Apple-Tree, the Golden Horse, and Golden Cradle? No, not one! And +furthermore the farmer promised that, when he died, he would leave him +the Magic Grape-Vine. + +So Janko lived happy and prosperous. And it all came about through his +having a good honest heart. + +[Illustration] + +THE ENCHANTED PEAFOWL + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of the Golden Apples, the Wicked Dragon, and the Magic +Horse_ + + + + +THE ENCHANTED PEAFOWL + + +_Have you ever heard the story of the Peafowl who became a Queen and of +the Tsar's Youngest Son who married her? Well, here it is:_ + +There was once a Tsar who took great delight in his garden. Every +morning you could see him bending over his flowers or picking the fruit +of his favorite tree. This was an apple-tree that had the magic property +of bearing buds, blossoms, and golden fruit every twenty-four hours. It +was known as the golden apple-tree. In the morning the first thing when +he woke up the Tsar would look out his bedroom window to see that all +was well with his beloved tree. + +One morning when as usual he looked out he was grieved to see that the +tree had been stripped of all the golden fruit which had ripened during +the night. + +"Who has stolen my golden apples?" he cried. + +The palace guards looked everywhere for some trace of the thief but +found nothing. + +The next morning the same thing had happened and every morning +thereafter when the Tsar looked out of his bedroom window he saw that +the tree had again been stripped of its golden fruit. + +He called his three sons to him and said: + +"Is it seemly that a Tsar who has three able-bodied sons should be +robbed night after night of his golden apples? Are you willing that this +should happen and you do nothing about it?" + +The eldest son who was a braggart said: + +"My father, you need say no more. I myself will watch to-night and when +the thief appears I will overpower him and bring him to you." + +So the eldest son watched that night, standing on guard under the +apple-tree and leaning against its trunk. + +As midnight approached his eyes grew heavy and he fell asleep. While he +slept the golden apples ripened and were stolen and the next morning, as +usual, the branches were bare. + +The second son who was a crafty youth laughed at his brother and said: + +"To-night I will watch. I will pretend to be asleep and when the thief +appears I will jump upon him and overpower him." + +So when night came the second son went on guard under the tree and in +order to deceive the thief he lay down on the ground and closed his +eyes. At first he stayed wide awake but as the hours dragged by he grew +tired and then, because he was in such a comfortable position, he too +fell soundly asleep. Midnight came and the apples ripened but the next +morning, when the second prince awoke, the tree had again been stripped +of its golden fruit. + +The Tsar's Youngest Son now said: + +"Father, let me go on guard to-night." + +His brothers jeered and the Tsar shook his head. + +"Nay, nay, my boy, why should you succeed where your older brothers have +failed? It is God's will that my golden apples should be stolen and I +must submit." + +But the Youngest Son insisted that he, too, be given a chance to capture +the thief and at last the Tsar consented. + +"I will sleep soundly the first part of the night," the Youngest Prince +thought to himself, "and with God's help wake up at midnight." + +As soon as it was dark he had his bed carried outdoors and placed under +the apple-tree. Then after commending his undertaking to God he lay down +and fell soundly to sleep. Just before midnight he awoke. The apples +had ripened and were shining among the leaves like golden lanterns. + +On the stroke of midnight there was a whirr of wings and nine beautiful +peafowl came flying down from the sky. Eight of them settled on the +branches of the apple-tree and began eating the golden fruit. The ninth +alighted beside the Young Prince and as she touched the ground changed +into a lovely maiden. + +She was so beautiful and gentle that the Young Prince fell madly in love +with her and at once began wooing her with kisses and caresses. She +responded to his love and they spent the night together in great +happiness. + +At the first streak of dawn she jumped up, saying: + +"My dear one, I must leave you now!" + +"But you will come again, won't you?" the Prince asked. + +"Yes," she promised him. "To-night." + +Suddenly the Prince remembered the golden apples. The peafowl in the +tree were about to eat the last of them. + +"Can't you make them leave just one apple for my father?" the Prince +begged. + +The maiden spoke to the birds and they flew down with two of the golden +apples, one for the Tsar and one for the Prince himself. + +Then the maiden lifted her arms above her head, changed into a peafowl, +and with the other eight flew off into the morning sky. + +The Prince carried the two apples to his father and the Tsar was so +delighted that he forgot to ask the Prince the particulars of his +adventure. + +The next night the Prince again slept under the apple-tree and awoke +just before midnight to hear the whirr of wings and see the nine peafowl +come flying down from the sky. Eight of them settled on the branches of +the apple-tree and the ninth, as before, alighted beside him and as she +touched the earth changed into the lovely maiden of his heart. Again +they passed the night together in great happiness and in the early dawn +before she flew away the maiden gave him the last two of the golden +apples. + +This went on night after night until the Prince's two elder brothers +were mad with jealousy and consumed with curiosity to know what happened +every night under the apple-tree. At last they went to an evil old woman +and bribed her to spy on the Young Prince. + +"Find out what happens every night at the apple-tree," they told her, +"and we will reward you richly." + +So the evil old woman hid herself near the apple-tree and that night +when the prince fell asleep she crept under his bed. Midnight came and +she heard the whirr of wings and presently she saw the white feet of a +lovely maiden touch the ground and she heard the prince say: "My love, +is it you?" + +Then as the Prince and the maiden began kissing each other and +exchanging vows of love very slowly and cautiously she reached up her +hand from under the bed and groped around until she felt the maiden's +hair. Then with a scissors she snipped off a lock. + +"Oh!" the maiden cried in terror. She jumped up, lifted her arms above +her head, changed into a peafowl, and without another word flew off with +the other eight and vanished in the sky. + +In a fury the Prince searched about to see what had frightened his loved +one. He found the old woman under the bed and dragging her out by the +hair he struck her dead with his sword. And good riddance it was, too, +for she was an evil old thing and only caused mischief in the world. + +But putting the evil old woman out of the way did not, alas, bring back +the lovely maiden. The Prince waited for her the next night and the next +and many following nights but she nevermore returned. + +The magic apple-tree of course was no longer robbed of its golden fruit, +so the Tsar was happy once again and never tired of praising the valor +of his youngest son. But as for the prince, in spite of his father's +praise he grew sadder and sadder. + +Finally he went to the Tsar and said: + +"Father, I have lost the maiden whom I love and life without her is not +worth the living. Unless I go out in the world and find her I shall +die." + +The Tsar tried to dissuade him but when he could not he mounted him on a +fine horse, gave him a serving man to accompany him, and sent him off +with his blessing. + +The Prince and his man wandered hither and thither over the world +inquiring everywhere for news of nine peafowl one of whom was a lovely +maiden. They came at last to a lake on the shore of which lived an ugly +old woman with an only daughter. + +"Nine peafowl," she repeated, "and one of them a lovely maiden! You must +mean the nine sisters, the enchanted princesses, who fly about as +peafowl. They come here every morning to bathe in the lake. What can you +want with them?" + +The Prince told the old woman that one of them was his love and that +unless he married her he would die. + +"Die, indeed!" scoffed the old woman. "That's no way for a handsome +young man to talk! I'll tell you what you ought to do: give up thought +of this peafowl princess and marry my daughter. Then I'll make you heir +to all my riches." + +She called out her daughter who was as ugly as herself and cross and +ill-natured in the bargain. Just one look at her and the Prince said +firmly: + +"No! If I can't marry my own dear love I won't marry any one!" + +"Very well!" said the old woman shortly. + +When the Prince's back was turned she called the serving man aside and +whispered: + +"Will you do what I tell you if I pay you well?" + +The serving man who was a mean greedy fellow nodded his head and the old +woman handed him a small bellows. + +"Hide this in your shirt," she told him, "and don't let your master see +it. Then to-morrow morning when you go down to the lake with him to see +the nine peafowl slip it out and blow it on the back of his neck. Do +this and I'll give you a golden ducat." + +The serving man took the bellows and did as the old woman directed. The +next morning down at the lake just as the nine peafowl came flying into +sight he crept up behind the Prince and blew the bellows on the back of +his neck. Instantly sleep overcame the Prince. His eyes closed, his head +drooped, and the reins fell from his hands. + +Eight of the peafowl alighted on the water's edge, changed into lovely +maidens and went bathing in the lake, but the ninth flew straight down +to the Prince, fluttered her wings in his face and uttering sad cries +tried hard to arouse him. + +The eight finished their baths, changed back into birds, and calling +their sister they all flew off together. Then and not till then did the +Prince awaken. + +"Ah!" he cried, "how could I have fallen asleep just when the peafowl +appeared? Where are they now? Are they gone?" + +"Yes," his man told him, "they're gone. Eight of them changed into +lovely maidens and went bathing in the lake but the ninth fluttered +about your head and tried in every way to arouse you. I tried to arouse +you, too, but you kept on sleeping." + +"Strange!" thought the Prince. "How could I have fallen asleep at such a +time? I'll have to try again to-morrow morning." + +The next morning the same thing happened. The treacherous serving man +again blew the bellows on the back of the Prince's neck and instantly +the Prince sank into a deep sleep from which the ninth peafowl was +unable to arouse him. + +As she rose to join her sisters she said to the serving man: + +"When your master awakens tell him that to-morrow is the last day we +shall come here to bathe in the lake." + +The peafowl were no sooner gone than the Prince rubbed his eyes and +looked about. + +"What! Where are they? Have I been asleep again?" + +The serving man pretended to be deeply grieved. + +"I tried hard to awaken you, master, but I couldn't. The ninth peafowl +as she flew away said to tell you that to-morrow is the last day they'll +come to the lake." + +The next day as the Prince waited for the appearance of the nine peafowl +he galloped madly along the shore of the lake hoping in this way to ward +off the strange sleep. But the moment the nine peafowl appeared in the +sky he was so delighted that he drew rein and the treacherous serving +man was able to slip up behind him and blow the magic bellows on his +neck. So again he slept soundly while the ninth peafowl fluttered about +his head and tried vainly to arouse him. + +As she was flying away she said to the serving man: + +"Tell your master that now he will never find me unless he strikes off +the head from the nail." + +When the Prince awoke the serving man delivered this message. + +"What can she mean?" the Prince said. + +He looked hard at the serving man and something in the fellow's +appearance made him suspect treachery. + +"You know more than you're telling me!" the Prince cried, and taking the +cowardly fellow by the throat he shook him and choked him until he had +got the truth out of him. + +"Ha!" cried the Prince. "Now I understand! You are the nail of which my +dear love warns me!" + +The fellow whined and begged for mercy but the Prince with one blow of +his sword struck off his head. Then, leaving the body where it fell for +the old woman to bury, he mounted his horse and again set forth on his +quest. + +Everywhere he went he made inquiries about the nine enchanted peafowl +and everywhere people shook their heads and said they had never heard of +them. At last high up in a wild mountain he found an old hermit who +knew all about them. + +"Ah," he said, "you mean the nine princesses. Eight of them have broken +the enchantment that held them and are now happily married. The ninth +awaits you. She is living in the royal palace of a beautiful city that +lies three days' journey to the north of this mountain. When you find +her, if you do just as she says she, too, will soon be free of all +enchantment. Then she will be made queen." + +The Prince thanked the hermit and rode on. After three days he came to +the city of which the hermit had told him. He made his way to the palace +and into the Princess's presence. Sure enough the Princess was his own +dear love. She received him with joy, promised soon to marry him, and +gave over to him the keys of the palace. + +"You shall now be master here," she told him, "to go where you like and +do as you like. There is only one thing that you must not do, only one +place where you must not go. Under the palace are twelve cellars. Here +are the keys to them all. Go into eleven of them whenever you will but +you must never open the door of the twelfth one. If you do a heavy +misfortune may fall upon both of us." + +One day while the Princess was walking in the garden, the young Prince +thought he would go through the cellars. So, taking the keys, he +unlocked the cellars one after another until he had seen eleven of them. +Then he stood before the door of the twelfth wondering why the Princess +had warned him not to open it. + +"I'll open it just a little," he thought to himself. "If there's +something inside that tries to get out, I'll close it quickly." + +So he took the twelfth key, unlocked the twelfth door, and peeped inside +the twelfth cellar. It was empty except for one huge cask with an open +bunghole. + +"I don't see anything in here to be afraid of," he said. + +Just then he heard a groan from inside the cask and a voice called out +in a begging, whining tone: + +"A cup of water, brother! A cup of water! I am dying of thirst!" + +Now the Prince thought to himself that it was a terrible thing for any +living creature to be dying of thirst. So he hurried out, got a cup of +water, and poured it into the open bunghole. Instantly one of the three +iron hoops that bound the cask burst asunder and the voice inside the +cask said: + +"Thank you, brother! Thank you! Now give me another cup! I am dying of +thirst!" + +So the Prince poured in a second cup and the second iron hoop snapped +apart and when the voice still begged for more water he poured in a +third cup. The third hoop broke, the staves of the cask fell in, and a +horrid dragon sprang out. Before the Prince could move, he had flown +through the door of the twelfth cellar into the eleventh cellar, then +into the tenth cellar, the ninth cellar, the eight cellar, the seventh +cellar, the sixth, the fifth, the fourth, the third, the second, the +first, and so out into the garden. The Prince reached the garden just in +time to see the monster overpower the Princess. + +"Alas, my dear one, what have you done?" cried the poor Princess as the +dragon carried her off. "The enchantment would soon have been broken and +I could have married you if only you had not gone into the twelfth +cellar!" + +Heartbroken at what had happened, the Prince mounted his horse and +started off in pursuit of the dragon. + +"I must do what I can to rescue my loved one," he said, "even if it +costs me my life." + +He rode many days until he came to the castle of the dragon. The dragon +was out and the Princess received him with tears of joy. + +"Come," he said to her, "let us escape before the dragon returns." + +The Princess sighed and shook her head. + +"How, my loved one, can we escape? The dragon rides a magic horse and +however fast we go he will be able to overtake us." + +But the Prince insisted that they make the attempt. So she mounted with +him and off they went. + +When the dragon arrived home and found her gone, he laughed a brutal +laugh and said to his horse: + +"I suppose that foolish young Prince has been here and is trying to +carry her off. Shall we start after them now or wait till we've had our +supper?" + +"We might as well eat," the horse said, "for we'll overtake them +anyway." + +So they both ate and then the dragon mounted the magic horse and in no +time at all they had overtaken the fugitives. + +"I ought to tear you to pieces," the dragon said to the Prince, "but I +won't this time because you gave me a cup of water. However, I warn you +not to try this foolishness again!" + +With that he clutched the poor weeping Princess in his scaly arms and +carried her back to the castle. + +What was the Prince to do now? He tried to plan some other way of +rescuing the Princess but he could think of none. In spite of the +dragon's threat he went back the next day and tried the same thing +again. Again the dragon overtook him and snatched back the Princess. + +"I have spared you one time," he said to the Prince, "and I will spare +you this one time more for the sake of the water you gave me. But I warn +you if you come again I will tear you to pieces." + +But what man worthy the name will accept such a warning when the safety +and happiness of his loved one is concerned? The next day while the +dragon was out the Prince again returned to the castle. + +"It is plain," he said to the Princess, "that we can never escape until +we, too, get a magic horse. We must find out where the dragon got his. +To-night when he comes home, speak him fair and caress his head and when +he is in fine humor ask him about his horse--what kind of a horse it is +and where he got it. Then I will come back to-morrow at this same hour +and you can tell me." + +So that night when the dragon came home the Princess allowed him to put +his head in her lap and she scratched him softly behind the ears and +petted him until he was purring like a giant cat. + +"Urrh! Urrh! Urrh!" purred the dragon. "How happy we are here, just you +and I! What a foolish young man that Prince of yours is to think I'd let +him carry you off! Urrh! Urrh! Urrh!" + +"Yes," the Princess agreed, "he is foolish or he would never suppose his +horse could outrace yours." + +"Urrh! Urrh!" the dragon purred. "You're right! He seems to think my +horse is an ordinary horse. Why, I got my horse from the Old Woman of +the Mountain and the only other horse in the world that can outstrip him +is another horse that the Old Woman still has. The Prince would have a +hard time getting him!" + +The Princess still scratching the dragon behind his ears, just where he +loved it most, asked softly: + +"Why?" + +"Urrh! Urrh! Urrh! Because the Old Woman will never give that horse away +until a man comes along who is able to guard for three nights in +succession the Old Woman's mare and foal. Any one who attempts this and +fails she kills. But even if a man were to succeed he would never get +the right horse for the old witch would palm off another on him. Urrh! +Urrh! Urrh! Oh, that feels good, my dear!" + +"How would she do that?" the Princess asked. + +"Urrh! Urrh! Urrh! You see she says to every man who undertakes to guard +the mare: 'If you succeed you may have any horse in my stable.' Then she +shows him twelve beautiful stallions with shiny coats, but she doesn't +show him a scrawny miserable looking beast that lies neglected on the +dung heap. Yet this is the magic horse and brother to mine." + +Now the Princess knew all she needed to know and the next day when the +Prince came she told him what the dragon had said. So the Prince at once +set out to find the Old Woman of the Mountain. + +He traveled three days over waste places and through strange lands. On +the first day as he was riding along the shores of a lake he heard a +little voice crying out: + +"Help me, brother, help me and--who knows?--some day I may help you!" + +The Prince looked down and saw a fish that was floundering on the sand. +He dismounted to get the fish and throw it back into the water. + +"Take one of my scales," the fish said. "Then if ever you need my help +just rub the scale." + +So the Prince, before he threw the fish into the lake, scraped off a +scale and tied it in a corner of his handkerchief. Then he rode on. + +The second day a fox that had been caught in a trap called out to him: + +"Help me, brother, help me and--who knows?--some day I may help you!" + +The Prince opened the trap and the fox, before it limped away, gave the +Prince one of its hairs and said: + +"If ever you need me, rub this hair." + +The third day he met a raven that had fallen on a thorn and was pinned +to the ground. + +"Help me, brother, help me!" the raven begged, "and--who knows?--some +day I may help you!" + +The Prince lifted the raven off the thorn and the raven, before it flew +away, gave the Prince one of its feathers saying: + +"If ever you need me, rub this feather." + +So the Prince reached the house of the Old Woman of the Mountain with +the fish's scale, the fox's hair, and the raven's feather each safely +tied in a corner of his handkerchief. + +The Old Woman of the Mountain was an ugly old witch with a long nose +that hooked down and a long chin that hooked up. + +"Ha! Ha!" she cackled when she saw the Prince. "Another one that wants +service with the Old Woman, eh?" + +"Yes," said the Prince. + +"You know the conditions?" the Old Woman said. "Guard my mare and her +foal for three nights in succession and you may have any horse in my +stable. But if she escapes you, then your head is mine and I'll stick it +up there as a warning to other rash young men." + +The Old Woman pointed to a high picket fence that surrounded the +courtyard. On every picket but one there was a grinning human skull. The +Prince looked and the only picket that had no skull called out: + +"I want my skull, granny! I want my skull!" + +The Old Woman gave a wicked laugh. + +"You see," she said, "we were expecting you!" + +When night fell the Prince led out the mare and her foal to a grassy +meadow. To make sure that she would not escape him, he mounted her. +Midnight came and he must have fallen asleep for suddenly he awoke to +find himself astride a rail with an empty bridle in his hand. In despair +he looked in all directions. At one end of the meadow was a pond. + +"She may have gone there to drink," he said to himself. + +At the pond he saw a hoofprint. + +[Illustration: _The Old Woman of the Mountain and the Wonder Horse_] + +"Ah," he thought, "if my fish were here, it could tell me." + +He untied the corner of the handkerchief that had the fish scale, rubbed +the scale gently, and at once a little voice called out from the water: + +"What is it, brother? Can I help you?" + +"Can you tell me what has become of the Old Woman's mare and foal?" + +"Aye, brother, that I can! She and the foal are turned into fish and are +down here in the water hiding amongst us. Strike the water three times +with the bridle and say: 'Mare of the Old Woman, come out!' That will +bring her!" + +The Prince did this. There was a commotion in the water, a big fish and +a little fish leaped high in the air, fell on shore, and instantly +changed to mare and foal. When morning came the Prince drove them back +to the Old Woman. + +She grinned and pretended to be pleased but, when she had the mare alone +in the stable, the Prince heard her beating the poor creature and +saying: + +"Why didn't you do as I told you and hide among the fishes?" + +"I did," whinnied the mare, "but the fishes are his friends and he found +me!" + +"To-night," the Old Woman snarled, "hide among the foxes and this time +don't let him find you! Do you hear me? The foxes!" + +The Prince remembered this and the second night when he awoke to find +himself again sitting astride a rail and holding an empty bridle in his +hand, he untied the second corner of his handkerchief, took out the +fox's hair, and rubbed it gently. + +Instantly he heard a little bark and the fox's voice said: + +"What is it, brother? Can I help you?" + +"Can you tell me," the Prince asked, "what has become of the Old Woman's +mare and foal?" + +"Aye, brother, that I can! She and the foal are turned into foxes and +are over in yonder woods now hiding among my people. Strike the earth +three times with the bridle and say: 'Mare of the Old Woman, come back!' +That will bring her!" + +The Prince did this and instantly two foxes, a vixen and a cub, came +trotting out of the woods and when they reached the Prince they changed +back to mare and foal. + +In the morning the Prince drove them home to the Old Woman. As before +she grinned and pretended to be pleased but when she had the mare alone +in the stable the Prince heard her giving the poor creature another +beating and saying: + +"Why didn't you do as I told you and hide among the foxes?" + +"I did," whinnied the mare, "but the foxes are his friends, too, and he +found me!" + +"To-night," the Old Woman ordered, "hide among the ravens and this time +don't let him find you!" + +The third night the Prince tried hard to stay awake but sleep again +overcame him and when he woke he found himself for the third time +sitting astride a rail and holding the empty bridle in his hand. But he +remembered the Old Woman's words and at once opened the third corner of +his handkerchief and taking out the raven's feather rubbed it gently. + +There was a flutter of wings and a raven's hoarse voice said: + +"Caw! Caw! What is it, brother? Can I help you?" + +"Can you tell me what has become of the Old Woman's mare and foal?" + +"Aye, brother, that I can! She and the foal are turned into ravens and +are perched in yonder tall fir tree hiding among my folk. Strike the +trunk of the tree three times with your bridle and say: 'Mare of the +Old Woman, come down!' That will bring her!" + +The Prince went over to the fir tree, struck it three times with the +bridle and said: + +"Mare of the Old Woman, come down!" + +Instantly two ravens, a big one and a fledgling, fluttered to earth and +changed to mare and foal. So when morning came the Prince was able to +drive them back to the Old Woman and claim his reward. + +The Old Woman was angry enough to kill him but she pretended to be +pleased and she smiled and grinned and she patted the Prince on the arm +and said: + +"Aye, my son, but you are a hero! You have won the reward and you are +worthy of it. Choose now the finest horse in my stable. It is yours." + +She drove the twelve handsome stallions out into the courtyard and urged +them on the Prince one after the other. But at each the Prince shook his +head. + +"I am only a poor adventurer," he said. "Such horses as these are too +fine for me. Give me rather that poor mangy creature that lies over +yonder on the dung heap. That is the one I choose." + +Then the Old Woman fell into an awful rage and shook and chattered and +begged the Prince not to take that horse. + +"It would shame me," she said, "to have you ride off on that poor beast +which is half dead already! No, no, my son, you mustn't take him!" + +"But that's the one I'm going to take," the Prince said firmly, "that +and none other!" He drew his sword and lifted it threateningly. "I have +won whatever horse I choose and now, Old Woman, if you do not keep your +bargain I shall strike you dead with this sword and stick up your +grinning skull on that empty picket!" + +At that the empty picket began to shout: + +"I want my skull! I want my skull!" + +When the Old Woman of the Mountain saw that the Prince knew what he was +about, she gave up trying to deceive him and let him lead off the horse +he wanted. So the Prince walked away dragging the poor mangy creature +after him. When he was out of sight of the Old Woman's house, he turned +to the horse and began rubbing down his rough coat and patting his +wobbly legs. + +"Now, my beauty," he said, "we'll see what you're made of!" + +Under his hand the mangy beast changed to a glorious animal--one of +those wonder horses of the olden days that rise on the wind and gallop +with the clouds. Soon his coat shone like burnished gold and his tail +and mane streamed out like flames of fire. + +"Ah, my master," the horse said, "I have been waiting for you this many +a day! We shall have glorious adventures together!" + +Then the Prince mounted him and he rose on the wind and went so swiftly +that he covered in three minutes all the distance that it had taken the +Prince three days to go on an ordinary horse. Whiff! and there they were +at the dragon's castle and there was the Princess running out to welcome +them. + +"Now, my dear one," the Prince said, lifting the Princess up in front of +him, "this time the dragon will not overtake us!" + +The wonder horse rose on the wind and off they went. + +When the dragon got home and found that the Princess had fled again, he +said to his horse: + +"Shall we follow her at once or shall we eat supper first?" + +"It's all one what we do," the horse said, "for we shall never overtake +her." + +At that the dragon leaped upon his horse and, mounting on the wind, +started off in hot pursuit. Presently they caught sight of the other +horse carrying the Prince and the Princess but, try as he would, the +dragon's horse could not overtake the other. The dragon beat his horse +unmercifully and dug his sharp claws into the horse's tender flanks +until the horse in agony called out to the Prince's horse: + +"Hold, brother, hold! Let me overtake you or this monster will kill me +with his cruelty!" + +"Why do you carry such a monster?" the Prince's horse called back. +"Throw him from you and be rid of him forever!" + +At that the dragon's horse reared suddenly and the dragon, losing his +balance, fell and was dashed to pieces on the rocks below. + +And that was the end of that dragon! + +Then the Princess wept but her tears were tears of joy for she knew now +that the enchantment that had bound her was broken forever. Never again +would she be changed into a peafowl at the whim of a wicked dragon, +never again be separated from her loved one. Presently she mounted the +dragon's horse and together she and the Prince returned to the beautiful +city. The people came out to meet them and when they heard of the +dragon's death a holiday was proclaimed and amidst music and dancing and +merrymaking the Princess married the Prince. Then she was made Queen of +that beautiful city and the Prince was made King. They ruled long and +wisely and better than that they lived happily for they loved each +other. + +_So now you know the story of the Peafowl who became a Queen and of the +Tsar's Youngest Son who married her._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE DRAGON'S STRENGTH + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of the Youngest Prince Who Killed the Sparrow_ + + + + +THE DRAGON'S STRENGTH + + +There was once a King who had three sons. One day the oldest son went +hunting and when night fell his huntsmen came riding home without him. + +"Where is the prince?" the King asked. + +"Isn't he here?" the huntsmen said. "He left us in midafternoon chasing +a hare near the Old Mill up the river. We haven't seen him since and we +supposed he must have come home alone." + +When he hadn't returned the following day his brother, the second +prince, went out to search for him. + +"I'll go to the Old Mill," he said to the King, "and see what's become +of him." + +So he mounted his horse and rode up the river. As he neared the Old Mill +a hare crossed his path and the second prince being a hunter like his +brother at once gave chase. His attendant waited for his return but +waited in vain. Night fell and still there was no sign of the second +prince. + +The attendant returned to the palace and told the King what had +happened. The King was surprised but not unduly alarmed and the +following day when the Youngest Prince asked to go hunting alone the +King suggested that he go in the direction of the Old Mill to find out +if he could what was keeping his brothers. + +The Youngest Prince who had listened carefully to what his brothers' +attendants had reported decided to act cautiously. So when a hare +crossed his path as he approached the Old Mill, instead of giving it +chase, he rode off as though he were hunting other game. Later he +returned to the Old Mill from another direction. + +He found an old woman sitting in front of it. + +"Good evening, granny," he said in a friendly tone, pulling up his horse +for a moment's chat. "Do you live here? You know I thought the Old Mill +was deserted." + +The old woman looked at him and shook her head gloomily. + +"Deserted indeed! My boy, take an old woman's advice and don't have +anything to do with this old mill! It's an evil place!" + +"Why, granny," the Prince said, "what's the matter with it?" + +The old woman peered cautiously around and when she saw they were alone +she beckoned the Prince to come near. Then she whispered: + +"A dragon lives here! A horrible monster! He takes the form of a hare +and lures people into the mill. Then he captures them. Some of them he +kills and eats and others he holds as prisoners in an underground +dungeon. I'm one of his prisoners and he keeps me here to work for him." + +"Granny," the Youngest Prince said, "would you like me to rescue you?" + +"My boy, you couldn't do it! You have no idea what a strong evil monster +the dragon is." + +"If you found out something for me, granny, I think I might be able to +overcome the dragon and rescue you." + +The old woman was doubtful but she promised to do anything the Youngest +Prince asked. + +"Well then, granny, find out from the dragon where his strength is, +whether in his own body or somewhere else. Find out to-night and I'll +come back to-morrow at this same hour to see you." + +So that night when the dragon came home, after he had supped and when +she was scratching his head to make him drowsy for bed, the old woman +said to him: + +"Master, I think you're the strongest dragon in the world! Tell me now, +where does your strength lie--in your own beautiful body or somewhere +else?" + +"You're right, old woman," the dragon grunted: "I am pretty strong as +dragons go. But I don't keep my strength in my own body. No, indeed! +That would be too dangerous. I keep it in the hearth yonder." + +At that the old woman ran over to the hearth and, stooping down, she +kissed it and caressed it. + +"O beautiful hearth!" she said, "where my master's strength is hidden! +How happy are the ashes that cover your stones!" + +The dragon laughed with amusement. + +"That's the time I fooled you, old woman! My strength isn't in the +hearth at all! It's in the tree in front of the mill." + +The old woman at once ran out of the mill and threw her arms about the +tree. + +"O tree!" she cried, "most beautiful tree in the world, guard carefully +our master's strength and let no harm come to it!" + +Again the dragon laughed. + +"I've fooled you another time, old woman! Come here and scratch my head +some more and this time I'll tell you the truth for I see you really +love your master." + +So the old woman went back and scratched the dragon's head and the +dragon told her the truth about his strength. + +"I keep it far away," he said. "In the third kingdom from here near the +Tsar's own city there is a deep lake. A dragon lives at the bottom of +the lake. In the dragon there is a wild boar; in the boar a hare; in the +hare a pigeon; in the pigeon a sparrow. My strength is in the sparrow. +Let any one kill the sparrow and I should die that instant. But I am +safe. No one but shepherds ever come to the lake and even they don't +come any more for the dragon has eaten up so many of them that the lake +has got a bad name. Indeed, nowadays even the Tsar himself is hard put +to it to find a shepherd. Oh, I tell you, old woman, your master is a +clever one!" + +So now the old woman had the dragon's secret and the next day she told +it to the Youngest Prince. He at once devised a plan whereby he hoped to +overcome the dragon. He dressed himself as a shepherd and with crook in +hand started off on foot for the third kingdom. He traveled through +villages and towns, across rivers and over mountains, and reached at +last the third kingdom and the Tsar's own city. He presented himself at +the palace and asked employment as a shepherd. + +The guards looked at him in surprise and said: + +"A shepherd! Are you sure you want to be a shepherd?" + +Then they called to their companions: "Here's a youth who wants to be a +shepherd!" And the word went through the palace and even the Tsar heard +it. + +"Send the youth to me," he ordered. + +"Do you really want to be my shepherd?" he asked the Youngest Prince. + +The Youngest Prince said yes, he did. + +"If I put you in charge of the sheep, where would you pasture them?" + +"Isn't there a lake beyond the city," the Prince asked, "where the +grazing is good?" + +"H'm!" said the Tsar. "So you know about that lake, too! What else do +you know?" + +"I've heard the shepherds disappear." + +"And still you want to try your luck?" the Tsar exclaimed. + +Just then the Tsar's only daughter, a lovely Princess, who had been +looking at the young stranger, slipped over to her father and whispered: + +"But, father, you can't let such a handsome young man as that go off +with the sheep! It would be dreadful if he never returned!" + +The Tsar whispered back: + +"Hush, child! Your concern for the young man's safety does credit to +your noble feelings. But this is not the time or the place for +sentiment. We must consider first the welfare of the royal sheep." + +He turned to the Youngest Prince: + +"Very well, young man, you may consider yourself engaged as shepherd. +Provide yourself with whatever you need and assume your duties at once." + +"There is one thing," the Youngest Prince said; "when I start out +to-morrow morning with the sheep I should like to take with me two +strong boarhounds, a falcon, and a set of bagpipes." + +"You shall have them all," the Tsar promised. + +Early the next morning when the Princess peeped out of her bedroom +window she saw the new shepherd driving the royal flocks to pasture. A +falcon was perched on his shoulder; he had a set of bagpipes under his +arm; and he was leading two powerful boarhounds on a leash. + +"It's a shame!" the Princess said to herself. "He'll probably never +return and he's such a handsome young man, too!" And she was so unhappy +at thought of never again seeing the new shepherd that she couldn't go +back to sleep. + +Well, the Youngest Prince reached the lake and turned out his sheep to +graze. He perched the falcon on a log, tied the dogs beside it, and laid +his bagpipes on the ground. Then he took off his smock, rolled up his +hose, and wading boldly into the lake called out in a loud voice: + +"Ho, dragon, come out and we'll try a wrestling match! That is, if +you're not afraid!" + +"Afraid?" bellowed an awful voice. "Who's afraid?" + +The water of the lake churned this way and that and a horrible scaly +monster came to the surface. He crawled out on shore and clutched the +Prince around the waist. And the Prince clutched him in a grip just as +strong and there they swayed back and forth, and rolled over, and +wrestled together on the shore of the lake without either getting the +better of the other. By midafternoon when the sun was hot, the dragon +grew faint and cried out: + +"Oh, if I could but dip my burning head in the cool water, then I could +toss you as high as the sky!" + +"Don't talk nonsense!" the Prince said. "If the Tsar's daughter would +kiss my forehead, then I could toss you twice as high!" + +After that the dragon slipped out of the Prince's grasp, plunged into +the water, and disappeared. The Prince waited for him but he didn't show +his scaly head again that day. + +When evening came, the Prince washed off the grime of the fight, dressed +himself carefully, and then looking as fresh and handsome as ever drove +home his sheep. With the falcon on his shoulder and the two hounds at +his heels he came playing a merry tune on his bagpipes. + +The townspeople hearing the bagpipes ran out of their houses and cried +to each other: + +"The shepherd's come back!" + +The Princess ran to her window and, when she saw the shepherd alive and +well, she put her hand to her heart and said: + +"Oh!" + +Even the Tsar was pleased. + +"I'm not a bit surprised that he's back!" he said. "There's something +about this youth that I like!" + +The next day the Tsar sent two of his trusted servants to the lake to +see what was happening there. They hid themselves behind some bushes on +a little hill that commanded the lake. They were there when the shepherd +arrived and they watched him as he waded out into the water and +challenged the dragon as on the day before. + +They heard the shepherd call out in a loud voice: + +"Ho, dragon, come out and we'll try a wrestling match! That is, if +you're not afraid!" + +And from the water they heard an awful voice bellow back: + +"Afraid? Who's afraid?" + +Then they saw the water of the lake churn this way and that and a +horrible scaly monster come to the surface. They saw him crawl out on +shore and clutch the shepherd around the waist. And they saw the +shepherd clutch him in a grip just as strong. And they watched the two +as they swayed back and forth and rolled over and wrestled together +without either getting the better of the other. By midafternoon when the +sun grew hot they saw the dragon grow faint and they heard him cry out: + +"Oh, if I could only dip my burning head in the cool water, then I could +toss you as high as the sky!" + +And they heard the shepherd reply: + +"Don't talk nonsense! If the Tsar's daughter would kiss my forehead, +then I could toss you twice as high!" + +Then they saw the dragon slip out of the shepherd's grasp, plunge into +the water, and disappear. They waited but he didn't show his scaly head +again that day. + +So the Tsar's servants hurried home before the shepherd and told the +Tsar all they had seen and heard. The Tsar was mightily impressed with +the bravery of the shepherd and he declared that if he killed that +horrid dragon he should have the Princess herself for wife! + +He sent for his daughter and told her all that his servants had reported +and he said to her: + +"My daughter, you, too, can help rid your country of this monster if you +go out with the shepherd to-morrow and when the time comes kiss him on +the forehead. You will do this, will you not, for your country's sake?" + +The Princess blushed and trembled and the Tsar, looking at her in +surprise, said: + +"What! Shall a humble shepherd face a dragon unafraid and the daughter +of the Tsar tremble!" + +"Father," the Princess cried, "it isn't the dragon that I'm afraid of!" + +"What then?" the Tsar asked. + +But what it was she was afraid of the Princess would not confess. +Instead she said: + +"If the welfare of my country require that I kiss the shepherd on the +forehead, I shall do so." + +So the next morning when the shepherd started out with his sheep, the +falcon on his shoulder, the dogs at his heels, the bagpipes under his +arm, the Princess walked beside him. + +Her eyes were downcast and he saw that she was trembling. + +"Do not be afraid, dear Princess," he said to her. "Nothing shall harm +you--I promise that!" + +"I'm not afraid," the Princess murmured. But she continued to blush and +tremble and, although the shepherd tried to look into her eyes to +reassure her, she kept her head averted. + +This time the Tsar himself and many of his courtiers had gone on before +and taken their stand on the hill that overlooked the lake to see the +final combat of the shepherd and the dragon. + +When the shepherd and the Princess reached the lake, the shepherd put +his falcon on the log as before and tied the dogs beside it and laid his +bagpipes on the ground. Then he threw off his smock, rolled up his hose, +and wading boldly into the lake called out in a loud voice: + +"Ho, dragon, come out and we'll try a wrestling match! That is, if +you're not afraid!" + +"Afraid?" bellowed an awful voice. "Who's afraid?" + +[Illustration: _Next Morning the Princess Peeped Out and Saw the +Shepherd_] + +The water of the lake churned this way and that and the horrible scaly +monster came to the surface. He crawled to shore and clutched the +shepherd around the waist. The shepherd clutched him in a grip just +as strong and there they swayed back and forth and rolled over and +wrestled together on the shore of the lake without either getting the +better of the other. The Princess without the least show of fear stood +nearby calling out encouragement to the shepherd and waiting for the +moment when the shepherd should need her help. + +By midafternoon when the sun was hot, the dragon grew faint and cried +out: + +"Oh, if I could but dip my burning head in the cool water, then I could +toss you as high as the sky!" + +"Don't talk nonsense!" the shepherd said. "If the Tsar's daughter would +kiss my forehead then I could toss you twice as high!" + +Instantly the Princess ran forward and kissed the shepherd three times. +The first kiss fell on his forehead, the second on his nose, the third +on his mouth. With each kiss his strength increased an hundredfold and +taking the dragon in a mighty grip he tossed him up so high that for a +moment the Tsar and all the courtiers lost sight of him in the sky. Then +he fell to earth with such a thud that he burst. + +Out of his body sprang a wild boar. The shepherd was ready for this and +on the moment he unleashed the two hounds and they fell on the boar and +tore him to pieces. + +Out of the boar jumped a rabbit. It went leaping across the meadow but +the dogs caught it and killed it. + +Out of the rabbit flew a pigeon. Instantly the shepherd unloosed the +falcon. It rose high in the air, then swooped down upon the pigeon, +clutched it in its talons, and delivered it into the shepherd's hands. + +He cut open the pigeon and found the sparrow. + +"Spare me! Spare me!" squawked the sparrow. + +"Tell me where my brothers are," the shepherd demanded with his fingers +about the sparrow's throat. + +"Your brothers? They are alive and in the deep dungeon that lies below +the Old Mill. Behind the mill there are three willow saplings growing +from one old root. Cut the saplings and strike the root. A heavy iron +door leading down into the dungeon will open. In the dungeon you will +find many captives old and young, your brothers among them. Now that I +have told you this are you going to spare my life?" + +But the shepherd wrung the sparrow's neck for he knew that only in that +way could the monster who had captured his brothers be killed. + +Well, now that the dragon was dead the Tsar and all his courtiers came +down from the hill and embraced the shepherd and told him what a brave +youth he was. + +"You have delivered us all from a horrid monster," the Tsar said, "and +to show you my gratitude and the country's gratitude I offer you my +daughter for wife." + +"Thank you," said the shepherd, "but I couldn't think of marrying the +Princess unless she is willing to marry me." + +The Princess blushed and trembled just as she had blushed and trembled +the night before and that morning, too, on the way to the lake. She +tried to speak but could not at first. Then in a very little voice she +said: + +"As a Princess I think it is my duty to marry this brave shepherd who +has delivered my country from this terrible dragon, and--and I think I +should want to marry him anyway." + +She said the last part of her speech in such a very low voice that only +the shepherd himself heard it. But that was right enough because after +all it was intended only for him. + +So then and there beside the lake before even the shepherd had time to +wash his face and hands and put on his smock the Tsar put the Princess's +hand in his hand and pronounced them betrothed. + +After that the shepherd bathed in the lake and then refreshed and clean +he sounded his bagpipes and he and the Princess and the Tsar and all the +courtiers returned to the city driving the sheep before them. + +All the townspeople came out to meet them and they danced to the music +of the bagpipes and there was great rejoicing both over the death of the +dragon and over the betrothal of the Princess and the brave shepherd. + +The wedding took place at once and the wedding festivities lasted a +week. Such feasting as the townspeople had! Such music and dancing! + +When the wedding festivities were ended, the shepherd told the Tsar who +he really was. + +"You say you're a Prince!" the Tsar cried, perfectly delighted at this +news. Then he declared he wasn't in the least surprised. In fact, he +said, he had suspected as much from the first! + +"Do you think it likely," he asked somewhat pompously, "that any +daughter of mine would fall in love with a man who wasn't a prince?" + +"I think I'd have fallen in love with you whatever you were!" whispered +the Princess to her young husband. But she didn't let her father hear +her! + +The Prince told the Tsar about his brothers' captivity and how he must +go home to release them, and the Tsar at once said that he and his +bride might go provided they returned as soon as possible. + +They agreed to this and the Tsar fitted out a splendid escort for them +and sent them away with his blessing. + +So the Prince now traveled back through the towns and villages of three +kingdoms, across rivers and over mountains, no longer a humble shepherd +on foot, but a rich and mighty personage riding in a manner that +befitted his rank. + +When he reached the deserted mill, his friend the old woman was waiting +for him. + +"I know, my Prince, you have succeeded for the monster has disappeared." + +"Yes, granny, you are right: I have succeeded. I found the dragon in the +lake, and the boar in the dragon, and the rabbit in the boar, and the +pigeon in the rabbit, and the sparrow in the pigeon. I took the sparrow +and killed it. So you are free now, granny, to return to your home. And +soon all those other poor captives will be free." + +He went behind the mill and found the three willow saplings. He cut them +off and struck the old root. Sure enough a heavy iron door opened. This +led down into a deep dungeon which was crowded with unfortunate +prisoners. The Prince led them all out and sent them their various ways. +He found his own two brothers among them and led them home to his +father. + +There was great rejoicing in the King's house, and in the King's heart, +too, for he had given up hope of ever seeing any of his sons again. + +The King was so charmed with the Princess that he said it was a pity +that she couldn't marry his oldest son so that she might one day be +Queen. + +"The Youngest Prince is a capable young man," the King said, "and +there's no denying that he managed this business of killing the dragon +very neatly. But he is after all only the Youngest Prince with very +little hope of succeeding to the kingdom. If you hadn't married him in +such haste one of his older brothers might easily have fallen in love +with you." + +"I don't regret my haste," the Princess said. "Besides he is now my +father's heir. But that doesn't matter for I should be happy with the +Youngest Prince if he were only a shepherd." + + + + +THE LITTLE SINGING FROG + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of a Girl Whose Parents Were Ashamed of Her_ + + + + +THE LITTLE SINGING FROG + + +There was once a poor laborer and his wife who had no children. Every +day the woman would sigh and say: + +"If only we had a child!" + +Then the man would sigh, too, and say: + +"It would be pleasant to have a little daughter, wouldn't it?" + +At last they went on a pilgrimage to a holy shrine and there they prayed +God to give them a child. + +"Any kind of a child!" the woman prayed. "I'd be thankful for a child of +our own even if it were a frog!" + +God heard their prayer and sent them a little daughter--not a little +girl daughter, however, but a little frog daughter. They loved their +little frog child dearly and played with her and laughed and clapped +their hands as they watched her hopping about the house. But when the +neighbors came in and whispered: "Why, that child of theirs is nothing +but a frog!" they were ashamed and they decided that when people were +about they had better keep their child hidden in a closet. + +So the frog girl grew up without playmates of her own age, seeing only +her father and mother. She used to play about her father as he worked. +He was a vine-dresser in a big vineyard and of course it was great fun +for the little frog girl to hop about among the vines. + +Every day at noontime the woman used to come to the vineyard carrying +her husband's dinner in a basket. The years went by and she grew old and +feeble and the daily trip to the vineyard began to tire her and the +basket seemed to her to grow heavier and heavier. + +"Let me help you, mother," the frog daughter said. "Let me carry +father's dinner to him and you sit home and rest." + +So from that time on the frog girl instead of the old woman carried the +dinner basket to the vineyard. While the old man ate, the frog girl +would hop up into the branches of a tree and sing. She sang very sweetly +and her old father, when he petted her, used to call her his Little +Singing Frog. + +Now one day while she was singing the Tsar's Youngest Son rode by and +heard her. He stopped his horse and looked this way and that but for the +life of him he couldn't see who it was who was singing so sweetly. + +"Who is singing?" he asked the old man. + +But the old man who, as I told you before, was ashamed of his frog +daughter before strangers, at first pretended not to hear and then, when +the young Prince repeated his question, answered gruffly: + +"There's no one singing!" + +But the next day at the same hour when the Prince was again riding by he +heard the same sweet voice and he stopped again and listened. + +"Surely, old man," he said, "there is some one singing! It is a lovely +girl, I know it is! Why, if I could find her, I'd be willing to marry +her at once and take her home to my father, the Tsar!" + +"Don't be rash, young man," the laborer said. + +"I mean what I say!" the Prince declared. "I'd marry her in a minute!" + +"Are you sure you would?" + +"Yes, I'm sure!" + +"Very well, then, we'll see." + +The old man looked up into the tree and called: + +"Come down, Little Singing Frog! A Prince wants to marry you!" + +So the little frog girl hopped down from among the branches and stood +before the Prince. + +"She's my own daughter," the laborer said, "even if she does look like a +frog." + +"I don't care what she looks like," the Prince said. "I love her +singing and I love her. And I mean what I say: I'll marry her if she'll +marry me. My father, the Tsar, bids me and my brothers present him our +brides to-morrow. He bids all the brides bring him a flower and he says +he'll give the kingdom to the prince whose bride brings the loveliest +flower. Little Singing Frog, will you be my bride and will you come to +Court to-morrow bringing a flower?" + +"Yes, my Prince," the frog girl said, "I will. But I must not shame you +by hopping to Court in the dust. I must ride. So, will you send me a +snow-white cock from your father's barnyard?" + +"I will," the Prince promised, and before night the snow-white cock had +arrived at the laborer's cottage. + +Early the next morning the frog girl prayed to the Sun. + +"O golden Sun," she said, "I need your help! Give me some lovely clothes +woven of your golden rays for I would not shame my Prince when I go to +Court." + +The Sun heard her prayer and gave her a gown of cloth of gold. + +Instead of a flower she took a spear of wheat in her hand and then when +the time came she mounted the white cock and rode to the palace. + +[Illustration: _This, the Bride of the Youngest Prince, Is My Choice_] + +The guards at the palace gate at first refused to admit her. + +"This is no place for frogs!" they said to her. "You're looking for a +pond!" + +But when she told them she was the Youngest Prince's bride, they were +afraid to drive her away. So they let her ride through the gate. + +"Strange!" they murmured to one another. "The Youngest Prince's bride! +She looks like a frog and that was certainly a cock she was riding, +wasn't it?" + +They stepped inside the gates to look after her and then they saw an +amazing sight. The frog girl, still seated on the white cock, was +shaking out the folds of a golden gown. She dropped the gown over her +head and instantly there was no frog and no white cock but a lovely +maiden mounted on a snow-white horse! + +Well, the frog girl entered the palace with two other girls, the +promised brides of the older princes. They were just ordinary girls both +of them. To see them you wouldn't have paid any attention to them one +way or the other. But standing beside the lovely bride of the Youngest +Prince they seemed more ordinary than ever. + +The first girl had a rose in her hand. The Tsar looked at it and at her, +sniffed his nose slightly, and turned his head. + +The second girl had a carnation. The Tsar looked at her for a moment and +murmured: + +"Dear me, this will never do!" + +Then he looked at the Youngest Prince's bride and his eye kindled and he +said: + +"Ah! This is something like!" + +She gave him the spear of wheat and he took it and held it aloft. Then +he reached out his other hand to her and had her stand beside him as he +said to his sons and all the Court: + +"This, the bride of the Youngest Prince, is my choice! See how beautiful +she is! And yet she knows the useful as well as the beautiful for she +has brought me a spear of wheat! The Youngest Prince shall be the Tsar +after me and she shall be Tsarina!" + +So the little frog girl of whom her parents were ashamed married the +Youngest Prince and when the time came wore a Tsarina's crown. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE MOSQUE + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of the Sultan's Youngest Son and the Princess Flower o' the +World_ + + + + +THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE MOSQUE + + +There was once a Sultan who was so pious and devout that he spent many +hours every day in prayer. + +"For the glory of Allah," he thought to himself, "I ought to build the +most beautiful mosque in the world." + +So he called together the finest artisans in the country and told them +what he wanted. He spent a third of his riches on the undertaking, and +when the mosque was finished everybody said: + +"See now, our Sultan has built the most beautiful mosque in the world +for the greater glory of Allah!" + +On the first day when the Sultan went to pray in the new mosque, a +Dervish who was sitting cross-legged at the entrance spoke to him in a +droning sing-song voice and said: + +"Nay, but your mosque is not yet beautiful enough! There is something it +lacks and your prayers will be unavailing!" + +The words of the holy man grieved the Sultan and he had the mosque torn +down and another built in its place even more beautiful. + +"This is certainly the most beautiful mosque in the world!" the people +said, and the Sultan's heart was very happy on the first day as he went +in to pray. + +But again the Dervish, seated at the entrance, said to him in his +droning, sing-song voice: + +"Nay, but your mosque is not yet beautiful enough! There is something it +lacks and your prayers will be unavailing!" + +At the holy man's words the Sultan had the second mosque torn down and a +third one built, the most beautiful of them all. But when it was +finished for a third time the Dervish droned out: + +"Nay, but your mosque is not yet beautiful enough! There is something it +lacks and your prayers will be unavailing!" + +"What can I do?" the Sultan cried. "I have spent all my riches and now I +have no means wherewith to build another mosque!" + +He fell to grieving and nothing any one could say would comfort him. + +His three sons came to him and said: + +"Father, is there not something we can do for you?" + +The Sultan sighed and shook his head. + +"Nothing, my sons, unless indeed you were to find out for me why my +third mosque is not the most beautiful in the world." + +"Brothers," the youngest suggested, "let us go to the Dervish and ask +him why it is that the third mosque is not yet beautiful enough. Perhaps +he will tell us what is lacking." + +So they went to the Dervish and asked him what he meant by saying to the +Sultan that the third mosque was not yet beautiful enough and they +begged him to tell them what it was that was lacking. + +The Dervish fixed his eyes in the distance and slightly swaying his body +back and forth answered them in his sing-song tone. + +"The mosque is beautiful," he said, "and the fountain in its midst is +beautiful, but where is the glorious Nightingale Gisar? With the +Nightingale Gisar singing beside the fountain, then indeed would the +Sultan's third mosque be the most beautiful mosque in the world!" + +"Only tell us where this glorious Nightingale is," the brothers begged, +"and we will get him if it costs us our lives!" + +"I cannot tell you that," the Dervish droned. "You will have to go out +into the world and find him for yourselves." + +So the three brothers returned to the Sultan and told him what the +Dervish had said. + +"All your third mosque lacks to be the most beautiful mosque in the +world," they told him, "is the Nightingale Gisar singing beside the +fountain. So grieve no more, father. We, your three sons, will go out +into the world in quest of this glorious bird and within a year's time +we will return with the bird in our hands if so be that it is anywhere +to be found in all the wide world." + +The Sultan blessed them and they set forth the three of them, side by +side. They traveled together until they reached a place where three +roads branched. Upon the stone of the left-hand road nothing was +written. Upon the stone of the middle road was the inscription: _Who +goes this way returns_. The inscription on the third stone read: _Who +goes this way shall meet many dangers and may never return_. + +"Let us part here," the oldest brother said, "and each take a separate +road. Then if all goes well, let us meet here again on this same spot +one year hence. As our father's oldest son it would be wrong for me to +run unnecessary risks, so I will take the left-hand road." + +"And I will take the middle road," the second brother cried. + +The Youngest Brother laughed and said: + +"That leaves the dangerous road for me! Very well, brothers, that's the +very road I wish to take for why should I leave home if it were not to +have adventures! Farewell then until we meet again in one year's time." + +The oldest traveled his safe road until he reached a city where he +became a barber. He asked every man whose head he shaved: + +"Do you know anything of the Nightingale Gisar?" + +He never found any one who had even heard of the bird, so after a time +he stopped asking. + +The second brother followed the middle road to a city where he settled +down and opened a coffee-house. + +"Have you ever heard of a glorious Nightingale known as Gisar?" he asked +at first of every traveler who came in and sipped his coffee. Not one of +them ever had and as time went by the second brother gradually stopped +even making inquiries. + +The Youngest Brother who took the dangerous road came to no city at all +but to a far-off desolate place without houses or highways or farms. +Wild creatures hid in the brush and snakes glided in and out among the +rocks. One day he came upon a wild woman who was combing her hair with a +branch of juniper. + +"That isn't the way to comb your hair," the Youngest Brother said. +"Here, let me show you." + +He took his own comb and smoothed out all the tangles in the wild +woman's hair until she was comfortable and happy. + +"You have been very kind to me," she said. "Now isn't there something I +can do for you in return?" + +"I am looking for the Nightingale Gisar. If you know where that glorious +bird is, tell me and that will more than repay me." + +But the wild woman had never heard of the Nightingale Gisar. + +"Only wild animals inhabit this desolate place," she said, "and a few +wild people like me. The Nightingale Gisar is not here." + +"Then I must go farther," the Youngest Brother said. + +This the wild woman begged him not to do. + +"Beyond these mountains," she said, "is a wilder desert with fiercer +animals. Turn back while you can." + +"No," the Youngest Brother insisted, "I'm going as God leads me." + +So he left the wild woman and crossed the mountains. He went on and on +until he was footsore and weary. Then at last he came to the Tiger's +house. + +The Tiger's wife met him. + +"Be off, young man!" she warned him, "or the Tiger when he comes home +will eat you!" + +"No!" said the Youngest Brother, "now I'm here I'm going to stay for I +have a question to ask the Tiger." + +The Tiger's wife was making bread. When the dough was ready to go into +the oven, she leaned over the glowing embers of the fire and began to +brush them aside with her body. + +"Stop!" the Youngest Brother cried. "You will burn yourself!" + +"But how else can I brush aside the glowing embers?" the Tiger's wife +asked. + +"I'll show you." + +The Youngest Brother cut a branch from a tree outside and fashioned it +into a rough broom. Then he showed the Tiger's wife how to use it. + +"Ah!" she said gratefully, "before this always when I've baked bread +I've been sick for ten days afterwards. Now I shall be sick no more for +you have taught me how to use a broom. In return let me hide you in a +dark corner and when the Tiger comes home I'll tell him how kind you +have been and perhaps he will not eat you." + +So she hid the Youngest Brother in a dark corner and when the Tiger +came home she met him and said: + +"See, I have baked bread to-day but I am not sick, for a youth has shown +me how I can brush aside the embers without burning myself." + +The Tiger was overjoyed to hear that his wife had been able to bake +bread without being made sick and he swore to be a brother to him who +had taught her the use of a broom. So the Youngest Brother came out from +the dark corner where he was hiding and the Tiger made him welcome. + +"What are you doing wandering about in this wild country?" the Tiger +asked. + +"I am searching for the Nightingale Gisar and I have come to you to ask +you if you can tell me where I can find that glorious bird." + +The Tiger had never heard of the Nightingale Gisar but he thought that +his oldest brother the Lion might know. + +"Go straight on from here," he said, "until you come to the Lion's +house. His old wife stands outside facing the house with her long thin +old dugs thrown over her shoulders. Go up to her from behind and take +her dugs and put them in your mouth and suck them and when she asks you +who you are, say: 'Don't you know me, old mother? I'm your oldest cub.' +Then she will lead you in to the Lion who is so old that his eyelids +droop. Prop them open and when he sees you he will tell you what he +knows." + +So the Youngest Brother went on to the Lion's house and he found the +Lion's old wife standing outside as the Tiger said he would. He did all +the Tiger had told him to do and when the Lion's wife asked him who he +was, he said: 'Don't you know me, old mother? I'm your oldest cub.' Then +the Lion's old wife led him in to the Lion and he propped open the +Lion's drooping eyelids and asked about the Nightingale Gisar. + +The old Lion shook his head. + +"I have never heard of the Nightingale Gisar. He has never sung in this +wild place. Turn back, young man, and seek him elsewhere. Beyond this is +a country of wilder creatures where you will only lose your life." + +"That is as God wills," the Youngest Brother said. + +With that he bade the old Lion and his old wife farewell and pushed on +into the farther wilds. The mountains grew more and more rugged, the +plains more parched and barren, and the Youngest Son was hard put to it +to find food from day to day. + +Once when he was crossing a desert three eagles swooped down upon him +and it was all he could do to fight them off. He slashed at them with +his sword and succeeded in cutting off the beak of one, a wing of +another, and a leg of the third. He put these three things in his bag as +trophies. + +He came at last to a hut where an old woman was baking cakes on the +hearth. + +"God bless you, granny!" he said. "Can you give me a bite of supper and +shelter for the night?" + +The old woman shook her head. + +"My boy, you had better not stop here. I have three daughters and if +they were to come home and find you here, they'd kill you." + +But the Youngest Brother insisted that he was not afraid and at last the +old woman let him stay. She hid him in the corner behind the firewood +and warned him to keep still. + +Presently the three eagles whom he had maimed came flying into the hut. +The old woman put a bowl of milk on the table, the birds dipped in the +milk, and lo! their feather shirts opened and they stepped out three +maidens. One of them had lost her lips, one an arm, and the third a leg. + +"Ah!" they cried to their mother, "see what has befallen us! If only the +youth who maimed us would return the beak and the wing and the leg that +he hacked off, we would tell him anything he wants to know." + +At that the Youngest Brother stepped out from behind the firewood and +said: + +"Tell me then where I can find the Nightingale Gisar and you shall have +back your beak and your wing and your leg." + +He opened his bag and the maidens were overjoyed to see their beak and +their wing and their leg. Then they told the Youngest Brother all they +knew about the Nightingale Gisar. + +"Far from here," they said, "there is a Warrior Princess, so beautiful +that men call her Flower o' the World. She has the Nightingale Gisar in +a golden cage hanging in her own chamber. The chamber door is guarded by +a lion and a wolf and a tiger for the Flower o' the World knows that she +will have to marry the man who steals from her the Nightingale Gisar." + +"How can a man enter the chamber of the Flower o' the World?" the +Youngest Brother asked. + +"For a few moments at midnight," the sisters told him, "the three +animals sleep. During those few moments a man could enter the chamber, +get the Nightingale Gisar, and escape. But even then he might not be +safe for the Flower o' the World might gather her army together and +pursue him." + +"Now tell me how to reach the palace of that Warrior Princess, Flower o' +the World." + +"You could never get there alone," they told him, "the way is too long +and the dangers are too many. Stay here with us for three months and at +the end of three months we will carry you thither on our wings." + +So for three months the Youngest Brother stayed on in the hut with the +old woman and her three daughters. The three daughters flew in their +eagle shirts to the spring of the Water of Life and bathing in that +magic pool they made grow on again the beak and the wing and the leg +which the Youngest Brother had hacked off. + +At the end of three months they carried the Youngest Brother on their +wings to the distant kingdom where the Warrior Princess, Flower o' the +World, lived. + +At midnight they set him down in front of the palace and he slipped +unseen through the guards at the gate and through the halls of the +palace to the Princess's own chamber. The lion, the wolf, and the tiger +were asleep and he was able to push back the curtain before which they +were lying and creep up to the Princess's very bedside without being +discovered. + +He looked once at the sleeping Flower o' the World and she was so +beautiful that he dared not look again for fear he should forget the +Nightingale Gisar and betray himself by crying out. + +At the head of the bed were four lighted candles and at the foot four +unlighted ones. He blew out the lighted ones and lit the others. Then +quickly he took the golden cage in which the Nightingale Gisar was +perched asleep, unfastened it from the golden chain on which it was +hanging, and hurried out. The eagles were waiting for him and at once +they spread their wings and carried him away. + +They put him down at the crossroads where he had parted from his +brothers just one year before. Then they bade him farewell and flew off +to their home in the desert. + +"My brothers will probably be here in an hour or so," the Youngest Son +thought. "I had better wait for them." + +He felt sleepy, so he lay down by the roadside and closed his eyes. + +While he slept his brothers arrived and of course the first thing they +saw was the golden cage and the Nightingale Gisar. + +Then envy and hatred filled their hearts and they began cursing and +complaining to think that he who was the Youngest had succeeded where +they had failed. + +"We'll be the laughing-stock of the whole country!" they said, "if we +let him come home carrying the Nightingale Gisar! Let us take the bird +while he sleeps and hurry home with it. Then if he comes home later and +says it was he who really found the bird no one will believe him." + +So they beat their brother into insensibility and tore his clothes to +rags to make him think that he had been set upon by robbers, and then +taking the golden cage and the Nightingale Gisar they hurried home and +presented themselves to their father, the Sultan. + +"Here, O father," they said, "is the Nightingale Gisar! To get this +glorious bird for you we have endured all the perils in the world!" + +"And your Youngest Brother," the Sultan asked, "where is he?" + +"The Youngest? Think no more of him, father, for he is unworthy to be +your son. Instead of searching the wide world for the Nightingale Gisar, +he settled down in the first city he reached and lived a life of +idleness and ease. Some say he became a barber and some say he opened a +coffee-house and spent his days chatting with passing travelers. He has +not come home with us for no doubt it shames him to know that we have +succeeded where he has failed." + +The Sultan was grieved to hear this evil report of his Youngest Son, but +he was overjoyed to have the Nightingale Gisar. He had the golden cage +carried to the mosque and hung beside the fountain in the court. + +But imagine his disappointment when the bird refused to sing! + +"Let him who found the Nightingale come to the mosque," the Dervish said +in his droning sing-song voice, "and then the Nightingale will sing." + +The Sultan immediately sent for his two sons. They came but still the +bird was silent. + +"See now," the Sultan said, "my two sons are here and yet the bird is +silent." + +But the Dervish would only repeat: + +"Let him who found the Nightingale come to the mosque and then the +Nightingale will sing." + +The next day a youth in rags whom nobody knew entered the mosque to pray +and instantly the Nightingale began to sing. + +A messenger was sent running to the Sultan with the news that the +Nightingale was singing. The Sultan hurried to the mosque but by the +time he got there the beggar youth was gone and the Nightingale had +stopped singing. + +"Now that I'm here," cried the Sultan, "why does the bird not sing?" + +The Dervish, swaying his body gently back and forth, made answer as +before: + +"Let him who found the Nightingale come to the mosque and then the +Nightingale will sing." + +Thereafter every day when the beggar youth came to the mosque to pray +the Nightingale sang, and always when the Sultan approached the beggar +walked away and the bird stopped singing. At last people began +whispering: + +"Strange that the Nightingale should sing only when that beggar youth is +near! And yet the Dervish says it will not sing unless he who found it +comes to the mosque! What can he mean?" + +Report of the beggar youth reached the ears of the Sultan and he went to +the Dervish and questioned him. + +"Why do you say that the Nightingale Gisar will not sing unless he who +found him comes to the mosque? Lo, here are my two sons who found him +and the bird remains silent, yet people tell me that when a certain +beggar comes to the mosque he sings. Why does he not sing when I and my +two sons come to pray?" + +And always the Dervish made the same answer in the same sing-song voice: + +"Let him who found the Nightingale come to the mosque and then the +Nightingale will sing." + +Soon a terrifying rumor spread through the land that a great Warrior +Princess called Flower o' the World was coming with a mighty army to +make war on the Sultan and to destroy his city. Her army far outnumbered +the Sultan's and when she encamped in a broad valley over against the +city the Sultan's people, seeing her mighty hosts, were filled with +dread and besought their ruler to make peace with the Princess at any +cost. So the Sultan called his heralds and sent them to her and through +them he said: + +"Demand of me what you will even to my life but spare my city." + +The Warrior Princess returned this answer: + +"I will spare you and your city provided you deliver me your son who +stole from me the Nightingale Gisar. Him I shall have executed or let +live as it pleases me." + +Now the Sultan's two sons knew that the Flower o' the World was fated to +marry the man who had stolen from her the Nightingale Gisar, so when +they heard the Princess's demand they were overjoyed thinking that she +would have to fall in love with one of them. So they disputed at great +length as to which of them had done the actual deed of taking the bird, +each insisting that it was he and not his brother. The Sultan himself +had finally to decide between them. + +"You have told me," he said, "that you captured the bird together. As +that is the case and as I can't send you both to the Warrior Princess it +is only right that the older should go." + +So under a splendid escort the oldest son rode to the tent of the +Warrior Princess. She bade him enter alone and when he appeared before +her she looked at him long and steadily. Then she said: + +"Nay, but you are never the man who stole from me the Nightingale Gisar! +You would lack the courage to face the perils of the way!" + +The oldest prince answered the Flower o' the World craftily: + +"But how, Princess, if I did not steal from you the Nightingale Gisar +was I then able to bring back that glorious bird and hang his cage +beside the fountain in the mosque?" + +But Flower o' the World was not to be deceived by such specious words. + +"Tell me then," she said, "if it was you who stole my glorious +Nightingale, where did you find him hanging in his golden cage?" + +The oldest prince could not answer this, so he said at random: + +"I found his golden cage hanging in the cypress tree that grows in the +garden of your palace." + +"Enough!" cried the Princess. + +She clapped her hands and when her guards appeared she said to them: + +"Have this man executed at once and let his head be sent to the Sultan +with the message: _This is the head of a liar and a coward! Send me at +once your son who stole my glorious Nightingale Gisar or I will march +against your city!_" + +The Sultan was greatly shocked to receive this message together with the +head of his oldest son. + +"Alas!" he cried, calling his second son, "would that I had listened to +you when you insisted that it was you and not your brother who actually +did the deed! Unhappily I listened to your brother! See now the awful +result of this mistake! Go you now to this heartless Princess whom men +call Flower o' the World or else our poor defenseless city will have to +pay the penalty." + +So the second prince was taken to the tent of the Warrior Maiden and she +put to him the same questions and he fared even worse than his brother +had fared. So his head, too, was sent to the Sultan with this message: + +"_Send me no more liars and cowards but the son who actually did steal +from me my glorious Nightingale Gisar._" + +In despair the Sultan went to the mosque to pray. As he bowed his head +he heard the Nightingale burst forth in song. Then when he looked up he +saw a beggar youth standing near the fountain. + +When his prayers were finished the Sultan went outside to the Dervish +and said to him: + +"The Warrior Princess, Flower o' the World, demands that I send her +another son. I know not where my Third Son is. What shall I do?" + +Without looking at the Sultan the Dervish answered in his sing-song +voice: + +"Send her the son for whom the Nightingale sings." + +The Sultan turned away in disappointment, not understanding what the +Dervish meant, but one of his attendants plucked his sleeve and +whispered: + +"The Nightingale sings for yonder beggar youth. Perhaps it is he the +Dervish means. Why not ask him if he will go to Flower o' the World in +place of your Youngest Son?" + +[Illustration: _The Flower o' the World Asleep_] + +The Sultan nodded, so the attendant called the beggar youth and the +Sultan asked him would he go to the Warrior Princess as the Youngest +Prince. + +"Allah alone knows where my Youngest Son is," the Sultan said, "but he +is just about your age and if you were washed and anointed and dressed +in fitting garments you would not be unlike him." + +The beggar youth said he would go but he insisted on going just as he +was. The Sultan begged him to go dressed as a prince or the Flower o' +the World might not receive him. + +"No," said the youth, "I shall go as a beggar or not at all. It is for +the Flower o' the World to know me whether or not I am the Sultan's +Youngest Son and the man who stole from her the Nightingale Gisar." + +So he went as he was to the tent of the Flower o' the World and her +warriors when they saw him coming said to the Princess: + +"This Sultan mocks you and sends you a beggar when you demand his Third +Son." + +But the Flower o' the World ordered them all out and bade the beggar +enter alone. She looked at him long and steadily and she saw through his +rags that he was indeed a noble youth with a body made strong and +beautiful through exercise and toil and she thought to herself: + +"It were not a hard fate to marry this youth!" + +Then she questioned him: + +"Are you the Sultan's Third Son?" + +"I am." + +"Then why are you dressed as a beggar?" + +"Because I was set upon at the crossroads and beaten insensible and my +clothes torn to rags. I was coming home with the Nightingale Gisar in my +hands and I lay down at the roadside to rest while I awaited the coming +of my brothers. When I awoke to consciousness the Nightingale and its +golden cage were gone. I came home to my father's city as a beggar and +there they told me that my brothers had come just before me bringing +with them the Nightingale and boasting of the perils they had been +through and the dangers they had faced. But the Nightingale, they told +me, hanging in its golden cage beside the fountain, was silent. Yet when +I went to the mosque it always sang." + +The Warrior Princess looked deep into his eyes and knew that he was +speaking truth. Her heart was touched with compassion at the wrong he +had suffered from his brothers, but she hid her feelings and questioned +him further. + +"Then it was you," she said, "who really took from me my glorious +Nightingale Gisar?" + +"Yes, Princess, it was. I crept past the lion and the wolf and the tiger +just after midnight while they slept. I blew out the four candles at the +head of your bed and lighted those at the foot. The golden cage of the +Nightingale was hanging from a golden chain. Before I unfastened it I +looked at you once, as you lay sleeping, and dared not look a second +time." + +"Why not?" the Princess asked. + +"Because, O Flower o' the World, you were so beautiful that I feared, +were I to look again, I should forget the Nightingale Gisar and cry out +in ecstacy." + +Then the compassion in the Princess's heart changed to love and she knew +for a certainty that this was the man she was fated to wed. + +She clapped her hands and when the guards came in she said to them: + +"Call my warriors together that I may show them the Sultan's Youngest +Son and the man who stole from me my glorious Nightingale Gisar and whom +I am fated to wed." + +So the warriors came in until they crowded the tent to its utmost. Then +the Princess stood up and took the Sultan's Youngest Son by the hand and +presented him to the warriors and told them of his great bravery and +courage and of all the perils he had endured in order to get the +Nightingale Gisar for his father's mosque. + +"He came to me now as a beggar," she said, "but I knew him at once for +truth was in his mouth and courage in his eye. Behold, O warriors, your +future lord!" + +Then the warriors waved their swords and cried: + +"Long live the Flower o' the World! Long live the Sultan's Youngest +Son!" + +All the Princess's army when they heard the news raised such a mighty +shout that the people in the Sultan's city heard and were filled with +dread not knowing what it meant. But soon they knew and then they, too, +went mad with joy that what had threatened to be a war was turning to a +wedding! + +The Flower o' the World and her chief warriors and with them the +Youngest Prince rode slowly to the city. The Prince was now dressed as +befitted his rank and the Sultan when he saw him recognized him at once. + +"Allah be praised!" he cried, "my Youngest Son lives!" + +Then they told him all--how it was this Prince and not the older +brothers who had found the Nightingale Gisar and how the older brothers +had robbed him of his prize and beaten him insensible. + +When the Sultan heard how wicked his older sons had been his grief for +their death was assuaged. + +"Allah be praised," he said, "that I have at least one son who is +worthy!" + +After the betrothal ceremony the Sultan and the Youngest Prince went to +the mosque to pray. While they prayed the Nightingale sang so gloriously +that it seemed to them they were no longer on earth but in Paradise. + +When their prayers were finished and they were passing out, the Dervish +raised his sing-song voice and said: + +"Now indeed is the Sultan's Mosque the most beautiful Mosque in the +World for the Nightingale Gisar sings beside the Fountain!" + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE GIRL IN THE CHEST + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of the Third Sister Who Was Brave and Good_ + + + + +THE GIRL IN THE CHEST + + +There was once a horrible Vampire who took the form of a handsome young +man and went to the house of an old woman who had three daughters and +pretended he wanted to marry the oldest. + +"I live far from here," the Vampire said. "I own my own farm and am +well-to-do and in marrying me your daughter would get a desirable +husband. Indeed, I am so well off that I don't have to ask any dowry." + +Now the old woman was so poor that she couldn't have given a penny of +dowry. That was the only reason why all three of her daughters hadn't +long ago been married to youths of their own village. So when the +stranger said he would require no dowry, the old woman whispered to her +oldest daughter: + +"He seems to be all right. Perhaps you had better take him." + +The poor girl accepted her mother's advice and that afternoon started +off with the Vampire who said he would lead her home and marry her. + +They walked a great distance and as evening came on they reached a wild +ghostly spot which frightened the girl half to death. + +"This way, my dear," the Vampire said, pushing her into an opening in +the earth. "We take this underground passage and soon we'll be home." + +The passage led to a sort of cave which really was the Vampire's home. + +"What an awful place!" the poor girl cried in terror. "Let me out!" + +"Let you out, indeed!" the Vampire sneered, taking his own horrible +shape and laughing cruelly. "Here you are and here you stay and if you +don't do everything I tell you, I'll soon finish you! Here now, drink +this." + +He offered the poor girl a pitcher and when she saw what was in it she +nearly fainted with horror. + +"No!" she cried. "I won't! I won't!" + +"If you don't drink this," the Vampire said, darkly, "then I'll drink +you!" + +And with that he killed her with no more feeling than if she were a fly. + +Then in a short time he went back to the old woman and said: + +"Dear mother, my poor wife is ill and she begs that you send her your +second daughter to nurse her. She asks for her sister night and day and +I fear she will die unless she sees her." + +When the poor old mother heard this, she begged the second daughter to +go at once with the young man and nurse her sick sister. + +Well, the same thing happened to the second sister and in no time at all +the Vampire had killed her, too, to satisfy his awful thirst. + +Then he returned again to the old mother and this time he pretended that +both sisters were sick and were trying for the third sister to come and +nurse them. So the poor old woman sent her Youngest Daughter away with +the Vampire. + +The Youngest Sister when she found out the truth about the horrid +Vampire didn't sit down and weep helplessly as the others had done and +wait for the Vampire to kill her, but she prayed God's help and then +tried to find some way of escape. + +There were doors in the cave which the Vampire told her were doors to +closets she must not enter. When the Vampire was out she opened these +doors and found that they all led into long underground passages. + +"This is my one chance to get back to earth!" the girl thought and +commending her undertaking to God she fled down one of the passages. + +You may be sure the Vampire when he came back and found her gone fell +into a great rage. He went running wildly up and down the various +passages and lost so much time searching the wrong passages that the +girl was able to make good her escape and reach the upper world in +safety. + +She came out in a wood with no sign of human habitation anywhere in +sight. + +"What shall I do now?" she thought. "If I stay here alone and +unprotected some wild beast or evil creature may get me." + +So she knelt down and prayed God to give her a chest that she could lock +from the inside with one of her own golden hairs so securely that no one +could force it open. God heard her prayer and presently behind some +bushes she found just such a chest. When it grew dark and she was ready +to go to bed, she crept into the chest, locked it with a hair, and slept +peacefully knowing that nothing could harm her. + +So she lived in the wood some time, eating berries and fruits, and +sleeping safely in the chest. + +Now it so happened that the King's son one morning went hunting in this +very wood and caught a glimpse of the girl as she was gathering berries. +He thought he had never seen such a beautiful creature and instantly he +fell in love with her. But when he reached the clump of bushes where he +had seen her, she was gone. He called his huntsmen together and told +them to search everywhere. They hunted for hours and all they could find +was a chest. They tried to open the chest to see what was in it but +couldn't. + +"Waste no more time over it," the Prince said at last. "Carry it home to +the palace as it is and have it placed in my chamber." + +The huntsmen did this and a few hours later when the girl peeped out of +her chest she found herself alone in the Prince's chamber. His supper +was standing on a table in readiness for his coming. The girl ate the +supper and was safely back in her chest before he arrived. When he did +come the Prince was amazed to see empty plates and called the servants +to know who had eaten his supper. The servants were as much surprised as +the Prince and declared that no one had entered the chamber. + +The same thing happened the next day and the following day the Prince +had one of his servants hide behind the curtains and watch to find out +if possible how the food disappeared. + +The story the servant had to tell of what he saw was so thrilling that +the Prince could scarcely wait for the next day when he himself hid +behind the curtains and watched. + +The serving people put the food on the table and retired and presently +the lid of the chest opened and the Prince saw the beautiful maiden of +the wood step out. When she sat down at the table the Prince slipped up +behind her and caught her in his arms. + +"You lovely creature!" he said, "I'm not going to let you escape me +again!" + +At first the girl was greatly frightened but the Prince reassured her, +telling her that he loved her dearly and only wanted to make her his +wife. + +He led her at once to the King, his father, and the girl was so modest +and lovely that the King soon agreed to the marriage. + +[Illustration: _The Chest Opened and the Prince Saw the Beautiful +Maiden_] + +Everybody in court was delighted--everybody, that is, but the +Chamberlain who had had hopes of marrying his own daughter to the +Prince. His daughter was an ugly ill-tempered girl and the Prince had +never even looked at her. The Chamberlain was sure, however, that with a +little more time he could arrange the match to his liking. So the +appearance of this beautiful girl who came from Heaven knows where threw +him into a fearful rage and he decided to do away with her at any cost. +Now he had in his employ a great burly Blackamoor. He called this +fellow to him and he told him that he must kidnap the girl at once and +kill her. The Blackamoor who was accustomed to do such deeds for the +Chamberlain nodded and said he would. + +So when the palace was quiet that night he stole to the bedchamber where +the girl was lying asleep, threw a great robe over her head to stifle +her cries, and carried her off. She fainted away from fright and the +Blackamoor thinking her dead tossed her into a field of nettles in the +outskirts of the town. + +Now, as you can imagine, in the morning there was a great uproar in the +palace when it was discovered that the Prince's beautiful bride-to-be +had disappeared. The Prince was utterly grief-stricken and refused to +eat. The King and all the ladies of the court tried their best to +comfort him but he turned away from them declaring he would die if his +bride were not restored to him. + +The rascally Chamberlain put his handkerchief to his eyes and pretended +to weep he was so affected by the sight of the Prince's grief. + +"My dear boy," he said, "I would that I could find this maiden for you! +It breaks my heart to see you sad and unhappy! But I'm sorry to tell you +that I hear she was a Vila and not a human maiden at all. You know how +mysteriously she came, and now she's gone just as mysteriously. So put +the thought of her out of your mind and I'm sure you'll soon find a +human maiden who is worthy of your love. Come here, my daughter, and +tell the Prince how sorry you are that he is in grief." + +But the sight of the Chamberlain's ugly daughter only made the Prince +long the more for the beautiful girl who was gone. + +She meantime had found refuge in the hut of an old woman who had heard +her groan in the early dawn when she lay among the nettles and had taken +compassion on her. + +"You may stay with me until you're well," the old woman said. + +The girl was young and healthy and in a day or two had recovered the ill +treatment she had suffered at the hands of the Blackamoor. + +"Won't you let me live with you awhile, granny?" she said to the old +woman. "I'll cook and scrub and work and you won't have to regret the +little I eat." + +"Can you cook? Because if you can perhaps you know a dish that would +tempt the appetite of our poor young Prince," the old woman said. "You +know the poor boy has had a terrible disappointment in love and he +refuses to eat. The heralds were out this morning proclaiming that the +King would richly reward any one who could prepare a dish that would +tempt the Prince's appetite." + +"Granny!" the girl said, "I know a wonderful way to prepare beans! Let +me cook a dish of beans and do you carry them to the palace." + +So the girl cooked the beans and placed them prettily in a dish and on +one side of the dish she put a tiny little ringlet of her own golden +hair. + +"If he sees the hair," she thought to herself, "he'll know the beans are +from me." + +And that's exactly what happened. To please his father the Prince had +consented to look at every dish as it came. He had already looked at +hundreds of them before the old woman arrived and turned away from them +all. Then the old woman came. As she passed before the Prince, she +lifted the cover of the dish, held it towards him, and curtsied. The +Prince was just about to turn away when he saw the tiny ringlet of hair. + +"Oh!" he said. "Wait a minute! Those beans look good!" + +To the King's delight he took the dish out of the old woman's hand, +examined it carefully, and when no one was looking slipped the ringlet +into his pocket. Then he ate the beans--every last one of them! + +The King gave the old woman some golden ducats and begged her to prepare +another dish for the Prince on the morrow. + +So the next day the girl again sent a tiny ringlet of her hair on the +side of the plate and again the Prince after scorning all the other food +offered him took the old woman's dish and ate it clean. + +On the third day the Prince engaged the old woman in conversation. + +"Where do you live, granny?" + +"In a little tumble-down house beside the nettles," she told him. + +"Do you live alone?" + +"Just now," the old woman said, "I have a dear girl living with me. I +found her one morning lying in the nettles where some ruffians had left +her for dead. She's a good girl and she scrubs and bakes and cooks for +me and lets me rest my poor old bones." + +Now the Prince knew what he wanted to know. + +"Granny," he said, "to-morrow's Sunday. Now I want you to stay home in +the afternoon because I'm coming to see you." + +In great excitement the old woman hurried home and told the girl that +the Prince was coming to see them on Sunday afternoon. + +"He mustn't see me!" the girl said. "I'll hide in the bread trough under +a cloth and if he goes looking for me you tell him that I've gone out." + +"Foolish child!" the old woman said. "Why should you hide from a +handsome young man like the Prince?" + +But the girl insisted and at last when Sunday afternoon came the old +woman was forced to let her lie down in the bread trough and cover her +with a cloth. + +The Prince arrived and when he found the old woman there alone he was +mightily disappointed. + +"Where's that girl who lives with you?" he asked. + +"She's gone out," the old woman said. + +"Then I think I'll wait till she comes back." + +This made the old woman feel nervous. + +"But, my Prince, I don't know when she's coming back." + +Just then the Prince thought he saw something move in the bread trough. + +"What's that lumpy thing in the bread trough, granny?" + +"That? Oh, that's just dough that's rising, my Prince. I'm baking +to-day." + +"Then make me a loaf, granny. I'll wait for it until it rises and until +you bake it. Then I'll eat it hot out of the oven." + +What was the old woman to say to that? She fussed and fidgeted and +thought again what a foolish young girl that was to be hiding in the +bread trough when there was a handsome young Prince in the room. + +"I don't know why that dough doesn't rise," she remarked at last. + +"Perhaps there's something the matter with it," the Prince said. + +Before the old woman could stop him, he jumped up, tossed the cloth +aside, and there was his lovely bride! + +"Why are you hiding from me?" he asked as he lifted her up and kissed +her tenderly. + +"Because I knew if you really loved me you would find me," she said. + +"Now that I have found you," the Prince declared, "I shall never let you +leave me again." + +Then the girl told the Prince about the wicked Chamberlain and the +Blackamoor and it was all she and the old woman could do to keep the +Prince from drawing his sword and rushing out instantly to kill both of +them. + +The old woman begged the Prince to take the girl secretly to the King +and have the King hear her story, and then let him pass judgment on the +Chamberlain according to the laws of the land. At last the Prince agreed +to this. + +So they covered the girl's head with a veil and took her to the King. +When the King heard her story he called the court together at once and +told them the outrage that had been committed against his son's promised +bride. He commanded that the murderous Blackamoor be executed the next +day and he decreed that the Chamberlain and his wicked daughter be +stripped of their lands and riches and sent into exile. + +Let us hope that exile taught them the evil of their ways and made them +repent. + +As for the girl, she married the Prince and they lived together in great +happiness. And she deserved to be happy, too, for she was a brave girl +and a good girl and God loves people who are brave and good and blesses +them. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE WONDERFUL HAIR + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of a Poor Man Who Dreamed of an Angel_ + + + + +THE WONDERFUL HAIR + + +There was once a poor man who had so many children that he was at his +wit's end how to feed them all and clothe them. + +"Unless something turns up soon," he thought to himself, "we shall all +starve to death. Poor youngsters--I'm almost tempted to kill them with +my own hands to save them from suffering the pangs of hunger!" + +That night before he went to sleep he prayed God to give him help. God +heard his prayer and sent an angel to him in a dream. + +The angel said to him: + +"To-morrow morning when you wake, put your hand under your pillow and +you will find a mirror, a red handkerchief, and an embroidered scarf. +Without saying a word to any one hide these things in your shirt and go +out to the woods that lie beyond the third hill from the village. There +you will find a brook. Follow it until you come to a beautiful maiden +who is bathing in its waters. You will know her from the great masses of +golden hair that fall down over her shoulders. She will speak to you +but do you be careful not to answer. If you say a word to her she will +be able to bewitch you. She will hold out a comb to you and ask you to +comb her hair. Take the comb and do as she asks. Then part her back hair +carefully and you will see one hair that is coarser than the others and +as red as blood. Wrap this firmly around one of your fingers and jerk it +out. Then flee as fast as you can. She will pursue you and each time as +she is about to overtake you drop first the embroidered scarf, then the +red handkerchief, and last the mirror. If you reach the hill nearest +your own village you are safe for she can pursue you no farther. Take +good care of the single hair for it great value and you can sell it for +many golden ducats." + +In the morning when the poor man awoke and put his hand under his pillow +he found the mirror and the handkerchief and the scarf just as the angel +had said he would. So he hid them carefully in his shirt and without +telling any one where he was going he went to the woods beyond the third +hill from the village. Here he found the brook and followed it until he +came to a pool where he saw a lovely maiden bathing. + +"Good day to you!" she said politely. + +The poor man remembering the angel's warning made no answer. + +[Illustration: _The Mirror, the Handkerchief, and the Embroidered +Scarf_] + +The maiden held out a golden comb. + +"Please comb my hair for me, won't you?" + +The man nodded and took the comb. Then he parted the long tresses behind +and searched here and there and everywhere until he found the one hair +that was blood-red in color and coarser than the others. He twisted this +firmly around his finger, jerked it quickly out, and fled. + +"Oh!" cried the maiden. "What are you doing? Give me back my one red +hair!" + +She jumped to her feet and ran swiftly after him. As she came close to +him, he dropped behind him the embroidered scarf. She stooped and picked +it up and examined it awhile. Then she saw the man was escaping, so she +tossed the scarf aside and again ran after him. This time he dropped the +red handkerchief. Its bright color caught the maiden's eye and she +picked it up and lost a few more minutes admiring it while the man raced +on. Then the maiden remembered him, threw away the handkerchief, and +started off again in pursuit. + +This time the man dropped the mirror and the maiden who of course was a +Vila and had never seen a mirror before picked it up and looked at it +and when she saw the lovely reflection of herself she was so amazed that +she kept on looking and looking. She was still looking in it and still +admiring her own beauty when the man reached the third hill beyond which +the maiden couldn't follow him. + +So the poor man got home with the hair safely wound about his finger. + +"It must be of great value," he thought to himself. "I'll take it to the +city and offer it for sale there." + +So the next day he went to the city and went about offering his +wonderful hair to the merchants. + +"What's so wonderful about it?" they asked him. + +"I don't know, but I do know it's of great value," he told them. + +"Well," said one of them, "I'll give you one golden ducat for it." + +He was a shrewd buyer and the others hearing his bid of one golden ducat +decided that he must know that the hair was of much greater value. So +they began to outbid him until the price offered the poor man reached +one hundred golden ducats. But the poor man insisted that this was not +enough. + +"One hundred golden ducats not enough for one red hair!" cried the +merchants. + +They pretended to be disgusted that any one would refuse such a price +for one red hair, but in reality they were all firmly convinced by this +time that it was a magic hair and probably worth any amount of money in +the world. + +The whole city became excited over the wonderful hair for which all the +merchants were bidding and for a time nothing else was talked about. The +matter was reported to the Tsar and at once he said that he himself +would buy the hair for one thousand golden ducats. + +One thousand golden ducats! After that there was no danger of the poor +man's many children dying of starvation. + +And what do you suppose the Tsar did with the hair? He had it split open +very carefully and inside he found a scroll of great importance to +mankind for on it were written many wonderful secrets of nature. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE BEST WISH + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of Three Brothers and an Angel_ + + + + +THE BEST WISH + + +There were once three brothers whose only possession was a pear tree. +They took turns guarding it. That is to say while two of them went to +work the third stayed at home to see that no harm came to the pear tree. + +Now it happened that an Angel from heaven was sent down to test the +hearts of the three brothers. The Angel took the form of a beggar and +approaching the pear tree on a day when the oldest brother was guarding +it, he held out his hand and said: + +"In heaven's name, brother, give me a ripe pear." + +The oldest brother at once handed him a pear, saying: + +"This one I can give you because it is mine, but none of the others +because they belong to my brothers." + +The Angel thanked him and departed. + +The next day when the second brother was on guard he returned in the +same guise and again begged the charity of a ripe pear. + +"Take this one," the second brother said. "It is mine and I can give it +away. I can't give away any of the others because they belong to my +brothers." + +The Angel thanked the second brother and departed. + +The third day he had exactly the same experience with the youngest +brother. + +On the following day the Angel, in the guise of a monk, came to the +brothers' house very early while they were still all at home. + +"My sons," he said, "come with me and perhaps I can find you something +better to do than guard a single pear tree." + +The brothers agreed and they all started out together. After walking +some time they came to the banks of a broad deep river. + +"My son," the Angel said, addressing the oldest brother, "if I were to +grant you one wish, what you ask?" + +"I'd be happy," the oldest brother said, "if all this water was turned +into wine and belonged to me." + +[Illustration: _The Angel Took the Form of a Beggar_] + +The Angel lifted his staff and made the sign of the cross and lo! the +water became wine from great wine-presses. At once numbers of casks +appeared and men filling them and rolling them about. A huge industry +sprang up with sheds and storehouses and wagons and men running +hither and thither and addressing the oldest brother respectfully as +"Master!" + +"You have your wish," the Angel said. "See that you do not forget God's +poor now that you are rich. Farewell." + +So they left the oldest brother in the midst of his wine and went on +farther until they came to a broad field where flocks of pigeons were +feeding. + +"If I were to grant you one wish," the Angel said to the second brother, +"what would you ask?" + +"I'd be happy, father, if all the pigeons in this field were turned to +sheep and belonged to me." + +The Angel lifted his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the +field was covered with sheep. Sheds appeared and houses and women, some +of them milking the ewes and others skimming the milk and making +cheeses. In one place men were busy preparing meat for the market and in +another cleaning wool. And all of them as they came and went spoke +respectfully to the second brother and called him, "Master!" + +"You have your wish," the Angel said. "Stay here and enjoy prosperity +and see that you do not forget God's poor!" + +Then he and the youngest brother went on their way. + +"Now, my son," the Angel said, "you, too, may make one wish." + +"I want but one thing, father. I pray heaven to grant me a truly pious +wife. That is my only wish." + +"A truly pious wife!" the Angel cried. "My boy, you have asked the +hardest thing of all! Why, there are only three truly pious women in all +the world! Two of them are already married and the third is a princess +who is being sought in marriage at this very moment by two kings! +However, your brothers have received their wishes and you must have +yours, too. Let us go at once to the father of this virtuous princess +and present your suit." + +So just as they were they trudged to the city where the princess lived +and presented themselves at the palace looking shabby and +travel-stained. + +The king received them and when he heard their mission he looked at them +in amazement. + +"This makes three suitors for my daughter's hand! Two kings and now this +young man all on the same day! How am I going to decide among them?" + +"Let heaven decide!" the Angel said. "Cut three branches of grape-vine +and let the princess mark each branch with the name of a different +suitor. Then let her plant the three branches to-night in the garden +and to-morrow do you give her in marriage to the man whose branch has +blossomed during the night and by morning is covered with ripe clusters +of grapes." + +The king and the two other suitors agreed to this and the princess named +and planted three branches of grape-vine. In the morning two of the +branches were bare and dry, but the third, the one which was marked with +the name of the youngest brother, was covered with green leaves and ripe +clusters of grapes. The king accepted heaven's ruling and at once led +his daughter to church where he had her married to the stranger and sent +her off with his blessing. + +The Angel led the young couple to a forest and left them there. + +A year went by and the Angel was sent back to earth to see how the three +brothers were faring. Assuming the form of an old beggar, he went to the +oldest brother who was busy among his wine-presses and begged the +charity of a cup of wine. + +"Be off with you, you old vagabond!" the oldest brother shouted angrily. +"If I gave a cup of wine to every beggar that comes along I'd soon be a +beggar myself!" + +The Angel lifted his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the +wine and all the wine-presses disappeared and in their place flowed a +broad deep river. + +"In your prosperity you have forgotten God's poor," the Angel said. "Go +back to your pear tree." + +Then the Angel went to the second brother who was busy in his dairy. + +"Brother," the Angel said, "in heaven's name, I pray you, give me a +morsel of cheese." + +"A morsel of cheese, you lazy good-for-nothing!" the second brother +cried. "Be off with you or I'll call the dogs!" + +The Angel lifted his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the +sheep and the dairy and all the busy laborers disappeared and he and the +second brother were standing there alone in a field where flocks of +pigeons were feeding. + +"In your prosperity you have forgotten God's poor," the Angel said. "Go +back to your pear tree!" + +Then the Angel made his way to the forest where he had left the youngest +brother and his wife. He found them in great poverty living in a mean +little hut. + +"God be with you!" said the Angel still in the guise of an old beggar. +"I pray you in heaven's name give me shelter for the night and a bite of +supper." + +"We are poor ourselves," the youngest brother said. + +"But come in, you are welcome to share what we have." + +They put the old beggar to rest at the most comfortable place beside the +fire and the wife set three places for the evening meal. They were so +poor that the loaf that was baking in the oven was not made of grain +ground at the mill but of pounded bark gathered from the trees. + +"Alas," the wife murmured to herself, "it shames me that we have no real +bread to put before our guest." + +Imagine then her surprise when she opened the oven and saw a browned +loaf of wheaten bread. + +"God be praised!" she cried. + +She drew a pitcher of water at the spring but when she began pouring it +into the cups she found to her joy that it was changed to wine. + +"In your happiness," the Angel said, "you have not forgotten God's poor +and God will reward you!" + +He raised his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the mean little +hut disappeared and in its place arose a stately palace full of riches +and beautiful things. Servants passed hither and thither and addressed +the poor man respectfully as "My lord!" and his wife as "My lady!" + +The old beggar arose and as he went he blessed them both, saying: + +"God gives you these riches and they will be yours to enjoy so long as +you share them with others." + +They must have remembered the Angel's words for all their lives long +they were happy and prosperous. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE VILAS' SPRING + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of the Brother Who Knew That Good Was Stronger Than Evil_ + + + + +THE VILAS' SPRING + + +There was once a rich man who had two sons. The older son was +overbearing, greedy, and covetous. He was dishonest, too, and thought +nothing of taking things that belonged to others. The younger brother +was gentle and kind. He was always ready to share what he had and he was +never known to cheat or to steal. + +"He's little better than a fool!" the older brother used to say of him +scornfully. + +When the brothers grew to manhood the old father died leaving directions +that they divide his wealth between them, share and share alike. + +"Nonsense!" the older brother said. "That fool would only squander his +inheritance! To every poor beggar that comes along he'd give an alms +until soon my poor father's savings would be all gone! No! I'll give him +three golden ducats and a horse and tell him to get out and if he makes +a fuss I won't give him that much!" + +So he said to his younger brother: + +"You're a fool and you oughtn't to have a penny from our father's +estate. However, I'll give you three golden ducats and a horse on +condition that you clear out and never come back." + +"Brother," the younger one said quietly, "you are doing me a wrong." + +"What if I am?" sneered the older. "Wrong is stronger than Right just as +I am stronger than you. Be off with you now or I'll take from you even +these three golden ducats and the horse!" + +Without another word the younger brother mounted the horse and rode +away. + +Time went by and at last the brothers chanced to meet on the highway. + +"God bless you, brother!" the younger one said. + +"Don't you go God-blessing me, you fool!" the older one shouted. "It +isn't God who is powerful in this world but the Devil!" + +"No, brother," the other said, "you are wrong. God is stronger than the +Devil just as Good is stronger than Evil." + +"Are you sure of that?" + +"Yes, brother, I'm sure." + +"Well, then, let us make a wager. I'll wager you a golden ducat that +Evil is stronger than Good and we'll let the first man we meet on this +road decide which of us is right. Do you agree?" + +"Yes, brother, I agree." + +They rode a short distance and overtook a man who seemed to be a monk. +He wasn't really a monk but the Devil himself disguised in the habit of +a monk. The older brother put the case to him and the false monk at once +answered: + +"That's an easy question to decide. Of course Evil is stronger than Good +in this world." + +Without a word the younger brother took out one of his golden ducats and +handed it over. + +"Now," sneered the older one, "are you convinced?" + +"No, brother, I am not. No matter what this monk says I know that Good +is stronger than Evil." + +"You do, do you? Then suppose we repeat the wager and ask the next man +we meet to decide between us." + +"Very well, brother, I'm willing." + +The next man they overtook looked like an old farmer, but in reality he +was the Devil again who had taken the guise of a farmer. They put the +question to him and of course the Devil made the same answer: + +"Evil is stronger than Good in this world." + +So again the younger brother paid his wager but insisted that he still +believed Good to be stronger than Evil. + +"Then we'll make a third wager," the other said. + +With the Devil's help the older brother won the third golden ducat which +was all the money the younger one had. Then the older brother suggested +that they wager their horses and the Devil, disguised in another form, +again acted as umpire and the younger one of course lost his horse. + +"Now I have nothing more to lose," he said, "but I am still so sure that +Good is stronger than Evil that I am willing to wager the very eyes out +of my head!" + +"The more fool you!" the other one cried brutally. + +Without another word he knocked his younger brother down and gouged out +his eyes. + +"Now let God take care of you if He can! As for me I put my trust in the +Devil!" + +"May God forgive you for speaking so!" the younger one said. + +"I don't care whether He does or not! Nothing can harm me! I'm strong +and I'm rich and I know how to take care of myself. As for you, you poor +blind beggar, is there anything you would like me to do for you before I +ride away?" + +[Illustration: _Vilas at Play_] + +"All I ask of you, brother, is that you lead me to the spring that is +under the fir tree not far from here. There I can bathe my wounds and +sit in the shade." + +"I'll do that much for you," the older one said, taking the blinded man +by the hand. "For the rest, God will have to take care of you." + +With that he led him over to the fir tree and left him. The blinded man +groped his way to the spring and bathed his wounds, then sat down under +the tree and prayed God for help and protection. + +When night came he fell asleep and he slept until midnight when he was +awakened by the sound of voices at the spring. A company of Vilas were +bathing and playing as they bathed. He was blind, as you remember, so he +couldn't see their beautiful forms but he knew that they must be Vilas +from their voices which were as sweet as gurgling waters and murmuring +treetops. Human voices are never half so lovely. Yes, they must be Vilas +from the mountains and the woods. + +"Ho, sisters!" cried one of them, "if only men knew that we bathed in +this spring, they could come to-morrow and be healed in its water--the +maimed and the halt and blind! To-morrow this water would heal even the +king's daughter who is afflicted with leprosy!" + +When they were gone the blind man crept down to the spring and bathed +his face. At the first touch of the healing water his wounds closed and +his sight was restored. With a heart full of gratitude he knelt down and +thanked God for the miracle. Then when morning came he filled a vessel +with the precious water and hurried to the king's palace. + +"Tell the king," he said to the guards, "that I have come to heal his +daughter." + +The king admitted him at once to the princess's chamber and said to him: + +"If you succeed in healing the princess you shall have her in marriage +and in addition I shall make you heir to my kingdom." + +The moment the princess was bathed in the healing water she, too, was +restored to health and at once the proclamation was sent forth that the +princess was recovered and was soon to marry the man who had cured her. + +Now when the evil older brother heard who this fortunate man was, he +could scarcely contain himself for rage and envy. + +"How did that fool get back his sight?" he asked himself. "What magic +secret did he discover that enabled him to heal the princess of leprosy? +Whatever it was he got it under the fir tree for where else could he +have got it? I've a good mind to go to the fir tree myself to-night and +see what happens." + +The more he thought about it the surer he became that if he went to the +fir tree in exactly the same condition as his brother he, too, would +have some wonderful good fortune. So when night came he seated himself +under the tree, gouged out his eyes with a knife, and then waited to see +what would happen. At midnight he heard the Vilas at the spring but +their voices were not sweet but shrill and angry. + +"Sisters," they cried to each other, "have you heard? The princess is +healed of leprosy and it was with the water of this, our spring! Who has +spied on us?" + +"While we were talking last night," said one, "some man may have been +hiding under the fir tree." + +"Let us see if there is any one there to-night!" cried another. + +With that they all rushed to the fir tree and took the man they found +sitting there and in a fury tore him to pieces as though he were a bit +of old cloth. So that was the end of the wicked older brother. And you +will notice that in his hour of need his friend, the Devil, was not on +hand to help him. + +So after all it was the younger brother who finally inherited all his +father's wealth. In addition he married the princess and was made heir +to the kingdom. So you see Good is stronger than Evil in this world. + +[Illustration] + + + + +LORD AND MASTER + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of the Man Who Understood the Language of the Animals_ + + + + +LORD AND MASTER + + +There was once a young shepherd, an honest industrious fellow, who +passed most of his time in the hills looking after his master's flocks. +One afternoon he happened upon a bush which some gipsies had set a-fire. +As he stopped to watch it he heard a strange hissing, whistling sound. +He went as close as he could and in the center of the bush which the +flames had not yet reached he saw a snake. It was writhing and trembling +in fear. + +"Help me, brother!" the snake said. "Help me and I will reward you +richly! I swear I will!" + +The shepherd put the end of his crook over the flames and the snake +crawled up the crook, up the shepherd's arm, and wound itself about his +neck. + +It was now the shepherd's turn to be frightened. + +"What! Will you kill me as a reward for my kindness?" + +"Nay," the snake said. "Do not be afraid. I will not injure you. Do as I +tell you and you will have nothing to regret. My father is the Tsar of +the Snakes. Take me to him and he will reward you for rescuing me." + +"But I can't leave my flocks," the shepherd said. + +"Have no fear about your flocks. Nothing will happen to them in your +absence." + +"But I don't know where your father, the Tsar of the Snakes, lives," the +shepherd protested. + +"I'll show you," the snake said. "I'll point out the direction with my +tail." + +So in spite of his misgivings the shepherd at last agreed to the snake's +suggestion and, leaving his sheep in God's care, started up the +mountainside in the direction which the snake pointed out with his tail. + +They reached finally a sort of pocket in the hills which was sandy and +rocky and exposed to the full force of the sun. The snake directed the +shepherd to the entrance of a cave which had a huge door composed +entirely of living snakes closely wound together. The shepherd's snake +said something in his breathy whistling voice and the door pulled itself +apart and allowed the shepherd to enter the cave. + +"Now," whispered the snake, "when my father asks you what you want, tell +him you want the gift of understanding the language of the animals. He +will try to give you something else but don't you accept anything +else." + +The Tsar of the Snakes was a huge creature clothed in a gorgeous skin of +red and yellow and black. They found him reclining on a golden table +with a crown of precious jewels on his head. + +"My son!" he cried, when he saw the snake that was still wound about the +shepherd's neck, "where have you been? We have been grieving for you +thinking you had met some misfortune." + +"But for this shepherd, my father," the snake said, "I should have been +burned to death. He rescued me." + +Then he told the Tsar of the Snakes the whole story. The Tsar of the +Snakes listened carefully and when the Snake Prince was finished he +turned to the shepherd and said: + +"Sir, I am deeply indebted to you for saving my son's life. Ask of me +anything I can grant and it is yours." + +"Give me then," the shepherd said, "the gift of understanding the +language of the animals." + +"Not that!" the Tsar of the Snakes cried. "It is too dangerous a gift! +If ever you confessed to some other human being that you had this gift +and repeated what some animal said you would die that instant. Ask +something else--anything else!" + +"No," the shepherd insisted. "Give me that or nothing!" + +When the Tsar of the Snakes saw that the shepherd was not to be +dissuaded, he said: + +"Very well, then. What must be, must be. Come now very close to me and +put your mouth against my mouth. Do you breathe three times into my +mouth and I shall breathe three times into your mouth. Then you will +understand the language of the animals." + +So the shepherd put his mouth close to the mouth of the Tsar of the +Snakes and breathed into it three times. Then the Tsar of the Snakes +breathed into the shepherd's mouth three times. + +"Now you will understand the language of all animals," the Tsar of the +Snakes said. "It is a dangerous gift but if you remember my warning it +may bring you great prosperity. Farewell." + +So the shepherd went back to his flocks and lay down under a fir tree to +rest. Presently he wondered whether he hadn't been asleep and dreamed +about the burning bush and the snake and the Tsar of the Snakes. + +"It can't be real!" he said to himself. "How can I or any man understand +the language of the animals!" + +[Illustration: _The Tsar of the Snakes Listened Carefully_] + +Just then two ravens alighted on the tree above his head. + +"Caw! Caw!" said one of them. "Wouldn't that shepherd be surprised if he +knew he was lying on some buried treasure!" + +"Caw! Caw!" laughed the other. "He'll never know for he's only one of +those poor stupid human beings who can't understand a word we say!" + +The ravens flew off and the shepherd sat up and rubbed his eyes to make +sure he was awake. + +"Am I dreaming again?" he asked himself, "or did I really understand +them? Well, I'll soon find out. To-morrow I'll bring a spade and then if +there's any treasure buried under this tree I won't be long in digging +it up." + +He marked the spot where he had been lying when the ravens spoke and the +next day came back and dug. Three feet below the surface his spade hit +something that proved to be a big iron pot chock-full of golden ducats. + +He carried the treasure to his master and his master was so pleased at +his honesty that he gave him half of it. + +So now the shepherd was able to set up in life for himself. He bought a +farm and married and "settled down" as the saying is. The years went by +and he grew prosperous and rich. + +One Christmas Eve he said to his wife: + +"I'm thinking, wife, of my youth when I was a shepherd and how lonely it +was at times like this when other folk were at home seated about the +fire and making merry. Let us give our shepherds out on the hills a +surprise to-night. We can take them meats and wine and other food and +then I'll go out and guard the sheep while you serve them a fine +Christmas supper." + +His wife agreed and they mounted their horses and rode out to the hills +taking with them great hampers of food and wine. The wife entertained +the shepherds in their hut with a big jolly supper and the master stayed +outside all night with the dogs guarding the sheep. + +At midnight some wolves came prowling around the flocks. + +"See here," they said to the dogs, "if you let us in we'll kill the +sheep and then we'll divide the carcasses with you." + +The dogs for the most part were young and thoughtless and ready enough +to fall in with the wolves' suggestion. But there was one old sheepdog +that nothing could tempt. + +"I've only a few teeth left!" he growled, "but those few are still +sound and let any wolf come a step nearer and I'll tear him to pieces!" + +All night long that one old sheepdog stood on guard faithful to duty. + +In the morning the master ordered the shepherds to kill the young dogs +and train in new ones. + +The shepherds were surprised. + +"The master's a clever one!" they told each other. "Just one night and +he found out how worthless those young dogs were!" + +As the farmer and his wife were riding home, the farmer's horse ran on +ahead. + +"Not so fast!" begged the mare that the wife was riding. "Have pity on +me and go more slowly. You have only the master to carry while I'm all +laden down with hampers and empty jugs and I don't know what and with a +mistress that's twice as big as she was a few months ago!" + +The farmer when he heard the mare's complaint burst out laughing. + +"What are you laughing at?" his wife asked sharply. + +"Nothing," the farmer said. + +"You're laughing at me!" the wife declared, "I know you are, just +because I'm so big that I'm awkward in the saddle!" + +"No, my dear, I'm not laughing at you, truly I'm not." + +"You are! I know you are and I don't think it's kind of you, either!" +And the wife burst into tears. + +"Now, my dear," the husband said, soothingly, "be sensible and believe +me when I tell you I was not laughing at you." + +"Then what were you laughing at?" + +"I can't tell you because if I did tell you then I should die the next +moment." + +"Die the next moment!" the wife said. "Stuff and nonsense! It must be a +strange thing indeed if a man can't tell his own wife for fear he'll die +the next moment!" + +The more she thought about it the more enraged she became and also the +more curious. + +"If you really loved me, you'd tell me!" she wept. + +All the way home she kept on worrying her husband and nagging at him +until at last in utter exhaustion he said: + +"Peace, woman, peace, and I'll tell you! But first let me have my coffin +made for as I've warned you I shall die the moment I've spoken." + +So he had the village carpenter build him a coffin and when it was +ready he stood it up on end against the house and got inside of it. + +The news of what was about to happen spread among the animals and the +faithful old sheepdog hurried down from the hills to be with his master +at the end. He lay down at the foot of the coffin and howled. + +"I've one faithful friend!" the farmer said. "Wife, give the poor dog +some bread before I tell you my secret and die." + +The woman threw the old dog a hunk of bread but the dog refused it and +kept on howling. + +The rooster from the barnyard came running up and began gobbling down +the bread with great gusto. + +"You shameless animal!" the dog said sternly. "Here's the poor master +about to die on account of that foolish inquisitive wife of his and yet +you have so little feeling that you're delighted at the chance to gorge +yourself with food!" + +The rooster clucked scornfully. + +"See here, old dog, I can't waste any sympathy on that master of ours! +Any man who allows his wife to bully him deserves whatever he gets! Look +at me!" The rooster puffed out his chest and gave a loud: +"_Cock-a-doodle-do_! I've got fifty wives but do they bully me? They do +not! Whenever I find a nice fat worm or a grain of corn I set up an +awful noise and gather them all around me. Then I eat it while they +stand there and admire me! No, no, old dog, I have no patience with the +master! He has only one wife and he doesn't know how to rule her!" + +"The rooster's right!" thought the farmer. + +With that he jumped out of the coffin, picked up a stick, and gave his +wife a sound beating. + +"So you'd kill your husband just to satisfy your curiosity, would you?" +he shouted angrily. "Very well, then! Take this and this and this! And +if your curiosity is still unsatisfied I'll give you some more!" + +"Stop! Stop! Stop!" cried the wife. "Do you want to injure me!" + +But the farmer did not stop until he had given her such a whipping that +she never forgot it. When it was over she begged his pardon humbly and +promised never again to ask him anything that he didn't want to tell +her. + +"You just mustn't let me be so foolish again!" she said. + +"I won't!" the farmer declared. + +Then he puffed out his chest and strutted about until you'd have laughed +to see him--he looked so much like the rooster! + + + + +THE SILVER TRACKS + +[Illustration] + +_The Story of the Poor Man Who Befriended a Beggar_ + + + + +THE SILVER TRACKS + + +There were once three brothers who lived in the same village. One of +them was very rich. He had houses and fields and barns. He had nothing +to spend his money on for he had no children and his wife was as saving +and hardworking as himself. The second brother was not so rich but he, +too, was prosperous. He had one son and all his thought was to +accumulate money and property in order to leave his son rich. He schemed +and worked and slaved and made his wife do the same. + +The third brother was industrious but very poor. He worked early and +late and never took a holiday. He couldn't afford to for he had a wife +and ten children and only by working every hour of the day and often far +into the night could he earn enough to buy food for so large a family. +He was a simple man and a good man and he taught his children that the +most important thing for them to do in life was to love God and be kind +to their fellowmen. + +Now it happened that once, when our Lord Christ was on earth testing out +the hearts of men, he came in the guise of a beggar to the village +where the three brothers lived. He came in a brokendown cart driving a +wheezy old horse. It was cold and raining and night was falling. + +The Beggar knocked at the door of the richest brother and said: + +"I pray you in God's name give shelter for the night to me and my +horse." + +"What!" cried the rich man, "do you suppose I have nothing better to do +than give shelter to such as you! Be off with you or I'll call my men +and have them give you the beating you deserve!" + +The Beggar left without another word and went to the house of the next +brother. He was civil at least to the Beggar and pretended that he was +sorry to refuse him. + +"I'd accommodate you if I could," he said, "but the truth is I can't. My +house isn't as big as it looks and I have many people dependent on me. +Just go on a little farther and I'm sure you'll find some one who will +take you in." + +The Beggar turned his horse's head and went to the tiny little house +where the poor brother lived with his big family. He knocked on the door +and begged for shelter. + +"Come in, brother," said the Poor Man. "We're pretty crowded here but +we'll find a place for you." + +"And my horse," the Beggar said; "I'm afraid to leave him out in the +rain and cold." + +"We'll stable him with my donkey," the Poor Man said. "Do you come in +here by the fire and dry off and I'll see to the horse." + +The Poor Man pulled out his own cart until it was exposed to the rain in +order to make a dry place in the shed for the Beggar's cart. Then he led +the Beggar's gaunt horse into his tiny stable and fed him for the night +out of his own slender store of oats and hay. + +He and his family shared their evening meal with the Beggar and then +made up for him a bed of straw near the fire where he was able to pass +the night comfortably and warmly. + +The next morning as he was leaving he said to the Poor Man: + +"You must come sometime to my house and visit me and let me return the +hospitality you have shown me." + +"Where do you live?" the Poor Man asked. + +"You can always find me," the Beggar said, "by following the tracks of +my cart. You will know them because they are broader than the tracks of +any other cart. You will come, won't you?" + +"Yes," the Poor Man promised, "I will if ever I have time." + +They bade each other good-by and the Beggar drove slowly off. Then the +Poor Man went to the shed to get his own cart and the first thing he saw +were two large silver bolts lying on the ground. + +"They must have fallen from the Beggar's cart!" he thought to himself +and he ran out to the road to see whether the Beggar were still in +sight. But he and the cart had disappeared. + +"I hope he has no accident on account of those bolts!" the Poor Man +said. + +When he went to the stable to get his donkey he found four golden +horse-shoes where the Beggar's horse had been standing. + +"Four golden horse-shoes!" he exclaimed. "I ought to return them and the +silver bolts at once! But I can't to-day, I'm too busy. Well, I'll hide +them safely away and some afternoon when I have a few hours to spare +I'll follow the tracks of the cart to the Beggar's house." + +That afternoon he met his two rich brothers and told them about the +Beggar. + +"Silver bolts!" cried one. + +"Golden horse-shoes!" cried the other. "Take us home with you and let us +see them!" + +So they went home with the Poor Man and saw for themselves the silver +bolts and the golden horse-shoes. + +"Brothers," the Poor Man said, "if either of you have time I wish you'd +take these things and return them to the Beggar." + +They both said, no, no, they hadn't time, but they would like to know +where the Beggar lived. + +"He said I could always find him," the Poor Man said, "by following the +tracks of his cart." + +"The tracks of his cart!" echoed the other two. "Show us the tracks of +his cart!" + +They went to the shed where the cart had been and followed the tracks +out to the road. Even on the road they were easy to see for besides +being wider than any other cart tracks they shone white like glistening +silver. + +"H'm! H'm!" murmured the two rich brothers. + +"You don't think either of you have time to follow them to the Beggar's +house?" the Poor Man said. + +"No! Of course not! Of course not!" they both answered. + +But in his heart each had already decided to go at once and see for +himself what kind of a Beggar this was who had silver bolts in his cart +and golden shoes on his horse. + +The oldest brother went the very next day driving a new wagon and a fine +horse. The silver tracks led through woods and fields and over hills. +They came at last to a river which was spanned by a wooden bridge. It +was cunningly constructed of timbers beautifully hewn. The rich man had +never seen such wood used on a bridge. + +By the roadside beyond the bridge there was a pigsty with one trough +full of corn and another full of water. There were two sows in the sty +and they were fighting each other and tearing at each other and paying +no attention whatever to all the good food in the trough. + +A little farther on there was another river and over it another +wonderful bridge, this one made entirely of stone. + +Beyond it the rich man came to a meadow where there was a hayrick around +which two angry bulls were chasing each other and goring each other +until the blood spurted. + +"I wonder some one doesn't stop them!" the rich man thought to himself. + +The next river had an iron bridge, more beautiful than the rich man had +ever supposed an iron bridge could be. + +Beyond the iron bridge there was a field and a bush and two angry rams +that were chasing each other around the bush and fighting. Their horns +cracked as they met and their hides were torn and bleeding where they +had gored each other. + +"I never saw so many angry fighting animals!" the rich man thought to +himself. + +The next bridge glowed in the sun like the embers of a fire for it was +built entirely of shining copper--copper rivets, copper plates, copper +beams, nothing but copper. + +The silver tracks led over the copper bridge into a broad valley. By the +roadside there was a high crossbar from which depended heavy cuts of +meat--lamb and pork and veal. Two large bitch dogs were jumping at the +meat and then snarling and snapping at each other. + +The next bridge was the loveliest of them all for it was built of white +gleaming silver. + +The rich man climbed down from his wagon and examined it closely. + +"It would be worth a man's while to carry home a piece of this bridge!" +he muttered to himself. + +He tried the rivets, he shook the railing. At last he found four loose +bolts which he was able to pull out. The four together were so heavy +that he was scarcely able to lift them. He looked cautiously about and +when he saw that no one was looking, he slipped them one by one into the +bottom of his wagon and covered them with straw. Then he turned his +horse's head and drove home as fast as he could. It was midnight when he +got there and nobody about to spy on him as he hid the silver bolts in +the hay. + +The next day when he went out alone to gloat over his treasure he found +instead of four heavy silver bolts four pieces of wood! + +So that's what the rich brother got for following the silver tracks. + +A day or two later without saying a word to any one, the second brother +decided that he would follow the silver tracks and have a look at the +strange Beggar whose cart had silver bolts and whose wheezy horse had +golden shoes. + +"Perhaps if I keep my wits about me I'll be able to pick up a few golden +horse-shoes. Not many boys inherit golden horse-shoes from their +fathers!" + +[Illustration: _The Beggar's Garden_] + +Well, the second brother went over exactly the same route and saw +exactly the same things. He crossed all those wonderful bridges that his +brother had crossed--the wooden bridge, the stone bridge, the iron +bridge, the copper bridge, the silver bridge, and he saw all those +angry animals still trying to gore each other to death. + +He didn't stop at the silver bridge for he thought to himself: + +"Perhaps the next bridge will be golden and if it is I may be able to +break off a piece of it!" + +Beyond the silver bridge was another broad valley and the second brother +saw many strange sights as he drove through. There was a man standing +alone in a field and trying to beat off a flock of ravens that were +swooping down and pecking at his eyes. Near him was an old man with +snow-white hair who was making loud outcries to heaven praying to be +delivered from the two oxen who were munching at his white hair as +though it were so much hay. They ate great wisps of it and the more they +ate the more grew out. + +There was an apple-tree heavily laden with ripe fruit and a hungry man +forever reaching up and plucking an apple. The apples were apples of +Sodom and always as the hungry man raised each new one to his mouth it +turned to ashes. + +In another place a thirsty man was reaching with a dipper into a well +and always, just as he was about to scoop up some water, the well moved +away from under the dipper. + +"What a strange country this is!" thought the second brother as he drove +on. + +At last he reached the next bridge and sure enough it was shining gold! +Every part of it--bolts and beams and pillars, all were gold. In great +excitement the second brother climbed down from his wagon and began +pulling and wrenching at various parts of the bridge hoping to find some +loose pieces which he could break off. At last he succeeded in pulling +out four long bolts which were so heavy he could scarcely lift them. +After looking about in all directions to make sure that no one saw him, +he put them into his wagon and covered them up with straw. Then he drove +homewards as fast as he could. + +"Ha! Ha!" he chuckled as he hid the golden bolts in the barn. "My son +will now be a richer man than my brother!" + +He could scarcely sleep with thinking of his golden treasure and at the +first light of morning he slipped out to the barn. Imagine his rage when +he found in the straw four bolts of wood! + +So that was all the second brother got for following the silver tracks. + +Well, years went by and the Poor Man worked day after day and all day +and often far into the night. Some of his children died and the rest +grew up and went out into the world and married and made homes of their +own. Then at last his good wife died and the time came when the Poor Man +was old and all alone in the world. + +One night as he sat on his doorstep thinking of his wife and of his +children when they were little and of all the years he had worked for +them to keep them fed and clothed, he happened to remember the Beggar +and the promise he had made to visit him sometime. + +"And to think of all the years I've kept his golden horse-shoes and his +silver bolts! Well, he'll forgive me, I know," thought the Poor Man, +"for he'll understand that I've always been too busy up to this time +ever to follow the tracks of his cart. I wonder are they still there." + +He went out to the roadside and peered down and how it happened I don't +know, but to his dim eyes at least there were the silver tracks as clear +as ever. + +"Good!" cried the Poor Man. "To-morrow morning bright and early I'll +hitch up the donkey and visit my old friend, the Beggar!" + +So the next day he took out the silver bolts and the golden horse-shoes +from the place where he had kept them hidden all these years and he put +them in a bag. Then he hitched his old donkey to his old cart and +started out to follow the silver tracks to the Beggar's home. + +Well, he saw just exactly the same things that his brothers had seen +those many years before: all those terrible fighting animals and all +those unfortunate men. + +"I'll have to remember and ask the Beggar what ails all these +creatures," he thought to himself. + +Like his brothers he passed over the wooden bridge and the stone bridge +and the iron bridge and the copper bridge and the silver bridge and even +the golden bridge. Beyond the golden bridge he came to a Garden that was +surrounded by a high wall of diamonds and rubies and sapphires and all +kinds of precious stones that blazed as brightly as the sun itself. The +silver tracks turned in at the garden gate which was locked. + +The poor man climbed down from his cart, unhitched the donkey, and set +him out to graze on the tender grass that grew by the wayside. + +Then he took the bag that held the golden horse-shoes and the silver +bolts and he went to the garden gate. It was a very wonderful gate of +beaten gold set with precious stones. For a moment the Poor Man wondered +if he dare knock at so rich a gate, then he remembered that his friend +the Beggar was inside and he knew that he would be made welcome. + +It was the Beggar himself who opened the gate. When he saw the Poor Man +he smiled and held out his hands and said: + +"Welcome, dear friend! I have been waiting for you all these years! Come +in and I will show you my Garden." + +So the Poor Man went inside. And first of all he gave the Beggar his +golden horse-shoes and his silver bolts. + +"Forgive me," he said, "for keeping them so long, but I've never had +time until now to return them." + +The Beggar smiled. + +"I knew, dear friend, that they were safe with you and that you would +bring them some day." + +Then the Beggar put his arm over the Poor Man's shoulder and led him +through the Garden showing him the wonderful golden fruits and beautiful +flowers. They sat them down beside a fountain of crystal water and while +they listened to the songs of glorious birds they talked together and +the Poor Man asked about the strange things he had seen along the road. + +"All those animals," the Beggar said, "were once human beings who +instead of fearing God and being kind to their fellowmen passed all +their time fighting and cheating and cursing. The two sows were two +sisters-in-law who hated each other bitterly. The two bulls and the two +rams were neighbors who fought for years and years over the boundary +lines of their farms and now they keep on fighting through eternity. The +two bitches were two sisters who fought until they died over the +inheritance left them by their father. The old man whose hair the oxen +eat was a farmer who always pastured his cattle on his neighbors' +fields. Now he has his reward. The man at whose eyes the ravens peck was +an ungrateful son who mistreated his parents. The man with the awful +thirst that can never be quenched was a drunkard, and the one at whose +lips the apples turn to ashes was a glutton." + +So they talked on together, the Poor Man and the Beggar, until it was +late afternoon and the Beggar said: + +"And now, dear friend, you will sup with me as I once supped with you." + +"Thank you," the Poor Man said, "I will. But let me first go out and see +how my donkey is." + +"Very well," the Beggar said, "go. But be sure to come back for I shall +be waiting for you." + +So the Poor Man went out the garden gate and looked for his donkey. But +the donkey was gone. + +"He must have started home," the Poor Man thought. "I'll hurry and +overtake him." + +So he started back afoot the way he had come. He went on and on but saw +no donkey. He crossed the golden bridge and the silver bridge and the +copper bridge and the iron bridge and the stone bridge and last of all +the wooden bridge, but still there was no donkey. + +"He must have got all the way home," he thought. + +When the Poor Man reached his native village things looked different. +Houses that he remembered had disappeared and others had taken their +places. He couldn't find his own little house at all. He asked the +people he met and they knew nothing about it. And they knew nothing +about him, either, not even his name. And nobody even knew about his +sons. At last he did meet one old man who remembered the family name and +who told him that many years before the last of the sons had gone to +another village to live. + +"There's no place here for me," the Poor Man thought. "I better go back +to my friend the Beggar and stay with him. No one else wants me." + +So once again he followed the silver tracks all that long way over all +those bridges and when at last he reached the garden gate he was very +tired, for he was old and feeble now. It was all he could do to give one +faint little knock. But the Beggar heard him and came running to let +him in. And when he saw him, how tired he was and how feeble, he put his +arm around him and helped him into the Garden and he said: + +"You shall stay with me now forever and we shall be very happy +together." + +And the Poor Man when he looked in the Beggar's face to thank him saw +that he was not a beggar at all but the Blessed Christ Himself. And then +he knew that he was in the Garden of Paradise. + + +[Illustration] + +THE END + + + + +STORIES TO TELL + +IT'S PERFECTLY TRUE AND OTHER STORIES. _By Hans Christian Andersen._ +Twenty-eight stories translated from the Danish by Paul Leyssac. + +13 DANISH TALES. _By Mary C. Hatch._ A baker's dozen of robust, humorous +folk tales. + +MORE DANISH TALES. _By Mary C. Hatch._ Fifteen rollicking folk tales +retold from Sven Grundtvig's _Folkaeventyr_. + +A BAKER'S DOZEN. _Selected by Mary Gould Davis._ Thirteen stories which +are especially successful in storytelling. + +THE TREASURE OF LI-PO. _By Alice Ritchie._ Six original fairy tales set +in China and told with beauty and distinction. + +THE SHEPHERD'S NOSEGAY: Stories from Finland and Czechoslovakia. _By +Parker Fillmore._ Children and storytellers alike will welcome these +rich and robust folk tales, long unavailable. + +ROOTABAGA STORIES. _By Carl Sandburg._ An omnibus volume including all +the stories originally published in the two books _Rootabaga Stories_ +and _Rootabaga Pigeons_. + +THE TIGER'S WHISKER: And Other Tales and Legends from Asia and the +Pacific. _By Harold Courlander._ Thirty-one Far Eastern folk tales, full +of sly humor, adventure, and virtue rewarded. + +THE HAT-SHAKING DANCE and Other Tales from the Gold Coast. _By Harold +Courlander and Albert Kofi Prempeh._ A handsome collection of twenty-one +wise and humorous Ashanti folk tales. + +HARCOURT, BRACE & WORLD, INC. +757 _Third Avenue, New York 17, N. Y._ + + + + +_=The Magic Listening Cap=_ + +_More Folk Tales from Japan_ + +BY YOSHIKO UCHIDA + + +Wisdom and humor abound in the fourteen folk tales of this second +collection by the author of _The Dancing Kettle_. Once more Miss Uchida +has dipped into the wealth of Japanese folklore to retell delightful +stories that American children have seldom heard. + +"The Wrestling Match of the Two Buddhas," "The Man Who Bought a Dream," +"The Golden Axe," and others are a fascinating combination of the +strange and the familiar. A different land, a different people, a +different kind of magic all come to life in these colorful, imaginative +tales. And yet running through them are such universal folk themes as +the inevitable downfall of the greedy and the foolish. In all of these +adventures there is a keen sense of the Japanese countryside with its +mountains and sea, rice fields, deep green forests, and delicate +gardens. + +Retold with freshness and simplicity, these ancient tales are not only +fun to read but also welcome new material for storytelling. + +_Illustrated by the author_ + +Honor Book in the 1955 _N. Y. Herald Tribune_ Children's Spring Book +Festival + +60-100 + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE + +Please hover your mouse over the words with a thin dotted gray line +underneath them for seeing what the original reads. The text in the solid +black box is the text from the dust cover flaps. + +LIST OF FIXED ISSUES + +p. 023--removed a duplicate period after 'frozen over' +p. 094--typo fixed: changed 'to to' into 'to' +p. 096--inserted a missing 'is' between 'It' and 'like a fox's tail!' +p. 131--typo fixed: changed 'hankerchief' into 'handkerchief' +p. 214--typo fixed: changed 'tomorrrow's' into 'tomorrow's'. +p. 225--removed a duplicate 'and' in front of 'searched here' +p. 238--typo fixed: changed 'winepresses' into 'wine-presses' +p. 281--typo fixed: changed 'horseshoes' into 'horse-shoes' + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Laughing Prince, by Parker Fillmore + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAUGHING PRINCE *** + +***** This file should be named 19713.txt or 19713.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/7/1/19713/ + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Irma Spehar, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + diff --git a/19713.zip b/19713.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bccc0f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/19713.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ba654a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #19713 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19713) |
